Video
Airlines say when it comes to swine flu, their jets and planes are as safe as trains and schools. Carriers are already taking precautions, but soon they may start doing health screenings at U.S. airports, as Steve Stoler reports. and gt; LINK: WFAA Flu Information Center
>D/FW AIRPORT - When it comes to swine flu, airlines say their jets and planes are as safe as trains and schools.
The nation's carriers are already taking precautions, and soon they may start doing health screenings at U.S. airports.
The advice from health experts continues to be: If you are feeling sick from swine flu symptoms, stay home. But what if you're away from home and facing expensive delays in your travel plans?
That was Kimberly Koschital's dilemma recently when her 18-month-old girl Kendall woke up sick.
"She was cranky; her fever hit about 103," Koschital said.
Kendall's mom wanted to reschedule their flight back to Atlanta, but making the change would have cost $500 for a one-way ticket, including a cancellation fee.
"I was rushing there, nervous, crying," Koschital said. "What do I do? Do I put her on the plane? Do I not put her on the plane? What if someone else is sick there? What if she gives somebody something? What if somebody gives her something worse?"
Finally, the airline offered the frantic mom some help. They rescheduled her on a Monday flight with no added fees.
But Koschital wonders how many others are facing the same tough choices.
"What do you do? Do you take your sick kids on a plane or you don't?" she asked. "What if the airlines won't let your kid on the plane? What do you do?"
Overseas, airlines are already conducting health screenings at airports.
"In China, for example, when I arrived there, they are checking people right on the plane," said international traveler Oliver Schmid.
Signs now in place at Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport security areas warn passengers about the H1N1 swine flu virus, advising anyone with symptoms to stay at home or avoid close contact with others.
The situation is making passengers like Curtis Pulley very uncomfortable. "On my flight out here last week, there was someone on the plane who was coughing," he said.
Kimberly Koschital said flying with her sick daughter just wasn't worth the risk. "I'd rather her be healthy than have to go through this," she said.
Airlines can stop someone from boarding a jet if they have a disease that can spread to others.
Some carriers are now stowing blankets and pillows to limit transmission of germs.
To add a comment, please register or login.