Monday, March 26, 2007
Trapped in the shower - again!
 How is it possible to become trapped in the busy terminal of a major airport for nearly an hour with no-one knowing you are there? Easy. Take a shower in the Swiss/Alitalia lounge at JFK. Read on!
I was given the key to my dressing room, with the glass shower cubicle off to the side. I disrobed and showered. Switching the water off, I knew I was in trouble. The glass door had become stuck and I was trapped inside the shower. I pushed, pulled, tugged and heaved the vast door, but to no effect. It wouldn’t budge. And with last year’s shower accident still fresh in my mind (That occasion required 22 stitches!), I certainly wasn’t going to force the glass. There was no alarm button to push! Wet, naked, shivering and with a plane to catch, what’s a man to do? Shout! For thirty minutes, I banged on the wall and shouted for help. I made as much noise as possible. Nothing. No one it seemed could hear me (even in the next door toilet, which was regularly being flushed). Finally, the rising panic in my voice attracted attention and help arrived. But now problem number two. The lock to the dressing room door had also jammed. Help couldn’t get in. There was only one option. Take that door off its hinges. It took a further 20 minutes of hammering and bashing before the moment I had been dreading… With the dressing room door gone, I was left in the shower cubicle, behind the glass, with no cover and a room rapidly filling up with strangers. They couldn’t even pass me a towel because the glass was floor to ceiling. Oh, the embarrassment. It was another ten minutes or so before they could get the glass door open. And I was released. Time for me to get very angry and ponder my plight. At what point would the lounge staff have realised I hadn’t reappeared? Probably when they were about to close the plane door without Mr. Quest. Most worrying and serious, where was that long red alarm cord you see in showers and toilets to summon help ? There was none! What would have happened if I’d been an elderly passenger suffering a heart attack? Or any passenger who slipped, fell and injured themselves? It’s simple. Any distressed passenger would be out of luck and in deep trouble. I have no doubt Alitalia will be apologetic and will take steps to put things right. If they don’t, I am sure Swiss will put pressure on them to do so. But the fact that a passenger can be trapped for more than 30 minutes in the lounge of a major airport, shouting for help with no-one hearing or coming to their aid is deeply worrying. Is there a word for an utterly rational fear of showers? 53 Comments
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A better object of deep worry should be the shower at home - now there one could be trapped for days until discovered missing at work.
And if we are happy to accept this as a normal risk of life at home, then in all fairness why should we hold the lounge to a different standard? Is this the modern desire to blame somebody else for everything, rather than accept that there will always be (smallish) risks out there, shrug and move on?
You and Tyler Brŭl� should team up and take your show on the road.
What an experience. It'll just teach you two things, stay dirty and smelly and avoid showering at airports and carry a mobile with a waterproof case in the showers(unlikely). :-)
you should have learnt from experience.
Hi Quest,
Good that you didn't injure yourself this time. I would suggest / recommend next time onwards keep your cell always nearby / handy in a waterproof packet. Who knows, even if there were alarm chord, it might simply not work! Take Care,
Oh dear. I am SO happy I have a shower curtain at home. Will from now on be very cautious with showers with glass doors. But you've gotta admit, perhaps in hindsight (like 10 years from now :) that it is a tad funny. Note that I'm laughing with you and not at you. At the same time, rather you than me. Purely because you have influence on airlines and I don't.
Any women or gay men amongst the rescue staff?? Would be fun to hear their version :)
alex, your comment seems rather, well, stupid. when one uses, and even pays to use, a certain assumption is made that your safety is being looked after. richard, i have been in the same situation as you were last year; glad you got away with only 22 stiches. i got over one hundred. getting out of the shower bare footed over a pile of shattered, tempered glass was a challenge. bleeding.....i doo not have this problem at home. i do the regular maintenance on my home, seeing to that i do not have these issues. i can only think what would have happened if you could not have cried out. several days latter they find you?
yikes!
