Obviously Ill Passengers

[fgarfield01]

On March 1st, we flew from Albuquerque to Chicago (#5317) where both the ticket agent and gate staff encountered a obviously ill woman in the pre-board line that was hacking and coughing incessantly.  She did the same from the front row of the flight.

I would suggest that either Southwest, or the FAA, implement guidelines that such passengers are not afforded boarding without appropriate protection such as a facial mask.  Failure to do so unnecessarily exposes the crew and passengers to illness, whether COVID-19 or other types of airborne exposures.

[elijahbrantley]

@fgarfield01 Since this is a customer community, it would be best to share your thoughts with Southwest directly by using the Contact Us link below.  

This is a good reminder to us all to consider others in our hygiene right now, avoiding travel while sick and washing our hands frequently.

[ffflyer]

Why would SWA ever allow someone like this to fly? Coronavirus or not, this is just stupid.

We need to let SWA know, via the contact link, that this is unacceptable. SWA is setting themselves up for a class action suit from everyone who gets ill on a flight where SWA allows Obviously Ill Passengers to board.

[dfwskier]

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@ffflyer wrote:

Why would SWA ever allow someone like this to fly? Coronavirus or not, this is just stupid.

We need to let SWA know, via the contact link, that this is unacceptable. SWA is setting themselves up for a class action suit from everyone who gets ill on a flight where SWA allows Obviously Ill Passengers to board.

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IMO as long as the  airline is following CDC/FAA guidelines, any class action will fail.

[jksobonya]

Just because someone is sick, it does not mean that they should be barred from flying. Things happen, and someone probably reserved that flight weeks or months in advance. They paid for their ticket just like everyone else. To be unable to board because of a cold / cough / etc. is a little extreme. There is no proof that what they have is contagious; many people who cough have allergies.

--Jessica

[ffflyer]

I agree jksobonya, but "hacking and coughing incessantly" doesn't sound like allergies. It sounds like someone who is too sick to fly and should not have been allowed on the plane.

[Imcbelle]

Exactly!! Just because you have a cold doesn’t mean you should be kicked off the plane. That’s ridiculous!! If masks work and everyone has to wear them then embrace it. The common cold, flu , allergies and mucus still exist . Like they always have. If ya have a serious fear of getting COVID-19 then why aren’t you in quarantine? Just saying