Elise Thompson

Tue, 25 Mar 2008 18:59:08 -0800

Bad news for most people with chronic illnesses and disabilities. I plan and pack my own meals for flights since I'm diabetic. Their "Diabetic meals" are loaded with carbs, which is exactly what we can't eat. Coming from Texas a few years ago, planning for what was to be a 1 hour-flight with a connection to a 3 hour flight, I was stuck on the tarmac on the first plane for 6 hours. So I ate the small meal I'd packed. Since I missed my connecting flight, they held the next plane to LA and walked me over. I told them I had to stop at the food court really fast to pick up something and they wouldn't let me because they were holding the second flight. The second flight was then stuck on the tarmac for 8 hours. First class passengers were fed. I told the flight attendant about my diabetes, and she insisted there was no food on board even though I could see it through the curtain. When I told her I was going to pass out, she told me to drink more orange juice, which is one of the worst things to do for 8 hours. She treated me like a selfish glutton. There are other illnesses where meds must be taken with food, there are people with hypoglycemia, etc. For some people food is medication. Keeping people stuck on the tarmac for hours and hours is not only inconsiderate and cruel, but if no food is provided, they are in violation of the ADA.

LAist: Airline Passengers Bill of Rights Shut Down by Feds

Elise Thompson