Why don't you just shower at home if these things keep happening to you? Or maybe you should just shower when you get wherever you're going and not at the airport.
Our nanny took me to see "Psycho" in 1959 when I was 12 ... I have NEVER taken a shower ... not EVER ... my friends, children and various paramours laughed at me ... I simply say "Feelings aren't right or wrong they simply are." and flip-flop into the bathroom with my Yoga Magazine, glass of Merlot and lavender bubbles ... oh yes, and my two dogs ... one a Rhodesian Ridgeback and one a Pit Bull to lie on the towels to protect me ... just in case that wretched Anthony Perkins shows up ...
gosh, richard! don't you take your mobile into the shower like normal people? ;)
Try a bath next time.
You were trapped in a shower, at an airport?
I'm sorry, I understand that you should have been able to get help, but am I really supposed to be this upset? I mean, this IS CNN.com, but it just doesn't sound like news to me. I do plenty of world travel, and I've never showered in an airport. Perhaps that's the lesson to be learned? I mean, people don't shower at the bus station, train station, subway terminal, etc., do they?
Maybe you should just give up on the whole showing on vacation thing.
Your story is comical and shouldn't be some angry consumer rant, dude. Lighten up. Or as your hosts would say, "Chi lava il capo all'asino perde il ranno e il sapone!" I blame Bush.
I'm terribly sorry Richard, but it's quite a funny story... I do agree with you that it is strange no one could hear you calling for help and it is unacceptable that their shower doors malfunction like that. What kind of shower has glass doors (apparently not even safety glass) that shut and won't open? And this happens more often? Who would have thought that is the kind of experience that awaits you in a business lounge... Another 22 stitches certainly wouldn't have been a laughing matter. You could have steamed up the glass a bit once people got inside ;)
Nice, very hard hitting. An important topic that isn't given nearly enough attention in todays media. Well done.
...But why take a shower before a plane flight? If you don't then there is a good chance people will not want to sit next to you in the economy class seat and you will have more space! Or were you traveling business?
Boy, you'd think that after 22 stitches, you'd smarten up.
However, I can relate to your anger. Facilites like that are the responsibility of the airline, and should be held to higher standards than your home sliding doors.
Oh God! I am so embarassed for you. What a horrible story to retell. Hopefully this story will encourage some well-needed repairs and maintenance to that facility. But that sucks that you got caught out there like that. Sheesh.
It troubles me more to think that there are still areas in an airport that are accesible to passengers and are not routinely monitored.. that concerns me more than what Mr. Quest could have done to prevent what happened.
This is one of the reasons I always enjoy travelling economy.
Not to sound insensative Richard, but did you make the flight?
Hi Mr Quest,
Your incident in the shower has to be one of the funniest things i have heard. I hope the embarrassment wears off soon. You are very brave, i couldn't survive if that ever happened to me. :)
You know there's a certain detail here that I find most amazing. You mentioned that you've asked out pretty loud for assistance, for thirty minutes, and even heard others' noises nearby... and I just can't imagine no one heard you. What's scary in this story, is ignorance - or the possibility of it anyway.
That's what grabbed my attention the most. I've been to quite a few airports, some without proper maintenance, but there was always some attention available, even if for only the sake of not gaining bad reviews, assistance was available. Either way, this is a bit worriesome.
Nice to see that people are so sympathetic!! Would you all feel the same way if it happened to someone you care about. The airline should not provide showers if they are not responsible enough to do the necessary maintainence on them. Hope they take beter care of their airplanes.
always shower with a friend, like the buddy system in swimming. it will keep you warm and you can have a converesation if the shower door jams.
I suppose the phrase "s!*t happens!" comes to mind! ;-) Well I think you handled the situation well considering...I probably would have been in a much bigger panic than you!
Well Richard, it sounds like you need to see a copy of The Secret that Oprah's all hot about. Seems you have a negative law of attraction for airport showers. Better you than me though. One look at my battered old bod and my "rescuers" would be running in the opposite direction! I'd still be there!
