Gadling

Amen to you sister, former FA here. Looking into the cracks and crevices on airplanes gally's would tell you something bad is growing there. The general public doesn't care, most are only concerned with sitting on their arses and demanding drinks, food, pillows and blankets.

glad someone "in the business" replied, why bother publishing such an article it didn't scratch the surface or the issue,wonder why the cockpit have their own seperate supply of oxygen? i fly international so i bring half of these new and interesting disease's home to the u.s. yes it is my choice of occupation but issues like gloves and "the water" are for real. no physical needed to board a plane and for the others who posted, i don't what train line you travel on? and yes ,the ice probably came from the same place the water did and of course we always run out of water and use "tap"..write the airlines !we can board fuel or water or "maybe" your bags,,,you figure it out.fly safe.

Bill, for the record, the cockpit does not have it's own oxygen supply (except for bottled emergency oxygen used during decompression), as most modern jets the recirculation system mixes re-cycled cabin and cockpit air together. Also, I expect if there's bacteria in the cabin, it's probably in the cockpit, too. The cockpit is not a hermetically sealed capsule.

So they're found bacteria inside the airplanes. Did these researchers compare this data with the amount of bacteria to be found outside the airplane? How about the boarding area? Or the airport bathrooms? Yes, the cleanliness of airplanes is always a concern, particually when it comes to truly hazardous bacteria, toxins, and viruses, but beyond that I expect you can find microscopic nastiness just about everywhere you go. Isn't that why we have an immune system?

Judyann, most illnesses are transmitted from unwashed hands. Whenever I travel, and in general, I always find an opportunity to wash my hands, or carry antibacterial hand cleanser or wipes; and I refrain from touching my face as much as possible. This is the reality of modern day living. I have seen too many people (women, because I'm one) use the public restroom and walk right out without washing their hands. It's a disgusting habit and how most people transmit disease and why others (such as yourself) get sick.

I am in quite good health, am an avid handwasher, never touch my eyes, nose or mouth, etc, etc. And I can tell you that all that is not enough to keep you healthy on a flight! I get sick after every flight of more than about 2 hours, and otherwise never get sick. Over 3 1/2 years ago I flew from Atlanta to Los Angeles with a sick couple and infant behind me and a sick man across the aisle from me. Even though I had taken Airborne and vitamin C AND covered my headrest and taken every precaution, by the time I had landed and taken a 2-hour car ride to my destination, I couldn't even walk. I collapsed in the floor of the home I was staying at and couldn't get out of bed for the next two weeks. It was the worst flu I had ever had in my entire life. Even worse, when it was over, I continued to cough and have a "bad chest" for 3 months; and I developed a horrible sinus condition that has NEVER gone away. Airlines need to screen passengers. If they feel they must allow contagiously ill passengers to travel, they should isolate them at the back of the plane or something. I hope you fare better on your flight!

We are submitted to airborne bacteria in just about every public place we go. It is not the almighty dollar that prevents making mandatory air cleaners, unless you realize your reasonable air fares would be gone when the cost of upgrading every plane would be passed on to the traveler. The bottom line, do whatever you can to protect yourself when you travel, like washing hands, buy bottled water, or other steps to ensure minimal exposure. This information may help Boeing or other airline builders to consider new designs for the future of our air travel.

the ice cubes are catered in from whatever city you're parked in. there are no ice makers on the plane, it's bags of ice just like your local store carries. i'm a flight attendant---20 years.