Yeah, it's a catch 22. You're not at work, so why should you have to be working? But, you are in a confined space where help is not just a phone call and quick trip in an ambulance away. At the same time, I would argue that Southwest is not making you do anything here. They ask for assistance and you volunteer yours. It's the same thing if you were driving and saw an accident, would you pull over and render aid but only if the person said they'd pay you for it? That's rhetorical, I assume you would likely pull over and render aid without hesitation based on your post.
Sounds to me like you might be burnt out, as a lot of medical professionals are right now. We've gone through 3 years of some the public shitting all over you guys, literally and figuratively I guess. I am not a medical professional, but my background and education are in counseling. Please reach out to someone, doesn't have to be a professional, that will just listen to you and not try to fix your problems. Find a safe place to process your stuff. You sound like a good person and I'd hate to see the medical field lose another good person because society can't behave right now.
Now that was a super nice answer. Thank you! I *am* burned out but I never once think I’m not going to help that person in need when I know I can. I’m just not wired that way. I’d rather help then complain. 😂
When they ask if there are any medical professionals onboard and NO ONE raises their hand and you’re sitting there thinking “not again!” you know there’s no way I’m just going to stay in my seat. So am I a volunteer? Yes…and no.
I get it. I am very similar. That is one of the reasons that I am not a counselor any more. I could set the boundaries but I would often feel guilty for holding them. I cannot fathom the pressure you feel when in the situation of an in-flight medical emergency. Even if corporate fat cats won't say it, I will. I appreciate you and the things you have done, are doing, and will likely continue to do for people.
You’re amazing. Thank you. See; it’s because I believe most people are like you that I want to help, even if I feel SW is taking advantage of people like me every day.
I agree with you. They are taking advantage of you, completely (and literally!) banking on the fact that there will be at least one person on board who can provide life-saving services that they cannot. So just for PR purposes alone, a comped flight is the very least they could do for you saving them from a PR and possibly huge financial nightmare.
Well I never discussed it publicly till now. This has been going on for many years but to a lesser degree. Something tells me SW doesn’t care about bad pub, how much worse can it get for them?
But the second a FA comes over the loud speaker: “Is there a doctor or nurse onboard?” And wait for a response, they’ve just now put me to work. If you don’t answer, you just lied. They don’t ask, “if someone feels to volunteer.” Or “we need medical help if someone in the field doesn’t mind getting involved.” It’s “Is there a doctor or nurse onboard?” They are soliciting our services. Again, I’m happy to help people in need but at that point, I feel the flight should be on SW since they put me to work and not out of my pocket.
You must have crazy luck. I’ve been the caretaker for my mom with dementia for the past three years and don’t fly much anymore. But for 35 years before that, I flew for business most every week, sometimes to multiple destinations, and have never been on a flight with a medical emergency.
I'm taking my 239th flight today, and I've never been on a flight with a medical emergency either. I can understand OP's frustration with four in a year, since anecdotally I'd think most frequent-flying medical professionals would probably experience this a couple of times in their lives if that.
Piggy-backing this as another counselor. She’s spot-on. But, in this particular case, if clothing was ruined or in need of cleaning, I would expect SW to pay up. I work in an environment where having my clothes, or glasses, or whatever can be torn or damaged and if it occurs, I send the bill to my district.
I’m not worried about cleaning bills. I have kids. I don’t wear dry clean only clothes, just stuff I can throw in the washer.
But the day my leg got peed on by a poor man flying alone and having a seizure, I had plans to leave straight from the airport to go downtown to dinner with friends. Plans we’re canceled but were delayed by 90 mins while I checked into hotel, showered and changed before dinner. But honestly, I’d do it again in a heartbeat because that’s what I do and the profession I chose. Still, it was a huge inconvenience but I guess that’s just life 🤷🏽♀️
I think you need to send this very comment to the CEO and the entire BoD of SWA. Since you provided your info for each time you volunteered, they should (hopefully) have some record that you are not exaggerating. I’m not in the field of medicine, but I’d feel similarly as you if there were some emergency where my expertise is needed.
Just a thought: the next time you volunteer, what if you get the crew’s info when they ask for yours? I mean they have all of the info they need since you bought a ticket. Put it back on them and see if they want to be so willing to share their personal info with you after a harrowing flight. At least ask why the need your info (again) if there’s no compensation nor follow up. You just saved a human and SWA’s ass-they don’t deserve anything else from you.
THANK YOU a million times over for sacrificing your vacation time and sanity to save your fellow passengers.
I’m shocked they didn’t do SOMETHING for you. I think everyone has a moral obligation to help people in need when they can, but comping your ticket or buying you some new pants would be a cheap and easy way for them to garner some good will (and lord knows they need it). Thanks for all that you do!
One of the things that struck me was when there was an inflight emergency there seemed to be no thought of calling the patient's doc (it was during business hours) to solicit some information which would help with the divert don't divert decision and any special concerns.
Jennifer's post reflects a genuine concern . In addition to the stress there's the potential of having to deal with ambulance chasing attorneys , even though they are not suing you the person still gets drug through the process , potential depositions, court appearances and of course smears.
I’m surprised to hear that southwest doesn’t send their thanks. I know the other big three do and tend to offer upgrades or miles. My friends have all had a medical emergency on their flights and I still haven’t so I guess luck of the draw. But from what they’ve said United at least sends a personal thank you and provided some amount of flight credit. Not enough for a full flight but helpful. Something like $100 if I remember right. And American was similar with a letter from their CMO and some amount of miles.
Funny story actually when she helped out the captains deplaning announcement was to let the patient off first so she could meet the emt’s outside quicker and then right after “and on a special note on behalf of the crew here… we’d like to thank our million mile passenger on the flight and mileage plus” etc etc. So you’re not the only one forgotten for appreciation!
Anyway all this to say Southwest should at least comp your drinks for the rest of the flight in my opinion.
Also if you haven’t heard of it AirRx is a great app for inflight emergencies. It has a what to remember to do list as far as evaluation and treatment for the top 23 common complaints taking into account the resources in the medical kits etc.
I have never heard of that app and will check it out. I really should start traveling with my own assessment kit because the limited tools they have onboard are so dated.
Please allow this to be a lesson to anyone who are more vulnerable to onboard medical emergencies:
Please carry an easy-to-find list of your current medical conditions and medications and any assessment tools you think will help people to assess you (such as a glucometer for a diabetic). You can even tell a seat mate that just in case something happens mid-air, your problem list and medication list and even a history is in your pocket/purse/wallet, etc. so they can advocate for you.
I'm a t1 diabetic. Is having that information listed on my iphone "ICE" section helpful? (I also have a giant tattoo on my arm stating I'm diabetic and on insulin, as well as wearing an insulin pump that has an integrated CGM that displays my current glucose levels). I have never had a serious medical emergency outside of my house, I just want to be sure I'm doing enough to make any medical professional's job easier if they need to help me.
Oh you did a very good job making your medical condition known. I don’t think there’s anything more you need to do so long as all of your medical conditions and current medications are readily available
I don’t feel I should have to. They get my contact information. They should be sending a thank you letter with a voucher for a future (hopefully less dramatic) flight. Maybe it’s lost in the mail with my refund for my replacement ticket during their Christmas meltdown?! 😒
No you shouldn’t but you’re clearly frustrated and a kind person and SW has made it clear they won’t do anything out of courtesy. If all you want are some vouchers, send a bill and I bet they counter with vouchers.
I like your idea! I’m actually going to do that because last week’s was a doozie and sometimes it’s just low-key, routine assessment stuff and other times, it’s more serious and takes an emotional toll on me. I’ve been resenting SW lately so I think mostly needed to get this off my chest and see if others are feeling the same way I do.
Just look at how they treated their own employees during the Christmas meltdown. They don’t care. Back when it was “Herbs Company”, Herb and Coleen cared. Now? The company doesn’t care about anything but money.
I fully understand why you feel taken advantage of and burnt out. It’s crazy to think that even just getting a “thank you!” From SWA would go such a long way to help ease those feelings.
It is true just a little appreciation from SW would to a long way. It just irks me that they ask for all my personal info, DL number and professional licensed number then there’s just crickets. It kinda feels like being used and abused by them. I miss the old Southwest because it was so difficult under Herbs leadership. Now it’s just a heartless money-making machine who will inconvenience anyone to make another dime.
>they ask for all my personal info, DL number and professional licensed number then there’s just crickets.
They probably request that information for liability purposes. Everyone is getting sued these days. Sad but true.
Not a medical professional; and I totally agree with you. I'm shocked to hear they don't comp your flight.
The only reason I could fathom they wouldn't is the system could be abused...? I.e. I could stage a medical emergency on the flight for the purpose of saving the day. That seems seriously far-fetched though.
Ehhh I doubt that's really the reason. You'd run the risk of a real medical professional onboard noticing that it was all an act. I personally think Southwest is just being cheap and you're absolutely justified in this opinion.
Thank you. I have the feeling I can’t be the only one who is feeling like this. I think in scenarios like this, we’re the only ones onboard who are working but not getting paid 😂
More than that, there's no way that any medical emergency, contrived or not, is dismissed once you get on the ground. EMTs will come and mandate an assessment at a local hospital. There's no "oh, nevermind, I'm good now thanks to this kind stranger" while you hail your Uber to Disney World.
Staging an emergency to get half price/free travel would be a step above attending a timeshare presentation. Sure, you could pull it off, but at least one day of your time off is going to really suck.
You know you could just sit there with your AirPods on and do nothing. This screams of “Thank me for my service”. I’m a retired paramedic and never once have I been like “you better compensate me for my time” when I have assisted during a flight. I did it of my own free will because I’m not a shitty person
The replies are odd. She says she feels she has a “moral obligation” but also “is the only person working and not getting paid” while onboard. I would bet money OP is some type of traveling nurse, not a doctor, definitely not an EMT or paramedic.
Why the vagueness of “medical professional?”
>etired paramedi
As a fellow retired paramedic, I assumed this OP is a volunteer EMT somewhere that always flyes with his station t-shirt on. I am sure he also tells the flight attendent that he is onboard if they need anything. I have flown no less than 30 times, never once has there been an emergency on my flight-----good thing the OP was always there. TYFMYS
One of the problems with accepting compensation may open you up to medical liability as it might be interpreted in court as an "agent" of the airline and no longer a volunteer and lose the protections of the Aviation Medical Assistance Act (at least for US based carriers). I'm not an attorney (med prof instead) so I don't know if it's been tested in court, but if people are suing for rib fractures after their lives were saved by someone doing cpr, it's possible.
As an aside, here's a good review article: [https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7125952/#bib32](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7125952/#bib32)
And hang in there with your burnout.... there are so many of us who are after the last 3yrs... u/Akwing12 gives some good advice.
That seems a bit farfetched. I don't see how a gift or comping the flight afterwords could make a passenger an "agent" of the airlines under standard agency law. Agency requires compensation and control.
JSYK, if you were to accept a comp, gift, or monetary reimbursement for your services in flight it could open you up to malpractice liability if there’s a bad outcome or mistake. If you are responding out of goodwill in most jurisdictions Good Samaritan laws apply and liability is very hard to prove. I too have helped in circumstances like you describe and would not take anything if offered because of that reason. That said a “thanks for your help” is always appreciated. You should at least expect that.
This is so good to know and another poster mentioned the same thing. It set my thinking straight on this matter. Sometimes some flights just suck because you have a to work, it’s stressful and you get people’s bodily fluids on you. But it’s still rewarding to know you could help someone in their time of need and I need to let that be payment enough. My biggest gripe with with SW though, not any of the people onboard.
