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Can't fly on plane's, can I convince airline to let me stand?

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Posted 7/28/2016 3:11 AM (GMT 0)
I have Lyme Disease, whole body neuropathy, arthralgia, and DDD. I cannot sit or else I have a shooting pain from the base of my back to the bottom of my skull. I will be able to sit short periods of time during take-off and landing (where I contort my body to the side). I spoke to a man at Frontier airlines on the phone, and he said that if I bring a document from my Dr that says I cannot sit for long periods of time, they should let me stand or lay down, but he couldn't send me anything in writing. I asked to speak to the manager and he basically said the same thing.

Has anyone else had experience with this and can tell me that if I refuse to sit I won't be tackled by an Air Marshall or anything? :)
Posted 7/28/2016 3:38 AM (GMT 0)
Hi Johnny_Five and Welcome to the forum! That's a really tricky situation you have, because there is safety factors that I am sure the Airline is concerned about. Even after take off and landing, which they would definitely want you sitting in your chair for. They can't guarantee there won't be turbulence and you would need you strapped in your seat for that too! And on some flights that can be for fairly long periods of time depending on the weather. That is probably one reason that they won't give you that guarantee in writing??? I'm sure if you purchased a whole row of seats so you could lay down they would be more than happy to let you fly that way! Ha Unless you get on one of those long flights overseas with the capability of providing some of their passengers sleeping accommodations, which I would imagine is rather expensive too??. I think you have a real problem?? Is there anything your doctor could give you to help control your pain while flying?

I do wish you luck with this! And again Welcome to the Forum!

White Beard
Posted 7/28/2016 3:46 AM (GMT 0)
Thanks for the welcome! It's not the pain that I mind. I can deal with pain. It permanently injures me when I sit upright. Permanently. This is a factor not most people, especially drs, can fathom. My pain has increased permanently many times from activity and from sitting upright, then my meds have to be raised (which is why I'm on 7 meds for pain including muscle relaxants, anti-depressants, benzos, and opiates. Nothing works. I think it's the Lyme because I've met no one else like me where the pain is permanently increased from activity. Anyways, youre right. If there is turbulence they will make me sit for sure.
Posted 7/28/2016 3:58 AM (GMT 0)
Yep I'm sure with the airlines it's all about safety and liability for them. It sounds like flying might be out of the picture for you. I have kind of the opposite problem, I cannot lay flat, because of my back, I slept in a recliner for many years till I got an adjustable bed! I can manage to sleep on my side for about fifteen minutes and then my arms and hand go numb and I have to get in a sitting reclining position again! But that is manageable. Your situation sounds really difficult, do you have to fly and travel because of your job?

I wish you well!

White Beard
Posted 7/28/2016 10:32 AM (GMT 0)
Airlines have planes that can accommodate a stretcher so I would imagine that if the Dr states you must remain in upright or supine position that accommodation could be offered to you. I don't think theres a airline that would allow you to stand through the time periods that it would be dangerous for you as well as other passengers to remain unseated and unsecured. The liability would be a problem. Unsecured item's,that would be you,in this case,could become a hazard airborn. You could be injured or injure someone else should you be propelled by turbulence or any number of occurrences.

I also have encountered several commercial flights that have a area to secure wheelchairs and if your using one of the more elaborate models that recline the head,back area's and the leg attachments raise as well you can be in almost any position so again thats going to require a Dr order that ensures the airline that your safe to fly with certain accommodations.
Posted 7/28/2016 6:24 PM (GMT 0)
I am a student. I don't have to travel FOR my job but I must travel to GET a job lol! I'm trying to get an engineering career fair in Seattle, WA. I can sit for short periods, as last time on the plane I just slumped back and to the side in my chair so as to not to sit upright. It worked for short periods.
Posted 8/2/2016 11:56 PM (GMT 0)
I think you would need a very aggressive doctor and maybe a lawyer to make this happen. I wish I had a good answer, but would love you to keep up posted. I fly quite a bit overseas, and have to stand as much as possible, but without a space for a patient who is in a prone position, I can't imagine they would let you stand. Sounds like an ADA issue to me.
Posted 8/3/2016 5:40 AM (GMT 0)
You may be able to make a case with an airline for being able to travel lying down - as Vickie said, planes can accomodate stretchers (and in some cases, reclining wheelchairs and such) - but I strongly suspect you'd get outright refusal on standing - if for no other reason than they're going to want to cover their own backsides if the plane hits turbulence...you might be willing to accept the risk for yourself, but you've no way of guaranteeing you won't be thrown into another passenger.

White Beard suggested booking a whole row of seats...the other thing you could maybe look at would be booking the bulkhead seat (usually a wee bit extra I know...) and the seat immediately behind, so you'd know you have the ability to recline your seat fully without having to worry about jamming up the person behind.
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