Comments on: Kicked off my flight for wearing an eye mask http://www.elliott.org/blog/kicked-off-my-flight-for-wearing-an-eye-mask/ Consumer advocate Christopher Elliott's site. Fri, 10 Feb 2012 05:25:00 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Jeremy Page http://www.elliott.org/blog/kicked-off-my-flight-for-wearing-an-eye-mask/comment-page-2/#comment-89169 Jeremy Page Fri, 09 Dec 2011 19:10:00 +0000 http://www.elliott.org/?p=8560#comment-89169 Wish my company flight discounts (delsol.com) would let me fly on other airlines besides US Airways.  But US Airways are notorious for issues.  My most positive experiences have come from flying SouthWest.   Wish my company flight discounts (delsol.com) would let me fly on other airlines besides US Airways.  But US Airways are notorious for issues.  My most positive experiences have come from flying SouthWest.  

]]> By: Jeremy Page http://www.elliott.org/blog/kicked-off-my-flight-for-wearing-an-eye-mask/comment-page-2/#comment-89168 Jeremy Page Fri, 09 Dec 2011 19:08:00 +0000 http://www.elliott.org/?p=8560#comment-89168 Thats some classic stuff right there.  Airline customer service is a long road.   Thats some classic stuff right there.  Airline customer service is a long road.  

]]> By: isBubba http://www.elliott.org/blog/kicked-off-my-flight-for-wearing-an-eye-mask/comment-page-2/#comment-79696 isBubba Wed, 07 Sep 2011 09:48:35 +0000 http://www.elliott.org/?p=8560#comment-79696 What is wrong with some of you sheeple on this blog? Not all of us feel that we should have to pay for the privilege of being treated disrespectfully. A bag the size of a paperback should not need stowing. No flight attendant has the right to point at me in the smartaleck way described. He was obviously trying to exert his perceived "power" over the passenger. If there's one thing I can't stand it's a little king-boy in a position of power within his little realm, trying to strut his little tail feathers to prove his virility. Cops, bureaucrats, TSA agents, anywhere there is a little power, there will always be a little wiener. I don't fly anymore since there's just too many of these little bozos in the airports these days, and I know I'd probably punch a hole through one or two of them. I don't want to do that unless absolutely necessary. And so I take nice, relaxing scenic drives instead. I used to be a pilot, too, but I just don't want to deal with the little Hitler attitudes in the Police State zones anymore...and truthfully, I'm afraid of what I might do if pushed by one of them... What is wrong with some of you sheeple on this blog?
Not all of us feel that we should have to pay for the privilege of
being treated disrespectfully. A bag the size of a paperback
should not need stowing. No flight attendant has the right to
point at me in the smartaleck way described. He was obviously
trying to exert his perceived “power” over the passenger. If
there’s one thing I can’t stand it’s a little king-boy in a position
of power within his little realm, trying to strut his little tail
feathers to prove his virility. Cops, bureaucrats, TSA agents,
anywhere there is a little power, there will always be a little
wiener.
I don’t fly anymore since there’s just too many of these
little bozos in the airports these days, and I know I’d
probably punch a hole through one or two of them. I don’t
want to do that unless absolutely necessary. And so I take
nice, relaxing scenic drives instead. I used to be a pilot, too,
but I just don’t want to deal with the little Hitler attitudes
in the Police State zones anymore…and truthfully, I’m afraid
of what I might do if pushed by one of them…

]]> By: Stefan http://www.elliott.org/blog/kicked-off-my-flight-for-wearing-an-eye-mask/comment-page-2/#comment-71535 Stefan Fri, 03 Jun 2011 13:46:18 +0000 http://www.elliott.org/?p=8560#comment-71535 Michael Winn- http://www.healingtaousa.com/winn_iswho.html Hmmm.... Michael Winn- http://www.healingtaousa.com/winn_iswho.html

Hmmm….

]]> By: Violet http://www.elliott.org/blog/kicked-off-my-flight-for-wearing-an-eye-mask/comment-page-2/#comment-63568 Violet Mon, 14 Feb 2011 17:40:39 +0000 http://www.elliott.org/?p=8560#comment-63568 I think that both the attendant and the passenger made mistakes in behavior. I agree that the passenger should take his business elsewhere. It doesn't surprise me though that this happened on USAir. I personally avoid this carrier along with Continental. I think that both the attendant and the passenger made mistakes in behavior. I agree that the passenger should take his business elsewhere. It doesn’t surprise me though that this happened on USAir. I personally avoid this carrier along with Continental.