Try flying economy and you won't have to worry about the dangers of lounges and hot showers. Also, smelling bad is quite acceptable :-)
It's hard to feel sorry for someone who travels the world in luxury at the expense of someone else!
Too bad, so sad, glad you're mad. Get a grip--you've got a sweet deal, boo, hoo for your in business luxury for free!
You have done it, Richard! Your reality has topped my most embarrassing nightmare!!! Good story! :-]
Richard, Why didn't your cameraman or sound recordist realize something was wrong? You obviously travel with a crew. Or maybe they don't travel first class?
Anyway, I'm glad you didn't get claustrophobia etc
So what if you're naked! It's their problem not yours. With your experience, being naked should have been the least of your concern. It could have been more embarassing if despite what you've gone through you were still concious about how you look!
Richard, I thank you for becoming loud on these safety issues. The designers of services for the traveller, do not travel themselves, and thus do not know how to place safety and concern in their products. That is what I like about you. You reort on what you actually experience. Keep up the good work...
HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA That's why people in my country never bath at the airports.
Poor you! I am glad you lived to tell the tale!!!Apologies are not enough. You should get them to make a donation to a charity of your choice.
Richard,
You certainly write for a tough audience! This is the first of your blog entries I've read (used to watch you regularly when I lived in Europe) and I am amazed at how unsympathetic most of your readers are! Perhaps it's time to do a piece on what a nasty place the world of business travel has become! Cheers, mate.
There are people in many countries that never experienced a shower or even have access to clean water. You are lucky.
I hear you bro...I am 42 originally from Portugal and the CEO of a dutch company, 2 years ago we where building a factory in Portugal and i decided to drive there from The Netherlands...I never seem to have the time for anything so it seemed like the thing to do, so no wife, no kids( i got 4) just me and Pink Floyd all the way...UNTIL France happened. I decided to take a shower in a fuel station, and while in the shower someone took all my clothes that were hanging outside the shower...even the towel was gone. So I was left naked and wet, 200 meters from the main building and no keys to my car. I tried to attract the attention of the staff but to no avail...finally some Russian trucker came for a shower, and all tho we could not communicate he was kind enough as to land me his towel. So i went to the fuel station wearing a towel in winter( -2/-4 -+)and tried to get some help, there was this not very sympathetic woman, who would not sell me a pair of jeans and a t-shirt because my wallet was inside the car, and the manager was not there...i was never so embarrassed in my life...finally the police was called, and upon arriving they gave me a blanket, to cover myself...then it turns unreal...they would not break into my car or allow me to do that, because i could not make proof of ownership, my wallet was safely locked inside the car, this stand off lasted the best part of 2 hours, finally the manager came AND he was my savior, he immediately dressed me from head to toe and vociferated very intensely at the police and the woman for they're behavior, in leaving me there inside the fuel station full of people wearing nothing but a blanket and a towel. he allowed me to use his mobile phone to call my secretary in the Netherlands so I could ask for a fax with a copy of the documents of the car. it took only 15 minutes, so finally the Police called the BMW service to came and open the car.This all took the best part of 3 hours...i never felt so humiliated in my life before, being naked in a public place full of people that stare at you like you just arrived from the moon or something... so i very well understand your predicament.
As a big fan of your work, this is just to let you know, that in this fast moving world this things happen not only to you....this does not need to be published neither. Have fun in your travels and keep your spirit high.
Boy, rough crowd here. Richard, may I suggest showers in Cathay/BA lounges only? No doors!
The United Arrivals lounge and shower station at London Heathrow is also brilliant.
i'm sorry, richard. but i couldn't stop laughing after i read your story. i got stuck inside a toilet twice (not in the airport, fortunately), so i should know. one wasn't even being used as a toilet anymore! and was so hot inside that i was crying while shouting for help for quite a long time.
hopefully, the airline will improve it's services soon. as you said, it's a concern for the elderly or for emergencies.
