How Did Angel Flight Central Coordinate Flights Before AFIDS?

Before Angel Flight Central used AFIDS, our online system for coordinating flights, volunteers relied on phone calls and a shared binder to help passengers reach medical care. We recently welcomed volunteer pilot Michael and his wife, Laurie, to our office. Laurie was a volunteer passenger screener in the 90s, and we loved hearing her memories of how we coordinated flights to help people reach care.

As a nurse, Laurie was a natural fit for the role. She understood the medical terminology and could talk with passengers about their needs to help determine whether Angel Flight Central would be the best resource for them. It sounds like even then, the phones were ringing off the hook! Laurie told our team she remembers answering a ton of calls during her time as a volunteer.

Each screener took a week each month. When the week ended, the binder was packed up and shipped to the next volunteer. Information that we can now access online traveled from home to home, helping volunteers keep track of requests and coordinate flights. It took a lot of care and teamwork to keep things moving!

In these photos, Laurie is looking through the same binder she used as a volunteer passenger screener. She also shared memories of volunteer pilot Ken Burge, who brought her the headset, dial pad and other supplies she needed to screen passengers.

Now, we’re happy to welcome this family into a new chapter with Angel Flight Central! Michael will be helping passengers get to care as a volunteer pilot, with Laurie riding along as his mission assistant. After helping passengers over the phone years ago, she’ll now get to share their journeys from the airplane.

Thank you for spending time with us and sharing these memories, Laurie and Michael. We’re so glad to have you both on board!