[Gill58]

As if flying with IBS isn't difficult enough, I now hear that passengers will not be allowed out of their seats for the hour before the plane lands! This will be a nightmare for me - already the "what ifs" are running round my brain. We fly to the States from Europe at least twice a year and it is a already a very stressful trip,so .... any suggestions would be appreciated! This will also add time to the queuing through all the security checks and I am now worried about having to stand in line for even longer and being unable to make a dash to the bathroom. I do understand that these security measures are very necessary, but this is my worst nightmare!!

 

[overitnow]

OK, I am sure this will be more expensive; but, depending upon where you go in the States, you can fly to a Canadian border city, take a bus across the line, and then fly from one point in the States to your final destination, without the same restrictions.Mark

 

[clareuk]

Actually I was just watching the news and heard that. I'm sure that there will be a way around that. Surely if you have a bowel condition and a note from a doctor they will allow you to go to the toilet. I'm sure that there will have to be exceptions to that rule. So many people have bladder, bowel problems in the world that I can't believe that they'll treat everyone the same.

 

[Kathleen M.]

Here are the TSA rules (USA) for medically needed liquids/gels that do not come in small containers or fit in the quart sized ziploc bag.http://www.tsa.gov/travelers/airtravel/spe...orial_1059.shtmI assume each country's airport security posts something like this online. I think the TSA rules count for all flights coming into the USA.

 

[TheHobbes]

Yeah I just saw that on Yahoo News yesterday, and that was the first thing that came to mind. Flights I've been on recently usually make you stay seated maybe 15min before landing, and even that freaks me out sometimes. I don't want to be that crazy, panicked person running through the plane who gets tackeled as I sprint to the bathroom. I think this may be more of a temporary rule until they figure something out. It would cause too many problems with people who have medical issues or are just sick that day. I think most people would just say screw it and get up anyways.

 

[Kathleen M.]

I though most places before now it was supposed to be like 1/2 an hour (or maybe for some airports it was 1/2 an hour or an hour).I think the absolutely nothing on your lap or out of your bag for the last hour is going to be a lot more problematic for unruly passengers.Usually they will make exceptions for someone with a medical issue (may need to let the flight attendants know) but you may be watched more than other passengers if you make those requests.

 

[Jeffrey Roberts]

I feel for all those that are away from home and have to endure these new rules in order to get home. We live in such a fragile world now where one incident can have such a dramatic effect on our lives.Jeff

 

[BQ]

I know this is on our Twitter Forum but I wanted to just post the link to an article on the new flying rules just written buy our Dr. Bolen. Here is the link to her article:http://ibs.about.com/b/2009/12/28/terroris...ity-and-ibs.htm

 

[IBD/IBS Author]

As of today - Monday - the 1 hour rule is "up to the discretion of the airline." And if people need to make a trip to the restroom they will need to be accompanied by a flight attendant. So, you just need to do what I've mentioned here numerous times before - if you are having D troubles or feel you might, let a flight attendant know that you have a gastro problem that can cause D on short notice. Also, ask him/her if they are planning to enforce the 1 hr. rule. And if they are, then be sure you go to the bathroom before the time constraint starts. Go before they make an announcement though, because there will be a rush and you'll end up in line. I travel a lot - anywhere from 4-10 trips/year, both domestically and internationally, and I've never had a flight attendant not take my potential problem seriously. Be nice to them and they'll be nice to you. They don't want you to have trouble anymore than you do. If you have IBD, or even if you don't, you can join the Crohn's and Colitis Foundation of America for about $25/year. You will receive a wallet-sized card from them that says, I Can't Wait! The bearer of this card has a gastrointestinal disease that makes it difficult for them to wait for the bathroom - or something similar to that. I've used this card a couple times, and even when I don't have to use it it's just nice to know it's in my back pocket. These new rules just mean you will have to take more control over your potential situation that maybe you did before.

 

[Jeffrey Roberts]

Elizabeth brings up a great point... the wallet-sized "I Can't Wait" card! We have talked for many years about creating one for IBS sufferers. Maybe it's time we do this.Jeff

 

[Kathleen M.]

