[jimworcs]

Phx..
You are wrong to minimise the potential impact of the H1N1 virus.. this has been officially declared an epidemic and has the capacity to spread worldwide. The virus appears to have some odd characteristics, some of which are of unknown origin. For example, pregnant women, even healthy ones, appear to be highly vulnerable to the virus. It also seems to disproportionately affect younger people, particularly men. Whilst some of these may have underlying health problems, others do not.

It is highly irresponsible to operate any policies which may exacerbate the spread of this disease. This is not about people trying to trick the airlines out of change fees. This is about a serious matter of public health in which people may die. The airlines should immediately announce that change fees will not be charged for any passenger who can provide a doctors note, or laboratory results which evidence that the passenger was diagnosed with H1N1 virus.

If I was the OP, I would take the following action:

1. Write to AA CEO outlining your circumstances and copy your letter to your local Senator and/or Representative.

2. Contact the media and ask them to do a story on the public health implications of the airlines actions.

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.

The passenger would have to provide evidence. This exemption would only apply to the H1N1 virus and the reason for this is that the World Health Organisation and the Center for Disease Control in Atlanta have declared this an epidemic which requires "extraordinary" measures to protect the population.

You may not take this seriously, PHX, but you are in a minority. The UK government for example has bought enough vaccine to vaccinate the entire population. That suggests to me that scientific advisors to the government take this very seriously indeed.

The fees are a rip off in the first place. A failure to suspend the fees in this particular circumstance would be irresponsible.

[Silent Bob]

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.

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.

[PHXFlyer]

i realize that the H1N1 "swine flu" virus is a major public health threat but so is the seasonal flu and other airborn communicable diseases. while i appreciate one's decision not to travel so as not to expose others there are just as many if not more who choose to travel anyway. there are even those traveling who are incubating the virus and are yet unaware they are infected but are just as contageous as someone with symptoms. in a perfect world it would be a good thing to provide waivers. but where would it end? perhaps i had flu but not H1N1. shouldn't i get a waiver too? what about strep throat or conjunctivitis? just where would the line be drawn?

furthermore there is the element of fraud. on another airline related forum where I have been active for three years there was a recent report from someone who was denied a waiver to change their travel plans because of a death in the family. an airline employee added a comment to the threead that they had to be more diligent about giving bereavement fares/waivers because asit turned out almost 80% was fraud. im sure you would see a similar percentage with illness waivers as well. its a case of the wrongdoers spoiling it for those with a legitimate need.