AA950 flying germ warfare lab. My worst nightmare.
Feb 27, 2012, 7:35 pm
#46
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: Madison WI
Programs: AA Lifetime PLT - 2.9MM, Lifetime AC, HHonors Gold, Marriott Gold, IHG Plat Amb, Hertz Precs Crcl
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6(c) says "Have a communicable disease that has been determined by a federal public health authority to be transmissible to other persons in the normal course of flight,"
Seems like slightly different criteria. And in any event - the section speaks to AA's rights to refuse to accept the passenger. I still do not see where there is a prohibition in the CoC for the PAX to try. And perhaps the PAX needs to try. With expensive INTL tix, as others have pointed out, AA is often not too understanding about you wanting to change your flight for illness. But if they refuse you, I suspect they are liable to rebook you when the condition is lifted. I say suspect, because of (2) which referred to weather or other conditions - and they do routinely re-accommodate for that...
Feb 27, 2012, 7:37 pm
#47
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: ORD-JFK-EZE-MAD
Programs: AA LT PLT 4mm / Free Agent / GE / Secret Handshake
Posts: 854
--J
Last edited by JDiver; Feb 27, 2012 at 10:07 pm Reason: deleted excessively personal comment
Feb 27, 2012, 8:13 pm
#48
Join Date: May 2008
Location: San Francisco, where else?
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Posts: 991
First no hot towels, next you'll tell me to stop licking the arm rest when I first sit down.
Feb 27, 2012, 8:51 pm
#49
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: Hotlanta.
Programs: I've gone underground!
Posts: 4,612
My worst flight nightmare is...
Being stuck on the tarmac penalty box for 3+ hours with the engines shut down waiting for the thunderstorms overhead to clear while sitting in the back of the plane between two sweaty morbidly obese people who haven't showered in days.
Makes germs in J sound downright pleasant.
Makes germs in J sound downright pleasant.
Feb 27, 2012, 8:59 pm
#50
Join Date: Oct 2003
Location: Traveling the World
Posts: 6,075
The flight attendant did not respond well
I think the flight attendant should have went to the captain and told him the situation and then have medics board the flight to make sure this passenger was suitable to fly. If I was the captain I would have headed back to the gate in err of caution.
If the passenger was deemed fit to fly I would have found a crew rest area away from other passengers just in case there was doubt of him being contagious.
You did well by washing your hands using purell(Which I do) and your CPAP machine and by contacting your Dr.
I would write AA your story and see if they will give you something since you could really not enjoy the experience.
I am sure AA knew of your medical condition. If you were more persistent with the Flight attendant about how this passenger could have a strain of the flu that may be different from America or had another sickness that could be worse.
If I was so sick I would not want to fly.
In fact I have my yearly flu shot for cases like this and I feel it has cut my colds down to 1-2 a year(not severe). I also have my H1N1 vaccine, Hephaestus A/B and Meningitis .
If the passenger was deemed fit to fly I would have found a crew rest area away from other passengers just in case there was doubt of him being contagious.
You did well by washing your hands using purell(Which I do) and your CPAP machine and by contacting your Dr.
I would write AA your story and see if they will give you something since you could really not enjoy the experience.
I am sure AA knew of your medical condition. If you were more persistent with the Flight attendant about how this passenger could have a strain of the flu that may be different from America or had another sickness that could be worse.
If I was so sick I would not want to fly.
In fact I have my yearly flu shot for cases like this and I feel it has cut my colds down to 1-2 a year(not severe). I also have my H1N1 vaccine, Hephaestus A/B and Meningitis .
Feb 27, 2012, 9:02 pm
#51
FlyerTalk Evangelist
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And the humor keeps rolling on.
I liked the part about "write AA your story" and see if they will give you something. Classic
The "strain of flu that is different from America" part is amusing as well.
I'm glad to see people injecting humor
Cheers.
I liked the part about "write AA your story" and see if they will give you something. Classic
The "strain of flu that is different from America" part is amusing as well.
I'm glad to see people injecting humor
Cheers.
Last edited by brp; Feb 27, 2012 at 9:19 pm
Feb 27, 2012, 9:16 pm
#52
Join Date: Aug 2001
Location: Plano, Texas, USA
Programs: AA PPro, Hilton Gold, Lindy Award Winner (2013)
Posts: 503
Unreal...
I rushed home from work, ate quickly, and ran to my office to keep track of this dilemma.
