Air Travel

Air Travel questions and answers

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Question: Air Travel?
Can anyone tell me how and what kind of ticket to buy. Want to go from Connecticut (BDL) to Texas (IAH) and back to Connecticut (BDL) round trip, but on way to Texas want to stop over in Oregon (PDX) for 4 days! Do I need to buy two separate tickets, or what do I do? (Very inexperienced in air travel!)

Answer: You just need to buy one ticket -- it's still a round trip. If booking online select 'multi-destinations' and you can build your itinerary with as many stops as you like.

 

Question: Is the air travel advisable during the last 4 months of pregnancy? What might be the negative effects?
I've heard that after 6th month of pregnancy, its dangerous to travel by air coz of thge air pressure and shortage of oxigen. Further, it can result in pre-mature delivery,dont know whats right n wats wrong.

Answer: I checked out the rules at three different airlines plus consulted with my doctor when I recently flew at seven months pregnant. The airlines generally do not allow travel in the last four weeks of pregnancy and the doctor said she could not see any reason why I shouldn't travel at seven months. As long as you're healthy and bp isn't elevated, you shouldn't need to worry. Just make sure to drink lots of water and sit by the aisle if you can, so you can easily get up and stretch. Also note that you are not allowed to sit by the emergency exits when you're pregnant.

 

Question: Can hamsters handle the stress of air travel?
I would like to carry my hamster on a plane (90 minute flight). Delta allows hamsters and I have the permission to carry her with me. I am wondering if anyone could share similar experience with me. Can hamsters handle the stress of air travel? My hamster Biscoot is 1 year old and she has travelled (7 hrs) in car before. Also, where can I buy an appropriate travel cage for her? Thanks for your time.

Answer: As long as she has food and water she will be fine, make sure she has a quiet dark tank so she doesnt feel drafts and feels safe and secure. Dont use clean bedding, use some out of her cage so it is familiar to her and maybe put a small chew or toy from her cage in there.

 

Question: What causes earache in some people during air travel and what is the antidote?
I recently flew Lufthansa from Abuja to frankfurt but my journey was spoilt by the terrible presurre-like pain I felt in my ear towards the end if the trip. I'm now scarred of air travel as a result. Has anyone else had a similar experience? How can one possibly prevent such, cope with it when it occurs or recover quickly from it afterwards?

Answer: It's caused by the change in air-pressure. Chew gum to stimulate your swallowing reflex; that will mitigate the muzziness.

 

Question: How do I travel by air when I am dependent on oxygen and prone to blood clots?
I would like to travel by air but I do not know how to go about it when I require pure oxygen when resting and active. I am aslo prone to blood clots and have been told that air travel may cause me problems.

Answer: First, you need to speak to your doctor to see if you are medically stable to fly. If the dr clears you, most airlines will require a letter from your dr stating that you are medically cleared to fly and that you need to have an O2 bottle.

Next, call the airline you want to fly and ask what their policies are for passengers using bottled O2, as it can pose a safety risk. Some airlines (Southwest for example) try to avoid passengers who need O2.

As for blood clots, again you need to talk to your dr. He will most likely recommend support/compression socks or panty hose. These can be found at most places that sell diabetic or medical supplies. If possible, during the flight try to walk up and down the asile a few times every 1-2 hours to prevent deep vein thrombosis (DVT).

When you make your reservations for your flight, let the airline know you need a wheelchair escort to the gate, and another one when you reach your destination. This way you won't have to walk through the airport. Allow extra time to get through secuirty because you will need it.

Again, I can't stress enough the fact that you need to speak with your doctor about flying.

 

Question: What causes feet to swell during air travel and why do some people swell more?
What should be done after the flight to help the swelling to go away? Can/should it last a couple of days after the air travel?

Answer: Blood and extra cellular fluid often pool in the feet and legs, causing them to swell, it is called edema. As an artery becomes a capillary the blood pressure is greater than the extra cellular fluid pressure, so some of the fluids from the blood flows out of the blood. At the end of the capillary much of that fluid flows back into the blood due to osmotic forces and the lower pressure in the veins. Often in the extremities the flow of fluid back into the blood is dependent upon muscle contraction, and when you just sit down for hours there is no muscle contraction in your feet and legs, causing edema in some people, particularly the elderly and diabetics and anyone with decreased lymph flow. The fact that airplane cabins are at lower pressure than sea level also contributes. I would recommend getting up and walking around at least once an hour if this is a problem for you. It can last a couple of days after the air travel, particularly if you are in a wheel chair or have landed at a city in the mountains.

 

Question: Air travel is statistically fairly safe. But if something does go wrong, what is likely to be?
What is the most likely to cause injury or death in air travel? Take off, landing, mechanical failure, pilot error, terrorist action or something else?

Answer: The biggest cause of air accidents is pilot error (more than half of all incidents), then mechanical failure. The most likely time of an accident is during landing (more than half of all incidents). However the most likely time to be killed in an accident if one happens is during main climb (25% of fatalities)

Causes
- Pilot Error 33%
- Pilot Error (weather related) 16%
- Pilot Error (mechanical related) 4%
Total Pilot Error 53%
Other Human Error 7%
Weather 11%
Mechanical Failure 21%
Sabotage 7%
Other Cause 1%

Timing of accidents
Parked & taxiing 5%
Take-off & initial climb 17%
Climb, cruise, descent and initial approach 24%
Final approach & landing 51%

Timing of fatalities
Parked & taxiing 0%
Take-off & initial climb 22%
Climb (25%), cruise (8%), descent (12%) and initial approach (13%) 58%
Final approach & landing 18%

 

Question: Can I travel on airlines after 2 days facial surgery will air travel affect the stiches?
I will be having eye and facial surgery and wonder if I can travel by air if it will affect the stitches if I go 2 days after the surgery?

Answer: After surgery, the wounds are still prone to infections, due to viruses circulating in the closed air of the airplane. The wounds will most likely NOT be healed and you will risk a major infection, that too on your face and eyes, if you choose to travel so soon.

Recently, my wife had a simple cut on her fingers before her transatlantic flight. That became infected, swollen and dangerously pus-filled after the flight which we had to get operated. That was a finger. Think of what might happen if it were to happen to someone's face.

 

Question: How is it to air travel with infants? I'll be traveling overseas in the next few months with a 14 and a?
2 months old. Has any one traveled by air with small childrens? I'll be traveling with my DH, but I am still courious to know what to expect and how difficult it is to travel this way with kids.

Answer: It isn't difficult to fly with them at all. Just make sure your children over the age of your infant has their own ticket. If your infant doesn't have a ticket that is OK. You can carry your child on to the plane(many do) as a lap child. Just let the ticket/gate agent know.

But do bring something to entertain your children. Also infants usually have a hard time with the cabin pressure (your ears popping) so bring a bottle or some liquid on to the plane to help ease the infants pain. Being two months old, I'd consult your doctor. Most doctors will want to check the infant and make sure they are 100% ready to fly.

Its really not that difficult, people do it all the time. Just be sure to arrive at the airport at least two hours before your flight departs (the sooner the better). Security usually takes an hour easy if not more. Just be prepared. And you'll be fine!

 

Question: During air travel what is the cloth they give?
When we travel by air air hostess gives a piece of cloth/paper dipped in some chemical. What we call that? where do they dip it? why do people gently rub the cloth on the face and hands?

Answer: I guess you're talking about "hot towel" service, which shows up mostly on international flights and/or in first class. The water the towels are wet with sometimes has extract of witch hazel added to it. People wipe their haps and/or faces either for cleanliness and/or because it feels good.