Programs: AA Platinum(new, via challenge), UA 1K(since '06), BR Diamond(since '08)
Posts: 32
for once, I feel sorry for TSA employees (passenger with extrmely smelly feet/shoes)
I was standing in security line taking my shoes off. As I bent down to undo my shoelaces, a terrible, terrible smell was right in front of me. The passenger in front of me had absolutely the worst smelling feet/shoes/socks(not sure which was the cause) I have ever encounted in my entire life. I deliberately slowed down and let a couple of other people go ahead of me.
The TSA employees who were nearby also smelled it. This is probably the first time I've felt sorry for these folks.
Actually, my sympathy goes to the poor souls who had to sit next to this person on the flight...
Hygiene escapes some people. You don't get that funky in just a short time even if you were sweating while moving fast...stink like that takes some time to build up...it takes a few days of not washing yourself or changing your socks.
Don't feel sorry for us - rotten toes are a part of the job. I feel sorry for the passengers who have to fly with people like that.
On a similar note, about 3 weeks ago a passenger came through here and had he worst horrible smell I have ever smelt. It was just staggering. I was at the walkthrough and as the person went by I actually gagged. The lane behindthis person empitied as other passengers didn't want to follow. Not kidding.
Passengers then approached us and asked us to stop that person from boarding the plane. Again not kidding. They asked what airline this person was flying. It was southwest. People no flying southwest were happy as they left, others upset that they migh be on the same plane. People actually begged us to stop this person, who had already left the checkpoint. We said we had no authority to do so, that they could complain to the airline. I would have complained if I was on that flght. Hard to describe just how awful the smell was, really.
So what does the airline or TSA do in a situation like this? I couldn't imagine being on a plane with this person. They looked clean, clothing not dirty. Just like hey had never bathed, ever.
I can Lu up with rotten feet for the short while, that's easy. Couldn't fly with that stench though.
Hygiene escapes some people. You don't get that funky in just a short time even if you were sweating while moving fast...stink like that takes some time to build up...it takes a few days of not washing yourself or changing your socks.
I read a while ago that if you dip your socks in milk just before putting your shoes on, you get a really nasty smell
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It is in truth not for glory, nor riches, nor honours that we are fighting, but for freedom -- for that alone, which no honest man gives up but with life itself. Declaration of Arbroath, 1320
So what does the airline or TSA do in a situation like this? I couldn't imagine being on a plane with this person. They looked clean, clothing not dirty. Just like hey had never bathed, ever.
Since the airline in question is Southwest, I did a quick search ... and, lo and behold, Southwest's Contract of Carriage applies:
Quote:
10. Refusal to Transport (Issued July 12, 2005; Effective July 12, 2005)
Carrier will refuse to transport, or will remove from an aircraft at any point, any passenger in the following circumstances:
[...]
F. Comfort and Safety - Carrier may refuse to transport or remove from the aircraft at any point any passenger in the following categories as may be necessary for the comfort or safety of such passenger or other passengers:
[...]
(8) Persons who have an offensive odor, except where such condition is the result of a disability;
I imagine that other airlines may have similar rules.
Programs: AA PLT, HH Gold, TSA Disparager Gold, going for Platnium
Posts: 1,430
(pulls out worlds smallest violin)Stinky pinkys may be pretty rank but that's bot even close to as bad as others and not even in the same league compared to some other smells I have come across so no sympathy there. They knew it was part of the job when they started or when the bs kneejerk reaction rule came down. If they can't handle it then they need to find a different line of work that doesn't offend there nose.
(pulls out worlds smallest violin)Stinky pinkys may be pretty rank but that's bot even close to as bad as others and not even in the same league compared to some other smells I have come across so no sympathy there. They knew it was part of the job when they started or when the bs kneejerk reaction rule came down. If they can't handle it then they need to find a different line of work that doesn't offend there nose.
As a volunteer in EMS I get to encounter a lot of those smells. Thank God for Vic's Vapor Rub! Just a dab in the mustache works wonders. It's why we call it "Vitamin V".
had a similar experience in LGA in the winter. Guy takes his boots off and everyone in the line and the TSA employee on the other side is hit by this foul odour. not wafting, slam in your face.
I and everyone else instantly suck in our breathe and hold it, all the while trying to not laugh. I looked over at the TSA employee and give a smirky smile and a , she bursts into laughter. The guy goes through the metal detector and I swear the guy on the other side almost puked. No one in the line would go in after him until he collected everything and put his boots on. I have worked with some nasty stuff in my life and walked by many homeless people that were less malodorous as this guy!
Everyone here should say a BIG thank you to TSA and their shoe circus, remember this the next time you walk thru the checkpoint in your bare or stocking feet after someone like Mr Stinky.
Programs: AA PLT, HH Gold, TSA Disparager Gold, going for Platnium
Posts: 1,430
Quote:
Originally Posted by n4zhg
As a volunteer in EMS I get to encounter a lot of those smells. Thank God for Vic's Vapor Rub! Just a dab in the mustache works wonders. It's why we call it "Vitamin V".
Oh so true Im not gonna post examples of worse cause I don't think some here could handle it. There's some Vicks on the box and a small container in my bag. Between citrace, and a all natural biological odor eliminator it's taken care of in the stink department. If all else fails there's a scba.
Oh so true Im not gonna post examples of worse cause I don't think some here could handle it. There's some Vicks on the box and a small container in my bag. Between citrace, and a all natural biological odor eliminator it's taken care of in the stink department. If all else fails there's an SCBA.
I'm EMS only in my department, so I'm not pack qualified. And N95's do nothing about the smell.
, she bursts into laughter. The guy goes through the metal detector and I swear the guy on the other side almost puked. No one in the line would go in after him until he collected everything and put his boots on. I have worked with some nasty stuff in my life and walked by many homeless people that were less malodorous as this guy!
