Murphy's law at its finest....

Dew, I don't think you could have done anything more. You prepared the best you could. The flight attendents did the best they could. It seems everyone on the flight(s) were in just as much as a predicament as you. A series of unfortunate events. I've had several flights from heck so to speak.

My only suggestion is to never fly through DFW again. Some of my worst flights happend with layovers in DFW. The airport is just poorly laid out and the weather can be very un predictable (between the Texas heat/humidity and probably for storms..... ). I once flying to south Texas to meet up with my husband and family for Thanksgiving and one of my lay overs was in DFW-- my dh wondered if i was ever going to make it to see him, lol. I, personally, avoid DFW airport if at all possible.

Then there was the flight from Virginia to Japan, with a layover in Seattle, that got "re routed" at the last minute , through New York and South Korea due to weather, plane malfunctions and a multitude of other problems. A trip that was supposed to take 13 hrs at the most ended up being around 28 hours, the over half of which spent in various airports. I was so never so excited when we (the 2 americans who's final destination was Tokyo) finally arrived in South Korea-- I couldn't speak the language and didn't have any luggage (my luggage ended up somewhere in the US, lol) and was super hungry, BUT, I was only 2 hrs from Tokyo (my final destination) and it was smoothe skies with wonderful flight attendents who fed us lunch despite it all. My RSD was raging, but .

I swore I would never fly for a long time, but 10 months later I was back in the "friendly skies" .

Glad your safely home !

L2L

Boy Dew, it seems like you prepared for everything possible. Some things we just can't forsee. The only thing that might of helped, but may not have been possible, it to have a traveling companion. Flying by ourselves without someone to take over or handle problems that come up is really difficult. That may have not been possible, but sure would have given you someone to lean on in the flesh.
I'm so sorry you went thru that awful ordeal.
My husband and I had to wait 12 hours till midnight for a generator to be replaced. One trip I made by myself to be with my Mom for her first cancer surgery, I missed the connection in San Fran. and had to be put up in hotel. Missed another connection in Portland, Ice Storm and stayed in motel. They don't pay for our room now. The flight from Portland to Eugene, was a wild one. Very storm, bouncing around, and heard the recorder in the cockpit say pull up pull up siron going off, airplane pitching around. thought that was it. made a wild landing. It's a wonder I still fly.
I can't think of anything you could have done differently. Glad you are home, How is your flare? Is your body calming down? Hope so. Thinking of you always, Your friend, loretta soft hugs

That sounds absolutely horrible & horrendous! Thank God your husband was waiting for you with that cool washcloth, and thank God for those two lovely ladies you met when things were really low! I think it's extremely courageous of you, traveling on your own.

Dew: I do not think that there was anything that you could have done to prepare yourself for the situation that you went thru! However what a nightmare. "The richness of the human experience would lose something of rewarding joy if there were no limitations to overcome." You really did have two kind people that were there for you! Yes heat can really beat one down that has RSD! However I know how strong you are! I am so glad that you are back to your home town and back to us! One question can't you take meds now on airplane filghts? I know that the last time I brought my meds in my carry on bags. Have things changed? Take Care! Always Breezy

HI Dew,

I'm really sorry you went through all that. Flying is a real challenge these days even without having a disability. That's the last thing you needed with all you have going on.

You did all the right things by ordering wheelchair assistance but I'd like to suggest that the next time you fly tell them that you cannot walk up or down stairs. Do this at the time that you book the flight.

Airlines have a special code for this, employees are trained to help passengers with this type of limitation. If the aircraft is smaller and parked on the tarmac using stairs for the boarding/disembarkation process they will have special vehicle called a PMV (people moving vehicle) meet the aircraft. It will be positioned right at the exit level so you won't need to walk up or down stairs, they will just wheel you onto the PMV and than take you to where you need to go.

It is very important to make sure that the airline has that specific information about your requirements (Wheelchair, No Stairs), as this will put all those actions into place for you.

Wishing you well.

MsL