# "I didn't pay for First Class just to sit next to a dead body!" **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [March 20, 2007, 2:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-didnt-pay-for-first-class-just-to-sit-next-to-a-dead-body/396661 "2007-03-20T02:28:58Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![Cervaise](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cervaise/32/16693_2.png) [@Cervaise](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cervaise)\ **Post date:** [March 20, 2007, 5:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-didnt-pay-for-first-class-just-to-sit-next-to-a-dead-body/396661/41 "2007-03-20T17:19:24Z")
[QUOTE=Harmonious Discord] Economy class is better than corpse class. [/QUOTE] Frankly, I don’t see the big deal here. People die. Everybody dies. One day, you, too, will be a cadaver. When that happens, you are not an unclean thing. You are just a dead body. I would not have complained at all had it been me in the neighboring seat. Things happen, and the least we can do is treat the departed, and by extension her relations, with decency and respect, not revulsion. Plus I can lower her seat tray and spread out my knitting. ---
**Author:** ![Martha\_Medea](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/43a26b/32.png) [@Martha\_Medea](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Martha_Medea)\ **Post date:** [March 20, 2007, 6:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-didnt-pay-for-first-class-just-to-sit-next-to-a-dead-body/396661/42 "2007-03-20T18:54:13Z")
[QUOTE=Siam Sam] Nah, the long-distance international flights still give you food and drink. I’m just woried I’d get drunk and start hitting up on her. [/QUOTE] I meant the peanuts - they’ve stopped serving them due to nut allergies, in an attempt to prevent more corpses from appearing on planes. 😉 They give you these crunchy things now that are definitely not nuts. ---
**Author:** ![elbows](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/b3f665/32.png) [@elbows](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elbows)\ **Post date:** [March 20, 2007, 7:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-didnt-pay-for-first-class-just-to-sit-next-to-a-dead-body/396661/43 "2007-03-20T19:09:46Z")
I totally agree with **Cervais** , it would be a ‘no biggie’ for me. People die, everywhere, even on planes. I’d be a little :eek: , for sure. But I’d get over it real quick. I would expect the airline to be a little extra nice to me, maybe a free upgrade next trip or a set of those neato wings, but beyond that not really necessary in my mind. Now, if I find out my dead mother went from ‘passenger’ to ‘baggage’ with her last breath, I’m going to be mightily pissed. Why wouldn’t they move her into the crew jumpseats? Strap her in really well so she won’t, y’know, tip. Give her a pillow and tuck her under a blanket and who’s the wiser? I always thought that airlines had a protocol like hospitals. They don’t really pull the sheet up for the journey through the hospital to the morgue. They pull it down and position the cadaver as though sleeping. So as not to freak out people in elevators and hallways. You’ve probably ridden on a elevator or passed one in the hall and not even known. ---
**Author:** ![Lissa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/85f322/32.png) [@Lissa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lissa)\ **Post date:** [March 20, 2007, 7:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-didnt-pay-for-first-class-just-to-sit-next-to-a-dead-body/396661/44 "2007-03-20T19:18:19Z")
[QUOTE=elbows] I totally agree with **Cervais** , it would be a ‘no biggie’ for me. People die, everywhere, even on planes. I’d be a little :eek: , for sure. But I’d get over it real quick. I would expect the airline to be a little extra nice to me, maybe a free upgrade next trip or a set of those neato wings, but beyond that not really necessary in my mind. Now, if I find out my dead mother went from ‘passenger’ to ‘baggage’ with her last breath, I’m going to be mightily pissed. Why wouldn’t they move her into the crew jumpseats? Strap her in really well so she won’t, y’know, tip. Give her a pillow and tuck her under a blanket and who’s the wiser? [/QUOTE] Another “I agree” post. It’s not like the body is going to start decomposing or do anything scary and dead’s not catching. It’s just going to lie there, peaceably, while I read my book. The only difference between the corpse and another passenger is that the corpse isn’t breathing, bumping me or asking what I’m reading. I wouldn’t even be really upset if the airline didn’t offer me compensation. ---
**Author:** ![chowder](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/977dab/32.png) [@chowder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/chowder)\ **Post date:** [March 20, 2007, 7:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-didnt-pay-for-first-class-just-to-sit-next-to-a-dead-body/396661/45 "2007-03-20T19:21:19Z")
What about the baggage handlers?..won’t somebody please think of the baggage handlers. I mean they had to haul her off, stiff (no pun intended) \*Thinks, Wonder if they dumped her on the carousel? #1 person “'scuse me that’s my corpse” #2 person “terribly sorry old gal…ah here’s mine now, always last off” ---