]]> By: Carol (Middle-aged-diva) http://www.elliott.org/blog/kicked-off-my-flight-for-wearing-an-eye-mask/comment-page-2/#comment-63040 Carol (Middle-aged-diva) Tue, 08 Feb 2011 12:58:53 +0000 http://www.elliott.org/?p=8560#comment-63040 Until recently I've been a VFF...most flight attendants aren't like this one. However, some ARE incredibly officious ...just had one like that on American Airlines two weeks ago). Our seat belt sign came on and off many times during the bumpy ride and "officious" came to mind as I watched her go up and down the aisle unnecessarily giving seat belt orders TO EVERY SINGLE ROW. Maybe 3 times/hour X 4 hrs? Most flight attendants make an announcement then walk the aisle looking and only give orders if a belt's not fastened or if they can't tell. And I want them to. But this FA was overcome with her "power" ..."officious" -it means "assertive of authority in an annoyingly domineering way, esp. with regard to petty or trivial matters." It sounds like Mr. Winn's unwillingness to take an order attitude coupled with an officious FA created the issue. A little bit of humor or common sense could've defused the issue. "I didn't get any sleep last night, would you mind if I kept it on and tried to nap during this period?" "Would you mind if I kept my bag here till just before takeoff?" (and oh, by the way, why not put in the seatback pocket if it was so small?). Mr. Winn sounds like a man who isn't interested in being strategically deferential. Or maybe deferential at all. I see no problem w/ wearing a sleepmask in an exit row--those passengers do not have an obligation to be vigilant "on duty" during an entire flight. If that's the case, airlines ought to seat working employees there. And, I can't help but think that anyone who vomits from overhearing a phrase in someone else's phone conversation has bigger problems than being kicked off a flight and is probably too fragile to fly that day. Until recently I’ve been a VFF…most flight attendants aren’t like this one. However, some ARE incredibly officious …just had one like that on American Airlines two weeks ago). Our seat belt sign came on and off many times during the bumpy ride and “officious” came to mind as I watched her go up and down the aisle unnecessarily giving seat belt orders TO EVERY SINGLE ROW. Maybe 3 times/hour X 4 hrs? Most flight attendants make an announcement then walk the aisle looking and only give orders if a belt’s not fastened or if they can’t tell. And I want them to. But this FA was overcome with her “power” …”officious” -it means “assertive of authority in an annoyingly domineering way, esp. with regard to petty or trivial matters.” It sounds like Mr. Winn’s unwillingness to take an order attitude coupled with an officious FA created the issue. A little bit of humor or common sense could’ve defused the issue. “I didn’t get any sleep last night, would you mind if I kept it on and tried to nap during this period?” “Would you mind if I kept my bag here till just before takeoff?” (and oh, by the way, why not put in the seatback pocket if it was so small?). Mr. Winn sounds like a man who isn’t interested in being strategically deferential. Or maybe deferential at all.

I see no problem w/ wearing a sleepmask in an exit row–those passengers do not have an obligation to be vigilant “on duty” during an entire flight. If that’s the case, airlines ought to seat working employees there.

And, I can’t help but think that anyone who vomits from overhearing a phrase in someone else’s phone conversation has bigger problems than being kicked off a flight and is probably too fragile to fly that day.

]]> By: Aloysius Morgan http://www.elliott.org/blog/kicked-off-my-flight-for-wearing-an-eye-mask/comment-page-2/#comment-62518 Aloysius Morgan Wed, 02 Feb 2011 05:32:11 +0000 http://www.elliott.org/?p=8560#comment-62518 Since so many people are bumping this stale thread, I thought I'd find university president Michael Winn. It turns out he's President and Founder of "Healing Dao University" in Asheville, NC. http://www.healingdao.com/ He's even the past president of the National Qigong Association! He flies to China for chrissake! He's a Taoist who gave a completely unwarranted line of guff to a flight attendant, and then lied to a reporter about his status (perhaps I'm just a snob who thinks of a "university" as an accredited institution of research and higher learning). He sounds like somewhat less than a success story. As far as I'm concerned, anyone who appropriates the empty-for-a-reason middle seat for their personal storage space deserves whatever is meted out to them. So much for compassion, moderation and humility. I'd have had him removed from the flight too. Gimme a break! Since so many people are bumping this stale thread, I thought I’d find university president Michael Winn. It turns out he’s President and Founder of “Healing Dao University” in Asheville, NC. http://www.healingdao.com/ He’s even the past president of the National Qigong Association! He flies to China for chrissake!