I think the point of attitude is important.I know there was the incident with the person that wouldn't come out of the bathroom and the if the reports are correct the coming across as uncooperative was probably more of a concern than how long or how often the person was in the bathroom.I know a lot of people are very sensitive about their bathroom needs and have a bad attitude if they feel bad but how you are acting about it may be more about what causes a problem than you asked nicely and were willing to be escorted there and back.After all they threw Ivana Trump off a plane for a bad attitude and it had nothing to do with the bathroom.

 

[IBD/IBS Author]

I think a card for IBSers could be a good idea.

 

[Jeffrey Roberts]

We came up with a variation of this a while back. At the time we were looking for a sponsor and a method to distribute them. We would be happy to hear from any National sponsors who would be interested in this kind of project. Also, any graphic artists out there who could lend a hand?Jeff

 

[onyx]

I think this latest new rule about not getting out of your seat for an hour is pretty pointless and like some other so-called security measures just inconveniences countless people while not really stopping the bad guys. I've been agonizing for weeks about whether to buy a ticket for a trip I've been wanting to take for a long time, and now this is just another thing to add to the potential anxiety of the situation. I do like the idea about having the card and/or letting the flight attendent know early on your situation. I can't imagine that if you really have to go that they'd stop you, but then again I don't want to end up on the evening news as the guy who caused some national security incident, just because I got sick on the plane.

 

[ThewallsRclosingIn]

I just flew from Paris to NY today...8.5hr flight...wow is that long. My IBS was fine on the flight both ways. I just tried sleeping and watching movies to occupy my time. also had an aisle seat so i didnt annoy anyone if i needed to get up often, which surprisingly i didnt need to that much. I didnt have any issues with getting up during the flight to use the bathroom. They didnt stop anyone the last hour also. We went through alot more security though today.

 

[Max0]

CW2009;for the uk you are only allowed 3x 100ml clear plastic bottles which are allowed to be confiscated if at all "suspicious" looking.if you take the packaging with the information with you and explain the situation, the security people are usually a lot more understanding than you'd expect!

 

[clareuk]

I personally think a card would be a wonderful idea and would really clarify that you need to use a toilet. I could have done with that so many times. It would make others think, as with so many people it dosen't even enter their heads. I guess people who don't have a problem are totally unaware - I know I was. So I really do think this would be a wonderful idea, although sadly can't help with either request. It would be really nice to know it was in my purse just in case.

 

[Jeffrey Roberts]

I've got an idea how we can distribute these easily. Please let me know what you think.If we embed the wallet size "Help I need a bathroom" card in a standard sized post card, the only thing you would have to do is to push out the wallet card from the post card as we will manufacture the post card with perforations around the wallet card. Do you think this works?It would be similar to how this picture illustrates it:

Do you have suggestions for the wallet card wording? We can gather them all and vote on the best one. If your suggestion is chosen, you will receive a free card and also a free copy of our book, IBS Chat: Real Life Stories and Solutions. (Sorry about the plug for the book

)Jeff

 

[Halleycomet]

The post card idea is great! However until that happens I am reminded that you can concoct your own graphics and a very professional looking glossy (or not) card at Staples etc for very little money. I would be happy to spend something on the order of $30 (Think that was what I paid for our motorcycle cards) for something that would help explain why I need to "Dash" quickly and so often. I was in terror the last time I had to fly (and when a family member dies you don't have time to starve yourself for three days beforehand!) and fortunately I was OK both coming and going---and coming back I was even upgraded to First Class (due to coming back in a wheelchair--not IBS related) and I will say that the Security was brutal---and this was of course BEFORE the Christmas Bomber. Sitting there in the line I was scared that I would be singled out if I had to wander off to the bathroom, and on the return I was treated so rudely due to my injured leg that I filed complaints with the airlines and the NTSB. I must say that there are a few places where I would like to fly to but for now I will content myself very nicely with motorcycle trips. Tho there is that place we have been wanting to get to---what WAS it called---oh yeah think it was Australia. When I flew to Israel in 1976 security was amazingly "tight" and the flight was 11 HOURS non-stop. Why can't we adopt their tactics? If any one looks suspicious---and I do mean anyone---off they go. And a few scenes of your suitcase and contents being sliced open with razor knives might make people respect the rules. Profiling???? I saay BRING IT ON. And please do NOT get the impression that I am racist etc. I just do NOT want anyone blown up or for more civilians to have to risk their lives to subdue bombers or to have to make the agonizing decision to let the plane go down in PA rather than risk it hitting a city.