As if traveling by air wasn’t already a challenge, recent incidents have made it clear the friendly skies are gone. Current news stories illustrate some of the health hazards passengers face.
Example one: A New York doctor claims he was kicked off a Spirit Airlines flight on Feb. 14 because he asked for water for his pregnant wife. The couple and 200 other passengers were stuck on the runway more than two hours due to an overheated cabin. That’s not exactly what happened, according to the airline. Spirit Air spokeswoman Misty Pinson said, “He …cause(d) a disturbance and tried to incite other customers. After his son kicked our station manager, the family was removed.”
Example two: Former Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney was threatened by an unruly airline passenger on a flight out of Vancouver on Feb.16. Romney asked the passenger sitting in front of his wife to raise his seat back before take off. Romney’s spokesman said the passenger became enraged and took a swing at Romney who did not retaliate. The flight crew was advised of the situation, the plane returned to the gate, the passenger was removed and the flight took off a short time later.
Example Three: While Americans have been getting larger, US airlines have made seats and passenger space smaller, which came to a head in a “big” way on Feb. 13 when actor and director Kevin Smith was removed from a Southwest Airlines flight. Smith blogged, “I fit in the seat... I could buckle the belt. I complied with the Southwest Airlines standards "... and yet they bounced me regardless." Southwest blogged about it too, saying, “… the filmmaker clearly did not fit in the seat comfortably. Our employees explained why the decision is made, accommodated Mr. Smith on a later flight, and issued (a) voucher for his inconvenience." Smith and Southwest also tweeted extensively about the incident, igniting a media firestorm. Smith, who has admitted that he usually purchases two seats, created debates about the ‘rights’ of overweight people which drew more media attention than safety rules that govern weight on airplanes because excess weight can put every person on the plane in danger.
Example four: Humans with pet allergies are being endangered, according to a Feb. 16 editorial in the Canadian Medical Assn. Journal. The Journal says one in 10 people have an allergy to animals and so many people today fly with small pets in airline cabins that they put people with pet allergies at risk. Their solution: permit service animals on planes but have pets travel in cargo. The article states: "The preferences of pet owners should not supersede the well-being of their fellow passengers. Pets can be accommodated comfortably and safely in airplane cargo holds…Airlines must choose to put the needs of their human passengers first, or be forced to do so."
Is there anything the average citizen can do to make their personal air travel safer and more enjoyable? Yes, there is. The US Department of Transportation has a division of consumer protection and enforcement http://airconsumer.dot.gov/ and a gem of a website loaded with travel tips and information, as well as a form that can be used to file a complaint. It also includes a full page of “Defensive Flying Tips” http://airconsumer.dot.gov/publications/defensive.htm
The site has a “what’s new?” section that seems to be fairly current – a recent addition is guidelines for those flying earthquake supplies to Haiti. Will it include defensive tactics for dealing with runway waits, disruptive children, bullies who fly, two-seat passengers who buy one seat or animals on board? Only time will tell.
How about you? Have you had a bad flying experience? Do you have any defensive flying tips for others? Has airline travel become so bad that you avoid it as much as possible? Do you think all the fuss is much ado about nothing and people need to just accept the inconveniences and get over it?
About the author: Pat Elliott is a journalist and blogger who has written about health issues for more than 20 years. She is also a cancer survivor who coaches people on how to manage their transition and take control of their new future.