He’s a Taoist who gave a completely unwarranted line of guff to a flight attendant, and then lied to a reporter about his status (perhaps I’m just a snob who thinks of a “university” as an accredited institution of research and higher learning). He sounds like somewhat less than a success story. As far as I’m concerned, anyone who appropriates the empty-for-a-reason middle seat for their personal storage space deserves whatever is meted out to them.

So much for compassion, moderation and humility. I’d have had him removed from the flight too. Gimme a break!

]]> By: dwasifar http://www.elliott.org/blog/kicked-off-my-flight-for-wearing-an-eye-mask/comment-page-2/#comment-60848 dwasifar Fri, 14 Jan 2011 15:12:42 +0000 http://www.elliott.org/?p=8560#comment-60848 What a transparent attempt at spin. He argues with the flight attendant about bag storage, and when it doesn't go his way, he writes an essay claiming he was kicked off because of an eye mask. His own story doesn't back that up. Other things don't add up, either. For example, if his bag was really the size of a paperback book, why didn't he just shove it in the seatback pocket? Problem solved. I'd be the first one to agree that flight attendants have too much arbitrary authority, and that security theater has disconnected airlines from being answerable to their customers. You're not going to have a good customer service experience if any dispute can get you arrested. But that's the situation, and if you bring it on yourself, you shouldn't be surprised at how it turns out. Besides, he reclined his seat, which makes him an inconsiderate douche in the first place. What a transparent attempt at spin.

He argues with the flight attendant about bag storage, and when it doesn’t go his way, he writes an essay claiming he was kicked off because of an eye mask. His own story doesn’t back that up. Other things don’t add up, either. For example, if his bag was really the size of a paperback book, why didn’t he just shove it in the seatback pocket? Problem solved.

I’d be the first one to agree that flight attendants have too much arbitrary authority, and that security theater has disconnected airlines from being answerable to their customers. You’re not going to have a good customer service experience if any dispute can get you arrested. But that’s the situation, and if you bring it on yourself, you shouldn’t be surprised at how it turns out.

Besides, he reclined his seat, which makes him an inconsiderate douche in the first place.

]]> By: Naoma Foreman http://www.elliott.org/blog/kicked-off-my-flight-for-wearing-an-eye-mask/comment-page-2/#comment-58779 Naoma Foreman Sun, 19 Dec 2010 16:03:27 +0000 http://www.elliott.org/?p=8560#comment-58779 This passenger sounds like one of those "Don't you know WHO I AM?" The flight attendant was not being rude. Do what they ask. In an exit row wearing the mask. You must be ALERT in that seat! And, as for the "small amount of vomit" passenger. I would not want her sitting beside me! Grab a sick bag or something. You could have had a contagious disease! I am a long time world flyer and will do anything they ask, except change my seat so Joe can sit with Mary. My seat is the one I picked. This passenger sounds like one of those “Don’t you know
WHO I AM?” The flight attendant was not being rude. Do
what they ask. In an exit row wearing the mask. You must be ALERT in that seat!
And, as for the “small amount of vomit” passenger. I would
not want her sitting beside me! Grab a sick bag or something.
You could have had a contagious disease! I am a long time
world flyer and will do anything they ask, except change my
seat so Joe can sit with Mary. My seat is the one I picked.

]]> By: mike http://www.elliott.org/blog/kicked-off-my-flight-for-wearing-an-eye-mask/comment-page-2/#comment-55000 mike Sun, 05 Dec 2010 17:08:54 +0000 http://www.elliott.org/?p=8560#comment-55000 Hmm.. All I can say is fly Japan Airlines or ANA. You will never want to fly an American carrier ever again. The crap we have to deal with in flying in the US is terrible. Makes me dread going home. I have had attendants that are outright rude to me on more than one occasion. I love home, but hate flying there unless I can afford a decent carrier. Hmm.. All I can say is fly Japan Airlines or ANA. You will never want to fly an American carrier ever again. The crap we have to deal with in flying in the US is terrible. Makes me dread going home. I have had attendants that are outright rude to me on more than one occasion. I love home, but hate flying there unless I can afford a decent carrier.

]]> By: Michelle http://www.elliott.org/blog/kicked-off-my-flight-for-wearing-an-eye-mask/comment-page-2/#comment-48492 Michelle Thu, 23 Sep 2010 21:56:29 +0000 http://www.elliott.org/?p=8560#comment-48492 I have to say, I think the passenger was being unnecessarily argumentative with the flight attendant in this case. I think they do have to err on the side of caution, especially with passengers in the exit rows. And to Amanda above, I sure wouldn't want to sit next to someone who was throwing up in their seat on a flight, and I doubt many people would. There's no way for anyone to tell whether or not you had a contagious GI infection, and plus, that's just gross. I have to say, I think the passenger was being unnecessarily argumentative with the flight attendant in this case. I think they do have to err on the side of caution, especially with passengers in the exit rows.