**Author:** ![Count\_Blucher](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/c5a1d2/32.png) [@Count\_Blucher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Count_Blucher)\ **Post date:** [March 20, 2007, 7:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-didnt-pay-for-first-class-just-to-sit-next-to-a-dead-body/396661/46 "2007-03-20T19:28:22Z")
It would be rather sad to see her circling around the luggage conveyor belt unclaimed… ---
**Author:** ![Scubaqueen](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/c0e974/32.png) [@Scubaqueen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Scubaqueen)\ **Post date:** [March 20, 2007, 7:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-didnt-pay-for-first-class-just-to-sit-next-to-a-dead-body/396661/47 "2007-03-20T19:50:42Z")
you people are very sick, twisted puppies. i just want to make that very clear. more! more! ---
**Author:** ![alphaboi867](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/alphaboi867/32/3898_2.png) [@alphaboi867](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/alphaboi867)\ **Post date:** [March 20, 2007, 8:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-didnt-pay-for-first-class-just-to-sit-next-to-a-dead-body/396661/48 "2007-03-20T20:03:21Z")
[QUOTE=elbows] …Now, if I find out my dead mother went from ‘passenger’ to ‘baggage’ with her last breath, I’m going to be mightily pissed. [/QUOTE] So if she died on vacation you’d insist she ride in the passenger compartment instead of the luggage hold? [QUOTE=elbows] …I always thought that airlines had a protocol like hospitals. They don’t really pull the sheet up for the journey through the hospital to the morgue. They pull it down and position the cadaver as though sleeping. So as not to freak out people in elevators and hallways. You’ve probably ridden on a elevator or passed one in the hall and not even known. [/QUOTE] Funny, I’ve been in hospitals that moved bodies covered in sheets around, it must depend on the hospital. ---
**Author:** ![jjimm](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/ba8739/32.png) [@jjimm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jjimm)\ **Post date:** [March 20, 2007, 8:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-didnt-pay-for-first-class-just-to-sit-next-to-a-dead-body/396661/49 "2007-03-20T20:58:55Z")
[QUOTE=BobLibDem] How long after death does a corpse start to release the contents of its bowels? That could have gotten pretty nasty. [/QUOTE] Not to mention illegal: you’re not allowed to take concealed liquids on planes these days. “It was so embarrassing! I thought I’d turned it off, but about halfway into the flight my corpse started wringing.” ---
**Author:** ![Count\_Blucher](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/c5a1d2/32.png) [@Count\_Blucher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Count_Blucher)\ **Post date:** [March 20, 2007, 9:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-didnt-pay-for-first-class-just-to-sit-next-to-a-dead-body/396661/50 "2007-03-20T21:07:39Z")
[QUOTE=jjimm] Not to mention illegal: you’re not allowed to take concealed liquids on planes these days. “It was so embarrassing! I thought I’d turned it off, but about halfway into the flight my corpse started wringing.” [/QUOTE] “We’ve searched her three times…where the hell did she hide that damn phone?” “Alimentary, my dear flight attendant. Alimentary…” :eek: ---
**Author:** ![UncleBeer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/977dab/32.png) [@UncleBeer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/UncleBeer)\ **Post date:** [March 20, 2007, 9:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-didnt-pay-for-first-class-just-to-sit-next-to-a-dead-body/396661/51 "2007-03-20T21:10:22Z")
[QUOTE=Siam Sam] Alternatively, perhaps the daughter was simply bound and determined to take Mom on that dream vacation she’d always wanted no matter whether she was dead or alive. [/QUOTE] Was it a quick weekend get-away . . . at Bernie’s place? ---
**Author:** ![danceswithcats](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/9e8a1a/32.png) [@danceswithcats](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/danceswithcats)\ **Post date:** [March 20, 2007, 9:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-didnt-pay-for-first-class-just-to-sit-next-to-a-dead-body/396661/52 "2007-03-20T21:38:34Z")
Decomposing bodies are just another piece of carrion luggage. 😃 _Pa-dum-bum!_ ---
**Author:** ![jjimm](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/ba8739/32.png) [@jjimm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jjimm)\ **Post date:** [March 20, 2007, 9:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-didnt-pay-for-first-class-just-to-sit-next-to-a-dead-body/396661/53 "2007-03-20T21:39:51Z")
[QUOTE=danceswithcats] Decomposing bodies are just another piece of carrion luggage. 😃 [/QUOTE] :smack: I groaned, but damn that’s good. ---
**Author:** ![Muffin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/muffin/32/4341_2.png) [@Muffin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Muffin)\ **Post date:** [March 20, 2007, 9:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-didnt-pay-for-first-class-just-to-sit-next-to-a-dead-body/396661/54 "2007-03-20T21:51:29Z")
[QUOTE=danceswithcats] Decomposing bodies are just another piece of carrion luggage. 😃 _Pa-dum-bum!_ [/QUOTE] Best . . . pun . . . ever! ---
