Click on a label to read posts from that part of the world.
Woman sits in urine soaked airplane seat
As volumes increase over the holiday season, the crazy airline stories start rolling in. Just yesterday, a woman flying from West Palm Beach to Boston reported that she took her seat in and AirTran flight, only to find that it was soaked in urine. By the time she realized the gravity of her problem, it had soaked all the way through her clothes. So she had to go to the bathroom, remove her wet clothing and wrap herself in a blanket for the duration of the flight. At least they let her sit in a different seat.What I'm most surprised about is that neither the airline nor any of the other customers offered to help out. Perhaps the author of the article left out those details, but if someone was sitting next to me who just got his or her clothing soaked in urine I would definitely offer up a shirt from my carry on for the person to wear.
Instead, the woman was forced to walk through the entire terminal and down to baggage claim with the blanket wrapped around her. How embarrassing.
AirTran agreed to refund the ticket and any clothing damage costs. They're "investigating the matter" internally.
Gallery: The Coolest Airports in the World
Filed under: Airlines, Transportation, News
Reader Comments (Page 2 of 4)
Melissa Dec 21st 2007 3:50PM
If you think about the whole thing, it's kinda funny to read on here. I mean yeah I would be pissed if something like that happened to me, however it's pretty sad and pathetic people have nothing better to do then post stories like that on here. Seriously get to the important things.
Drive, instead Dec 21st 2007 3:50PM
Urine on a seat is probably the least of the indignities suffered by airline passengers in the air and in the terminal. If you can reasonably take your trip on the ground (by car, bus, train, donkey cart), you'll most likely arrive happier, more relaxed, better fed, and A LOT SOONER!
Lori Dec 21st 2007 3:50PM
As a former flight attendant, I can attest to the fact that the cabin service crew has about ten minutes to turn the plane around and reboard. I would find soiled seat cushions, trash (including dirty diapers) in the seat pockets and the plane only get's "cleaned" once a night. Before you sit down, I would suggest you investigate the area around you and notify a crew member asap if it's not up to par.
Debrah Dec 21st 2007 4:12PM
It may be hard to believe, but the last time I flew was in 1983. I flew quite a bit before that, and loved every flight. There were never any problems that I was aware of; the flight attendants (still stewardesses then, I think) were always pleasant and helpful, no unruly passengers, no metal detectors in the airports, nothing. You could smoke, drink, eat and enjoy the flight. What a difference twenty years makes. It will never be known who was at fault for the condition of the seat, but if it was the previous passenger, it didn't have to be a child. The mentally ill (since the Reagan years) are no longer confined and move about as they please. These days, the public seems to be wearing blinders when in contact with such people. Even if a previous passenger walked off the plane with a wet bottom, no one would have said or done anything about it. Plus, I'm hearing more and more stories about the non-complacency of the flight attendants. The person might have been physically ill or incontinent, and the smell would have been noticeable immediately. As I say, we'll never know and we'll just write it off until another bizarre occurrence happens.
fred Dec 21st 2007 4:12PM
This why I refuse to fly bargain airlines, unless there is no alternative. I have seen problems with Air Tran, American West, and Southwest. I have always received excellent service from Delta, United, Northwest, and Continental. The bargain airlines are little more that buses with wings.
art Dec 21st 2007 4:21PM
Sue for ticket and clothing costs? What about pain and suffering??
Kent Dec 21st 2007 4:28PM
This unfortunate episode happened to me back in 1976 on British Airways from JFK to Heathrow. I was asked if I could exchange seats with an elderly foreign lady who was crying and wanted to sit next to her son where I was. I gladly volunteered. Much to my consternation, her seat was wet with urine. I discreetly asked the attendant to move me. He agreed and fortunately bumped me into 1st class with her apologies. From then on, I won't exchange seats with other passengers.
Doctor Bob Dec 21st 2007 4:39PM
I got on an America West flight one time, only to discover that my assigned seat was filled with vomit! The flight attendant was miffed when I told her I refused to sit in the seat. After she went and looked, she graciously allowed me to sit at another seat further up in the plane. How noble of her.
.
