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/ The travel troubleshooter. Sat, 20 Mar 2010 21:20:21 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.2 hourly 1 By: Amanda http://www.elliott.org/blog/kicked-off-my-flight-for-wearing-an-eye-mask/comment-page-2/#comment-25997 Amanda Sun, 25 Oct 2009 16:00:02 +0000 http://www.elliott.org/?p=8560#comment-25997 I was kicked off a U.S. Airways flight on the ground at Charlotte on 6/14/09. My only offense: a small amount of vomit. The passenger next to me on the flight was talking on her cell phone while we were still on the ground. Because I was going through a highly emotional and stressful event in my life (completely unrelated to the flight) something the passenger said on the phone triggered a visceral response in me and I wretched a bit of the water I had been drinking. The passenger next to me ended her phone call and motioned the flight attendant over. The flight attendant brought me a white trash bag and asked me if I was o.k. I replied that yes, I was fine, but added that sometimes I am a little afraid of flying. (I thought that would be a quick and easy way to explain that the vomit was an emotional response rather than an infection or stomach bug.) I then got up and went to the bathroom. After a minute in the bathroom there was loud banging on the door, and a threatening male voice telling me to open up. I hurried to finish up and opened the door to meet the gaze of a man in what appeared to be a pilot's uniform (possibly the co-pilot or maybe ground supervisor?) who told me that it had already been discussed with the captain and that I would have to get off the flight. I immediately agreed and complied without complaint, but asked if it would be o.k. if my friend, who was sitting in another section of the plane, could join me. We were both escorted off the plane and booked on the next flight. My friend was told that I had to leave the plane because of "health reasons." She also thought that the co-pilot's manner was inappropriate and harsh. We were booked on the next flight and luckily I was able to get home to Boston that afternoon. But my anxiety level had quadrupled in the time before boarding the second plane- the removal from the plane having exacerbated its intensity. I don't understand, if they really thought my health was so compromised as to need to be removed from the flight, what did they think was going to change in the time elapsed between the first and second flights? I think that US Airways overreacted to the situation of a mouthful of water. Although the flight attendant was appropriate, nice, and helpful. Somehow whatever communication was exchanged in the cockpit led to an overzealous and inappropriate response on behalf of the airline. Today I did a google search to see if anyone else ever felt they were inappropriately kicked off a plane. I think it's very interesting that one of the top links that came up was regarding an incident with U.S. Airways in Charlotte. I was kicked off a U.S. Airways flight on the ground at Charlotte on 6/14/09.

My only offense: a small amount of vomit.

The passenger next to me on the flight was talking on her cell phone while we were still on the ground. Because I was going through a highly emotional and stressful event in my life (completely unrelated to the flight) something the passenger said on the phone triggered a visceral response in me and I wretched a bit of the water I had been drinking. The passenger next to me ended her phone call and motioned the flight attendant over. The flight attendant brought me a white trash bag and asked me if I was o.k. I replied that yes, I was fine, but added that sometimes I am a little afraid of flying. (I thought that would be a quick and easy way to explain that the vomit was an emotional response rather than an infection or stomach bug.) I then got up and went to the bathroom. After a minute in the bathroom there was loud banging on the door, and a threatening male voice telling me to open up. I hurried to finish up and opened the door to meet the gaze of a man in what appeared to be a pilot’s uniform (possibly the co-pilot or maybe ground supervisor?) who told me that it had already been discussed with the captain and that I would have to get off the flight. I immediately agreed and complied without complaint, but asked if it would be o.k. if my friend, who was sitting in another section of the plane, could join me. We were both escorted off the plane and booked on the next flight. My friend was told that I had to leave the plane because of “health reasons.” She also thought that the co-pilot’s manner was inappropriate and harsh.

We were booked on the next flight and luckily I was able to get home to Boston that afternoon. But my anxiety level had quadrupled in the time before boarding the second plane- the removal from the plane having exacerbated its intensity.

I don’t understand, if they really thought my health was so compromised as to need to be removed from the flight, what did they think was going to change in the time elapsed between the first and second flights?

I think that US Airways overreacted to the situation of a mouthful of water. Although the flight attendant was appropriate, nice, and helpful. Somehow whatever communication was exchanged in the cockpit led to an overzealous and inappropriate response on behalf of the airline.

Today I did a google search to see if anyone else ever felt they were inappropriately kicked off a plane. I think it’s very interesting that one of the top links that came up was regarding an incident with U.S. Airways in Charlotte.

]]> By: Ron http://www.elliott.org/blog/kicked-off-my-flight-for-wearing-an-eye-mask/comment-page-2/#comment-25280 Ron Mon, 12 Oct 2009 01:53:22 +0000 http://www.elliott.org/?p=8560#comment-25280 The passenger in this case did seem a bit obnoxious. But is that reason to kick them off the plane? Was he really endangering anyone, other than the flight attendent's ego? Every week it seems I hear of another incident where the flight crew didn't like someone because of their personality, their dress, etc, and they kick them off the plane. 9 times out of 10 you later read of the airline apologizing to the passenger. Why do we put up with it anymore? Why do we pay so much money to be treated like crap? The passenger in this case did seem a bit obnoxious. But is that reason to kick them off the plane? Was he really endangering anyone, other than the flight attendent’s ego? Every week it seems I hear of another incident where the flight crew didn’t like someone because of their personality, their dress, etc, and they kick them off the plane. 9 times out of 10 you later read of the airline apologizing to the passenger. Why do we put up with it anymore? Why do we pay so much money to be treated like crap?