**Author:** ![gigi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/a587f6/32.png) [@gigi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gigi)\ **Post date:** [March 20, 2007, 10:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-didnt-pay-for-first-class-just-to-sit-next-to-a-dead-body/396661/55 "2007-03-20T22:00:19Z")
[QUOTE=danceswithcats] Decomposing bodies are just another piece of carrion luggage. 😃 _Pa-dum-bum!_ [/QUOTE] :: humble bow to the master ---
**Author:** ![Harmonious\_Discord](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/74df32/32.png) [@Harmonious\_Discord](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Harmonious_Discord)\ **Post date:** [March 20, 2007, 11:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-didnt-pay-for-first-class-just-to-sit-next-to-a-dead-body/396661/56 "2007-03-20T23:03:53Z")
[QUOTE=Cervaise] Frankly, I don’t see the big deal here. People die. Everybody dies. One day, you, too, will be a cadaver. When that happens, you are not an unclean thing. You are just a dead body. I would not have complained at all had it been me in the neighboring seat. Things happen, and the least we can do is treat the departed, and by extension her relations, with decency and respect, not revulsion. Plus I can lower her seat tray and spread out my knitting. [/QUOTE] People piss and shit themselves when they die. I can’t believe you seriously would be willing to sit near a corpse. Like I said, I’d be somewhere else. I’m glad to hear you could sit by a corpse. I believe you are in a minority with that. The airlines don’t have instructions on shat to doo in the case of a death, and they need to have one. Next time the crew may decide to lock the body in the bathroom, ane the next time strap it to the wall with bungee cords. I think it was nice for the family to be put somewhere more privite. I wouldn’t stay though ---
**Author:** ![Ximenean](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/x/aca169/32.png) [@Ximenean](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ximenean)\ **Post date:** [March 20, 2007, 11:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-didnt-pay-for-first-class-just-to-sit-next-to-a-dead-body/396661/57 "2007-03-20T23:18:42Z")
[QUOTE=Harmonious Discord] The airlines don’t have instructions on shat to doo [/QUOTE] Ah, the rarely seen double Freudian typo… ---
**Author:** ![Batsinma\_Belfry](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/ea5d25/32.png) [@Batsinma\_Belfry](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Batsinma_Belfry)\ **Post date:** [March 20, 2007, 11:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-didnt-pay-for-first-class-just-to-sit-next-to-a-dead-body/396661/58 "2007-03-20T23:24:55Z")
[QUOTE=Harmonious Discord] People piss and shit themselves when they die. I can’t believe you seriously would be willing to sit near a corpse. Like I said, I’d be somewhere else. I’m glad to hear you could sit by a corpse. I believe you are in a minority with that. The airlines don’t have instructions on shat to doo in the case of a death, and they need to have one. Next time the crew may decide to lock the body in the bathroom, ane the next time strap it to the wall with bungee cords. I think it was nice for the family to be put somewhere more privite. I wouldn’t stay though [/QUOTE] I’d rather sit near a corpse than a drunk. You still get the piss and shit, PLUS puke. PLUS PLUS, they’re mobile. So the likelyhood of it getting on you is greater. Count me as one of the folks who don’t see it as a life altering situation. ---
**Author:** ![Harmonious\_Discord](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/74df32/32.png) [@Harmonious\_Discord](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Harmonious_Discord)\ **Post date:** [March 21, 2007, 1:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-didnt-pay-for-first-class-just-to-sit-next-to-a-dead-body/396661/59 "2007-03-21T01:14:58Z")
[QUOTE=Usram] Ah, the rarely seen double Freudian typo… [/QUOTE] That is a good one isn’t it? ---
**Author:** ![chowder](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/977dab/32.png) [@chowder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/chowder)\ **Post date:** [March 21, 2007, 7:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-didnt-pay-for-first-class-just-to-sit-next-to-a-dead-body/396661/60 "2007-03-21T07:24:14Z")
[QUOTE=Batsinma Belfry] I’d rather sit near a corpse than a drunk. You still get the piss and shit, PLUS puke. PLUS PLUS, they’re mobile. So the likelyhood of it getting on you is greater. Count me as one of the folks who don’t see it as a life altering situation. [/QUOTE] They don’t allow drunks on planes. Corpses yes, pissheads no :eek: Life altering situation? :dubious: was that intended ? [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-didnt-pay-for-first-class-just-to-sit-next-to-a-dead-body/396661.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-didnt-pay-for-first-class-just-to-sit-next-to-a-dead-body/396661.md?page=4)