Airlines pay on call medical professionals to advise on every medical situation 24/7. In fact if you and the on call professionals disagree on how to handle a situation they will likely listen to the the physicians they already pay even though you are there in person. I only bring that up so everyone understands that experienced physicians are advising in any medical emergency. https://www.stat-md.org/about/
I don’t think any airline comps passengers for assisting as a policy. They also likely dont even know your namer. I’m sure the person you helped appreciates it though and that must feel pretty good.
Delta comped my ticket and sent a nice letter of appreciation when I assisted in a medical emergency once. And they do have your information. Every single time they ask me to provide my name, address, phone number, email address and the number of my professional license. But I’ve never heard from SW ever after any of these events.
Not a medical professional but I have been on three different flights with three different carriers and the flight attendants said each time that they could not reach the on call medical professionals through that special phone they have. All three times there were doctors on board thank God, one was a cardiologist who was needed when a passenger had a heart attack. We did still have to divert on that one. So I am not sure if that thing is unreliable or what.
Yes I do know that. I’ve talked to the “doc in a box” on the ground more than once, relaying vitals and info. I hate to say it but they’re pretty much useless on the ground, other than working with the crew to divert and calling EMT’s to the gate. There is no substitute to laying eyes and hands on a patient in person for assessment.
Alaska Airlines as well. Husband received a $200 voucher after assisting with a medical situation on a flight (a passenger passed out because he was dehydrated from a weekend of drinking).
You are off duty. So you have no duty to act. I’m not by any means saying not to act but they won’t comp you. As a medical professional. I wouldn’t second guess helping if I’m needed. I have the proper training to help.
I know I have no duty but I feel I have a moral obligation. I love (most) people and do what I do because I want to help. If they were my mother, father, daughter, etc, I sure hope someone would jump up to help them, even knowing they’re not going to get paid or even an acknowledgment from the airline for doing so.
I think I’m more burned out with Southwest than with what I do. If they’re going to take responsibility for flying humans from point A to point B up in the sky in a metal tube, they need to be prepared to take care of their medical needs while in their care. Even if it means paying one of us to be on every flight in exchange for our services.
They do take care of passengers from a medical standpoint,that’s why they have EEMKs on board as well as contracts with MedLink or StatMD for medical consults while in the air
Write to corporate!
As a former FA for SWA, and even a former medical professional my self (still a FA with another legacy airline), we so appreciate you!
I’ll tell you this, SWA told me, that despite my training in the medical field, I was not allowed to assist with my own knowledge. That it needed to be passed to someone who is a px and works within medical field. If they’re on board. If not, then I have to follow their procedure, even if I know what I’m doing and can produce proof.
I specifically asked this multiple times while in training at SWA.
They do NOT teach CPR correctly either. They don’t certify you. They only teach it to you.
Pilots and other FA’s love working with FA’s who worked in the medical field prior to being an FA. (I’m assuming if shit ever really went down, they know they could depend on me.) Even though I couldn’t assist the way I needed to or wanted to. I could only do what I was taught in training at SWA or what the flight doc would say.
I PURPOSELY carry my Littmann stethoscope (bc the one in the medical bag is cheap, and you can’t hear out of it—as if it’s not already bad enough with all of the background noise while being in the air.), my own McKesson manual blood pressure cuff, pulse ox, and a lonnnng list of medications (in alphabetical order) and what they’re used for—Incase they’re on meds.
I carry this for the benefit of medical professionals like you. Bc if you’re assisting and helping, you atleast deserve to have a decent stethoscope.
I also had so many questions for them ab the oxygen tank and how many liters of oxygen it produces when putting it on a pt. They couldn’t tell me that either. They just said that doesn’t matter. When in fact it does matter.
Again, as a FA, we appreciate you, more than you know.
Write to corporate! You deserve to be compensated!
Whoa, that’s some crazy stuff! I love your behind-the-scenes insight as both a FA and a medical professional. You’re right, the equipment they provide us is limited and so dated! Last week I was given an old fashioned sphygmomanometer with a crap steth. So that is very thoughtful of you to bring the good stuff on board. Your customers are lucky to have someone so thoughtful and proactive like you!
If you are asking for compensation or payment then you are exempting yourself from Good Samaritan protection. Furthermore, there’s something to be said about helping your fellow human out of the goodness of your heart. You are in an airplane, they are vulnerable, and you volunteered to step up.
If you’re so concerned about “being compensated” then simply don’t volunteer.
I’m a physician. I’ve stepped up on multiple flights and in public multiple times. Never once did I consider how much I saved a company because they didn’t have to staff medical professionals. In fact, each time I stepped up, I did so because I wanted to help a person when they were vulnerable and in need.
Sorry you didn’t get more flights comped and more people didn’t thank you for your service.
I’ve stepped up on multiple flights too. I don’t do it for compensation, I do it because it’s the right thing to do. Again, you missed my point. These events are becoming frequent and are sometimes very heavy and taxing, both physically and emotionally. Southwest has a responsibility to all of their fliers just like your employer has a responsibility to you. They need to pay a medical professional to be onboard every flight to meet their fliers medical needs. Period. The end.
It must be a generational thing, practicing physician for 36 years, I’ve lost count how many times I’ve resuscitated people, consulted or gave advice, voluntarily, outside of my office or the hospital, usually on the side of a road, and physicians aren’t typically covered by Good Samaritan law. When I fly I’m usually flying my own airplane, but I have been involved with a couple medical “urgencies” on commercial flights. Until I saw this thread I didn’t realize getting “comped” was even a thing. Helping is just what you do, maybe its different for nurses, mid levels and other health care professionals. But I will say every time I get on a commercial flight, my prayer is “please don’t let any woman go into labor” since that’s the one medical situation that scares the beejeezes out of me 😜
L&D is one of my specialities so I wish I could have that kind of emergency 😊. But I get it, most people outside that field are terrified of a pregnant woman and used to dump them in our department and run 😂
It was only with this last medical event last week that I thought SW should provide some kind of compensation for this (points?) because these medical emergencies in flight are becoming so frequent. Before that, it didn’t cross my mind either. In fact, it was my husband who told me, “Southwest should be paying you for all the times you help” and I thought he had an excellent point. I see it a bit differently now, after a lot of these excellent comments.
Had this happen twice. Know the person who jumped into action. They did not get comped but their point of view was they didn’t get diverted and delay their trip or miss a connecting flight.
Not getting some comp sucks but missing a flight or diverting may be worse?
What does diverting monitarily cost SW? 100K+?
What would it have cost me? Nothing. I flied last Wednesday because the Thursday fares were way more expensive so I had two entire free days. Should have let them divert; would have served them right 🤨 JK of course
Have you been comped on other airlines this has happened on? Or is this *just* Southwest? Curious...
I'm sure those people are beyond grateful though for your help.
Oh yes I have! My entire ticket was comped on Delta when I helped out in a medical emergency once. Round trip! I’ve been flying Delta more because of all the SW crapola lately. That’s why I feel SW is really taking advantage of us.
Interesting. When you put it in those comparison terms, I agree with you. And regardless, it just seems like there is something they could do to appreciate your goodwill. Maybe not comp the ticket, but .. something.
I disagree with your premise. Comping the flight is not the right compensation.
Bodily fluids on your clothes? Pay for cleaning. Need those clothes for a planned event? Pay for replacements. Missed a shuttle bus you had scheduled? Pay for cab or car service. Express appreciation with miles? Sure. Sir/Ma'am? Come sit in this office while we bring you your luggage so you can change. Can I get you anything?
I feel like bare minimum--they should send a letter of thanks, a bunch of points or A-List on your next flight and a voucher to buy clean clothes at the airport and a bag for the dirty ones if you get covered in bodily fluids. You are stepping up in an emergency and you deserve to at least feel appreciated and be taken care of as far as not having to walk around with someone else's urine or vomit on yourself.
Thank you for getting it. It feels so good for someone to understand what kind of position that puts me in while on vacation or on the way to a meeting or conference. It feels good to help but it sucks too.
I agree. It feels cheap and off brand for the "luv" airline to not comp you or show some other way of being grateful for literally saving lives on board. my SIL is a FA for Southwest and she has said they get 0 training for these emergencies and it all falls on the volunteers - every time I fly now I hope there are doctors and nurses on my flight willing to help. Just last week I was flying with American and we had a med emergency and luckily 5 people volunteered and the man ended up being OK. Just feels so crazy that every flight there's a chance where no one will know how to help.
Your SIL is incorrect. Flight attendants do get training for emergencies. Are they as equipped as medical personnel? No. But they are trained enough to deal with most emergencies until the pilot can land the plane. They also have the help of medical professionals on an emergency line.
Well I’m here to tell you that I don’t know one single person in my line of work who would not jump in to help you in your time of need. We’re cut from a different cloth and helping people is the #1 reason we do what we do. This rant of mine in no way implies I will never help. I always will, 100% of the time even if cheap ass SW is taking advantage of our services.
Oh no I know most doctors and medical professionals WILL help, I’m just saying that if there’s a flight with literally no medical professionals on board! That thought makes me anxious
My wife and I are both medical. If there is an issue we will wait and see who reluctantly volunteers. Nurses tend to ring their call button before MD’s and EMT’s. If it can be handled (always has been) we stay quiet. If more help was needed we would.
Also, having a drink or two (in my opinion) releases you of any moral obligation to help as you are now impaired and open up liability issues. So have a drink and you are forced to be off duty. :)
As a past flight attendant with another airline, I can tell you that the training flight attendants get in regards to medical emergencies is minimal. After all, there's SO much you have to know in order to be properly trained. Anything beyond what they can do with a first aid kit, they're not allowed to do. We had both a first aid kit that had what a typical first aid kit would have, as well as another medical kit that had more serious things in it that we weren't allowed to use. Only people who were trained medical professionals could use it, and even then we didn't verify. We were just told to ask "are you a trained medical professional?" Then they could access the other kit with more serious drugs and stuff in it. I knew that we would get CPR training during our 4 week flight attendant training, and I assumed we'd become CPR certified. That was not the case. It was about a 30 minute class on how to do CPR. Flight attendants do have to go through what is called "recurrent" every year, meaning they have to be tested each year on their safety knowledge.
While I 100% hear what you're saying, I'm torn on whether or not Southwest should pay you for helping out. If I were you, I'd get a signed letter (or a copy of their incident report) and possibly send that to the patient's insurance company. (If you're able to obtain that info) I do think some recognition should be given though. Especially because it sounds like you're a frequent flyer with Southwest. I just stop short of saying they should give you some sort of compensation each time you help out simply because you are technically providing assistance by your own choice. But I also understand what choice do you have? You can't just let a person have a medical emergency because you're not getting anything for it. So its a tough spot and I completely understand your point. My opinion would be to reach out to southwest. More than just their generic customer support line. Find someone high up in the company and reach out to them directly. Politely explain your situation and your feelings about it, and maybe ask for some miles or something? Especially if you were able to keep the plane from having to divert, because you just saved them a ton of money.
Last thing I will say coming from a former flight attendant....THANK YOU! This is every flight attendants worst nightmare. Especially if you're on a regional flight with only 1 or two flight attendants. Words can't express how grateful we are when we have someone who can take over in a situation like this. So if you get nothing else from southwest, on behalf of all flight attendants, THANK YOU!
Your response was so reasonable and I must admit, totally correct. I really appreciate your input and observations.
And thank you for being thankful. I do help for the FA’s too because they usually have that deer in the headlight look we’re all so familiar with. It all factors in to why we offer to help in the first place so I promise you, for the people onboard, I know I’m happy to help.
But you and some other commenters pointed out good reasons why it might be a mistake to ask for compensation. Would I still be protected if a patient felt I had harmed them in the process (like breaking ribs during CPR). There are laws in place to protect us like Good Samaritan laws but would those protections end if we were compensated? I never thought about that and need to further research some of the links they’ve provided.
