OT: AirTran warning on cnn.com

[Captain_Hook]

Wasn't sure where to post this, but I thought it could apply to some people here.... (so sorry if it has already been posted)

http://www.cnn.com/2007/HEALTH/07/23/airtran.meningitis.ap/index.html

 

[D L and K's Mom]

Thank you. I checked it out but DH was on different flights. Thanks for posting!

 

[sweetpeakaris]

Thanks for posting!

 

[Belle1962]

NOTE: "...and AirTran was notifying fewer than 20 people who sat in her immediate vicinity, Hirschman said."

And that is why you should NEVER change your seat inflight. At the gate, before you board, from home, YES--AFTER the flight takes off--NO.

I know we're all tempted to jump into that empty row or seat when we see it available after the flight has loaded but this is one reason why you shouldn't. Usually they only go looking for people sitting within x number of rows of the infected person. If they don't know that you moved to within the area they are looking at--they aren't going to call you. Unless it's a biggie story like this one and the TB case where there is media coverage, you could have been exposed to something and never know it. The airline won't provide your name to the Health Dept/CDC/etc if they don't know you were sitting the area of concern. You would be absolutely amazed at the number of people with an infectious disease who board an aircraft each WEEK.

Thats' why I prefer to DRIVE when I can.

 

[crazy_for_the_dis]

Really good point Belle1962. In fact, because of the exposure this is getting, maybe the airlines should discontinue allowing people to change seats. As it stands now, airline attendants encourage people to do so. Then, so airlines like SW, I guess they would have to notify the whole plane.

 

[annie1995]

How sad and scary. I hope they are able to contact all those involved so they can get proper precautionary treatment. My prayers go out the girls family and I hope she makes a full recovery.

 

[tadamom]

Thanks for posting this! My hubby came home from a flight on Air Tran Friday.

Very good tip Belle1962 about the changing seats. I never really thought about that. I've only seat jumped once on a flight but I don't know if I will do it again. One question, when flight attendants ask people to move seats, do they change the flight rosters/manifests (what ever the list is called of where everyone sits)?

 

[bluejaygirl]

Oh my goodness, how scary, I hope the girl recovers! Poor thing!

 

[Schmeck]

My thoughts and prayers are going out to her and her family.

Can you imagine how upset the parents are going to get on flights with their small kids if they were not able to book seats together and no one wants to move due to this situation?

 

[ujpest_doza]

What about on No Frills/Budget Airlines where you don't get allocated a seat and when you get on the airplane you sit wherever you like?

 

[familyS]

I suspect the CDC would require the no frills/budget airlines to notify every person on-board the plane.

 

[webshark3]

]if they don't know you were sitting the area of concern.[/B] You would be absolutely amazed at the number of people with an infectious disease who board an aircraft each WEEK.

Thats' why I prefer to DRIVE when I can.

How many schoolchildren get sick each week too?

This is still EXTREMELY rare. I think you're a victim of extreme paranoia.

When I went to UIUC, everyone was required to get meningitis shots, becasue the campus had a high rate.

Last year, I was notified that I should get checked out because I was in London at the same time the Russian spy was poisoned.

On a plane, it's MUCH more likely the kid kicking the back of my seat will give me a cold, than me getting a serious illness. I'll take my chances with the move. Besides,

You'll KNOW your original seat at flight number. If concerned, you can always go to the hospital despite what seats they call out...

 

[webshark3]

Can you imagine how upset the parents are going to get on flights with their small kids if they were not able to book seats together and no one wants to move due to this situation?

I have a feeling people will still gladly move.

 

[webshark3]

Thats' why I prefer to DRIVE when I can.

Not to ruin your day... I always have to bring this one out for my wife who has a fear of flying.

Lifetime odds of dying as a Car Occupant : 1 in 237
Lifetime odds of dying in a Air and space transport accident: 1 in 5051