Passenger Lacking Meds Suffers Panic Attacks

March 29, 2013

in Passenger Stories

I checked my bag for a flight to Canada that I missed due to being delayed by TSA. I was rebooked for another flight later in the day, and boarded this flight. The cabin crew was very unfriendly and was insistent that they check my carry on bag (which was a delicate sewing machine and embroidery attachments). I did not feel that these items would be safe to check, as evidenced by the condition of my other bag, which I did check. The cabin crew was unwilling to assist me, so I began to request help from the pilot because the door to the cockpit was open. I opened the bag and showed him the contents. The pilot agreed to check on the situation. However, when he returned he insisted that I either check the bag or leave the plane.

I finally told them they could take my bag, because I desperately wanted to make my trip. I said, “I wish to fly one time with ……Airlines and be happy.” The captain immediately said, “You are not flying. Get out.” As someone with former airline experience (check Emirates Airline to understand my point of customer service) I was respectful of the pilot’s request, even though he was rude to me. I was really embarrassed for myself and for the other passengers and was now eager to get off the plane.

After I got off the plane I went to the baggage counter to request my checked bag. However, the representative said that it had already flown on the first flight to LGA and would be flown back to Minneapolis. She told me I would have to return to the airport to pick up the bag which is a 75 minute drive from my home; I do not have a car. I requested that the bag be sent to my home or placed on the airport shuttle; both requests were refused. My partner has had this request honored in the past. I was very eager to have my checked bag returned to me in a timely manner, because it contained critical medications that I need daily. It is very important that I not be without these medications.

I accepted that I needed to wait for my bag and return to the airport to retrieve it. However, I attempted multiple times over the next 10 days to verify the status/location of my bag and was told its location was unknown. After 10 days I was notified that my bag had arrived and drove at 2am to pick it up; I was not aware that the airport was not open at this time. I spent hours waiting for the airport to open so I could collect my bag and medications.

Immediately upon seeing my bag I noted damage to the bag as well as damage to items within, which were packed very securely. I was given a bag to replace my damaged luggage, but the bag I was given was less than half the value of my brand new bag. I was eager to leave the airport at this time, so I accepted what was offered to me. I returned home only to notice further damage to the contents of my bag. My Samsung Galaxy 2 screen, which was wrapped in bubble wrap and nestled in a pillow, was shattered. Also, due to the lapse in my medication, I was hospitalized from 10/10/12 to 10/12/12 and continue to suffer consequences related to being without these medications for so many days.

I believe that I was treated unfairly by all members of your staff based on the fact that I am Middle Eastern. Now I am not even able to drive next to any airport, which I discovered when my partner and I decided to go to NYC for Christmas. It was the first Christmas without his father and we thought we needed to keep the family bonded together, but I was out of reality for 2 days and was terrified to touch my bag or have my partner touch it to take the medications which I need on a daily basis. Now seeing airplanes causes me panic attacks, so I’ve decided to just live in the basement since then.

{ 15 comments… read them below or add one }

Sonnenblumemadchen March 29, 2013 at 3:16 pm

Why would you put a) medications and b) electronics in your checked luggage? Perhaps you are not familiar with flying, but it's common sense that you don't check anything that you can't live without or would be difficult to replace in case of misplaced/delayed luggage. You insisted on taking your sewing machine in your carry-on, but not your meds?

Why would you assume that the airport would be open at 2 a.m.? A simple phone call would have saved you a long evening of waiting.

While I can see why you're disappointed that you weren't able to fly and that your luggage was damaged, a lot of your problems could have been avoided by using common sense.

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rodi June 24, 2014 at 4:03 am

I know right

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Sonnenblumemadchen March 29, 2013 at 3:26 pm

Why would you put a) medications and b) electronics in your checked luggage? Perhaps you are not familiar with flying, but it's common sense that you don't check anything that you can't live without or would be difficult to replace in case of misplaced/delayed luggage. You insisted on taking your sewing machine in your carry-on, but not your meds?

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paul March 29, 2013 at 5:08 pm

A fictional story at best.

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Substantial March 29, 2013 at 5:30 pm

Seriously, you put your medication in a checked bag? Major major fail.

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Amber March 30, 2013 at 9:31 pm

As much as I feel for you, I do agree with the others… Never, ever put anything that is valuable or required for your health or needed for ANY other reason in a checked luggage bag!!! These things get lost from time to time, and occasionally someone might rifle through the contents. Or will, rather, if it gets lost and they find it. Whenever I fly my phone and laptop and other things that I can't live without are always with me at all times.

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Rich March 30, 2013 at 11:35 pm

So you desperately need this medication, yet for 10 days you don't call your doctor to replace the missing meds. Absolutely a fake story.

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Lucy May 27, 2013 at 8:22 pm

agreed

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Jodi April 1, 2013 at 9:33 am

I took it as the medication was in the bag they insisted on checking. Perhaps I'm wrong. ::shrug::

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Kate April 9, 2013 at 11:53 am

I think they bag that they insisted on checking (sewing machine) the passenger got to take back when he/she got kicked off the plane. I read it that the damaged bag with medication was the one that got on the flight and had to be flown back, etc.

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iloveflying September 12, 2015 at 1:10 pm

no the medication was in the bag which the OP checked as cargo. if he didn't check that bag it would've be fine

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TKTRON April 2, 2013 at 3:20 pm

Umm… first you said you didn't have a car and the airport was 75 min. away, then later you say that you "drove to the airport"??? What's up with that?

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Stories April 15, 2013 at 12:25 pm

All things are possible

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samer January 22, 2014 at 12:54 am

come on people , its a true story 🙂

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iloveflying September 10, 2015 at 11:35 pm

this totally could be a true story actually especially if this person isn't used to flying. Yes the damaged bags were the airlines fault but the medication was the posters fault.OP you CAN TAKE ELTRONICS WITH YOU ON PLANE

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