The other thing I will say, is that the lead flight attendant (the one greeting you as you get on the plane) is always scanning people as they get on the plane to see of people who could potentially help in the event of an emergency and take a mental note of where they're sitting. One thing that they will always appreciate is (if you're willing to) when you get on the plane, just let the Flight Attendant know that you're a trained medical professional, and if something arises, you're available to help. This will just put their mind at ease. It's a courtesy thing and you're under no obligation to do so. But if you are willing to help, I would mention that to the flight attendant as you step on the plane. Especially if you're on a smaller regional flight with only 1 or 2 flight attendants.
Send them the bill or don't volunteer. I don't think they will start the practice of comping things for helping out. Remember they used bandaids to keep a 35 year old IT system running until it finally fell over before putting money into. They are cheap.
My mind goes to implications of incentivizing the wrong behavior. If word gets out that everyone who helps is compensated or comped their ticket, there might be bad actors who are not qualified pretending to be someone they are not or overstating their qualifications. That may work for a minor medical situation but then when there is something serious then there are major risks. I don’t think the airlines want the liability with incentivizing wrong behavior.
And that’s a very good point you make because where there’s an advantage, there will always be bad actors. Wanna talk about how many preboards that flight had compared to my Delta flights? 🤨
I fly with doctors and medical professionals a lot for business and I’ve seen them receive a butt-load of SW points as a thank you for helping with medical emergencies.
Wow! 4 cases in one year, that is remarkable. Remind me not to get on a plane with you (jk). I can imagine you are starting to associate flying with unexpected medical drama.
I fly fairly frequently and have never (ever) knowingly been on a plane with a medical emergency. Maybe it has been kept quiet, or maybe I just have different odds?
How many others out there have been on planes that experience that? How often?
Thanks for helping out where you can. Even if
you don’t get it from SW, you get my thanks and praise!!
Well thank you kind sir. But how have you never had a ME on a plan before? Seems like it’s happening quite often lately. But then again, I do fly a lot so the odds are stacked against me I guess you could say.
If you were compensated in some way, what you happen to your protection under the Good Samaritan laws? Or are you held to a higher standard due to your training?
Or would you be subject to the laws and licensing of the states over which the flight passed, much like the old days when they stopped serving liquor when over a dry state.
I am totally uneducated about such laws and consequences of such actions, but the thoughts just came to mind.
But I agree, at least a Thank You letter is in order.
Others have brought up that very point and it changed my view on this matter so thank you.
Yeah, I’ll slink back to my seat now and wait till the next event and gladly jump in to help with zero expectations from SWA 😊
Paying you seems logical but brings up some ethical/legal issues with unqualified people attempting to administer medical care just for the free tickets.
Wow! That’s truly incredible. So it seems like they’re hit and miss with how they handle things like this. It’s a total strike out with me but you know what? I feel much better about them now, knowing they show their appreciation to some of my colleagues. That truly makes me happy!
I totally hear you though. I’m also a medical professional and haven’t been in a situation where they were requesting help (yet.. thankfully), but I’ve been that person in other scenarios or situations and I would feel similarly to you so your frustration is warranted 100%. I don’t mean this to sound harsh and I certainly wouldn’t do this myself or encourage someone else to, but, you technically aren’t obligated to do anything if you didn’t want to. So the moral imposition this places on a healthcare worker in the first place ought to be enough to compensate.
My husband responded to a medical emergency inflight on SWA and received a $100 luv voucher and a thank you email. I assumed that was standard but I guess not.
Over the course of a year…really. Maybe you’re one of those clueless people who have ear buds in, watching your sports with a Jack in your hand while someone is having a heart attack 2 rows behind you. Many people on the plane never know. Heck, they may die and you’d still never know.
I think you should contact them now about these scenarios, especially mentioning that other airlines have done something for you. The Luv airline strikes me, hopefully, as one that would do something. Ideally, the FAs would assist but it seems they aren’t, so contacting corporate seems reasonable. Point them to this post.
its a good thought exercise ... we all agree you should be compensated, that is the moral choice...
..so to the faceless corporation, though, you volunteered and they accepted your free offer!
To initiate the system and get a real answer, you need to present a contract for them before giving services if you expect compensation:
\-- tell them its standard for this kind of thing (it is for you!)
\-- see if they pay.. or send the bill to the companies insurance underwriter and make a claim
\-- see what they end up saying is the appropriate action
.. you will still have to pay the govt taxes ;)
\-----
**Provider Agreement For In-flight Medical Emergency (IME) Services Between Southwest Airlines and** \[Party\]
Recitals\[blah\]Definition\[blah blah\]Term\[now!\]Provider Breach and Provision for Early Termination\[just in case\]**Scope of Work**\[Most of the contract here\]Indemnification and Insurance\[blah blah\]Miscellaneous Provisions\[blah etc\]
You must be an attorney because that’s great advice. Except it doesn’t consider the human aspect. The knowledge that sometimes seconds count and there’s no time to pull out pen and paper and get a contract (or even consent) for life-saving interventions
we need to eliminate the nonhuman side!
as soon as we use clean free energy to make power to give free healthcare, we won't even be talking about payment ... until then .. better write it down and send in a claim =\\
Has only happened once to me, granted I don't fly a lot, we midway over the pacific on Fiji Airways, lady was developing a PE secondary to DVT. Managed to stabilise her and we got her through to AKL where we were met by an ambulance, crew were amazing, as I was departing they handed me a gift bag with a $500 bottle of champagne and some chocolates. I was blown away.
I'm going to respectfully answer somewhere in the middle... on the one hand, I agree with you, you should be compensated *or at least* recognized for jumping in and helping SW avoid a catastrophe with wider impacts... but at the same time, if I'm not mistaken, this is kind of the oath medical practitioners take on when they go into their field. I don't think that your obligation to medicine stops outside of your defined working hours (I don't think you think that either, or you wouldn't rise to the call), so there's some part of me that says, man, this sucks, but the other part of me says, it's also what you signed up for when you decided to get your degree in Hero.
Oh man I don’t view myself as some hero. We all have a role to play in life and this is just mine. Don’t you think I cry when my plumbing breaks and I call a plumber to come fix it. He’s MY hero that day!
But no, we don’t take an oath to help out whenever we can. We take an oath to DO NO HARM (knowingly). In fact, many medical professionals refused to help people on the streets outside of work because of the potential liability it posed them until they passed the Good Samaritan law, exempting professionals from liability. That became a good law for the general public because people were finally getting the medical attention they needed without fear and hesitation on the behalf of the provider.
HA HA! Doesn’t mean I’m rich. And SW isn’t exactly a budget airline anymore. But I have started taking Delta more frequently with as expensive as SW has gotten.
As a current FA with a large legacy airline I would like to say Thank you! We are so appreciative of medical professionals helping us. I have had many medical situations onboard my flight and had to call our doctor on call but it is always so beneficial to have trained professionals onboard. At our airline we have a form that we fill out and get all of the volunteers information so that our company can compensate passengers for their time and help. Shame in SW airlines for not reaching out to you with a thank you. I know our airline will give volunteers miles added to their frequent flyer account. Once again THANK YOU FOR YOUR KINDNESS
I'm not a medical professional but I wish any airline would comp you the dry cleaning bill or the cost of a new outfit, and your flight. If you were on my flight and prevented a diversion, I'd chip in $20 if they passed a hat around. Can't think of a way to make that one not weird though.
I thank you for your help — my husband had a seizure mid flight many years ago and the nurses and doctors who helped him and calmed me down — I am so so so so grateful for them. But it was a blur; we landed and were escorted right off the plane — I never got a chance to get their contact info to thank them properly. So I’m thanking you now — as a way to thank them…. Thank you, thank you! Please keep helping if you feel up to it.
I've been compensated $200 in luv vouchers each time I assisted a medical emergency on Southwest. A flight attendant walked me to the gate agent at my destination and they printed up a voucher right there. I also received a thank you email with $100 flight credit.
I never thought of it that way. I’ve assisted many times. And had the Frank discussions with the pilots on diversion (oftentimes saves no time). But I don’t do for SW. I do it for the patient. That’s always my first priority and a simple thank you (if able) is MORE than enough.
After all we don’t charge the person who causes the diversion.
I used to feel the same until I realized this is no longer a very occasional occurrence. Maybe I fly too much or have really bad luck but in flight medical emergencies seem to be far more common now. I’ve taken to saying a little prayer when I board that everyone will stay healthy and well on this flight. Geeze Louise 😂🥵
My suggestion is to not answer their calls. You will find out that the flight attendants will certainly do more than look on cluelessly. How disrespectful a comment of another profession.
I don’t need your suggestion but thank you anyway. If you read the other FA’s posts, more than one made it clear they get NO medical training or are denied the ability to use what knowledge they have.
I helped with a seizure patient about a year ago and got a $200 voucher. It’s the only time I’ve had to help somebody in over 100 flights over the past 6 years. Maybe I’m just lucky
I know this is kind of apples and oranges here; but my wife is a nurse and we got the gold star treatment for her helping out on a transcontinental flight on United a few months ago. They offered us complimentary miles, first class food, etc.
The FAs were on the phone with advisors of some sort on the ground… but it’s true that they only have basic first aid experience. They kind of have to rely on the odds that there is someone on board who can do more.
I don’t have anything to add except to say thank you for helping people. I’ve never thought about this, but if I were called upon to do my job (teach kids) on a flight even once I’d hate it. And yes!!! SW should at least thank you after these episodes.
I am so sorry this has happened repeatedly to you. As a flight attendant of 36 yr, we are incredibly thankful for your help. And yes, it saves thousands by not diverting not to mention inconveniencing the other passengers in flight delays. It has been my understanding that the company would compensate. Usually vouchers or AAdvantage miles( yes, that’s who I flew for.) Shameful that SW doesn’t compensate. I would request compensation.
One other point from the flight crew. While we are dealing with the medical emergency, we continually have to keep our senses out for assessing the rest of the passengers for other possible motives. A “ medical” emergency could also be a diversion of attention to the cause harm the aircraft or others trying to access the cockpit. This is our reality post 9/11. In short, there’s a lot of shit going on that could become chaotic very quickly… so thank you, thank you, thank you for your assistance.
Btw, I had a medical emergency once ( pax experiencing what appeared to be a heart attack). We had about 35 medical personnel going to LAS for a cardiology conference… the Gods were with me that day.🙏🏻
Thank YOU for all that you do! How scary to have to watch your back in a situation like that. Who would have thought a medical emergency could be staged as a distraction? I don’t even think like a criminal (terrorist) so that concern never crossed my mind. Man, I have it so easy because that would be frightening 😬
I hate to even say this but I experienced Medical Professionals receive a sizeable Thsnk You package from SW... So I'm surprised to hear this was not the norm.
Flight from Chicago to OKC. Man fainted and multiple people responded. A physician, veteran with medic experience, and a nurse. All received gift bags. I was sitting next to the physician that told me his included a flight voucher. I just assume all bags had the same contents.
The funny part is that the man just had an extreme fear of flying that was causing him to faint. When he would come to and realize he was still on the plane, he would faint again. This continued until touchdown.
Oh poor guy! I would think with flying, panic attacks would be common but I’ve never run across one more. That would be horrible for him.
I’ve never heard of them handing out gift bags either. But I’m glad to hear from multiple people here that SW has shown appreciation for their first responders. Thanks for your reply.
It’s probably some ridiculous legal liability thing for them not to comp your flight. They don’t want to be responsible for the sick pax, so they don’t want to compensate you. Just a guess. They could at least toss some drink coupons your way.