]]> By: Stacey Wittig http://www.elliott.org/blog/kicked-off-my-flight-for-wearing-an-eye-mask/comment-page-2/#comment-24857 Stacey Wittig Thu, 01 Oct 2009 17:18:07 +0000 http://www.elliott.org/?p=8560#comment-24857 As a US Airways frequent flier, international traveler, and observer of human behavior, I have sympathy for flight attendants on US flights. We US Americans take longer than Europeans, Africans or South Americans to seat ourselves and buckle in. All the lolly-gagging! The 4-5 flight attendants are trying to get us 200-300 passengers seated safely while the clock is ticking down to take-off time. They don't have time anymore for the ol' "Coffee, Tea or Me?"-type service. If you need that kind of service, upgrade to First Class. There one attendant is assigned to 6-12 people (for the size of most planes in US Air's fleet.) Better crew to passenger ratio. And what about all the carry-on baggage? Many US Americans carry two bags and feel the need to stow both above. The airlines tell us we can stow one above, but when carrying two, put the second at your feet. Then I come along with my small 16"x18"x24" wheeled computer bag, and can hardly wedge it between the over-stuffed shopping bags and full-sized carry-ons. Some of these over-head-compartment hogs are the ones that brag, "I don't check MY bags anymore." The attendants are trying to make all those valuable possessions fit in the overhead bins. I say cut 'em some slack; I sure wouldn't want to do their job. Check out Forbes magazine this month for interesting article about US Airways. As a US Airways frequent flier, international traveler, and observer of human behavior, I have sympathy for flight attendants on US flights.

We US Americans take longer than Europeans, Africans or South Americans to seat ourselves and buckle in. All the lolly-gagging! The 4-5 flight attendants are trying to get us 200-300 passengers seated safely while the clock is ticking down to take-off time. They don’t have time anymore for the ol’ “Coffee, Tea or Me?”-type service. If you need that kind of service, upgrade to First Class. There one attendant is assigned to 6-12 people (for the size of most planes in US Air’s fleet.) Better crew to passenger ratio.

And what about all the carry-on baggage? Many US Americans carry two bags and feel the need to stow both above. The airlines tell us we can stow one above, but when carrying two, put the second at your feet. Then I come along with my small 16″x18″x24″ wheeled computer bag, and can hardly wedge it between the over-stuffed shopping bags and full-sized carry-ons. Some of these over-head-compartment hogs are the ones that brag, “I don’t check MY bags anymore.” The attendants are trying to make all those valuable possessions fit in the overhead bins. I say cut ‘em some slack; I sure wouldn’t want to do their job.

Check out Forbes magazine this month for interesting article about US Airways.

]]> By: Bela Fleck http://www.elliott.org/blog/kicked-off-my-flight-for-wearing-an-eye-mask/comment-page-2/#comment-24652 Bela Fleck Mon, 28 Sep 2009 01:21:34 +0000 http://www.elliott.org/?p=8560#comment-24652 @ Bill. So holding a child on a lap is okay, but a wallet in a bag is not? This is beside the point, but I had to ask... @ Bill. So holding a child on a lap is okay, but a wallet in a bag is not? This is beside the point, but I had to ask…

]]> By: Bill http://www.elliott.org/blog/kicked-off-my-flight-for-wearing-an-eye-mask/comment-page-2/#comment-24647 Bill Sun, 27 Sep 2009 19:23:41 +0000 http://www.elliott.org/?p=8560#comment-24647 Looks like the passenger was unreasonable and did not comply with crew instructions. He should have had his butt kicked off the flight. Loose items are NOT permitted in the cabin and holding his bag is not the accepted solution. A more appropriate headline would be "Passenger kicked off flight for not obeying crew's instructions". I hate it when people are told to follow a regulation and then they rationalize, "I'll just hold it in my lap". He's lucky that he was let on a later flight. As for his $400,000 a year in travel expenses, I don't care where he spends it as long as he's not on a plane with me. Money isn't everytihng and it doesn't give you the right to make your own rules. The University should have a policy that requires compliance with airline and FAA regulations. Looks like the passenger was unreasonable and did not comply with crew instructions. He should have had his butt kicked off the flight. Loose items are NOT permitted in the cabin and holding his bag is not the accepted solution.
A more appropriate headline would be “Passenger kicked off flight for not obeying crew’s instructions”. I hate it when people are told to follow a regulation and then they rationalize, “I’ll just hold it in my lap”. He’s lucky that he was let on a later flight. As for his $400,000 a year in travel expenses, I don’t care where he spends it as long as he’s not on a plane with me. Money isn’t everytihng and it doesn’t give you the right to make your own rules. The University should have a policy that requires compliance with airline and FAA regulations.

