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Continental - Treatment of Asthmatics

Continental Airlines • Bereavement • Canines • Delays • Luggage • Minors • Overbooking • Rudeness • Treatment of asthmatics

Sandra of Piscataway NJ (6/7/04):
I'm a severe asthmatic and highly allergic to the chemicals in cigarette smoke and the scent of it on clothing or anywhere else (I know that there is no smoking on aircraft - smokers have the scent on their clothing). I explained this when I booked my flight and was told every effort would be made to make sure that smokers were not seated next to me (I'm one of those chemically sensitive folks).

I and my husband were seated in the very first row of the handicap section to make sure I won't be surrounded by smokers. Upon boarding I was to inform the steward about this potentially life-threatening situation. They had the power to discreetly address and handle this problem.

The first part of my tale begins: I'm heading for Phoenix. Being a severe asthmatic I always travel with a portable nebulizing system (for life-threatening asthma). Upon booking my flight I was told by an airline supervisor (who came specially on the phone) that I'm to keep my medical equipment with me at all times during the flight and not in the overhead bin. This saves time in an emergency and keeps the airline out of trouble (I was told).

Upon boarding I explained the passenger problem and was assured that it would be handled discreetly (great, I thought). I placed my medical equipment next to me on the floor and took my seat (it won't fit under the seat in front of me). A flight attendant came by and said I had to place my nebulizer and my handbag (which also contained medication for the nebulizer and an epi-pen for severe allergic reaction) in the overhead bin. I explained that it was a nebulizer for a severe asthmatic and also that my handbag contained medication. I further explained that I was told by the airline to keep it with me and not in the overhead bin.

At this point he became rather rude and loud insisting that I place both my handbag and the nebulizer in the bin. I'm getting rather agitated at this point and terrified that an air Marshall would soon appear and arrest me for something (not good for a severe asthmatic and I can feel my chest getting tight). Again calmly I explained it was a mobilizer for a severe asthmatic and my handbag contained medication.

After explaining this several times he replied very loudly and rudely, "You should have said that it was medical equipment and If you don't mind tripping over it then I don't care". I apologized for not saying that was it "medical equipment" -- I assumed that I was dealing with an intelligent person who would have at least understood the words "a severe asthmatic, medicine and realized that a nebulizer was essential". The fact that I was traveling with a piece of medical equipment and that it was red-flagged by the airlines wasn't informative enough for him.

He also demanded that the woman who was seated next to me (also an asthmatic and using a cane) place her handbag with all of her emergency medication in the overhead bin.

Now the second part: I was returning home to Newark. On my return flight home I informed the attendant at the door of the aircraft that I was told they had the authority to handle the possible smoker passenger problem. I was assured that they could and it would be taken care of. Shortly after my husband (not I) was called to the front cabin and informed that they can't discreetly ask the person seated next to us if they were a smoker because it was an invasion of privacy. I would be moved to another seat (placing me at greater risk) if it was a problem.

I must suffer the consequence of the scent, go into a full-blown asthma attack and risk the possibility of death whenever I'm forced to use an aircraft. I was lucky this time my fellow was not a smoker. This is huge problem whenever I have to fly.

One agent says that the stewards have the authority to inquire and move a passenger when it is necessary and once I get on board they say it's an invasion of privacy. In addition airport security felt it necessary to examine my medical equipment and all my medicine without the use of gloves even after I explained that they were handling medical equipment. I was forced to sanitize everything before using.

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