NationStates Jolt Archive

http://travel.aol.com/travel-ideas/air-travel/articles/woman-paralyzed-after-turbulent-descent?ncid=AOLCOMMtravdynlsec0145&icid=main|main|dl4|link5|http%3A%2F%2Ftravel.aol.com%2Ftravel-ideas%2Fair-travel%2Farticles%2Fwoman-paralyzed-after-turbulent-descent%3Fncid%3DAOLCOMMtravdynlsec0145

McALLEN, Texas (AP) — A South Texas woman remained paralyzed Monday after her Continental Airlines flight from Houston to McAllen experienced severe turbulence.

Three people in all were taken to a local hospital Saturday when Continental flight 511 landed in McAllen at 2:17 a.m., said Continental spokeswoman Mary Clark.

One passenger and a crew member were treated and released, Clark said.

But a 47-year-old woman who was in the airplane's restroom at the time of the turbulence suffered a fractured neck, Dr. Trey Fulp, an orthopedic spine surgeon at McAllen Medical Center told The McAllen Monitor Monday. The woman, who Fulp did not identify for privacy reasons, was thrown against the ceiling.

Doctors spent six hours operating on her back after the plane landed Saturday and planned to operate on her neck Monday. The back injury left her paralyzed from the chest down, Fulp said. It was unclear if the paralysis would be permanent, he said.

The flight's departure from Houston had been delayed, but the plane had begun its descent into McAllen when it encountered "sudden turbulence." The seat belt signs were illuminated at the time, Clark said.

This makes me not want to get on a plane. And I am getting into one this Saturday.:eek2:

I mean, the pilots know if turbulence approaches, right? And they always tell the passengers that they will be experiencing turbulence. Why did this woman go to the bathroom during such an episode?

Lulz.

Lulz.

See. Doesn't this make you not want to get in a plane. I shouldn't be reading travel news, you know. I'm flying out to the US on Saturday morning.:eek2:

Ouch... and to think, all this poor woman wanted to do was take a "wicked yes", or fail that, make a deposit in the First Bank of Stink.

See. Doesn't this make you not want to get in a plane. I shouldn't be reading travel news, you know. I'm flying out to the US on Saturday morning.:eek2:

Ha, that's why I never fly. I feel sorry for you Kuchiki-tan.

Ha, that's why I never fly. I feel sorry for you Kuchiki-tan.

:(
Toy jodía.

talk about being caught with your pants down :D

also I get that you gots to eat more fiber woman

talk about being caught with your pants down :D

also I get that you gots to eat more fiber woman

'Splain, pleeze.:p

:eek: Shit!


:p

:(
Toy jodía.

What, sorry?

What, sorry?

I'm fucked. I ain't drinking anything on the plane. I will not go the privy there.




Aren't I perhaps taking this a bit too far?:tongue:

Actually, I don't believe pilots always know when they're approaching turbulence. It's not like turbulent air is bright pink or blue or something. Storms, yeah, they have clouds and what-not, but general turbulence might not be so easy to detect until you hit it and that nice flight suddenly becomes the Vomit Comet.

I'm fucked. I ain't drinking anything on the plane. I will not go the privy there.

Well, as I see it you've got 3 options:
1) get smashed
2) get pills
3) a combination of the 2.


Aren't I perhaps taking this a bit too far?:tongue:

Perhaps.

Well, as I see it you've got 3 options:
1) get smashed
2) get pills
3) a combination of the 2.

I think sleeping sounds like a good choice.

I think sleeping sounds like a good choice.

Less fun though.

Less fun though.

I must be at the airport at 4:00 hrs, plane takes off at 6:00 hrs. I must wake up at 3:00 hrs. Yes... less fun, but I must sleep. I got a tough day ahead of me.

I must be at the airport at 4:00 hrs, plane takes off at 6:00 hrs. I must wake up at 3:00 hrs. Yes... less fun, but I must sleep. I got a tough day ahead of me.

Oooh, that's harsh. But worth it?

Oooh, that's harsh. But worth it?

Why do you want to know? Eh? <_<

Why do you want to know? Eh? <_<

Meh, just interested.

Meh, just interested.

Yes... it is worth it. >_>

Yes... it is worth it. >_>

Fair enough. I wouldn't go to the southern states if you paid me.

I've hit some pretty bad turbulence before......just stay in your seat. Go potty before you board and when you get off the plane. *has never been in a plane bathroom*

Also, sitting near people who look like vomit spewing jerks, not a good idea, just saying.

