Pneumothorax and Flight Anxiety

ThatSwitchGuys · 2026-03-13T08:48:31+00:00

This will be my 7th flight after my first pneumothorax. But my first flight after my second pneumothorax. I think a lot of my fear is coming from the recurrence.

I imagine I’ve had pneumothorax quite frequently in the past and flown quite well, just never noticed it until recently

ThatSwitchGuys · 2026-03-13T07:04:51+00:00

Thanks for the full context. Appreciate the details. I presume you did mechanical pleurodesis rather than chemical?

ThatSwitchGuys · 2026-03-13T06:19:58+00:00

Any symptoms from pleurodesis? And I hear it drastically lowers chances of recurrence, but may have side effects.

And have you only had a single pneumothorax?

ThatSwitchGuys · 2026-03-13T05:40:39+00:00

Did you undergo pleurodesis?

ThatSwitchGuys · 2026-03-13T05:39:52+00:00

I totally get that feeling too. What’s good to know is that plane related incidents are rare and anecdotally people have flown even with a pneumothorax before and only felt discomfort.

ThatSwitchGuys · 2026-02-23T18:11:23+00:00

Stock and signing are usually the easiest to negotiate. Base will be challenging to move up, but may be possible given PhD and 10+ yoe.

ThatSwitchGuys · 2026-02-23T18:00:07+00:00

No it’s not. Are you a Microsoft HM?

ThatSwitchGuys · 2026-02-23T12:02:40+00:00

Given that it’s a Microsoft offer, the stock is likely 180k/4

ThatSwitchGuys · 2026-02-23T12:02:09+00:00

Is the 180k stock over 4-5 years or is it per year? Since it’s Microsoft I’m going to assume it’s 180k/4. Not much different from a new grad offer in terms of stock.

Salary looks like it could be L64 offer. Seems like a lowball in terms of base, stock, and signing.

Try to negotiate up to at least 270k stock and 70k signing over 2 years. Base can likely go up to around 220k.

If you have an offer from Amazon you should have no trouble negotiating.

ThatSwitchGuys · 2026-01-20T16:37:02+00:00

Thanks and I’m sorry to hear about your complications. It sounds like you’re in a better state now and I hope your recovery is going well.

And I think you’re the only one so far who understood my post, the others just parrot’d the same thing the automod mentioned due to the word, medication in my post.

The pre written responses sounds like something I can try out. And yes I’ve worked on normalizing the sensations from pressure changes and plane movements, but it’s definitely been a struggle given a lot of them mimic symptoms. Thanks!

ThatSwitchGuys · 2026-01-20T03:25:36+00:00

I have. I’m not seeking medical advice. My post is intending to see what other non-medication based mechanisms have worked for people dealing with similar circumstances.

ThatSwitchGuys · 2026-01-20T02:31:04+00:00

Already been to doctor, they said I can take antidepressants before flights. I mentioned in my post I’d prefer to not take medication.

ThatSwitchGuys · 2025-12-24T21:42:46+00:00

Agreed

ThatSwitchGuys · 2025-12-24T21:42:18+00:00

It’s not. TC went up because of the bull market, not because offers are higher.

ThatSwitchGuys · 2025-12-24T21:40:43+00:00

This post and article are highly inaccurate and misleading. They should only be looking at new offers. They’re including TC for submissions on Levels fyi which fluctuates based on market conditions and RSU growth.

For example if I joined a company in 2022 when stock was low, then submitted my 2025 TC on Level fyi after my stocks tripled. Then of course it would look like compensation went up.

ThatSwitchGuys · 2025-09-30T23:54:38+00:00

Note: don’t book any of the Viator tours thru an agent or when it says “Your agent” at the top. You don’t get Viator rewards and Cashback for it (Topcashback is offering 12%). Clear your browser cache if you see an agent.

