Cabin - Airplane/Definition please
 

When someone says, "allow them to walk about the cabin, whenever possible, stand and stretch". What does "cabin" mean? It seems that it means move around on the plane, but grammatically-speaking, that sentence doesn't make sense to me. It also sounds like they want me to try to walk around where the pilot and co-pilot are. LOL LOL I thought that is what a "cabin" was when referring to airplanes.

A nurse is preparing a letter for me to take with me on my flight. She is aware I need to stand and/or stretch whenever possible. She sent me a fax with a rough draft and it reads as above. I am a bit challenged when it comes to grammar, can anyone out there help please? Thanks in advance.

That's the cockpit. Airline staff is going to understand what a "cabin" is and the note sounds fine.

So "cabin" is good? Great Mike, thanks SO VERY much!

Here is the letter for you and/or those that are curious or may need something like it in the future, given the TSA rules .

The holder of this letter, Amy Sabato, is currently under my medical care. She suffers from Diabetes, Arrhythmia and Lower Back Pain.

Please be advised that she must travel with her Diabetes meter/monitor, lancets and strips as well as her medications, (carried in their respective prescription bottles). Due to her special diet, she will also need to carry water for proper hydration. In addition, she must carry a meal and snacks; particularly during a flight lasting longer than two (2) hours.

Due to her back/lumbar condition, whenever possible, please note that it is medically necessary for her to walk about the cabin, stand and stretch during the flight every 30 to 60 minutes, in order to avoid back pain, as well as DVT and/or any other circulatory problems. She advised that she will be traveling with a battery-operated lumbar support roll for comfort.

I would respectfully request special consideration and care be extended to Amy Sabato due to the above-mentioned medical conditions and that she be accommodated whenever possible, in order for her to have a smooth and medically-sound trip.

I thank you in advance for your attention to this matter. Should you have any questions, please feel free to contact me.

You really don;t need the letter at all. If I'm stuck in coach I always walk around a lot. If a TA says something I simply say my doc recos its - and none has ever challenged it.

That's assuming that the seat belt light isn;t lit. If it is nothing - even a letter from the President (US not airine) will get them to let you wander around since it;s a safety issue.

If this is really a problem for you learn the exercises that you can do in your seat that will work just as well. (If there's a lot of turbulence you may be stuck in your seat most of the flight - and no one can control that.)

The cabin is where people sit in a plane. That is the correct term.

I traveled with a note once for back conditions. Quite honestly, it really didn't make much difference. If the seat beat sign is on, you will have to be in your seat like everyone else. If not, you can walk around like everyone else. You do need to confine yourself to the part of your plane your seat is in (coach is not allowed to wander up in 1st class), and you are asked to use the bathroom in your own part of the plane.

The note may prove helpful because of your medical equipment and supplies though.

Just to add, the airlines usually call the "cockpit" the "flight deck," so that's a common term you'll hear.

If you haven't already read this, do so. Especially where they talk about what is allowed for "Disability and medically related items permitted beyond the checkpoint" towards the bottom of the page.

http://www.tsa.gov/travelers/airtrav...eds/index.shtm

Hope this helps...
Debi

Thank you so much Deb and all. I do not see a mention of a lumbar support pillow or roll.

I can understand that the letter from the doctor re: standing and stretching MIGHT not make much of a difference, in the sense that they want you to remain seated, but I plan on letting the PILOT know, so that if it IS safe, he will know to either have the FA tell me to get up, or he'll take off the seat belt light every once in awhile.

My doctor's letter is quite specific, and I think the liability is too great if they make someone sit in their seat for five hours just because they don't want to remove the seat belt sign.

Again, providing it is safe and there is no turbulence or expected turbulence or bad weather. I'm pretty verbal, so I will nicely let everyone know (FA's, pilots, co-pilots, etc;) within an inch of me, that in order to calm my anxieties and any back pain, I would like to be able to stand. All my seats, but one are in the aisle. Most of them in the back of the plane - or towards the back.