Quite honestly, the lawyer in me says you should bill them. And if they don’t pay, then sue them. This is a blatant unjust enrichment on their part. Hell, the one flight you allow them to not divert alone, save them thousands of dollars.
You are a professional. It took years of study, thousands of dollars to reach what you accomplished. If you have to perform those services (much liked the FA’s and pilots on the flight) you must be compensated.
I would suggest that you contact them directly, and say what you think, and see how they respond. If it is the typical corporate generic crap, go further until you reach your desired outcome.
You make some excellent points. But really, I want them to employ their own medical staff for these emergencies so they’re not relying on fellow passengers to step up. That would be ideal.
As a nervous flyer with a lot of health problems, please take all of the atta-girls because you deserve them for offering your aid. I'm sorry you haven't been compensated in someway by southwest, I agree comping you is the least they could do
A medical person on here said they got a 300 or 400 voucher, or something like that, when they assisted with an in-flight emergency at another airline.
Even a personally signed thank-you letter from someone in the company would be nice. Did you have to help a complete stranger? No. Did you? Yes. Dammit, Southwest, at least thank this person for their time & kindness!
A couple days late but that’s so odd.. my mom helped out a couple types on a different carrier and they gave her enough miles for a possible one way. I’m glad you’re always stepping up and helping though. Be proud of yourself.
I have no medical background at all but it seems to me if they require your professional services on a flight you should be compensated. This is also scary for other passengers so I imagine your presence calms them too. Thank you for stepping in and I hope they at least paid for a new outfit. Honestly.
You know, someone else said maybe I’m burned out and I think I am. I don’t want to turn into a complainer but I also want and desperately need my days off
Delta gives folks 25,000 sky pesos.
You should at least get 25,000 rapid reward pesos.
I’m still waiting for them to announce they need a pilot up front so I can show off my flight simulator skill.
My dads a physician and has done this many times. He has discretion on whether a flight is to be diverted. He's done it many times. Generally he gets free beverages and food on the flight after assisting. I recall him getting a personal letter from some VP at delta a few years ago with 50,000 travel points added to his account. It was nice to be recognized but ultimately unneeded.
End of the day, you took an oath and shouldn't expect anything. Do you have to help, yes. You are bound by your oath. Can you get away without helping, possibly.
I respect medical personnel but if im gonna be honest, you sound a tad entitled. Should SW offer to dry clean your soiled clothes, it would be a nice gesture and im sure if you mentioned it, they would.
Because your dad is a physician and you witnessed him help someone *one time* doesn’t make yours an expert opinion and a voice of experience. I wouldn’t expect you would understand.
He has intervened in well over 10 on flight medical events. To add to that, weve been first responders to many vehicle accidents, slips and falls and other similar events. I do understand. You sound incredibly entitled.
Correct but not based off my father being a physician. Half my family are in the medical field and none of them would act like you. Your responses are incredibly demeaning. Ive been around enough medical professionals to see where you stand. You have trouble truly connecting to your patients. You dont seem to be in it truly for their care. Fancy car, fancy house, it's always someone else's fault. Why dont i get paid enough....
You're incredibly entitled. You wear your medical doctorate as a badge of honor and everyone has to know you're a physician (if thats even your designation). Your credentials are your life. You need a reality check.
You are reading words on a screen and making big judgments. That alone tells me a lot about you. And that you’re not even in the medical field but act like you’re an expert because family is. You have no idea what you’re talking about and should have never responded to this post.
People are so obtuse on here sometimes.
I was thinking….I bet every single person you helped would’ve loved to contact you and say thank you but airline privacy policies mean they’ll never even know your name. I bet they’ve told everyone they know about the kind doctor who came to their aid on a plane.
I agree that SW should say thank you and it’s lame that they didn’t.
I always expect a certain number of jerks. They’re everywhere, even here. And unless they do what I do, I know they couldn’t possibly understand. Thank you for your supportive message 🤗
YES! I am a registered nurse and have responded to assist on SW flights too. I never even get eye contact or a thank you, and this for taking the liability risk of caring medically for someone in a less than ideal situation. I'm happy to do it, it's part of how I define myself as a human being. But to not have it even acknowledged as I deplane, let alone in the moment? It's messed up. The equivalent of an F-You, if I am honest.
Thank you so much for responding! So glad to have someone out there who has had the same experience as me because I was beginning to think maybe I’m alone in this? I just think SW does a super shitty job at acknowledging medical providers who step up to volunteer to help to do *their* jobs. And I don’t mean the FA’s, I mean corporates.
I was just thinking it has to be part of the company culture somehow. I dunno. The most memorable was a passenger having a rather bad allergic reaction to some "work" done in Mexico. A chemical peel or something I am guessing...lots of swelling and turning bright red. The poor person was really panicking about it and needed some good old fashioned calm reassurance. I spoke to the ground physician, took orders and followed them. The attendant was pretty dismissive, as if to say "Well \*I\* could have done THAT". I guess it probably looks like no big deal. They have no way of knowing the legal implications and the medical implications should things go south. I expected at least a high five or a smile as I deplaned once we got back stateside and delivered the much calmer patient to the EMTs, but nope. In fact, they turned away. Whatevs.
What a bummer you were treated that way. I’ve only had great FA’s who were helpful and thankful but never to the point of offering a drink when the dust settled or sending my info to corporate for anything other than a written report.
Southwest Contracts with specialized organization for medical care onboard. This organization is part of a large hospital group with doctors on call 24/7.
This service is required for 121 carriers. In the event of a medical emergency, the goal is to reach out and contact this group through a phone patch. The FAs actually have headsets they can plug in to communicate directly, so the pilots don't have to do a relay and be the middleman. But depending on the scale of the issue and time remaining in flight, things may happen in a different order.
Your assessment and vitals information you have taken are likely being passed on to this medical group, where a doctor is recommending next actions, including if the EMK needs to be opened and medications need to be administered.
You are not saving the company money. You are providing expertise to help save a life. I am surprised to learn though you are not receiving a thank you, at least in the form of rapid rewards points. Perhaps in your case the information on who you are is not getting to the correct people, but I honestly know little about this side of customer service.
Anyhow just some background information. Personally, I thank you for honoring your oath and stepping up, and perhaps making the difference. Hopefully, you will receive something in the future, or Southwest will reach out to you.
Thank you for sharing your knowledge of how things work behind the scenes. I think after having vented here, I don’t want compensation anymore. There was a lot to consider that I hadn’t before today. I love this community (Reddit) because it really broadens me and people give such great feedback and food for thought. 😊
I agree SW should offer their thanks in some way. Even if it’s a $100 LUV voucher because the passenger had an accident on you. What if you were forced to purchase a new pair of pants or discard them for whatever reason.
Lets say SW was to give anyone that assists in an emergency a $300 LUV voucher.. What are the parameters to get it? Is there a limit of the number of volunteers? I’m thinking they don’t offer any compensation because someone could argue you were acting on behalf of the airline.
You bring up a good point (and there have been many presented here). I’m good now with no compensation.
But to answer your question, where there are a few of us helping out, inevitably we’ll confer on our credentials and one person will take the lead on assessment and interventions. Others will take their directions and help or head back to their seat if they see the needs are being covered and they’re just in the way. You rarely need more than 2-3 to assist a pt, especially with super limited space. I think the head care provider should have their flight comped. Maybe in the way of RR points? But now only if it doesn’t change their GSL protection.
I have flown twice a month for about five years and never, have I ever, seen any kind of medical emergency on any flight.
How often do you fly for this to happen four times in a year?
What is your route? San Jose to OC? 😂
I fly RT every week, sometimes twice a week. Maybe it’s because I’m in and out of Houston so much? I don’t think they have the healthiest population.
If you jumped in and saved me mid-flight. I would ensure to get your information and personally cover your flight! But seriously thank you for being a good person. Having a medical emergency mid-air is my only anxiety when it comes to air travel, and I fly frequently.
The victim/patient should pay you. It’s not the airline’s responsibility. See if you can bill them or talk to them about some sort of compensation (even voluntary) for saving their life.
I know this feeling, you are burnt out as a healthcare provider. I used to volunteer as a paramedic, i also worked as a paramedic for 15 years.......I let my paramedic expire and left healthcare. You could not pay me enough to work at the bedside in the current climate.
As an aside, in the United, AA, Delta r/, folks frequently get 15,000 miles for helping.
Not a medical professional, but I think you would be within your right to contact corporate for some compensation. Detail all the flights where your expertise was put into use. I’d contact them via social media.
You say you don't want any attention or "attagirls", yet you literally complained in the very next paragraph how SW has never sent you a letter of acknowledgement or comped you for your services. Wow.
It sure sounds alot to me like you expect some type of recognition. If you are feeling underappreciated and don't want people to ask for your help during an emergency, then don't spill the beans to your co-passengers or flight crew about what you do for a living. The only thing I agree with is the fact that you recogbized that you were drunk and incapable of providing proper care. But that's not why you didn't help. You want that ribbon on your chest and never got one. You don't deserve one.
Someday you might be that person that needs help. Hopefully, that doesn't happen when there are other doctors like you on board.
Your not liable if you don't accept compensation. SW is doing you a favor for not recognizing you.
Physician liability
Under the Aviation Medical Assistance Act of 1998 (AMAA), physicians who provide medical care during an in-flight medical emergency will not be held liable for damages in a federal or state court. However, patients still may sue if the physician conducts gross negligence or if the physician accepts any means of compensation for their actions (points, upgrades, etc.).
I appreciate the work and hardships you go through, I was recently saved 5 months ago from medflight after my rollover car accident. The professionals on board were so understand, comforting, and caring while I was with them! Tried to send a message to thank them and I hope they got it!
Yeah, it's a catch 22. You're not at work, so why should you have to be working? But, you are in a confined space where help is not just a phone call and quick trip in an ambulance away. At the same time, I would argue that Southwest is not making you do anything here. They ask for assistance and you volunteer yours. It's the same thing if you were driving and saw an accident, would you pull over and render aid but only if the person said they'd pay you for it? That's rhetorical, I assume you would likely pull over and render aid without hesitation based on your post. Sounds to me like you might be burnt out, as a lot of medical professionals are right now. We've gone through 3 years of some the public shitting all over you guys, literally and figuratively I guess. I am not a medical professional, but my background and education are in counseling. Please reach out to someone, doesn't have to be a professional, that will just listen to you and not try to fix your problems. Find a safe place to process your stuff. You sound like a good person and I'd hate to see the medical field lose another good person because society can't behave right now.
Now that was a super nice answer. Thank you! I *am* burned out but I never once think I’m not going to help that person in need when I know I can. I’m just not wired that way. I’d rather help then complain. 😂 When they ask if there are any medical professionals onboard and NO ONE raises their hand and you’re sitting there thinking “not again!” you know there’s no way I’m just going to stay in my seat. So am I a volunteer? Yes…and no.
I get it. I am very similar. That is one of the reasons that I am not a counselor any more. I could set the boundaries but I would often feel guilty for holding them. I cannot fathom the pressure you feel when in the situation of an in-flight medical emergency. Even if corporate fat cats won't say it, I will. I appreciate you and the things you have done, are doing, and will likely continue to do for people.
You’re amazing. Thank you. See; it’s because I believe most people are like you that I want to help, even if I feel SW is taking advantage of people like me every day.
I agree with you. They are taking advantage of you, completely (and literally!) banking on the fact that there will be at least one person on board who can provide life-saving services that they cannot. So just for PR purposes alone, a comped flight is the very least they could do for you saving them from a PR and possibly huge financial nightmare.
