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SAFETY AND SECURITY FOR STUDENTS ABROAD [Top Of Page]

North American hurricane season traditionally enters full swing in August and September. In 2008 there was no exception to this trend, with September Hurricanes Gustav and Ike, in particular, causing tremendous damage in the Caribbean and on the Gulf Coast.

For 2009, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) is estimating a “50% chance of a near normal season,” with nine to 14 named storms, four to seven hurricanes and one to three major hurricanes. Assist America’s SecurAssist team has spoken with independent sources that are more specific in predicting 13 named storms, six hurricanes and three major hurricanes. This forecast, if correct, would put 2009 activity above historical averages.

Seasoned travelers know that a single significant storm can cause drastic disruptions to transportation systems and local infrastructure. Vacationers to the Caribbean and Florida during peak storm months should stay vigilant about weather conditions, but business travelers to Mexico, the Gulf Coast, and much of the lower Eastern Seaboard are at equal risk.

Travelers to these areas during hurricane season should be aware that all storms, however minor, have the potential to cause severe delays. Airports can be damaged, and flights are likely to be cancelled. Roads can be washed away or blocked completely. In terms of physical safety, the U. S. State Department notes that looting and violence are not uncommon in the aftermath of natural disasters, and that the availability of security personnel may be limited in some locations.

The State Department recommends that travelers register with the nearest embassy or consulate when traveling to hurricane-prone areas, such as the Caribbean and Mexico. This way, travelers receive the security and safety updates that many embassies issue on a regular basis. Registering will also make it much easier for people to contact individuals in the event of an emergency. Travelers are also encouraged to keep family and friends updated on their whereabouts and to establish contact with local hospitality staff and safety officials while traveling. These people can provide safety and evacuation instructions for your location, often well in advance of landfall.

FROM CONFISCATED CARRY-ON TO eBAY TREASURES [Top Of Page]

It's a common sight: a passenger heading through airport security has to give up a belonging that violates the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) permitted list. Though travelers have the option of keeping a prohibited item either by transferring it into a checked bag, leaving it behind in the car or mailing it back to themselves if a post office is nearby, 90% will choose to give up the 'contraband' in favor of making an imminent flight or avoiding hassle. Between 2005 and 2006, the TSA confiscated more than 13 million prohibited items, and literally millions more are taken each year. So exactly where do the seized carry-on objects end up?

Shampoo and other liquid items in containers larger than 3 ounces are easiest--they are immediately disposed of through private waste contractors. Guns and firearms are turned over to local law enforcement. Other objects that possess any kind of value, such as knives, corkscrews, wrenches and the like, are donated to surplus organizations. These dealers first put the items up for auction to a closed set of buyers, such as state agencies and the Boy Scouts of America, at drastically reduced prices--usually only a few dollars. If they are not purchased at this stage, the items are then opened to the general public for up to half price through live auctions, retail stores and online websites such as eBay, The state in which the items were seized keeps the profits.

Until the ban on onboard cigarette lighters was lifted in 2007, they were the number one confiscated item, with more than 22,000 taken each day. Now, the TSA reports that baseball bats, golf clubs and knives have risen to the top of the list. More unexpected items are sometimes caught too. In recent years, officials have recounted confiscating fully-fueled chainsaws, baby alligators, chocolate-covered heroin bars, frozen monkey heads, nun-chucks, live cockroaches and much more from travelers' carry-on bags. One family even tried to move a dead relative onto the plane in a wheelchair to avoid paying a fee to transport the body.

Travel smart and efficient, and keep the wacky items at home. For a complete list of TSA prohibited items, visit http://www.tsa.gov/travelers/airtravel/prohibited/permitted-prohibited-items.shtm.

HOW'S THE AIR UP THERE? [Top Of Page]

Ongoing research efforts are attempting to confirm or dispel the ongoing impression travelers have about unhealthy airplane air. The University of Washington is studying blood and plasma samples from nearly 100 pilots and flight attendants reporting mysterious illnesses--including tremors, memory loss and severe migraine headaches--who suspect the cause is toxic air on board their assigned aircraft.
The team of scientists collected samples over two and a half years, and are close to finalizing the blood analyses that will definitively tell whether the participants were indeed poisoned by toxic fumes. The results will also show whether onboard air quality poses an unrecognized risk for passengers.

Challenges in Cabin Air
Current airplane environments are comprised of 50 percent filtered, re-circulated air, and 50 percent "bleed air," that originates from the engines and is pressurized and cooled before being sent into the cabin through vents. If an engine seal leaks, it is possible for the bleed air to become contaminated with toxins. The cabin is also subject to regular disinfecting, sometimes--for international flights--with pesticides banned by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), another potential source of contamination.
A study published in the American Chemical Society's magazine Environmental Science and Technology in 2007 suggests passengers themselves may even play a role in onboard air quality. The results showed that interactions between body oils and ozone found in airplane cabins could lead to the formation of chemical byproducts that might worsen nasal irritation, headaches, dry eyes and lips, and other common air traveler complaints.

