Sick seatmates
 

What do you do when you end up seated next to someone who is obviously sick?

When I got to my seat last week, the lady who was sitting beside me had taken both our blankets and pillows and was "cocooned" in them. She was sniffling quite loudly so I didn't want the blanket and pillow back. Throughout the whole flight she was wheezing, coughing, sneezing and hacking. Of course, she ordered alcoholic drinks throughout the flight as if this would help her cold/flu. I just tried to stay out of her coughing/sneezing range for the whole flight. What else could I have done?

According to information provided in Dr. Abby, you may request another seat; and the flight attendants are supposed to honor that request, even if the flight is full.

I always try a two-pronged attack:

1. I call the most senior steward(ess) over and say that the passenger next to me is clearly not well, and I think it would be better for THEM if they had some extra space to stretch out in.

If that doesn't get me moved, I say:

2. That I am extremely under the weather myself, and worried that I may catch something, is it possible for me to have some paracetamol (or any other kind of medicine you know they stock on the plane) IF they are unable to move me.

That virtually always does the trick, I assure you. The trouble to the steward(ess) in getting you some medicine and filling out all the forms and getting a colleague to so-sign the forms and getting your address etc etc. is alot more than moving you (even if it means an upgrade!).

[I use the same argument for my other pet hate in the sky - being sat next to 'unaccompanied minors'!! "I can see the sky..." "very nice." "What does this button do?" "I don't know" light-on.... light-off... light-on... light-off... seat-reclined... seat-vertical... seat-reclined... seat-vertical... "Have we taken off yet?" "NO!".
Don't even get me talking about why they give children chocolate bars on planes. You know the little darlings will drop the bar in your lap at some point during the flight]
MF

This is not very nice of me... but when I
talk to a live person when making air reservations I ask that I not be seated next
to young children. Especially on business
trips. It's tough to do work on the plane
with some children (NOT ALL) jumping around
or screaming or crying.

I include that request as part of my airline
profile. Assume it's being honored because
only once recently I was seated next to a
little girl who spent the whole flight reading Charlotte's Web and looking out the
window. CATMAN

I actually find teenagers more annoying to sit near than smaller children - ten-year-olds can be intimidated into good behaviour...

One of the most annoying flights I've been on was a transatlantic trip where the ~16 year old girl behind me kept kicking the back of my seat despite repeated requests not to.

Still - being of the 'spare the rod and spoil the child' school, there are definitely some children who belong in the cargo hold. Parents who don't keep their kids under control make me see red, as do families where both parents are travelling with several small children and the husband ignores everything they do, leaving his wife trying to deal with it all - not fair when you have a hungry crying baby and a couple of toddlers running riot in the aisles.

UMs can be told off without fear of reprisals from their parents!

If you are sick you should:
1) Not fly. In the winter (cold and flu) season, there are more germs being recycled through an aircraft than you'll ever find in your typical pediatric sick ward. Besides, the pressure changes wreak havoc on your sinuses.
2) Take enough decongestant/Nyquil that you are not annoying to those around you.

As for the kids, I actually enjoy sitting next to UMs on flights! Their enthusiasm and excitement (and even nervousness)reminds me of a time when air travel used to be something special for me, too.

Speaking of children...I think it comes under a broader subject...people with NO manners. I have yet to figure out how the airline can make people have good manners. If you are flying on a buddy pass, the airline gives you a detailed list of acceptable attire and manners...maybe they should do the same for everyone??? *s*

Bad manners...my pet peeves:

The parent that lets there young child climb all over the seats or does nothing when their child constantly yells and kicks.

A person trying to hold a baby when all seats are full...I feel a little sorry for them - they can't even put their tray down. There really is not enough room in coach for two people to occupy one seat.

The people that cough and sneeze without covering their nose/mouth.

Drunks!

People who make lots of noise...talking really loud, snoring(guess it's not their fault), hand held video games, ..and any flight into Las Vegas is bound to have a few who shuffle their cards the entire flight - snuffle that shuffle!