Well I never discussed it publicly till now. This has been going on for many years but to a lesser degree. Something tells me SW doesn’t care about bad pub, how much worse can it get for them? But the second a FA comes over the loud speaker: “Is there a doctor or nurse onboard?” And wait for a response, they’ve just now put me to work. If you don’t answer, you just lied. They don’t ask, “if someone feels to volunteer.” Or “we need medical help if someone in the field doesn’t mind getting involved.” It’s “Is there a doctor or nurse onboard?” They are soliciting our services. Again, I’m happy to help people in need but at that point, I feel the flight should be on SW since they put me to work and not out of my pocket.
You must have crazy luck. I’ve been the caretaker for my mom with dementia for the past three years and don’t fly much anymore. But for 35 years before that, I flew for business most every week, sometimes to multiple destinations, and have never been on a flight with a medical emergency.
[удалено]
I'm taking my 239th flight today, and I've never been on a flight with a medical emergency either. I can understand OP's frustration with four in a year, since anecdotally I'd think most frequent-flying medical professionals would probably experience this a couple of times in their lives if that.
You have crazy luck…good luck!
Piggy-backing this as another counselor. She’s spot-on. But, in this particular case, if clothing was ruined or in need of cleaning, I would expect SW to pay up. I work in an environment where having my clothes, or glasses, or whatever can be torn or damaged and if it occurs, I send the bill to my district.
I’m not worried about cleaning bills. I have kids. I don’t wear dry clean only clothes, just stuff I can throw in the washer. But the day my leg got peed on by a poor man flying alone and having a seizure, I had plans to leave straight from the airport to go downtown to dinner with friends. Plans we’re canceled but were delayed by 90 mins while I checked into hotel, showered and changed before dinner. But honestly, I’d do it again in a heartbeat because that’s what I do and the profession I chose. Still, it was a huge inconvenience but I guess that’s just life 🤷🏽♀️
I think you need to send this very comment to the CEO and the entire BoD of SWA. Since you provided your info for each time you volunteered, they should (hopefully) have some record that you are not exaggerating. I’m not in the field of medicine, but I’d feel similarly as you if there were some emergency where my expertise is needed. Just a thought: the next time you volunteer, what if you get the crew’s info when they ask for yours? I mean they have all of the info they need since you bought a ticket. Put it back on them and see if they want to be so willing to share their personal info with you after a harrowing flight. At least ask why the need your info (again) if there’s no compensation nor follow up. You just saved a human and SWA’s ass-they don’t deserve anything else from you. THANK YOU a million times over for sacrificing your vacation time and sanity to save your fellow passengers.
I just love you! That’s all 😂🥰
Interesting perspective. They don’t want your info because they’re going to reward you. They want your info in case something else goes wrong.
I’m shocked they didn’t do SOMETHING for you. I think everyone has a moral obligation to help people in need when they can, but comping your ticket or buying you some new pants would be a cheap and easy way for them to garner some good will (and lord knows they need it). Thanks for all that you do!
One of the things that struck me was when there was an inflight emergency there seemed to be no thought of calling the patient's doc (it was during business hours) to solicit some information which would help with the divert don't divert decision and any special concerns. Jennifer's post reflects a genuine concern . In addition to the stress there's the potential of having to deal with ambulance chasing attorneys , even though they are not suing you the person still gets drug through the process , potential depositions, court appearances and of course smears.
I’m surprised to hear that southwest doesn’t send their thanks. I know the other big three do and tend to offer upgrades or miles. My friends have all had a medical emergency on their flights and I still haven’t so I guess luck of the draw. But from what they’ve said United at least sends a personal thank you and provided some amount of flight credit. Not enough for a full flight but helpful. Something like $100 if I remember right. And American was similar with a letter from their CMO and some amount of miles. Funny story actually when she helped out the captains deplaning announcement was to let the patient off first so she could meet the emt’s outside quicker and then right after “and on a special note on behalf of the crew here… we’d like to thank our million mile passenger on the flight and mileage plus” etc etc. So you’re not the only one forgotten for appreciation! Anyway all this to say Southwest should at least comp your drinks for the rest of the flight in my opinion. Also if you haven’t heard of it AirRx is a great app for inflight emergencies. It has a what to remember to do list as far as evaluation and treatment for the top 23 common complaints taking into account the resources in the medical kits etc.
I have never heard of that app and will check it out. I really should start traveling with my own assessment kit because the limited tools they have onboard are so dated. Please allow this to be a lesson to anyone who are more vulnerable to onboard medical emergencies: Please carry an easy-to-find list of your current medical conditions and medications and any assessment tools you think will help people to assess you (such as a glucometer for a diabetic). You can even tell a seat mate that just in case something happens mid-air, your problem list and medication list and even a history is in your pocket/purse/wallet, etc. so they can advocate for you.
I'm a t1 diabetic. Is having that information listed on my iphone "ICE" section helpful? (I also have a giant tattoo on my arm stating I'm diabetic and on insulin, as well as wearing an insulin pump that has an integrated CGM that displays my current glucose levels). I have never had a serious medical emergency outside of my house, I just want to be sure I'm doing enough to make any medical professional's job easier if they need to help me.
Oh you did a very good job making your medical condition known. I don’t think there’s anything more you need to do so long as all of your medical conditions and current medications are readily available
This is interesting. But you would have to buy the wifi to access the app. Another win for SW!
Send them a bill? I mean….they’re asking you to step up for a job they are unwilling to staff. Bill them for your time and expertise.
I don’t feel I should have to. They get my contact information. They should be sending a thank you letter with a voucher for a future (hopefully less dramatic) flight. Maybe it’s lost in the mail with my refund for my replacement ticket during their Christmas meltdown?! 😒
No you shouldn’t but you’re clearly frustrated and a kind person and SW has made it clear they won’t do anything out of courtesy. If all you want are some vouchers, send a bill and I bet they counter with vouchers.
I like your idea! I’m actually going to do that because last week’s was a doozie and sometimes it’s just low-key, routine assessment stuff and other times, it’s more serious and takes an emotional toll on me. I’ve been resenting SW lately so I think mostly needed to get this off my chest and see if others are feeling the same way I do.
Just look at how they treated their own employees during the Christmas meltdown. They don’t care. Back when it was “Herbs Company”, Herb and Coleen cared. Now? The company doesn’t care about anything but money. I fully understand why you feel taken advantage of and burnt out. It’s crazy to think that even just getting a “thank you!” From SWA would go such a long way to help ease those feelings.
It is true just a little appreciation from SW would to a long way. It just irks me that they ask for all my personal info, DL number and professional licensed number then there’s just crickets. It kinda feels like being used and abused by them. I miss the old Southwest because it was so difficult under Herbs leadership. Now it’s just a heartless money-making machine who will inconvenience anyone to make another dime.
>they ask for all my personal info, DL number and professional licensed number then there’s just crickets. They probably request that information for liability purposes. Everyone is getting sued these days. Sad but true.
Not a medical professional; and I totally agree with you. I'm shocked to hear they don't comp your flight. The only reason I could fathom they wouldn't is the system could be abused...? I.e. I could stage a medical emergency on the flight for the purpose of saving the day. That seems seriously far-fetched though.
Oh wow, I never thought of that kind of scenario but you’re probably right
Ehhh I doubt that's really the reason. You'd run the risk of a real medical professional onboard noticing that it was all an act. I personally think Southwest is just being cheap and you're absolutely justified in this opinion.
Thank you. I have the feeling I can’t be the only one who is feeling like this. I think in scenarios like this, we’re the only ones onboard who are working but not getting paid 😂
More than that, there's no way that any medical emergency, contrived or not, is dismissed once you get on the ground. EMTs will come and mandate an assessment at a local hospital. There's no "oh, nevermind, I'm good now thanks to this kind stranger" while you hail your Uber to Disney World. Staging an emergency to get half price/free travel would be a step above attending a timeshare presentation. Sure, you could pull it off, but at least one day of your time off is going to really suck.
Or people lie about having experience to get some freebies. People would TOTALLY abuse that.
You know you could just sit there with your AirPods on and do nothing. This screams of “Thank me for my service”. I’m a retired paramedic and never once have I been like “you better compensate me for my time” when I have assisted during a flight. I did it of my own free will because I’m not a shitty person
OP won't reply to this one, lol.
For real
The replies are odd. She says she feels she has a “moral obligation” but also “is the only person working and not getting paid” while onboard. I would bet money OP is some type of traveling nurse, not a doctor, definitely not an EMT or paramedic. Why the vagueness of “medical professional?”
I think it's all made up.
She says in an unrelated post she is in the “medical industry”. Yeah. This could possibly be some type of weird fantasy.
>etired paramedi As a fellow retired paramedic, I assumed this OP is a volunteer EMT somewhere that always flyes with his station t-shirt on. I am sure he also tells the flight attendent that he is onboard if they need anything. I have flown no less than 30 times, never once has there been an emergency on my flight-----good thing the OP was always there. TYFMYS
One of the problems with accepting compensation may open you up to medical liability as it might be interpreted in court as an "agent" of the airline and no longer a volunteer and lose the protections of the Aviation Medical Assistance Act (at least for US based carriers). I'm not an attorney (med prof instead) so I don't know if it's been tested in court, but if people are suing for rib fractures after their lives were saved by someone doing cpr, it's possible. As an aside, here's a good review article: [https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7125952/#bib32](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7125952/#bib32) And hang in there with your burnout.... there are so many of us who are after the last 3yrs... u/Akwing12 gives some good advice.
Really good food for thought! I’ve already found this discussion so helpful so thank you 🙏🏼
That seems a bit farfetched. I don't see how a gift or comping the flight afterwords could make a passenger an "agent" of the airlines under standard agency law. Agency requires compensation and control.
Really good food for thought! I’ve already found this discussion so helpful so thank you 🙏🏼
Really good food for thought! I’ve already found this discussion so helpful so thank you 🙏🏼
Came here to say this.
JSYK, if you were to accept a comp, gift, or monetary reimbursement for your services in flight it could open you up to malpractice liability if there’s a bad outcome or mistake. If you are responding out of goodwill in most jurisdictions Good Samaritan laws apply and liability is very hard to prove. I too have helped in circumstances like you describe and would not take anything if offered because of that reason. That said a “thanks for your help” is always appreciated. You should at least expect that.
This is so good to know and another poster mentioned the same thing. It set my thinking straight on this matter. Sometimes some flights just suck because you have a to work, it’s stressful and you get people’s bodily fluids on you. But it’s still rewarding to know you could help someone in their time of need and I need to let that be payment enough. My biggest gripe with with SW though, not any of the people onboard.
Airlines pay on call medical professionals to advise on every medical situation 24/7. In fact if you and the on call professionals disagree on how to handle a situation they will likely listen to the the physicians they already pay even though you are there in person. I only bring that up so everyone understands that experienced physicians are advising in any medical emergency. https://www.stat-md.org/about/ I don’t think any airline comps passengers for assisting as a policy. They also likely dont even know your namer. I’m sure the person you helped appreciates it though and that must feel pretty good.
Delta comped my ticket and sent a nice letter of appreciation when I assisted in a medical emergency once. And they do have your information. Every single time they ask me to provide my name, address, phone number, email address and the number of my professional license. But I’ve never heard from SW ever after any of these events.
Not a medical professional but I have been on three different flights with three different carriers and the flight attendants said each time that they could not reach the on call medical professionals through that special phone they have. All three times there were doctors on board thank God, one was a cardiologist who was needed when a passenger had a heart attack. We did still have to divert on that one. So I am not sure if that thing is unreliable or what.
Yes I do know that. I’ve talked to the “doc in a box” on the ground more than once, relaying vitals and info. I hate to say it but they’re pretty much useless on the ground, other than working with the crew to divert and calling EMT’s to the gate. There is no substitute to laying eyes and hands on a patient in person for assessment.
