kibblesandbits
Pearl Clutcher
At the corner of Awesome and Bombdiggity
Posts: 3,305
Aug 13, 2016 13:47:39 GMT
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Post by kibblesandbits on Jun 27, 2017 23:33:27 GMT
I hate United with the heat of a thousand suns - every time I book a flight, I take the time to tweet United to let them know how much I'm NOT spending with them. The fuckers. This story only confirms my feelings.
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Post by SockMonkey on Jun 27, 2017 23:33:27 GMT
If the temperature controls weren't working on the plane, why would they risk flying without it being operational? About 3 years ago we were flying to Kauai and the temp in the front of the plane could not be regulated. The cockpit was in the 90's and the 1st class was in the 40's. The flight attendants were giving the pilots bags of ice and the passengers in 1st class were given bottles of hot water. We were about 2 hours into the flight so the decision was made to keep going and not turn back to Seattle. Our flight was given the go ahead to cut through some military air space so our flight time was shortened a bit. Once we landed, the pilots were the first ones off the plane and they did not look good. That sounds so unsafe. 2 hours from Seattle? Totally could have turned back, because then what was the rest of your flight? 5-7 hours??? Oh, asses would be kicked.
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Post by SockMonkey on Jun 27, 2017 23:34:25 GMT
If someone called 911, though, what would have happened? Would they permit an emergency vehicle or staff out on the tarmac without coordinating with the airplane staff? Honest question. I was also wondering this. I'm wondering if the call has to come from the plane. Airports have their own EMS/fire departments. So I wonder if you call 911 on a cell phone, you would get a regular city dispatcher and they don't have the ability to dispatch airport services? I don't know, I am also wondering the same thing and just trying to think of an answer. If nothing else, it would have begun a series of communications between the control tower and the flight crew, who apparently needed to "debate" whether it was okay to turn back for an unconscious child. A hell would be raised like NO OTHER if I was that mom.
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Deleted
Posts: 0
Sept 28, 2024 10:19:29 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Jun 27, 2017 23:35:38 GMT
If someone called 911, though, what would have happened? Would they permit an emergency vehicle or staff out on the tarmac without coordinating with the airplane staff? Honest question. I was also wondering this. I'm wondering if the call has to come from the plane. Airports have their own EMS/fire departments. So I wonder if you call 911 on a cell phone, you would get a regular city dispatcher and they don't have the ability to dispatch airport services? I don't know, I am also wondering the same thing and just trying to think of an answer. We were posting at the same time. My husband'sbrother worked for the Denver fire dept and I am sure he was stationed at the airport. I think the fire department is all interconnected.
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Post by myshelly on Jun 27, 2017 23:38:02 GMT
I was also wondering this. I'm wondering if the call has to come from the plane. Airports have their own EMS/fire departments. So I wonder if you call 911 on a cell phone, you would get a regular city dispatcher and they don't have the ability to dispatch airport services? I don't know, I am also wondering the same thing and just trying to think of an answer. If nothing else, it would have begun a series of communications between the control tower and the flight crew, who apparently needed to "debate" whether it was okay to turn back for an unconscious child. A hell would be raised like NO OTHER if I was that mom. I don't disagree with you. But I'm doubting that bringing the control tower into the debate would have lessened the response time. I guess my feeling is the focus needs to be completely on the fact that the fight crew were incompetent assholes and not what the mother could have done differently. I cannot imagine the fear and panic and desperation of begging people in a position of power and authority for help for my child and receiving none. It's atrocious.
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Post by Merge on Jun 27, 2017 23:45:27 GMT
Wow ... United is really hitting it out of the ballpark these days. They seem to kind of have Trump's attitude ... "We can injure/sicken our passengers on a regular basis and you'll still keep flying with us!"
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Post by Merge on Jun 27, 2017 23:45:47 GMT
I hate United with the heat of a thousand suns - every time I book a flight, I take the time to tweet United to let them know how much I'm NOT spending with them. The fuckers. This story only confirms my feelings. That's an excellent idea.
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MizIndependent
Drama Llama
Quit your bullpoop.
Posts: 5,836
Jun 25, 2014 19:43:16 GMT
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Post by MizIndependent on Jun 27, 2017 23:49:24 GMT
Airports have their own EMS/fire departments. So I wonder if you call 911 on a cell phone, you would get a regular city dispatcher and they don't have the ability to dispatch airport services? I found this comment over on Reddit from someone who says he's a pilot responding to a similar question: So, there's that.
