Question:
- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – John, If you genuinely suffer as described you made a very ‘bad call’ in booking a non-refundable ticket. What it is is I have wanted to go to Australia to miss part of the Northern winter f for years but have always faced this situation. Now, with 9/11 the prices were a lot cheaper than they have been in years. And I thought empty seats on the plane were a lot more likely. So I think it is likely now or never. Well by nature also I am somewhat inconsiderate and irresponsible. When I take my best shot and its not enough I intend to lay the consequences on others to a large extent. I may be over insured in general to have a right to do so in many areas. I don’t really know what will happen on a 19 hour flight with someone sitting next to me.
It’s not a 19 hour from SFO. So, you have some time before the flight to relax. If possible, you might try to get booked via HNL the next time. Why do you need to go to Australia to miss the northern winter? You can go to Mexico or Hawaii in much fewer hours.
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But, if they have planned ahead, they would have had an area of equivalent size next to them, called an aisle…..
But that doesn’t meet the OP’s desire for "enough [free seating] next to me to stretch out and lie down". (If the OP is not a troll, he should visit his medical practitioner.)
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Now the original poster may be a troll. Nevertheless, panic attacks are very real events. Many people who experience panic attacks confuse them with heart attacks. They are a very real condition. Just because you don’t believe in them doesn’t mean they don’t exist. MT Still not a "medical event". Your head’s messed up, not your body. All
mental. Even if this were true, it would not make the event less real, or less of a concern in this situation. Given that you must have a medical degree (else why would you be making such pronouncements with any degree of certainty?), would you have anything HELPFUL to offer? Bob M.
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Then please tell me why people prone to such things as "panic attacks" seem to be just a little too aware of and enthused with medical terms and conditions, as you have quite aptly demonstrated above.
People who have diabetes tend to be pretty well informed about their condition, too. A smart person with a medical problem tends to learn what s/he needs to know about it, don’t you think? Can you honestly say that there isn’t at least a little hypochondria
involved? Psychiatric disorders do exist, as does hypochondria. That doesn’t mean that panic attacks are hypochondria. :) If the OP is prone to panic attacks (assuming he isn’t a troll), the right drugs really can help immensely. Donna
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John, If you genuinely suffer as described you made a very ‘bad call’ in booking a non-refundable ticket. If you are flying Lax – Syd or reverse during the Australian summer school holidays, which have just started – and which continue until late January – you are almost guaranteed an OCCUPIED seat next to you!!! Lax – Syd is a loooong flight. Hope your doctor can help!!
But, if they have planned ahead, they would have had an area of equivalent size next to them, called an aisle…..
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John, If you genuinely suffer as described you made a very ‘bad call’ in booking a non-refundable ticket.
What it is is I have wanted to go to Australia to miss part of the Northern winter f for years but have always faced this situation. Now, with 9/11 the prices were a lot cheaper than they have been in years. And I thought empty seats on the plane were a lot more likely. So I think it is likely now or never. Well by nature also I am somewhat inconsiderate and irresponsible. When I take my best shot and its not enough I intend to lay the consequences on others to a large extent. I may be over insured in general to have a right to do so in many areas. I don’t really know what will happen on a 19 hour flight with someone sitting next to me. The only time I have failed to get next to empty seats on trasatlantic flights was when I was 100 pounds lighter. I am considering seeing if I can buy a seat next to me just on the SFO to SYD and SYD to LAX legs. Especially with a courier rate if I can get it. Don’t know if I cvasn do anything like that with an Eticket. May find out now if they don’t put me on hold too long or whatever. If you are flying Lax – Syd or reverse during the – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -Australian summer school holidays, which have just started – and which continue until late January – you are almost guaranteed an OCCUPIED seat next to you!!! Lax – Syd is a loooong flight. Hope your doctor can help!! — Paul O’Brien I have a non refundable flight from MEM to ORD to SFO to SYD returning SYD to LAX to DEN to MEM. I don’t fly enough to remember the experiences all that well. However, a recent flight from MEM to ATL to MIA and back has given me an indication of how things might go from SFO to SYD and/or SYD to LAX. If I have an empty seat next to me things will probably be OK, if I have two next to me things will probably be pretty good, if I have enough next to me to stretch out and lie down things will be fantastic. However if I have NO empty seats next to me things are going to be very grim, very likely for both me and others. Things might even get loud. I will try to control myself as long as possible, but it probably will not be long enough. Now, suppose before the SFO to SYD or the SYD to LAX legs it looks like the plane is going to be full and I calmly and diplomatically inform the stewardessess or whatever before boarding the plane of the situation, considering this is a non-refundable flight, what is the result of my CANDOR likely to be? For those who suggest I do not show up, I will gratefully let you buy me out, otherwise please keep that suggestion to yourself, it will just make things worse:) For those who have a psycological need to flame me, I feel like the man who wept because he had no shoes, then saw a man who had no feet.