And David, don't pretend to be so damned superior because this was an "American" flight. I could fill your ear with stories about vomit-stinking planes in Russia, or planes flying with goats and pigs in the passenger compartment in Mexico. You were too cowardly to admit your own country, but I bet I could tell you some stories there, too. By the way, what brand of airplanes does YOUR country fly? I bet they buy all their planes from Guatemalan manufacturers, right?
art Dec 21st 2007 4:50PM
well now the stewardes's can go through the plane before each flight and check the seats with their bare hand then they can greet you as you come on for your flight, dont shake their hand.
grandolyn Dec 21st 2007 4:51PM
on an american airlines flight i was sitting at the front of the coach section. the way to the toliet at the back of the plane was blocked by workers serving a meal. i attempted to use the toilet in the first class section and was yelled at and humiliated by a stewardess. i am an older woman with several medical problems including bladder. if the stewardess had not relented after a time, there would have been a very wet seat where i was sitting. i will never fly american airlines again.
Snortn Dec 21st 2007 4:56PM
She probably pissed her own pants and figured if she blamed the airline she'd get a free ticket. What a scam!!!!
thom Dec 21st 2007 5:06PM
What do you expect from an airliner from soon-to-be Third World country, AMERICA?????????????
debbie edmondson Dec 21st 2007 5:11PM
maria milano , you are the very definition of the phrase BETTER TO BE THOUGHT A FOOL AND BE SILENT THAN TO OPEN YOUR MOUTH AND REMOVE ALL DOUBT, you have no idea what you are talking about concerning the airline staff during 9/11. almost nothing could have prevented what happened let alone a few unarmed women against men with nothing to lose. Yours is the dumbest post i have read in a long time.
Michael B. Cavanaugh Dec 21st 2007 5:13PM
That is TOTALLY DISGUSTING!!!! I can not believe that the person or persons responsible for the "spill" did not report it. The spirit of Christmas never ends huh?
Barbara Dec 21st 2007 5:20PM
omg, i totally believe that the woman sat in a urine soaked seat. I do quite a bit of travelling and I have kids also and see what goes on during these flights, not to mention that they do a terrible job of cleaning in between flights. i have sat on some pretty weird stuff myself and found a bunch of crap left behind on seats many times. Also, I find the flight attendants to be extremely rude to the passengers. I'm sorry, but they are glorified servers in the sky that don't even take the time to comb their hair, let alone have any kind of personality. jmo
jo Apr 1st 2008 12:20PM
Barbara I'm one of the glorified sky waitress you have such high regard for..have you not considerd the fact that folks like yourself(some over paid exec) pay $99 for their rt ticket and expect Us to feed them caviar wipe there asses across this great country?? I can spot women like you as u board..grabbing 5 blankets from the other seats as you make your way to coach(sorry your compamy no longer pays for first class) awww..bring your huge empty water bottle to the gally and expect us to fill it for you with our bottled water..umm other people would like that too dear but we don't have unlimited amounts..than the capt makes an announcement that we will be delayed for 1hr at the gate due to thunderstorms..(btw we are not getting paid till we take off)..ding ding..as I come to your seat 'yes mam can I help you? here is where u release all your issues on me and DEMAND a free drink,meal,first class seat and an EXACT time of dept..um sorry i can't control the weather and I didn't bring my crystal ball to work with me today..remember the golden rule..I have NEVER been rude to someone unless they struck first..P.s the world does not revolve around you
Bob, Chicago Dec 21st 2007 5:27PM
A number of years ago my assigned seat had the same problem, wet from urine. I noticed it immediately and asked for a different seat but the plane was 100% full. The flight attendant had me sit on many layers of blanket for the flight. I did not follow it up with the airline.
Karl Dec 21st 2007 5:28PM
Airport security treats people like animals in the terminal, and this attitude continues by the airline and onto the plane, and many times during the flight. I rather drive even if it takes a few days. No one likes to be treated so badly. I feel sorry for this woman, hope she sues that airline for a fortune.
Vincent Feconda Dec 21st 2007 5:30PM
I have flown Air Tran many times from Fort Lauderdale to Philadelphia and visa versa and never have experienced any major problems. The flights are usually on time and the staff, from the ticketing agent to the flight attendants have always treated me with respect and dignity. If you think this airline is bad try flying "Aeropostal" from Miami to Caracus, Venezuela. It usually turns into a 2 or 3 day event!
Iris Dec 21st 2007 5:35PM
cordova10 I think you need to learn to spell before you can make comments on these sites. Why don't you use spell check?