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Flying cross country

Wed, September 09, 2009 4:21 PM

I am planning a cross country flight (4&1/2--5 hours) in about a month. Should I be informing the flight attendants of my situation and quite probable need for urgency sometime during the flight?

jamesb
Joined Sep 9, 2009

Fri, October 30, 2009 12:00 AM

Reply posted for lilnik22.

Hi Nik,

Well I was saddened to hear that you were received so poorly by the airline flight staff. Some people either have no compassion or have become so totally cynical that they refuse to believe. That was not my experience.

I have just returned from my trip and on both flights the attendats were caring,concerned and discreet. On my outbound trip when I explained my situation, to all of the attendents, they smiled, reminded themselves of a coworker who also had Crohn's and assured me that I would always have facilities available to me. The return trip flight attendents were equally as kind. As I had loaded up on immodium before both trips I only experienced a couple of bad symptoms. Knowing that the attendents both acknowledged my situation and were inderstanding of my needs took a lot of the stress off me.

jamesb
Joined Sep 9, 2009

Sun, September 13, 2009 12:00 AM

Reply posted for lilnik22.

I empathize, and I too am facing a long flight, I am planning on informing the airline when I book the tickets, but I think I will inform the flight attendant too, and hope I get a caring and compassionate person

yitzyc
Joined Oct 9, 2008

Thu, September 10, 2009 9:19 AM

Reply posted for JamesB.

Hi James,

I am not a frequent poster here, but really struggled with this myself. My family has had to only book flights in the afternoon in order for me to even make it to the airport. Being on the plane gave me so much anxiety when I was in a flare. On a recent flight, I told the attendant that I could not wait to use the bathroom, and I was informed that they could not make an exception. I did not have a drs note, but may ask for one next time I need to fly. I honestly am not sure it would make a difference since I was told it was a federal reg. that all passengers needed to stay seated during a descent. What I learned (besides that I should travel with a drs note) is that I can make it thru the flight if I do not eat anything besides a BRAT diet a few days prior and then load up on immodium. I will be eager to hear what happens to you.

Nikki

lilnik22
Joined Sep 10, 2009

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