People who wear absolutely inappropriate clothing...one guy I was sitting near was in a very loose tank top...the kind people use in wrestling matches and leaves your entire chest almost completely exposed...he sure did have hairy underarms ..yuck :/

People who, while either bordering or deplaning, hold up the whole line why they place/retrieve items in the overhead bin.

People that put their feet up on the wall, put there shoes on the seats, or smack and blow bubbles with their gum..didn't these people learn not to do this -- when they were in the 1st grade?

People who smell...the worst offenders are usually women who put way to much perfume on; or men who where too much cologne in hopes nobody will realize that they take only 2 showers a year whether they need it or not.

One thing that would be a nice perk for elite member flyers...if the flight is 80 or 90% full in coach, make sure the elites get the empty seat next to them. Don't no how many 10-hour flights I have been on that had at least 30 or more empty seats...but none next to me. I know it is luck, but it would be a nice perk..and it wouldn't cost anything! A long flight, or even short one is so much nicer when there is an empty seat next to you. The 767 is great because if you have a side seat with an empty one next to it, that means lots of room + an isle and window. On a 747, I had a row of 3 seats all to myself....I slept so good. On an empty night flight, I would actually rather be in coach than first class.

Overall, drunks are probably the worst because they can become very out of control. I don't think the flight crew should be forced to put up with this. One guy next to me decided that his tray was a good place to upchuck all the alcohol his stomach couldn't hold...yuck yuck!! I know airlines are in a predicament because they don't want to anger future customers, yet they have to keep people in line. How about replacing one of the flight attendants with a FAA officer?...kind of like a police officer in the sky...I think people would respect a uniform officer much more than a airline employee. I think flights need this.

For myself, besides not doing any of itmes I mentioned above, I also make sure my feet never stick out in the isle so that the flight attendants don't have to ask me to move when they pass with a cart. Also, I wear a hat/cap so that the person behind me doesn't have to stare at the back of my head from 6 inches away.

Some things I wonder about:

Did the person before me have head lice...better not put my head back.
On the flight before me, did someone else snuggle up with this blanket & pillow?
Did someone rub their tongue all over the window, or just sneeze and not do a good job cleaning it up?
Do the airlines use sandblasters to make the windows extra scratchy?
Are the flaps back for takeoff? well...they forgot on one flight and didn't get very far...but they did fly long enough to obliterate themselves when they smacked into the ground.

Boy...feels good to get this out...been walking around for years with all of this on my mind. Someone else take it. *s*

Hay were on a roll now...

Justin: I agree with you 100%, have a look at Rudi's latest entry under 'British Airways'.

And congrats on the longest entry I have seen for a long time - isn't it great to get it off your chest?!

Keep going I feel sure you are only saying what the majority of us feel.

Of course if it were up to me, I would have a plane to myself, but for some reason BA have never been keen on that idea.
MF

You'll have to change your name to 'Prince Charles', Merry. Or, better yet - 'Robert Mugabe', 'Laurent Kabila', or any of a dozen others. Perhaps you could buy a small country & set yourself up as president.

There are endless problems in small 'democratic' countries when self-important politicians commandeer the national airlines' planes (without any notice at all) to take them where they want to go. Lots of angry stranded tourists...

The other good thing about commandeering a plane is that you and your retinue generally skip customs entirely, so you can carry as much contraband as you wish - none of that Spice's problem when she failed to declare the ring for her footballer (remember that?) And if you decide that you want to stop off somewhere en route - no problem: your wish is the pilot's command.

When you land they'd roll the red (or blue for you, Merry) carpet right out to the plane for you. And minions would carry you so that your feet wouldn't even have to touch the ground. And there would be dancing, ululating women wearing clothing made of material with your face all over it. Everyone else at the airport would be delayed for at least six hours while a massive motorcade with inept motorcycle cops carries you away, sirens wailing as everyone else in the vicinity has to stop & look respectful.

Sounds better & better. Hmm, where did I put my 'tinpot banana republics for sale' brochure?

More pent-up thoughts to unload about unruly passengers.

