Long flight advice needed

Limekat,
I don’t think you are being paranoid, you know your body better than anyone else. I took a 3 hour flight on a prop-jet (tiny plane) last April and it was pretty close to miserable. What I would do next time is sit in the back where I can get up easier and stand next to the toilet – standing isn’t easy either but it’s a change from sitting. I would also inform the airline that I need a WHEELCHAIR ESCORT! That was really stupid of me not to do because the distance between gates and baggage is longer than you think no matter where you go and I had to walk across the tarmac to the prop-jet and walk up the stairs by myself. By the time I made it to the plane I was already exhausted and by the time I got to my destination I was barely functional. Dumb Dumb Dumb Vanity Ruled, that time anyway. Next time I will make a bigger deal out of my condition to the airlines and to heck with my pride. 😮

Julie

Definitely listen to Julie regarding the wheelchair escourt, not only is walking to terminals a problem, but often standing waiting in line at the ticket counter when checking bags, and the security line … thats what gets me! I wonder if you call the airline and say that you are disabled and use a wheelchair most of the time, if they give you a special seat? I know you tried explaining to them, my parents try and explain their chronic illnesses when flying 17.5 hours to visit us – but they dont care (can you believe they even lost my dads meds that had to be refrigerated, no apology or anything!). My best friend who lives in South Africa too has been told she will have to travel as a disabled traveler if she comes to visit, and I know its a whole different procedure as to how she gets onto and off the plane, and where she sits.

LimeKat

I traveled to Hawaii several years ago and that flight was 11 hours long. My
neuro told me that I must stand up for a few minutes every hour, whether
to use the restroom or stand in the aisle. He said sitting would cripple me
more, that I needed to keep the blood circulating…I was on an American
flight. I stood in the aisle, holding onto my seat back and the one across
from me…it did help.

Even now, doctors tell anyone flying to stand or walk a little to keep the
blood moving. Also, try to pull up your leg to your chest several times, of
course you would have to wear pants…lol…, to do simple moving exercises.

Definitely, tell the porter you need a wheelchair to the plane…that’s what saved me from walking an endless walk. You know Miami’s airport…it is long.

You’ll be fine and I’m glad you are going on a nice trip…

Miami Girl

I definitely second the wheelchair idea. Getting through security can take forever. You definitely don’t want to be on your feet that long. They will probably want you to take off your shoes. It is a whole lot easier to put them back on if you have a place to sit. A wheelchair will help getting around the airport. The airlines have special wheel chairs that you can use to get on and off the aircraft. TWA [Tiny Winy Airlines] may be a challenge. There is not too much room to move around. If you are less than 5′ 6″ or so, you may be able to stand up and stretch. Have a good flight and keep the meds. Just a point of interest, if you are taking the meds on board, it’s a good idea to keep them in the bottle they came in. The bottle will have your name, the name of the med and the name of the doctor who proscribed it.

If you prepare for it, the trip can be well worth it.

Limekat, earlier this year I flew on a propeller plane to Laos. It was pretty scary. I don’t know how you are on your feet. Climbing up the narrow steps to the airplane was quite an ordeal. Fortunately Carol was right behind me or else I would’ve fallen down. Just make sure that somebody is watching out for you, someone behind you walking up and someone in front of you walking down. if you’re traveling alone and you think you do need help, I would ask the stewardess or someone else to give you a hand.

Two hours on a small plane is quite a long time. I would suggest to buy one of those resistance bands you can find in the sports department at Target. They are about $10. They allow you to keep your circulation going without having to leave your seat. Also taking two regular aspirin before the trip would be a good idea .

When I was doing PT a few weeks ago I used the same bands to do my “homework”. I wrapped one end around the leg of the kitchen table. I put my foot through the loop at the other end and kept pulling on it to exercise my muscles. I think it helped quite a lot.

I agree with the others. Getting a wheelchair has been quite helpful. Anyhow, have a good time and enjoy your vacation.

Limekat, earlier this year I flew on a propeller plane to Laos. It was pretty scary. I don’t know how you are on your feet. Climbing up the narrow steps to the airplane was quite an ordeal. Fortunately Carol was right behind me or else I would’ve fallen down. Just make sure that somebody is watching out for you, someone behind you walking up and someone in front of you walking down. if you’re traveling alone and you think you do need help, I would ask the stewardess or someone else to give you a hand.

Two hours on a small plane is quite a long time. I would suggest to buy one of those resistance bands you can find in the sports department at Target. They are about $10. They allow you to keep your circulation going without having to leave your seat. Also taking two regular aspirin before the trip would be a good idea .

When I was doing PT a few weeks ago I used the same bands to do my “homework”. I wrapped one end around the leg of the kitchen table. I put my foot through the loop at the other end and kept pulling on it to exercise my muscles. I think it helped quite a lot.

I agree with the others. Getting a wheelchair has been quite helpful. Anyhow, have a good time and enjoy your vacation.