Spending the Night in an Airport

momadams · Post by **momadams** » Thu Aug 23, 2007 3:34 pm

I had pause for thought today.

My husband was flying back from Tenessee via ORD. He called me at from O'hare at11pm - his flight had been cancelled and he was re-scheduled for an early morning flight.
He was told that no airport hotel rooms were available (turns out it may have been that there were no hotels accepting vouchers near the airport, but he was not thinking particularly clearly at that point), so he strolled the airport for 5 hours and dozed on the plane.

After feeling terrible for HIM, I put myself in his shoes and wondered how on earth I'd handle that situation. Do I now need to travel with an air mattress and hope for a nearby electrical outlet? (O'hare has no benches, only hard, curved plastic seats). I'd have to have my seatmate keep waking me up throughout the flight, and plug into the 12V as soon as I got in the car for the ride home (passenger, not driving ;>)

Rather than making this an opportunity for rants, I'd like some serious brainstorming please.
There's probably a creative solution.

Shari

darthlucy · Post by **darthlucy** » Thu Aug 23, 2007 4:12 pm

I have to say that if I found myself in that situation, I'd just do without and know I was going to feel like doo the next day. The way I figure it, even with CPAP, sleeping in an airport isn't going to leave me feeling bright and shiny, so why bother trying.

Cliff · Post by **Cliff** » Thu Aug 23, 2007 6:32 pm

Travel kicks my behind with or without cpap...I imagine carrying the battery pack would just add to the fatigue. Coffee?

Cliff

Hunter1 · Post by **Hunter1** » Thu Aug 23, 2007 7:56 pm

I cannot amagine what some people would think or do if one of us got hooked up to our hose and went to sleep in the airport. Security would probably be called. I am sure we would wake up and feel like a caged animal at the local zoo.

If I encourntered this problem, I would stay awake or just do without the hose.

Hunter1

bearcatx16 · Post by **bearcatx16** » Fri Aug 24, 2007 11:14 am

I too was almost stranded at ORD last night, finally got out at 10:30pm just before the BIG storm hit.

I was prepared to sleep in the hard chair sitting up. Found one close to an outlet and told the gate attendant that if she saw an alien sitting in a chair not to panic, it was just me and then explained cpap to her.

Got home 11:45pm

Fred

cascade · Post by **cascade** » Fri Aug 24, 2007 7:56 pm

What a timely question!

Just returned from China via United Airlines. Since I was in lowly coach I could not use my CPAP (no outlet, no battery), so it was a bit painful trying not to doze and destroy everyone else's peace with my terrible snoring.

Unfortunately, my final connecting flight from ORD to MSP was cancelled at 9 p.m. I was absolutely dying to sleep and practically in tears.

To make a long story short, an angel in the form of a United representative offered me use of their United Airlines Red Carpet lounge as a "trial member." It did cost me $50, but I got the use of a wonderful recliner and outlet to plug in my machine!

In addition to all sorts of complimentary drinks and snacks when I woke up!

I have since discovered that many VIP airport lounges around the world will allow non-members to use their facilties for a fee. So when stuck in an airport, desperate for CPAP sleep, it can't hurt to check any/all airline reps to see who would offer such a respite. It sure saved me! _________________

CPAPopedia Keywords Contained In This Post (Click For Definition): CPAP

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Additional Comments: Pressure 16 cm H2O at altitude 6550ft

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