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Wonder if any of our ex-pats have experienced 'cabin fever' during their long haul flights, to and from the UK?

I suffered the very unpleasant phenomenon whilst on the 13 hour flight to Bangkok, some 3 months ago.

Following 8 hours plus in the air, it involved a strange sense of panic and determination to stare at the floor, folding of arms, chest pains and general discomfort - which lasted for around 20 minutes, then eventually receded.

Upon arrival at my son's house in Thailand the internet told me that I was displaying the classic symptoms.

Another factor was that, for the first time in some years, I was flying alone without the option to converse with a companion..merely strangers.

Originally based on the mental impact of solitary confinement, entombment in a submerged submarine or being marooned in an isolated log cabin (hence the name), with nothing to do...

Slight recurrence on the even longer return flight, but more able to cope having established what it was about!

Cheers

Robt P.

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Sounds like the panic attacks I used to get? more than once phoned 999 for an ambulance, sounds crazy now but at time believed I was dying/going insane! i personally blame a certain heart specialist who'se abrupt diagnosis and life expectancy forecast sent me in a state of shock! (and I'm still here and outlived the barsteward!)

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The only real medical problem I have had, on long haul, was on the way to Bali , I got a nose bleed for England (Probably the last proper one I have had (Touch wood)) It lasted for about an hour.

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I remember flying to Cyprus during the early 90's by good old British Midland, actually on the sistership of the plane that had just crashed coming into land at East Midlands Airport, bad start. The Balkan Wars were in full swing and the Eastern European countries were in the throes of shaking off Communism. We had to go on a right devious route to avoid trouble and I remember flying over Roumania, Coucescou had just gone, but... and looking down to actually witness Mig 21 fighters taking off from an airfield below us and you think, whats that all about then, I assumed I was perhaps the only person on the plane to know what a Mig 21 was all about and had noticed what was happening, it was pretty worrying to me. We then seemed to fly very close to the bend in the Danube where I knew that battles were in progress. They changed the route on the way home and we flew up the coast of Italy, why they didn't do that on the way there was beyond me. A classic case that a bit of knowledge doesn't do you any good, I crapped myself all the way to Cyprus.

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I have never had any problems, but then again I have worked in some pretty confined spaces too! Mary has to be careful, but an isle seat helps for her - gimme the window!

Longest flight (non-stop) I have been on was Detroit to Tokyo - about 16 hours. I was in business class, which helps tremendously, but even on the short(?) flight to England I make a point of getting up and walking around as much as I can - it relieves the boredom and gets the circulation going! I also take netbook, iPod, book and magazines to keep me occupied!

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Never had any problems really. Swollen ankles like balloons are my main complaint. I know I should get up and walk about more, but don't. It's about 10 hrs London-Phoenix, so not too bad. Longest flight was Hong Kong to LA, 16 hrs, boring but not bad. I can't imagine flying to Australia or New Zealand from the UK, even with the stopover it's a long haul.

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[ I can't imagine flying to Australia or New Zealand from the UK, even with the stopover it's a long haul.

Not as bad as you think ! Adelaide to Singapore 7/8 hours. 2 hours of wandering around the magnificent airport. Always seems to be a free concert or entertainment . Then 12 hours to London. Although it is very bad for one`s health I too sleep,but avoid the plastic food,Mick.

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  • 12 years later...

@rob237 sounds like when they drop the cabin pressure , i suffered something similar , Gatwick to Manila Philippines,  i felt tight chested , is it called altitude sickness, i felt panicky , but just took some deep breathes to cope , everyone else seemed fine.

My wife goes nuts during turbence , once i was reassuring my wife at the same time as looking for my parachute !!

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2 hours ago, David sheridan said:

@rob237 sounds like when they drop the cabin pressure ,

 

When looking at old material, note the date at the top of the post. 

 

The post you are quoting is from December 2009; and Rob237 - who made it - passed away  in 2012.

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Keep going Dave......I'm sure Cliff Ton wasn't having a go.........

You are a lovely refreshing ''Newbie''........need more like you......

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Thank you @benjamin1945 maybe i took it the wrong way , i was a little defensive in my comments to @Cliff Ton sorry to hear that rob had passed Away,  but at the same time i feel it's good to share about this topic, because other people experience similar problems when flying ,

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Anyway I'd like to keep this topic up in the air, remember a cheap package holiday digs,grub and flight included to majorca, air2ground i think it was called ,

Anyway they were guiding this chap up the stairs to the plane , completely bladdered he was,

I said look at that , it's disgraceful,  the stewardess turned around to me and said " i know , he flying the plane an all "

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2 hours ago, David sheridan said:

@Cliff Ton nowt wrong in reviving an old topic is there ?

And i didnt know rob had passed away ,

I feel unwelcome on here as a newbie. 

Stop being such a drama queen and gerron wi it..

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Working for bmi for 30+ years, I could tell you all sorts of stories. All I can say is that over those years flight safety has improved so much and that all the crew are doing is looking after their passengers and aircraft. I was so lucky to be a part of it all, don’t regret a minute. If passengers knew what went on behind the scenes to get their aircraft airborne they probably wouldn’t moan so much. 
 

take care you travellers.

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MrsB., I felt just the same about driving my double decker bus !

But, mind you, I couldn't get it off the ground.  :rolleyes:

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Beekay, thankfully you never did!

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 Short haul and long  haul first went when u'mmm 23 took me till age 40ish to stop useing those bags, finally masted thoes big metal birds in the sky. Boats now thats another story. 

 

Only problem I have is, was talking to this very nice chap the other day, and said i went to Aus /New Zealand on Qantas they were so helpful and customes service was second to non. Flew back with BA well I thought  that the cabin staff had been left in Sydney never did see much of them, customer service 0. Well!!! then  this nice man turned around and said ""well thankyou very much for your feedback I will pass it on ""   found  out that he was a pilot for BA.

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8 hours ago, Beekay said:

MrsB., I felt just the same about driving my double decker bus !

But, mind you, I couldn't get it off the ground.  :rolleyes:

And no in-flight snacks on arriving at colwick terminus !

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@mary1947  sailing or flying get anxious about both alternatives,

My worse case scenario would be flying and the plane nose diving into a cruise ship , i can't swim ,  that's a lie really i can swim......  like a brick !!!

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