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MizIndependent
Drama Llama
Quit your bullpoop.
Posts: 5,836
Jun 25, 2014 19:43:16 GMT
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Post by MizIndependent on Jun 27, 2017 23:53:44 GMT
Wow ... United is really hitting it out of the ballpark these days. They seem to kind of have Trump's attitude ... "We can injure/sicken our passengers on a regular basis and you'll still keep flying with us!" Here's one that slipped past recently (at least I didn't hear about it...there's so many these days who can keep proper track?): KPRC Houston: "Woman claims she lost use of arm after airport employee dropped her"
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Post by megop on Jun 27, 2017 23:56:14 GMT
Not taking United's side or anything, but I am curious as to how with ice bags supplied for cooling down the small ones, that they still overheated? Just wondering if there isn't more to the story. On the flip side, I detest most airlines and how they treat people.
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Post by Merge on Jun 28, 2017 0:00:31 GMT
Wow ... United is really hitting it out of the ballpark these days. They seem to kind of have Trump's attitude ... "We can injure/sicken our passengers on a regular basis and you'll still keep flying with us!" Here's one that slipped past recently (at least I didn't hear about it...there's so many these days who can keep proper track?): KPRC Houston: "Woman claims she lost use of arm after airport employee dropped her"Lovely!
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Belle
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 4,309
Jun 28, 2014 4:39:12 GMT
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Post by Belle on Jun 28, 2017 0:34:45 GMT
If the temperature controls weren't working on the plane, why would they risk flying without it being operational? About 3 years ago we were flying to Kauai and the temp in the front of the plane could not be regulated. The cockpit was in the 90's and the 1st class was in the 40's. The flight attendants were giving the pilots bags of ice and the passengers in 1st class were given bottles of hot water. We were about 2 hours into the flight so the decision was made to keep going and not turn back to Seattle. Our flight was given the go ahead to cut through some military air space so our flight time was shortened a bit. Once we landed, the pilots were the first ones off the plane and they did not look good. That sounds so unsafe. 2 hours from Seattle? Totally could have turned back, because then what was the rest of your flight? 5-7 hours??? Oh, asses would be kicked. No, we were close to half way to HI so had a little over 2 hours more to go. It is about 5 hours to Hawaii from Seattle, or less if the winds are working in your favor. I did feel bad for the 1st class folks who dressed in shorts, tank tops and flip flops, they were freezing. Of course, I didn't see the pilots until we landed and they looked absolutely wiped out. Babies or not, how can an airline expect anyone to endure 2 hours of stifling 90 degree hear PRIOR to take off???
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Post by littlemama on Jun 28, 2017 0:35:12 GMT
Did they refuse the mother's requests for cold water or ice to help cool the baby?
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Post by hop2 on Jun 28, 2017 0:36:37 GMT
If someone called 911, though, what would have happened? Would they permit an emergency vehicle or staff out on the tarmac without coordinating with the airplane staff? Honest question. Im guessing that the plane would be brought back to he gate to remove and arrest the person illegally using their cel phone. (just a guess) And then the baby could also get medical attention. But I have a feeling that they would want the caller removed from the flight immediately.
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Post by melanell on Jun 28, 2017 0:43:40 GMT
Not taking United's side or anything, but I am curious as to how with ice bags supplied for cooling down the small ones, that they still overheated? Just wondering if there isn't more to the story. On the flip side, I detest most airlines and how they treat people. I think it depends on how steady the supply of ice was. In a 90 degree plus plane it's going to melt quickly, and any help it made would certainly be lost rather rapidly if the poor baby was still stuck there in that heat. Particularly since the mom would have had no choice but to continue to hold the baby, adding her body heat to the situation. At least off the plane she could have laid the baby down, on a cooler surface and placed cool clothes all around the baby, etc. while she waited for additional help. I know I've had evenings where I had a child sitting in a cool bath and I was taking and retaking their temperature, almost trying to will it to go down, and it would go down--but my not nearly enough. This is a more severe situation, so despite the ice being much colder than a cool bath, perhaps she was facing the same lack of progress, and since the baby was so young, the problem was more of an issue to begin with. Save
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Post by hop2 on Jun 28, 2017 0:44:50 GMT
Not taking United's side or anything, but I am curious as to how with ice bags supplied for cooling down the small ones, that they still overheated? Just wondering if there isn't more to the story. On the flip side, I detest most airlines and how they treat people. Well a 4 month old would be dealing with the 90 degrees, the hot air or whatever is blowing, the parent's body heat, because they are being held. The contrast of the ice bag would be on a small part of their body, I don't think the ice would counteract the additional body heat of the parent. I am so disturbed by this story. Seriously disturbed. I thought they 'fixed' this with a new law back in like 2009 when there were all those people stranded on runways. I guess not.