And to Amanda above, I sure wouldn’t want to sit next to someone who was throwing up in their seat on a flight, and I doubt many people would. There’s no way for anyone to tell whether or not you had a contagious GI infection, and plus, that’s just gross.

]]> By: Kathleen http://www.elliott.org/blog/kicked-off-my-flight-for-wearing-an-eye-mask/comment-page-2/#comment-46828 Kathleen Tue, 31 Aug 2010 18:46:19 +0000 http://www.elliott.org/?p=8560#comment-46828 No one has mentioned that Mr. Winn was seated in the Exit Row. Does that have any bearing on the story? I would think so. Individuals iseated in an Exit Row have a responsibility to their fellow passengers. When every passenger on the plane wants the Emergency Door opened -- FAST, I for one would rather not have Mr. Winn dealing with a bag around his wrist, or hunting for his loose bag (the one with valuables in it). It's unfortunate that Mr. Winn doesn't see this for what it is - his responsibility to everyone on the plane. Mr. Winn, go ahead and wear your eyemask, and keep your bag around your wrist...just don't sit in the Exit Row..particularly on My flight. No one has mentioned that Mr. Winn was seated in the Exit Row. Does that have any bearing on the story? I would think so. Individuals iseated in an Exit Row have a responsibility to their fellow passengers. When every passenger on the plane wants the Emergency Door opened — FAST, I for one would rather not have Mr. Winn dealing with a bag around his wrist, or hunting for his loose bag (the one with valuables in it). It’s unfortunate that Mr. Winn doesn’t see this for what it is – his responsibility to everyone on the plane. Mr. Winn, go ahead and wear your eyemask, and keep your bag around your wrist…just don’t sit in the Exit Row..particularly on My flight.

]]> By: Mary Graham http://www.elliott.org/blog/kicked-off-my-flight-for-wearing-an-eye-mask/comment-page-2/#comment-46756 Mary Graham Tue, 31 Aug 2010 13:34:10 +0000 http://www.elliott.org/?p=8560#comment-46756 Wow, thanks for the "heads up" on USAir! Horrible! Wow, thanks for the “heads up” on USAir! Horrible!

]]> By: Kari http://www.elliott.org/blog/kicked-off-my-flight-for-wearing-an-eye-mask/comment-page-2/#comment-42541 Kari Mon, 21 Jun 2010 13:40:11 +0000 http://www.elliott.org/?p=8560#comment-42541 I don't fly anywhere near as much as this dude, and I still know that you shouldn't have anything in your lap when you take off. I'm not buying his excuse here. If you don't want it in the overhead bin because there's something valuable in it, put it under the seat in front of you. If it's too small to go under there without rattling around, stuff it in the seat pocket. Not that the FA wasn't overreacting--I'm not ruling that out either--but I have a feeling there's more to this than an eyemask and a handbag. I don’t fly anywhere near as much as this dude, and I still know that you shouldn’t have anything in your lap when you take off. I’m not buying his excuse here. If you don’t want it in the overhead bin because there’s something valuable in it, put it under the seat in front of you. If it’s too small to go under there without rattling around, stuff it in the seat pocket.

Not that the FA wasn’t overreacting–I’m not ruling that out either–but I have a feeling there’s more to this than an eyemask and a handbag.

]]> By: Albany Limo Rental http://www.elliott.org/blog/kicked-off-my-flight-for-wearing-an-eye-mask/comment-page-2/#comment-42318 Albany Limo Rental Thu, 17 Jun 2010 14:10:05 +0000 http://www.elliott.org/?p=8560#comment-42318 What happened to the saying "Customer is always correct"! The quality of customer service is going down so much these days. Without taking the name of the airline during my last travel in an airplane I pushed the ringer bell and called the airline attendant for a glass of water and she gave me those looks as if I asked her for her engagement ring or something. Oh btw the glass of water that I asked for never arrived!!! What happened to the saying “Customer is always correct”! The quality of customer service is going down so much these days. Without taking the name of the airline during my last travel in an airplane I pushed the ringer bell and called the airline attendant for a glass of water and she gave me those looks as if I asked her for her engagement ring or something. Oh btw the glass of water that I asked for never arrived!!!

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