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- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – What it is is I have wanted to go to Australia to miss part of the Northern winter f for years but have always faced this situation. Now, with 9/11 the prices were a lot cheaper than they have been in years. And I thought empty seats on the plane were a lot more likely. So I think it is likely now or never. Well by nature also I am somewhat inconsiderate and irresponsible. When I take my best shot and its not enough I intend to lay the consequences on others to a large extent. I may be over insured in general to have a right to do so in many areas. I don’t really know what will happen on a 19 hour flight with someone sitting next to me. The only time I have failed to get next to empty seats on trasatlantic flights was when I was 100 pounds lighter. I am considering seeing if I can buy a seat next to me just on the SFO to SYD and SYD to LAX legs. Especially with a courier rate if I can get it. Don’t know if I cvasn do anything like that with an Eticket. May find out now if they don’t put me on hold too long or whatever.
Time to turn off the Eminem CD and get back to your schoolwork little trollboy.
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It’s not ok to take a flight knowing that you are going to have a medical event in the middle of it "Medical event"?? More like a "mental event". "Panic attacks"–what a load of crap!
I love it when the uninformed make such naive, ignorant and stupid comments. Now the original poster may be a troll. Nevertheless, panic attacks are very real events. Many people who experience panic attacks confuse them with heart attacks. They are a very real condition. Just because you don’t believe in them doesn’t mean they don’t exist. MT
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Now the original poster may be a troll. Nevertheless, panic attacks are very real events. Many people who experience panic attacks confuse them with heart attacks. They are a very real condition. Just because you don’t believe in them doesn’t mean they don’t exist. MT
Still not a "medical event". Your head’s messed up, not your body. All mental.
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Still not a "medical event". Your head’s messed up, not your body. All mental.
Evidently you are not honed up on how our emotions affect our "physical" body or you would not be making such a statement. The medical community is finding out more each day that many of our physical ailments are caused by our emotions. We are no longer in the "dark ages" where people need to get mocked for such conditions. We treat them. Not laugh at them! Mary
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Now the original poster may be a troll. Nevertheless, panic attacks are very real events. Many people who experience panic attacks confuse them with heart attacks. They are a very real condition. Just because you don’t believe in them doesn’t mean they don’t exist. MT Still not a "medical event". Your head’s messed up, not your body. All mental.
Hmmmmmm……. let’s take a look at the symptoms, shall we?: -palpitations, pounding heart, or accelerated heart rate -sweating -trembling or shaking -sensations of shortness of breath or smothering -feeling of choking -chest pain or discomfort -nausea or abdominal distress -feeling dizzy, unsteady, lightheaded, or faint -derealization (feelings of unreality) or depersonalization (being detached from oneself) -fear of losing control or going crazy -fear of dying -paresthesias (numbing or tingling sensations) -chills or hot flushes Look like somatic symptoms to me. The etiology may very well be mental, though the symptom pattern certainly is a medical event. Now, if you want to play semantic games because you don’t understand panic disorder, that’s fine. But don’t try to act like you know of what you talk simply because you’re ignorant of mental health issues. MT
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– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – Now the original poster may be a troll. Nevertheless, panic attacks are very real events. Many people who experience panic attacks confuse them with heart attacks. They are a very real condition. Just because you don’t believe in them doesn’t mean they don’t exist. MT Still not a "medical event". Your head’s messed up, not your body. All mental. Hmmmmmm……. let’s take a look at the symptoms, shall we?: -palpitations, pounding heart, or accelerated heart rate -sweating -trembling or shaking -sensations of shortness of breath or smothering -feeling of choking -chest pain or discomfort -nausea or abdominal distress -feeling dizzy, unsteady, lightheaded, or faint -derealization (feelings of unreality) or depersonalization (being detached from oneself) -fear of losing control or going crazy -fear of dying -paresthesias (numbing or tingling sensations) -chills or hot flushes Look like somatic symptoms to me. The etiology may very well be mental, though the symptom pattern certainly is a medical event. Now, if you want to play semantic games because you don’t understand panic disorder, that’s fine. But don’t try to act like you know of what you talk simply because you’re ignorant of mental health issues. MT
Then please tell me why people prone to such things as "panic attacks" seem to be just a little too aware of and enthused with medical terms and conditions, as you have quite aptly demonstrated above. Can you honestly say that there isn’t at least a little hypochondria involved? Most people do not throw out terms like "paresthesias". As the great 21st century American philosopher Adam Carolla has stated, many times, "I don’t trust anyone who’s too into anything. Something’s always up with them." 
