The Blanket Policy That Isn't: Airlines Differ on Cleaning

In a memo, US Airways told employees to remove and clean blankets that appear to be soiled. Those that look clean are to be refolded and placed in the overhead bins for use on the next flight. All blankets will be removed and cleaned or replaced after 30 days.


http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/Forum101/HTML/002335.html

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You may want to think twice before using the blankets! :eek:

Yuk...I think I'll start bringing my own. Another brilliant idea from some stupid beancounter who probably doesn't wash his own sheets for a month. Doesn't anybody have any idea how many germs a supposedly "clean" blanket could have on it...especially during cold and flu season?

Seriously, these are the stupid cost-cutting moves that I am afraid of. The only way to keep U afloat for the time being is to keep the level of service UP. What's next, using the FC linens for 2 flights??

I don't use them very often, but as a rule, I don't use a blanket unless it is still in the plastic wrap.

Until this last year, I used to be a very infrequent flier (something longer than 600 miles every 1-2 years at most).

This past year I´ve flown transatlantic three times on U.S. It dawned on me after the last time in early June that this correlates with the three times that I´ve had to take time off because of a bad cold within two weeks of the trip.

I think the next time I fly on U.S., I´ll take along the blanket I knicked from BA some years ago http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif.

Yonatan

[This message has been edited by yonatan (edited 07-18-2001).]

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by geo1004:
I don't use them very often, but as a rule, I don't use a blanket unless it is still in the plastic wrap.</font>

I adopted that policy too after hearing about pax getting eye/ear infections from blankets. But one transcon trip I pulled a blanket out of the wrap only to discover that it was...erm...a bit crusty in a spot or two. http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/redface.gif Thank God I had my jacket!

From that point on I started carting my Air Mexicana blanket with me. No surprises. http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif

us2: well, they could eliminate the FC linens altogether, a la UA. http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/wink.gif Maybe US got a little too close to UA's infected blanket with this merger deal. ;p

I travel twice year to home and I bought 2 bright pink blankets that we use on all of our flights. I started this after getting a really grotty blanket on a red eye and freezing all the way across the states. We have very light weight ones that I put in the carry on outside pocket. They don't weigh anything and I feel alot more comfortable about snuggling up in one.

A word of advice - if you bring your own make sure it is a bright colour so they don't try to nail you with "Mam you need to leave the blanket on the plane" (I even had to go back and get one of thiers and show that they were completely different brands)

So we now have fushia (sp?) ones that no one could ever accuse us of taking.

Oz.

How do they know it has been used for 30 days - assuming it isn't stained by then. Do they do a germ count?

The blankets they use are nasty. Blue fuzz gets all over you and who knows who has been using them. Next time you get one and use it, you'll see what I mean...you'll be covered in blue fuzz. I bring my own blanket and a pillow cover (for long hauls).

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"We are dimming the cabin lights to enhance the beauty of our flight crew" - Actual Quote.

Chairmans: USAir, Gold: NWA, Diners, HH, Gold: Marriott

I'm thoroughly grossed out! Now I wonder if my 2002 silver package will include coupons for clean blankets. "SWBU's" for SystemWide Blanket Upgrades.

Here's a response to the email I sent US Airways regarding the blanket policy.

Dear Mr. Tompkins:

Thank you for your recent e-mail. I appreciate this opportunity to respond to
you concerning our policies on cleaning our blankets and pillows.

We clean our blankets and pillows each day on our longer flights. Our shorter
flights are cleaned at least every other day. We regret the misleading
information you described which led you to believe we only clean these items
every 30 days.

Mr. Tompkins, thank you again for this opportunity to respond to you
concerning the cleaning of our blankets and pillows. We hope you will always
consider us for your future air travel needs.

Sincerely,
Scott E. Sebastian

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by PointJunkie:
I'm thoroughly grossed out! Now I wonder if my 2002 silver package will include coupons for clean blankets. "SWBU's" for SystemWide Blanket Upgrades.</font>

Well, since they clean them every other day, perhaps a complimentary can of RID lice spray would be nice. http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif



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"We are dimming the cabin lights to enhance the beauty of our flight crew" - Actual Quote from USAirways F/A: CLT-BNA.

Chairmans: USAir, Gold: NWA, Diners, HH, Gold: Marriott

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by Gregg:

Here's a response to the email I sent US Airways regarding the blanket policy.

Dear Mr. Tompkins:

Thank you for your recent e-mail. I appreciate this opportunity to respond to
you concerning our policies on cleaning our blankets and pillows.

We clean our blankets and pillows each day on our longer flights. Our shorter
flights are cleaned at least every other day. We regret the misleading
information you described which led you to believe we only clean these items
every 30 days.

Mr. Tompkins, thank you again for this opportunity to respond to you
concerning the cleaning of our blankets and pillows. We hope you will always
consider us for your future air travel needs.

Sincerely,
Scott E. Sebastian</font>

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Gee! Did you send them a copy of the memo they put out by chance? http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/wink.gif