Jazmin Li
Airports can be stressful, and many people associate them with drinking. For those in recovery, this can be a challenge. A way to get support is to ask the airport staff to page a friend of Bill W. at your gate. Bill W. is one of the founders of Alcoholics Anonymous (AA), and “friend of Bill is a code for AA members. AA members will come to talk and provide support. This is a well-known practice, and many people are willing to help.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Who to page | A friend of Bill W. |
| Who is a friend of Bill W. | AA members |
| Who is Bill W. | One of the founders of AA |
| What to say when paging | "I need help" or "Any friends of Bill W., please come to..." and give your location |
| Who will respond | A stranger/fellow AA member |
| Purpose | To get support to avoid drinking |
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What You'll Learn
AA members can support you at the airport
Airports can be stressful places for many people, and this stress can be a trigger for those struggling with alcohol addiction. Asking for help can be difficult, but AA members can support you at the airport.
One way to get support from other AA members at the airport is to ask the gate agent to page a "friend of Bill W." to your gate. This is a secret signal that lets other AA members know that someone needs help. It is a way to connect with other members and get support during a difficult time.
AA members are often willing to help those who are struggling, even if it means missing a flight. They understand the challenges of staying sober in an airport, with its abundance of bars and triggers for anxiety. Meeting and befriending fellow AAs is a well-established part of AA culture, and many members are happy to provide support and companionship to those who need it.
In addition to this, American Airlines offers various services to support customers with disabilities, medical requirements, service animals, or pregnancy. They also have an unaccompanied minor service that allows children to travel alone under certain circumstances. If your flight is delayed or canceled, they will rebook you on their next flight or with a partner airline at no additional cost. They also provide a customer service plan that outlines their service goals and commitments, with safety, comfort, and convenience as their top priorities.
So, if you are struggling at the airport, don't be afraid to reach out for help. AA members are there to support you and can provide a helping hand during a challenging time.
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Friend of Bill is a code for AA members
Airports can be a stressful place for many, and even more so for those in recovery from alcohol addiction. Airports tend to involve alcohol, which can be a big trigger for some. In such situations, AA members may ask for a "friend of Bill W." or "a friend of Bill" to be paged. This is a code phrase of sorts, a euphemism, and a part of AA lingo that protects the anonymity of group members. Bill Wilson, or Bill W., was one of the two founders of AA, the other being Bob Smith, or Dr. Bob. So, when someone says they are a "friend of Bill W.", they are saying that they are a member of AA. The phrase gives people in recovery a way to identify and connect with one another.
AA and NA use many words and catchphrases related to recovery. Some sayings help group members remember foundational principles, while others protect their anonymity. For example, if someone sees you outside the meeting location, they may ask if you are a friend of Bill to discreetly find out if you are looking for the AA meeting. The term FOB is also used as a shortened version of "friend of Bill".
AA members may ask flight attendants to put an announcement asking for any friends of Bill to make themselves known if they are struggling and would like another AA member to provide support. This shared terminology provides members with a discreet way to ask for help while protecting their identities. It also fosters a sense of community and increases cohesion within the group.
While individual AA meetings take place across the world, fellowship refers to AA as a whole. The big book is a slang term for the book written by Bill W., formally named "Alcoholics Anonymous: The Story of How More Than One Hundred Men Have Recovered from Alcoholism". This book includes directions on how to work the 12 steps of AA. Working the steps is how AA members take the right action. The steps are said to lead to a new and improved attitude toward self, others, and recovery in general.
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AA meetings are also held at airports
Airports can be stressful places, and for some, they can be a trigger for drinking. One way to get support while travelling through an airport is to ask the gate agent to page for any "friends of Bill W." or a friend of Bill. This is a secret signal for members of Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) to come to your aid if you are struggling. AA members share a common goal of supporting each other in their recovery from alcoholism.
Some people may feel hesitant to attend an AA meeting in an airport setting. In such cases, online and telephone meetings are also available. These can be video meetings or conference calls, providing flexibility and privacy for those who need it.
The concept of paging "Bill W." at an airport is an innovative way to provide support for those struggling with alcohol addiction. It allows travellers to connect with fellow AAs and receive help in a discreet manner. This practice showcases the power of community and mutual aid in overcoming challenges related to alcohol use.
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Asking for a friend of Bill W. is a secret signal
Asking for a friend of "Bill W." is a secret signal that is used by members of Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) to discreetly identify themselves as part of the community without explicitly revealing their struggles with addiction. The phrase refers to William Griffith Wilson, one of the co-founders of Alcoholics Anonymous, who went by the nickname "Bill W."
Using coded language like "a friend of Bill W." allows individuals to connect and seek support from others in recovery without fear of judgment or stigma. It provides a sense of camaraderie and a feeling of belonging to a community with shared experiences. This is particularly helpful in stressful situations, such as travelling through an airport, where individuals may be triggered to drink alcohol.
By asking for a friend of "Bill W." at an airport, a person is signalling that they need help and support in maintaining their sobriety. It is a way to reach out for assistance without openly disclosing their membership in AA. The secret signal is a way to protect the anonymity of group members, which is considered a foundational principle in AA.
The phrase "a friend of Bill W." has also evolved to be used more broadly within all types of recovery communities, beyond just AA members. It has become a common idiom to refer to anyone in recovery from addiction or alcoholism, providing a sense of connection and support for individuals who may feel isolated due to their past struggles.
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You can ask for in-person support at the airport
Airports can be stressful places, and many people find themselves struggling with the urge to drink while travelling. One way to get support is to ask the gate agent to page "a friend of Bill W." to your gate. This is a secret signal that will bring another traveller who is a member of Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) to your aid.
If you are struggling with sobriety, there are other ways to get in-person support at the airport. Airports and airlines provide special assistance for passengers with disabilities, medical requirements, service animals, or pregnancy. This includes wheelchair assistance for individuals with mobility impairments and guide assistance for individuals who are blind. To receive such assistance, passengers must self-identify as needing this service to airline staff at the airport. It is also worth checking the range of special assistance services offered by a given carrier, as some airlines offer special assistance to the elderly, as well as the possibility of choosing a more comfortable seat and adjusting meals to the passenger's diet.
Airports can be overwhelming for introverts, with loud noises, overstimulation, and a lack of privacy. To escape the hustle and bustle, you can swing by the Puppy Zone, curl up in a big armchair, or try a drop-in hypnotherapy session.
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Frequently asked questions
It is a code for AA members to ask for support to stay sober.
Find an airport paging phone and ask them to page "Friends of Bill W" and give them your location, e.g. Gate 14.
They are AA members who will come to talk to you if you are struggling and need support.
Bill W. is one of the founders of AA.
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