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Still not a "medical event". Your head’s messed up, not your body. All mental.
Well, the brain and body are pretty well intertwined. Consider people who have high blood pressure resulting from workplace or personal stress. miguel — Hit The Road! Photos and tales from around the world: http://travel.u.nu
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I have a non refundable flight from MEM to ORD to SFO to SYD returning SYD to LAX to DEN to MEM.
http://www.paxil.com/
Response:
John, If you genuinely suffer as described you made a very ‘bad call’ in booking a non-refundable ticket. If you are flying Lax – Syd or reverse during the Australian summer school holidays, which have just started – and which continue until late January – you are almost guaranteed an OCCUPIED seat next to you!!! Lax – Syd is a loooong flight. Hope your doctor can help!! — Paul O’Brien
– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I have a non refundable flight from MEM to ORD to SFO to SYD returning SYD to LAX to DEN to MEM. I don’t fly enough to remember the experiences all that well. However, a recent flight from MEM to ATL to MIA and back has given me an indication of how things might go from SFO to SYD and/or SYD to LAX. If I have an empty seat next to me things will probably be OK, if I have two next to me things will probably be pretty good, if I have enough next to me to stretch out and lie down things will be fantastic. However if I have NO empty seats next to me things are going to be very grim, very likely for both me and others. Things might even get loud. I will try to control myself as long as possible, but it probably will not be long enough. Now, suppose before the SFO to SYD or the SYD to LAX legs it looks like the plane is going to be full and I calmly and diplomatically inform the stewardessess or whatever before boarding the plane of the situation, considering this is a non-refundable flight, what is the result of my CANDOR likely to be? For those who suggest I do not show up, I will gratefully let you buy me out, otherwise please keep that suggestion to yourself, it will just make things worse:) For those who have a psycological need to flame me, I feel like the man who wept because he had no shoes, then saw a man who had no feet.
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I have a non refundable flight from MEM to ORD to SFO to SYD returning SYD to LAX to DEN to MEM. I don’t fly enough to remember the experiences all that well. However, a recent flight from MEM to ATL to MIA and back has given me an indication of how things might go from SFO to SYD and/or SYD to LAX. If I have an empty seat next to me things will probably be OK, if I have two next to me things will probably be pretty good, if I have enough next to me to stretch out and lie down things will be fantastic. However if I have NO empty seats next to me things are going to be very grim, very likely for both me and others. Things might even get loud. I will try to control myself as long as possible, but it probably will not be long enough.
Seems to me it would make good sense to talk to a doctor about getting something that will keep you calm during the flight. Definitely a lot cheaper than buying a second seat, and if it turns out that the plane isn’t very full, you don’t even have to take it. miguel — Hit The Road! Photos and tales from around the world: http://travel.u.nu
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It’s not ok to take a flight knowing that you are going to have a medical event in the middle of it
"Medical event"?? More like a "mental event". "Panic attacks"–what a load of crap!
Response:
"I have a
non refundable flight from MEM to ORD to SFO to SYD returning SYD to LAX to DEN
to MEM. I don’t fly enough to remember the experiences all that well. However,
a recent flight from MEM to ATL to MIA and back has given me an indication of
how things might go from SFO to SYD and/or SYD to LAX. If I have an empty seat
next to me things will probably be OK, if I have two next to me things will
probably be pretty good, if I have enough next to me to stretch out and lie
down things will be fantastic. However if I have NO empty seats next to me
things are going to be very grim, very likely for both me and others. Things might even get loud. I will try to control myself as long as possible, but it probably will not be long enough. Now, suppose before the SFO to SYD
or the SYD to LAX legs it looks like the plane is going to be full and I calmly
and diplomatically inform the stewardessess or whatever before boarding the
plane of the situation, considering this is a non-refundable flight, what is
the result of my CANDOR likely to be? For those who suggest I do not show up, I
will gratefully let you buy me out, otherwise please keep that suggestion to
yourself, it will just make things worse:) For those who have a psycological
need to flame me, I feel like the man who wept because he had no shoes, then
saw a man who had no feet." Dear John0714, I’ll give you the benfit of the doubt and assume that you are not trolling. I suffered from panic attacks and chronic anxiety for many years. Finally 5 years ago I started seeing a psychiatrist and we experimented with various medications until we found the right combination. I no longer suffer from massive panic attacks or anxiety. Many people think it is shameful to see a psychiatrist and the medications will stone you out. Not true. The only side effect from my medication is occasional drowsiness. Which is actually a blessing when I fly. See someone, if you are not already and get some medical help for a medical condition. Good luck. Ozzie
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I think it is sad that you did not call your airline and discuss this with them "before" you purchased your non-refundable ticket for such a long flight if you have such a condition. In this day and age when things are so hectic at the airports even people who never get panic attacks could get one from just pre-flight stress. My concern is whether you will be in condition to even board the flight if the stress through the lines and security are really high. My suggestion is to call your airline and discuss this with them and see if they can put a note in your ticket file for a request to seat you in any seat which may have a vacant one next to it. This way you may get first choice because of your medical condition. I am just concerned if they will even allow you to fly if they think you may jump up with some intense panic attack during flight and cause a problem for FAs. People have been known to act in "strange" ways during panic attacks especially on airplanes. Best of luck and I do hope you find a way to get through your ordeal. Mary
