There’s no doubt that Hawaii’s incredible weather, sunshine, beaches, ocean, lack of crowding and aloha are a prescription for calming frayed nerves. One man likely wanted that vacation badly, but had an in flight panic attack before he could get much needed relief.
Without making light of a very serious situation, long narrow-body flights, in economy seats of  unacceptable pitch, have put me completely on edge too!
A US Airways passenger en route from Phoenix to Honolulu went wild on Wednesday, and needed to be restrained and later turned over to authorities in Hawaii. For him there was no Hawaii vacation unfortunately. For other passengers on board flight 20, it was the start to a vacation that they won’t soon forget.
The man began screaming incoherently after having a panic attack and being provided oxygen. He said that he wanted to get off the plane. He began shouting, indicated he had a gun and started running towards the flight deck. Two off-duty New Jersey police offers en route to a Hawaii wedding came to the rescue, tackling and restraining the man over the Pacific. Plastic handcuffs were provided, courtesy of US Airways, as a free amenity.
I’ve read differing theories of providing oxygen for a panic attack. Some believe that it actually makes the situation worse and suggest breathing into a paper bag. Others say that bag breathing can dangerously lower blood oxygen levels leading to more severe problems.
How do you cope flying across the Pacific?
I’ve had panic attacks before and they are so frightening. I don’t think anyone should be given oxygen for one of them. Breathing into a paper bag can stop the hyperventilation that can happen during a panic attack. Deep slow breathing is the most helpful, but when the panic gets really bad, I’ve used valium or xanax. That doesn’t happen on planes, usually, for me. I did have a middle seat flying from Salt Lake City to Denver and the man in front of me reclined his seat and the man in the aisle seat leaned into my area and put his feet under the space in front of my seat. I had to get up and stand up, even thought the seat belt light was on. The more crowded planes are havens for claustrophobia and panic attacks.
Poor guy… stressed out by life or stressed out by flying…. or both?!?!
He doesn’t need a vacation in Hawaii, he needs to move there and learn to chill out, full time…. “island style.”
Must have been super scary for the rest of the travelers.
I agree that anybody who is claustropobic or likely to have a panic attack for some other reason should carry Ativan. I’m claustrophobic, and, before I started taking Ativan, I once spent an entire trip from London to San Francisco sitting on one of the flight attendant’s jump seats because the middle or window seat I had was just far too confining.
I watch a movie or sleep. Keeping the mind occupied and not looking out the window at only ocean is quite calming.
Wow…I have to say, I’ve been flying for the past 50 years and have yet to see anything like that…in fact…I consider myself lucky that I’ve yet to have a bad experience onboard an airplane…
He should’ve taken an Ativan and relaxed. If you’re known to have panic attacks bring your medication, no need to freak out like that. I’ve had them before but usually take the pill prior to getting to the airport 🙂