Spraying the insects
Back to Forum- This topic has 34 replies, 19 voices, and was last updated 24 Apr 2015
at 10:21 by PeterCoultas.
-
- Author
- Posts
- Skip to last reply Create Topic
-
DavidGordon10ParticipantI am coughing and wheezing from an attack of asthma that started as I left Brazzaville on the AF flight to CDG.
As the doors were closed, the aircraft interior was spayed with insecticide to kill off any mosquitoes trying to hitch a ride to Paris. Perfectly reasonable, but the sprayer was walking past my seat before an announcement was made to explain what was being done, and to say that the spray was “harmless to health”. Well, maybe the insecticide is non-toxic, but like many other asthmatics any aerosol spray that I inhale will set off an attack of asthma.
If the announcement had been made before the spraying, I would have covered my nose and mouth with my shirt sleeve and stayed covered until the spray had dispersed. Too late. I coughed and wheezed my way to Paris and I am still coughing 48 hours later, although it is getting better.
I spoke to the Purser – he said that there was actually very little time to do the spraying after the cabin doors are closed, hence the late announcement. But an announcement 15 seconds ealier would have saved the day
I would be particularly interested in any comments this receives from the flight crew who post here and who do the run from tropical countries like the Congo. What actually are the rules, and have you met anyone else who has found the spray troublesome?
14 Jul 2014
at 04:54
LuganoPirateParticipantI can’t answer your question David, but as soon as I see them begin to spray the aircraft I cover my nose and mouth. I know it’s “harmless” (though not to mosquitoes it seems?) and I don’t suffer from asthma but I still don’t want to breathe stuff in!
14 Jul 2014
at 05:29
DavidGordon10ParticipantI didn’t see them quickly enough! I was only four or five rows back from the front of economy, and they burst through the curtain and sprayed before I could gather my wits. Coughs…..
14 Jul 2014
at 05:35
LuganoPirateParticipantI’m trying to think where it was, I think CPT a few years back, BA did the spraying routine, but it was announced a few minutes in advance. Certainly LH don’t spray ex CPT and no-one sprays ex JNB, at least not on the planes I’ve been on. I really sympathise and they should have given fair warning, as I certainly don’t want to breathe the nasty stuff in!
14 Jul 2014
at 06:11
openflyParticipantHi LP BA is the only carrier to spray out of SA. Even SAA have stopped the procedure ( mind you they probably can’t afford it) Just left SA on Qatar and they didnt do it. Either BA are being totally correct and the others just don’t bother or BA is missing a cost saving trick!!
14 Jul 2014
at 06:52
XulumanParticipantThere’s only one route we ‘disinsect’ to comply with local legislation and the World Health Organisation. The crew make a PA that tells anyone who is sensitive to or suffers from respiratory problems to cover their eyes, nose and mouth during spraying.
To be done after doors armed, and immediately prior to the safety demo.
14 Jul 2014
at 07:59
DavidGordon10ParticipantThanks Xuluman – which is the route? The announcement in advance that you describe just happened too late, and I have written to AF to suggest they should do it in good time before the spray..
14 Jul 2014
at 08:43
canuckladParticipantApologies David ,I too can’t answer your question……But your comments did get me thinking.
Back in the day i remember landing back in Canada from Amsterdam, usually at Calgary,Edmonton or occasionally Winnipeg and the aircraft being sprayed to adhere to Canada health regulations. We then had to wait until the results of the spray were checked until they allowed the prairie passengers to disembark.
What I found odd was that there seemed to be a randomness to the spraying. I found out later that the decision to spray was decided by the mix of passengers from originating specific countries who had transited via schipol.
And if I remember right I’m sure that the Australians were prolific sprayers when arriving there??
14 Jul 2014
at 08:44
LuganoPirateParticipantHi Openfly, EK don’t do it either and nor does Singapore.
I just remembered, when BA did it both the crew members (one each aisle) were wearing surgeon type masks. So much for harmless!!!
14 Jul 2014
at 12:30
MartynSinclairParticipantBA 10 sprays (or used to spray) – but there are still insects flying around….
14 Jul 2014
at 13:13
JohnHarperParticipantThe last place I saw a spray was LOS years ago and I thought it had stopped entirely.
Is it worth compiling a list of where does it? I can’t help with it though.
14 Jul 2014
at 13:32
DavidGrodentzParticipantI travel to India for business from HK. CX spray the aircraft before landing in Delhi. They always do an announcement, also adding a warning to contact lens wearers. Strangely, they don’t spray when leaving. Been bitten by mossies in HK twice in 9 years. Lost count on short trips to Delhi. Go figure
14 Jul 2014
at 14:56 -
AuthorPosts
