Staying alive at the airport and on the airplane

Late last month, as a red-eye Delta flight from Los Angeles to Atlanta was preparing to land, crew members found an unresponsive passenger in the jet’s lavatory. Medical professionals were on the flight but, when the plane landed, authorities confirmed that 61-year-old Michaele O’Neil Carnahan had passed away.

Having a passenger die on an airplane is a very sad and, airline officials insist, very rare occurrence. Yet, given how many people are up in airplanes at any one time, it’s bound to happen.

But why let it happen to you, someone you love — even an annoying seatmate — if it doesn’t have to? Experts say there are steps you can take to make sure you “arrive alive.” Some of their tips are common sense. Others may surprise you.

And a few may just save a life

Find out more in my Well-Mannered Traveler column posted today on MSNBC.com.


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