Everything I have read in news articles indicates that abusive and violent behavior on commercial flights is on the rise. I have two theories:

#1. I think that full flights is probably the biggest cause. With flights so full, stress is increased...no empty seats, lines at the lavatories, stressed-out flight attendants, can't change seats...small problems seem to multiply when the flight is completely full.

I am lucky...only 5'9", so I can fit in a coach seat, but I feel really bad for those who are too big for the seat...nothing like being cramped to help fuel someone's temper.

So if you like to...

Have your face in the back of someone's head....sit in the row in front of the emergency row.

Not stretch your legs at all...sit in the bulkhead(depends on the plane)...Delta's MD11 I was on...really really cramped!!!

Live a day in the life of a Sardine...sit in the center seat between two people you don't know.

Get to know everyone on board...sit directly across from the lavatories.

#2. When the prices of flights were heavily regulated, it was very expensive to fly; this probably kept the "rift-raft(sp?)" like me *s* from flying very often.


-----------
A pilot commented how people don't wear as nice of clothes...

See #2 above.

Business in the U.S. has generally started accepting more casual attire. I know that Delta will go to a business casual attire for employees and people on buddy passes; before on domestic flights, men had to have a coat and tie.

---------------------------------------------
Maybe a good recession will empty out the flights? ahh, but then I won't have any money to travel :(

Maybe airlines will make the whole cabin 1st class....and not raise ticket prices... maybe pigs will fly?

ok...I got off the subject. Better go before this makes me sick!

Justin... please do not get sick. It is not
worth it. Focus on your family and your
cat and things that give you pleasure in life when the flying gets you down. (Yes, this probably doesn't work... but I try it
when I'm on those unbearable flights!)

This is a Terrific topic... and I have encountered many of the things Justin and
others have gone through.

If I'm sick I just won't go on a plane. It's
the most considerate thing I can do. (I'm
rarely sick, but when I do I'm the most
difficult patient!)

Which brings me to my last flight to Maui,
when I walked ahead of the line to board first. (I was in first and wanted to get my
bag loaded and myself seated.) Some man
snapped loud enough "They are letting anyone in first class these days!" (He probably didn't get his upgrade.)

I was in Hawaiian shirt and shorts, wanted to
wear something "fun" for Maui. Maybe that
was inappropriate attire. But some of the
wild clothes and barely there clothes I have
seen lately in First and business class would
make my cats blush.

There's a book or a movie on this topic waiting to be produced. CATMAN

Hee-hee-hee...

I'm liking your ideas, tin-pot republic huhhh (does that include the UK - how I miss the empire)? That one could be tricky, altough there are a couple of Scottish isles up for grabs at the moment.

But how about - buying a title? 'Lord Merry of Heathrow the first baron of Gatwick' might be quite good?

Now they advertise those in the back of the BA magazine...

Oh, it says you have to be of "impecable character", well that is me out then.


Indulge me now, at this point I think it is opportune to mention one of my other per hates on aircraft - GAWPERS - those people who just have to look what is in the section that is curtained-off.

They drive me mad. What do they expect to see? people with three-heads? lap-dancers? No they see people just like them except thay are not having to play elbow-hockey. So what are they looking at?

And why do they have to try and sneek in the toilets that are clearly for the people who are in the three-head section? Do they think they are carpeted or what?


Ok, I'd done now. Other than to say check out BA's new adverts - cool!
MF

I am ALWAYS sick when I fly (mileage addicted sickness).

Whoa, I didn't know I would start such an avalanche of emotions.

Thanks for the advice on what to do next time I'm sitting next to a sick person. I was in a full first class cabin and coach was full too so there was no where to move. I think that airlines should come up with a shield that I can raise to be protected from "undesireable" seatmates. hehe.

On my flight from LAX to HNL there was a drunk man on the plane and security had to come and remove him. Then the ground crew had to find his luggage and get that off too. I'm just glad they caught him before we took off even if it delayed us for an hour.

Catman,

Overall, I like flying. I was just giving some of my observations and thoughts.

Catman,

I really can't say what is appropriate attire...it would certainly be less than what the airlines require of non-revs, but somewhere, I think there is a limit..I guess if you clothes are clean and they cover a respectable part of the body, that would maybe be a basic minimum...but other than that...don't know.

