Madeline Schwartzwhat the tarmac is?
February 13th 2008 15:26
I am writing to request some information from each of you about a subject we all love. I am sure that you all know what the tarmac is, and some of you have probably been delayed on it a few times. For those of you who are not too sure what I'm talking about, the tarmac is the asphalt used at airports, and was a term that originated during the Second World War since one of the ingredients in asphalt was tar. Last fall there were some horrendous delays caused by weather, and some of them extended up to and over eight hours in length. During this time, passengers were held on planes and unable to be returned to the terminal or to take off on their trips. Toilets overflowed, water ran out, and there was no food service (as is pretty common on airlines nowadays anyway). Because air isn't exchanged, and air conditioning doesn't work, when planes are on the ground there was a horrible smell and high heat in many of the planes during those delays.
I would like you to send me your tales if you have ever been delayed significantly during a flight, or should I say before and after a flight, or if you can imagine yourself in the scenario of being stranded on an airplane for five hours before having to take a cross-country flight. Since I can't get up and walk to the restroom, I know what kind of problems that will cause me. People who use service animals undoubtedly would have similar concerns about their dogs even if they themselves could get up to use the restroom. People traveling to some place they can get dialysis or some other type of infusion treatment that must be given in a timely manner would probably have major concerns. Finally, what happens when people are on psychotropic medication or who have psychiatric disabilities and are unable to deal with the confined spaces and intolerable atmospheric conditions to develop inside planes during those long waits?
If you give me enough stories, I hope to be able to put together a short presentation that I can present to this group that will explain very clearly why this problem must be addressed, and addressed properly. We will be meeting only four times during a one-year period, at least that is the plan for now, so it is important to get these issues out on the table and up for discussion as quickly as possible. Our goal is to develop some policies and standards to be used whenever extensive delays begin to occur. Should there be standards for the amount of time that people can be held outside terminals without allowing the plane access to the gates? This may require airlines to shuffle planes around to clear some gates where delayed flights can be unloaded again, and will undoubtedly wreak havoc with scheduling. Weather does that, poor traffic control does that, and oversold flights don't help a bit.
I always figured that people with disabilities are like a canary in the coal mine. If they can address our issues appropriately, and assure that we are not inconvenienced or injured through lack of a decent policy or enforcement of it, then the normal John Q. businessman traveling public should be able to enjoy air travel of the future along with us as well.
I would like you to send me your tales if you have ever been delayed significantly during a flight, or should I say before and after a flight, or if you can imagine yourself in the scenario of being stranded on an airplane for five hours before having to take a cross-country flight. Since I can't get up and walk to the restroom, I know what kind of problems that will cause me. People who use service animals undoubtedly would have similar concerns about their dogs even if they themselves could get up to use the restroom. People traveling to some place they can get dialysis or some other type of infusion treatment that must be given in a timely manner would probably have major concerns. Finally, what happens when people are on psychotropic medication or who have psychiatric disabilities and are unable to deal with the confined spaces and intolerable atmospheric conditions to develop inside planes during those long waits?
If you give me enough stories, I hope to be able to put together a short presentation that I can present to this group that will explain very clearly why this problem must be addressed, and addressed properly. We will be meeting only four times during a one-year period, at least that is the plan for now, so it is important to get these issues out on the table and up for discussion as quickly as possible. Our goal is to develop some policies and standards to be used whenever extensive delays begin to occur. Should there be standards for the amount of time that people can be held outside terminals without allowing the plane access to the gates? This may require airlines to shuffle planes around to clear some gates where delayed flights can be unloaded again, and will undoubtedly wreak havoc with scheduling. Weather does that, poor traffic control does that, and oversold flights don't help a bit.
I always figured that people with disabilities are like a canary in the coal mine. If they can address our issues appropriately, and assure that we are not inconvenienced or injured through lack of a decent policy or enforcement of it, then the normal John Q. businessman traveling public should be able to enjoy air travel of the future along with us as well.
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Comment by Anonymous
I was an airline analyst for 15 years before becoming severely disabled during a horse back riding accident. I deal with horrific pain everyday. However, with the right medications and a positive attitude I can deal. In my job I had to travel all over the world. Mostly to China which was no less than a 15 hour flight not including connections. It was missing my flight that use to stress me out. Now my my most horrific thought is getting stuck on a plane. Without my medications or being able to move around it would no doubt lead to a complete panic attack for me. In order to have back surgery I had to fly across country and then return a week later in post surgical acute pain. I will never forget that flight. I feel for anyone with disabilities and flying.
I no longer travel more than an hour away. I would prefer travel in the comfort of my car, heated seats and all. Air travel is no longer a pleasure it is a demon in disguise. I know I used to work the industry. It is all about, fuel costs, maintenance cost and not about the cost of losing customers.
We are back in the old day with too few airlines, skyrocketing prices, however, no amenities. My only suggestion is to make sure you have all your medications with you in clearly marked bottles. Also, have a letter of disability from your doctor that states your limitations. This will force the airline to get you off the plane. Otherwise, they are in violation of the Americans with disabilities act. Look for alternatives, trains, shorter trips, if you need to have surgery or other medical procedures, add a couple days for rest to your trip. Travel for medical is tax deductible.
Disabled Airline Junky