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Post by melanell on Jun 28, 2017 0:46:11 GMT
Babies or not, how can an airline expect anyone to endure 2 hours of stifling 90 degree hear PRIOR to take off??? I was thinking the same thing. They could have more than just an infant facing medical difficulties in that sort of situation. The moral of all of these stories is quite clear to me---the airline just doesn't give a flying fig about its passengers.
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Post by elaine on Jun 28, 2017 0:49:04 GMT
If someone called 911, though, what would have happened? Would they permit an emergency vehicle or staff out on the tarmac without coordinating with the airplane staff? Honest question. Im guessing that the plane would be brought back to he gate to remove and arrest the person illegally using their cel phone. (just a guess) And then the baby could also get medical attention. But I have a feeling that they would want the caller removed from the flight immediately. Nowadays, you can use your cell phone and tablet up until you are about to take off. And as soon as the wheels touch down on landing, people start making phone calls. It would have been perfectly fine to call from the plane on a cell phone.
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Dani-Mani
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 3,709
Jun 28, 2014 17:36:35 GMT
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Post by Dani-Mani on Jun 28, 2017 0:49:35 GMT
She is a good person because I would've inflated the emergency slide and been halfway across the tarmac while they were picking up their mouths. Fuck that.
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Post by myshelly on Jun 28, 2017 0:52:20 GMT
Did they refuse the mother's requests for cold water or ice to help cool the baby? How much ice would there be on a 90 degree plane? It would melt. Would there be enough to make multiple ice packs for all the passengers and crew? I doubt it.
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Post by hop2 on Jun 28, 2017 0:56:08 GMT
Im guessing that the plane would be brought back to he gate to remove and arrest the person illegally using their cel phone. (just a guess) And then the baby could also get medical attention. But I have a feeling that they would want the caller removed from the flight immediately. Nowadays, you can use your cell phone and tablet up until you are about to take off. And as soon as the wheels touch down on landing, people start making phone calls. It would have been perfectly fine to call from the plane on a cell phone. Last flight I was on ( april) they announced to shut off phones when the door was shut until we were fully 'in flight'. No one cares after landing I guess.
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Post by Zee on Jun 28, 2017 1:01:37 GMT
She is a good person because I would've inflated the emergency slide and been halfway across the tarmac while they were picking up their mouths. Fuck that. That was my other thought...I'd have pulled that exit door and been out of there like that flight attendant a few years ago (who remains one of my personal heroes). I'm not familiar with ice storage on a plane but why does anyone think it would melt? They have electricity and refrigeration, right? Ice doesn't disappear during long international flights. Not that that's really important here, but yes, ice placed on the pulse points of a naked 4 month old would bring the temp down considerably if the plane was only in the 90s. I wonder if anything else was going on with this poor baby.
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Post by rebelyelle on Jun 28, 2017 1:05:26 GMT
The baby losing consciousness and the time it too paramedics to arrive is a horror story, and I would have been arrested because I would have either strangled someone or lost my shit so badly they would have had to let me off a plane. But setting that aside for a moment - how the fuck did the flight crew allow the situation to escalate to this point in the first place? They had to resort to icing down babies because of the heat? Are you fucking KIDDING me? No, no, and hell no. I hope she sues them into bankruptcy.