The American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE), which was tasked by the U.S. government to look into air quality on planes, found in its study, Air Quality Within Commercial Aircraft, that air quality and current regulatory standards are basically adequate. Still, the organization called for improvements, including:

Keep air circulation systems operating. Air quality on planes is often worst when the plane is on the ground during boarding and delays, when air circulation systems are shut down and hot, stuffy conditions develop. ASHRAE said the industry needs temperature limits for cabins and an enforced standard that air circulation should never be shut down on a plane with people aboard (except for operational reasons like de-icing so toxic fumes are not sucked in, and even then, for an absolute limit of 30 minutes).

Look at cabin air zones instead of volume. Current requirements view air volume as an average throughout an airplane. But ASHRAE postulates that since aircraft air circulates across seat rows, not down the length of the plane, some parts of the cabin may not be getting the necessary ventilation. Their proposed new standard, which applies to any passenger commercial airplane capable of carrying 20 passengers or more, uses a zone-by-zone diagnostic to ensure circulation throughout the plane.

Evaluate the impact of ozone. Some long-haul jets use converters to decompose the high levels of ozone brought in from the high-altitude air, but most aircraft do not. ASHRAE recommends setting a maximum level of ozone contamination and requiring converters on planes that fly where ozone is expected to be encountered. The committee also suggests installing onboard sensors to ensure that fresh air drawn from the outside and compressed inside engines is not contaminated by an oil or hydraulic fluid leak.

Impact on People
Not everyone reacts adversely to airplane environments, even when a "fume event" is confirmed. Researchers say only a small percentage of people appear to be highly sensitive to the most toxic chemicals. These individuals may be genetically predisposed to a strong reaction, or may be taking certain prescription drugs, both of which can magnify the toxicity of inhaled chemicals.

Minor complaints from air travel, such as dry eyes and headaches, are easy to pinpoint and can be prevented or alleviated by staying hydrated and using over-the-counter remedies. But how do you know if you have been exposed to more potent contaminated air? First, know what you are evaluating. Oil fumes have been described by many as smelling like dirty socks, vomit, wet dog, burning oil or simply as a chemical smell. If you smell something close to this--or any strange odor--or if you feel ill while on board, notify the cabin crew immediately. Ask for help and be sure to request that the pilot record the problem in the flight logbook to ensure the problem will be investigated.

Exposure symptoms vary, but the most commonly reported initial complaints include stomach cramps, muscle weakness and flu-like feelings. More worrisome ailments include headache, dizziness, weakness, fainting and confusion. Neurological complications like tremors, balance problems, tingling/numbness, fatigue, memory loss and difficulties with speech can develop days and even weeks after exposure.

What to Do
As a passenger on an airplane, there is little that you can do personally to prevent inhalation of contaminated air. Some health experts recommend using a personal air purifier that attaches to the overhead air nozzle, but this helps remove allergens, viruses and bacteria only in the air coming out of your individual vent and does nothing to improve the air quality overall.

Be aware of your surroundings, odors and your health when in the airplane cabin. If you experience any worrisome symptoms, seek medical care immediately.

If you think you may have been exposed to contaminated air, ask a crew member for the aircraft number or at least try to record the number painted on the outside of the aircraft tail and aircraft type. Write to the airline, reporting the event and asking for the name of the oil used as well as any other pertinent mechanical records. You may also file a complaint with the Department of Transportation Aviation Consumer Action Division at http://airconsumer.dot.gov/problems.htm.

FROM THE ASSIST AMERICA CASE FILES: STAPH INFECTION IN SARASOTA [Top Of Page]

Margaret* and her husband, Bill, left Arkansas to visit neighbors who recently retired and moved to Florida. Just two days into their trip, Margaret began to feel ill and developed a fever and shortness of breath. When she began to have severe difficulty breathing, Bill called emergency response and Margaret was rushed to the hospital. She was admitted, and after observation and testing, it was determined that she had a very serious staph infection in her lungs.

Things degenerated quickly. Margaret went into respiratory failure and was put on life support. Bill called Assist America.

Our medical coordinators consulted with the treating team and determined Margaret was receiving a high standard of care. We monitored her constantly over the next three weeks, and little by little, her condition improved. By the fourth week, she was well enough to go home, but too fragile to endure the stress of traveling home commercially. Bill was nearly panicked, but Assist America quickly reassured him and stepped in to handle the details. We transported Margaret via ground and air ambulance with medical attendants--and Bill by her side--to a quality rehabilitation facility in her hometown. She was able to continue her recovery near her home and loved ones. Problem solved, thanks to Assist America!

