Call Before (Potential) Death

[billisonboard]

Passenger in fatal single-engine plane crash in New York contacted loved ones as flight descended, officials say

So the plane is going down and there is time:
Would you make a call? A text?
Would you want to get a call? A text?

Personally, not sure on any of them.

[chiver78]

that's so sad.   I don't know what I would do, and hope I never have to decide in that sort of situation. I have a feeling I'd be one who'd die of a stress-induced heart attack before whatever impending impact happened.

this called to mind the passengers on 9/11, many of whom called loved ones from the phones you used to see in the seat backs. this book presented a lot of those calls, from the FA on the first plane that called back to ATC at Boston Logan (that's recorded) to the passengers that left voicemails since most folks were at work at that hour. I highly recommend this book, to anyone that can handle reading it. I packed it for an overseas flight, and I'm fairly certain the FAs were worried about me as I openly bawled. 

Fall and Rise: The Story of 9/11

[billisonboard]

Was thinking about this. Added to by chiver78's post.

The uncertainty of outcome has to be factored in.

[billisonboard]

How about sending a text to significant other: "had a moment and as always my loving thoughts are of you". Wouldn't panic or create anxiety. If death is the outcome, would be a sweet memory without pointed painful reminder of specific.

[Artemis Windsong]

Nice phrase. 

I'd probably call.  I'd probably be hysterical.   I would then expect a response of you're joking?

[djAdvocate]

i was always curious about that.  and now that i am faced with a resource chronicling it, i don't think i can press the button.

[chiver78]

Jan 21, 2023 17:18:54 GMT -5 billisonboard said:

How about sending a text to significant other: "had a moment and as always my loving thoughts are of you". Wouldn't panic or create anxiety. If death is the outcome, would be a sweet memory without pointed painful reminder of specific.

that begs the question - is the contact for the passenger, or the surviving loved one? bc I absolutely feel like this would be better (if that's even a thing?) for the survivor. but what about closure for the soul on their way out?

[chiver78]

and, you couldn't have waited two days to post this? I'm flying to FL tomorrow. 😝

[Tennesseer]

The call!, in my opinion, offers short and long term comfort for both parties.  Depends on which party one is.

The question reminds me though of this scene from the movie Deep Impact.  

[billisonboard]

Jan 21, 2023 17:54:50 GMT -5 chiver78 said:

Jan 21, 2023 17:18:54 GMT -5 billisonboard said:

How about sending a text to significant other: "had a moment and as always my loving thoughts are of you". Wouldn't panic or create anxiety. If death is the outcome, would be a sweet memory without pointed painful reminder of specific.

that begs the question - is the contact for the passenger, or the surviving loved one? bc I absolutely feel like this would be better (if that's even a thing?) for the survivor. but what about closure for the soul on their way out?

Excellent question. I think this is a place where that uncertainty of outcome could come into play. Probably don't want to seek forgiveness for having slept with their sibling, just in case.

[Tennesseer]

I posted this on the depression thread about ten days ago.  My older brother committed suicide January 9. 

One thing he did was turn off his cell phone so no one could possibly contact him and maybe talk him out of killing himself.  One recorded message on his cell phone was me leaving a message for him to call me after I had heard a rumor he was dead.

[djAdvocate]

i am sorry to hear about your loss, TN.  

[chiver78]

Jan 21, 2023 18:29:19 GMT -5 Tennesseer said:

I posted this on the depression thread about ten days ago.  My older brother committed suicide January 9. 

One thing he did was turn off his cell phone so no one could possibly contact him and maybe talk him out of killing himself.  One recorded message on his cell phone was me leaving a message for him to call me after I had heard a rumor he was dead.

I'm so sorry for your loss. 🥀

[chiver78]

Jan 21, 2023 18:25:07 GMT -5 Tennesseer said:

The call!, in my opinion, offers short and long term comfort for both parties.  Depends on which party one is.

The question reminds me though of this scene from the movie Deep Impact.  

I can't place this scene. but I remember this movie came about around the same time as Armageddon - with Bruce Willis, Ben Affleck, and Liv Tyler. I've never seen either movie, but worked in a theater while both ran. for whatever that piece of trivia is worth. 🤷‍♀️

[Tennesseer]

Jan 21, 2023 19:48:38 GMT -5 chiver78 said:

Jan 21, 2023 18:29:19 GMT -5 Tennesseer said:

I posted this on the depression thread about ten days ago.  My older brother committed suicide January 9. 

One thing he did was turn off his cell phone so no one could possibly contact him and maybe talk him out of killing himself.  One recorded message on his cell phone was me leaving a message for him to call me after I had heard a rumor he was dead.

I'm so sorry for your loss. 🥀

Thanks, djAdvocate and Chiver.

[Tennesseer]

Jan 21, 2023 19:51:09 GMT -5 chiver78 said:

Jan 21, 2023 18:25:07 GMT -5 Tennesseer said:

The call!, in my opinion, offers short and long term comfort for both parties.  Depends on which party one is.

The question reminds me though of this scene from the movie Deep Impact.  

I can't place this scene. but I remember this movie came about around the same time as Armageddon - with Bruce Willis, Ben Affleck, and Liv Tyler. I've never seen either movie, but worked in a theater while both ran. for whatever that piece of trivia is worth. 🤷‍♀️

Wasn't a bad movie. It strikes a truth near the end of the movie. The crew knew they were going to die as they planned to crash their ship, loaded with an atomic bomb, into the asteroid. The co-pilot said to the ship's captain "At least they will name a high school after you."

[dondub]

Tennesseer,

So sorry to hear of the loss of your brother.

[Tiny]

Jan 21, 2023 18:29:19 GMT -5 Tennesseer said:

I posted this on the depression thread about ten days ago.  My older brother committed suicide January 9. 

One thing he did was turn off his cell phone so no one could possibly contact him and maybe talk him out of killing himself.  One recorded message on his cell phone was me leaving a message for him to call me after I had heard a rumor he was dead.

Tennesseer,  you have my deepest sympathy for your loss.   

[Tennesseer]

Jan 22, 2023 13:15:31 GMT -5 Tiny said:

Jan 21, 2023 18:29:19 GMT -5 Tennesseer said:

I posted this on the depression thread about ten days ago.  My older brother committed suicide January 9. 

One thing he did was turn off his cell phone so no one could possibly contact him and maybe talk him out of killing himself.  One recorded message on his cell phone was me leaving a message for him to call me after I had heard a rumor he was dead.

Tennesseer,  you have my deepest sympathy for your loss.   

Thank you, dondub and Tiny. Much appreciated.

[Happy prose]

billisonboard Well first I'd have to find my phone in my purse. Then I'd have to find my glasses to call or text. So in my case, I'd just pray. 

Tennesseer Sorry to hear that. 

[toomuchreality]

Jan 21, 2023 18:25:07 GMT -5 Tennesseer said:

The call!, in my opinion, offers short and long term comfort for both parties.  Depends on which party one is.

The question reminds me though of this scene from the movie Deep Impact.  

That's tragic and heartbreaking.

[uncle23]

...

my phone gets no service while on a commercial flight..

[toomuchreality]

Jan 25, 2023 16:11:10 GMT -5 uncle23 said:

...

my phone gets no service while on a commercial flight..

I don't ever try mine, except for things that don't require internet service.