Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. A phone that grows with your child.

Meet the Other Phone.
A phone that grows with your child.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

to not want to sit next to this man on a flight

187 replies

ShouldHAVE · 25/08/2017 13:17

Flew back yesterday from holiday with my family. When we were checking in, there was an older man checking in with his wife. The man was in a wheelchair, being pushed by airport staff. He had towels over his head and was making lots of moaning noises and obviously being sick under there.

Lucky old me only ended up sitting next to them! The wife apologised, saying he started throwing up earlier that afternoon and was very ill (was not disabled - only in the wheelchair as he couldn't stop puking). Now, I just can't get my head around how he was allowed on that flight. The poor man should have been in hospital! He spent the entire 4ish hour flight vomiting and moaning in agony. The smells (coming from ends) were horrific. God knows how many sick bags he filled, but no-one was taking them away - he was just collecting them at his feet.

I spent the whole flight lightheaded from trying to hold my breath. I've complained to the airline this morning, I even paid extra for the privilege of booking my seat next to them.

Were the airline out of order to let him fly?

OP posts:
Mustang27 · 26/08/2017 08:13

Lol sorry I meant the food poisoning that is only caused by consuming spoiled food. Not Noro, E.coli or salmonella.

NikiBabe · 26/08/2017 08:26

I agree he should not have been allowed to board.

Alot has been said on this scenario so I won't add the same thing but as to the other people who have provided stories of people puking all the way on flights and saying this always happens and other hysterical because of fear flying, I dont understand why people say this is what I am like, it always happens, deal with it.

It is such a selfish attitude.

Why these people make everyone else put up with them is so rude and so selfish.

If you are prone to vomiting on flights, visit your GP. Domperidone, metoclopromide, etc for anti sickness. Maybe a mild sedative if the sickness is nervous.

For those who are hysterical due for the whole flight due to fear of flying, again deal with yourself. Get relaxation courses, meditaton, pay for therapy (you can afford holidays afterall), mild sedative from the GP, etc, or just dont fly at all.

I dont understand why people get om flights then scream, puke, etc for the whole flight in a confined space for several hours with and just expect other people to deal with that. Why dont they just deal with themsleves instead of just getting on knowing they will make the entire flight as miserable as possible for everyone else.

Only1scoop · 26/08/2017 08:28

I'd complain to the Airline

It's a major training issue

WeAllHaveWings · 26/08/2017 08:47

I agree he shouldn't have been allowed on the flight, but you should have complained to the airline staff at the time it was an issue for you so they have the opportunity to rectify the situation if they could.

There might not have been enough seats to sit a family together, but there might have been a single seat elsewhere on the plane.

Slimthistime · 26/08/2017 09:07

OP as you've not been back, I'm hoping you're just busy and not unwell...

Slimthistime · 26/08/2017 09:08

OP as you've not been back, I hope you're busy and not unwell....

WillowKnicks · 26/08/2017 09:57

I also have emetophobia & I could not have sat next to him. This is my nightmare!

We flew earlier this month with Emirates & the plane was delayed by an hour, taking off from Dubai, as 2 children started being sick as soon as they got on the plane(thank God in a different part of the plane to where I was!).

They were off loaded & then had to get their bags off but I was more than happy with the decision for everyone on the plane's sake!

Did any other passengers say anything because it must have affected those directly in front of & behind also?

Crunchymum · 26/08/2017 10:16

Gosh yes, hope OP is ok.

jamylollypop88 · 26/08/2017 10:59

My dad had this problem. (He was the sick man)
Unfortunately for my poor old man just an HOUR before his flight (first flyer) he came down with a horrific stomach bug and spent the entire flight and next day vomiting.poor thing.
But your not banned from flying if your unwell they can't expect you to remain if your due a flight lol.
Must of been awful for him :( he looks back and laughs. I don't know how ild feel about sitting next to him though, I'm incredibly surprised you didn't move, I would of

CockacidalManiac · 26/08/2017 11:01

But your not banned from flying if your unwell they can't expect you to remain if your due a flight lol.

Er, yes you can be. What a strange statement.

