The Dirt on Dirty Airplanes

by Michele Cheplic | More from this Blogger

20 Jul 2008 08:08 PM

If you thought that the restrooms on your last flight departing from Los Angeles or San Francisco international airports were filthy wait until you see them now.

Passengers complaining about unclean facilities say they were "repulsed" and "disgusted" at the sight of the bathrooms. But get this--the people in charge of cleaning the onboard restrooms are not disputing the claims. Union workers who clean airplanes at both the L.A. and San Francisco airports blame the dirty bathrooms on serious understaffing and lack of equipment. The maintenance workers claim they aren't being given the time or resources to properly do their job. In one instance a worker maintained that he had to resort to "cleaning" airplane restrooms with water because disinfecting cleanser wasn't made available to crews.

But that's not the worst of it. Last week workers handed out anti-bacterial wipes to passengers at both California airports in hopes of bringing attention to the problems.

Can you imagine running to catch your flight with carry-ons and children in tow and being handed Clorox wipes from a worker who claims he isn't being given enough time to clean the toilet and sink you are going to be using at 30,000 feet?

A spokesperson for the United Service Workers West, which represents the workers, says the cleaning cloth handout was also intended to highlight the conditions baggage handlers, janitors and other airport workers face, including low wages, lack of health care benefits and understaffing.

According to the union rep, "the current conditions these workers face affect the passengers as well."

Reports say some workers have complained that the number of cleaning crew members assigned to an arriving airplane, and the amount of time allowed to sanitize the cabins have shrunk in half.

In addition, one report noted that over a third of cabin cleaners said they didn't have enough time to change pillows or blankets or empty trash that passengers leave behind in seat pockets.

Related Articles:

Keeping Germs Away At 35,000-Feet

The Ugly Truth About Airplane Water

Dirty Airports Forced To "Clean Up"

Learn more about Michele Cheplic

Michele Cheplic was born and raised in Hilo, Hawaii, but now lives in Wisconsin. Michele graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Madison with a degree in Journalism.

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