Member Comment
"Thank you, Assist America! What can I say? After an unexpected stay in a hospital 900 miles from home and almost losing my wife, I could not even think straight. How was I going to get her home? The doctors told me that in her condition it would not be advisable to drive that distance and that she would need medical assistance. One call to Assist America and in no time we were home. Words cannot express our appreciation for your courteous and professional assistance. Excellent services that couldn't be better! Thank you again."

Knowing they may not eat for hours as many airlines have gone foodless onboard, travelers are reluctantly doling out almost twenty dollars for a simple hunger-staving preflight meal of a sandwich, bag of chips and drink at airport kiosks. Airline passengers are arriving earlier for security processing and check-in, waiting longer for connections because airlines have reduced flights in response to higher fuel prices and lower demand, and overall spending more and more time essentially held captive in the terminal. This often leaves a sizeable window for stomachs to growl and wallets to empty at airport restaurants with sometimes painful prices.

Airport terminal food pricing regulations in the U.S. were nonexistent for awhile, but now vary by facility. Some airports have begun to adopt "street price" policies requiring airport shops and restaurants to align costs with local stores, but a lot of vendors have yet to comply, and some even circumvent restrictions by benchmarking their prices against upscale establishments (for example, basing a hot dog price on comparable costs at an NFL team's stadium).

A recent USA Today article compared food pricing at 21 domestic airports, with wildly varying results. The Las Vegas airport fared worst: A bottle of water, priced at $1.20 at the average 7-11, cost $2.99 at the Las Vegas airport; a $2.80 Starbucks latte cost $3.39; and a $5.20 McDonald's Big Mac Value Meal was $7.79. Phoenix charged a similar price for the value meal, but only $1.34 for the water, and below-market $2.70 for the latte.

(For a complete list of the airports in the study, visit http://www.usatoday.com/travel/flights/2009-08-06-cost-food-airports_N.htm#chart)

Concession managers say higher prices are inevitable because operating costs are higher at airports, where shops typically stay open longer, must pass security requirements and sometimes have to increase staff quickly when flights are grounded due to inclement weather.

Either way, for frugal travelers, there are some methods for bypassing the headache of airport nutrition. Eat a decent meal just before heading to the airport, and have a snack before clearing security checkpoints. Pack wisely in your carry-on bag. Some good snack choices are protein and granola bars, apples, fruit and nut trail mix, and peanut butter sandwiches (spread the peanut butter on both sides of the bread and the jelly between to avoid sogginess). You can always pack an empty water bottle, which will pass easily through security, and fill it at the various water fountains in the terminal. With a little pre-planning, you can board your flight with a full stomach and wallet!

The battle rages on in the U.S. between airlines and passenger rights organizations to have two bills passed to protect travelers in cases when flights are substantially delayed. The bills call for airlines to provide adequate food and water, restroom facilities, cabin ventilation and temperature control, access to medical treatment, and--if the delay is three hours or more--the option of returning to the terminal, if it can be done safely.

Airlines say that "only" about 200,000 U.S. passengers were significantly stuck on the tarmac in the first half of this year, a small percentage considering how many people fly. Flyers Rights, a consumer organization representing airline passengers, sets the number at 400,000--and that only domestically. Either way it is little consolation to anyone who has experienced the discomfort and frustration of being trapped inside a plane as the air becomes stuffier and people become grouchier.

To travelers, the passenger rights bills sound like no brainers, but airlines have a different perspective. Carriers point out that providing food during delays will be a challenge, since many no longer serve meals onboard. They claim that safe return of passengers to the terminal requires an open gate--not always readily available--and that any deplaning that does not follow this regulation jeopardizes passenger safety or security, and will result in fines and penalties.

The airline industry and its trade group, the Air Transport Association (ATA), say that, if passed, the bill will have unintended consequences like forcing airlines to cancel flights at a time when capacity cuts have made it less likely that their customers will find convenient alternatives. Aircraft that return to the gate for deplaning lose their place in queue for takeoff potentially causing further delays.

Airline insiders point to an archaic U.S. air traffic control system as the culprit for the delays, and think modernization efforts aimed at that sector will solve the problems of so many aircraft sharing limited space without necessitating a passengers' bill of rights. The FAA has said it plans to gradually improve the system, switching to satellite navigation in place of radar to track and direct planes. The overhaul, called NexGen (Next Generation Air Transport System), is scheduled to become operational in 2018.

To learn more about NexGen, please visit http://www.faa.gov/about/initiatives/nextgen/

For more about Flyers Rights, please visit http://www.flyersrights.org/

For more about the ATA, please visit http://www.airlines.org/

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