Bed bugs on American airlines

FORANE

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FORANE
In 25 years of traveling, I know of one case of bed bugs that happened to a team member. The hotel (one of the Sheraton brands at the time) was amazing. When he called, they immediately said "we will take care of this." They sent a driver to pick him with a liner on the seat, took him to the nearby Westin, and escorted him to his new room. They gave him a robe and special soap to bathe with, took his clothes away and washed them. Meanwhile they washed all his clothes at the old hotel, sanitized his suite case and brought it all over to the Westin. After that was all clean, they helped him get his rental car replaced. They followed up every day for a week to make sure it was handled AND gave him like 100,000 points.

To me, that is still a jaw dropping response. Sadly, I think anything short of a 5 star hotel would not do the same today, they would be rather louse-y.
 
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I was on a business trip and was trying to check into my hotel. Can’t remember the brand, but it was a big name and was at the upper limit of my expense budget. The front desk guy told me I didn’t have a room anymore. He wouldn’t explain why, just kept apologizing. I started seeing a lot of staff carrying away plastic wrapped mattress and asked again. He looked around, then leaned over and whispered, “We’re dealing with an infestation.”

They had already made arrangements for me at a competitor, a really nice place, at the same rate.
 
In the 40 or so years I traveled for work and pleasure, I’ve never had a room with bedbugs or any other critters… the exception being the occasional cockroach long ago. My wife checks closely everywhere we stay.

Just don’t use a black light on the bedspread or carpet…. :eek:
 
Bedbugs were eradicated in the US but have made a resurgence since the banning of DDT. They are hard to treat now. Heat works but I'm not sure if sustained temps of 140-150 degrees is allowed in an aircraft. I guess an a&p plus a licensed pest control applicator would be required to treat the problem.
 
Just don’t use a black light on the bedspread or carpet…. :eek:
That is why the first thing I do in a hotel room is to peel the bedspread and middle cover off and over the end of the bed onto the floor. Yes, I bring my own quilt. Also why I don't go shoeless anywhere except the shower.

Plus I never knew American Airlines had beds on their planes...
 
Bedbugs were eradicated in the US but have made a resurgence since the banning of DDT. They are hard to treat now. Heat works but I'm not sure if sustained temps of 140-150 degrees is allowed in an aircraft. I guess an a&p plus a licensed pest control applicator would be required to treat the problem.

Just take it to Texas or Arizona in the summertime on a sunny day and park on the ramp.
 
In 25 years of traveling, I know of one case of bed bugs that happened to a team member. The hotel (one of the Sheraton brands at the time) was amazing. When he called, they immediately said "we will take care of this." They sent a driver to pick him with a liner on the seat, took him to the nearby Westin, and escorted him to his new room. They gave him a robe and special soap to bathe with, took his clothes away and washed them. Meanwhile they washed all his clothes at the old hotel, sanitized his suite case and brought it all over to the Westin. After that was all clean, they helped him get his rental car replaced. They followed up every day for a week to make sure it was handled AND gave him like 100,000 points.

To me, that is still a jaw dropping response. Sadly, I think anything short of a 5 star hotel would not do the same today, they would be rather louse-y.
For Sale. Bed bugs. Get your stuff washed and 100,000 points. $19.99 plus shipping and handling.
 
I really prefer hotels with laminate floors instead of carpet, and don’t put my suitcase or clothes on the bed.

A few months ago in Tennessee, we’re in a hotel room and at about midnight, a couple bugs crawled across us. Not bedbugs but some other small insects. The night clerk immediately moved us. Talked with the manager in the morning and he dismissed it as a common insect in that area that’s unavoidable and nothing to worry about. He offered to reduce our room price and the most they’d do is give me some points.
 
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