Just a thought..........the lessons of life..........

[AprilT]

It makes sense. Is the timing right?

A lot was going on during this period of time, but, it was close enough, that I'm thinking it may have a lot to do with it as this is the time I pretty much started to fall apart physically and neurologically in many ways.

It can be quite hellish at times when the environment doesn't want to cooperate with you and just moves in the opposite direction of where your mind want to go. I remember early one I used to walk around adjusting picture frames and wall art on my walls as they often appeared off centered, it didn't dawn on me back then that it was my brain that was off balance. LOL! You really do have to laugh sometimes, though it's no fun when you are sitting in a chair and you just can't get centered all that well. There also is the ear issue with the ringing at times, though that for some reason never really bothered me all that much, I just assumed it was some far away noise and never bothered about it, now I'm just used to it as a low grade background thing. Like that movie I happened to watch recently "It Follows You". btw, I recommend the movie if anyone wants a good scare, nothing to do with the issues discussed though.

 

[Phoenix]

How selfish of him!

Oldman, can you explain why when I fly certain airlines I have a lot of pain and blockage in my ears when the plane descends (nothing helps - I've tried everything possible). And on another airline (Emirates) I have no problems whatsoever. I've even been on a couple of flights where I didn't even notice we were descending!

My guess would be that the "normal" cabin pressure is different in some airlines.

 

[Ameriscot]

My guess would be that the "normal" cabin pressure is different in some airlines.

I think some may always do a much slower descent as well.

Oldman, is there a set cabin pressure that's required?

 

[oldman]

The difference in cabin pressures is controlled by the Captain and when he decides to pressurize the cabin and then depressurize when descending. Normally, I would pressurize the cabin as we were being pushed back from the gate, while some Captains would wait until they were cleared for takeoff and other Captains would wait until they actually began their climb, but always before hitting 10,000 ft. altitude. It's also important to note the size of the plane. Larger planes control pressurization better than the smaller jets. When descending, the angle of attack and the attitude of the plane are important for the Captain to be aware of and when it is safe for him to depressurize the cabin. Again, my choice was normally when we touched down. There are instances when a pilot may have to perform what we call a "TOGA", which stands for "Takeoff and Go Around." If the pilot would short the runway, meaning that he landed too far down the strip and would not or may not get stopped safely, he may have to fully accelerate the jet and get the plane back in the air to perform a go around and try landing again. Normally, this should only happen to First Officers who are still getting their feet wet with real aircraft and not being in a simulator.

As for ears popping while descending, it's again up to the pilot. If he has a steep angle, ears will pop more frequently that they would if the angle of descent was less steep. Normally, a 5% angle is normal for descending and taking off, unless the pilot is under a "noise abatement" order. Like, if the airport was located near a housing development, the pilot may have to take off using a greater angle of attack, like 8-10% while being careful not to have a tail strike on the runway.

My best guess is that the airline that you fly with uses a shorter angle of attack for both taking off and descending. It is important that the passengers have their ears pop. This relieves the pressure in the Eustachian tubes or canal, which causes the pain. There are a lot of aids out there in drug stores to help with this problem. Normally, I just prefer to yawn. For others, they may need to take more drastic measures like using medication or a special ear insert.

Planes have to ascend and descend gradually to prevent them from breaking apart. However, there are times when the pilot will need to use a greater angle of attack while performing these duties. Babies are more effected by pressurization than adults because their inner ear and it's tubes have not yet been formed or strengthened properly like an adult's ear has. Some people are completely unaffected by pressure in the plane while others will complain almost the moment the plane begins to ascend.

 

[Ameriscot]

The difference in cabin pressures is controlled by the Captain and when he decides to pressurize the cabin and then depressurize when descending. Normally, I would pressurize the cabin as we were being pushed back from the gate, while some Captains would wait until they were cleared for takeoff and other Captains would wait until they actually began their climb, but always before hitting 10,000 ft. altitude. It's also important to note the size of the plane. Larger planes control pressurization better than the smaller jets. When descending, the angle of attack and the attitude of the plane are important for the Captain to be aware of and when it is safe for him to depressurize the cabin. Again, my choice was normally when we touched down. There are instances when a pilot may have to perform what we call a "TOGA", which stands for "Takeoff and Go Around." If the pilot would short the runway, meaning that he landed too far down the strip and would not or may not get stopped safely, he may have to fully accelerate the jet and get the plane back in the air to perform a go around and try landing again. Normally, this should only happen to First Officers who are still getting their feet wet with real aircraft and not being in a simulator.

As for ears popping while descending, it's again up to the pilot. If he has a steep angle, ears will pop more frequently that they would if the angle of descent was less steep. Normally, a 5% angle is normal for descending and taking off, unless the pilot is under a "noise abatement" order. Like, if the airport was located near a housing development, the pilot may have to take off using a greater angle of attack, like 8-10% while being careful not to have a tail strike on the runway.

My best guess is that the airline that you fly with uses a shorter angle of attack for both taking off and descending. It is important that the passengers have their ears pop. This relieves the pressure in the Eustachian tubes or canal, which causes the pain. There are a lot of aids out there in drug stores to help with this problem. Normally, I just prefer to yawn. For others, they may need to take more drastic measures like using medication or a special ear insert.

