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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.
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Filed under: Airlines, Transportation, News
Reader Comments (Page 4 of 4)
Susan Dec 21st 2007 7:20PM
To JBJG24
Well, it sort of happens all at once. People are trying to take seats, you're trying to get of everyone's way, you don't look at the seat and actually you pick up the odor just about the same time as you sit down, but you're already in motion. Plus I smoke and can't smell anything any way. I thought the same thing but I honestly didn't pick on the odor until my butt was on the seat. Then it's all sort of out of context for you because obviously you aren't expecting to sit on a wet seat. Once everything comes together you realize you've just been punked and jump up. But it's too late.
Carlos Dec 21st 2007 7:25PM
Susan are u hot? lol
Susan Dec 21st 2007 7:31PM
Hi Carlos,
Hot as in angry? No. Just trying explain how odd things can happen to people, especially when you're crammed in on planes, trains and buses. Merry Christmas.
Patricia Dec 21st 2007 7:39PM
When flying I was always afraid of sitting in a seat that someone peed on. When children or older people fly they should wear a diaper to prevent this kind of an accident. I would rather pay more and fly a better airline like United or Continental and know its cleaner and better. I have never had a nasty flight attendant in all the years I have flown either in the USA or over the pond. Since 911 I would rather drive than fly unless I have to go to the other coast. Its the security people that I find are rude and nasty when you check in. And I feel that I am losing my rights each year more and more. What has happened to this country? Big Brother is taking over.
kristin Dec 21st 2007 8:49PM
Why are all of you saying she should sue the airline? Why should this woman be granted a couple hundred or a couple thousand dollars for a pair of wet pants?
And that's besides the point. Even if the urine were absorbed into the foam, there should still be a very distinct smell of it in the air. It's not one of those things you can miss. Either this woman did it herself because she couldn't wait, or some little kid did it preceeding the woman. I don't care whose fault it is, sueing would be ridiculous because it's not like there's any extreme damages. Oh, poor lady; Sat on a wet seat and now has urine soaked clothes in front of people she will most likely never see again. Just change your clothes and get over it, honey.
nightowl Dec 21st 2007 7:47PM
How filthy can that be? The woman probably could have gotten some sort of disease. I feel for her. It sickens me. Some travelers are just out and out filthy and shouldn't even be allowed to use any form of public transportation. I hope the passenger is allowed to sue the hell out of the airline. With so many health concerns today this type of situation needs to be in the national media. Where in the hell are they? Reporting on some freak in Hollywood or some puke rap musician going into some rehab program for alcohol or drugs or havng a baby out of wed lock. Things are kind of out of skelter, don't you agree? What's the world coming too?
jon Dec 21st 2007 8:06PM
Urine is a sterilefluid not unlike what we floated in when we were in the womb. I drink my urine all day and bathe in it too.I can understand being upset about getting wet but be thankfull for Gods perfect medicine.
Jane Dec 21st 2007 7:54PM
I was on a flight from Madrid, Spain to USA. Woman behind me put dirty diapers under the seat - I complained - she denied it - then proceeded to scream at me and my daughter in Spanish for some time - flight from hell - definitely!
DoWant2 Dec 21st 2007 8:22PM
I traveled in July of 07 on Northwest Airlines from Orlando to Detroit. I had to sit in a seat filled with dog hair not just on the seat but in front of me and on the floor. Not talking about a little amount I mean I was covered in dog hair and my purse had all kinds of dog hair in it also. The dog was a service dog in training. I can understand that a dog must travel with his trainer but there should be an area that could have been cleaned before putting passengers immediately in the seat and itch for the next couple of hours.
MLL Dec 21st 2007 8:51PM
I always fly Airtran. Only once I flew Delta. The Delta flight was held for 3 hrs, cause the Pilot couldnt be located. I never had a problem with Airtran. They are very curtious, and very helpful. Thats the ONLY flight I would consider. Plus, I have NEVER lost any luggage on any flights. I dont carry extra clothing in carry-ons, but I will now. lol. Accidents do happen.
DJN Dec 21st 2007 8:28PM
The first response from my wife, an elite level frequent flier as I am, was "are they sure the woman didn't do it?" I thought the same thing.
Maria who called out the 9/11 flight attendants is clearly an ignoramus who had a bad experience post-9/11 and chooses to pout about it.
My peers and I who had to continue to fly as heavily as before -- over 70,000 ass-in-seat miles a year for me -- found flight attendants a little more stringent on the rules, but otherwise, the same as before if not nicer.
In fact, if anyone was itchy on the finger for security, it was check-in agents. I was once furious at myself for missing a flight and the agent threatened to call security even though I made clear all anger was directed at self for causing my situation.
The airlines deal with a public that ignores guidelines for luggage, security, check-in times, etc. and tend to do it well for the most part.
RS Dec 21st 2007 9:57PM
Then there's always the possibility that the urine soaked seat could have been a cruel practical joke. Someone could have poured it into the seat before exiting the plane, therefore having nothing on their own clothing. There are many such sicko-s out there capable of this kind of aberrant behavior.
One would think that perhaps the odor would have hit her nose before she sat down, but again, if one is close to a restroom, or a baby is on board, one might assume that the odor was coming from anything but their seat. Ir it was soaked evenly enough, it wouldn't have been readily apparent. Most people are in a big hurry to get seated so I'm not so sure anyone taking that seat might have noticed it before it was too late. Too many unknowns here to make any kind of judgment.
Kimber Dec 21st 2007 10:14PM
I don't think this is a laughing matter. This is obviously the parents ' fault. You need to potty train during childhood, not when they're full grown and going on their first grown-up airplane ride...Whoops, hold on, I need to go wipe my husband, sorry!!!
Just Me Dec 22nd 2007 7:51PM
The story is most likely true. I've worked in cabin service for one of the bigger airlines for awhile. I was shocked when I got chewed out by my supervisor for removing a "urine soaked" seat cushion from the plane and trying to disinfected it. What the standard processdure is as follows....
PLACE THE SOAKED CUSHION INTO A TRASH BAG AND THEN COVER IT WITH A BLANKET AND PUT IT BACK IN ITS PLACE!!!!
I found this repulsive....
Steven Ungles Dec 22nd 2007 3:54AM
It just goest to show you how rude people are. Their brat pisses all over the seat, and they just leave it for the airline to clean up. In this case, they didn't clean it up, and some poor bastard sat in it. They shouldn't allow the little brats to fly!--Hey David, what do you have against America? What Third World country are you from?!
Jennife Dec 22nd 2007 7:57AM
actually this happened to a person who was sitting behind me 3 years ago on a flight from sarasota to atlanta. the girl sat down in her seat and then realized the seat was wet. so it does happen.
JT Dec 23rd 2007 2:58PM
Buy a 10 dollar seat on AirTran and get what you paid for.
WeirdAl Yankovich Dec 23rd 2007 3:39PM
What? You expect the flight attendants to sniff each seat inbetween flights? They arent THAT kinky.
JABO Jan 1st 2008 6:24PM
KNOWING WHO WAS GOING TO SIT THERE, I PISSED ON IT. ENJOY !