On the morning news, a lady and her hubby and 2 kids were booted off an Alaska Air flight, after she donned a standard mask, pre-flight.
The airline seemed to say "if you don't have a doctor's letter to travel, you will have to remove the mask or get off the plane". She/ her family were escorted off the plane muttering "but, I have cancer, multiple myeloma, that is why I'm wearing the mask".
I haven't flown in over a year, but the last time I flew, there were several people with masks on the flight. I never gave a second thought as some people are just germophobes (personality Issues, people who appear very healthy, wear masks; they have done it for years).
After their information could be confirmed, Alaska Air bought 'em a room / free tickets on next day out / etc. "Sorry challie." The whole bit. But they had to do a "perp walk" off the plane.
But the question is: I have multiple myeloma. Do I need an MD letter to allow me to travel?
Do I dare wear a simple mask if the slob next to me is hacking out a lung and is diaphragmatic and diaphoretic?
Due to ebola, etc, are there new "funky rules" myelomers need to know before flying ?
With all the airborne, community-acquired "stuff" around today, why wouldn't you wear a mask in an enclosed 50% re-circulated air (at best), titanium tube environment?
Thoughts?
Answers?
Forums
Re: Alaska Air incident & travel with multiple myeloma
I thought people might find this interesting:
"Woman with Cancer Kicked Off Flight Home for Not Having Doctor's Note," People, Apr 8, 2015 (link to full text of article)
Excerpt:
Moderator's Note:
Rneb and marrett posted about this story at just about the same time. We thought it best to combine their postings into a single thread.
"Woman with Cancer Kicked Off Flight Home for Not Having Doctor's Note," People, Apr 8, 2015 (link to full text of article)
Excerpt:
A woman with cancer trying to take a flight home from Hawaii to San Jose, California, says she and her family were kicked off the plane because she didn't have a note from her doctor.
On Monday, Elizabeth Sedway put on a surgical mask before boarding an Alaska Airlines flight with her husband and two sons, KTLA reports. The mother was then approached by a flight attendant who asked if she needed anything. Sedway, 51, responded that she felt a little weak and may need extra time to board. ...
"After we boarded the plane, an Alaska representative boarded the plane, and told us I could not fly without a note from a doctor stating that I was cleared to fly" [Sedway said] ...
Sedway, who has been diagnosed with multiple myeloma, told KTLA she emailed her oncologist during her exchange with the representative.
"He said … 'if you feel fine you should be able to fly,' " Sedway said.
This was not enough for the airline ...
Moderator's Note:
Rneb and marrett posted about this story at just about the same time. We thought it best to combine their postings into a single thread.
Re: Alaska Air incident & travel with multiple myeloma
Just a thought ...
Would a "pink" mask work (breast cancer) or make a difference ?
A burgundy mask (multiple myeloma)?
A white mask (lung cancer)?
Etc ??
Would a "pink" mask work (breast cancer) or make a difference ?
A burgundy mask (multiple myeloma)?
A white mask (lung cancer)?
Etc ??
-
Rneb
Re: Alaska Air incident & travel with multiple myeloma
"Alaska Airlines apologizes after kicking woman off flight for having cancer," Washington Post, Apr 8, 2015 (link to full article)
Excerpt:
Excerpt:
In a statement sent to The Washington Post, Alaska Airlines spokeswoman Halley Knigge said the airline has since reversed that stance:
“We regret the inconvenience Ms. Sedway experienced yesterday. Her family’s tickets have been refunded and we’ll cover the cost of her family’s overnight accommodations in Lihue. Our employee had the customer’s well-being in mind when we sought the advice of trained medical professionals.”
On Tuesday, Knigge told the Daily News that a doctor employed by the company had determined Sedway should not fly. She said the company’s protocols remain in place for the health of its customers and noted that the flight was crossing the Pacific Ocean, a prodigious body of water.
-
coop223 - Name: derek cooper
- Who do you know with myeloma?: Me
- When were you/they diagnosed?: November 2011
- Age at diagnosis: 57
Re: Alaska Air incident & travel with multiple myeloma
Wow! I flew to DC from Oakland in February to participate in Rare Disease Week on Capitol Hill. Because I was not yet 6 months out from my stem cell transplant and had a big athletic event coming up, I was worried about getting sick. I wore a mask, the standard kind you can buy in a store. No one questioned it. This is crazy!