Planes have to ascend and descend gradually to prevent them from breaking apart. However, there are times when the pilot will need to use a greater angle of attack while performing these duties. Babies are more effected by pressurization than adults because their inner ear and it's tubes have not yet been formed or strengthened properly like an adult's ear has. Some people are completely unaffected by pressure in the plane while others will complain almost the moment the plane begins to ascend.

Thanks for the explanation. My ears don't handle the decrease in pressure well - I've tried chewing gym, yawning, decongestants, cleaning all wax out of my ears, holding my nose and blowing out, etc etc. and on flights to or from the US I have serious pain my ears and sometimes they are blocked for a week afterward. I guess it can be inherited as my youngest son has the same pain.

It's the flights on Emirates where I have little or no problem.

 

[Carla]

Senile1,
i would venture to say more disabilities are "unseen" such as yours. All too often I hear people comment on someone using a handicapped space in a parking lot, and because it is not visible, they conclude the person is healthy. I hate hearing remarks like that, it is sheer ignorance. Sorry to hear about your physical issues, life can be challenging for us. I have several chronic conditions myself but have learned to deal with them as best I can. I still get around and can function so why complain? Those that need a little help to get by probably hate having to ask and when you've been there yourself, we can understand what that feels like. Quite humbling.

 

[senile1]

Senile1,
i would venture to say more disabilities are "unseen" such as yours. All too often I hear people comment on someone using a handicapped space in a parking lot, and because it is not visible, they conclude the person is healthy. I hate hearing remarks like that, it is sheer ignorance. Sorry to hear about your physical issues, life can be challenging for us. I have several chronic conditions myself but have learned to deal with them as best I can. I still get around and can function so why complain? Those that need a little help to get by probably hate having to ask and when you've been there yourself, we can understand what that feels like. Quite humbling.

You are quite right Ms. Carla. As you say, one but can but get up and keep going. My best of wishes friend. for your health problem.

 

[oldman]

Thanks for the explanation. My ears don't handle the decrease in pressure well - I've tried chewing gym, yawning, decongestants, cleaning all wax out of my ears, holding my nose and blowing out, etc etc. and on flights to or from the US I have serious pain my ears and sometimes they are blocked for a week afterward. I guess it can be inherited as my youngest son has the same pain.

It's the flights on Emirates where I have little or no problem.

Perhaps, it's the size of the plane. Bigger jets do a better job with pressurization. Back in the 90's when I was flying the B-747, I also noticed that I had less issues with my ears compared to when I first started flying for United and flying the B-737. Smaller airplanes can climb and descend faster than larger planes. When I flew the B-747 from Chicago to Honolulu, I would do what we call a "step climb." How that works is, after takeoff, I may climb to 15,000 ft and level off. Then climb to 25,000 ft and level off and then I would climb to my cruising altitude and level off. This style of climbing was somewhat better for comfort for the passengers, instead of just taking off and climbing to my cruising altitude of say, 38,000 ft.

Also, step climbing saves fuel. As we burn off fuel, we lessen our weight, so the plane becomes lighter and we can climb easier and burn less fuel, instead of going straight up to our final cruising altitude. BTW, the B-747 is still considered the safest plane that the industry has ever built, although many airlines are now opting for the A-380 (Airbus) and the B-777 (Boeing). I just returned from vacation last week and we had a two-hour layover in Chicago. I went into United's office and spoke with a few people that were there when I flew before retirement. It just so happened that there was a Singapore Airlines B-787 Dreamliner at the gate over at the international terminal. I had always heard that Singapore Airlines made a lot of changes to the interior's design, so I asked to be given a tour and they obliged me. WOW! Just beautiful inside. The plane even had showers for their top level flyers. Very impressive.

I apologize for going off topic.

 

[Ameriscot]

Perhaps, it's the size of the plane. Bigger jets do a better job with pressurization. Back in the 90's when I was flying the B-747, I also noticed that I had less issues with my ears compared to when I first started flying for United and flying the B-737. Smaller airplanes can climb and descend faster than larger planes. When I flew the B-747 from Chicago to Honolulu, I would do what we call a "step climb." How that works is, after takeoff, I may climb to 15,000 ft and level off. Then climb to 25,000 ft and level off and then I would climb to my cruising altitude and level off. This style of climbing was somewhat better for comfort for the passengers, instead of just taking off and climbing to my cruising altitude of say, 38,000 ft.

Also, step climbing saves fuel. As we burn off fuel, we lessen our weight, so the plane becomes lighter and we can climb easier and burn less fuel, instead of going straight up to our final cruising altitude. BTW, the B-747 is still considered the safest plane that the industry has ever built, although many airlines are now opting for the A-380 (Airbus) and the B-777 (Boeing). I just returned from vacation last week and we had a two-hour layover in Chicago. I went into United's office and spoke with a few people that were there when I flew before retirement. It just so happened that there was a Singapore Airlines B-787 Dreamliner at the gate over at the international terminal. I had always heard that Singapore Airlines made a lot of changes to the interior's design, so I asked to be given a tour and they obliged me. WOW! Just beautiful inside. The plane even had showers for their top level flyers. Very impressive.

I apologize for going off topic.

Size of the plane makes sense. Emirates planes are always huge. I've flown on the double decker one a few times. Showers in first class. Not that I'll ever be up there!