I admit: I’ve pretty much always been a germaphobe and Covid only exacerbated it. Years before the pandemic began, I started packing face masks in my carry-on bag, just in case I was sick or my seatmate was. I would wear one out of courtesy if I wasn’t feeling well (back then, changing a ticket was expensive) or I would offer one to my seatmate if they were coughing without covering their mouth, one of, if not my biggest, pet peeves while traveling. Speaking of which, here are 10 common air travel pet peeves and how to deal with them.
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Yesterday, a passenger asked a flight attendant to remove his seatmate, who just happened to be former Heisman Trophy winner and Super Bowl MVP, Desmond Howard.
As you can see from Desmond’s now viral tweet and video (below), which has close to two million views, he got the last laugh. @DesmondHoward tweeted: An “Entitled” passenger tried to get me removed from @americanair flight because I was “sick”. To justify is request he told the supervisor “I am sure my status is higher than his so you should remove him.”? After I took this video he asked the FA if he could switch seats.?
We’re always happy to have you on board with us!
— americanair (@AmericanAir) March 12, 2023
The funniest thing is that Desmond created the video while in the air with his seatmate still next to him, whom he shows a glimpse of near the end. Here’s the full transcript:
“So, I’m on this American Airlines flight and before we took off, the supervisor comes up and she speaks to the guy sitting next to me. She said, “You wanted to talk to me?” He said, “Yeah, I think you should remove this gentleman from the plane because he’s sick.” He’s talking about me. I said, “I’m sorry, are you a doctor?” He says, “Well, you’ve been coughing all over the place.” This is before we even took off, right. I said, “Well, you can leave the plane and take another flight because I’m not leaving. All I was doing was clearing my throat.” So Carol, the supervisor, she’s looking and guess which card he tried to play? He said, “I’m sure if you check our status, my status is higher than his.” So, I said, “Carol, check our seats and let me know whose status is the highest.” As you see, I’m still sitting on this plane. As a matter of fact, we’re in the air right now. The caucasity of him. Unbelievable. Alright everybody, have a happy Sunday! Peace.”
As you will probably agree, this does take some nerve and if you’re going to make an accusation like this, you better be 100% right and that he’s sick with something nasty.
I can understand being worried about flying next to someone who is sick but unfortunately you can’t control the situation unless you hire a private jet. On the flip side, if you do have a cough or even a tickle in your throat, it’s best to soothe it while on an airplane, which is why I always travel with a pack of Honees lozenges, which are, in my opinion, the best. In fact, here’s why you might want to travel with two packs.
What you can do is wear a solid N95 mask for protection (not a cloth one like he was wearing) and carry a WYND air purifier, which I now travel with (mostly to keep my kids safer.)
You also don’t want to pull the elite status card because you never know who you’re sitting next to because you can’t judge a book by its cover. Decades ago, I once sat next to a priest on a JFK-LAX flight (I got upgraded to first class) and one might assume that they fly more than a priest, especially since I used to make the trans-continental flight every other week to see my mother, who was dying of cancer. I thought I flew a lot until I got talking to the priest. Get this … he told me he flew to L.A. every Saturday night just to do a private mass in Latin in Malibu for Mel Gibson before taking the Sunday afternoon flight back. Now that’s a lot of flying.
Howard currently works as a college football analyst for ESPN and is a commentator for Detroit Lions pre-season games so he’s traveling a ton during the season and obviously in the off-season. Best advice is to mind your business.
Oh, and American Airlines replied to Desmond’s tweet with: “We’re always happy to have you on board with us!”
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*caucasity correction
Funny ,that people are saying Desmond made it about race. Umm, no, the other guy made it about race when he assumed his “status” was higher than Desmond. Why did he assume that? Oh, let me guess because he is a Black man. Just another case of some trying to use their privilege based on their biases. Fyi.. Caucasian is equalivent to white privilege.
If he was not a Heisman Trophy winner I doubt this would have made the news.
Surprised his big head fit in the plane.
The passanger who tried to get Demond Howard removed is obviously an idiot a hole. Idiot a holes come in all colors, genders and religions.
Desmond Howard is a racist for using the word caucasity. Racists come in all colors.
How funny the tables have turned and you talking about him talking about race go dig up your ancestors and tell them what fine mess they left behind with their slavery making money off of black people for generational wealth because Desmond said something y’all funny.
Interesting, and unnecessary, derogatory racial reference. Is this what we can expect from ESPN commentators/analysts?
And, American Airlines……. You respond to tweets that include racial slurs by saying “We’re always happy to have you on board with us”. It seems that the real story is being missed here!
Was the man Caucasian? Yes! Did he have the audacity to say DH was sick and coughing everywhere? Yes! Did he state check my status? Yes! Caucasian means some Caucasians has the unmitigated gall to get upset that those that are non Caucasian are enjoying things some whites feel we shouldn’t. Not racist calling a spade a spade.
The insanity that has happened since covid. People can present with allergy symptoms and people assume they have covid. The status statement was the real irritation!
The “caucasity”. Race card much Desmond ? He was wrong and then you decided to stop to his level. If he had made a video and mentioned something about your race you would have had an emotional breakdown.
The lady is crazy as Hell. Mask do not do a thing. You will get germs anyway. We have never had the vaccine, no mask and traveling the USA and beyond not even a cold. If you are in good health and eat right you stay healthy!
“Caucasity” eh? Apparently Mr Howard believes two wrongs make a right! Countering his cabin mates boorish behavior with a racial slur is not cool dude! Thanks for creating a brand new racial slur in this current political climate! 😎👎
“The caucasity of him.” Classy.