Dr. gives medical assistance in-flight; any airline compensation?
Nov 30, 2017, 9:23 pm
#182
Join Date: Mar 2014
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Initially, when I several years ago offered medical assistance to a passenger on an AC flight - I did not expect any compensation. But I was asked to sign a form - choosing between 10,000 Aeroplan status miles or 15,000 non-status miles. I chose the status miles. A few years later, again the compensation was offered, In both cases, I chose the Aeroplan status miles.
Two or three years ago, again medical assistance. No compensation offered on the flight, or later one.
Last week, coming back on a flight from Delhi to Toronto - this time I was asked to help a flight attendant deal with her medical issues.. No compensation offered on the flight.
When I first started out on AC - I expected no compensation. But after at least these 2 instances of compensation being offered in the plane- I learned to expect compensation on the plane.
Now I have the next 2 instances there was no compensation being offered at least on the plane- The question is what is AC's current policy on thanking a physician for medical assistance provided in a plane in-flight.
Two or three years ago, again medical assistance. No compensation offered on the flight, or later one.
Last week, coming back on a flight from Delhi to Toronto - this time I was asked to help a flight attendant deal with her medical issues.. No compensation offered on the flight.
When I first started out on AC - I expected no compensation. But after at least these 2 instances of compensation being offered in the plane- I learned to expect compensation on the plane.
Now I have the next 2 instances there was no compensation being offered at least on the plane- The question is what is AC's current policy on thanking a physician for medical assistance provided in a plane in-flight.
A doctor friend of mine posted on Facebook that she got aeroplan miles this past year for assisting on a flight.
Dec 1, 2017, 1:24 am
#183
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. The only Canadian-educated doctors who come out with master's degrees as part of their regular training are those who studied at McGill, and that's in addition to their MD (MD, CM)
Dec 1, 2017, 1:31 am
#184
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If you're not being paid, you should not be expected to do what you have spent many years learning how to do. If you choose to, fine. But if the choices are "I inconvenience myself, or AC diverts and inconveniences me", I don't see why I should make it easy for them. You've already screwed me.
Or what if I don't have insurance?
These situations have two outcomes.
1. A doctor helps
2. The plane diverts
The cost, to AC, of the second option, is astronomical. I'm constantly amazed with how AC (and many other "similar" organizations) compensate in these matters. "Oh you saved us $250k, here's a $50 gift card".
Dec 1, 2017, 5:10 am
#185
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These situations have two outcomes.
1. A doctor helps
2. The plane diverts
The cost, to AC, of the second option, is astronomical. I'm constantly amazed with how AC (and many other "similar" organizations) compensate in these matters. "Oh you saved us $250k, here's a $50 gift card".
1. A doctor helps
2. The plane diverts
The cost, to AC, of the second option, is astronomical. I'm constantly amazed with how AC (and many other "similar" organizations) compensate in these matters. "Oh you saved us $250k, here's a $50 gift card".
Just because a Dr. isn't conveniently available, that doesn't mean the illness was determined to be serious enough to divert, does it?
Dec 1, 2017, 8:59 am
#187
Join Date: Jan 2016
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Whenever I’ve heard the announcement it tends to be “Is there a medical doctor on board”.
I personally know one who has been bumped up to J/F (on a UK TPAC at that) for assisting on aircraft before. Both her and husband got the upgrade. It wasn’t AC but thought it relevant.
If the doctor doesn’t wish to assist for whatever reason, they can simply not make themselves known to the flight crew. In my above case, being treated well almost guarantees a repeat. Helps if the front cabin(s) have space of course.
I personally know one who has been bumped up to J/F (on a UK TPAC at that) for assisting on aircraft before. Both her and husband got the upgrade. It wasn’t AC but thought it relevant.
If the doctor doesn’t wish to assist for whatever reason, they can simply not make themselves known to the flight crew. In my above case, being treated well almost guarantees a repeat. Helps if the front cabin(s) have space of course.
