Flying while congested

ozziecat35

ozziecat35

4 out of 5 great lakes prefer Michigan.
I know there are ways to take yourself off duty for 121 / 135 ops when truly sick, but what do you guys do when you have some "normal" winter sinus blockage/congestion and operate pressurized a/c in the flight levels? Had my first experience with it this weekend. We got slam-dunked out of 21,000 to 5,000, with them asking for close to 2,000 fpm in the descent. I was PM and essentially my hearing got severely muffled due to the blockage and thought my teeth were going to pop out of my jaw. I've been doing the neti-pot, drinking plenty of water, /etc. I guess I'm wondering if there are any tricks of the trade the hive-mind has once you're already out on the road and something like this sneaks up on you.
 
+1 for afirn when it gets really bad. Other than that normal decongestants and salines rinses do the trick. If you start to get inflamed because if dripage the I'd pop a couple ibuprofen too to help releave that.
 
I'm basically permanently congested so if I didn't fly congested I would never leave the ground. Sudafed works great if you need it. Don't use Afrin routinely because it is addictive and damages the sinuses.
 
I pressurize airplanes on the ground to max Delta P often, while I haven't ever had an issue I've had other people start to complain and I have to restart the whole proccess after getting them out of the airplane. If you're congested and aren't able to clear your ears by "popping" your jaw you should probably stand down.
 
1) You shouldn't fly congested. It sucks and we've all been there.

2) Here's what I do if it's not too bad. Not joking - a dab of Vick's Vaporub under each nostril helps a lot in an "in flight emergency" congested situation. Clears me right up.

Sudafed - real pseudoephedrine, not phenylephrine, for clearing up the congestion.

Maybe some Flonase or Nasacort if I still need some help getting cleared up for a flight.
 
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ozziecat35 said:
I know there are ways to take yourself off duty for 121 / 135 ops when truly sick, but what do you guys do when you have some "normal" winter sinus blockage/congestion and operate pressurized a/c in the flight levels? Had my first experience with it this weekend. We got slam-dunked out of 21,000 to 5,000, with them asking for close to 2,000 fpm in the descent. I was PM and essentially my hearing got severely muffled due to the blockage and thought my teeth were going to pop out of my jaw. I've been doing the neti-pot, drinking plenty of water, /etc. I guess I'm wondering if there are any tricks of the trade the hive-mind has once you're already out on the road and something like this sneaks up on you.
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Oh, snap! "Congested" as in nasal passages. I thought you were talking about ORD at 1730.
 
Don't use the neti pot or sinus rinses if your ears are already blocked. You'll have a bad time, trust me

Sent from my SM-G900V using Tapatalk
 
I call in sick and mix myself some grapefruit juice, tequila, and agave.

If that doesn't work, at least I care less that I'm still sick.

It is a violation of the FARs to go fly while sick. The purpose of taking decongestants/etc. is to get to a place at which you may remove yourself to your couch...if even that far.
 
Why are we even talking about this? Just don't. No job is worth that.

On another note, don't use lake water in your netti pot, lest your brain get eaten by brain-eating amoebas.

Yes, it's a thing...

Richman
 
Richman said:
Why are we even talking about this? Just don't. No job is worth that.

On another note, don't use lake water in your netti pot, lest your brain get eaten by brain-eating amoebas.

Yes, it's a thing...

Richman
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Probably because when you fly for a company that doesn't have back ups, there's pressure...so to speak
 
That answer won't fly with the Feds. They don't care. They are the ones who sign your ticket.

Richman
 
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