The Remarkable Fear of Heights Faced by U.S. Senator Craig Thomas

Late U.S. Senator Craig Thomas had a fear of heights, and flying was especially difficult for him. His fear only worsened after an incident in the late 1990s when the door of the small plane he was in flew open mid-flight. Thomas was flying over northwest Wyoming with then-Governor Jim Geringer when the latch on the plane’s door popped open, sending a rush of wind through the cabin. Geringer recalled that Thomas was already nervous about flying, and this made the situation even more frightening for him, even though their safety was never in danger.

Despite his fear, Thomas, a longtime representative for Wyoming, regularly flew back home from Washington, D.C., almost every week while serving in Congress. His former chief of staff, Gale Geringer, said that even though Thomas didn’t like flying, he always pushed through and did what was necessary, showing his toughness. Remarkably, Thomas was also a pilot and was very cautious about safety. He would carefully check everything on his plane before flying.

Although it’s uncommon for pilots to be afraid of heights, it is not unheard of, according to Mitch Semel, an aviation instructor. Semel explained that flying can be a good way to confront that fear. This desire to face his fears was part of who Thomas was. He had a history of challenging himself, whether it was serving in the U.S. Marines or taking people on tours of the U.S. Capitol dome, even though he didn’t like heights.

One time, at an event in Casper, Geringer unknowingly teased Thomas by getting on a fire truck ladder, which extended high into the air. Thomas didn’t enjoy it, but it showed his ability to face uncomfortable situations. Another time, Thomas went paragliding with his wife at the urging of his staff. Despite his initial fear and swearing during the descent, Thomas was thrilled once he landed safely.

Semel also pointed out that some people overcome their fear of flying through training courses that teach non-pilots how to take over in an emergency. These courses can help people become more comfortable with flying and face their fear. As for the door incident on the Wyoming state plane, Semel explained that while it’s rare for doors to fly open, it’s possible with older planes. If a door were to come completely off, it could cause dangerous conditions due to the loss of cabin pressure.

Thomas is remembered for his legacy of securing funding for Wyoming’s national parks and his efforts in negotiating for parts of Grand Teton National Park. He was known for keeping his promises and working hard for the people of Wyoming.