Asthma and Perfume on a Plane

Old Aug 21st, 2011, 03:11 PM
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Asthma and Perfume on a Plane

Jet Blue Flight 91 New York to Oakland departed 6:32pm
Flight Attendant: Cynthia

I was sitting in seat 2F aboard flight 91. I realized that there were several people around me wearing perfume or other strong scents. Because of this, I put on my miniature air purifier. I did this because I have very severe asthma and allergies to perfumes and scents. Having an asthma attack is not something I want to experience at 30,000 feet, and so I carry my miniature air purifier. This device has made it possible for me to travel in comfort. I have flown with this device on many airlines and have never been told it was not allowed.

About an hour into the flight, Cynthia, a flight attendant told me that it was against Jet Blue regulations to wear such devices in cabin. I explained to her that I have asthma, that I have severe allergies and that I need something to help me deal with the perfumes and scents that people around me are wearing.

I asked her if she would ask the travelers sitting around me to voluntarily use alcohol wipes to remove the perfume. She refused. She was adamant that I turn off the device, and offered no other assistance, except for a white claustrophobic mask. Wearing a mask would not have helped me. I again explained to her that I have asthma and that I need to wear the air purifier in order to breath clean air.

Later on in the flight, she showed me a page from the Jet Blue regulations, showing me that Jet Blue does not allow such devises. The device pictured on the page did not look anything like my own device.

Later on, Cynthia apologized and told me she was just following orders, and handed me a yellow slip, showing that I did not comply with a request by the crew. I do not blame Cynthia for her actions. She was doing her best to follow with the rules of her job. Whether she agrees with the rules or not, whether the rule makes any sense or not, she is compelled to comply.

After another hour into the flight, Cynthia called me away from my seat and asked me to meet her in the galley. I complied. She informed me that if I did not turn off my miniature air purifier, the captain would ground the plane at salt lake city and eject me from the plane. Feeling trapped and not wanting to inconvenience the passengers, I turned off my device.

Besides perfume and scents, severe emotional distress can also bring on an asthma attack. Being threatened with ejection from the plane and causing terrible inconvenience to all the passengers onboard, was too stressful for me. I finally had the asthma attack that had been building up for the last few hours due to the perfume.

I am a disabled person. Even though asthma and allergies are "hidden" and not as obvious as a missing limb, for example, they are still viable and real disabilities under the Americans With Disabilities Act. As a disabled person, I have the right to protect my health any way that I can, so long as I do not endanger others to do it. Wearing a miniature air purifier is hardly a health hazard to a plane full of people. People who wear strong scents in cramped and enclosed public spaces, like a crowded plane, are a very real and serious health hazard to the many millions of travelers who suffer from asthma and allergies.

Airlines have gone a long way to protect the health of passengers, particularly those of us with asthma and allergies by banning smoking, so why not ban the wearing of strong perfumes and scents? No matter how good the air circulation is on an airplane, it cannot filter out strong perfumes and scents. An allergy sufferer or asthmatic needs assistance and support from flight attendants so that they can be comfortable in the cabin. That assistance and support should include asking people wearing strong scents to wash them off.

Finally, after I begged Cynthia to do something to help me, she asked the people around me to do this. Only one complied. I went back to my seat and was wheezing uncontrollably. I begged another flight attendant for help. I asked for oxygen. He seemed a bit put out, but finally, Cynthia came along and found an oxygen tank, which she passed over to me. I spent the last 90 minutes of the flight using the oxygen tank.

When I am exposed to a contaminant, it can take up to two weeks for my lungs to heal and for the contaminant to clear from my system. The symptoms are very much like the flu.

This situation could have been entirely avoided if 1) the airline allowed me to wear my air purifier and 2) the flight attendant made a serious effort to ask the people around me to remove their scents.

I am formally disputing the claim made by Jet Blue staff that I "refused to comply" with the orders of the flight crew. I should not be penalized for trying to protect my health.

All allergy sufferers and asthmatics need to know about Jet Blue's discriminatory policies toward respiratory disability sufferers.
sanelson is offline  
Old Aug 21st, 2011, 04:29 PM
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I don't know what the official rules are, but I am sorry to hear about this happening to you.

