how common is this?

[funhouse8]

Hi, we just returned fro a wonderful trip in Ca. and where flying out of lax on Friday the 13th. My kids were little concerned with the date and I told them not to be silly. Well about 1/2 hour into the trip we hit bad weather. I heard there where bad thunder storms in Reno so this might be the reason for the bumps. All of a sudden the plane dropped. It seemed like the TOT ride only real. Everyone on the phone was so quiet. It was very scary and I really thought this was it. (We were just in a bad car accident in the beginning of July and I'm still a little shaking up from this.) The flight attendants sat on the floor. When the plane regained control I looked over at my kids who where across from me and my husband and my poor son had his drink and ice cubes on his head. He was really upset. I know it could have been a lot worse. I had paper towels in my bag and passed some around because the flight attendants weren't allowed to get up. There were drinks on the ceiling! I was never afraid to fly and have been on quite a few flights but this has never happened before and I hope never happenings again. We had to continue on this plane for the remaining 3 1/2 hours, my kids passed me a not asking if we could please rent a car in Ga, as we had to get on another plane and continue home to NY. Well we got on this plane and it was non eventful. Thanks God but the whole way I was scared to death. Sorry this is so long but what do you think, Is this fairly common. Any input would be greatly appreciated. Thank, Gina

 

[CarolA]

I have had it happen several times so I would say it is not that uncommon. That is why they tell you to keep your seatbelt fastened. Your big danger is falling out of you seat, but the plane is fine.

You were probably flying thru a storm front.

 

[inkkognito]

I too have had the same experience, and although it scared me to death, apparently it is not uncommon in storms.
On another flight, one of the flight attendants told me about a storm he flew in that was so bad he had to get on the floor, just as you described. There was a group of teenagers that kept getting up, despite being constantly told to sit down and fasten their seatbelts. One of them was up when the plane did a drop and whacked his head. He was okay, but pretty bloody, and he was loudly swearing and declaring that he would be suing the airline. People are strange...when the plane is playing roller coaster, why on earth would you want to be up and about, and then blame an injury on the airline?
Barb

 

[Wish I lived in Fl]

DH is an Airline Pilot. TOT was Nothing too him. You truly could not pay me enough to do his job.
After one bad flight i came home and told him he could quit his job if he wanted. Nobody should have to do that for a living.

 

[Happy2BGrumpy]

It's not common but it does happen. I was on a flight recently from
BDL to ATL (767) when the plane did a drop. Who I really felt bad for was the blind woman across the aisle (row 18 or so) who screamed horrifically. My heart went out for her, as she was unable to conceptualize (sorry if I just made up a word) what was happening!
I also think, the bigger the plane, the greater the impact. Bottom line, it does happen. Common? No.

 

[DebbieB]

I was on a flight from Atlantic City to Pittsburgh one time in an old DC-9, probably about 10 years ago. As we started our desent into PIT, the plane not only went up and down, it was moving sideways too! Luckily there were empty seats and a flight attendent in the aisle was able to sit down. It was making loud banging noises. After we landed, I heard another passenger say "I never saw a fusalage flex like that". I said "what?". He said he saw the roof flex! Yikes! Hopefully an optical illusion. As we were walking out, I looked in the cockpit and the copilot was a young woman. She had her face in her hands! Some of the passengers were sitting in the lounge after they got off with their heads down, like they were going to be sick.

 

[bjakmom]

I think most of us who fly somewhat frequently have experienced this - it is frightening - and one of the reasons why I always advise people NOT to lap seat infants - buy them a ticket and secure them in a car seat - I wish the airlines would make this mandatory!

Hope this experience doesn't ruin flying for your children - glad you had an uneventful return flight - I have even been in an emergency landing/crash position situation and I still love to fly !

 

[funhouse8]

Wow, I didn't even think of a lap child because my kids are big now. That wouldn't have been pretty. You bring up a good point.

It makes me feel better that this seems fairly common but I was also wishing never to have to experience this again. Oh well. In Dec we drove to WDW and it was a nice drive. JusT kidding I'll have to get on a plane again as my sister lives in Ca.

I do think it was good also that our connecting flight went smoothly. It will help the kids relax next time. Thanks, Gina
:thewave:

 

[Tigger&Belle]

This happened to my sister last year when flying from Wash DC back home to the panhandle of Florida. I know she was scared while it was happening, but the funny thing (after all was said and done) was that Tower or Terror is her way favorite ride of ANY theme park and we repeat the ride as many times as possible when we're at WDW (5 times last visit, and that was with my 4yo, 13 times the time before). Of course she didn't like it quite as much when it happened in real life.

T&B

 

[CaliforniaDreaming]

I've also had similar things happen, AND it was right after the pilot said it would be a smooth flight! Anything can happen, which is why it is so important to keep the seat belts on. Don't worry, those planes can handle a lot.