Flying is rather unique to many other public interactions...with flying on a full flight, you have little power to escape from someone...I think of the movie "Planes, trains, & automobiles" *L*.
In almost any other public place, you have the power to move or leave...maybe we should carry parachutes??

Maybe if I get too uncomfortable on a flight, I will say(while putting on my parachute)"I don't like this flight, so I am outa here.... gggeeeerrrrroooooonnnnnaaaaaaaaaaaaaammmmmmmmmmmmm mmmmoooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo". *s*

On the issue of attire, I am a polo shirt type of guy when I fly (unless it's straight to a meeting with no time to change), but was sneered at recently becasue I was wearing khaki shorts and a t-shirt by an elderly couple across the aisle from me in 1st class. The exact comment was: "I believe that genleman must have snuck up here from steerage" (yes, Merry, he was speaking "English.") It got me thinking about this whole issue and what is appropriate. In the end, though, comfort must rule.

I also noticed a distinct difference in dress (more tank tops, t-shirts, etc) when I met my assistant off of an Airtran flight. I guess they don't call it the Greyhound of the sky for nothing.

BTW, *nothing* in this string (or anywhere else for that matter) will dissuade me from wearing my Goofy hat (WITH teeth and ears attached) on my 1st class flight to Orlando w/ the kids this year (so if you dont like to sit near strangely dressed folks or little kids in 1st class, you better rebook your orlando flight if you see me coming ;-)...

Merry - Wales might do (oh, ****, it's taken), a Scottish isle would be okay, if slightly chilly, but I don't think a title really cuts the mustard any more, particularly as there are moves to dispose of the House of Lords. No, you really need to travel to warmer climes: the former empire is a good starting point. In my experience the respect, pomp & ceremony afforded to important personages is inversely proportional to the geopolitical importance of the place they rule.

On the topic of pet peeves aboard aircraft:
* people who lean heavily on my chairback every time they get up/sit down, usually trapping my hair & pulling it very painfully. This is a good way to wake me up on a long trip: I am guaranteed to be unable to fall asleep again. It's usually people with weak bladders who do this.
* on long flights - the people (often women, middle-aged or otherwise) who vanish into the toilets & have a complete bath, change of clothes, application of make-up and waaaay too much perfume while fifty others are waiting to use the facilities.
* asking for non-smoking and being put one row in front of the smoking section - as if that makes a difference!
* people who pass judgement on others in business/first based on their appearance (this one's for you, Catman) Wearing a suit doesn't mean that you're not an obnoxious person under it. Being young doesn't mean that you've been upgraded/daddy owns the company. Being a woman doesn't mean that you slept with someone to get there.
* people who are convinced that the wheels on their carry-on will work on the plane
* people who talk on those horrible phones FOR THE ENTIRE FLIGHT
* people who are rude to busy flight attendants

Incidentally, Justin, BA do make an effort to make certain that their elite ffs have more space in economy if there is any room to spare. On the HRE-LGW flight where club & first were full (see 'Upgrade tales'), I ended up sharing a 3 seat row with a lady who was also supposed to be in the front of the plane - and I didn't see any other empty seats. The problem that airlines sometimes face with economy is that most ffs like to be near the front in aisle/window, but the middle seats usually fill up from the front backwards, so any empty seats are often found in the very last row.

TropicalFlyer - one more thing you could do, if (as for you) the plane is completely full - if you have the window seat, switch with the sick person next to you, so that they 'have the wall to lean against', but the real aim is that you get to breath the healthier air in the aisle. It's not much, but it's the best you can do.

What are airline policies on allowing ill people to fly, anyway?

Flyertalk is really on the ball with bad language. I used a very mild word, not one I would consider a real curse (along the lines of 'bloody', which I hope they won't censor, but even milder), and there's that string of stars.

Most impressive: definitely a family forum!

Baobab... I'm glad this is a family forum.
As I said, we are a more mature (most of the
time) and educated and sophisticated bunch
to resort to garbage humour.

