I had a panic attack on a Plane and bolted before take off. I'd be dead

today! This was about 8 years ago. I'm a white knuckle flyer and we were flying on Delta to a friend's son's wedding. We had a horrible storm where I live and it was hell getting to the airport. We sat in the airport for four hours while watching stuff flying at the windows in the wind as they waited for the storm to go by and our plane to take off. I was getting more and more nervous. When they announced to board I managed to get on with hubby and take my seat and they still kept us on the ground waiting...after about 25 minutes I'd worked myself into a frenzy thinking it was too dangerous for us to go on the trip. I told my hubby...I HAVE TO GET OFF THIS PLANE. He tried to talk me down but I just couldn't wait anymore and was having trouble breathing. I grabbed my bag from the overhead and bolted!

No one really noticed that I got off in such a frenzy...but if it was today, I would be dead. I think in my state of mind not being able to breath if someone told me to "hit the ground" or even tried to talk to me I would have run faster to get away from that plane.

It's quite scary to think that. It was all the waiting and the terrible storm that just got to me. When we got back home we had a huge pine tree come down in that storm, that had just missed my house and had broken our fence down...it was a bad storm. I'm not on meds but don't have alot of ability to deal with waiting when I'm anxious.

So...I know now...I should not take a chance flying again, unless I'm so doped or comatose...in case I panic and folks think I'm a terrorist who might have a bomb. :shrug:

That would make a difference. I have been on a plane recently that had a hysterical passenger and it was handled very professionally.

or did that come from the Marshalls?

Did he holler that on the plane or in the jetway?

That is what I want to hear.

The question is how loud did his wife yell that he was off his meds? So far only one passenger has verified that she said that - so could the marshal hear her? That's what I'd like to know.

barring that, you'd probably still be alive.

would you have taken it? This person was off their meds. It is a horrible shame but in the scenario the same as pointing a toy gun at a police officer in a dark alley.

This probably unfolde in seconds. It is a tragic loss.

am a pale-knuckle flyer. Xanax for me takes about 30-40 mins. to kick in. I can see no situation where I would have done what this guy did. The Air Marshall could not know. Just so sad.

at Bush and sick of his shit about terror and in his frenzied Democratic State he was being Sarcastic? Who knows? The Media has already said what it was about...so I guess we should accept that version.

I'm just saying what if I was dark skinned...maybe had some kind of clothing on that made me look "different" and I panicked and grabbed my bag and in my frenzy shoved someone to get off because I couldn't breath? What if I said something nasty to someone in my way because I was so stressed in panic. Couldn't I also be a target? Wouldn't I seem suspicious? Just because my skin is white and I look pretty average I might get by ....but what if I was "different looking?"

:shrug:

way to Chicago from Richmond. We were on a tiny plane (one row on each side of the plane, with two seats on each row), and there was little head room. I hadn't flown since Aug. 2001. I, too, started having trouble breathing. I take Xanax for anxiety disorder, and popped one as soon as the breathing trouble began. It helped a lot, and soon, was able to relax. I hate having to rely on meds to calm me down, but in this instance, it really helped me.

It is sad what happened, I agree. Isn't it true that oftentimes people with bipolar disorder won't take their meds? Not sure if it's been confirmed the person who was killed today was indeed bipolar.

If I were a terrorist in your fantasy world, I would always have a female accomplish to shout an excuse to the cops. They they would have to believe my accomplish and leave me alone to do whatever I was going to do.

and you bolted off the plane,, Muttering I've got to get to Bombay.

And what's with going for the bag? Tragic, but I see no other outcome.

bag to get your ticket to Bombay and they shoot you? Is that the idea?

From the comfort of you chair and lots of time you can imagine many scenarios. If, in a few seconds during a crisis, an officer has to check out each scenario that you can possibly imagine, and can't act until they are all eliminated, then there would be no action. Perhaps you would like that.

I happen to hold a security clearance with the FAA .I can escort 7 people and 3 vehicles on the AOA (tarmac), I've had to go though FBI background checks and take Test's , the people and vechicles I escort don't, all's they need is a driver's license #, that isn't put into a computer till 30 min's after we've cleared securtiy. Thats part of Home Land Security for Ya.. be afraid , be very afraid.

"I have a bomb" or anything else that was completely un-related & untrue in a panic attack?

yeah I think you might be.

... I've learned to control them by distracting myself. Has worked for a while, but have had a couple close calls.

I hear Xanax works great, but getting any is not easy.

would you have been able to do so?

If the answer is no, then I agree with you. The situation could have ended quite badly.

that was 8 years ago...before 9/11 and the Patriot Act and the Chimp-in-Thief was installed.

I don't know what I would do today. But, I've avoided flying since 9/11 so that I don't have to find out.. The incident today sure doesn't encourage me. :eyes:

I have had it happen. (Not by law enforcement.) I didn't think it was a joke. I gave the guy full credit for being completely serious.

me for deplaning in a panic. :shrug: Maybe this guy didn't think the Air Marshall would shoot him or he was in a manic faze and could't think straight. Who knows? We don't have all the facts yet.

Surely you are being sarcastic?

I mean if they pointed a gun at you you would think it was a "joke"

Did you yell "I've got a bomb"?

I think you are just trying to make this out to be more than it is.

we have these days, I'd bet you'd be even worse-off if you tried flying again. Even though flying isn't stressful at all for me, being poked, prodded, and groped by those thugs is very stressful.

is what it's like, unless one can afford first class.

http://www.miami.com/mld/miamiherald/13353797.htm

Well I'd say! Those google computers don't miss a trick.

I'll add that I hate to fly. This story doesn't make me feel any better. There have been times I've looked like a crazy guy.