Comments on: Confessions of an infected airline passenger: “The most miserable six hours of my life” http://www.elliott.org/blog/confessions-of-an-infected-airline-passenger-the-most-miserable-six-hours-of-my-life/ Consumer advocate Christopher Elliott's site. Fri, 10 Feb 2012 05:25:00 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Sara http://www.elliott.org/blog/confessions-of-an-infected-airline-passenger-the-most-miserable-six-hours-of-my-life/comment-page-2/#comment-44610 Sara Tue, 03 Aug 2010 16:02:45 +0000 http://www.elliott.org/?p=9233#comment-44610 Although I think the tone of Berk's comment was a little harsh, I agree completely. Life happens, illness included. If the world stopped turning every time someone got sick, we'd never get anywhere. Regarding the face masks: I've never felt any safer with a mask than without one, but that's just my experience, not based on any scientific study, of course. Although I think the tone of Berk’s comment was a little harsh, I agree completely. Life happens, illness included. If the world stopped turning every time someone got sick, we’d never get anywhere.

Regarding the face masks: I’ve never felt any safer with a mask than without one, but that’s just my experience, not based on any scientific study, of course.

]]> By: Sophia http://www.elliott.org/blog/confessions-of-an-infected-airline-passenger-the-most-miserable-six-hours-of-my-life/comment-page-2/#comment-34839 Sophia Mon, 01 Mar 2010 11:07:39 +0000 http://www.elliott.org/?p=9233#comment-34839 I travel a lot and hate travelling with sick passengers who do not care for the rest of the travellers. Sure it would have been best Amanda would have staid put, but it seems that that was not possible for her, what I hate is that she did not do anything to protect the rest of the passengers. She could have worn a mask and brought desinfectant spray along to clear her own mess. The expense is minimal! Why do I as a healthy passenger have to bring a mask along and desinfectant utensils to protect myself against a coughing neighbour. But that is what I do. Once got sick never want to go there again. Airlines should provide and be enable to enforce masks for coughing passengers for the health of their staff and their passengers. I travel a lot and hate travelling with sick passengers who do not care for the rest of the travellers. Sure it would have been best Amanda would have staid put, but it seems that that was not possible for her, what I hate is that she did not do anything to protect the rest of the passengers. She could have worn a mask and brought desinfectant spray along to clear her own mess. The expense is minimal!
Why do I as a healthy passenger have to bring a mask along and desinfectant utensils to protect myself against a coughing neighbour. But that is what I do. Once got sick never want to go there again. Airlines should provide and be enable to enforce masks for coughing passengers for the health of their staff and their passengers.

