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Need help to find lie-flat transportation, JAX->SJC due to back disability.

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Need help to find lie-flat transportation, JAX->SJC due to back disability.

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Old Jan 2, 2015, 3:06 pm
  #1  
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Join Date: Jan 2015
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Post Need help to find lie-flat transportation, JAX->SJC due to back disability.

I AM DESPERATE FOR ANSWERS SO I CAN MAKE INFORMED MEDICAL DECISION ABOUT ACCOMMODATIONS ON AIRPLANES. I NEED TO FLY TO DOCTOR IN CA.

I have a VERY bad back. Already have rods and pins and may now need more. Medically I need to be straight (flat) about every 40 min’s. I need to fly or go by train (even if they make that route) from Jacksonville, Florida to San Jose, Ca. to see a doctor and make the trip back.

I need to know the difference between recline degrees not pitch. The only information I’ve received is from Delta, is to tell me , is that First Class is 38 degree in pitch and Coach has 31 to 32.

I don’t know how to calculated that recline degrees. This is the only thing I can base my medical needs for is the reclining degrees to know weather I can medically (pain) handle the flight, or I just can’t fly at all.

Even if someone that builds the plane could tell me..

Simply put;

Can ANYONE tell me the most comfortable Airline, with the most reclining seat there is? That travel from Jacksonville, Florida to San Jose, California. I don’t care about the date or time of travel. Whether it’s called coach, first class, business, economy, economy comfort..errrr. That makes the round trip flight from Jacksonville, Florida to San Jose, California??????

Me an Delta with had a conversation with raised voices because they insisted I tell them the date. I DON’T KNOW THE DATE THAT I WILL FLY. I HAVE TO KNOW FIRST,
IF I CAN EVEN FLY (HANDLE PAIN WISE THE FLIGHT).

THE ONLY WAY I WILL KNOW THAT IS TO FIND OUT THE DIFFERENCE THE COMFORT LEVEL HENCE, WHAT IS THE RECLINE DEGREES DIFFERENCE IN COACH VS. FIRST CLASS TO JUSTIFY WHY I NEED THAT MEDICALLY.

I HAVE TO JUSTIFY WRITE UP THE EXACT DIFFERENCE IS SO I CAN MEDICALLY KNOW IF I CAN EVEN FLY OR NOT.

OR if ANYONE, can allow me to drive to the airline (in between the whatever most comfortable planes landing) while they are cleaning up between flights even for me or escort me to seat in the two different seats so I can see. It would only take 20 minutes for me to feel the difference and then I could know, yes I can fly or I can’t handle it at all.

Security wise- I am a U.S. Veteran and retired Law Enforcement and need help to make an informed decision.

I may even have to consider a train (with the flat beds) if they even make that route. Wrote to “SeatGuru” and no answers.


I am desperate for answers as soon as possible. I am in a lot of pain and REALLY need to see this doctor in California to evaluate me.

Begging for any suggestions, answers or help you can supply me. Thank you in advance,

[Moderator edit per FT Privacy Policy.]

Last edited by Ocn Vw 1K; Jan 2, 2015 at 5:22 pm Reason: FT Privacy policy
Jinuwinlady is offline  
Old Jan 2, 2015, 5:37 pm
  #2  
 
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Need help to find lie-flat transportation, JAX->SJC due to back disability.

The reason people need to know the date is because airlines fly different equipment on the same routes at different times and dates.
The best lie - flat options will be business class to SFO via either Atlanta or New York. Delta only has lie - flat on certain flights from Atlanta to the West Coast, indicated by a little bed on their website.
Otherwise, American, United, and Delta all offer flat beds from JFK to LAX and SFO.
As for other routes, no one is going to be able to tell you what the most comfortable seat is going to be. Most domestic first class seats on large aircraft are pretty similar, and what makes a seat most comfortable is a matter of personal preference.
Note that flying into SJC you are more likely to get a regional jet, which is generally less comfortable than a larger plane.
You need to look at specific routes and dates and then research the seats on the planes being used. be aware though that equipment swaps are very common, and the plane you book may not be the plane you fly.
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Old Jan 2, 2015, 5:41 pm
  #3  
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Jinuwinlady, welcome to FlyerTalk! I regret your personal discomfort.

I edited the thread title to make it more specific and deleted some personal information at the end of your post, to protect your privacy.

FlyerTalk has a forum dedicated to Disability Travel and I'll move this there. Ocn Vw 1K, Moderator.

[Most domestic aircraft which fly on/near the routes you need to fly, have seat reclines of only 7 degrees and that's only in first class. United, the airline I'm most familiar, does operate a daily 787 between Houston and San Francisco, Int'l. with 180 degree or lie-flat business/first seats. I'm not sure about Delta or American. It's possible that one or both might operate a lie-flat or almost lie-flat service between their major nearby hubs (Atlanta for DL or Miami for AA) to SFO.

The airlines do need to know the date you're flying as equipment changes from day-to-day.
Ocn Vw 1K is offline  
Old Jan 2, 2015, 6:07 pm
  #4  
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That's going to be a tough thing to fulfill.

AA does have one lie flat (at a slight, perhaps seven degrees, angle from horizontal) on a Boeing 767-300 between MIA / Miami and SFO / San Francisco. SFO is perhaps 45 minutes to an hour, depending on traffic, from San José. About a thousand bucks round trip in domestic first with lie flat seat.

THe flight, AA167, currently leaves Miami a bit after 7:00 am, so it might require an overnight. There are numerous hotels in the area, and even one within the terminal. But you still have to work in Jacksonville to Miami (1:15 in the air, not to mention the pre- and post-flight times.)

I've flown transatlantic in the 763 red eye and get a good sleep. Some say they feel it's too sloppy and they feel they might slide down, but with dozens of flights on these and similar 777, I've never felt I was sliding down in the seat. The controls are all electric.

Perhaps a non-ambulance medical transport could come into play in the S. F. Bay Area.

Last edited by JDiver; Jan 2, 2015 at 6:14 pm
JDiver is offline  
Old Jan 2, 2015, 9:38 pm
  #5  
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Talk to your doctor. You may find that, while uncomfortable, a cheap coach seat with NO recline would be best for your back. Recline is one of the worst things you can do to your back. Find out what position the doctor thinks is best.

As one who was once hospitalized for 2 months with paralysis and major back and spinal surgeries, I feel your pain. I had to fly from Orange County to Michigan to be with family after leaving the rehab hospital. SNA-ORD I was in F, but stayed upright the entire flight. A UX flight to DTW was not too comfortable sitting straight up, but my neurosurgeon said it was best. Don't be afraid to use all the services available, from wheelchair to help through security and advanced boarding.

If you want any personal details on flying, you can PM me and I'll be happy to share my experience.
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Old Jan 2, 2015, 10:36 pm
  #6  
 
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Medical RV. Com
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