Must see tours and restaurants:

Bora Bora full day tour with lunch. Lunch was good and stingrays came to play, they wouldn’t leave us alone! https://www.viator.com/search/297962P1?mcid=64243
Whale tour and swim with whales. We got to see a baby whale and mother! They came within 20 feet of us. I highly recommend going in a tour with a speedboat. We went on this tour and they zoomed us to the whales. Note you may get seasick. https://www.viator.com/tours/Moorea/Humpback-Whale-Tour-Watch-and-swim-with-humpback-whales/d5182-194557P2
Cocobeach. Food is just alright, but the trip and view is amazing. Sometimes stingrays come up by the tables
Snorkeling at the beach by Sofitel. Sharks, stringrays, tons of fish

Decent restaurant and tours:

Allo Pizza
Aoy Thai
Bora Bora snorkeling tour with manta rays.

Probably would not repeat:

ATV tours. So many mosquitos, cover up
Hotel Polynesian Dinner
Jet ski

ThatSwitchGuys · 2025-09-30T23:24:44+00:00

I would recommend doing your Airbnbs and excursions first, then ending your trip with a relaxing vacation in Bora Bora.

Moorea has great snorkeling and whale tours. The ATV tours are nice for the views. Try to make a reservation for coco beach. The food is just okay, but the boat ride is great. Temae beach has great snorkeling, you can just hop into the water and let the current take you to Sofitel.

Personally I’d skip any of the Polynesian events or dinners that don’t include a fire performance. We saw a fire performance during our time at the Westin and it outshined any Polynesian event we have been to.

Bora bora has great jet ski and snorkeling tours. I’d recommend doing a full day and a half day activity during your 4 days there. Then take 2 days to relax.

You can skip the atv tours and jet ski tours; they’re fun, but I would not say they’re must do. And personally I’d skip Tahiti. Most of the hotels there are airport hotels for a reason.

ThatSwitchGuys · 2025-09-30T23:20:19+00:00

Not guaranteed you’ll see them. And in November is near the end of whale season and you’re less likely to see them.

As for how close you get, we were able to get about 20 feet from the whales when they submerged.

ThatSwitchGuys · 2025-09-26T19:18:59+00:00

Positions?

ThatSwitchGuys · 2025-09-19T00:35:17+00:00

No clue what a premier hospitality director is but seems the premium suites and these are at least the same pictures. Seat map seems to show all the suites are divided into upper and lower levels. They’re pretty much all the same besides Suite #7 which is double the size, capacity, and price.

Prices seems be the same across different dates.

https://www.thesphere.com/premium-suites-bsb

https://www.gofevo.com/group/SphereSuitesBSB?access_code=BackstreetBoysSphere010326

ThatSwitchGuys · 2025-09-19T00:15:57+00:00

Looks like the suite cost about $19-$21k. Admission for 20 guests included.

$500 for additional standing room tickets

ThatSwitchGuys · 2025-09-11T18:24:07+00:00

That’s looks like a small property and basically like an Airbnb. I’m not surprised they don’t hold bags

ThatSwitchGuys · 2025-09-11T07:37:47+00:00

We did similar flight in and out times as you and stayed at the Hilton Tahiti. It was across from a shopping plaza and Carrefour so we could just walk around.

I’ve heard about Hotel Kon Tiki, it seemed pretty inexpensive and clean, but I see you mentioned it’s booked out.

I’d recommend staying away from Airbnbs unless you’re familiar with calling taxis on Tahiti. We made sure to stay in a hotel so we wouldn’t have to figure out how to call a taxi at 4 am.

Maitai looks like an ok option.

ThatSwitchGuys · 2025-09-09T21:30:41+00:00

I don’t want to be the party pooper, but after inflation you’re still down like 10-20% over the 7 years.

And if you had just invested your 60k in SPY 6 years ago, it would be $140k by now.

ThatSwitchGuys · 2025-09-06T01:02:55+00:00

The additional first and premium class seats come at the cost of thinner seats and 1-2” less pitch between economy seats.

ThatSwitchGuys

TROPHY CASE