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I have a non refundable flight from MEM to ORD to SFO to SYD returning SYD to LAX to DEN to MEM. I don’t fly enough to remember the experiences all that well. However, a recent flight from MEM to ATL to MIA and back has given me an indication of how things might go from SFO to SYD and/or SYD to LAX. If I have an empty seat next to me things will probably be OK, if I have two next to me things will probably be pretty good, if I have enough next to me to stretch out and lie down things will be fantastic. However if I have NO empty seats next to me things are going to be very grim, very likely for both me and others. Things might even get loud. I will try to control myself as long as possible, but it probably will not be long enough.
Speaking as a phobic flyer myself, I’d strongly suggest you talk to your doctor about possible medications to help you. Consider also what your most vulnerable times are (though it sounds like your phobia might have a claustrophobic element, so it might be less phase-centered than some people’s) and plan accordingly for medication times. Now, suppose before the SFO to SYD or the SYD to LAX legs it looks like the plane is going to be full and I calmly and diplomatically inform the stewardessess or whatever before boarding the plane of the situation, considering this is a non-refundable flight, what is the result of my CANDOR likely to be?
It’s not a question of candor, it’s a question of fitness to fly. If you’re not fit to fly in the circumstances the airline can provide, you don’t fly. I’m not up enough on routes to guess from your routing what airline you’re flying, so I can’t speak directly to an airline policy in that case. However, I can tell you that when I’ve been unable to fly on a nonrefundable ticket (in my case I walked off of an airplane I’d boarded), the airline has provided me for a credit in the ticket amount. In days past some airlines provided actual refunds if you had a doctor’s note, but I believe that misuse of that possibility has pretty much eliminated it. I would strongly suggest calling the airline and asking what their policy is if a passenger can’t make a trip on a non-refundable ticket, since they’re going to be closer to knowledge than we will. Another problem that you haven’t mentioned: airlines are considerably less willing than formerly to allow you to sit in other than your assigned seat, so empty seats elsewhere on the plane may not help you. I do think you’re approaching your problem a bit narrowly here if you’re just focusing on the seat aspect of easing your problem, since there are other approaches to alleviating it. I also think that if you really can’t fly without a second seat, it’s your gamble if you choose not to buy one but instead hope that you’ll get lucky that way, and you may just have to eat the loss if your gamble doesn’t pay off. I know that that’s not pleasant, especially on a trip like the one you’ve planned, any more than having a phobia is. I don’t, however, think that it’s an airline’s obligation to accept the loss in your place–or in my place, when I’m the one in the phobic flyer spot. I really would recommend you talk to a doctor about this; I’d be happy to discuss this further here or in email if you like, as I’ve had a long history of dealing with a flying phobia. Deborah Stevenson
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Congratulations, you just won the "Lamest Rec.Travel.Air Troll" award. Sorry, but you should go play in the kiddie pool. This group has some master trollers who come up with real gems, and you obviously flunked Trolling 101. Didn’t that big fat F on your report card in English, Creative Writing, and Trolling give you a clue that you don’t have what it takes to do this kind of work? You even anticipated what your flamers would come back with, and attempted to preempt them by answering their anti-troll flammage before it even materialized. Tsk, tsk, tsk … that’s a big no-no. Clue #1 for you: You’re a newbie in this group, so you should have spent some time lurking before you opened your big fat mouth, and ESPECIALLY you should have carefully studied past trolls so you wouldn’t make such a fool of yourself. Clue #2: You suck at trolling. Get out now before you make an even bigger fool of yourself. But if you still insist on making a living at something you’re so poorly equipped for, at least spend some time in alt.troll and get an education before you attempt another foray into Troll-land. You’re welcome. – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -I have a non refundable flight from MEM to ORD to SFO to SYD returning SYD to LAX to DEN to MEM. I don’t fly enough to remember the experiences all that well. However, a recent flight from MEM to ATL to MIA and back has given me an indication of how things might go from SFO to SYD and/or SYD to LAX. If I have an empty seat next to me things will probably be OK, if I have two next to me things will probably be pretty good, if I have enough next to me to stretch out and lie down things will be fantastic. However if I have NO empty seats next to me things are going to be very grim, very likely for both me and others. Things might even get loud. I will try to control myself as long as possible, but it probably will not be long enough. Now, suppose before the SFO to SYD or the SYD to LAX legs it looks like the plane is going to be full and I calmly and diplomatically inform the stewardessess or whatever before boarding the plane of the situation, considering this is a non-refundable flight, what is the result of my CANDOR likely to be? For those who suggest I do not show up, I will gratefully let you buy me out, otherwise please keep that suggestion to yourself, it will just make things worse:) For those who have a psycological need to flame me, I feel like the man who wept because he had no shoes, then saw a man who had no feet.
