Travel and Vaping Boycott US Airways!!!!

[Spikey]

Below is the letter I wrote to US Airways tonight.... I have vaped on US airways 3 times in the past 3 weeks... but the 4th time.. I was told it was not allowed! (all 4 times on the same airline).

To whom it may concern,

I am EXTREMELY displeased with US Airways! I had a problem with your airline inthe past and was offered a voucher. I decided I would give US Airways another chance. I did. I was pleased that the flight I took was on time and my baggage arrived where I arrived. Then I booked the flight in question (round trip from JFK to PHX). I am a former smoker and I use an electronic cigarette (personal vaporizer) to intake nicotine and prevent me from smoking. I spent many hours searching the US Airways website to determine if there was a policy against using these on your flights and I found NO information pertaining to such. I booked my flight. I used my device on the way TO PHX, but when I tried to use the electronic device on the way BACK to JFK I was told it was not allowed! I explained that I had thoroughly searched the website and had not found any mention of such restrictions on your website and I was told that was irrelevant and that it would not be allowed. I would like an explanation of how you can ban use of a device on a plane without any justified reason and also without informing the consumer BEFORE they purchase the ticket on your aircraft. I will not fly US Airways again and I will inform other users of said device not to fly your airline as well. I would like to know WHY it is not allowed and if the restriction IS explained on the US Airways website I would like to know where. Please be aware that I have printed out each page of your website before sending this so that I can see that any pertinent info was online BEFORE you reply to my email. I will provide these pages to my lawyer if I do not receive a satisfactory explanation as to how the airline can add rules and restrictions without informing the public or the consumer. I await an explanation. Thank you for your time.

Spike *******
New York

Got a reply...

Dear Ms.XXXXXX,

Thank you for contacting US Airways - Customer Relations concerning the
use of your electronic nicotine inhaler.

We apologize for any confusion concerning the use of your inhaler on our
aircraft. I do not know of any policy that prohibits the use of the
device. However, the In-Flight crew makes the final decision as to what
can or cannot be used on the aircraft.

Thank you for letting us explain our position.

Sincerely,
S.Siorek
US Airways Customer Relations
Corporate Office

US-09XXXX-059Q8

 

[PTJD]

Don't blame you Spikey! I've been Boycotting US Air for at least 10 years!

 

[seminolewind]

I boycotted them last year. First off, I had the first row behind first class. The bathroom was way in the back of the plane. There was a line. So I used the bathroom in the front. I was scolded for that because it was the "first class" bathroom. I was really ...... about that. Then I arrive at Phoenix for a connecting flight to Yuma. They delayed it cause the pilot was running late, the plane was there. They never told us the honest truth that they cancelled the flight. Hours went by, my DD called me on the cell and told me the flight was cancelled online, and quick get a seat on the next flight that leaves in 45 minutes. Thru a hassle with the ticket people and customer service, I was finally semi-promised a seat. That did it for me. And online I found out that their flights were ontime only 60% of the time. I'll just stick to Southwest. Love 'em

 

[seminolewind]

Spikey, write to the company, there's a good chance that you could explain it as harassment, and get a partial refund.

 

[Fox3]

Made it a point to tell the reservationist that I would not fly USAir and why, besides all the other problems. Added a few more.

If their decisions affecting flight make as much sense as this crap, I'd rather not thankyouverymuch...

If I had more time and the trains were not so ludicrously priced, I'd much rather go that way even though the rail system in this country is so poor.

Power over, not common sense.

If tobacco products are so horrid, how come I can still get them - even with oppressive taxes?

Spit...

 

[Jim Davis]

Things like this have to be expected when flying on Useless Airways. US Air has been at the bottom of the Customer satisfaction list for years. America West was second last. Then America West Merged with US Air, making them absolutely the WORST airline in the USA.

They *are* however, at the top of one list - Customer Complaints. I've avoided them for years.

 

[geeker]

I agree with you in principle, but I think the airlines have carte blanche to make whatever rules they want, truth be told. Please let us know what comes of this.

 

[QueenInNC]

Wasn't there a post recently about US Air banning PVs because of the battery? As crazy as THAT is...lol

 

[QueenInNC]

I thought I had seen this already

http://www.e-cigarette-forum.com/forum/travel-e-cig/14135-us-air-banning-fake-cigs.html

 

[radiokaos]

I have some friends that are on the crews of US air and other airlines. Some are pilots and some are flight attendants. In fact we have a member here that is a flight attendant as well. Up until a few weeks ago they never knew what a E Cig was. Now with the Media, and hype they are learning about these devices. That being said I think one airline has already posted online that Electronic Cigarettes are verboten. Either way you put it traveling today just sucks. Long waits at the security line, cramped airplanes, and extra and hidden charges.

