Biden's Crack About Airplane Germs
The Air Transport Association, an industry trade group that represents U.S. Airlines, is livid at Vice President Biden's suggestion Thursday that germs are easily spread inside the cabin of an airliner.
“You’re in a confined aircraft,” Biden said on NBC’s “Today” show. “When one person sneezes, it goes all the way through the aircraft.”
No way, says David A. Castelveter, a spokesman for the association.
“Circulation is side to side,” he said. “If you sneeze, the person beside you is more likely to incur the effect of your sneeze than anyone else in the airplane.”
“If you sneeze in row 11 it doesn’t mean that bacteria travels to row 23,” he said. “It’s confined to the row you’re sitting in.”
Association CEO James C. May sent a protest letter to Biden expressing his "extreme disappointment" at Biden's suggestion that air travel was unsafe.
"The fact is that the air onboard a commercial aircraft is cleaner than that in most public buildings," May wrote.
By
Michael E. Ruane
|
April 30, 2009; 6:02 PM ET
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Posted by: dambam64 | April 30, 2009 6:53 PM | Report abuse
Biden said the Obama administration would not have to wait 6 mos for a serious test..
Makes you wonder, especially since there has not been 1(one) pig sick with this...
or did they name it after our
NON- Representatives
Posted by: themikeb | April 30, 2009 11:05 PM | Report abuse
First, Biden made a comment, not a crack which generally translates to a "snide comment." If you polled a group of people, most would believe as he does that the air circulates throughout the cabin. Mr. Spokesman needs to get over himself; an airplane IS a confined space. Last time I checked in with the laws of physics, you can't open a plane's window and let the fresh air blow in your face. This world is getting ridiculous when simple comments can't be made without someone getting offended enough to make the news. Well, you're mother wears army boots! So -- there!
Posted by: MizSmiff | May 1, 2009 8:33 AM | Report abuse
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Watching VP Biden is kind of like when we experienced VP Agnew. Its pretty humorous; one never knows what is going to come out of his mouth. However, I hope nothing ever happens to President Obama and Biden takes over that position. Even worst--can you imagine Nancy Pelosi (isn't she 3rd in line) as President. When she talks, she doesn't even make any sense most of the time.