I need to go to Darfur, for example, so I can see what life is really like for a child in a camp, and talk to America about what I’ve seen. Those are the most important flights because the children are the most important. But I also have to go to a lot of meetings and speaking engagements, so I’m flying continually.

I used to fly without thinking about it. But 9/11 changed my ideas about flying. I’ve been flying for business in one job or another for the past 30 years. Nothing horrible has happened. But I fly so much I figure I’m due. I am a white-knuckle flier now, but I really try and hide it. I need to fly. The work that we do demands it, and that’s more important than me not really enjoying flying.

I have missed my fair share of flights. But sometimes people will try and help out. I was out in Los Angeles and had to fly to Dubai and then take a connecting flight to Bangladesh. When I was in Los Angeles, I was giving a speech that ran a little long, and I hit the Los Angeles freeway in the middle of the day.

Traffic was horrible. I finally made it to the airport only to discover the Emirates desk closes one hour before takeoff. I was 10 minutes late. I needed to get to Bangladesh, so I figured I had nothing to lose by asking for help.

There was a couple at the desk who were also late and they were going bonkers. The people at the desk started walking away, and I just went up to one of them and explained my situation.

The woman I was speaking with asked to see my business card to make sure I really was working with Unicef. The next thing I knew she went back to the desk and hand-wrote out my paper work.

I was really grateful. I can’t say the same for the couple that were still arguing. They didn’t get on the flight. I thought that maybe I should explain my situation. But then I figured silence really can be golden, and just got on the flight.

Occasionally, a flight can be fun for me. I was headed to Kenya on a British Airways 747 on loan. It was packed with supplies that were going to be distributed in East Africa. We were set to leave from our supply center in Copenhagen with tons of medical supplies and food.

The duke and duchess of Cambridge, also known as Prince William and Kate, helped pack the supplies. I had never met them before. I didn’t know if I was supposed to curtsy or what, so I had to learn the proper protocol. I was laughing at myself because I was so gaga about meeting them.

The passenger portion of the plane only had 10 people, including myself, aid workers and journalists. All of the supplies were in the cargo hold, luggage compartment and overhead bins. There was a full flight crew because those are the rules. We were like a bunch of kids changing seats all the time and we all ate dinner together, just like at a dinner party.

I found out that the crew donated their time, as did the crew from U.P.S., who also donated a flight on this same run.

I do try and remember how good the airlines are to our organization every time I’m on a flight. That still hasn’t helped me pry my white knuckles off the armrest, though. But I’m working on it.

By Caryl Stern, as told to Joan Raymond. E-mail: joan.raymond@nytimes.com.

Article source: http://www.nytimes.com/2012/12/25/business/aid-for-children-helped-along-by-wings-frequent-flier.html?partner=rss&emc=rss