UA procedures to determine if a sick passenger is fit to travel?
#32
Join Date: Aug 2012
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Norovirus, which is often inaccurately described as 'stomach flu' on the other hand...
I've also had a 15 minute departure delay already this year for biohazard clean up (GA said 'a passenger got sick') so there are other factors to think of. Had me hoping that I didn't discover the cover on my seat had been recently replaced.
I've also had a 15 minute departure delay already this year for biohazard clean up (GA said 'a passenger got sick') so there are other factors to think of. Had me hoping that I didn't discover the cover on my seat had been recently replaced.
#33
Join Date: Sep 2013
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#34
Join Date: Nov 2007
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I've had the Norovirus many years ago on a work trip. Not fun at all.... I chose to hide the symptoms to the best of my ability and fly home the next day, and in hindsight I was beyond a jerk and was wrong to do so exposing other people to what I had. If and when this ever happens again, I'll add a few nights to my trip and stay in the hotel.
That said, I had a flight last year, COS-DEN early in the morning. The person in question was simply one that doesn't deal well with small airplanes, but the FA was convinced that she was hungover. Her colleagues kept saying she doesn't drink, but the FA asked the Captain to visit with her as well before we departed. I was close enough to both smell her breath and observe her before we boarded and now next to each other. She exhibited the same behavior as my MIL. The FA overreacted IMO, and thankfully the Captain agreed that she was fine. Yes, she did get sick during the short flight, but it wasn't some drunken state or illness, she has a fear of flying that gets the best of her at times.
That said, I had a flight last year, COS-DEN early in the morning. The person in question was simply one that doesn't deal well with small airplanes, but the FA was convinced that she was hungover. Her colleagues kept saying she doesn't drink, but the FA asked the Captain to visit with her as well before we departed. I was close enough to both smell her breath and observe her before we boarded and now next to each other. She exhibited the same behavior as my MIL. The FA overreacted IMO, and thankfully the Captain agreed that she was fine. Yes, she did get sick during the short flight, but it wasn't some drunken state or illness, she has a fear of flying that gets the best of her at times.
#35
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Join Date: Oct 2006
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I actually looked this up because I found your post interesting, every single link I looked at showed nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea as a symptom of Viral Gastroenteritis aka “stomach flu” whereas influenza doesn’t usually include vomiting. So what was the point of your post? we’re you playing semantics here?
What went from a legitimate question turned into a debate like everything usually does on this board.
For or those of you that answered my question, thank you
What went from a legitimate question turned into a debate like everything usually does on this board.
For or those of you that answered my question, thank you
#36
Join Date: Jun 2012
Location: YYT
Programs: AC P25
Posts: 269
Look, it’s scary to think you’re in an enclosed space with potentially infectious people. I get it. But freaking out and banning everyone with VERY COMMON MEDICAL SYMPTOMS is unrealistic, extremely over reactive, and just plain illogical.
Diarrhea can be cholera. Usually it’s not. We don’t ban all people with diarrhea from getting on planes.
Coughing can be tuberculosis. Usually it’s not. We don’t ban all people with a cough from getting on planes.
A skin rash can be any number of infectious diseases. Usually it’s not. We don’t ban all people with pimples or red spots from airplanes.
Glad the crew reacted properly in this case and followed procedure.
Last edited by WineCountryUA; Apr 4, 2019 at 2:13 pm Reason: Let's keep the discussion civil
#37
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Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: EWR
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So a lady vomits. Clearly she is dangerous and infectious and must be quarantined immediately... I mean, she VOMITED! That, like, never happens!
Look, it’s scary to think you’re in an enclosed space with potentially infectious people. I get it. But freaking out and banning everyone with VERY COMMON MEDICAL SYMPTOMS is unrealistic, extremely over reactive, and just plain illogical.
Diarrhea can be cholera. Usually it’s not. We don’t ban all people with diarrhea from getting on planes.
Coughing can be tuberculosis. Usually it’s not. We don’t ban all people with a cough from getting on planes.
A skin rash can be any number of infectious diseases. Usually it’s not. We don’t ban all people with pimples or red spots from airplanes.
Glad the crew reacted properly in this case and followed procedure.
Look, it’s scary to think you’re in an enclosed space with potentially infectious people. I get it. But freaking out and banning everyone with VERY COMMON MEDICAL SYMPTOMS is unrealistic, extremely over reactive, and just plain illogical.
Diarrhea can be cholera. Usually it’s not. We don’t ban all people with diarrhea from getting on planes.
Coughing can be tuberculosis. Usually it’s not. We don’t ban all people with a cough from getting on planes.
