Airfare Saga to Berlin Germany

[WPKat]

As some of you know, I am scheduled to have double ADR at Stenum Spine in Berlin, Germany. I had this brilliant ideal to save money by purchasing 2 coach seats so I could lay down during the flight. I was told by the airlines that they could NOT guarantee I would be allowed to lay down - doctor's note or not. The pilot, thankfully being in full charge of the plane, could call for everyone to be in the full upright condition with seat belts on. Evidently, turbulence is a far bigger problem over the open seas and it was not uncommon to be seated upright for hours at a time. As my eyes bulged out in horror (since after 1/2 or less of sitting creates major pain), the airline representative suggested business class seating at a whopping $8,000 a seat. As I choked on the ideal of spending so much for one seat (I could buy a nice used car for that price), he said I might try a ticket consolidator as they may be able to find a cheaper business class seat.

With new found hope, I called the first ticket consolidator I found via google ... what a bust. Then I tried another and a nice young lady with a thick accent answered. It turns out that she is from Russia, but lives in California. I set her to work and she comes back with a better price. BUT as I later discovered, she had me booked on coach from Alaska to New York (there and back). Evidently she didn't understand that I cannot sit. Thankfully no money changed hands, she cancelled the flights and went back to work. She came up with another solution that cost the same as the airlines AND I would have to switch airlines. I gave up, accepted my fate and called the airlines back.

The lady who answered this time around found me a better deal (though I still could buy a nice used car for my youngest). I am in business class the whole way with wheelchair assistance. The rest of my family will be in coach and their 3 tickets together cost a little more than half of mine. I have no choice, however, because no amount of pain medications would help me sit through an 18 plus hour flight.

Oh, but get this, domestic business class seats only recline to 70 degrees. The seats are like "plush recliners" though. I can only hope I can get into a decent position in their "plush" seat. Alaska to New York is a LONG way folks

International business class seats will recline most of the way ... one silver lining since it's a long journey!

I honestly didn't think it would be such a hassle and that I wouldn't have to pay so much just for the flight ... live and learn. At least I will get there and back in one piece and hopefully without crying in front of perfect strangers.

It will be worth every penny to get my life back. I am now just focusing on mentally preparing myself for surgery and recovery afterwards.



K

[Katie]

Here's a suggestion that may be too little, too late. If you could change your flight to Air Canada, they have the most luxurious new business seats that completely lay down like a very nice single bed...like a little pod. If you go on their website, you might be able to get a picture of one.

I'm sure they fly from NY to Berlin or whatever your connections would be. It might be worth a look at least. And if you have already booked, it may not cost anything to switch depending on your insurance, etc.

These pods are on the new planes...we were very intrigued with them as we passed by on our way through the plane to economy

[WPKat]

Here's a suggestion that may be too little, too late. If you could change your flight to Air Canada, they have the most luxurious new business seats that completely lay down like a very nice single bed...like a little pod. If you go on their website, you might be able to get a picture of one.

I'm sure they fly from NY to Berlin or whatever your connections would be. It might be worth a look at least. And if you have already booked, it may not cost anything to switch depending on your insurance, etc.

These pods are on the new planes...we were very intrigued with them as we passed by on our way through the plane to economy

Thanks for the suggestion Katie, but I am completely locked into my mega-expensive flight now. I am grateful that I will be on one airline, Delta; that I won't have to run around unfamiliar terminals trying to find the next gate (wheelchair or not); and that I will have some measure of comfort for all the money it will cost.

I do feel bad that my family will be stuck in coach though, but some day in the future ... I will be able to sit in coach with them again

Although I am still choking on the cost of the airfare, it is well worth every penny to be able to go over to Berlin for ADR surgery. I am so grateful that I lived a frugal life and saved money for a rainy day. Although I am far from rich, I can afford the surgery and all the associated costs. I thank God I have the opportunity to go over to Berlin to see an extraordinarily gifted and experienced surgeon for artificial disc replacement. I want the best this time around and I feel Dr. Ritter-Lang fits the bill!

Once I get my life back, I will be able to stand on my own two feet, return to work as an information systems administrator (computer geek), and put all the money I spend next month back and then some.



K

[Jack-of-all-trades]

Do they have any contingency plans in case the volcano in Iceland is uncooperative?

[Katie]

I love the strong attitude you have, and the plan to get your life back again. Stay with that, girl! :thumpup:

And don't underestimate how well the airline looks after you with the wheelchair help. We didn't have to lift a finger...they handled all our luggage and got us through areas of the airport that few people see, cutting our time in half. If not for that, we never would have made our gates because of the distances involved. They did a marvelous job....just hope your family can keep up with the escort and chair! My husband and friends were really hustling to keep up with us.

[WPKat]

Do they have any contingency plans in case the volcano in Iceland is uncooperative?

When I asked Stenum, they said that so far it hadn't affected their surgical dates. I didn't think to as the airlines.

I would hate for an act of God to get in my way.

I refuse to worry about a pissed off volcano, because when my time comes, I believe it will calm down and behave itself just so I can get through.

[WPKat]

I love the strong attitude you have, and the plan to get your life back again. Stay with that, girl! :thumpup:

And don't underestimate how well the airline looks after you with the wheelchair help. We didn't have to lift a finger...they handled all our luggage and got us through areas of the airport that few people see, cutting our time in half. If not for that, we never would have made our gates because of the distances involved. They did a marvelous job....just hope your family can keep up with the escort and chair! My husband and friends were really hustling to keep up with us.

I love the way you describe it Katie! I will be racing through the airport at the speed of light and get to where I'm going at the blink of an eye! Sounds like great fun to me!



K