I've hit some pretty bad turbulence before......just stay in your seat. Go potty before you board and when you get off the plane. *has never been in a plane bathroom*

Also, sitting near people who look like vomit spewing jerks, not a good idea, just saying.

That, Smunkee, is something I will definitely be in search of.

http://travel.aol.com/travel-ideas/air-travel/articles/woman-paralyzed-after-turbulent-descent?ncid=AOLCOMMtravdynlsec0145&icid=main|main|dl4|link5|http%3A%2F%2Ftravel.aol.com%2Ftravel-ideas%2Fair-travel%2Farticles%2Fwoman-paralyzed-after-turbulent-descent%3Fncid%3DAOLCOMMtravdynlsec0145



This makes me not want to get on a plane. And I am getting into one this Saturday.:eek2:

I mean, the pilots know if turbulence approaches, right? And they always tell the passengers that they will be experiencing turbulence. Why did this woman go to the bathroom during such an episode?

The first time i rode a plane in the 1980's the toilet had a seat belt. Now I know why.

The first time i rode a plane in the 1980's the toilet had a seat belt. Now I know why.

The 1980's?

The 1980's?

yes they had planes back then.

yes they had planes back then.

I'm shocked, who knew the technology in the 80's was so advanced.

I'm shocked, who knew the technology in the 80's was so advanced.

I hear they had TVs then too. :tongue:

I'm shocked, who knew the technology in the 80's was so advanced.

I was 7 and it was my trip to Disney land.

I was 7 and it was my trip to Disney land.

You were 7 in the 80's?

You were 7 in the 80's?

yeah is that so hard to believe ?

yeah is that so hard to believe ?

Yep.

Yep.

Shoudl everyone alive in the 1980's be dead already?

I'm fucked. I ain't drinking anything on the plane. I will not go the privy there.




Aren't I perhaps taking this a bit too far?:tongue:

Nana-sama, look at it this way:

How many times has this happened before? How many times have you even heard of it happening? Okay, now realize that there were multiple millions of flights last year on commercial jet airliners. There were 28 "crashes" -- and no deaths. None.

You can worry about a ratio of 28-to-millions if you like, but if your number is up, it's up, and no amount of self-induced ulcer-making stress is going to change that. I was afraid to fly, too, until I checked out the statistics and realized just how safe it is. We freak out because those immensely rare failures that do occur are very dramatic and scary.

So relax, kireii, and go with the flow.

Nana-sama, look at it this way:

How many times has this happened before? How many times have you even heard of it happening? Okay, now realize that there were multiple millions of flights last year on commercial jet airliners. There were 28 "crashes" -- and no deaths. None.

You can worry about a ratio of 28-to-millions if you like, but if your number is up, it's up, and no amount of self-induced ulcer-making stress is going to change that. I was afraid to fly, too, until I checked out the statistics and realized just how safe it is. We freak out because those immensely rare failures that do occur are very dramatic and scary.

So relax, kireii, and go with the flow.

Awww, Inta-sama, arigatou for calling me kireii. :)

You were 7 in the 80's?

I was 7 in the late 70s. What's your point? People age? Very observant.

Awww, Inta-sama, arigatou for calling me kireii. :)

You thank me for merely stating the dazzlingly obvious. ;)

I was 7 in the late 70s. What's your point? People age? Very observant.

I am rather observant aren't I. I was 7 in 2000.

You thank me for merely stating the dazzlingly obvious. ;)

:tongue:

I am rather observant aren't I. I was 7 in 2000.

lazy good for nothing young people.

lazy good for nothing young people.

Damn old people , taking our money for their pensions.

Damn old people , taking our money for their pensions.

when i was your age i was walking bare foot to school.....


who kidding I was drunk as hell and chasing girls.

when i was your age i was walking bare foot to school.....


who kidding I was drunk as hell and chasing girls.

Some things never change.

Eh, one in a million chance. Shouldn't be worried about.

See. Doesn't this make you not want to get in a plane. I shouldn't be reading travel news, you know. I'm flying out to the US on Saturday morning.:eek2:

If it's any consolation, you are far more likely to be burned to death in a fireball caused by operator/mechanical error than be paralyzed in the toilet.

At least your brave enough to fly. I hate flying and hope never to have to do it again. Its not the crashes because I know it is safe it is just I have a fear of hights and the whole idea of flying is scary to me.

If it's any consolation, you are far more likely to be burned to death in a fireball caused by operator/mechanical error than be paralyzed in the toilet.