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seriously–what you are dealing with does affect you as well as others, so you perhaps ought to think about another means of transport. the way i see it, if the cost of airfare is worth your health and well-being, then yes, it will bother you to eat it, but not as bad as whatever serious consequesnces you may incur if your condition is that serious. perhaps the drive would not be so bad…
– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – if I have NO empty seats next to me things are going to be very grim, very likely for both me and others. Things might even get loud. I will try to control myself as long as possible, but it probably will not be long enough. I’m sympathetic to your condition, but this is really your problem to solve. Is there medication that you can take that will control your panic attacks? Are you in therapy? What does your therapist offer for a solution? It’s not ok to take a flight knowing that you are going to have a medical event in the middle of it. You need to solve this before you get on board. If you absolutely will have an attack unless you have an empty seat next to you, and no other solutions present, then you should buy a second seat. Donna
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if I have NO empty seats next to me things are going to be very grim, very likely for both me and others. Things might even get loud. I will try to control myself as long as possible, but it probably will not be long enough.
I’m sympathetic to your condition, but this is really your problem to solve. Is there medication that you can take that will control your panic attacks? Are you in therapy? What does your therapist offer for a solution? It’s not ok to take a flight knowing that you are going to have a medical event in the middle of it. You need to solve this before you get on board. If you absolutely will have an attack unless you have an empty seat next to you, and no other solutions present, then you should buy a second seat. Donna
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Get some therapy buddy.
– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – I have a non refundable flight from MEM to ORD to SFO to SYD returning SYD to LAX to DEN to MEM. I don’t fly enough to remember the experiences all that well. However, a recent flight from MEM to ATL to MIA and back has given me an indication of how things might go from SFO to SYD and/or SYD to LAX. If I have an empty seat next to me things will probably be OK, if I have two next to me things will probably be pretty good, if I have enough next to me to stretch out and lie down things will be fantastic. However if I have NO empty seats next to me things are going to be very grim, very likely for both me and others. Things might even get loud. I will try to control myself as long as possible, but it probably will not be long enough. Now, suppose before the SFO to SYD or the SYD to LAX legs it looks like the plane is going to be full and I calmly and diplomatically inform the stewardessess or whatever before boarding the plane of the situation, considering this is a non-refundable flight, what is the result of my CANDOR likely to be? For those who suggest I do not show up, I will gratefully let you buy me out, otherwise please keep that suggestion to yourself, it will just make things worse:) For those who have a psycological need to flame me, I feel like the man who wept because he had no shoes, then saw a man who had no feet.
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I have a non refundable flight from MEM to ORD to SFO to SYD returning SYD to LAX to DEN to MEM. I don’t fly enough to remember the experiences all that well. However, a recent flight from MEM to ATL to MIA and back has given me an indication of how things might go from SFO to SYD and/or SYD to LAX. If I have an empty seat next to me things will probably be OK, if I have two next to me things will probably be pretty good, if I have enough next to me to stretch out and lie down things will be fantastic. However if I have NO empty seats next to me things are going to be very grim, very likely for both me and others. Things might even get loud. I will try to control myself as long as possible, but it probably will not be long enough. Now, suppose before the SFO to SYD or the SYD to LAX legs it looks like the plane is going to be full and I calmly and diplomatically inform the stewardessess or whatever before boarding the plane of the situation, considering this is a non-refundable flight, what is the result of my CANDOR likely to be? For those who suggest I do not show up, I will gratefully let you buy me out, otherwise please keep that suggestion to yourself, it will just make things worse:) For those who have a psycological need to flame me, I feel like the man who wept because he had no shoes, then saw a man who had no feet.
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