Passenger With Coronavirus Dies On United Flight (UA591 MCO-LAX 14 Dec 2020)
Dec 17, 2020, 2:01 pm
#46
Join Date: Jun 2014
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Happens all the time. Obviously intoxicated passenger, vomiting in the waiting area, bizarre behavior, aggressive actions, etc.
My point was that airlines have an obligation to deny boarding when it is obvious and that some people are difficult to assess. In this circumstance, if the passenger was in a wheelchair, ashen, diaphoretic, unstable walking, short of breath, not able to respond to verbal cues, then UA should have denied boarding and has a responsibility to do so.
Reasonable is the word here and not assuming the bottom of the slope is where it'll go.
My point was that airlines have an obligation to deny boarding when it is obvious and that some people are difficult to assess. In this circumstance, if the passenger was in a wheelchair, ashen, diaphoretic, unstable walking, short of breath, not able to respond to verbal cues, then UA should have denied boarding and has a responsibility to do so.
Reasonable is the word here and not assuming the bottom of the slope is where it'll go.
Wheelchair bound
Diaphoretic (had to look it up... perspiring)
Short of breath
Not able to respond to verbal cues (though accompanied)
Ashen? that's way too subjective
There's never been a call to ban all of these people from flights so I don't know why you're bringing it up in this thread.
Dec 17, 2020, 2:30 pm
#47
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Dec 17, 2020, 2:46 pm
#48
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Yes, in this story, the family in question should have acted differently. But they may well have been sitting three rows away from someone else who was also positive but simply didn't know it. We seem to have a national (international?) obsession with finding someone to blame every time something goes wrong. If you are in close proximity to other people during a pandemic, you may get sick. If you're not comfortable with that level of risk, you shouldn't get on the plane.
And, as far as UA's COVID check-in questions go: I can't imagine anyone who knew they had a positive result going to the airport and then answering that question honestly. It's completely contrary to human nature. Anyone who would be likely to tell the truth wouldn't go to the airport in the first place.
Dec 17, 2020, 2:55 pm
#49
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And, as far as UA's COVID check-in questions go: I can't imagine anyone who knew they had a positive result going to the airport and then answering that question honestly. It's completely contrary to human nature. Anyone who would be likely to tell the truth wouldn't go to the airport in the first place.
Dec 17, 2020, 2:57 pm
#50
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UAL is carrying additional supplies on every aircraft in response to the pandemic including additional gloves, sanitizing supplies, and both surgical and N95 masks.
Dec 17, 2020, 4:55 pm
#51
Join Date: May 2015
Posts: 674
You know how US airlines ask questions like "who packed your bags" and "has your bag been with you the entire time" etc when coming in from abroad?
United should do the same with COVID, in person, not on the kiosk. Even if the couple lied, they might have seen he was clearly sick and should be banned.
United should do the same with COVID, in person, not on the kiosk. Even if the couple lied, they might have seen he was clearly sick and should be banned.
Dec 17, 2020, 5:04 pm
#52
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You know how US airlines ask questions like "who packed your bags" and "has your bag been with you the entire time" etc when coming in from abroad?
United should do the same with COVID, in person, not on the kiosk. Even if the couple lied, they might have seen he was clearly sick and should be banned.
United should do the same with COVID, in person, not on the kiosk. Even if the couple lied, they might have seen he was clearly sick and should be banned.
Although, taking what has been reported on the blogs at face value, there are definitely some things United could have done better, this problem is much bigger than anything United can handle on its own. There are way too many infections out and about, and there is very little infrastructure for reliably screening people everywhere right now.
Dec 17, 2020, 5:20 pm
#53
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Dec 17, 2020, 5:25 pm
#54
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It is very possible the husband filled out the electronic declaration and didn’t inform his wife about it. It’s also possible the ticketing agent checked them in manually, not sure if they have protocol to ask those questions on their screens if you choose not to check in on the electronic kiosk. Either way doesn’t seem like a lawsuit gets far here.
Dec 17, 2020, 5:39 pm
#55
Join Date: May 2015
Posts: 674
I would hate to be the person with that job!
Although, taking what has been reported on the blogs at face value, there are definitely some things United could have done better, this problem is much bigger than anything United can handle on its own. There are way too many infections out and about, and there is very little infrastructure for reliably screening people everywhere right now.
Although, taking what has been reported on the blogs at face value, there are definitely some things United could have done better, this problem is much bigger than anything United can handle on its own. There are way too many infections out and about, and there is very little infrastructure for reliably screening people everywhere right now.
People have noted that taking people's temperature misses most cases, but that would have probably worked in this situation.
Dec 17, 2020, 6:22 pm
#56
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Hopefully, they are doing contact tracing and getting anyone else on the plane who might have been in close contact tested as well, including the wife.
Dec 17, 2020, 6:41 pm
#57
Join Date: Apr 2009
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Here's what I've seen many times over many years (from your list):
Wheelchair bound
Diaphoretic (had to look it up... perspiring)
Short of breath
Not able to respond to verbal cues (though accompanied)
Ashen? that's way too subjective
There's never been a call to ban all of these people from flights so I don't know why you're bringing it up in this thread.
Wheelchair bound
Diaphoretic (had to look it up... perspiring)
Short of breath
Not able to respond to verbal cues (though accompanied)
Ashen? that's way too subjective
There's never been a call to ban all of these people from flights so I don't know why you're bringing it up in this thread.
Pale, ashen, cyanotic are all medical terms that are used in medical documentation and, thus, not subjective. White, grey, and blue might be easier terms to understand and, for most, an objective description.
I bring it up in relationship to many people exclaiming UA is completely without fault and my point is they might not be without further information. This includes how the passenger appeared prior to boarding.
Dec 17, 2020, 6:53 pm
#58
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Dec 17, 2020, 7:44 pm
#59
Join Date: Dec 2012
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First, sorry to all involved, both living and deceased. Second, health experts advise against non essential travel. Third, those who do decide to travel commercially, after 10 months of Covid info, should know risks involved with travel and interactions with other humans. Finally, no guns were pulled by airline staff to have you board the aircraft against your will. Summary: Personal responsibility is in play!!!
Dec 17, 2020, 9:00 pm
#60
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I thought UA asks those question already. I checked in with an agent at LGA last month as I had a bag to check; I was asked those two questions on OLCI screen again.