Multiple health issues -- need help w/airline & seat selection
Jul 16, 2007, 4:39 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: CT
Programs: Aadvantage, Marriott, Starwood, Southwest
Posts: 134
Multiple health issues -- need help w/airline & seat selection
I will be traveling in late February w/parents in their 70s, from BDL or NY to RSW (or FLL). My dad has pacemaker and severe arthritis in hips, neck, spine, etc. My mom has arthritis in knees and is petrified of flying. I will have a fulll arm cast, on right arm, due to joint fusion surgery. I currently have us booked on AA, in 1st class, to MIA ... family will pick us up there to get us to Naples, where I will recuperate from my surgery. However, also looking into Jet Blue and Delta (1st if possible) to RSW (closer to Naples). Any suggestions of first vs. economy? My dad is 6'2", so need legroom, and he has circulation problems. Which airline would be best? Also need nonstop, or mom will not go. Am considering Jet Blue, because parents live near NY. Is that a good choice? Any specific seat recommendations for any of these airlines? I do have wheelchair assistance noted on the AA reservation. Any special hints for screening? My parents have not flown in years, plus I'm curious about how the cast will affect screening. Any assistance would be appreciated.
Jul 16, 2007, 12:48 pm
#2
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2001
Location: IAH
Programs: La Ministreuse de Surréalisme, CO Plat, MR Plat, SPG Plat
Posts: 11,358
I would do first class for two reasons - comfort and the more pleasant experience will help your mom's fear of flying (I did this with my dad when he started flying again and he likes flying now - even did a RJ last week).
If you look on Jet Blue's seat map - it will show you the differences in seats - pitch, legroom, etc. so the seats in the back have better legroom, but the seats up front have more recline, etc.
Your cast will have to be "Swabbed" to ensure no illegal residues. It's painless (unless you have a moron for a screener) and takes just a couple of extra minutes.
It sounds like you have some very uncomfortable, special situations to deal with so please ensure it's the easiest for all of you. Happy travels to you.
If you look on Jet Blue's seat map - it will show you the differences in seats - pitch, legroom, etc. so the seats in the back have better legroom, but the seats up front have more recline, etc.
Your cast will have to be "Swabbed" to ensure no illegal residues. It's painless (unless you have a moron for a screener) and takes just a couple of extra minutes.
It sounds like you have some very uncomfortable, special situations to deal with so please ensure it's the easiest for all of you. Happy travels to you.
Jul 16, 2007, 2:36 pm
#3
Join Date: Sep 2004
Location: DEN
Posts: 1,962
Welcome to the Disability Travel forum, baglab.
If your mom is really terrified of flying, would it be worthwhile to look into any of the deconditioning seminars or techniques?
I find that more information makes me less stressed - the TSA has little videos on its website showing how to go through screening, etc. Your parents might benefit from watching these and seeing what's supposed to happen (yes, yes, I know they're fantasies in many cases, but it sounds like these folks need some very basic information).
If cost is not an issue, I agree with baglady that First Class will be more comfortable. Additionally, you and your parents will get more attentive service in general.
Here are a couple of frightened flyer resources I found by just Googling around:
http://www.relaxedflight.com/ (this guy has seminars in the NY area)
http://www.blogsouthwest.com/2007/06...earful-fliers/
http://www.getonthatplane.com/
http://www.flyingwithoutfear.com/
Here are some other FlyerTalk threads for frightened flyers:
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=582090
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=564969
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=529018
If your mom is really terrified of flying, would it be worthwhile to look into any of the deconditioning seminars or techniques?
I find that more information makes me less stressed - the TSA has little videos on its website showing how to go through screening, etc. Your parents might benefit from watching these and seeing what's supposed to happen (yes, yes, I know they're fantasies in many cases, but it sounds like these folks need some very basic information).
If cost is not an issue, I agree with baglady that First Class will be more comfortable. Additionally, you and your parents will get more attentive service in general.
Here are a couple of frightened flyer resources I found by just Googling around:
http://www.relaxedflight.com/ (this guy has seminars in the NY area)
http://www.blogsouthwest.com/2007/06...earful-fliers/
http://www.getonthatplane.com/
http://www.flyingwithoutfear.com/
Here are some other FlyerTalk threads for frightened flyers:
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=582090
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=564969
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=529018
Jul 16, 2007, 8:02 pm
#4
Join Date: Jul 2007
Posts: 43
I would also recommend that you arrive at the airport very early for your flight. There are very heavy passenger loads from the NE to FL in February. To have a better travel experience for all members of your family I would highly highly recommend that you allot for extra time. Happy Travels!
Jul 16, 2007, 8:14 pm
#5
Join Date: Sep 2004
Location: DEN
Posts: 1,962
seatguru.com will give you detailed information on the seats on different aircraft by airline.
Many of the airline specific fora on FlyerTalk have stickies about good/bad seats on specific aircraft as well (example: Everything You Want to Know About Where to Sit on a 757 and 767).
Many of the airline specific fora on FlyerTalk have stickies about good/bad seats on specific aircraft as well (example: Everything You Want to Know About Where to Sit on a 757 and 767).
Aug 4, 2007, 11:18 pm
#6
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: California
Programs: Alaska MVPG, SWA CP, SWA A list, Hyatt Platinum, Hhilton Gold, Makai Club
Posts: 244
you may need to have your cast bivalved
when you fly they partially correct for atmospheric pressure differences, but not completely. This makes limbs swell. Your cast cannot give, so you could cut off your circulation if your arm swells too much.
The procedure is to cut the cast material all the way through on the thumb side and on the little finger side all the way from the hand part of the cast to the armpit/shoulder part of the cast so that if your limb started to swell and you couldn't feel your fingers, the two halves of the "bivalved" cast could be stretched open to allow extra room for your limb.
I am an orthopaedic surgeon myself. This is a precaution not just for fresh injuries/surgeries, but anytime a patient is in circumferential plaster immobilizaiton.
I rank SWA first for taking care of the disabled, and AA shows a lot of interest in it (they call disabled passengers preflight and ask what their special needs are) Can't comment on DL or JetBlue as just don't know.
Hope this helped!
The procedure is to cut the cast material all the way through on the thumb side and on the little finger side all the way from the hand part of the cast to the armpit/shoulder part of the cast so that if your limb started to swell and you couldn't feel your fingers, the two halves of the "bivalved" cast could be stretched open to allow extra room for your limb.
I am an orthopaedic surgeon myself. This is a precaution not just for fresh injuries/surgeries, but anytime a patient is in circumferential plaster immobilizaiton.
I rank SWA first for taking care of the disabled, and AA shows a lot of interest in it (they call disabled passengers preflight and ask what their special needs are) Can't comment on DL or JetBlue as just don't know.
Hope this helped!