Dec 1, 2017, 9:11 am
#188
Join Date: May 2012
Posts: 492
I have helped on a number of occasions - even if sometimes people try to pull me aside on the grounds they have St John’s training😊. Always managed to resuscitate though often just dehydration or anxiety. I would hope all would step up irrespective of compensation. BA sent me a large bunch of flowers and chocs and filled my carry on with bottles (mini) of champagne. AC used to send unasked a free ticket anywhere (still have as who has time to!), then started to give 10k qualifying points and now send a discount coupon. Which is over and above what’s needed, but it’s a nice gesture as sometimes have injured myself carrying passengers down narrow aisles or spent hours crouched in the galley. Hopefully if I am ill someone will come to my aid!
Dec 1, 2017, 9:24 am
#189
Join Date: Apr 2003
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Legally, yes. Morally and ethically... well, look around you in society and make a decision on that one.
Once again, it is a call for volunteers. Being voluntold isn't the same thing.
I also had one of my colleagues who trained in the States tell me that if you accept "anything" in compensation even as immaterial as a drink, then the "good Samaritan" legal protection goes out the door. That is the good ol' USA !
Once again, it is a call for volunteers. Being voluntold isn't the same thing.
I also had one of my colleagues who trained in the States tell me that if you accept "anything" in compensation even as immaterial as a drink, then the "good Samaritan" legal protection goes out the door. That is the good ol' USA !
Last edited by xray; Dec 1, 2017 at 9:32 am
Dec 1, 2017, 9:36 am
#190
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That case was crazy... the poor guy helped and then wanted to enjoy the rest of his flight. Another person took over and the FA still insisted that the first guy become responsible for the treatment of the patient. It was ridiculous. When he asked AC for compensation for not being in his J seat for most of the flight, they told him to go fly a kite. That's my recollection of the case.
Dec 1, 2017, 1:59 pm
#191
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I understand that it won't always work, but I still wonder if there is a process to bill Health Care, when it is a Canadian resident.
Just because a Dr. isn't conveniently available, that doesn't mean the illness was determined to be serious enough to divert, does it?
Just because a Dr. isn't conveniently available, that doesn't mean the illness was determined to be serious enough to divert, does it?
Mar 3, 2018, 7:22 pm
#192
Join Date: Nov 2013
Location: YTZ
Posts: 502
Saw an interesting article in CMAJ about in flight emergencies. Included was a video going over what’s included in the Air Canada med kit. Was very surprised by some of the contents in it!
?Is there a doctor on board??: Practical recommendations for managing in-flight medical emergencies | CMAJ
still kicking myself for not attending the CME hosted by air canada a few years ago.
?Is there a doctor on board??: Practical recommendations for managing in-flight medical emergencies | CMAJ
still kicking myself for not attending the CME hosted by air canada a few years ago.
Mar 4, 2018, 5:43 am
#193
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My wife is an emergency nurse and, the first time she saw the kit, she was also quite surprised. Some of the kit was a bit dated (not at all out of date, but a couple of years behind what would be common in a Canadian ER) but it was of high quality and there was a lot of stuff in there she didn't expect to see.
Mar 4, 2018, 5:46 am
#194
Join Date: Feb 2012
Programs: AC*75K
Posts: 97
The article is spot on about potential issues in flight. Your stethoscope is near useless because of the cabin noise.
I always wondered if an electronic one (https://www.littmann.ca/3M/en_CA/lit...-27-in-69-cm-/) would alleviate the problem. $400+ is an expensive item to have on board compared to the $20 stethoscope that is there but could result in better outcomes and maybe save a diversion or two. With the cost of a diversion as high as $900k, it could be a no-brainer.
I always wondered if an electronic one (https://www.littmann.ca/3M/en_CA/lit...-27-in-69-cm-/) would alleviate the problem. $400+ is an expensive item to have on board compared to the $20 stethoscope that is there but could result in better outcomes and maybe save a diversion or two. With the cost of a diversion as high as $900k, it could be a no-brainer.