How would you handle an adjacent passenger's constant coughing and sneezing?
Flew from LGA to ORD yesterday with a passenger next to me that coughed and sneezed the entire time and never covered his mouth. Cold germs going everywhere! Would you have said anything to him?
I'd try and get reseated. I'd also say something to them. The last time that happened to me, I was standing in the jetway waiting for baggage (UAX) flight with a couple of other passengers. This lady was standing with us, coughing, runny nose (wiping it on her shirt), etc. I asked her if she would be so kind to not stand with the rest of us if she was infected with swine flu. She was offended and gave me a nasty look, but at least walked away. Three other passengers thanked me. I had a cold 4 days later
What can you do, even if you are the one coughing and sneezing? As long as UA charges huge fees to cancel or change an itinerary to another date after your illness, people will fly even when they don't want to, and there is really nothing anyone can do.
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As this is not a topic specific to United or to any one airline, I'll move it to our TravelBuzz forum, with a more descriptive thread title. Ocn Vw 1K, Moderator, United and TravelBuzz forums.
Flew from LGA to ORD yesterday with a passenger next to me that coughed and sneezed the entire time and never covered his mouth. Cold germs going everywhere! Would you have said anything to him?
Offer a tissue paper or two and say "you might need this". Gives them the hint and it make you look like a nice guy. If they refuse, say "those around you, might need you to use this".
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I liken it to the person with 2 carryons who is sneezing and coughing, then because evolution has not given us a 3rd hand, uses his mouth to hold his boarding pass, and then hands it to the GA to scan.
I would say something in your shoes to the person. I do to the people that I encounter who try to spread their sicknesses from all over the world on to me via a BP. "Please hold the boarding pass up so I can see the seat, flight number, date and name, so I can manually enter that you are onboard." If they ask why, I tell them that airports are great vectors for spreading germs from all over the world, and with a pandemic of global proportions, I choose not to handle objects that have body fluids on them.
Sure, I am a bit more polite then that, but no one has said I am rude (at least in regards to this subject) as they almost always realize that they were the ones being rude, and given the diminishing medical provided by many companies, and the sick time policies that will get you terminated fast for using them, they understand.
If you can get reseated, great, if not, explain that you are mysophobic (one with a pathological fear of germs) and given the recent asian bird flu, sars, and H1N1, that you would appreciate it if they tried to be more sanitary. Or you could lie and say that you have a weakened immune system and you can catch things very easily and die. I prefer not to lie, but not everyone prefers this option.
Flew from LGA to ORD yesterday with a passenger next to me that coughed and sneezed the entire time and never covered his mouth. Cold germs going everywhere! Would you have said anything to him?
How would saying anything to the person help the situation? Coughing and sneezing arent exactly controllable urges nor conscious acts.
If there are open seats ask FA for re-accomodation. If there aren't...well... tough tatas.
Yes, I would be grossed out by it, from the superficial expression not from the germs. A little bit wont kill ya
I liken it to the person with 2 carryons who is sneezing and coughing, then because evolution has not given us a 3rd hand, uses his mouth to hold his boarding pass, and then hands it to the GA to scan.
That is revolting, regardless of whether or not the gentleman was ill.
I didn't expect him to quit coughing - just wanted him to cover his mouth so his germs did not spread all over the rows around him. Not sure talking to him would go any good since he also decided he did not have to turn off his electronic devices and kept his cell phone on when it was supposed to be off. Sat there and played games on it as soon as the flight attendant was seated. Then pushed in front of me to get off the plane (I was on the aisle).
You're in a big tin can with no fresh air. Whether you want to or not, you'll be breathing that in. I vote for expecting that to happen and not worrying about it. Just eat well and make sure you get enough sleep. Otherwise, if you're really worried about germs, don't travel. That's the only way around it really.
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This is the reason why I always bring a small pack of tissue papers (100 sheets/pack) exactly for this occasion.. Although it is usually me who's coughing and sneezing, but I always use the tissue paper . Bear in mind, these people do suffer during Take-off and Landing..
__________________ I fly because I want to, and love to
. Bear in mind, these people do suffer during Take-off and Landing..
