Should airlines ban sick people from flying?

[NYDisneyKid]

http://travel.aol.com/travel-ideas/...ck-people-travel?ncid=AOLCOMMtravdynlprim0738

 

[Shelly F - Ohio]

Yes. Nothing like being crammed in a confined space with a sick person.

 

[onelilspark]

Yes. And we should all live in a bubble so as to prevent all diseases from ever reaching our bodies.

...sorry, I think the more we're exposed, the more our immune systems can handle. And you don't know when someone has allergies versus a cold/flu. I've battled an awful migraine on a flight before. I flew SW so I asked the gate agent if I could board early so I could sit in the back of the plane, close to the restroom, in case I'd need to get to it quickly. Thank goodness this was a few years ago and not this year. This year apparently they'd assume I had the flu and refuse boarding. Ridiculous.

 

[TripletMommy2003]

I think this is a tough one to really answer. As a Mother to 9 children who likes to travel, I do not like the idea of my children or myself being exposed to any sick people, but am not sure if they should be denied travel. Maybe the airlines should offer masks to those they feel are a threat to others instead of not allowing them to board a plane. I am also, as are 3 of my children horrible sinus allergy people. So for most of the time we sound and look as though we are sick when in reality we are not. I have not been sick since 1999 and have made sure my children have all had their flu and H1N1 shots just in case. Just my thoughts on it.

Michelle

 

[Brian Noble]

The way air flows in a passenger cabin (ceiling to floor) and the filtration used, you're generally not exposed to much but the folks immediately in front of or behind you. I don't see any need to take unusual precautions, myself.

 

[TDC Nala]

So how will they determine who is sick with what? If you are sneezing you don't get on the plane? Suppose it's a reaction to the perfume on the person standing in front of you and not a disease? And they're going to be kicking airsick people off planes, because they can't prove that they're airsick?

I'd think they'd need to have some sort of medical professional available in the airports to make the determination over whether or not someone is too sick to fly than leaving it up to gate agents.

Maybe the airlines should offer masks to those they feel are a threat to others instead of not allowing them to board a plane.

In that case, they should offer masks to all the passengers, not just the one they think is sick.

 

[carolina_yankee]

I don't see how this is remotely economically enforceable.

We don't live in hermetically sealed bubbles, and can't. Normal hygiene should protect most people. If someone is showing signs of ebola, then there should be enough warning to deny the person boarding. Anything less serious then that, and most urban dwellers are already exposed to far more germs each day in the city (Buses, subways, public doors, tables, etc., ) than they are on a plane. And will likely be exposed to more germs at WDW than on the way there, too.

I'm amused that the more "green" and "back to the earth" we're urged to become, the more anxious of earth's germs we are.


Dirk

 

[Uncleromulus]

Short of having a complete physical just before you get on the plane, this would be almost impossible to enforce.

 

[shellybaxter]

If a person were denied boarding due to illness they would surely be entitled to a refund, perhaps special assistance with rebooking (what if you got sick when you were at your destination - you would still need to get home) and maybe even compensation for out of pocket expenses for a longer stay. I can't imagine airlines thinking this is a good idea.

 

[kaytieeldr]

Short of having a complete physical just before you get on the plane, this would be almost impossible to enforce.

Probably wouldn't help. I had a complete physical on a Tuesday in November 2002, including a chest x-ray that showed my lungs as "completely clear"; boarded a Delta flight the next day; and had pneumonia serious enough for a week's hospitalization by Saturday.

 

[MariDisney]

I agree that this is impossible and perhaps silly to enforce. My DD, for example,. has migraines. One of her main symptoms is vomitting during it, sometimes a few times. Luckily, she is familiar enough with her symptoms that she is able to get to a "good" place to do it (restroom) in plenty of time. I am in a bit of a fight with the school right now because the rule is 24 hours out of school after one vomits. For DD, though, she is fine and not contagious. If someone saw/heard her in the restroom they'd think she was violently ill. But, after she vomits the migraine is over and she goes on about her business like it never happened. Surely she'd be one denied boarding based on observation.

 

[Maggie'sMom]

I agree that it's near impossible to enforce fairly. I have allergies and asthma. There are times my asthma flares up, especially when I am exposed to cold air and allergens. Often my asthma will act up just enough to make me cough a lot. My inhaler will help, but won't always stop my coughing. There are times people will look at me like I'm spreading the plague, when in reality I'm not sick at all.

DD is a special needs child and has anxiety issues. Recently she had an anxiety attack at school and managed to vomit from it. If it happened on a plane, would it be fair to make us exit the plane?

There are just too many reasons people might appear to be sick when they aren't. And many times people will be contagious and show no symptoms yet of illness. I've always heard that with colds you are most contagious in the 24 hours before you begin to have symptoms.

 

[dburg30]

Only if they want to take the chance of getting their butts sued off.

 

[Nalla]

No. It's really not enforceable, at least not correctly. There's no way to tell sometimes if someone has something contagious or something not contagious. They can have the same symptoms. I've flown with sinus infections and migraines. The sinus infections make me look at sound like I've got the flu or a cold, when really it's just allergies gone wild. They could get sued for trying to ban people who aren't sick. Airline employees aren't doctor, diagnosis isn't their call to make.

 

[Tara922c]

I say, if a person is worried about getting sick from being on a plane, then wear a mask. Germs are everywhere! I am more concerned with the server who used the bathroom before work, didn't wash their hands, touched the rim of my glass, and then served it to me, but I am not worried enough not to eat out. I have allergies, and if I couldn't go on a plane because the person next to me perfume was making me sneeze, I would be pissed.

 

[sillyyankee]

Are you not contagious with any virus/disease somewhere in the ballpark of 48 hrs to 10 days PRIOR to coming down with any symptoms?

Completely unenforceable and silly. Maybe we should just start washing our hands!