in my positionthere are always two pilots just in case of a situation like this. and yes the autopilot is usually turned on pretty soon as most of us are pretty lazy and would rather let "george" fly. that's what we call it. this usually done less than five minutes after takeoff and as quick as 2 minutes. it's usually turned on at a similar time frame before landing. as for the attacks i usually can feel them coming and with the execption and severity of the last one i usually have up to twenty minutes before holding D is no longer an option. thanks for the kind ear and the laugh it makes me feel better just hearing from others in my boat. what are peppermint caps i keep hearing about? are they altoids? i have said i can't stand the hot teas and know this is an alternative. i just can't take the taste of the herbals. i do like regualr lipton decaf but i know that doesn't do any good.