Justin: If they offer us Parachutes then they should train us how to use them first so we
don't go crashing into the local 7-eleven and end up on CNN Headline News. But happy flying free of annoying passengers to you.
(And I prefer flying to NYC subways... now that's a couldrin (SP?) of the sick and the rude and the wild!)

Tropical Flyer: I should give YOU credit as well for this thought provoking topic. It's worth an article. And may you and all of us be free of sick passengers.

Merry FLyer: a Scottish Isle would be nice,
but I'm invisioning a tropical one off Cairns Australia to set up my own country where the members of FLyerTalk can escape and get quadraple miles and triple points for their hotel program!

Matt Wald: normally I wear polos or go suit/ tie-less and simply put the tie on in the
restroom before landing. But I ignore the
fashion critics. And I tip my various cat hats, my Stetson & my Akuba Aussie hat to your Goofy Hat. I hope you and your family enjoy Disney world (The airline should give you 500 miles for wearing that hat -- it's a
great one! Will get one when I get to Disneyworld -- 26 years and counting since last visit!)

I will be wearing my Red Green Show ball cap
on the Air Canada flight to Toronto Friday.
They'll just have to deal with it! CATMAN

(*For those who must know who RED GREEN is,
E-mail and I'll answer off-line!)

... and those speaking so LOOOUUUUD (with their headsets on) ....

While we are on the subject of pet-peeves...

I recently took a red-eye flight from SEA to DTW and fortunatle was upgraded to F class on the 757. All attempts to get any sleep by anyone in the small first class cabin were futile because one jerk was banging away at his laptop keyboard as hard as he could for the entire duration of the flight. Ocassionally he would start humming as well.

I wanted to pour coffee on his laptop...

Formerly known as Justin...decided to assume the identity of my cat....I'm a catposter.

Sorry...I think it was my post that messed up the margins. Mr. or Mrs. Miles...if you can, delete the last line of the 10/7/98 05:48 post.

Ok, we all have our complaints and nightmare flight stories but I doubt any of you can top this one I gleaned from another website:

1. Rangoon - Bangkok, Burma Air.

When I first tried to get on this flight I was told it was full. I should have immediately sussed then that something was amiss when a few minutes later some seats
miraculously appeared ... for fifteen of us!

Aboard the Fokker it soon became apparent how this miracle occurred. Burma Air had simply bolted in a few extra rows of seats, each with broken fold down tables covered in graffiti. As we taxied onto the runway, our knees under our chins, the unsmiling air
hostess kicked broken armrests under our seats and tossed us a cardboard box with
a complimentary sandwich. As we took off swarms of tiny German cockroaches crawled from between the window and made a jump for the runway. I was tempted to join them.

Sick is really the subject. What about those "sick" people that recline their seat into the open screen of a laptop(in coach or
1st class) and look at you in a torked(that's
Texan for torqued or twisted) way when you attempt to stop the recline. And then explain what you are doing by stopping their effort to make a bed out of a seat in coach or regular 1st class. They should be made to sit in the "loo".

Yeah, the people who recline their seats five seconds after takeoff (whether or not you have a laptop/drink/tray of food in front of you), especially when it's a short daytime flight & no one will be falling asleep anyway... I'm with you Jaws43

Welcome Aubie, the cat formerly known as Justin. (This means my name should be "Murphy-the-black")

MA - did you ask for earplugs on your redeye? The flight attendants should be able to provide some. Perhaps your tormentor belongs in the "loo" too (see Jaws' post)

Let me add to the pet peeves list:

Jaws43's experience reminds me of my first
flight ever on Continental, trapped between
a bunch of hungover college men in coach who
stretched out snored and flirted with the
flight attendants. The big lug in front of me reclined his seat 2 minutes into the flight right on my foot.

One flight attendant responded to my complaints with the remark "Well, if you wanted first class you should have paid for it."

Luckily I did not have any chatty people
on my flights, though the lady with the light
(See below for info) kept talking to her
husband for almost all of the 5 hour SFO to
EWR flight.

I'm leary of most third world airlines. The
Burma Air experience makes me think of UPS's
plan to have weekend charter flights for
passengers (Did that plan ever get off the
ground? I'm curious like my cats!)