-
KimT - Name: Kim Tank
- Who do you know with myeloma?: Me
- When were you/they diagnosed?: July 2013
- Age at diagnosis: 53
Re: Alaska Air incident & travel with multiple myeloma
I read this news article when it came out. The ignorance, and lack of empathy I found ridiculous. So I took that opportunity to email Alaska Airlines about it. Sometimes it is just necessary to speak out.
Re: Alaska Air incident & travel with multiple myeloma
I was mortified when I read the article about Mrs. Sedway and the unnecessary ordeal that she and her family endured. I surely hope that the staff responsible have been properly disciplined for their insensitivity and ignorance.
My husband was diagnosed with multiple myeloma in July 2014 and after his induction chemotherapy is now on maintenance chemotherapy. In December, he came down with pneumonia and had to be hospitalized. Since then, both of us have worn masks when we fly Southwest Airlines from either Las Vegas or El Paso to Houston. We have not encountered any issues with wearing the masks and, while the TSA agents have asked to see our faces, no one has treated us improperly.
We do not know if the masks help or not, but my husband's health has been good these past few months.
My husband was diagnosed with multiple myeloma in July 2014 and after his induction chemotherapy is now on maintenance chemotherapy. In December, he came down with pneumonia and had to be hospitalized. Since then, both of us have worn masks when we fly Southwest Airlines from either Las Vegas or El Paso to Houston. We have not encountered any issues with wearing the masks and, while the TSA agents have asked to see our faces, no one has treated us improperly.
We do not know if the masks help or not, but my husband's health has been good these past few months.
-
PattyB - Name: PattyB
- Who do you know with myeloma?: husband
- When were you/they diagnosed?: July 2014
- Age at diagnosis: 64
Re: Alaska Air incident & travel with multiple myeloma
I cannot resist: I just have to add my two cents' worth on this topic.
I have lived in Japan, where just about any person with a cold puts on a face mask when going out in public. I believe this is a holdover from the great influenza epidemic in 1918. Perhaps in Singapore and in other Asian areas people do the same.
It seems the right thing to do, not just to protect oneself, but mainly to protect others from one's germs. I have always thought it awful to have to sit next to someone on an airplane who keeps on sneezing and coughing practically in my face. When I go on an airplane trip and have a cold, I wear a mask because I do not want others to get sick from me. I do not know how effective masks are, but it seems considerate of my fellow passengers and I always wish they would do the same. I do not understand why airlines do not REQUIRE people with colds to wear masks on airplanes.
I have lived in Japan, where just about any person with a cold puts on a face mask when going out in public. I believe this is a holdover from the great influenza epidemic in 1918. Perhaps in Singapore and in other Asian areas people do the same.
It seems the right thing to do, not just to protect oneself, but mainly to protect others from one's germs. I have always thought it awful to have to sit next to someone on an airplane who keeps on sneezing and coughing practically in my face. When I go on an airplane trip and have a cold, I wear a mask because I do not want others to get sick from me. I do not know how effective masks are, but it seems considerate of my fellow passengers and I always wish they would do the same. I do not understand why airlines do not REQUIRE people with colds to wear masks on airplanes.
Re: Alaska Air incident & travel with multiple myeloma
I heard this story earlier today and couldn't believe anyone or any business could be that insensitive. Maybe the Ebola scare put them on edge?
I have been using a mask on and off for the past 5 years, depending on how I feel, the time of year (e.g., flu season), and if I hear others coughing around me. I fly at least once or twice a year, usually across the U.S. I have never had a problem when I wear a mask.
I have been using a mask on and off for the past 5 years, depending on how I feel, the time of year (e.g., flu season), and if I hear others coughing around me. I fly at least once or twice a year, usually across the U.S. I have never had a problem when I wear a mask.
-
darnold - Name: Dana Arnold
- Who do you know with myeloma?: self
- When were you/they diagnosed?: May 2009
- Age at diagnosis: 52
Re: Alaska Air incident & travel with multiple myeloma
Does any one know, or is there any information on how effective a mask is in preventing airborne contaminants from spreading in confined spaces?
Ta
Grant
Ta
Grant
-
Grant - Name: Grant
- Who do you know with myeloma?: myself
- When were you/they diagnosed?: April 2014
- Age at diagnosis: 43
18 posts
• Page 1 of 2 • 1, 2