A skin rash can be any number of infectious diseases. Usually it’s not. We don’t ban all people with pimples or red spots from airplanes.
Glad the crew reacted properly in this case and followed procedure.
Last edited by WineCountryUA; Apr 4, 2019 at 2:14 pm Reason: discuss the issue, not the poster(s)
#38
Join Date: Jun 2012
Location: YYT
Programs: AC P25
Posts: 269
What I’m saying is there are procedures to follow, it sounds like they were followed, and it’s not up to you to “still suggest he (captain) get up and make an evaluation” or make any other suggestions other than notifying an FA if you see an ill passenger requiring help. In this situation that wasn’t required as the crew was aware and the passenger wasn't being denied any requested help - therefore your part is over. Just stay out of it! And let the crew follow the procedures that have been outlined to you, but you still aren’t satisfied with because of your medical interpretations.
Last edited by WineCountryUA; Apr 4, 2019 at 2:10 pm Reason: discuss the issue, not the poster(s)
#39
Join Date: Nov 2014
Location: USA
Programs: UA Gold, Marriott Gold
Posts: 1,195
Or Morning Sickness? Since you said "girl". hmm
https://americanpregnancy.org/pregna...is-gravidarum/
https://americanpregnancy.org/pregna...is-gravidarum/
I have flown with a persistent cough. I try to keep it to myself and ingested cough drops by bagfull. Come to find out months later that it was a combination of medical conditions, neither of which were communicable.
Alternatively, when I had the shingles, my doctor quarantined me and told me she might have to cancel my travel plans for Christmas if I didn't meet CDC guidelines before travel.
IMO, it's on the passenger and his/her doctor to determine if s/he can travel. The FAs have a lot to do already.
#40
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When it comes to my health and safety, I want to be certain. If the FA sys she's notified the Captain and the Captain has given the all-clear (presumably after checking with MedLink) that is fine. But, I don't want to be the person who later finds out that everyone ignored the issue and that the FA's just chalked it up to something benign (not contagious).
#41
Join Date: Sep 2014
Posts: 2,531
I actually looked this up because I found your post interesting, every single link I looked at showed nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea as a symptom of Viral Gastroenteritis aka “stomach flu” whereas influenza doesn’t usually include vomiting. So what was the point of your post? we’re you playing semantics here?
My point was that your medical speculation was vague and sloppy. If you don't know the symptoms of the flu, it isn't productive to speculate whether someone has it.
What went from a legitimate question turned into a debate like everything usually does on this board.
#42
Join Date: Jun 2012
Location: YYT
Programs: AC P25
Posts: 269
When it comes to my health and safety, I want to be certain. If the FA sys she's notified the Captain and the Captain has given the all-clear (presumably after checking with MedLink) that is fine. But, I don't want to be the person who later finds out that everyone ignored the issue and that the FA's just chalked it up to something benign (not contagious).
Last edited by WineCountryUA; Apr 4, 2019 at 2:16 pm Reason: discuss the issue, not the poster(s)
#43
Join Date: Oct 2003
Location: Traveling the World
Posts: 6,072
If the passenger is too sick to travel then why did the gate agent even allow the passenger to board in the first place? To me it s irresponsible to allow a very sick passenger who is too sick to fly. I think airlines could have waivers whereby if the Passenger is proactive and seeks medical care up to 24 hours after departure they will get their change fees waived and be price protected for a future flight. Considerate passengers would save everyone from catching their communicable disease and would cut down on crew and passenger illness. Heck if I knew the airline would put me on a new flight for little to no additional cost for being proactive I would definitely do so. Why should I be a burden to a medical emergency or cost the airline a lot for a diversion.
It costs less to deny a passenger and have them seek medical care and rebook them than to divert a flight possibly delaying the hundreds of passengers if the destination has a landing curfew.
It costs less to deny a passenger and have them seek medical care and rebook them than to divert a flight possibly delaying the hundreds of passengers if the destination has a landing curfew.
#44
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The interaction of passenger and GA is about 5 seconds -- The passenger may be able to buff it for those 5 seconds. The passenger is there because they want to board and know that they need to get past the GA.
#45
Join Date: Sep 2014
Posts: 2,531
Doesn't seem like the passenger in this story was "too sick to travel". In fact, she traveled successfully, no indication that she was contagious, no indication she was worse off in the plane than she would have been sitting in the airport, no indication her condition was in danger of worsening.
The vomiting was unpleasant for those around her....but you know the airline puts vomit bags in every seatback pocket because they expect people will be vomiting, right?
The vomiting was unpleasant for those around her....but you know the airline puts vomit bags in every seatback pocket because they expect people will be vomiting, right?