Now I feel sick and feel that AA should reimburse me in some fashion since they should have stopped this from ever happening.
I rushed home from work, ate quickly, and ran to my office to keep track of this dilemma.
Now I feel sick and feel that AA should reimburse me in some fashion since they should have stopped this from ever happening.
Feb 27, 2012, 9:20 pm
#53
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: AUS TUS
Programs: AA PLT, UA GLD
Posts: 993
in err of caution, I expect the pilot order everyone on board be quarantined for a month.
Feb 27, 2012, 9:28 pm
#54
Original Member, Ambassador: OneWorld Alliance
Join Date: May 1998
Location: Austin, TX, USA
Programs: AA ExecPlat & 3MM; Marriott Titanium
Posts: 1,015
This does explain a great deal
by the responses above, clearly not.
In reality, by taking Tamiflu without being sick, you probably increased the chances of getting flu more than by seating next to him for the whole flight.
by the responses above, clearly not.
In reality, by taking Tamiflu without being sick, you probably increased the chances of getting flu more than by seating next to him for the whole flight.
Feb 27, 2012, 9:35 pm
#55
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: LAX
Posts: 380
This post just reminded me of the lawyer guy who flew into the US from his overseas honeymoon knowing full well that he was carrying active resistant strain of TB just because he didn't want to cough up the extra dough for a private chartered plane.
I'm sure the passengers around him in the flight were indeed pleased to learn about the incident.
I'm sure the passengers around him in the flight were indeed pleased to learn about the incident.
Feb 27, 2012, 9:52 pm
#56
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As to the zombie walker who considerately chose to take his flight while suffering the symptoms of plague, a pox upon you sir. You didn't succeed in infecting me, but I'm sure you got a few people on that flight. And it's not only inconsiderate or downright rude, it's a life-threatening disease to some. So next time, stay home and skip the trip.
I picked up a nasty flu while in Hong Kong in late 2007. Hospitalization there would have been excessive as a healthy young adult with a moderate fever and it was not serious enough for my travel medical insurance to get invoked; without using travel insurance, the out of pocket cost (hotel and airline change fee) to stay a couple more days to let it run its course would have been excessive.
As for me, I've learned my lesson. Two isolation facemasks are now added to my travel kit. They don't pack much bulk and just might save me next time.
Feb 27, 2012, 9:54 pm
#57
Join Date: Nov 2011
Posts: 691
This is exactly what travel insurance is for.
Feb 27, 2012, 9:56 pm
#58
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: Indianapolis, IN USA
Posts: 2,066
Saw "Shawn of the Dead" last night - good timing for your post. What a great thread.
The PAX seated next to me appeared to be somewhere between Contagion and Night of the Living Dead. He's an obvious flu case: ill-looking, ague, coughing, sweaty, febrile. The guy looks like hell.
.
.
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It doesn't help I'm a germaphobe to begin with -- but I think anyone would be concerned here.
.
.
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It doesn't help I'm a germaphobe to begin with -- but I think anyone would be concerned here.
Feb 27, 2012, 10:10 pm
#59
Moderator: American AAdvantage
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This is about a flight on AA, and the OP. Mostly, it has been on topic, with some tongue in cheek, humor, etc. Excessively personal comments with ad hominem and attacks on the OP have been deleted, will continue to be deleted, and when egregiously offensive may also lead to catching some FT disciplinary disease leading to temporary absences. 
Thanks for keeping it respectful... /Moderator
Thanks for keeping it respectful... /Moderator
Feb 27, 2012, 10:13 pm
#60
Suspended
Join Date: Dec 2009
Posts: 3,816
AA 950 from GRU-JFK two weeks ago. Seated in 8H. For those unfamiliar with the 777 layout, the 8H/J pair of seats surrounded on three sides by obstructions: wall of the aircraft to the right, bulkhead in front, and closet to the left (across the aisle). So I like the seats in that they are a bit isolated and the galley/lav noise has never been an issue.
Except on this flight last week. The PAX seated next to me appeared to be somewhere between Contagion and Night of the Living Dead. He's an obvious flu case: ill-looking, ague, coughing, sweaty, febrile. The guy looks like hell.