]]> By: Berk http://www.elliott.org/blog/confessions-of-an-infected-airline-passenger-the-most-miserable-six-hours-of-my-life/comment-page-2/#comment-34779 Berk Sun, 28 Feb 2010 00:10:39 +0000 http://www.elliott.org/?p=9233#comment-34779 Seriously, anybody who judges Amanda for flying as being inconsiderate needs to get a grip, get off your high horse, and chill the f**k out. $300 is a lot of money for a lot of people right now. For all you know, she was home visiting her family she hadn’t seen in a while, seeing a child away at school, looking for a job, whatever, and may not have had the resources to stay another few days until she felt better. To assume that she should have to shell out $300 plus to stay longer, that is ludicrous. Hell, if it means getting a later flight or paying rent, my car payment, or putting food on my table, then I am going to take the chance and fly now, even if I am sick, unless the airline is willing to work with me. To all of the morons who have posted earlier saying “if $300 is what she has to pay to make others safe, then so be it, she owes it to them” no she doesn’t, and don’t fool yourself. Apparently $300 is nothing to you, but imagine if it were $3000 to change flights (like how much it might cost from a more exotic locale), you would be singing a different tune. It was her return flight, as many others have pointed out, and it would make no sense to postpone flying at the expense of hotels, taxis, meals, etc. and if we were all in a similar position, financially or otherwise, we would have done the same thing. If you have a compromised immune system, take the proper precautions or don't fly, don't blame someone else for your problems. If you are on vacation and don't want to risk getting sick, wear a mask. If you have the financial security to pay the fees to get a later flight, then by all means, do it. And to the a-hole that said call 911 when you feel sick, you are truly a jackass to suggest tying up an emergency line to have someone come out to see you because of the flu(of course if you can’t breathe well then make the call, but presumably you wouldn’t let yourself get that bad without already having seen a doctor), unless you are being VERY sarcastic. Don't ever call 911 unless it is a true emergency, real lives are at stake and tying up that line for the flu is the truly irresponsible thing. Thunder, you are a prick for suggesting that if someone can't afford the fees, they shouldn't fly. I am sure that a good majority of people out there with less than stellar health insurance couldn't afford a major medical procedure after their insurance has stopped coverage: should that person just "not get sick" if he can't afford the medical care? You are a d*ck. To all of the people that have judged Amanda, screw you. You don’t deserve an opinion because you can’t think rationally. I can't believe what some people have said on here. You are the ones that complain about everything, sue everybody when something doesn't go your way, and in the process, cause the prices of everything we use everyday to go up. You expect everyone else but yourselves to pick up the bill if you see the slightest chance that you can force your responsibilities upon someone else. Only the most uneducated, uninformed, or just plain ignorant would expect to fly without the risk of being exposed to something unhealthy on an airplane. This poor girl tried to do the right thing, and you people just assume that she is a horrible person that only cares about herself. Sick people are everywhere. Everything you touch could have something on it that can make you sick, anywhere you go; Gas pump handles, door handles at the bank, money that you get at an ATM, anything and everything in the public realm possibly has germs on it. That is life. Like I said before, if you are worried about getting sick, then stay home! Seriously, anybody who judges Amanda for flying as being inconsiderate needs to get a grip, get off your high horse, and chill the f**k out. $300 is a lot of money for a lot of people right now. For all you know, she was home visiting her family she hadn’t seen in a while, seeing a child away at school, looking for a job, whatever, and may not have had the resources to stay another few days until she felt better. To assume that she should have to shell out $300 plus to stay longer, that is ludicrous. Hell, if it means getting a later flight or paying rent, my car payment, or putting food on my table, then I am going to take the chance and fly now, even if I am sick, unless the airline is willing to work with me. To all of the morons who have posted earlier saying “if $300 is what she has to pay to make others safe, then so be it, she owes it to them” no she doesn’t, and don’t fool yourself. Apparently $300 is nothing to you, but imagine if it were $3000 to change flights (like how much it might cost from a more exotic locale), you would be singing a different tune. It was her return flight, as many others have pointed out, and it would make no sense to postpone flying at the expense of hotels, taxis, meals, etc. and if we were all in a similar position, financially or otherwise, we would have done the same thing. If you have a compromised immune system, take the proper precautions or don’t fly, don’t blame someone else for your problems. If you are on vacation and don’t want to risk getting sick, wear a mask. If you have the financial security to pay the fees to get a later flight, then by all means, do it. And to the a-hole that said call 911 when you feel sick, you are truly a jackass to suggest tying up an emergency line to have someone come out to see you because of the flu(of course if you can’t breathe well then make the call, but presumably you wouldn’t let yourself get that bad without already having seen a doctor), unless you are being VERY sarcastic. Don’t ever call 911 unless it is a true emergency, real lives are at stake and tying up that line for the flu is the truly irresponsible thing. Thunder, you are a prick for suggesting that if someone can’t afford the fees, they shouldn’t fly. I am sure that a good majority of people out there with less than stellar health insurance couldn’t afford a major medical procedure after their insurance has stopped coverage: should that person just “not get sick” if he can’t afford the medical care? You are a d*ck. To all of the people that have judged Amanda, screw you. You don’t deserve an opinion because you can’t think rationally. I can’t believe what some people have said on here. You are the ones that complain about everything, sue everybody when something doesn’t go your way, and in the process, cause the prices of everything we use everyday to go up. You expect everyone else but yourselves to pick up the bill if you see the slightest chance that you can force your responsibilities upon someone else. Only the most uneducated, uninformed, or just plain ignorant would expect to fly without the risk of being exposed to something unhealthy on an airplane. This poor girl tried to do the right thing, and you people just assume that she is a horrible person that only cares about herself. Sick people are everywhere. Everything you touch could have something on it that can make you sick, anywhere you go; Gas pump handles, door handles at the bank, money that you get at an ATM, anything and everything in the public realm possibly has germs on it. That is life. Like I said before, if you are worried about getting sick, then stay home!

