Praying For Relief From Passenger’s B.O.

May 4, 2009

in Odor Stories

Inside the terminal of the Manchester, NH airport, I waited patiently amongst the crowd and watched as the first throng of passengers boarded our flight to LAX. As the last few passengers of that group were boarding, the call for the second group had sounded over the intercom. The second group, myself along with them, began the boarding procession.

Hearing a commotion amongst the passengers behind me, I turned to see what was going on. I saw the crowd split in two as a heavy set passenger (probably belonging to the first group of passengers who had already been allowed to board) made his way through. He had probably run all the way from the security check point as he was sweating profusely and out of breath. He passed me and others ahead of me, to be the very next passenger to board.

The fact that he had cut in line so rudely (despite the fact he was from the first group) was instantly forgotten by the fact that he had brought the worst case of B.O. with him. The smell hit like an out of control freight train. The passengers he had run past were covering their noses in utter disgust. Several passengers began to gag, children began to whimper and fuss about the smell. In an instant, I became religious. “Oh my God!” I prayed, “Please don’t let me have to sit near to that man.” I pulled my knit scarf from around my neck up over my nose to fend off the stench.

Hesitantly, I boarded the plane, continuing my pleas to God under my breath. As horrible as it sounds, the man’s stubborn body odor lingered behind him, not willing to integrate with the neutral air around it. Every passenger behind him had to endure wading through the disgusting body odor to get to their seats. My seat was about three aisles behind him, on the other side of the plane. Thinking I was safe, I dared to pull my scarf down. Stupid move. Up it went again. “Oh my God!” His body odor had already permeated the cabin.

I wondered what mortal sins the two male passengers had committed in their lives to deserve the punishment of having to sit on either side of him. From the seat behind him, a little girl whined to her mother “Mommy? What’s that smell?” It was the longest flight of my life.

{ 4 comments… read them below or add one }

SAW May 29, 2009 at 4:58 am

Next time, demand from the flight attendant that the offending person be removed from the flight. Excessive body oder IS cause for the airline to refuse passage.

Reply

Nacho May 29, 2009 at 7:03 am

Thank heavens you weren't sitting next to him. I do feel bad for the other gentlemen sitting in his row, though. Ugh, how disgusting.

Reply

Roto13 May 29, 2009 at 9:15 am

They shouldn't have allowed him on the plane. Whether his stink was caused by poor hygiene or a legitimate medical problem, there's always something that can be done about it.

Reply

Annon June 22, 2010 at 12:50 am

Somebody should have set fire to him when you arrived at your destination.

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