]]> By: ajaynejr http://www.elliott.org/blog/kicked-off-my-flight-for-wearing-an-eye-mask/comment-page-2/#comment-24641 ajaynejr Sun, 27 Sep 2009 13:27:12 +0000 http://www.elliott.org/?p=8560#comment-24641 The passenger should have immediately removed the wallet and other valuables from the bag, put the valuables into a pocket, and then stowed the bag (or handed the bag to the flight attendant). Part of the problem is tight fitting pocketless clothing, which forces one to have a purse or fanny pack or something like that. Too bad the flight attendants can't concentrate on using their authority with the most obnoxious passengers. The passenger should have immediately removed the wallet and other valuables from the bag, put the valuables into a pocket, and then stowed the bag (or handed the bag to the flight attendant).

Part of the problem is tight fitting pocketless clothing, which forces one to have a purse or fanny pack or something like that.

Too bad the flight attendants can’t concentrate on using their authority with the most obnoxious passengers.

]]> By: diychica - Kicked off my US Airways flight for wearing an eye mask! http://www.elliott.org/blog/kicked-off-my-flight-for-wearing-an-eye-mask/comment-page-2/#comment-24616 diychica - Kicked off my US Airways flight for wearing an eye mask! Fri, 25 Sep 2009 22:56:29 +0000 http://www.elliott.org/?p=8560#comment-24616 [...] in what not to do if seated in an exit row, or yet another example of flight attendant abuse?Source:http://www.elliott.org/blog/kicked-off-my-flight-for-wearing-an-eye-mask/ ( Leave a comment [...] [...] in what not to do if seated in an exit row, or yet another example of flight attendant abuse?Source:http://www.elliott.org/blog/kicked-off-my-flight-for-wearing-an-eye-mask/ ( Leave a comment [...]

]]> By: Kicked off my US Airways flight for wearing an eye mask! - whitewalls's posterous http://www.elliott.org/blog/kicked-off-my-flight-for-wearing-an-eye-mask/comment-page-2/#comment-24611 Kicked off my US Airways flight for wearing an eye mask! - whitewalls's posterous Fri, 25 Sep 2009 20:28:42 +0000 http://www.elliott.org/?p=8560#comment-24611 [...] Michael Winn is the president of a private university, a US Airways frequent flier, and according to at least one flight attendant, an imminent threat to security. Why else would he have kicked Winn off a recent flight from Charlotte to Phoenix? Case study in what not to do if seated in an exit row, or yet another example of flight attendant abuse?Source:http://www.elliott.org/blog/kicked-off-my-flight-for-wearing-an-eye-mask/ [...] [...] Michael Winn is the president of a private university, a US Airways frequent flier, and according to at least one flight attendant, an imminent threat to security. Why else would he have kicked Winn off a recent flight from Charlotte to Phoenix? Case study in what not to do if seated in an exit row, or yet another example of flight attendant abuse?Source:http://www.elliott.org/blog/kicked-off-my-flight-for-wearing-an-eye-mask/ [...]

]]> By: Flight Attendant http://www.elliott.org/blog/kicked-off-my-flight-for-wearing-an-eye-mask/comment-page-2/#comment-24592 Flight Attendant Fri, 25 Sep 2009 16:40:23 +0000 http://www.elliott.org/?p=8560#comment-24592 Hmmm, just to clarify, on the ground it is not policy for the flight attendants to decide who stays and goes, there is a ground supervisor who makes that assessment. Also, I somehow find it impossible to believe this man was removed from the plane due to an eye mask. The amount of paperwork alone is enough for a flight attendant to diffuse a situation before it escalates. I believe this article is missing many steps and interactions between this passengers first encounter with the flight attendant and his removal. Hmmm, just to clarify, on the ground it is not policy for the flight attendants to decide who stays and goes, there is a ground supervisor who makes that assessment. Also, I somehow find it impossible to believe this man was removed from the plane due to an eye mask. The amount of paperwork alone is enough for a flight attendant to diffuse a situation before it escalates. I believe this article is missing many steps and interactions between this passengers first encounter with the flight attendant and his removal.

]]> By: swordfish1174 http://www.elliott.org/blog/kicked-off-my-flight-for-wearing-an-eye-mask/comment-page-2/#comment-24591 swordfish1174 Fri, 25 Sep 2009 16:12:58 +0000 http://www.elliott.org/?p=8560#comment-24591 I feel their are other things these airports could be doing and looking out for that when i hear things like this it is just another reason for them to have an issue to bother someone because one of them was probably having a pissed off type of day. Flying has become such a big issue in this country now it is almost not even worth trying to do anymore. I feel their are other things these airports could be doing and looking out for that when i hear things like this it is just another reason for them to have an issue to bother someone because one of them was probably having a pissed off type of day. Flying has become such a big issue in this country now it is almost not even worth trying to do anymore.

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