I don't fly very often (usually two or three round trips per year), but I did just return on a flight from Milwaukee to Phoenix. I have a few tips that work for me.
1. If you can afford first class/business class, the seats are wider and much more comfortable. I can't afford it, but I have been bumped up to first class on several flights and it is wonderful. 2. Bulkhead seats (first row after first class) are next best because of extra leg room and no one needs to climb over you to get to their seat. However, there is a slight downside which I'll explain below. 3. I travel wearing a hoodie sweatshirt. The pocket on the front is a perfect place to put wallet, phone, ticket, snacks and still have them reachable. Also, the hood comes in handy once I start getting cold. Or stuff a tshirt into the hood and you have a pillow to lean back on. I fly alone on 80% of my trips. I only book direct flights, unless there's no other option. It's important to be able to direct your transfers and care. I'm c5/6 so I require a complete lift transfer. I'm pretty light [150 lbs] so two people can generally transfer me easily. Once I'm in the aisle chair I instruct them how to disengage the clutch on my chair so it can be pushed. I always sit on my Roho on the plane. Since I'm by myself I make sure they position me properly from the start or it's going to be a long, uncomfortable flight. Since I don't have use of my trunk muscles the landing is always interesting because they hit the brakes hard so I have to find a way to hold onto something or I'll flop forward. If I've made friends with the passenger next to me I'll sometimes explain and ask them to put their arm across my chest on landing. But usually I'm able to hook my arm behind the seat and hold on ok. Now, in a regular row of seats I have to explain to the other passengers that I'm unable to stand and they'll have to climb over me to enter/exit the row. I hate this part of flying--it's awkward. Again, this is not an issue if you're in the bulkhead row. However, what I LIKE about the regular rows is that I can lean forward and rest my head on the back of the seat in front of me. This is a nice way to stretch, weight shift and even take a little nap (be prepared that sometimes they suddenly move their seat.) This is the one downside of the bulkhead seats--no seat in front of you to lean forward onto. Since you'll be the first one on the plane and the last one off, take a moment to introduce yourself to the flight crew. Kindness goes a long way in how you'll be treated. Let them know how they can best assist you, especially in an emergency. I tell them to just grab under my arms and drag me if they had to. Rather than carry my heavy/bulky battery charger, I duct-tape it onto the back of my chair, being sure to secure and zip tie the cords. Always be sure your chair gets a special handling tag [aka gate tag] so that it gets delivered directly to the door of the plane. Happy flying! Don. On Friday, August 15, 2014 9:16 AM, "[email protected]" <[email protected]> wrote: I did not know this. Very interesting. I travel by air quite a bit. Yes a ROHO cushion expands during flight, the cabin pressure inside most >airliners is 8,000 feet. I live near sea level (300 feet to be exact) and use >a ROHO Quadtro Select High >Profile (4" cell) cushion. > > >When the plane gets to altitude the cushion is still in one piece, but it >becomes quite firm and doesn't allow >for proper immersion (sinking into the cushion so it is distributing pressure >over a large area). When I get >to altitude I open the air valve and let some air out until I feel like I'm >sinking into the cushion about 2"--it >doesn't take much--I would guess I open the valve for about 2 seconds, check, >perhaps another 2 seconds. > > >The next thing to remember is when the plane lands, the cushion needs to have >air put into it. Although it >would be easy to travel with a small ROHO air pump, I just blow 1-or two full >breaths of air (it depends on >if I land in Denver or Florida) and it brings the cushion back for that >altitude. > > >There have been flights when I have forgotten to let the air out, the cushion >is fine, and on "that" flight >my skin was fine--in my opinion a firm ROHO still provides more protection >than no cushion at all--but >(knock on wood) despite having a butt that is nothing but skin and bones I've >never had a pressure sore >in my 29-years living with SCI BECAUSE I pay close attention to cushions, >mirror-skin-checks. > > >As an aside, in my experience it is extremely important to have a proper >cushion under you for car seats, > airplane seats, even the couch. These are surfaces that can cause pressure >ulcers! > > >Bob V -----Original Message----- From: Bob Vogel <[email protected]> To: Tom Borcherding <[email protected]> Cc: Jim Lubin <[email protected]>; quad-list <[email protected]> Sent: Fri, Aug 15, 2014 10:54 am Subject: Re: [QUAD-L] Fwd: Flight comfort? Hi Jim and all, I travel by air quite a bit. Yes a ROHO cushion expands during flight, the cabin pressure inside most airliners is 8,000 feet. I live near sea level (300 feet to be exact) and use a ROHO Quadtro Select High Profile (4" cell) cushion. When the plane gets to altitude the cushion is still in one piece, but it becomes quite firm and doesn't allow for proper immersion (sinking into the cushion so it is distributing pressure over a large area). When I get to altitude I open the air valve and let some air out until I feel like I'm sinking into the cushion about 2"--it doesn't take much--I would guess I open the valve for about 2 seconds, check, perhaps another 2 seconds. The next thing to remember is when the plane lands, the cushion needs to have air put into it. Although it would be easy to travel with a small ROHO air pump, I just blow 1-or two full breaths of air (it depends on if I land in Denver or Florida) and it brings the cushion back for that altitude. There have been flights when I have forgotten to let the air out, the cushion is fine, and on "that" flight my skin was fine--in my opinion a firm ROHO still provides more protection than no cushion at all--but (knock on wood) despite having a butt that is nothing but skin and bones I've never had a pressure sore in my 29-years living with SCI BECAUSE I pay close attention to cushions, mirror-skin-checks. As an aside, in my experience it is extremely important to have a proper cushion under you for car seats, airplane seats, even the couch. These are surfaces that can cause pressure ulcers! Bob V The other thing to remember is, when you get back On Aug 15, 2014, at 6:13 AM, Tom Borcherding wrote: I know many ROHO users carry on their ROHO Cushion and use it during the flight. I would assume the same would apply to individuals who use Stimulite and other easy-to-carry cushions. > >In my job with ROHO, I travel internationally several times a year. I take along an LTV Cushion which is great for comfort on these long flights. It also deflates and rolls up to easily fit in my backpack so it is very convenient for travel. > >http://www.therohostore.com/Products/Quilted-Fabric-Cover-LTV-Seat-Cushion__LTVC.aspx > > >I agree the armrests are uncomfortable, but I haven't found a solution yet to this challenge! > >Tom Borcherding >ROHO Inc. >100 N. Florida Ave. >Belleville, IL 62221 USA >[email protected] >www.therohogroup.com >1-618-222-3505 >mobile 314-378-0051 > > > >From: Jim Lubin <[email protected]> >To: [email protected], >Date: 08/14/2014 07:23 PM >Subject: [QUAD-L] Fwd: Flight comfort? >>________________________________ > > > > > >---------- Forwarded message ---------- >From: Nancy Pritchard <[email protected]> >Date: Thu, Aug 14, 2014 at 6:34 AM >Subject: Flight comfort? >To: Quad List <[email protected]> > > >Looking for tips on airplane comfort. The seat incline and arm rests are not supportive enough or comfortable. We have flown before just thought you guys might have some tricks up your sleeves. C5/c6 > > >Mom/Nancy > > > > > > >This e-mail contains information and/or documents from The ROHO Group, Inc. Any files transmitted with it are confidential and intended solely for the use of the individual or entity to which they are addressed. If you have received this email in error please notify the system manager. 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