But paralyzed in a toilet is far more embarrassing.

This is why I keep my belt on the whole time, and make sure I've relieved myself before getting on the plane.

I hate public restrooms anyhow.

Fair enough. I wouldn't go to the southern states if you paid me.
...more for me, then. There are some pretty beautiful places in the American south.

This is why I keep my belt on the whole time, and make sure I've relieved myself before getting on the plane.

I hate public restrooms anyhow.

Hard to make promises on a 14 hour flight to Asia.
anyways flying is still better then taking the train.

Hard to make promises on a 14 hour flight to Asia.
anyways flying is still better then taking the train.
Longest flight I've ever taken is seven hours, so it's never come up. And really, it depends on the distance. I go NYC to BWI fairly often and the train's just much more convenient to me. Going to Florida, or cross country... not so much.

It also depends a lot on the airplane, and on the train. I bet the Orient Express is loads better than Jet Blue. ;)

The 1980's?
Some of us have been around since the 60s. I hear tell there might even be people on this forum alive during the fifties!

Yet another reason for toilet seat belts.

Hard to make promises on a 14 hour flight to Asia.
anyways flying is still better then taking the train.

Whats wrong with trains? The only posible problem is collision with a car in which the train always wins.

And to whoever said they would not go to the south I ask "What's wrong with The South?"

Edit:Not to mention more freedom to move around on a train.

Whats wrong with trains? The only posible problem is collision with a car in which the train always wins.

And to whoever said they would not go to the south I ask "What's wrong with The South?"

Edit:Not to mention more freedom to move around on a train.

Trains don't cross oceans very well.
Planes are faster. With some bullet trains being comparable once you count take off landing. but those aren't really profitable yet

Trains don't cross oceans very well.
Planes are faster.

Well then someone needs to hurry up and make a bridge to Eurasia so I don't have to fly across the ocean.

Well then someone needs to hurry up and make a bridge to Eurasia so I don't have to fly across the ocean.

You realize that airlines are the #1 safest way to travel, right?

However... you could take a boat.

http://travel.aol.com/travel-ideas/air-travel/articles/woman-paralyzed-after-turbulent-descent?ncid=AOLCOMMtravdynlsec0145&icid=main|main|dl4|link5|http%3A%2F%2Ftravel.aol.com%2Ftravel-ideas%2Fair-travel%2Farticles%2Fwoman-paralyzed-after-turbulent-descent%3Fncid%3DAOLCOMMtravdynlsec0145



This makes me not want to get on a plane. And I am getting into one this Saturday.:eek2:

I mean, the pilots know if turbulence approaches, right? And they always tell the passengers that they will be experiencing turbulence. Why did this woman go to the bathroom during such an episode?
There are way too many people that think they know better. Not that the woman deserved paralysis, but she was warned. What do people think will happen in turbulence?

Hard to make promises on a 14 hour flight to Asia.


Try flying from Saudi to Washington State on a military transport. Good times I tell ya.

What do people think will happen in turbulence?

Just goes to show how many people lack common sense. It's sad really.

You know, articles like this should avoid using terms that have a specific meaning. I have no idea if this refers to the pilot definition of severe turbulence, or the passenger definition.

FAA definition:

Severe Turbulence: Large, abrupt changes in altitude and/or attitude. Usually causes large variations in indicated airspeed. Aircraft may be momentarily out of control. Occupants are forced violently against seatbelts. Unsecured objects are tossed about. Food service and walking are impossible.

There is only one type of turbulence greater than severe, and that's extreme turbulence.

Extreme: Aircraft is violently tossed about and is practically impossible to control. May cause structural damage.


Anyway, if the plane was not experiencing large variations in airspeed, or placed momentarily out of control, it's not severe turbulence. It was probably moderate turbulence:

Moderate Turbulence: Changes in altitude and/or attitude occur but the aircraft remains in positive control at all times. It usually causes variations in indicated airspeed. Occupants feel definite strain against seatbelts. Unsecured objects are dislodged. Food service and walking are difficult.

I don't think it's necessarily a common sense deficiency. I've flown about a hundred times and never experienced any turbulence more severe than, say, driving on an unpaved road.

Eh, make of that what you will.

Shit - the worst way to get paralysis. In a restroom... on a plane... with severe turbulence...

Shit - the worst way to get paralysis. In a restroom... on a plane... with severe turbulence...

What's the best way to get paralysis?

No best way, but there are better ways of getting it than in the shithouse of a turbulence struck airplane. Granted, the overall outcome sucks.