]]> By: TKJ http://www.elliott.org/blog/confessions-of-an-infected-airline-passenger-the-most-miserable-six-hours-of-my-life/comment-page-2/#comment-34778 TKJ Sat, 27 Feb 2010 20:56:09 +0000 http://www.elliott.org/?p=9233#comment-34778 I can't believe anyone would endanger other people like this. I was talking to my friend the high-risk investment banker just now about this post on my cell phone as I am driving down the interstate at 80 mph in my Hummer eating a bacon cheeseburger. We're both so upset about how people endanger others, I just had to go online right now from my phone and text this reply. I can’t believe anyone would endanger other people like this. I was talking to my friend the high-risk investment banker just now about this post on my cell phone as I am driving down the interstate at 80 mph in my Hummer eating a bacon cheeseburger. We’re both so upset about how people endanger others, I just had to go online right now from my phone and text this reply.

]]> By: Thunder http://www.elliott.org/blog/confessions-of-an-infected-airline-passenger-the-most-miserable-six-hours-of-my-life/comment-page-2/#comment-34776 Thunder Sat, 27 Feb 2010 20:35:10 +0000 http://www.elliott.org/?p=9233#comment-34776 I'm sorry, but in this day and age, if you can't cough up the fees, then you SHOULD NOT BE FLYING, PERIOD! Take some other transportation, or STAY HOME! Buy travel cancellation insurance! Tell your boss, sorry you're SICK! and STAY HOME! Visit the relatives some other time! They don't want you around when you're sick, either! Selfish pricks! I’m sorry, but in this day and age, if you can’t cough up the fees, then you SHOULD NOT BE FLYING, PERIOD! Take some other transportation, or STAY HOME! Buy travel cancellation insurance! Tell your boss, sorry you’re SICK! and STAY HOME! Visit the relatives some other time! They don’t want you around when you’re sick, either! Selfish pricks!

]]> By: K http://www.elliott.org/blog/confessions-of-an-infected-airline-passenger-the-most-miserable-six-hours-of-my-life/comment-page-2/#comment-34775 K Sat, 27 Feb 2010 20:34:53 +0000 http://www.elliott.org/?p=9233#comment-34775 Susan, The AED machines that they put on airplanes analyze for a specific irregular heart rhythm that would benefit from it's use. It will not shock if that rhythm is not detected, but instead will monitor the patient's heart rhythm. So it wouldn't have caused any harm, other than the cost of the airline servicing the unit after it's use. Well, I guess that if the patient was moving around a lot they could have gotten tangled in the wires--probably unlikely though. Do you honestly think that AED's would be installed in airplanes, airports, malls, etc that didn't have fail-safes built into them? Susan,
The AED machines that they put on airplanes analyze for a specific irregular heart rhythm that would benefit from it’s use. It will not shock if that rhythm is not detected, but instead will monitor the patient’s heart rhythm. So it wouldn’t have caused any harm, other than the cost of the airline servicing the unit after it’s use. Well, I guess that if the patient was moving around a lot they could have gotten tangled in the wires–probably unlikely though.

Do you honestly think that AED’s would be installed in airplanes, airports, malls, etc that didn’t have fail-safes built into them?