Since I loathe flying commercial, I will fly myself to my customers instead.

Maybe you need to fly private or charter a airplane in the future. Otherwise, you can always slip into the restroom for a quick break. I know others have done it in the past with no issues. Only one member said the smoke alarm went off which puzzles me.

 

[Lika]

Not that disagree with you, Spikey. I do agree. However, I fail to see a common difference in this and say... a local bar. If the company doesn't want you vape, then we can't. Unfortunately, it's their call and not ours because currently there is no law either way. It's kind of like the no shoes/no service thing. While there's no law against not wearing shoes a company has every right to refuse you service if they say you better be wearing shoes. As far as it not being in their rules, I don't think it has to be. At the moment we as ecig/pv users don't fall under legal protection.

I guess the technical difference is that U.S. Airways is a major corporation. In that, I can certainly see the purpose of your letter in attempting to set a precedence and for that I commend your efforts. Good luck

 

[Jim Davis]

I thought I had seen this already

http://www.e-cigarette-forum.com/forum/travel-e-cig/14135-us-air-banning-fake-cigs.html

Yes, that thread is still here, and the thread on American Airlines. AA has added e-cigs to their list of prohibited in flight use items.

 

[Drewsworld]

I flew to Hilton Head last week and walked up to a TSA girl in the Airport and blew a Giant hit right at her...She started laughing and asked me what it was...Her male counterpart answered, "thats one of those ecigs right?", and I explained..The girl tried it, and asked for my number so she could buy one when she got paid...We actually sat down at tables in the Food court and talked about them for a while...The guy who seemed the most experienced out of the group said that there was no ban that he knew of, and that people were smoking them throughout the airport pretty regualarly...I did smoke mine on the flight but was very discreet, and had no problems

 

[Spikey]

See original post... added the response.


I knew I should have made a big deal and told them to F off.. I am trying to spread vaping peacefully.. but I went over the ENTIRE website before leaving and saw no policy against PV's. I should have been a b*tch about it. So the flight attendant has the right to decide what devices we can use on a flight!!! If they told me I had to put my laptop away just cause "they said so" I would FREAK on them... but I LET them tell me to not use the PV!!!! Mostly I didn't care because I hadn't slept in 2 days cause I was in a hot tub with Malice and I knew I was gona be sleeping anyway.. but I neglected Vapers rights and I feel like a failure... this sucks.. now I wana book a flight to nowhere just to vape and stand up for my rights. I am ......!!!! I am writing them back.

 

[Jim Davis]

See original post... added the response.


I knew I should have made a big deal and told them to F off.. I am trying to spread vaping peacefully.. but I went over the ENTIRE website before leaving and saw no policy against PV's. I should have been a b*tch about it. So the flight attendant has the right to decide what devices we can use on a flight!!! If they told me I had to put my laptop away just cause "they said so" I would FREAK on them... but I LET them tell me to not use the PV!!!! Mostly I didn't care because I hadn't slept in 2 days cause I was in a hot tub with Malice and I knew I was gona be sleeping anyway.. but I neglected Vapers rights and I feel like a failure... this sucks.. now I wana book a flight to nowhere just to vape and stand up for my rights. I am ......!!!! I am writing them back.

I know exactly how you feel, but it's basically a dead end. The FAA left vaping to the airlines. Some airlines left it up to the flight crew.

On a commercial flight, the FA's can be total .....es, and there's not much that can be done about it and the Pilot has the last word.

Just be careful. All an FA has to do, is inform the Pilot that they have an unruly passenger, and before you know it, Airport Security, TSA, and possibly the FBI will be escorting you off the plane.

You may want to watch corispondance too. I'm not 100% sure, but here's my short story.

I had an argument with TSA at IAH on a flight out in 2003. I was detained for calling the TSA officer, and his supervisor "Idiots" I followed up with a nasty-gram to TSA.
Two weeks later, I was being checked on every flight. I found that I had been placed on a terrorist watch list. Coincidence?? And to this day, I still get an occasional red flag, even though I'm Platinum with 3 airlines, and gold with a few others.