No best way, but there are better ways of getting it than in the shithouse of a turbulence struck airplane. Granted, the overall outcome sucks.

Well, at least, now, when people get paralyzed, they'll say to themselves "Hey, at least I wasn't in the shithouse of a turbulence struck airline when it happened!"

Before this, no one would have considered that possibility.

Well, at least, now, when people get paralyzed, they'll say to themselves "Hey, at least I wasn't in the shithouse of a turbulence struck airline when it happened!"

Before this, no one would have considered that possibility.

Eeeexactly. :D

Do you think the toilet was sealed or was she a part of a shitshake?

You know, articles like this should avoid using terms that have a specific meaning. I have no idea if this refers to the pilot definition of severe turbulence, or the passenger definition.

FAA definition:

Severe Turbulence: Large, abrupt changes in altitude and/or attitude. Usually causes large variations in indicated airspeed. Aircraft may be momentarily out of control. Occupants are forced violently against seatbelts. Unsecured objects are tossed about. Food service and walking are impossible.

There is only one type of turbulence greater than severe, and that's extreme turbulence.

Extreme: Aircraft is violently tossed about and is practically impossible to control. May cause structural damage.


Anyway, if the plane was not experiencing large variations in airspeed, or placed momentarily out of control, it's not severe turbulence. It was probably moderate turbulence:

Moderate Turbulence: Changes in altitude and/or attitude occur but the aircraft remains in positive control at all times. It usually causes variations in indicated airspeed. Occupants feel definite strain against seatbelts. Unsecured objects are dislodged. Food service and walking are difficult.

Much thanks for your detailed explanation, sir.

Just goes to show how many people lack common sense. It's sad really.
I was sitting on the aisle and the guy on the inside seat wanted me to move so he could get up. We could hardly keep our booze on the tray and this idiot wants me to unbelt and let him by. I just said 'No'. You should have seen the look I got, as he climbed over my outstretched legs.

I was sitting on the aisle and the guy on the inside seat wanted me to move so he could get up. We could hardly keep our booze on the tray and this idiot wants me to unbelt and let him by. I just said 'No'. You should have seen the look I got, as he climbed over my outstretched legs.

Hes an idiot because he has to go to the bathroom? That inconsiderate bastard! He clearly should be penned in until it is your will to release him.

See now if that was me, i would have accidentally fallen trying to climb over you and made sure all 300 lbs of me landed square in your lap, while taking out as many bottles of booze in the process as possible as punishment for you being an asshole.

Actually, I don't believe pilots always know when they're approaching turbulence. It's not like turbulent air is bright pink or blue or something. Storms, yeah, they have clouds and what-not, but general turbulence might not be so easy to detect until you hit it and that nice flight suddenly becomes the Vomit Comet.

Indeed. Quite often, planes are warned about turbulence by other planes that encountered it.

Indeed. Quite often, planes are warned about turbulence by other planes that encountered it.

Yeah, turbulence is extremely, extremely complicated...there's a whole body of complex mathematics used to predict and estimate turbulent behavior.

If somebody could ever complete the Navier-Stokes equations, not only would they win $1,000,000 and be permanently enthroned as one of the greatest mathematicians of all time, but the safety of air travel would be immensely improved by containing or even eliminating the dangers of sudden and severe turbulent events. Basically, you'd be well on your way to solving one of the greatest problems of fluid dynamics in existence.

What's the best way to get paralysis?

... paralized by Snu Snu?

... paralized by Snu Snu?

JuNii... marry me!:fluffle:

I am rather observant aren't I. I was 7 in 2000.

You were 7 in 2000?

Hes an idiot because he has to go to the bathroom? That inconsiderate bastard! He clearly should be penned in until it is your will to release him.

See now if that was me, i would have accidentally fallen trying to climb over you and made sure all 300 lbs of me landed square in your lap, while taking out as many bottles of booze in the process as possible as punishment for you being an asshole.
He shouldn't have gotten up when the fasten seat belts sign was on, and when we were bouncing around so hard, the cabin service was suspended.

Damned if it wouldn't be my luck to get stuck next to the vindictive fat guy. I need to start flying airlines that make fatties pay for two seats.

You were 7 in 2000?

Yeah, why?

There were 28 "crashes" -- and no deaths. None.

Eh? What about that massive crash in Spain?

JuNii... marry me!:fluffle:

paralize me baby! :fluffle:

JuNii... marry me!:fluffle:

*files report with keeper*