The flight with the middle seat is on a one hour flight. I will try to change that if I can.

On THAT flight there were absolutely NO aisle seats left, visible online, anyway.

My hair stylist said that if she hears of a plane being diverted due to a back hurting (and melodramatic) flyer, she'll KNOW it's me. LOL LOL I'm SURE she's just kidding. ;-)

Amy, you are going to have a problem, IMO, medical professional's letter or not about insisting on standing up when the seat belt sign is illuminated.

There is nothing medically magic about "every hour" and you can easily err a litle on one side or the other of that. Don't think so, ask your professional.

There is no way you are "going to let the pilot know" much of anything and I'm sure letting the flight attendants know of your needs ahead of time will be sufficient.

However, the airline will insist on certain requirements which it feels are for your safety and that of others so you are going to have to be flexible on this issue.

How do you plan on talking to the pilot? Are you serious??

Amy, have you ever flown before?

Here's the deal, when the seatbelt light is off, you can roam around til your heart's content. Walk the aisles, go to the bathroom, whatever.

When the seatbelt light is on, you have to stay in your seat. Period. It's a safety thing. Don't worry, you'll have plenty of time to get up, it won't be that big a deal. What will be a big deal is if you cause a scene, then you'll have some nice peeps in blue uniforms waiting for you when you deplane.

Amy, I can tell you're a lady with a good sense of humor, but you really are kidding about thinking you're going to have a chat with the pilot who will give you special treatment, right?

I was hoping you all would get a
good laugh out of it. I mean, yes, if I happen to get a glimpse of them, I just MIGHT ask them how they decide on the seat belts. Why not? They are people just like everyone else. Of course, I am aware that these days you would probably be arrested to ASKING a question like, "can I stand up, my back IS KILLING ME!!!!!!" But, I will advise the flight attendants. Listen, better me asking a pilot if I HAPPEN to see him, than me SEEING a PILOT from my flight (or anyone's) getting DRUNK in the bar pre-flight. LOL LOL Thanks for the laugh. It made you laugh and when I read it again, it cracked me up!!!!!!!!!!! Thanks!

oh good~ because getting hauled off to the slammer for trying to get into the cockpit to have a little talk with the pilot probably isn't the best way to start your trip
:-)

"My doctor's letter is quite specific, and I think the liability is too great if they make someone sit in their seat for five hours just because they don't want to remove the seat belt sign. "

Um . . . I hope you're joking. If not, then you should be aware that if your medical requirements are too much, the airline simply will not let you fly at all. You know, liability and all.

Amy, as you must know by now, being an adult, tipping is very common. So please take into consideration tipping the pilot to follow your doctor's recommendations.

Here are the guidlines outlined by the Fodorites:

http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...mp;tid=1288831

LOL.. I'm thinking I can get the pilot to let me stand up and go visit his cockpit,
that way more than just my back can get stretched. LOL

You know, I mean, my legs, my knees,
my arms, my elbows.

I AM aware that they could deny me the flight if the medical limitations are too much. However, once they let me on the plane, that means they believed they could accomodate me, right?

AFTER they see my letter, if they let me on, in an indirect way, they are agreeing to assist with whatever the letter says. It doesn't mean they are GOING to do it, but by not denying me, it could mean they believe they COULD accommodate in ways it requests. Otherwise, they would have turned me down. LOL LOL LOL Once I am on, the liability is on the airline.

I know I sound like one of those people who won't take responsibility for themselves, but I swear I am. I'm doing back exercises/yoga every day and I even went out looking for mocs or loafers and no such luck.

Struck out. My toe bed is too high. Now the search is on for a shoe I can wear just ON the plane that has a HIGH toe bed. No clue where to start, but will do so now! LOL :-)

I just read the whole letter and I have laughed so hard, I had to cry. As sad as it is, it is hilarious. It just had me on the floor. I sound like a WRECK!!!!!!!!!!!!! LOL :-(