Send a PM if you need bail money

 

[Data4]

I'm torn. On the one hand, when you're talking about a vehicle that, in the case of a stall or breakdown, tends to lead to ... you know... MASSIVE DEATH if something goes afoul with the equipment, I tend to defer to the authority on board. If there's even the slightest chance that the electronics in the battery can send some sort of EMF interference to the aircraft's avionics, I'd rather not be the guy that indirectly caused everyone else to die because I couldn't control a habit that I alone am responsible for developing.

At the same time, a reasonable person would understand that a laptop computer-- which is permissible during the cruise portion of flight-- generates more EMF than a dinky e-cig battery, so we're likely dealing with a social restriction based on deep rooted prejudice.

I believe US Air flies mostly Airbus jets, but I'm guessing there isn't a lot of difference between those and other commercial airliners when it comes to what sort of electronic devices can affect the onboard systems. I work for Airbus' number 1 competitor, and I'll see if I can find some poindexter at work who knows these things and ask just how valid the claims against e-cigs are from a technical standpoint.

-D4

 

[Jim Davis]

I'm torn. On the one hand, when you're talking about a vehicle that, in the case of a stall or breakdown, tends to lead to ... you know... MASSIVE DEATH

There have been *many* tests done on everything from mini TV's to Cell Phones. Nothing really showed a serious problem, as far as I know. The FAA will disallow an item if there is any remote possibility of interference, and any interference is usually with the navigation system, not an operating system. They feel, "better safe than sorry".

But just keep in mind, that if any electrical device what so ever, could cause a plane to fall out of the sky, it would be totally banned, and not allowed anywhere near an airport.

Bottom line - don't worry 'bout the e-cig doing any aircraft damage.

 

[PTJD]

On a commercial flight, the FA's can be total .....es, and there's not much that can be done about it and the Pilot has the last word.

Just be careful. All an FA has to do, is inform the Pilot that they have an unruly passenger, and before you know it, Airport Security, TSA, and possibly the FBI will be escorting you off the plane.

Yep, seen my share of folks get "escorted" off a plane, a few where alcohol was not involved. Some FA's crack a heavy whip! If I was told not to vape, I won't do it.

 

[Spikey]

I know exactly how you feel, but it's basically a dead end. The FAA left vaping to the airlines. Some airlines left it up to the flight crew.

On a commercial flight, the FA's can be total .....es, and there's not much that can be done about it and the Pilot has the last word.

Just be careful. All an FA has to do, is inform the Pilot that they have an unruly passenger, and before you know it, Airport Security, TSA, and possibly the FBI will be escorting you off the plane.

You may want to watch corispondance too. I'm not 100% sure, but here's my short story.

I had an argument with TSA at IAH on a flight out in 2003. I was detained for calling the TSA officer, and his supervisor "Idiots" I followed up with a nasty-gram to TSA.
Two weeks later, I was being checked on every flight. I found that I had been placed on a terrorist watch list. Coincidence?? And to this day, I still get an occasional red flag, even though I'm Platinum with 3 airlines, and gold with a few others.

Send a PM if you need bail money

I know we all have our horror stories about airports (mine involves some adult toys including speculums and dildos and an 8 year old in line behind me) but yours sounds like it really sucks if you are a frequent flyer.

I am just wondering how the flight crew (being trained in nothing except emergency procedure and giving out beverages) can determine whether or not I should be allowed ro vape. I am wondering how they can "change the rules" from flight to flight without any notice!?! If I wanted to use an albuterol inhaler for asthma.. can they just determine that it is not allowed? Should I die from breathing problems because they don't want me to use an inhaler? Just crazy.

Anyway... I will write a nasty letter back and will not fly their airline again.

Their rules clearly state what other devices are and are not allowed to be used on the plane.. they must make a decision on this rather than leaving it up to the people serving drinks!!!

 

[Jim Davis]

I am just wondering how the flight crew (being trained in nothing except emergency procedure and giving out beverages) can determine whether or not I should be allowed ro vape. I am wondering how they can "change the rules" from flight to flight without any notice!?! If I wanted to use an albuterol inhaler for asthma.. can they just determine that it is not allowed? Should I die from breathing problems because they don't want me to use an inhaler? Just crazy.

I agree with everything you say. Air travel is totally crazy. I'm just suggesting that you be careful. It's surprising that your rights as an American Citizen can land you in the pokey.

I've met a lot of FA's who were great, and others who were on a power trip. You have to obey the orders of an FA while on the flight. Really sucks sometimes.

Wait until you get a TSA inspector on a power trip. A guy who used to be a 7-11 clerk, now has the power to detain anyone, including the President of the US.

Whatta country we live in.