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Post by myshelly on Jun 28, 2017 1:05:42 GMT
She is a good person because I would've inflated the emergency slide and been halfway across the tarmac while they were picking up their mouths. Fuck that. That was my other thought...I'd have pulled that exit door and been out of there like that flight attendant a few years ago (who remains one of my personal heroes). I'm not familiar with ice storage on a plane but why does anyone think it would melt? They have electricity and refrigeration, right? Ice doesn't disappear during long international flights. Not that that's really important here, but yes, ice placed on the pulse points of a naked 4 month old would bring the temp down considerably if the plane was only in the 90s. I wonder if anything else was going on with this poor baby. Well their electricity wasn't enough to keep the ac going, so I'm not putting a lot of faith in it. Also, I'm saying they could make ice packs, but the ice packs would melt very quickly, so they would constantly need replacing. And I doubt there's enough ice on board to keep up with that demand.
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Post by originalvanillabean on Jun 28, 2017 1:09:23 GMT
This should have never happened. I can't imagine all the emotions the mother must have gone through.
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Post by Zee on Jun 28, 2017 1:16:17 GMT
That was my other thought...I'd have pulled that exit door and been out of there like that flight attendant a few years ago (who remains one of my personal heroes). I'm not familiar with ice storage on a plane but why does anyone think it would melt? They have electricity and refrigeration, right? Ice doesn't disappear during long international flights. Not that that's really important here, but yes, ice placed on the pulse points of a naked 4 month old would bring the temp down considerably if the plane was only in the 90s. I wonder if anything else was going on with this poor baby. Well their electricity wasn't enough to keep the ac going, so I'm not putting a lot of faith in it. Also, I'm saying they could make ice packs, but the ice packs would melt very quickly, so they would constantly need replacing. And I doubt there's enough ice on board to keep up with that demand. The AC not working doesn't equal no electricity, and I'm sure there was enough ice for two infants, had anyone been thinking of it. Babies are small and the water would stay cool enough for an infant for some time. As I said, that's not the point here because obviously something went wrong for this poor baby. Even bottled water and fanning with a magazine would cool off a baby that small but I guess she didn't notice the signs of heat exhaustion soon enough, I don't know. No way would I have been able to sit on that plane that long.
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Post by prapea on Jun 28, 2017 2:55:21 GMT
I didn't know you could call 911 in that situation. I mean, I would be thinking I am surrounded by people who should be helping me or I would think they will help me.
Just sad. I like to think that I would hirt someone at thatbpoint if I were in that situation but I can see myself doing what the mom did. Probably because I was near to passing out myself eatching my kid lose consciousness like that. 😢😞
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Post by gizzy on Jun 28, 2017 3:13:06 GMT
How terrifying to be actually going thru something like this in this day & age! Wth! If babies needed to be iced, they've been sitting in a hot tin can for too long. Unacceptable. I'm joining the boycott on united.
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iowgirl
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 4,274
Jun 25, 2014 22:52:46 GMT
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Post by iowgirl on Jun 28, 2017 3:17:54 GMT
That is just awful. United needs to pay for this one!
I know it is way different, but we did not have A/C in our house when my kids were little. I distinctly remember my inside house thermometer read 101º one day when we had a terrible July heatwave. We spent most of the day outside in the shade playing in cool water. One kid was 2 and the other was 7 months old. The memory is so clear, because it was MISERABLE. It cooled off some at night, but it was still very hot and humid.
I used to truck haylage in a truck that did not have A/C. Holy Crap. The outside temps were in the high 90's and I was inside a truck that generated a lot of heat. I was whiped out at the end of the day - usually 10 hours in that damn truck. I would drink gallons of water and never pee. I hated that.
The joy of central air is something that I do not take for granted now.
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Deleted
Posts: 0
Sept 28, 2024 10:19:29 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Jun 28, 2017 4:32:46 GMT
Airports have their own EMS/fire departments. So I wonder if you call 911 on a cell phone, you would get a regular city dispatcher and they don't have the ability to dispatch airport services? I found this comment over on Reddit from someone who says he's a pilot responding to a similar question: So, there's that. Absolutely. The captain has control (rightly so) and saying "Emergency" means people (ATC, ground control, airport personnel, etc) will move heaven and earth to deal w/it - whether you're in the middle of the N. Atlantic needing to find a spot to come down, or certainly if you're still on a runway or taxiway. I'm glad this pilot spoke up. It's too bad that flying passengers are needing to learn the ins and outs of the system (being bumped, calling for emergency assistance, etc), but I guess if United can't be trusted to do the right thing, the rest of us better bone up on what the rules are and when and how to use them.
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