gaia111

I was thinking about what I've seen on CSI on tv and it's horrible to see what they see when a black-light is used on the bedspread and blanket in hotel rooms!!!! Too horrible to describe! Shudder! Now, I've been told the same thing applies to airplane blankets and pillows. Actually, the jury is split on this one. There are those who say first class blankets and pillows come in sealed plastic bags, implying they have been cleaned. Then, I've read other accounts of blankets and pillows clearly being DIRTY. Have you thought about this? Does it bother you? I know I could buy my own to bring on the plane from such places as Magellan's or even in the airport stores, but that seems rediculous. Yet, the idea I'm in this super-closed tin can with re-re-recirculated bad air and folks with me coughing and spreading germs, it's hard to imagine it's of any use to worry about the blankets and pillows.

What's your take?

betsy

gail

Recent medical research shows that contct with some germs and dirt increases strength of ones immune system and lowers incidence of allergies. So look on the bright side.

emd

Oh please do not resurrect the bed sheets thread. I can see it coming.

gail

emd - so can I.

To summarize - the world has germs. The world has dirt. Some of it will touch you. You will not die. Get over it.

jamaltay

emd............was that pun intended????
8-)

Carrybean

I can personally tell restaurant kitchen horror stories (very upscale places, too) so a couple of cooties on a blanket don't scare me.

lynnejoel1015

Germs on airplane pillows and blankets don't scare me. A 5 hr flight without a bit of a headrest scares me.

Kate_W

I always fly with a pashmina, which I use as the blanket for my top half, so that I can keep the potentially icky airplane blanket away from my face.

LoveItaly

When you get to your destination gaia how do you know how clean the bedding is? And that applies whether you are staying in a hotel, an apartment or a residence where you are a houseguest.
Personally I have never to my knowledge "caught" anything due to airline pillows or blankets. Well never have from sleeping in a bed that is not mine either. So to answer your question, no it doesn't bother me.

BTW, I read an article about a year or so ago regarding all the crud found on movie theater seats, lol. It was not a pretty story.

Statia

I have to admit to bringing my own small pillow case for the airline pillow and being sure not to put the blanket around my face. Otherwise, I'm not too bothered.

simpsonc510

I'm not a doctor or nurse, nor do I work in the medical profession. But.. I can't help but think that part of the reason so many kids have so many allergies these days is because their parents are so paranoid about contact with germs. When I was growing up, we made it a point to BE IN CONTACT with friends who had chicken pox, so we could get them and get it over with. We also played in the dirt, went fishing and put our own worms on the hook, shared food and beverages with each other, etc etc etc. Guess what.. we survived!! Yes, there are germs out there! Some are pretty awful, but then there are others that just help strengthen your body's own immune system. Right??

I've never had second thoughts about the pillows, blankets, etc on a plane or in a hotel. Why get freaked out about it.

Thanks for letting me say that.

Carol

FainaAgain

No, it doesn't bother me.

The pillow would be on the floor anyway - I tend to lose it in my sleep - so I bring my own horse-shoe shaped.

The blanket - just don't put it to your face, I use it, if needed, for legs only. You sit in public places, don't you? Do you think the blanket would have more germs then benches and chairs?

Some people are more germophobics then others. If the fear of airplane's pillows becomes a phobia, one should seek professional help. There is no shame in it.

JAGIRL

To heck with the pillows and blankets.

There's a thread on the European board that has me phobic about the tray tables! There are actually folks out there who apparently change their babies nappies on those tables that...you...eat on!
Now if that's not ewwwwwwy I don't know what is!

kuranosuke

jagirl, thanks for the good news. i'll spill my first martini on the tray.lol.

jamaltay

Anyone that changes a diaper on the tray table should be put off the plane immediately!
8-)

LoveItaly

I thought the subject was changing dirty diapers on the plane seat..was it really on the tray? I don't think so. But still..!

JAGIRL

I wonder how often they totally disinfect the plane...tray tables, seats and all? Do they even clean those tray tables?

FainaAgain

JaGirl, not on the planes I'm flying