Plane Passenger Realizes Rental Car Mistake, But There's a Bigger Problem
Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content.
A United Airlines plane passenger declares that he is "an idiot" after what happened while checking his car rental reservation.
The passenger, going by the username theapeway, on Reddit, said that after pre-boarding his flight from Houston to Indianapolis, he checked the rental app.
The original poster (OP) realized that he made his reservation for a day before he was supposed to arrive, with the app saying that he was, "20 hours overdue."
Bad Day Gets Worse
As the OP processed the mistake, another passenger walking past vomited directly into the aisle.
"I got smoked," theapeway told Redditors, adding, "I'm proud of myself for not gagging and the [flight attendants] were incredibly nice trying to get me and the cross aisle fellow traveler cleaned up."
The OP said he has flown nearly 400 segments in two and a-half years, but this was a first. The sick passenger tried to contain the vomit, which only worsened the situation.
Stock image: Man sitting on a plane, looking out of a window.
Stock image: Man sitting on a plane, looking out of a window.
Getty
"The dude spewing tried to do the polite thing by trying to catch it, thus creating a marvelous fountain of hurl," theapeway described.
Despite the chaos, the OP's day gradually improved. Avis provided him with a car. He showered at a hotel and "crawled" into bed by 2 a.m.
Passenger's Praise
In a message to Newsweek via Reddit, the OP said that he cannot stress enough how kind the flight attendants were. The situation on board ultimately delayed the flight by about an hour as United dispatched cleaners to take care of it, he added.
"One FA offered me a little perfume and a Tide pod for when I got to the hotel," theapeway told Newsweek.
"She also volunteered to get close and smell me to make sure I wasn't rank for the guy sitting next to me, one of the best FAs I've encountered and I fly a lot.
"I did lose out my car rental reservation, but even though Avis was sold out, they scrambled to find me something," he continued.
"It was a long day and an unpleasant experience for sure, but the crew was awesome!"
'I'm a sympathetic vomiter'
The story prompted reactions from Reddit users, some sharing travel tips, others offering support.
"Dude, this is so not your day," a supporter commiserated.
"Props for handling it like a pro and being able to laugh about it (now). If it helps, I double-checked my car reservation for this week to make sure I know what month/day it was."
The OP's tale, "is why I always pack an extra outfit (very simple, just a change) in my carry-on," remarked an individual.
"Never had to use it, I flew just a few days ago and almost didn't take it, but threw it in at the last minute! And I have one of those Vicks inhalers clipped to the zipper too because I'm a sympathetic vomiter."
Others hoped the sick passenger recovered, with one writing, "That sounds awful! Not sure what the guy's situation was, but hope he's OK as well."
Messy Flights and Airline Protocol
Similar incidents have raised questions about how airlines handle mid-flight messes.
In one case reported by Newsweek, a passenger on a Delta flight detailed how he and his son were apparently forced to sit in a seat contaminated by vomit for hours.
In that story, the passenger spoke to Newsweek, saying, "it was unmistakable for vomit. The side of the seat and the wall were covered."
In another Newsweek story, a plane passenger detailed a disastrous travel mishap as they accidentally dropped their passport through a narrow, inaccessible hole in an airport floor, just moments before boarding their flight.
Newsweek's "What Should I Do?" offers expert advice to readers. If you have a personal dilemma, let us know via life@newsweek.com. We can ask experts for advice on relationships, family, friends, money and work, and your story could be featured on WSID at Newsweek.
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