Airline passengers should bathe and use deodorant and generally try to look presentable, of course. Beyond that, I don't get wearing perfume or cologne on a six-hour flight.
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Old Aug 21st, 2011, 04:39 PM
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rather than post here i think you need to educate yourself on what is and isn't allowed on different airlines. For ex if you purchase a purifier from magellan's it says right on the page

http://www.magellans.com/store/Healt...reventionEP225

and her's a similar report, so it's been this way for some time
http://www.wsvn.com/features/article...ward/MI131560/
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Old Aug 22nd, 2011, 11:22 AM
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If I recall correctly, several airlines have been cited by the FAA for failing to accommodate disabled persons with scenarios such as yours. You would be doing yourself and fellow passengers a service if you would make your complaint with the closest office of the FAA. For that matter, you may want to get in touch with one of the advocacy groups for disabled persons to make your case for you.
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Old Aug 22nd, 2011, 07:09 PM
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I'm not sure what the opposition to the air purifier mask would be. What's the difference between you wearing the mask and me wearing noise-canceling headphones?
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Old Aug 22nd, 2011, 08:00 PM
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the strictures against the air purifier machines is that some of the early models exploded in flight (one on Jet Blue and i believe they were the first to outlaw them) and also TSA has a hard time with them as not being medical equipment, as they don't need a prescription so some flyers have had them confiscated at security. SO maybe some airlines feel it's not worth it if they may be disallowed at security anyway.
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Old Aug 23rd, 2011, 03:06 PM
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Thanks for that backgrounder, mztery. Didn't know any of that.
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Old Aug 23rd, 2011, 04:19 PM
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I'm very sorry you had such a difficult experience. As a person with a hidden disability myself, I too know what it feels like when your concerns are minimized by those who simply don't understand.

That said, however, venting here may help you feel better temporarily but it won't change anything in the long run. You need to learn to become an advocate for yourself and others who share your problem. And as mztery suggested, you need to educate yourself about what is and isn't permitted first. Then, armed with knowledge and your own personal story, you can approach the FAA, TSA, your congressman, etc, and work to get the regulations changed, if they are indeed senseless or unnecessary.

By the way, Amazon shows over 60 different models of mini air purifiers and I doubt if any of them are marked as specifically approved for air travel. If I were in your situation, I wouldn't put myself in the position you were in but would make darn sure I had with me whatever it takes to deal with a possible severe asthmatic or allergic reaction.

Your flight attendant Cynthia, as well as Jet Blue, were simply following their own as well as FAA regulations, and I suspect most other airlines have similar regulations. The fact that you have been allowed use of your device before may simply mean that the FAs were too busy to notice. I'm pretty confident that if you search deep enough into other carriers' websites, you will find similar restrictions. Here's a sample of what I found in 2-3 minutes:

Jet Blue specifically says your device may not be used onboard or carried in checked luggage: 'Personal Air Purifiers are small, portable air cleaners worn with a neck strap and are NOT considered "medical devices." (Medical devices include portable oxygen concentrators, respirators and/or ventilators.) Battery operated Personal Air Purifiers may NOT be used onboard JetBlue aircraft at any time (while the aircraft is parked at the gate, during taxi, take-off, enroute to the Customer’s destination, or upon landing.) Personal Air Purifiers brought onboard by Customers should always be placed in the "OFF" position. In addition, battery operated Personal Air Purifiers are prohibited from checked baggage.'

United Airlines says: 'Whether battery operated or requiring electrical connection, all electrical devices have the potential to interfere with important aircraft systems. The use of personal electronic equipment is also governed by FAA regulations. Customers who need to use medical devices while onboard must obtain prior approval from United at least 48 hours before departure. We may need special information, including the name and telephone number of your physician. Where specific medical device needs cannot be accommodated, physicians from United's Medical Department will attempt to discuss alternatives with your physician to help ensure that your trip will be safe and comfortable.'

Delta Airlines has almost two pages addressing assistive devices, listing restrictions, approved devices and stating all must meet FAA as well as the airline's approval.

American Airlines offers information almost identical to Delta's. Ditto Southwest.
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Old Aug 23rd, 2011, 04:37 PM
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I meant to add: as unfortunate and unfair as it seems, it's not the airlines' or other passengers' responsibility to ensure you don't have a serious reaction. That responsibility belongs to you. The one passenger who responded to your plight was wonderfully kind and helpful, as was Cynthia when she finally gave you the oxygen you requested. But you can't count on strangers to put themselves out in order to accommodate your needs. I've learned that over and over again and now I make sure I'm well aware of the difficulties, restrictions and problems I may face when I travel. I've had to because I love to travel and I don't want ever to lose the ability to do so.
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Old Aug 23rd, 2011, 05:23 PM
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I often rub a small amount of expensive perfume on my wrist when I fly so that I can hold them up to my nose if a nearby passenger has unbearable body odor (something one never had to worry about back in the day.)

I, of course, would take it off if anyone asked for health reasons. I don't get why the other passengers were not willing to comply - another sign of the rudeness that has become airline travel.