StarHeartDiamond · 26/08/2017 11:06

You can be banned from flying if you are taken unwell beforehand. You have to claim on your travel insurance and/or cough up for another flight when you're better.

jamylollypop88 · 26/08/2017 11:09

Oh apologise I didn't know.
Strange statement ? lol
So he should've of been let on whilst unwell??
But he was!
Maybe that's why I thought it was ok! Maybe ? Dunno

WillowKnicks · 26/08/2017 11:17

Well they offloaded the sick passengers on our flight so yes you can be prevented from flying.

Only1scoop · 26/08/2017 11:19

Of course he shouldn't have flown

jamylollypop88 · 26/08/2017 11:20

Oh right
Clearly not all sick passengers though as the man in the op and my father had to just brunt the flight..?
Maybe different rules or ways on different flights

jamylollypop88 · 26/08/2017 11:21

I agree he shouldn't of flown! Not sure how he even did. I couldn't of done it.

theftbyfinding · 26/08/2017 11:41

Oh god that's awful Op. I think I'd have to get off that plane when I realised I was going to be sat next to the vomiting man. Surely he should have been prevented from flying? Isn't that what travel insurance is for? If you have to stay behind due to illness?

honeyroar · 26/08/2017 11:49

I'm amazed that the crew accepted him onboard, despite him having a doctor's letter. If someone was so weak that they needed a wheelchair to get on it would be a no from me. The captain and crew make the final decision who comes on. If they're not happy about someone's health (or sobriety!) they can say no, offload him. I've done many a flight where someone gets ill during the flight and needs a wheelchair to get off, but not where they're allowed on vomiting and in a chair due to it.

Slimthistime · 26/08/2017 12:03

Honey I don't think it's confirmed he had a doc letter? I would be amazed if he did.

MyBoysMyBoys · 26/08/2017 12:06

Another emetophobe checking in. I have found my people Grin

I've never encountered any pukers or sobbers on flights, just the usual kids who like kicking the. Ack of the seat in front. Rhythmically. For hours.

ShouldHAVE (brilliant username, btw) let us know if you get any recompense? God knows, you deserve it.

Crunchymum · 26/08/2017 12:17

jamlolly you Dad probably infected several people on his flight "hun" but lol yes poor old dad had to get home didn't he?

Infection control is take very seriously in places you have lots of people in confined spaces (schools, hospitals and aircraft) so your flippant attitude and that of your Dad is quite frankly disgusting.

If he had insurance he could have taken a later flight.

This thread just goes to show how freaking selfish and uneducated some people are.

GriefLeavesItsMark · 26/08/2017 12:54

Lol?

Glumglowworm · 26/08/2017 12:59

Anyone who thinks it's ok to fly with a stomach bug is monumentally stupid and selfish.

As is anyone who can "lol" about it.

"Just infected a plane full of people with my nasty germs... lol... some of them might end up in hospital because I'm such a selfish knob... lol" Hmm

hellokittymania · 26/08/2017 13:05

As a flyer with a disability, especially since I have to do 13 hour flight, I really love having an extra seat and the airline is usually nice enough to give me one if the plane isn't full. But I have been on a plane where I had food poisoning and midway through the flight and the plane was completely full, and it was from Singapore going to the UK. I felt really sorry for the people sitting next to me and I had to change seats with them when they had booked their seats. I couldn't get up and move quickly enough every time I had to run to the toilet so we had to change seats since I had been sitting next to the window and they had been next to the aisle Believe me, it was the worst 13 hour plane ride I can remember. I think Had I had the food poisoning in Singapore, I would not have flown just because of the inconvenience, and usually, doctors can write a note.

And I totally agree, I am carsick, and have had to take Buster knees with people in the bus being sick, and I have had to fight to not be sick as well.

JacquesHammer · 26/08/2017 13:21

But your not banned from flying if your unwell they can't expect you to remain if your due a flight lol.

Erm yes, yes they can. That's what travel insurance is for

Must of been awful for him sad he looks back and laughs

Yes indeed. Potentially spreading illness to countless other people including to those who it could be a massive risk.

The height of hilarity