Passenger sprains knee and wants apology for airline response

Date: 1 June 2012
Airline: United, flight 709
Location: Baltimore, MD

It was June 1st 2012 I left BWI on my way to Chicago and then to LA and lastly San Diego. I got on the plane put my baggage in overhead and immediately tried to sit before the plane took off and twisted my knee. My complaint goes to the treatment I received after the injury.

Customer service in Chicago told them what happened and they had someone wheel me to the Medical Center and once I got there I was denied service because she said she had three people in front of me and I would miss my connecting flight.

I hopped around the airport until I got to my final destination. I went to the VA Medical Center once in San Diego and was told by the doctor that my knee was in fact sprained. I would like an apology from the airline for their conduct and want to be reimbursed in some form.

-Donna

Out of control party on the way to Mexico

Date: 7 February 2012
Flight: Delta, flight 389
Location: en route to Los Cabos, Mexico

Delta 389 was a scheduled revenue flight which Delta gifted their summit winning employees a free, all inclusive trip to Los Cabos, Mexico. Although the flight was fully booked, there were only 12 revenue passengers on a Boeing 757 aircraft. The flight crew announced that this was the premier Delta reservation employee benefit and there would be free alcohol for the entire flight.

Several passengers displayed obvious signs of public intoxication but were continuously served more alcohol by the flight attendants, to the point they became loud, disruptive, verbally abusive and with disregard of safety regulations. The flight attendants overlooked the seat belt lamps while the party continued in the aisles.

At one point a passenger stood on a seat and demanded more alcohol, which the flight attendant obliged. I felt that i was endangered by these actions and was appalled that a scheduled flight would be tolerant of this. I have contacted the airline directly and they apologized and offered 9000 bonus miles. I don't believe they should be able to operate in such a manner, displaying total disregard for the safety of revenue passengers.

I have a video that I shot with my phone to back up all of my statements.

I also have a copy of all correspondence with Delta to date.

- Ken

UPDATE 30 April 2012: Ken recently contacted AirSafe.com and reports that Delta has aggressively responded to his letter, that he was able to receive a sincere apology from a very high ranking Delta official, and that he is happy with this resolution.

Question of the day - Can I take peanut butter in my carry on?

Sometimes at AirSafe.com, we get interesting questions about what the TSA allows in carry on baggage. Marie wrote in about whether she could carry an unusual combination, containers of peanut butter and tuna in the cabin in her carry on bag.

While I normally have a checked bag with “peanut butter in a jar” and “canned tuna”, on my upcoming trip to Jamaica, I am going overnight and plan to take a carry on. Can I take the “peanut butter in a jar” and “canned tuna” in my overnight carry-on luggage? These are the items my mom likes when I visit. Your response will be most appreciated. Thanks in advance

Marie,

Thank you for taking the time to contact me. I'm not sure about the rules on peanut butter, but it will likely be considered a liquid or gel, and not be allowed in the passenger cabin if the container is larger than 100 ml (3.4 oz). I'm assuming that your peanut butter container will be larger than this, so prepare to put it in checked baggage or to pack it in several smaller containers.

The can of tuna should not be a problem, but here is where there may be a gray area. Canned goods are not on TSA's list of prohibited items, but if the tuna can is greater than 3.4 oz capacity, and a TSA agent believes it contains a liquid, paste, or gel, then it is possible that the can will be confiscated.

I know it seems a bit odd that a TSA screener would think this way, but they do have wide latitude when it comes to allowing something through. My suggestion is to make sure that the label is on the tuna can.

I do hope that this is helpful. You may want to review tsa.airsafe.org, which has an overview of what is allowed and not allowed on an aircraft.

Flashback: Security Screening Before TSA
Before 9/11, airport screening was largely done by private contractors, and although baggage was not as thoroughly screened as they are now, carry on bags were typically x-rayed. After a visit with my parents, my mother sent me off with a bundle of her famous homemade enchiladas, which she froze and wrapped in aluminum foil.

Going though security, the security staff clearly saw a large, opaque, and roughly rectangular object in my bag, and they had a look of concern on their faces. Were this to happen today, I'd likely be hustled off to the side for some extra scrutiny. However, it was a different time and place (the place being Texas) and all I had to do was explain that it was my mother's frozen enchiladas, and their frowns turned to smiles as they waved me through.

Enchiladas photo: Will Merydith