Lisa
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Old Aug 23rd, 2011, 05:48 PM
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OP -- Really terrible and frightening experience for you -- can't imagine going through that. Because of the acute nature of your health situation, you clearly need to check the rules for each airline before booking. If JetBlue has experienced an in-flight explosion from such equipment, I am sympathetic if they felt the need to develop a blanket prohibition. Given that other airlines will allow it with prior approval, you need to fly with them. A real lesson for everyone to check on what is allowed in terms of accommodating medical equipment and not just hope for the best.
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Old Aug 23rd, 2011, 11:28 PM
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I'm curious sanelson, what happened with the 'failure to comply'? What was the final outcome when you landed?
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Old Aug 15th, 2012, 11:06 AM
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For all the folks posting official policy and regulations, thanks, but it never even occurred to me to look it up before I got on the plane, and I've used it on planes from other carriers without incident. The darned thing is so tiny and innocuous. It looks like a necklace. I honestly didn't think it was an issue. Painful lessons learned.

For those that were wondering... Upon landing, I was greeted by an official from Jet Blue who said he wanted to "debrief" me. His tone was accusatory and insulting. He made a gesture to grab my arm. I was so angry and frightened. I knew that if I opened my mouth, I'd say something rude, and I wasn't going anywhere with this guy, so I just kept quiet and walked right past him as quickly as I could. He didn't give chase. I went to the carousel, got my luggage and left the airport without incident.

I did talk to a lawyer and was told that the cost and mental anguish of taking Jet Blue to court wasn't worth it. So now it's been a year, and regrettably, I've done nothing about this, other than complain in writing to Jet Blue and post my story on FB. I have a lot going on in my life and just don't have the time to pursue this anymore, even though I know I should.

After about a dozen emails, Jet Blue offered me a $275 gift certificate to compensate for my treatment. I refused it. I tell everyone I know about my story. Doesn't do much to hurt their bottom line, but word of mouth is about all I have time for right now.

If I decide to fly again, I am asking my doctor to prescribe a POC. Several models are approved by the FAA, and there are very strict guidelines for carrying one. These devices cost $2000-5000, but work anywhere, and make my invisible disability VERY VISIBLE. Perhaps that's all people need to see, since asking politely for help isn't getting me anywhere. The only downside to carrying a POC is it's another thing to carry and it takes up major space, so I'll have to rethink how I pack and put more stuff in checked baggage rather than carry-on.
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Old Aug 16th, 2012, 06:33 AM
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What is a POC? I too suffer from scents and aerosols.
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Old Aug 16th, 2012, 07:14 AM
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I am still wondering about "the yellow slip"? Is this a soccer game? As a flight attendant for many many years I have never heard of such a thing!
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Old Aug 18th, 2012, 03:29 AM
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Sanelson, I think you have done many people a service by posting your story and eduacting others. I can certainly understand that you would have no reason to check the airline's policy in advance and were therefore caught unawares. Was the 'gift certificate' a credit towards future flights? If so, no use to you, obviously. But if something more flexible, I don't see why you didn't accept it, sort of like accepting an apology, right?
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Old Aug 19th, 2012, 04:56 AM
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I'm baffled that someone with a disability ie very severe asthma and allergies to perfume would not think to inform the airline when booking or check the airline's regulations about medical conditions & equipment and then be outraged when the airline crew asks that the prohibited device be turned off during the flight.
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Old Aug 20th, 2012, 04:41 PM
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I side with JetBlue - while sympathic to the delima of the traveller - it is HER responsibility to ensure her device is approved. I think they treated her fairly under the circumstances - particularly when she did not even do them the courtesy of doing the "debriefing" where she would have learned their rules and perhaps the background as to how they came to be. Very likely they were sued by other passengers when the device exploded for not "providing a safe travelling environment". It is hard to please everyone
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Old Aug 20th, 2012, 08:50 PM
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"...flight attendant told me that it was against Jet Blue regulations to wear such devices in cabin..."

"Later on in the flight, she showed me a page from the Jet Blue regulations, showing me that Jet Blue does not allow such devises (sic)..."

"After another hour into the flight...she informed me that if I did not turn off my miniature air purifier, the captain would ground the plane at salt lake city and eject me from the plane..."

"Being threatened with ejection from the plane and causing terrible inconvenience to all the passengers onboard, was too stressful for me..."

"This situation could have been entirely avoided if 1) the airline allowed me to wear my air purifier and 2) the flight attendant made a serious effort to ask the people around me to remove their scents."

Sympathetic as I am to the situation you found yourself in, I can't agree with your last comment above. The situation was entirely of your own making. Regulations pertaining to the use of devices such as yours are on airline websites and easily accessed. If you don't use the internet, you can telephone.

I am also sympathetic toward other passengers on your flight who were undoubtedly made very uneasy and/or uncomfortable with the situation you created in continuing to use your device after being instructed to turn it off.

And I am sympathetic toward the FA who was following regulations while dealing with a difficult situation.
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Old Aug 21st, 2012, 03:53 PM
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Odinon Aug 19, 12 at 5:56am
I'm baffled that someone with a disability ie very severe asthma and allergies to perfume would not think to inform the airline when booking or check the airline's regulations about medical conditions & equipment and then be outraged when the airline crew asks that the prohibited device be turned off during the flight.

YEP.
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