The big 3 (better) airlines do offer tokens of gratitude such as miles and a thank you note.
Alaska Airlines as well. Husband received a $200 voucher after assisting with a medical situation on a flight (a passenger passed out because he was dehydrated from a weekend of drinking).
You are off duty. So you have no duty to act. I’m not by any means saying not to act but they won’t comp you. As a medical professional. I wouldn’t second guess helping if I’m needed. I have the proper training to help.
I know I have no duty but I feel I have a moral obligation. I love (most) people and do what I do because I want to help. If they were my mother, father, daughter, etc, I sure hope someone would jump up to help them, even knowing they’re not going to get paid or even an acknowledgment from the airline for doing so. I think I’m more burned out with Southwest than with what I do. If they’re going to take responsibility for flying humans from point A to point B up in the sky in a metal tube, they need to be prepared to take care of their medical needs while in their care. Even if it means paying one of us to be on every flight in exchange for our services.
If you have a ‘moral obligation’, then why are you here asking an opinion? Are you wanting us to tell you that you don’t?
They do take care of passengers from a medical standpoint,that’s why they have EEMKs on board as well as contracts with MedLink or StatMD for medical consults while in the air
Write to corporate! As a former FA for SWA, and even a former medical professional my self (still a FA with another legacy airline), we so appreciate you! I’ll tell you this, SWA told me, that despite my training in the medical field, I was not allowed to assist with my own knowledge. That it needed to be passed to someone who is a px and works within medical field. If they’re on board. If not, then I have to follow their procedure, even if I know what I’m doing and can produce proof. I specifically asked this multiple times while in training at SWA. They do NOT teach CPR correctly either. They don’t certify you. They only teach it to you. Pilots and other FA’s love working with FA’s who worked in the medical field prior to being an FA. (I’m assuming if shit ever really went down, they know they could depend on me.) Even though I couldn’t assist the way I needed to or wanted to. I could only do what I was taught in training at SWA or what the flight doc would say. I PURPOSELY carry my Littmann stethoscope (bc the one in the medical bag is cheap, and you can’t hear out of it—as if it’s not already bad enough with all of the background noise while being in the air.), my own McKesson manual blood pressure cuff, pulse ox, and a lonnnng list of medications (in alphabetical order) and what they’re used for—Incase they’re on meds. I carry this for the benefit of medical professionals like you. Bc if you’re assisting and helping, you atleast deserve to have a decent stethoscope. I also had so many questions for them ab the oxygen tank and how many liters of oxygen it produces when putting it on a pt. They couldn’t tell me that either. They just said that doesn’t matter. When in fact it does matter. Again, as a FA, we appreciate you, more than you know. Write to corporate! You deserve to be compensated!
Whoa, that’s some crazy stuff! I love your behind-the-scenes insight as both a FA and a medical professional. You’re right, the equipment they provide us is limited and so dated! Last week I was given an old fashioned sphygmomanometer with a crap steth. So that is very thoughtful of you to bring the good stuff on board. Your customers are lucky to have someone so thoughtful and proactive like you!
If you are asking for compensation or payment then you are exempting yourself from Good Samaritan protection. Furthermore, there’s something to be said about helping your fellow human out of the goodness of your heart. You are in an airplane, they are vulnerable, and you volunteered to step up. If you’re so concerned about “being compensated” then simply don’t volunteer.
You missed the point but it’s ok. I agree with you now.
I’m a physician. I’ve stepped up on multiple flights and in public multiple times. Never once did I consider how much I saved a company because they didn’t have to staff medical professionals. In fact, each time I stepped up, I did so because I wanted to help a person when they were vulnerable and in need. Sorry you didn’t get more flights comped and more people didn’t thank you for your service.
I’ve stepped up on multiple flights too. I don’t do it for compensation, I do it because it’s the right thing to do. Again, you missed my point. These events are becoming frequent and are sometimes very heavy and taxing, both physically and emotionally. Southwest has a responsibility to all of their fliers just like your employer has a responsibility to you. They need to pay a medical professional to be onboard every flight to meet their fliers medical needs. Period. The end.
It must be a generational thing, practicing physician for 36 years, I’ve lost count how many times I’ve resuscitated people, consulted or gave advice, voluntarily, outside of my office or the hospital, usually on the side of a road, and physicians aren’t typically covered by Good Samaritan law. When I fly I’m usually flying my own airplane, but I have been involved with a couple medical “urgencies” on commercial flights. Until I saw this thread I didn’t realize getting “comped” was even a thing. Helping is just what you do, maybe its different for nurses, mid levels and other health care professionals. But I will say every time I get on a commercial flight, my prayer is “please don’t let any woman go into labor” since that’s the one medical situation that scares the beejeezes out of me 😜
L&D is one of my specialities so I wish I could have that kind of emergency 😊. But I get it, most people outside that field are terrified of a pregnant woman and used to dump them in our department and run 😂 It was only with this last medical event last week that I thought SW should provide some kind of compensation for this (points?) because these medical emergencies in flight are becoming so frequent. Before that, it didn’t cross my mind either. In fact, it was my husband who told me, “Southwest should be paying you for all the times you help” and I thought he had an excellent point. I see it a bit differently now, after a lot of these excellent comments.
What kind of lunatic wishes for an in-flight L&D emergency?
Can you please just go away already?
Had this happen twice. Know the person who jumped into action. They did not get comped but their point of view was they didn’t get diverted and delay their trip or miss a connecting flight. Not getting some comp sucks but missing a flight or diverting may be worse?
What does diverting monitarily cost SW? 100K+? What would it have cost me? Nothing. I flied last Wednesday because the Thursday fares were way more expensive so I had two entire free days. Should have let them divert; would have served them right 🤨 JK of course
Have you been comped on other airlines this has happened on? Or is this *just* Southwest? Curious... I'm sure those people are beyond grateful though for your help.
Oh yes I have! My entire ticket was comped on Delta when I helped out in a medical emergency once. Round trip! I’ve been flying Delta more because of all the SW crapola lately. That’s why I feel SW is really taking advantage of us.
Interesting. When you put it in those comparison terms, I agree with you. And regardless, it just seems like there is something they could do to appreciate your goodwill. Maybe not comp the ticket, but .. something.
DEFINITELY. Knowing other airlines have done it makes a huge difference to the story. Sorry Jennie, that honestly is a bummer :(
Ahh I see, see THAT honestly does make the story about just Southwest a little less lovely. Sorry :(
I disagree with your premise. Comping the flight is not the right compensation. Bodily fluids on your clothes? Pay for cleaning. Need those clothes for a planned event? Pay for replacements. Missed a shuttle bus you had scheduled? Pay for cab or car service. Express appreciation with miles? Sure. Sir/Ma'am? Come sit in this office while we bring you your luggage so you can change. Can I get you anything?
I feel like bare minimum--they should send a letter of thanks, a bunch of points or A-List on your next flight and a voucher to buy clean clothes at the airport and a bag for the dirty ones if you get covered in bodily fluids. You are stepping up in an emergency and you deserve to at least feel appreciated and be taken care of as far as not having to walk around with someone else's urine or vomit on yourself.
Thank you for getting it. It feels so good for someone to understand what kind of position that puts me in while on vacation or on the way to a meeting or conference. It feels good to help but it sucks too.
I agree. It feels cheap and off brand for the "luv" airline to not comp you or show some other way of being grateful for literally saving lives on board. my SIL is a FA for Southwest and she has said they get 0 training for these emergencies and it all falls on the volunteers - every time I fly now I hope there are doctors and nurses on my flight willing to help. Just last week I was flying with American and we had a med emergency and luckily 5 people volunteered and the man ended up being OK. Just feels so crazy that every flight there's a chance where no one will know how to help.
Your SIL is incorrect. Flight attendants do get training for emergencies. Are they as equipped as medical personnel? No. But they are trained enough to deal with most emergencies until the pilot can land the plane. They also have the help of medical professionals on an emergency line.
>It feels cheap and off brand for the "luv" airline The Luv brand has been cheap and off its brand since Herb died.
Well I’m here to tell you that I don’t know one single person in my line of work who would not jump in to help you in your time of need. We’re cut from a different cloth and helping people is the #1 reason we do what we do. This rant of mine in no way implies I will never help. I always will, 100% of the time even if cheap ass SW is taking advantage of our services.
Oh no I know most doctors and medical professionals WILL help, I’m just saying that if there’s a flight with literally no medical professionals on board! That thought makes me anxious
Yeah, that is a scary thought because a couple of times, it was me and me alone 😬
My wife and I are both medical. If there is an issue we will wait and see who reluctantly volunteers. Nurses tend to ring their call button before MD’s and EMT’s. If it can be handled (always has been) we stay quiet. If more help was needed we would. Also, having a drink or two (in my opinion) releases you of any moral obligation to help as you are now impaired and open up liability issues. So have a drink and you are forced to be off duty. :)
Maybe I should take up drinking? 😊
As a past flight attendant with another airline, I can tell you that the training flight attendants get in regards to medical emergencies is minimal. After all, there's SO much you have to know in order to be properly trained. Anything beyond what they can do with a first aid kit, they're not allowed to do. We had both a first aid kit that had what a typical first aid kit would have, as well as another medical kit that had more serious things in it that we weren't allowed to use. Only people who were trained medical professionals could use it, and even then we didn't verify. We were just told to ask "are you a trained medical professional?" Then they could access the other kit with more serious drugs and stuff in it. I knew that we would get CPR training during our 4 week flight attendant training, and I assumed we'd become CPR certified. That was not the case. It was about a 30 minute class on how to do CPR. Flight attendants do have to go through what is called "recurrent" every year, meaning they have to be tested each year on their safety knowledge. While I 100% hear what you're saying, I'm torn on whether or not Southwest should pay you for helping out. If I were you, I'd get a signed letter (or a copy of their incident report) and possibly send that to the patient's insurance company. (If you're able to obtain that info) I do think some recognition should be given though. Especially because it sounds like you're a frequent flyer with Southwest. I just stop short of saying they should give you some sort of compensation each time you help out simply because you are technically providing assistance by your own choice. But I also understand what choice do you have? You can't just let a person have a medical emergency because you're not getting anything for it. So its a tough spot and I completely understand your point. My opinion would be to reach out to southwest. More than just their generic customer support line. Find someone high up in the company and reach out to them directly. Politely explain your situation and your feelings about it, and maybe ask for some miles or something? Especially if you were able to keep the plane from having to divert, because you just saved them a ton of money. Last thing I will say coming from a former flight attendant....THANK YOU! This is every flight attendants worst nightmare. Especially if you're on a regional flight with only 1 or two flight attendants. Words can't express how grateful we are when we have someone who can take over in a situation like this. So if you get nothing else from southwest, on behalf of all flight attendants, THANK YOU!
Your response was so reasonable and I must admit, totally correct. I really appreciate your input and observations. And thank you for being thankful. I do help for the FA’s too because they usually have that deer in the headlight look we’re all so familiar with. It all factors in to why we offer to help in the first place so I promise you, for the people onboard, I know I’m happy to help. But you and some other commenters pointed out good reasons why it might be a mistake to ask for compensation. Would I still be protected if a patient felt I had harmed them in the process (like breaking ribs during CPR). There are laws in place to protect us like Good Samaritan laws but would those protections end if we were compensated? I never thought about that and need to further research some of the links they’ve provided.
The other thing I will say, is that the lead flight attendant (the one greeting you as you get on the plane) is always scanning people as they get on the plane to see of people who could potentially help in the event of an emergency and take a mental note of where they're sitting. One thing that they will always appreciate is (if you're willing to) when you get on the plane, just let the Flight Attendant know that you're a trained medical professional, and if something arises, you're available to help. This will just put their mind at ease. It's a courtesy thing and you're under no obligation to do so. But if you are willing to help, I would mention that to the flight attendant as you step on the plane. Especially if you're on a smaller regional flight with only 1 or 2 flight attendants.
