A question for pilots re: Cabin Pressure

[JustHolly]

Do pilots manually alter cabin pressure to make passengers "sleep?"

Yesterday on our flight out of Orlando, there were many noticeable changes in the cabin pressure on the 737. When we were given our "snack packs" the packages were bulging with air. The cabin pressure was very low, and most people were sleeping. By the time we landed, the snack packages were back to "normal."

Was there a problem with the cabin pressure, or did the pilot lower it for some reason?

 

[inkkognito]

I don't know about the pressure, but I was reading a book written by a flight attendant last night while flying to Orlando, and in one of the chapters she said she knew a flight attendant who confessed to having served decaf coffee to everyone in the hopes that they would fall asleep!
And I once flew with a mom who have her kids Benedryl before the flight to knock them out (her hubby, who was a paranoid flyer, had drank enough at the bar to put him to sleep too). Her whole family snoozed in the row across the aisle from us for the entire flight!
Barb
Visit the Platinum Castaway Club at: www.castawayclub.com

 

[drogerstn]

The cabin pressure at higher altitudes is usually maintained at about the same atmospheric pressure as found at an altitude around 7000 to 8000 feet. (Around 11 psi compared to 14.7 psi at sea level.) What you experienced sounds normal to me.

 

[seashoreCM]

>>> many noticeable changes

I would find that surprising. Instead I would expect the cabin pressure to go down as the plane ascends, then stay at the lower pressure, then repressurize as the plane descended for landing.

Once I brought a balloon aboard a flight to see how much the pressure changed. At least for that balloon, it did not expand noticeably, the only way I could detect the expansion was by measuring the circumference with a string.

Disney hints:
http://members.aol.com/ajaynejr/disney.htm

 

[CBRorBust]

And I once flew with a mom who have her kids Benedryl before the flight to knock them out (her hubby, who was a paranoid flyer, had drank enough at the bar to put him to sleep too). Her whole family snoozed in the row across the aisle from us for the entire flight!

I always take a Benadryl when I get to the airport. I hate to fly, so if I can sleep through the whole flight..that is fine by me.

 

[JustHolly]

We fly often and this trip was the only time I could notice when the pressure was changing. My ears (and Ted's) were popping more than ever, and it was really weird watching the snack package of oreos literally bulge out like it was a balloon and then shrink back a few minutes later. Those were the "noticeable" changes I was referring to. It was an early flight, so I know why some people were sleeping, but the plane was VERY quiet. We have taken this exact flight a few times before and never have I seen MOST of the plane sleeping.

Weird....

 

[alexturner74]

Generally, the pressurization is adjusted automatically by the aircraft. Under normal conditions, no adjustment from the pilots is required. However, there is a manual mode in which the pilots can adjust the outflow valve, and thus the pressure. This is typically only done as a back-up to when the automatic controls are not working.

 

[WDWisTheBest]

Were they Double Stuf? Or maybe Reduced Fat type?

I think an email to Kraftfoods.com or a visit to the following link might uncover the answer to the expanding and shrinking package http://www.nabiscoworld.com/oreo/

 

[Harambe]

JustHolly - what airlines was this?

And I am another guilty "benadryl" mom. I load the kids up at the airport. Last time I did it, an elderly man who was going on the flight thanked me for giving the kids the benadryl! Guess he wanted a peaceful flight!

 

[JustHolly]

They were just plain Oreos, not Double Stuff or Reduced Fat

Harambe- it was Southwest

 

[EsmeraldaX]

I don't know, but I usually have to get something perscribed to me to knock me out on the plane or I will lose control, have massive panic attacks and freak out the other flyers.

Not fun.

 

[chamonix]

Hey, esmeralda, me too! Actually, I have never "freaked out the other passengers" (yet), I discovered Xanax before that ever hapened, LOL. Now, I load myself up on the prescription meds before I get on the plane. Gotta love Xanax!

edited to add, I went to the Oreo site and stil don't get the joke--what's up with that?

 

[inkkognito]

You'd think I wouldn't mind flying, since we visit Orlando an average of twice a month. But I am a paranoid flyer, and I almost lost it when we had the six hour delay, diversion to another airport, and then a landing aborted at the last possible minute at Midway. The only thing that kept me from running through the aisles screaming, "Let me off! Let me off!" was the knowledge with my last shred of rationality that no matter what I did, we were stuck at 36,000 feet and freaking out wouldn't help the situation. I think the woman across from me must have felt the same way, as she spent most of her time hiding under a blanket.
I haven't used Xanax, but a friend provided me with some that I carry with me "just in case."
Barb
Visit the Platinum Castaway Club at: www.castawayclub.com

 

[chamonix]

You know, taking Xanax short term for flying anxiety is no big deal. I don't take any other medications except some asthma inhalers. I am not the type of person who takes antidepressants or anything else at all! All I did was call my dr on the phone and told her I was scared to fly and wanted some Xanax. She called in a scrip for just enough pills to get me through a day of flying. Now, whenever I have a trip planned, I call, and she calls in the prescription. It works great. Do some research, talk to your doctor next time you see him/her, and try it. It works great. I just take it an hour or so before the airport, and I don't "lose it" anymore. All the little turbulence things and strange noises don't even register on my panic meter. I can't tell you how glad I am to be able to fly again. I have traveled the world (even been to Antarctica!) but was getting more and more scared when I would fly. So much so that I was not flying anymore! Xanax has made all the difference.

 

[GAIL HAYDEN]

Originally posted by chamonix
You know, taking Xanax short term for flying anxiety is no big deal. I don't take any other medications except some asthma inhalers. I am not the type of person who takes antidepressants or anything else at all! All I did was call my dr on the phone and told her I was scared to fly and wanted some Xanax. She called in a scrip for just enough pills to get me through a day of flying. Now, whenever I have a trip planned, I call, and she calls in the prescription. It works great. Do some research, talk to your doctor next time you see him/her, and try it. It works great. I just take it an hour or so before the airport, and I don't "lose it" anymore. All the little turbulence things and strange noises don't even register on my panic meter. I can't tell you how glad I am to be able to fly again. I have traveled the world (even been to Antarctica!) but was getting more and more scared when I would fly. So much so that I was not flying anymore! Xanax has made all the difference.

I do the same thing, but, with Gin Bloody Marys. Keeps me nice and calm.
It would be nice, however, if the cabin pressure could be regulated to get the kids who scream in the middle of the flight ,and interrupt my nap, to sleep. That I would like.

 

[Harambe]

So great to hear! I had DH ask his doc for Xanax for our next flight since he doesn't like to fly, and now I'm hoping we'll have a nice flight (truthfully - I asked my doc for them also so I'm going to try them too!).

 

[JustHolly]

I wouldn't fly without my Xanax!!!! We flew back this morning and took it just before boarding (a little too late) and had an anxiety attack in the line to get on the plane! Luckily, by the time I was on the plane and seated, the Xanax had kicked in and it was smooth sailing back here to Florida!

I took my last two Xanax! I need to find a Dr. here in Florida that will give me some whenever I call frantically (often last minute) to fly!

We did the Oreo "experiment" today and no pressure problems... the snack packs were normal and cabin pressure was fine. It was just a fluke last week, I guess.