]]> By: K http://www.elliott.org/blog/confessions-of-an-infected-airline-passenger-the-most-miserable-six-hours-of-my-life/comment-page-2/#comment-34771 K Sat, 27 Feb 2010 20:01:23 +0000 http://www.elliott.org/?p=9233#comment-34771 I believe that science now allows for DNA identification of bacteria and viruses (if not it is something that should be worked on) I believe that there should be a law that holds people financially responsible for knowingly exposing others to their sickness, which could be traced back using DNA identification. I see people all the time unnecessarily exposing others to their sickness--going to malls, restaurants, flying on airplanes, etc. Unfortunately in this day and age, people too often only choose to do the right thing when the cost of doing the right is less than the cost of doing the wrong thing. What ever happened to integrity? Doing the right thing, just because it is the right thing to do. Obviously we would need to create provisions in the law that prevented employers from discipling workers for calling in sick--that is if they provide a doctor's note documenting their illness. If such a law were to be enacted, the $300 would no longer seem to be such a big expense--at least not compared to the cost of getting other people sick. Especially if you consider the possibility of being sued for pain and suffering and lost wages for each individual that you exposed to your illness. Or maybe we need to even take it a step further. Some people have compromised immune systems. Perhaps if one unnecessarily exposes someone to an illness that results in their death, they should be charged with manslaughter. Why not? If you are driving your car and accidently kill someone you are charged with manslaughter. Just some thoughts. In my opinion, if you are really sick, stay home. If the cost of changing a trip (airline tickets, hotel, etc) would be such a financial blow, perhaps you should consider purchasing travel insurance when you book your trip. I believe that science now allows for DNA identification of bacteria and viruses (if not it is something that should be worked on) I believe that there should be a law that holds people financially responsible for knowingly exposing others to their sickness, which could be traced back using DNA identification. I see people all the time unnecessarily exposing others to their sickness–going to malls, restaurants, flying on airplanes, etc. Unfortunately in this day and age, people too often only choose to do the right thing when the cost of doing the right is less than the cost of doing the wrong thing. What ever happened to integrity? Doing the right thing, just because it is the right thing to do.
Obviously we would need to create provisions in the law that prevented employers from discipling workers for calling in sick–that is if they provide a doctor’s note documenting their illness.
If such a law were to be enacted, the $300 would no longer seem to be such a big expense–at least not compared to the cost of getting other people sick. Especially if you consider the possibility of being sued for pain and suffering and lost wages for each individual that you exposed to your illness. Or maybe we need to even take it a step further. Some people have compromised immune systems. Perhaps if one unnecessarily exposes someone to an illness that results in their death, they should be charged with manslaughter. Why not? If you are driving your car and accidently kill someone you are charged with manslaughter.
Just some thoughts. In my opinion, if you are really sick, stay home. If the cost of changing a trip (airline tickets, hotel, etc) would be such a financial blow, perhaps you should consider purchasing travel insurance when you book your trip.

]]> By: Gary http://www.elliott.org/blog/confessions-of-an-infected-airline-passenger-the-most-miserable-six-hours-of-my-life/comment-page-2/#comment-34770 Gary Sat, 27 Feb 2010 19:17:25 +0000 http://www.elliott.org/?p=9233#comment-34770 I flew to Seattle on a very crowded 737. The passenger next to me had an ugly cough the whole flight. Needless to say, a day or two later I had a fever and felt miserable for the next few days. Thanks for ruining my vacation dude I flew to Seattle on a very crowded 737. The passenger next to me had an ugly cough the whole flight. Needless to say, a day or two later I had a fever and felt miserable for the next few days.

Thanks for ruining my vacation dude

]]> By: pathetic http://www.elliott.org/blog/confessions-of-an-infected-airline-passenger-the-most-miserable-six-hours-of-my-life/comment-page-2/#comment-34769 pathetic Sat, 27 Feb 2010 18:46:22 +0000 http://www.elliott.org/?p=9233#comment-34769 To Josh C: With such a serious illness as immune deficiency, I would say YOU should be the one to stay home. Your sickness is way too precarious for you to risk traveling with others. What about people who don't know they're sick (no symptoms yet as they caught the disease from a prior flight and the symptoms hadn't shown up yet)? They are still contagious even though they don't know they're sick. You would still be at risk and no one for you to blame! Your vitriol does not solve the problems as they exist. Do what's right for you. Just stay home! To Josh C: With such a serious illness as immune deficiency, I would say YOU should be the one to stay home. Your sickness is way too precarious for you to risk traveling with others. What about people who don’t know they’re sick (no symptoms yet as they caught the disease from a prior flight and the symptoms hadn’t shown up yet)? They are still contagious even though they don’t know they’re sick. You would still be at risk and no one for you to blame! Your vitriol does not solve the problems as they exist. Do what’s right for you. Just stay home!

