I have flown dozens of times…most likely hundreds.  I think I could honestly say that at one time I loved flying.  The claustrophobia started about a year and a half ago during a storm coming out of Chicago.  It does not happen every time.

I have discovered what I need to do to fly successfully.  Flying successfully means NO claustrophobia!  I do best in a row of two seats – the premium seats (an added cost of about $44 per seat) with the greater leg room.  I do best when I’m by a window.  However, not every flight will have the option of only two seats.

I was in the Denver airport waiting for my connection to Dallas.  Earlier on my flight from Iowa to Denver, the passenger seated next to me asked me if I would like to have the aisle seat.  I politely said I would not.  I had paid an extra $44 for my window seat!

Later,  during the travel day another passenger and I were talking about “never” giving up our premium seats that we had paid extra for.  Oh, yeah…right.

I kept wondering why we were, apparently, getting ready to board so early when I realized that the battery in my watch had stopped two hours prior!  It was really almost 7:00 p.m. and my watch said 5:00!  Obviously, something that I would have to make time to replace in Dallas…

About that time, I heard my name being paged in the Denver airport!  Not again!

I went to the desk and, this time, the desk agent informed me that I had the premium window bulkhead seat.  I already knew that.  I looked to my left and there was a rather large lady in a wheelchair and her husband standing there.  They nodded a greeting to me.  I smiled back.  From their brief explanation, she was paralyzed from the hips down.

“Would you be willing to give up your premium window bulkhead seat?  She needs the extra leg room and you have the largest leg room seat.  I’ve already asked them.  They also have the premium bulkhead seating directly across the aisle.” said the desk agent pointedly glancing in the direction of the silly couple of kids who looked to be in their early twenties and were having a hard time keeping their hands off of each other.  “They declined.”

“Of course they did.”  I replied with a slight snarl and a glance in their direction.

“You don’t have to do it either.”  added the ticket agent.

“I have claustrophobia.  I cannot sit at the back of the plane.  I paid an extra $44 for this seat.”  I began…desperately listing my reasons for why I just couldn’t give up my seat.  At this point, I was transported back in time to my last claustrophobic attack:  The Sea Lion Caves in Oregon.  Surprisingly, I had made it fine all through the cave, up the steps inside the cave to the view out the cave wall and then back down again.  I was fine until it came time to get in line for the elevator out and I realized that I couldn’t just get OUT!

“I’d give you the $44 if I had it.”  said the lady who couldn’t use her legs even if she tried.  And then her husband wheeled her away.

I’d like to say that I said yes right away but I did not.  I’m too scared of claustrophobia.  I said no at first.  I really did.

But the Holy Spirit is more powerful than my claustrophobia.  The Holy Spirit does not give you a swift kick but a gentle nudge.  Finally, I said “yes” she could have my seat.  I prayed I would not have claustrophobia!  I prayed that I would not have have a seat at the back of the plane!

Thankfully, the plane wasn’t crowded, so the desk agent blocked out a row of three seats for me so no one would be sitting around me ( though not as much room, still premium seats with extra leg room) directly across from the lady who took my seat and one row back (behind the silly young couple who have a lot of growing up to do).

Then, I went over to tell the lady that she could have my seat and she reached up to squeeze my hand and said “thank you”. 

They seated her on the plane first before they boarded anyone else.  When I sat down later, she glanced back and smiled at me.  I asked her if she were okay.  She replied she was and then she asked me if I were okay.  I knew what she meant.

“Yes, I am.  Thanks!” 

It was a successful flight…

 Above photo by Penny Glenn.  Copyright 2012.  Used with permission.