| AIRLINES
CHEAP-OUT ON THE AIR
I've suffered terribly on a number of flights from what you refer to as 'hypoxia.' Recently, before takeoff, a rather bitchy flight attendant treated me as if I was crazy when I used what I read on your site and asked for 'more fresh air and less recycled air.' Sadly, the air quality affects flight attendants who fly every day much more than it affects me, as awful and as incapacitating as it is for me. In this instance, the flight attendant actually implied that they'd have to take me off the plane for being 'in poor health -- health too poor to fly.' I replied that I run six miles a day, and I just had a chest X-ray in which the doctor commented that my heart was one of the healthiest he'd ever seen. I told the flight attendant I'd be fine as long as they didn't 'cheap out' on air. Thanks for your terrific site. -Amy
Dear Amy, Thank you for visiting Flyana.com and for writing to me with your concerns about cabin air quality. I am sorry to read that the oxygen-poor, polluted cabin air causes you to suffer. Your experience with the crew is not unique, according to the recent mail I have been receiving from readers. In the last few years, it has actually become an industry practice for airlines to threaten passengers who speak up about cabin air by refusing them passage, just as the flight attendant threatened you. Here's what I advise you to do. First of all, don't bring up the subject of cabin air until after the plane reaches cruise altitude. So speak up only when the air is terrible in flight, not in anticipation of it being terrible -- so they can't throw you off. Second, from a flight attendant's point of view, humble passengers are more effective than demanding passengers. Try this: "Gee, I'm having trouble breathing. It feels like I just can't get enough oxygen. When you have time, could you please check that there is as much fresh air as possible for passengers." Finally, even if your pilot does not comply when you humbly speak up -- but hopefully he will -- your efforts will not be in vain. Your concerns will, at least, help to enlighten any airline employees who may as yet not be aware of the environmental hazards of air travel. One day the airlines will realize that what's not good for passengers, is not good for them, either. This day is not far off and I, for one, will not give up the fight until the airlines fly right. For more information about what I mean by "fly right," see Fairechild's Passenger Bill of Rights. Thanks again for staying
in touch.
"I think your book and your home page are fantastic." -Norman Estin, M.D. "My wife has been a flight attendant with AA for 18 years (last five, international), and we applaud your efforts to educate the public concerning the insensitivity of the air carriers relative to the health of passengers." -name withheld "I enjoyed surfing your web site, it was very entertaining. The humor was very subtle and tucked away where you least expect it." -John Lazzaro "It's quite interesting (ironic) that I ran into your site on the net. I was doing a search on finding info on becoming a flight attendant. I've been thinking about this -- until I read all your information. I work in what I and others perceive to be a sick building (this has not been proven, but it is surrounded by petrochemical plants) and interior chemicals (we are a medical college with labs, etc.) permeating the system. My desire is to get OUT of this bad environment. So, I read your info, now I'll really have to reconsider." -Susan Brooks |
