A woman who says she had a doctor’s note requesting she be able to fly without a mask because of her ‘severe claustrophobia and anxiety’ claims she was thrown off an Air Canada flight for not wearing a mask. The Vancouver resident was returning home from a trip to Ottawa with a small child.

She apparently flew two flights without a face mask, but on the third she was stopped and refused boarding on the Montreal to Vancouver leg of the flight.

The 42-year old woman’s name has been published elsewhere, but we have decided against using it here as tis is about behaviour in general, not a single person.

“They told me because I can’t wear a mask, that I’m a risk on the flight and they wouldn’t let me on the plane, and left me stranded in Montreal bawling my eyes out.” She told news sources claiming, “They told me it wasn’t their problem. When I asked them how I was going to get back to Kelowna, they told me it wasn’t their problem. I got yelled at, treated like a complete criminal, and they wouldn’t even look at me.”

Boarding her flight from Vancouver to Ottawa the previous week, she had apparently run into a similar issue, and at that time an airline manager contacted an Air Canada doctor, who cleared her to fly.

On her return trip, when she presented her note, airline officials reportedly called a company doctor, but on this occasion, permission was denied.

Now here’s where it gets interesting. The woman claims, “They literally didn’t give a c*** about me. Because I got upset, and they wouldn’t give me any answers, they threatened to call security and have me kicked out of the airport.”

From 20 years of handling passengers at Pearson, I know how this “got upset” usually translates. The woman’s “got upset” could have been as loud and sufficiently dramatic to potentially require security be summoned, enabling the staff to continue their jobs.

During ‘upset’ episodes airline staff are often accused of being – choose as many as you wish – wrong/rude/stupid/ignorant/ugly*/need to get their superiors’ here ‘NOW’/not aware who the passenger is/who the passenger knows/ who the passenger will be reporting this affront to/ profanity/profanity/profanity/etc. etc. etc.

The vast majority of airline and airport personnel (and staff at stores and restaurants) are none of those things. They try to be helpful, really most just want a smooth shift so they can do their jobs professionally and efficiently.

Meanwhile, our woman bought a seat back to Vancouver on WestJet reportedly at a cost of $1,300.

“Everybody was aware of what was going on,” she said (and I refer to my earlier comment about volume and drama).

“They were really kind, and completely generous. They gave me food and wine and made me comfortable.” Undoubtedly they were, but it is also nice to praise the ‘rescuers’.

Presumably she did not wear she did a mask on the flight, thereby putting the people around her at risk. She had travelled (with her one-year old child) from Vancouver to Ottawa to visit her sister. She had obviously not worn a mask during any time during the week she spent in Ottawa (she’s claustrophobic and suffers anxiety). Did any social distancing occur? Aside from whatever she did and the people she met in Ottawa, she went through airports, check-ins, security lines … she then attempted to board a flight refusing to wear a mask. I wouldn’t want to be the unfortunate, unsuspecting victim sitting anywhere near her at the airport, on Air Canada, WestJet, or any other airline or public transportation.

Yes, some people with claustrophobia have issues with masks. They, and others, also have issues with planes and issues with anxiety. This is not particularly uncommon and there are techniques, treatment and medication to help overcome the problems.

Wearing a mask on a plane, in a building, in a store, on the street, or when in close quarters with other people is a small but vital precaution when faced with a life-threatening pandemic. It protects you and it protects people you come in contact with. Is that really so hard to grasp – or so much to ask?

Air Canada said in a statement: “Face masks covering nose and mouth are mandatory onboard all flights as part of our multi-layered biosafety requirements and medical approvals are required ahead of time for any exemptions. (our italics).

* That particular bit of unnecessary and untrue rudeness (and lots more) was used by Joan Rivers (in my presence) when she was politely told she could not take her dog into an airline First Class Lounge at YYZ.