]]> By: William http://www.elliott.org/blog/confessions-of-an-infected-airline-passenger-the-most-miserable-six-hours-of-my-life/comment-page-2/#comment-34682 William Fri, 26 Feb 2010 00:14:53 +0000 http://www.elliott.org/?p=9233#comment-34682 Consequneces are the only way it will happen. What needs to happen is the following. Anyone who is knowengly sick (ie having or wanting to take medication for the cold or flu) should be held responsible for any loss of income (or sick time) that anyone else incures(If this person is traveling for buisness then the buisness is primarily responsable for said lost income/sick time). The airline is also equally responsible for any traveleres who are infected by someone they knowingly allow onbord displaying any sysmtoms. That way the airline and passengers (and cheep buisness) will have INCENTIVE to show common curtesy. If the airline requires a medical mask and gloves as well as hand sanitiser and makse a REASONABLE effort then far less people will catch something from other people. It will become accepted preactice and people will simply avoid sick people. Right now if anyone were to go throught an airport in the US with a medical mask and surgical gloves, everyone will freak out believing they either have Ebola or are a terrorist. A known policy will reduce this fear and beliefe. We have to remember, a cold or the flu can take a healthy person out of work for several days. It can kill someone who is elderly (or an infant) or otherwise imuine compromised. 300$ is an outragous ammount to charge. Its flat out disgusting. The Airline (not just southwest but all airlines) is literly holding up people with fair chainges. a $25 or $50 charge per person is far more reasonable. Especially since they are only making that much off of someone anyways. Consequneces are the only way it will happen. What needs to happen is the following. Anyone who is knowengly sick (ie having or wanting to take medication for the cold or flu) should be held responsible for any loss of income (or sick time) that anyone else incures(If this person is traveling for buisness then the buisness is primarily responsable for said lost income/sick time). The airline is also equally responsible for any traveleres who are infected by someone they knowingly allow onbord displaying any sysmtoms. That way the airline and passengers (and cheep buisness) will have INCENTIVE to show common curtesy. If the airline requires a medical mask and gloves as well as hand sanitiser and makse a REASONABLE effort then far less people will catch something from other people. It will become accepted preactice and people will simply avoid sick people. Right now if anyone were to go throught an airport in the US with a medical mask and surgical gloves, everyone will freak out believing they either have Ebola or are a terrorist. A known policy will reduce this fear and beliefe. We have to remember, a cold or the flu can take a healthy person out of work for several days. It can kill someone who is elderly (or an infant) or otherwise imuine compromised. 300$ is an outragous ammount to charge. Its flat out disgusting. The Airline (not just southwest but all airlines) is literly holding up people with fair chainges. a $25 or $50 charge per person is far more reasonable. Especially since they are only making that much off of someone anyways.

]]> By: Josh C http://www.elliott.org/blog/confessions-of-an-infected-airline-passenger-the-most-miserable-six-hours-of-my-life/comment-page-2/#comment-34678 Josh C Thu, 25 Feb 2010 23:33:04 +0000 http://www.elliott.org/?p=9233#comment-34678 Have you ever stopped to think that others who have weakened immune systems like myself have their lives put at risk by people like you??? Oh for your $300 fee you infect many other people, including those with weakened immune systems that can put a person in hospital and cost them way more than $300!!! I know because when I am exposed to even the hint of a cold it costs me at least $300 in medicine because of selfish brats like yourself!!! Angry, you bet!!! How dare people like you risk my life by spreading your germs and diseease!!! How about thinking about others before yourself!!! Have you ever stopped to think that others who have weakened immune systems like myself have their lives put at risk by people like you??? Oh for your $300 fee you infect many other people, including those with weakened immune systems that can put a person in hospital and cost them way more than $300!!! I know because when I am exposed to even the hint of a cold it costs me at least $300 in medicine because of selfish brats like yourself!!!

Angry, you bet!!! How dare people like you risk my life by spreading your germs and diseease!!! How about thinking about others before yourself!!!

