Guest guest Posted May 10, 2001 Report Share Posted May 10, 2001 Joe; Two questions: 1) Will you and Joy adopt me and take me with you on your exciting trips? 2) BEFORE you stopped needing the extender, BEFORE either of you had surgery, did you have to buy seats in 1st class in order to fit in a single seat? or did you each take up more than one seat? or what? I've contemplated going to California but can't fathom how I would fit in a seat. I've had season tickets for football (yes, I realize the Seahawks suck, but I still love football) for 16 years and haven't gone to a game in about 8 years because of the 'fitting in a regular size seat' problem. How did you overcome that problem on the airlines? > : > > For whatever it is worth, Joy and I fly a LOT. We have gone to the World and US National Figure Skating Championships for the last five years straight. We have dived all over the Caribbean and even in Australia. So we have our share of air miles. When we get on the plane, sometimes we pre-board. Sometimes we don't bother. But pre-boarding is always available to us. When they ask for people with small children or special needs to board we simply get in line and board. Never a problem. As we get on the plane we walk by a steward or stewardess who welcomes us aboard. We ask them to please scare up seat belt extensions for us. They usually do. Sometimes they forget and we have to re-ask before we take off. But we don't make a big deal about it nor do they. And asking doesn't embarrass us in the slightest. They can take off till everyone has their belt fastened and we can't fasten ours until we have the extension. So everyone takes care of each other. > > But the big treat is that on our last flight to Vancouver, BC and back to San for this year's Worlds I DIDN'T NEED AN EXTENSION. And the tray table which I hadn't been able to use for years actually WORKED! Tight, but it worked. So enjoy your trip and good luck with everything. You have lots to look forward to. > > Regards. > > Joe Frost, old gentleman, not old fart > San , TX, 60 years old > Surgery 11/29/00 by Dr. Welker > Lateral Gastrectomy with Duodenal Switch > 340 starting weight, currently 244 > http://www.duodenalswitch.com/Patients/Joe/joe.html > > > June 12 consult with Dr. Elariny! > > > > Ok, in case anyone wants to know (please say you do!) I have shuffled > > a bit and have a solid appointment for my consult with Dr. Elariny on > > June 12. I am very happy with the arrangements and I want to thank > > everyone who responded to my questions, esp about the airlines. I > > ended up getting two seats for myself and one for my dear friend who > > is going with me for moral support and possibly to push a wheelchair > > if it becomes necessary. I called the airline first to find out the > > seat widths and pitch, and it just wasn't going to happen with one > > seat! I was also able to get a same day flight, non-stop, so I am > > flying up from Florida in the morning and back in the evening, with > > only about 2.5 hours each flight. I was very happy about that. They > > were very nice on the phone and explained about the belt extender. I > > just hope they are as nice when I get to the aircraft. > > > > So, now I am getting a bit nervous, thinking the worst sometimes but > > able to talk myself into the reality of the situation (that I really > > have no choice if I want to be healthy). I am the type of person > > that avoids thinking about the wonderful way I may feel after this is > > all done, for fear that something might go wrong and disappoint me. > > It's almost superstitious. I hope that doesn't sound nuts :-) > > > > Thanks for all your advice and concern. I hope I can help someone > > else as I go through this as well. I so very much hope that I can > > get my life back after all these years. Take care. > > > > 38 > > 365lbs (?) BMI 53 > > Dr. Elariny > > Consult June 12, 2001! > > > > > > > > > > ---------------------------------------------- ------------------------ > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 10, 2001 Report Share Posted May 10, 2001 Gobo: Joy and I have been very fortunate. We can afford to fly first class (or business class on international). We much prefer it when it is possible. We could have bought three seats for the two of us in tourist for much less money and would have had plenty of room. But first is simply a lot nicer and since we can afford it... We have had to travel tourist on an occasional trip to the Caribbean where some off beat airline didn't have either first class or fold up arm rests. We fit in but barely. We did have to use seat belt extenders and it was extremely uncomfortable but you do what you have to do if the trip is important to you. If I had season tickets to a football team's games I'd seriously consider either squeezing into a tourist seat and put up with it or more likely buying an extra tourist seat. Virtually all the US airlines, the major ones at least, have arm rests that fold up. Ask when you make your reservation. And if you point out to the airline that you are doing this because you are "handicapped" they will usually give you the absolute best rate on the extra seat. Regards. Joe Frost, old gentleman, not old fartSan , TX, 60 years oldSurgery 11/29/00 by Dr. Welker Lateral Gastrectomy with Duodenal Switch340 starting weight, currently 244http://www.duodenalswitch.com/Patients/Joe/joe.html Re: Air Travel JOE FROST > Joe;> Two questions:> 1) Will you and Joy adopt me and take me with you on your > exciting trips?> > 2) BEFORE you stopped needing the extender, BEFORE either of > you had surgery, did you have to buy seats in 1st class in order > to fit in a single seat? or did you each take up more than one > seat? or what?> > I've contemplated going to California but can't fathom how I > would fit in a seat.> > I've had season tickets for football (yes, I realize the Seahawks > suck, but I still love football) for 16 years and haven't gone to a > game in about 8 years because of the 'fitting in a regular size > seat' problem.> > How did you overcome that problem on the airlines? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted May 10, 2001 Report Share Posted May 10, 2001 Hi Joe; I misled you before. There's NO connection between flying to California and football tickets. I was mentioning two DIFFERENT subjects that are both 'seating' issues. My elderly folks live in Southern California. I live in Seattle, Washington. The Seattle Seahawks are Seattle's limp attempt at an NFL team. I merely meant that visiting my parents again would be desirable. Being able to fit in the seats at the local football stadium would also be desirable. I'm hoping that both of these will be available to me before too long. I see Dr. again for my follow-up consult on May 24. My insurance is already in my corner so it's just up to her at this point. By the way, I already have a surgery date of June 29 for Dr. Deviny. I'm praying that things go my way when I see Dr. in two weeks! regards, gobo > Gobo: > If I had season tickets to a football team's games I'd seriously consider either squeezing into a tourist seat and put up with it or more likely buying an extra tourist seat. Virtually all the US airlines, the major ones at least, have arm rests that fold up. Ask when you make your reservation. And if you point out to the airline that you are doing this because you are " handicapped " they will usually give you the absolute best rate on the extra seat. > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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