Hi there
I flew a Cathay flight from YVR-HKG about 6 weeks ago. I am a young physician and was flying in economy. I was asked to check and help a fellow passenger who was just a bit sick but no emergency. This has happened to me once before where I was given a form to sign but I was given no form here.

From what I hear from colleaugues it is common to be upgraded to Business or First Class as a thank you gesture on your return flight. I called Cathay and this has not been done.

Any suggestions on who I could call or write to ask if this is going to be done on my return flight? Still 6 weeks away.

Thanks

From whom/where did you hear this? I really don't think this is common, I know several doctors who have done similar and I don't think there is any procedure in place as you describe.

So... you're no longer a "student traveller?" Best not to divulge your FT handle when pressed into duty during your future flights.

Maybe next time you should ask the ISM what kind of appreciation offer you will get for helping a fellow passenger. If they decline anything in writing, you should just tell them to find some other physicians onboard. And if there is none, simply quote the fact that this particular passenger may still be in agony if they continue refusing to promise you something tangible like free upgrade, free first class seat, free hotel during your stay in Hong Kong, and make sure not to settle anything less than Peninsula....... Did I mention triple miles and elite status????

Maybe CX believes that the level of appreciation given, or not, is a function of the severity of the illness. The fact that they did not ask you sign a form would lead me to believe they didn't think much of the pax's illness.

However, some way of saying "thanks" to you (box of candy or bottle of Champagne from FC) would have been a nice gesture by the ISM even if they thought the event wasn't worthy of the paperwork.

There was a rather long thread on this topic in Miles Buzz some time back. You might want to do a search. IIRC no airline had a policy of compensation but some doctors did report receiving a letter of appreciaition and at least one was invited to finish his trip in F.

Unbelievable

LOL

I don't want to get into some flame war with your rude reply.
Typical from an American.

At least I dont whine about how I am not made to feel superior because I dont routinely fly in First class.

At least I did my work for free. Alot more than you would ever do.

student traveller,

I will give you a diplomatic answer to your question. For your goodwill guesture, I would contact CX's customer relations in Hong Kong and ask them what the standard procedures are when a doctor or physician such as yourself helps a fellow passenger inflight. I am sure there must a service goodwill guesture offer. However, I am not familiar of any but then again, I am not a doctor or a physician.

Good luck and please let us know what the reply was from CX customer relations.

Have a good trip.

Since you weren't rude I will help. However you have to agree to give me one third of any compensation you get....

Dear student traveller, the question here is how do YOU feel after helping out that passenger? If by passing you saw that that particular passenger needed assistance, would YOU not stop and help because that is what your nature has been trained to do? If you saw someone sick on the bus, would you not do the same? Or would you ask if you'd get a refund first?

Take it as a duty from you as a doctor to have done a kind gesture toward that passenger. I am sure you will be reaping your rewards further down the line.

But then , it wouldn't hurt to write a letter to customer relations department or the local sales office..... casually asking if anyone has heard from that passenger.. as you were the physician who attended to him and the ISM said that he/she would notify you of that passenger's condition and since you have not heard anything, you'd just like to find out before you leave on your next flight...

Please correct me if I am wrong, but may I assume that the young physician is one who does not believe in theHippocratic Oath ?

Say if you saw an ill passenger during a flight, and for compensation, the airline moved you up to First Class, but a couple hours later, that passenger passes away, I guess it is fair for the airline to put you into the cargo hold, along with the cadaver?

Shouldn't the fact that you were able to help a fellow passenger, because of your hard work, skills and knowledge, be more than enough compensation and satisfaction?

GB, very smooth!