]]> By: Susan http://www.elliott.org/blog/confessions-of-an-infected-airline-passenger-the-most-miserable-six-hours-of-my-life/comment-page-2/#comment-34599 Susan Wed, 24 Feb 2010 21:23:29 +0000 http://www.elliott.org/?p=9233#comment-34599 I helped a man along with two other nurses-I am RN-who was having a seizure on a plane that held 50 people. Typical size plane. Thank goodness he had a pulse because I was thinking where in the world would we lay him down to do CPR. The scary thing I'd that the flight attendant tried to give us the AED machine and he had a pulse. By the way the airline took our info but never thanked us as we cared for him for 30minutes while making an emergency landing for the paramedics to take him off of the plane. He was okay that was good however then it took an extra 8 hours switching planes as we missed ours. No thank you nothing I helped a man along with two other nurses-I am RN-who was having a seizure on a plane that held 50 people. Typical size plane. Thank goodness he had a pulse because I was thinking where in the world would we lay him down to do CPR. The scary thing I’d that the flight attendant tried to give us the AED machine and he had a pulse. By the way the airline took our info but never thanked us as we cared for him for 30minutes while making an emergency landing for the paramedics to take him off of the plane. He was okay that was good however then it took an extra 8 hours switching planes as we missed ours. No thank you nothing

]]> By: annoyed http://www.elliott.org/blog/confessions-of-an-infected-airline-passenger-the-most-miserable-six-hours-of-my-life/comment-page-2/#comment-34590 annoyed Wed, 24 Feb 2010 20:04:24 +0000 http://www.elliott.org/?p=9233#comment-34590 $300 is just over 1/3 of what i make in a month, so to all of you who said $300 isn't very much, it is a hell of alot to me. and if an airline told me pay $300 or fly i would fly sick in a heart beat, becuase if i paid what they were asking i most likely wouldn't make rent that month. $300 is just over 1/3 of what i make in a month, so to all of you who said $300 isn’t very much, it is a hell of alot to me. and if an airline told me pay $300 or fly i would fly sick in a heart beat, becuase if i paid what they were asking i most likely wouldn’t make rent that month.

]]> By: hmm... :-/ http://www.elliott.org/blog/confessions-of-an-infected-airline-passenger-the-most-miserable-six-hours-of-my-life/comment-page-2/#comment-34561 hmm... :-/ Wed, 24 Feb 2010 00:30:29 +0000 http://www.elliott.org/?p=9233#comment-34561 Baldenario-- Vomiting is not a symptom of strep throat. Also, I think that trellis was trying to point out that Amanda did not have the option of "staying home," as you suggest; she was already away on a trip. Likely your pointed lack of acknowledgment of this fact led him to believe that you'd not read through to its disclosure in the text. Finally, thanks to MMR, mumps and measles are extremely rare in the U.S., and the vast majority of people living here are vaccinated. (In fact, measles has been declared to be eradicated from the U.S.) Baldenario–
Vomiting is not a symptom of strep throat. Also, I think that trellis was trying to point out that Amanda did not have the option of “staying home,” as you suggest; she was already away on a trip. Likely your pointed lack of acknowledgment of this fact led him to believe that you’d not read through to its disclosure in the text. Finally, thanks to MMR, mumps and measles are extremely rare in the U.S., and the vast majority of people living here are vaccinated. (In fact, measles has been declared to be eradicated from the U.S.)

]]> By: Terri http://www.elliott.org/blog/confessions-of-an-infected-airline-passenger-the-most-miserable-six-hours-of-my-life/comment-page-2/#comment-34546 Terri Tue, 23 Feb 2010 20:25:25 +0000 http://www.elliott.org/?p=9233#comment-34546 My husband recently flew while he was sick, but had no choice. We were returning from a vacation in Costa Rica. It was a miserable 7 hours for him, and for me sitting next to him. In his defense - he did not have a serious disease, just a nasty chest cold. Not once did an attendant suggest that he was too sick to fly. My husband recently flew while he was sick, but had no choice. We were returning from a vacation in Costa Rica. It was a miserable 7 hours for him, and for me sitting next to him. In his defense – he did not have a serious disease, just a nasty chest cold. Not once did an attendant suggest that he was too sick to fly.

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