Mileage Addict -- what airline were you on
with mr. Keyboard? I had the same guy behind
me on the UA red-eye from SFO to EWR tapping
away and humming. (almost as bad as the woman
in front who kept the light on almost the
whole time of the flight!)

I rarely complain unless all my buttons are
pushed so I had two beers and eventally passed out.

The Flyer formerly known as Justin: A Big
ME-0W for Aubie and let the CAT'S rule!
CATMAN

Justin/Aubie - Just read your post from 10/6 - 5:48 re: pet peeves. Will you marry me???
;)

baobob - Luckily, I was in the aisle seat and I'll tell you it was difficult trying to keep my head facing towards the aisle as much as possible. Try eating a meal this way!

Catman - well, I'll forfeit my book rights on this topic to Rudi when he writes his travel book.

Well, we have said a lot about the problems of flying... now I was scribbling in my
journal and came up with these ideas:

*Limit the alcoholic drinks (ANY drinks,
including wine and beer) to two. That way
there are NO drunken passengers.

*(Don't know if this is legal but:) If a flight attendant notices someone boarding already shows signs of being "buzzed" NO DRINKS! I know this will prevoke some clashes but this will keep the flights relatively quiet.

*Maybe have a section in the plane reserved
for children and their parents. A special
Kid's class where they and their moms and dads get their own movies, entertainment, meals and other fun. The kids then can earn miles in their own frequent flyer programs and trade in points for toys, games, etc.

*IF a passenger is sick, maybe offer them the
option of switching seats with someone in the back who is not so they can have a section to rest. (A row in the back for those feeling
"Under the weather."

Yes, maybe these ideas are wild and unpopular
but maybe they can make the flying experience
a little better. Sorry if they offend anyone in advance.

Any reactions? CATMAN

I understand that some carriers already have a family section. Complete with complimentary use of hand-held video games and toys as well as a G-rated movie if the flight offers a movie.

in this case I want to be in the family section! (if ever having to fly eco)

:))))) I'm going to be married! :)))) *vbs*

How about an airport reception? ;O@

We can have the wedding & reception at the
Continental President's Club & y'all can exceed Catman's 2 drink maximum & above all,
Catman's buying the drinks.

WOW! How we get off the topic! (Just kidding!)

Let me know when you want your wedding reception Aubie. I think they have done these before. (Some people even had cats
at their wedding receptions!)

The president of Continental can serve as
minister.

But Jaws43... How can I buy drinks for ya''ll when I'm not a member of ANY Airline
President's Club? I'm guessing when you
refer to "drinks" you mean Pepsi and Doctor
Pepper. (I hinted to my non-flyer friends
that would be a great Christmas gift!)

YIKES! I"m off the topic! The cat's are
MEOWING! CATMAN

TOPICS, Schmopics, we'll buy them with my 1999 PClub passes. "Don't Sweat the Small Stuff: It's All Small Stuff". Wow, what a great name for a book!

I was stunned to read that there are people here complaining about the passenger in front of them reclining their seat ("into a laptop"). Chances are that was me! I recline that uncomfortable seat the moment I can and keep it reclined as long as I can. That's the small degree of freedom I'm allowed in that ridiculous sardine can and you expect me to sit upright for hours so you can be more comfortable? A passenger has every right to recline that seat and I can't believe there are seasoned travelers here complaining about it!

I recline too, as fast as I am allowed - but
I don't think that that is what my friends here are opposed to.

I think it is the way some people do it - in one fast movement - giving the people behind no chance to adapt.

Rudi... you hit the nail on the head on
the recliner issue (Or the down button on the
seat.)

When I recline, I do it in spirts, to see how
the person behind me reacts. If there's a
problem they will say something and I will
stop.

Quiet Lion (another cat on Flyertalk... great!) I don't think you would simply plop
the chair down on someone else.

Have you also noticed that some of the recliners on planes also don't work (can't
recline down, the foot rest doesn't come up.)

One man in my SFO to EWR had that problem and
simply moved to the seat behind him. I had
a similar problem in an AA flight to DFW
but could not move... completely booked.
CATMAN