Now this is my worst nightmare. Crammed into a metal cigar tube, hemmed in on three sides by structure, and 18" away from a living virus factory. It doesn't help I'm a germaphobe to begin with -- but I think anyone would be concerned here. I took a flu shot, but I know the immunity is limited and who knows if this is some Brazilian strain not covered in that year's vaccine as always seems to happen.
Ring FA call button. FA comes over. I talk to her a few feet away. I need to change seats. FA informs me J and F are full and she doesn't even think there's anything in Y. I said ask a Y PAX if they want to trade for a J seat. She refuses. I want to go back myself and start asking people to trade but we're now pushing back and I'm shooed into my seat. So I'm stuck.
And the coughing - sweating - germ spreading guy next to me kicks back and passes out. I take out my lysol wipes. Swab down everything in sight. Station the Purell on my armrest. Sit there, terrified. Don't eat anything for fear of airborne virus particles getting in the food. Don't drink out of glasses for the same reason. The only thing I can manage to do is sip water furtively out of my issued bottle, quickly capping and uncapping it.
One lucky break though. I'm a CPAP user, and use it on overnight flights. (FYI, a CPAP is a cantaloupe-sized device that delivers pressurized air to me through a hose/mask while I sleep to help keep my airways open.) I'm able to put the CPAP machine all the way behind me since it has a six foot hose, closest to the (hopefully) less germ laden air in the cabin. The CPAP also (thankfully) has a HEPA filter, so hopefully it's pulling out all the bad germs. So with CPAP on, and a blanket over my head, I spend most of the flight cowered under cover and breathing remotely.
Long story short, got to NY. Immediately called my doctor's after hours number and got a Tamiflu prescription. Took that and some extra C and D vitamins and I seem to be OK.
As to the zombie walker who considerately chose to take his flight while suffering the symptoms of plague, a pox upon you sir. You didn't succeed in infecting me, but I'm sure you got a few people on that flight. And it's not only inconsiderate or downright rude, it's a life-threatening disease to some. So next time, stay home and skip the trip.
As for me, I've learned my lesson. Two isolation facemasks are now added to my travel kit. They don't pack much bulk and just might save me next time.
Except on this flight last week. The PAX seated next to me appeared to be somewhere between Contagion and Night of the Living Dead. He's an obvious flu case: ill-looking, ague, coughing, sweaty, febrile. The guy looks like hell.
Now this is my worst nightmare. Crammed into a metal cigar tube, hemmed in on three sides by structure, and 18" away from a living virus factory. It doesn't help I'm a germaphobe to begin with -- but I think anyone would be concerned here. I took a flu shot, but I know the immunity is limited and who knows if this is some Brazilian strain not covered in that year's vaccine as always seems to happen.
Ring FA call button. FA comes over. I talk to her a few feet away. I need to change seats. FA informs me J and F are full and she doesn't even think there's anything in Y. I said ask a Y PAX if they want to trade for a J seat. She refuses. I want to go back myself and start asking people to trade but we're now pushing back and I'm shooed into my seat. So I'm stuck.
And the coughing - sweating - germ spreading guy next to me kicks back and passes out. I take out my lysol wipes. Swab down everything in sight. Station the Purell on my armrest. Sit there, terrified. Don't eat anything for fear of airborne virus particles getting in the food. Don't drink out of glasses for the same reason. The only thing I can manage to do is sip water furtively out of my issued bottle, quickly capping and uncapping it.
One lucky break though. I'm a CPAP user, and use it on overnight flights. (FYI, a CPAP is a cantaloupe-sized device that delivers pressurized air to me through a hose/mask while I sleep to help keep my airways open.) I'm able to put the CPAP machine all the way behind me since it has a six foot hose, closest to the (hopefully) less germ laden air in the cabin. The CPAP also (thankfully) has a HEPA filter, so hopefully it's pulling out all the bad germs. So with CPAP on, and a blanket over my head, I spend most of the flight cowered under cover and breathing remotely.
Long story short, got to NY. Immediately called my doctor's after hours number and got a Tamiflu prescription. Took that and some extra C and D vitamins and I seem to be OK.
As to the zombie walker who considerately chose to take his flight while suffering the symptoms of plague, a pox upon you sir. You didn't succeed in infecting me, but I'm sure you got a few people on that flight. And it's not only inconsiderate or downright rude, it's a life-threatening disease to some. So next time, stay home and skip the trip.
As for me, I've learned my lesson. Two isolation facemasks are now added to my travel kit. They don't pack much bulk and just might save me next time.