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British Airways Passenger Forced to Fly Next to Corpse -- States He Was Told to "Get over it."

The Sunday Times (UK) reported yesterday that a first class passenger on one of its flights from Delhi to Heathrow was forced to sit next to a corpse for more than five hours. The deceased passenger died in mid flight, and the report indicates that  the British Airways flight staff thought this was the best solution. The first class passenger was Paul Trinder, a "Gold Card" member of BA who flew 200,000 miles a year with British Airways.

According to The Sunday Times, "When contacted by BA about the complaint, Trinder says he was told he would not be compensated and should 'get over' the incident."

First, and with all due respect to the unfortunate and departed passenger, Mr. Tinder's main concerns were the health issues related to a decomposing body in a warm environment for over five hours. (The Times goes on to note that "Other carriers use different procedures. Singapore Airlines has introduced 'corpse cupboards' on its Airbus 340-500 aircraft.")

Now, there is nothing easy or pleasant about this situation, but one would think that an airline claiming to have roots back to 1919 (according to its website) would at the very least:

1. Know what to do with a dead body;
2. Demonstrate that they are aware of the health concerns related to said dead body; and
3. Not tell a "Gold Card" passenger who flew 200,000 miles a year to "get over it."

We also realize that there are two sides to every story. As always, the airline is welcome to share theirs here. We will give anything they have to say top billing  -- unless it gets delayed, we post the announcement and they don't hear it, or we cancel the promise altogether.

You're in the people business, British Airways! If you don't want to be, then ship freight. Just treat your passengers with some dignity and class -- whether they are alive or not.

"Hello, Mr. Fowler. I can't make the meeting, I'm on my way to Aspen...on You!"

Dear Aircomplane.com Readers:

Just when we thought we'd heard it all, Jeff Fowler of Decision Software found a new way for airlines to make our lives unnecessarily complicated -- and potentially expensive. We may have an award-winner here. Thanks, Jeff. Your Spite Attendant Crew will e-mail you shortly with some suggestions.

Dear Aircomplane.com:

My company booked a flight for a sales consultant to meet with us and discuss a large opportunity.  Because (a) the meeting seemed fairly solid, (b) it was not billable, and (c) full fare tickets were $600 (vs. $138), we decided to purchase nonrefundable tickets from Continental.  Sadly, the consultant cancelled (OK, I’m a sucker) and our fun began.

 

I was shocked to learn that even though my company purchased this ticket, the consultant can apply the fare towards another trip anytime within a year without our consent.  Worse, unless we specifically remember to call to tell them otherwise, if the traveler books a trip that’s more expensive, Continental will let him keep it on the same credit card (ours)!  I spoke to the representative myself, basically telling her to cancel the reservation and keep the money, but there’s nothing she could do about it.  Picture a situation where you're bringing someone in for an interview, or perhaps you book a flight for an employee who quits, then they turn around and use the fare towards a ski vacation.  Ha ha, joke’s on you!

 

I contacted the FAA who redirected me to the DOT, who basically gave me lip service, saying Continental is within their contractual rights and next time we should book full fare, etc. etc. ad nauseam.

 

Quite a little racket, eh?

 

Jeff Fowler

President

Decision Software, Inc.

 

P.S. I've been amused with the responses advising me how to avoid this situation.  These include (a) force the traveler to make their own reservations and apply for reiumbursement, (b) book full fare at over 4 times the price, (c) use Delta instead of Continental, (d) have the traveler sign a contract agreeing not to reuse the tickets, and (e) use teleconferencing rather than flying.  All of these are simply ways to cure or avoid the effect of the problem rather than the cause, and none will work in every circumstance.  Continental (and other airlines) should simply allow the party that purchases the ticket indicate that it cannot be reused upon cancellation. That corrects the root of the problem, then we no longer have to deal with the effect.

Lost Luggage “Story” of the Day.

A fur coat or two said to be worth $7500 and owned by Mariah Carey apparently went missing on their way to “Mongolia’s poor.” Ms. Carey was donating them. We are certain there is a reason this qualifies as news, but we don’t know what it is. We just feel fortunate to be able to horn it in as an Aircomplane.com™ blog entry. Hey, Mariah….bet they take cash.

Humdingers!

OK. If your, ahem, personal rant starts with: "You are NEVER gonna believe this..." -- then here is the place for it!! Is there something so outrageous, so across the line, so brutally offensive, that it's more appropriate to the Marquis de Sade's diary? These people not only aren't even trying to serve their customers, they should be in another line of business -- particularly away from people and sharp objects. Let's hear about it!

(photo courtesy of Kagey B, Flickr.com)