Comments on: Too Sick To Fly: Why Sick Passengers Don’t Stay Home

By: Irene S. Levine

Irene S. Levine — Sat, 11 Apr 2015 03:02:36 +0000

In reply to Barbara Kingstone. So sorry to hear about your illness and the difficulties you encountered with your cancellation policy. I've never purchased trip cancellation insurance so can't help you on that end. Christopher Elliot acts as a consumer advocate and watchdog. You might want to pose your question on his website. Best, Irene

By: Barbara Kingstone

Barbara Kingstone — Fri, 10 Apr 2015 20:41:17 +0000

In January I purchased a well prices ticket to Brazil, from Flight Hub,where I was to go to visit in March. I did and also purchased cancellation for abot $100. As a travel writer, I’m always concerned about getting ill away from home but I’ve been very lucky..that is until this trip from March 22 to April 4. When I became ill I went to the tourism office in Natal where their phone and computer weren’t working. The only place to get a ticket home (Toronto) was at the new airport which from Natal is about 1 hour. Other than TAM, not one other airline counter was open. Marta couldn’t speak English. I recruited wonderful Kalenka but even she could make Marta understand that she had to cancel my ticket home and sell me another. Under the circumstances I took what I could get and that was a $2000.00 until New York (one way) and then had to go to La Guardia for a $300 to fly to Toronto. At JFK, they wanted $1200 for one way to Toronto. The problem is that TAM and Flight Hub are sayinng that I didn’t tell them I wanted my ticket canceled..which I most certainly did but not in writing. Even with the policy, I am having a terrible time trying to get some of my money returned. What’s the point of cancellation policy if the fine print is SO fine that it’s impossible to know whether I’ll ever see any money returned. Should this be brought to some in IATA. I did speak with a superior at TAM and he was rude, unwilling to discuss the situation. I was in Brazil for 4 days and had to return home. Any suggestions about cancellation policies. To buy or not to buy, that’s my question? B. Kingstone

By: Irene S. Levine

Irene S. Levine — Sat, 19 Oct 2013 12:36:54 +0000

In reply to Suzanne Fluhr (Boomeresque).

Interesting question, Suzanne. Apparently, people in Asia wear the masks as a courtesy to protect others—and they are somewhat effective:
http://zidbits.com/2011/12/why-is-common-to-see-people-wearing-surgical-masks-in-asian-countries/

By: Suzanne Fluhr (Boomeresque)

Suzanne Fluhr (Boomeresque) — Sat, 19 Oct 2013 04:48:08 +0000

The last few times I’ve flown, I’ve ended up becoming ill soon after flying — head cold, stomach virus. I can’t swear I caught whatever in the air, but obviously, it’s a good bet that’s where I contracted my viruses. Sitting in economy on an airplane, one really does feel like one is sitting “cheek to germ”. I wonder if the masks everyone seems to wear in Japan are helpful and do you wear them when you’re the sick one or to protect yourself from sick people, or both?

By: Cathy Sweeney

Cathy Sweeney — Fri, 18 Oct 2013 20:27:15 +0000

I can’t argue with these points. For sure, many people fly when sick because of the restrictive and costly policies of the airlines. I agree that getting vaccinations like flu shots are very important. I think my annual flu shot has helped me many times over the years flying next to sick passengers.

By: Sand In My Suitcase

Sand In My Suitcase — Fri, 18 Oct 2013 16:53:42 +0000

Would be nice if really sick people could stay home… But having someone with a cold on a flight seems to be just one of the health hazards of flying, unfortunately.

By: Elizabeth Rose

Elizabeth Rose — Fri, 18 Oct 2013 16:18:27 +0000

I’ve really cut back my air travel and here’s one of the reasons!

By: santafetraveler

santafetraveler — Fri, 18 Oct 2013 15:49:24 +0000

Unless people buy insurance or fly with a carrier like Southwest which allows credits for cancelled flights- most can’t afford not to fly sick. I wear a personal ionizer that cleans the air I breathe on planes. I’ve found it makes a difference in terms of catching thinks. Airlines can mitigate the problem by putting in hepa-filters but the retro-fit is big $$$$.

By: Dr. Cacinda Maloney

Dr. Cacinda Maloney — Fri, 18 Oct 2013 15:05:31 +0000

Hey! Great article! I don’t know about you, but there is no way I am taking one of those flu shots you mention though! They can do more to harm your immune system than good, IMHO. I do try to avoid all hacking passengers though!

By: Sheryl

Sheryl — Wed, 16 Oct 2013 13:13:31 +0000

This is really a problem and for so many reasons that you list. Maybe we all need to carry portable masks…or perhaps they should be standard fare, along with vomit bags. Short of that happening, I think that if you are caught sitting near someone who is sick and you can’t change your seat, you need to make sure to wash, wash, wash your hands and bring along some antibacterial wipes. And do a lot of positive self-talk (“I won’t get sick…I won’t…I won’t…”)