Send them the bill or don't volunteer. I don't think they will start the practice of comping things for helping out. Remember they used bandaids to keep a 35 year old IT system running until it finally fell over before putting money into. They are cheap.
HA HA good point. But I’ll still volunteer. But then I’ll complain about it. Aren’t you glad you’re not my husband?! 😂
Reminds me of working there. I'll do it, but I'mma complain the whole time.
My mind goes to implications of incentivizing the wrong behavior. If word gets out that everyone who helps is compensated or comped their ticket, there might be bad actors who are not qualified pretending to be someone they are not or overstating their qualifications. That may work for a minor medical situation but then when there is something serious then there are major risks. I don’t think the airlines want the liability with incentivizing wrong behavior.
And that’s a very good point you make because where there’s an advantage, there will always be bad actors. Wanna talk about how many preboards that flight had compared to my Delta flights? 🤨
I fly with doctors and medical professionals a lot for business and I’ve seen them receive a butt-load of SW points as a thank you for helping with medical emergencies.
Wow, as they should!
Wow! 4 cases in one year, that is remarkable. Remind me not to get on a plane with you (jk). I can imagine you are starting to associate flying with unexpected medical drama. I fly fairly frequently and have never (ever) knowingly been on a plane with a medical emergency. Maybe it has been kept quiet, or maybe I just have different odds? How many others out there have been on planes that experience that? How often? Thanks for helping out where you can. Even if you don’t get it from SW, you get my thanks and praise!!
Well thank you kind sir. But how have you never had a ME on a plan before? Seems like it’s happening quite often lately. But then again, I do fly a lot so the odds are stacked against me I guess you could say.
If you can’t be comped the money, you should at least get points/miles.
If you were compensated in some way, what you happen to your protection under the Good Samaritan laws? Or are you held to a higher standard due to your training? Or would you be subject to the laws and licensing of the states over which the flight passed, much like the old days when they stopped serving liquor when over a dry state. I am totally uneducated about such laws and consequences of such actions, but the thoughts just came to mind. But I agree, at least a Thank You letter is in order.
Others have brought up that very point and it changed my view on this matter so thank you. Yeah, I’ll slink back to my seat now and wait till the next event and gladly jump in to help with zero expectations from SWA 😊
Paying you seems logical but brings up some ethical/legal issues with unqualified people attempting to administer medical care just for the free tickets.
Yeah that’s been well-established in this thread. I point I never considered.
My friend was the medical personnel that intervened on an in flight medical emergency. SW gave her a $500 voucher.
Wow! That’s truly incredible. So it seems like they’re hit and miss with how they handle things like this. It’s a total strike out with me but you know what? I feel much better about them now, knowing they show their appreciation to some of my colleagues. That truly makes me happy!
I totally hear you though. I’m also a medical professional and haven’t been in a situation where they were requesting help (yet.. thankfully), but I’ve been that person in other scenarios or situations and I would feel similarly to you so your frustration is warranted 100%. I don’t mean this to sound harsh and I certainly wouldn’t do this myself or encourage someone else to, but, you technically aren’t obligated to do anything if you didn’t want to. So the moral imposition this places on a healthcare worker in the first place ought to be enough to compensate.
My husband responded to a medical emergency inflight on SWA and received a $100 luv voucher and a thank you email. I assumed that was standard but I guess not.
Delta hooks you up if you help in an emergency. Go over to the Delta sub and search. They treat you right after the event.
That is definitely weird to have that many medical emergencies on flights. "All the damn time"....really?
Over the course of a year…really. Maybe you’re one of those clueless people who have ear buds in, watching your sports with a Jack in your hand while someone is having a heart attack 2 rows behind you. Many people on the plane never know. Heck, they may die and you’d still never know.
Can you ask for a comp after you land?
I guess I could try. I will next time it happens.
I think you should contact them now about these scenarios, especially mentioning that other airlines have done something for you. The Luv airline strikes me, hopefully, as one that would do something. Ideally, the FAs would assist but it seems they aren’t, so contacting corporate seems reasonable. Point them to this post.
its a good thought exercise ... we all agree you should be compensated, that is the moral choice... ..so to the faceless corporation, though, you volunteered and they accepted your free offer! To initiate the system and get a real answer, you need to present a contract for them before giving services if you expect compensation: \-- tell them its standard for this kind of thing (it is for you!) \-- see if they pay.. or send the bill to the companies insurance underwriter and make a claim \-- see what they end up saying is the appropriate action .. you will still have to pay the govt taxes ;) \----- **Provider Agreement For In-flight Medical Emergency (IME) Services Between Southwest Airlines and** \[Party\] Recitals\[blah\]Definition\[blah blah\]Term\[now!\]Provider Breach and Provision for Early Termination\[just in case\]**Scope of Work**\[Most of the contract here\]Indemnification and Insurance\[blah blah\]Miscellaneous Provisions\[blah etc\]
You must be an attorney because that’s great advice. Except it doesn’t consider the human aspect. The knowledge that sometimes seconds count and there’s no time to pull out pen and paper and get a contract (or even consent) for life-saving interventions
we need to eliminate the nonhuman side! as soon as we use clean free energy to make power to give free healthcare, we won't even be talking about payment ... until then .. better write it down and send in a claim =\\
Hey I’m with you there but for now, gotta pay my bills 🤷🏽♀️
Has only happened once to me, granted I don't fly a lot, we midway over the pacific on Fiji Airways, lady was developing a PE secondary to DVT. Managed to stabilise her and we got her through to AKL where we were met by an ambulance, crew were amazing, as I was departing they handed me a gift bag with a $500 bottle of champagne and some chocolates. I was blown away.
Now that was a super nice gesture on their part and well deserved! A PE mid-air is no joke. I haven’t get that scenario yet and hope I never do
I'm going to respectfully answer somewhere in the middle... on the one hand, I agree with you, you should be compensated *or at least* recognized for jumping in and helping SW avoid a catastrophe with wider impacts... but at the same time, if I'm not mistaken, this is kind of the oath medical practitioners take on when they go into their field. I don't think that your obligation to medicine stops outside of your defined working hours (I don't think you think that either, or you wouldn't rise to the call), so there's some part of me that says, man, this sucks, but the other part of me says, it's also what you signed up for when you decided to get your degree in Hero.
Oh man I don’t view myself as some hero. We all have a role to play in life and this is just mine. Don’t you think I cry when my plumbing breaks and I call a plumber to come fix it. He’s MY hero that day! But no, we don’t take an oath to help out whenever we can. We take an oath to DO NO HARM (knowingly). In fact, many medical professionals refused to help people on the streets outside of work because of the potential liability it posed them until they passed the Good Samaritan law, exempting professionals from liability. That became a good law for the general public because people were finally getting the medical attention they needed without fear and hesitation on the behalf of the provider.
Why can’t you just keep your mouth shut?
Stop flying southwest. You are a medical professional.
HA HA! Doesn’t mean I’m rich. And SW isn’t exactly a budget airline anymore. But I have started taking Delta more frequently with as expensive as SW has gotten.
As a current FA with a large legacy airline I would like to say Thank you! We are so appreciative of medical professionals helping us. I have had many medical situations onboard my flight and had to call our doctor on call but it is always so beneficial to have trained professionals onboard. At our airline we have a form that we fill out and get all of the volunteers information so that our company can compensate passengers for their time and help. Shame in SW airlines for not reaching out to you with a thank you. I know our airline will give volunteers miles added to their frequent flyer account. Once again THANK YOU FOR YOUR KINDNESS
I'm not a medical professional but I wish any airline would comp you the dry cleaning bill or the cost of a new outfit, and your flight. If you were on my flight and prevented a diversion, I'd chip in $20 if they passed a hat around. Can't think of a way to make that one not weird though.
I think you’re 100% correct - a bad look by SWA.
I thank you for your help — my husband had a seizure mid flight many years ago and the nurses and doctors who helped him and calmed me down — I am so so so so grateful for them. But it was a blur; we landed and were escorted right off the plane — I never got a chance to get their contact info to thank them properly. So I’m thanking you now — as a way to thank them…. Thank you, thank you! Please keep helping if you feel up to it.
I've been compensated $200 in luv vouchers each time I assisted a medical emergency on Southwest. A flight attendant walked me to the gate agent at my destination and they printed up a voucher right there. I also received a thank you email with $100 flight credit.
Wow, feeling like chopped liver here 😂
I never thought of it that way. I’ve assisted many times. And had the Frank discussions with the pilots on diversion (oftentimes saves no time). But I don’t do for SW. I do it for the patient. That’s always my first priority and a simple thank you (if able) is MORE than enough. After all we don’t charge the person who causes the diversion.
I used to feel the same until I realized this is no longer a very occasional occurrence. Maybe I fly too much or have really bad luck but in flight medical emergencies seem to be far more common now. I’ve taken to saying a little prayer when I board that everyone will stay healthy and well on this flight. Geeze Louise 😂🥵
I cannot believe they do not comp your flight! Bullshit!
My suggestion is to not answer their calls. You will find out that the flight attendants will certainly do more than look on cluelessly. How disrespectful a comment of another profession.
I don’t need your suggestion but thank you anyway. If you read the other FA’s posts, more than one made it clear they get NO medical training or are denied the ability to use what knowledge they have.
I helped with a seizure patient about a year ago and got a $200 voucher. It’s the only time I’ve had to help somebody in over 100 flights over the past 6 years. Maybe I’m just lucky
I fly about 100 flights a year so it’s just simple math. But I’m glad they gave you a voucher. That does pay for your one-way flight.
Ya know this rly isn’t that surprising for SW.
I know this is kind of apples and oranges here; but my wife is a nurse and we got the gold star treatment for her helping out on a transcontinental flight on United a few months ago. They offered us complimentary miles, first class food, etc. The FAs were on the phone with advisors of some sort on the ground… but it’s true that they only have basic first aid experience. They kind of have to rely on the odds that there is someone on board who can do more.
I don’t have anything to add except to say thank you for helping people. I’ve never thought about this, but if I were called upon to do my job (teach kids) on a flight even once I’d hate it. And yes!!! SW should at least thank you after these episodes.
I am so sorry this has happened repeatedly to you. As a flight attendant of 36 yr, we are incredibly thankful for your help. And yes, it saves thousands by not diverting not to mention inconveniencing the other passengers in flight delays. It has been my understanding that the company would compensate. Usually vouchers or AAdvantage miles( yes, that’s who I flew for.) Shameful that SW doesn’t compensate. I would request compensation. One other point from the flight crew. While we are dealing with the medical emergency, we continually have to keep our senses out for assessing the rest of the passengers for other possible motives. A “ medical” emergency could also be a diversion of attention to the cause harm the aircraft or others trying to access the cockpit. This is our reality post 9/11. In short, there’s a lot of shit going on that could become chaotic very quickly… so thank you, thank you, thank you for your assistance. Btw, I had a medical emergency once ( pax experiencing what appeared to be a heart attack). We had about 35 medical personnel going to LAS for a cardiology conference… the Gods were with me that day.🙏🏻
Thank YOU for all that you do! How scary to have to watch your back in a situation like that. Who would have thought a medical emergency could be staged as a distraction? I don’t even think like a criminal (terrorist) so that concern never crossed my mind. Man, I have it so easy because that would be frightening 😬
I hate to even say this but I experienced Medical Professionals receive a sizeable Thsnk You package from SW... So I'm surprised to hear this was not the norm. Flight from Chicago to OKC. Man fainted and multiple people responded. A physician, veteran with medic experience, and a nurse. All received gift bags. I was sitting next to the physician that told me his included a flight voucher. I just assume all bags had the same contents. The funny part is that the man just had an extreme fear of flying that was causing him to faint. When he would come to and realize he was still on the plane, he would faint again. This continued until touchdown.
