What about a place where you are stuck and can't get away.....like an airplane, church, etc? I think airlines need to be more observant letting people get on the plane that are really ill (coughing, sneezing, clearly perspiring with a fever, etc.). All the air in the plane is recycled, and your going to be breathing those germs.
The problem with the airlines is they don't care about passengers. Period. You're a valued customer until your money is in their hand, and then you essentially just become 'cargo' for them to transport from destination 'a' to destination 'b'.
The thing which gets me the most is the airlines won't even work with you in situations like you describe. Several years back I was moderately sick. I knew I shouldn't be flying, but had already paid over $300 for a ticket. I called the airline explaining I was sick, felt it was in the best interest for others I didn't fly, and asked if they could re-book me on a flight I found of theirs leaving a few days later which was only about 20% full. Their response? They wanted to know if I bought travel insurance and had a doctor's note. When I told them no, they then said they could do it for a $100 re-booking fee. What?! You have a flight 80% empty in a couple days. I wasn't trying to get on a flight with only a handful of open seats. 
Ultimately, I got a surgical mask and wore it to do my best to not spread to the others on the plane around me. I knew it wasn't 'full proof', but at least it was better than nothing. You would think that at the very least, airlines would supply these to and ask those who are sick to wear on flights; if they won't be cooperative in re-booking for them. But, who am I kidding? These are the same companies who nickel and dime for everything now.
You are going to get sick in this life, but you can reduce your chances greatly by washing your hands regularly for 20 seconds (the time it takes to sing Happy Birthday twice), good hygiene, plenty of sleep, liquids, eating right, and exercising to build up the immunity. Then when we get a bug, it passes rather quickly.
Very good points. I don't know how many times I have heard people say "Well, it's good I get sick a few times a year. I'm building immunity." That's true, you are building antibodies. But, you can also build immunity by following steps you mentioned and generally taking care of yourself. Why suffer getting sick when you can help yourself with a few measures of prevention by changing habits in your life?
You are sooooo right in all your points Oryon20. I fly quite a bit, and the airlines are implementing more and more restrictions out there that cost the customer more money. Don't you just love those hidden fees? That's absurd that they would not change your flight for free. A doctors note and flight insurance? What? Are we in school? You were being up front and honest with them. Like you said, they had your money, and was willing to take more from you because of your misfortune to get sick.....how dare you get sick! That's going to cost you a penalty! At least you tried to keep your germs to yourself by wearing a mask. Can't tell you how many "kids" with snotty noses and sneezing are on the plane and sometimes the parents let them run around. I've had kids leaning over the back of their seat looking at me and their noses are running, and hands filthy. I try very nicely to tell them to turn around and sit down. I say it loud enough so the traveling parents can hear me and realize they need to watch their little darling.
I'm flying out in about a week........and it always creeps me out. The recycled air of everybody's germs. Not to mention how many have sat in my seat before me (between cleanings)? There's not much you can do except the following: Ask for "new" earphones. I pay extra for the new ones sealed in plastic. Some airlines just recycle them from patron to patron....ewwww I've seen flight attendants have them stacked on their arm (not packaged) as they go around distributing them to those who want them. I carry my own pillow and fleece throw (if needed on some long flights). Use Clorox wipes on my table and armrests, also any other hard surface I might need to touch while in flight. use hand sanitizer sparingly. If I can help it, I don't use the restrooms. Of course on a 14 hour flight, that's impossible, but I touch very little, wash my hands twice, and open the door with a paper towel to leave. I know this smacks of Howard Hughes, but don't care.
Some of the big International airlines (Cathay Pacific comes to mind), on long flights, they will give you a packet with everything new in it. A small pillow, a blanket, booties, eye mask, etc. I took a flight to Hong Kong and back on Cathay Pacific, and talk about spoiled. Both planes (there and back) were spotless, and smelled clean. It was great. Everything they gave us was new and packaged. El AL was also good, but they had a community bread basket that the flight attendant passed around before each meal. People were encouraged to reach in and pick out which ever kind of roll or bread they wanted. Uh, no! I don't eat open snacks in restaurants on the tables either. When you get to the smaller country airlines, uncleanliness is kinda the norm. Our own Southwest airlines are kind of dingy themselves.
Community Forum
Topic: "I never get sick" (Read 1530 times)
February 06, 2008, 05:40:25 pm