In Quest of a safe shower!
Hi Richard, not a pleasant situation to be in, my biggest worry would have been not to catch the flight, and do the two airlines is question maintain their aircraft as carelessly?? To all those who do not enjoy having a shower before a flight or otherwise are not big on personal hygiene, make sure you do not sit next to me on a flight. Curious how others misfortunes is the source of amusement, get a life a folks!
I'm really shocked by the large number of nasty comments.
What surprises me even more is the number of people who think that taking a shower before a flight is some kind of luxury. Two years ago on a flight from Tokyo to Munich I had the "pleasure" to sit one row behind someone with such a habit. Either that person did not use a shower for days or had a dead fish in his baggage - really not funny. By the way: there is also a chance for economy travellers (like me) to take a shower at the airport. For example in Singapore it costs only 8 S$ (~4Euro) at a lounge open to the public. Tomorrow I will fly from Frankfurt to Singapore, so if anyone also takes that route - have a shower in the morning!
Richard,
Rather bizarrely I had a very similar incident in what may well be the same shower in JFK. I only got out when my boyfriend was hammering on the door panicking about how long I was taking (very untypically) this was July 06 and I made a darned fuss as they did in the end have to hold the plane as I legged it wet hair but thankfully clothed to the gate. They assured me that they would get it fixed so very surprised that it should happen to someone else..... Otherwise you can't beat the old Molton Brown BA spa showers or even Qantas showers in BKK or Changi
Richard, I think you should give up the frequent flying (and maybe even the frequent showering) and return to the CNN studio on a more regular basis. Not only for safety reasons but for the viewers entertainment. Keep up the good work. I'd have been inconsolable in your predicament!
It is good to know that alitalia has taken measures to stop incidents like these. this is a good lesson for other airlines to deliver the high level of service consistantly.
Oh my God! Poor Richard! that must have been a very traumatic experience.Hope you've gotten it by now.
I'm your nephew's friend and I believe that an appropriate term for utterly rational fear of showers (or washing) would/could be balneo-phobia.
I am so sorry, but I laughed and laughed when I read this. What an awful situation for sometone else to be in. Sorry, but I am still giggling.
regards cheryl
Sometimes, I'm sicked by the airline's strategy to 'maximise the customer satisfaction'.
If I had been kept in the shower like Mr.Quest for hours, I would surely complain the top management of this airline for their complete ignorance for the real action of their customer satisfaction strategy. Regards, John
Simple Mr Quest, just don't shut the glass door completely next time, put a bar of soap or something of that size to keep it partially open. At most some water will flow on to the floor that is all.
Hello Q,
I have to admit that my first reaction after reading your story was to burst out laughing but, within 5 seconds, in my mind I placed myself in your shoes and imagined how I would react (probably just as upset) and another 5 seconds later I thought what if it were my parents in such a situation? I travel quite a bit for business and know first-hand that a shower in Hong Kong during a long flight from San Francisco to Dubai via HK can bring you back to life. My parents travel often to go see their grandkids. Once when they were travelling on the same route, I insisted they stop by the private lounge in Taipei (I can't recall the lounge name) for a refreshing shower. Thank god my story has a happy ending since they both found it awkward at first but loved it in the end. Now when an image of my Mum or my Dad getting stuck in that shower comes to mind, I find myself utterly shocked. How could your ordeal have lasted for over half an hour before anyone paid any attention? I would have sued the airline, the lounge, the airport authority and anyone else I could get my hands on for every cent they had. I completely agree with you and some of the people who have posted comments that someone needs to take this seriously. Today we focus so much on security that safety seems to be a distant second. Something must be done and someone must be held accountable. Yes, the easier solution would be for us not to shower at an airport, but if a lounge is going to take us in and offer, say, a shower as part of their service then they become responsible for our safety. Just like a hotel is responsible for us for the duration of our stay or an airline is responsible for the duration of our flight. Enough said. Muhammad Faisal Dubai, UAE |
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