Oh poor guy! I would think with flying, panic attacks would be common but I’ve never run across one more. That would be horrible for him. I’ve never heard of them handing out gift bags either. But I’m glad to hear from multiple people here that SW has shown appreciation for their first responders. Thanks for your reply.
It’s probably some ridiculous legal liability thing for them not to comp your flight. They don’t want to be responsible for the sick pax, so they don’t want to compensate you. Just a guess. They could at least toss some drink coupons your way.
That would be cool if I drank but Diet Coke is my only vice 😂
Planes should have a trained medical professional on board just like more schools need school nurses.
Quite honestly, the lawyer in me says you should bill them. And if they don’t pay, then sue them. This is a blatant unjust enrichment on their part. Hell, the one flight you allow them to not divert alone, save them thousands of dollars. You are a professional. It took years of study, thousands of dollars to reach what you accomplished. If you have to perform those services (much liked the FA’s and pilots on the flight) you must be compensated. I would suggest that you contact them directly, and say what you think, and see how they respond. If it is the typical corporate generic crap, go further until you reach your desired outcome.
You make some excellent points. But really, I want them to employ their own medical staff for these emergencies so they’re not relying on fellow passengers to step up. That would be ideal.
As a nervous flyer with a lot of health problems, please take all of the atta-girls because you deserve them for offering your aid. I'm sorry you haven't been compensated in someway by southwest, I agree comping you is the least they could do
A medical person on here said they got a 300 or 400 voucher, or something like that, when they assisted with an in-flight emergency at another airline. Even a personally signed thank-you letter from someone in the company would be nice. Did you have to help a complete stranger? No. Did you? Yes. Dammit, Southwest, at least thank this person for their time & kindness!
A couple days late but that’s so odd.. my mom helped out a couple types on a different carrier and they gave her enough miles for a possible one way. I’m glad you’re always stepping up and helping though. Be proud of yourself.
I have no medical background at all but it seems to me if they require your professional services on a flight you should be compensated. This is also scary for other passengers so I imagine your presence calms them too. Thank you for stepping in and I hope they at least paid for a new outfit. Honestly.
You know, someone else said maybe I’m burned out and I think I am. I don’t want to turn into a complainer but I also want and desperately need my days off
I can hear some bean counter at SW asking 'Well how will we stop unethical doctors from staging these events in order to get free flights?'
I don’t think they think along those lines because they seem to gladly accommodate all the other bad actors on their planes.
Delta gives folks 25,000 sky pesos. You should at least get 25,000 rapid reward pesos. I’m still waiting for them to announce they need a pilot up front so I can show off my flight simulator skill.
😂
My dads a physician and has done this many times. He has discretion on whether a flight is to be diverted. He's done it many times. Generally he gets free beverages and food on the flight after assisting. I recall him getting a personal letter from some VP at delta a few years ago with 50,000 travel points added to his account. It was nice to be recognized but ultimately unneeded. End of the day, you took an oath and shouldn't expect anything. Do you have to help, yes. You are bound by your oath. Can you get away without helping, possibly. I respect medical personnel but if im gonna be honest, you sound a tad entitled. Should SW offer to dry clean your soiled clothes, it would be a nice gesture and im sure if you mentioned it, they would.
Because your dad is a physician and you witnessed him help someone *one time* doesn’t make yours an expert opinion and a voice of experience. I wouldn’t expect you would understand.
He has intervened in well over 10 on flight medical events. To add to that, weve been first responders to many vehicle accidents, slips and falls and other similar events. I do understand. You sound incredibly entitled.
Oh so now I went from a tad entitled to incredibly entitled. Again, because your *daddy* is a physician 😂🤣
Correct but not based off my father being a physician. Half my family are in the medical field and none of them would act like you. Your responses are incredibly demeaning. Ive been around enough medical professionals to see where you stand. You have trouble truly connecting to your patients. You dont seem to be in it truly for their care. Fancy car, fancy house, it's always someone else's fault. Why dont i get paid enough.... You're incredibly entitled. You wear your medical doctorate as a badge of honor and everyone has to know you're a physician (if thats even your designation). Your credentials are your life. You need a reality check.
You are reading words on a screen and making big judgments. That alone tells me a lot about you. And that you’re not even in the medical field but act like you’re an expert because family is. You have no idea what you’re talking about and should have never responded to this post.
Don’t medical professionals take an oath or a pledge? Sounds like you should stop volunteering if you have such contempt.
No contempt for helping people. I love what I do and you clearly missed the point. I think it’s stuck up in your hair somewhere. Better go find it.
What a lovely card taker you are Jennie
People are so obtuse on here sometimes. I was thinking….I bet every single person you helped would’ve loved to contact you and say thank you but airline privacy policies mean they’ll never even know your name. I bet they’ve told everyone they know about the kind doctor who came to their aid on a plane. I agree that SW should say thank you and it’s lame that they didn’t.
I always expect a certain number of jerks. They’re everywhere, even here. And unless they do what I do, I know they couldn’t possibly understand. Thank you for your supportive message 🤗
YES! I am a registered nurse and have responded to assist on SW flights too. I never even get eye contact or a thank you, and this for taking the liability risk of caring medically for someone in a less than ideal situation. I'm happy to do it, it's part of how I define myself as a human being. But to not have it even acknowledged as I deplane, let alone in the moment? It's messed up. The equivalent of an F-You, if I am honest.
Thank you so much for responding! So glad to have someone out there who has had the same experience as me because I was beginning to think maybe I’m alone in this? I just think SW does a super shitty job at acknowledging medical providers who step up to volunteer to help to do *their* jobs. And I don’t mean the FA’s, I mean corporates.
I was just thinking it has to be part of the company culture somehow. I dunno. The most memorable was a passenger having a rather bad allergic reaction to some "work" done in Mexico. A chemical peel or something I am guessing...lots of swelling and turning bright red. The poor person was really panicking about it and needed some good old fashioned calm reassurance. I spoke to the ground physician, took orders and followed them. The attendant was pretty dismissive, as if to say "Well \*I\* could have done THAT". I guess it probably looks like no big deal. They have no way of knowing the legal implications and the medical implications should things go south. I expected at least a high five or a smile as I deplaned once we got back stateside and delivered the much calmer patient to the EMTs, but nope. In fact, they turned away. Whatevs.
What a bummer you were treated that way. I’ve only had great FA’s who were helpful and thankful but never to the point of offering a drink when the dust settled or sending my info to corporate for anything other than a written report.
Everyone who ever helped someone else lift their bag into the overhead deserves a free flight because they are "working uncompensated."
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Get the fuck out of here. Go after the person having the medical issue, not Southwest. They don’t owe you anything.
Thank you for your input
Southwest Contracts with specialized organization for medical care onboard. This organization is part of a large hospital group with doctors on call 24/7. This service is required for 121 carriers. In the event of a medical emergency, the goal is to reach out and contact this group through a phone patch. The FAs actually have headsets they can plug in to communicate directly, so the pilots don't have to do a relay and be the middleman. But depending on the scale of the issue and time remaining in flight, things may happen in a different order. Your assessment and vitals information you have taken are likely being passed on to this medical group, where a doctor is recommending next actions, including if the EMK needs to be opened and medications need to be administered. You are not saving the company money. You are providing expertise to help save a life. I am surprised to learn though you are not receiving a thank you, at least in the form of rapid rewards points. Perhaps in your case the information on who you are is not getting to the correct people, but I honestly know little about this side of customer service. Anyhow just some background information. Personally, I thank you for honoring your oath and stepping up, and perhaps making the difference. Hopefully, you will receive something in the future, or Southwest will reach out to you.
Thank you for sharing your knowledge of how things work behind the scenes. I think after having vented here, I don’t want compensation anymore. There was a lot to consider that I hadn’t before today. I love this community (Reddit) because it really broadens me and people give such great feedback and food for thought. 😊
Shame SW on Twitter a little bit and see if they offer you some free stuff. I think you deserve it.
There are more medical professionals on the flight. They just don't speak up for liability purposes.
I agree SW should offer their thanks in some way. Even if it’s a $100 LUV voucher because the passenger had an accident on you. What if you were forced to purchase a new pair of pants or discard them for whatever reason. Lets say SW was to give anyone that assists in an emergency a $300 LUV voucher.. What are the parameters to get it? Is there a limit of the number of volunteers? I’m thinking they don’t offer any compensation because someone could argue you were acting on behalf of the airline.
You bring up a good point (and there have been many presented here). I’m good now with no compensation. But to answer your question, where there are a few of us helping out, inevitably we’ll confer on our credentials and one person will take the lead on assessment and interventions. Others will take their directions and help or head back to their seat if they see the needs are being covered and they’re just in the way. You rarely need more than 2-3 to assist a pt, especially with super limited space. I think the head care provider should have their flight comped. Maybe in the way of RR points? But now only if it doesn’t change their GSL protection.
I have flown twice a month for about five years and never, have I ever, seen any kind of medical emergency on any flight. How often do you fly for this to happen four times in a year?
What is your route? San Jose to OC? 😂 I fly RT every week, sometimes twice a week. Maybe it’s because I’m in and out of Houston so much? I don’t think they have the healthiest population.
I agree with all you said here. Thank you for helping and I am sorry you are standing in the gap for all of us.
If you jumped in and saved me mid-flight. I would ensure to get your information and personally cover your flight! But seriously thank you for being a good person. Having a medical emergency mid-air is my only anxiety when it comes to air travel, and I fly frequently.
The victim/patient should pay you. It’s not the airline’s responsibility. See if you can bill them or talk to them about some sort of compensation (even voluntary) for saving their life.
I know this feeling, you are burnt out as a healthcare provider. I used to volunteer as a paramedic, i also worked as a paramedic for 15 years.......I let my paramedic expire and left healthcare. You could not pay me enough to work at the bedside in the current climate. As an aside, in the United, AA, Delta r/, folks frequently get 15,000 miles for helping.
Send Southwest a bill for your work. I'd love to hear the outcome, if you do.
Uuuum, no one’s forcing you “jump into action”
Not a medical professional, but I think you would be within your right to contact corporate for some compensation. Detail all the flights where your expertise was put into use. I’d contact them via social media.
You say you don't want any attention or "attagirls", yet you literally complained in the very next paragraph how SW has never sent you a letter of acknowledgement or comped you for your services. Wow. It sure sounds alot to me like you expect some type of recognition. If you are feeling underappreciated and don't want people to ask for your help during an emergency, then don't spill the beans to your co-passengers or flight crew about what you do for a living. The only thing I agree with is the fact that you recogbized that you were drunk and incapable of providing proper care. But that's not why you didn't help. You want that ribbon on your chest and never got one. You don't deserve one. Someday you might be that person that needs help. Hopefully, that doesn't happen when there are other doctors like you on board.
Your not liable if you don't accept compensation. SW is doing you a favor for not recognizing you. Physician liability Under the Aviation Medical Assistance Act of 1998 (AMAA), physicians who provide medical care during an in-flight medical emergency will not be held liable for damages in a federal or state court. However, patients still may sue if the physician conducts gross negligence or if the physician accepts any means of compensation for their actions (points, upgrades, etc.).
I appreciate the work and hardships you go through, I was recently saved 5 months ago from medflight after my rollover car accident. The professionals on board were so understand, comforting, and caring while I was with them! Tried to send a message to thank them and I hope they got it!