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Before all the barking sympathisers start jumping up and down and saying that this is a charter for people to claim illness to get out of the fees, be clear about what I have suggested.
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Actually jim, I agree with you. I think the H1N1 is a very serious issue we're dealing with today. Looking at the number of deaths it's caused, hell any number high or low, doesn't matter, it should impact the way airlines will handle this. If a person says they have H1N1 they should be able to provide documented proof and that should be enough to waive any change fees, because I would really hate to think that the airlines are allowing swine flu patients on board spreading the disease even further than it is, and in my old age I don't have time for the flu lol. But yes the airline should have some contigency in place, much like they did when it first started.
I also agree to an extent the whole "change fee" issue. I think change fees should be put in place to deter "frequent" changing of reservations (i.e. people who keep changing their mind over, and over, and over), but for serious,documented issues, not just swine flu, I believe they should be waived. I also think the fees set in place are too high and should be lowered. I've actually paid a fee of 250 and that was because of my "no visa" for brazil. *sigh*
Lastly, think that the actions you suggest might be a bit extreme..... Writing the CEO: yes! Writing the CEO, the Media, Congress, the butcher, the baker, the green grocer: no! Why? You have to think, and I'm almost certain it happens, that most people try to contact the media for any given situation. True we're talking about swine flu, but I think before blowing things out of proportion and involving the media, we need to first think rationale, and maybe writing letters and making phone calls explaining the situation might help, and if all else fails, then yes why not try the media.
Oh CNN did run a small piece about Swine Flu and air travel earlier today. I don't think it will get full coverage unless of course it becomes a full blown pandemic.