WARNING! MUST READ

[z78gml]

HELLO FELLOW PRICESCOPERS

I KNOW THIS IS IN THE WRONG FORUM BUT I THINK IT''S IMPORTANT.

I WORK FOR UNITED AIRLINES. YESTERDAY THERE WAS A PASSENGER ON THE FLIGHT. SHE HAS BEEN FLYING ALL DAY STARTING FROM JAPAN AND ENDING HER TRIP IN BURBANK,CA. SHE HAD A BEAUTIFUL PEAR SHAPE DIAMOND ( SORRY DIDN''T GET THE SPECS) SHE TOOK OFF HER RING TO PUT ON SOME LOTION BECAUSE HER FINGERS WHERE CHAPPED FROM THE LONG FLIGHT. JUST AS SHE TOOK HER RING OFF, IT SLIPPED INTO THE TRAY SLOT AND THE RING FELL INTO BOTTOM OF THE SEAT. SHE WAS UNABLE TO GET TO HER RING BECAUSE IT WAS TRAPPED INSIDE THE BOTTOM TUBE.

WHEN THE FLIGHT LANDED ALL THE GROUND STAFF WAS SEARCHING FOR THIS RING. WE HEARD THIS CLINGING SOUND TOWARDS THE BOTTOM OF THE SEAT. SO WE CALLED THE MECHANICS. FINALLY THE PASSENGER GOT HER RING BACK. SHE WAS CRYING AND VERY EMOTIONAL SHE ALMOST LOST HER WEDDING RING.

I WANTED TO LET EVERYONE KNOW BECAUSE I HAVE DEFINITELY TAKEN OUT MY RING TO WASH MY FINGERS OR PUT ON SOME LOTION. BUT I LEARNED A GOOD LEASON YESTERDAY. KEEP IT ON! YOU CAN ALWAYS CLEAN THE RING LATER.

P.S WE TOOK OVER AN HOUR DELAY. THAT WAS A MAJOR EXEPTION. IT WAS A HUGE MESS BUT AT LEAST SHE GOT HER WEDDING RING BACK.

 

[diamondlil]

Thanks for the story, z78gml.

I know a lot of people who take their rings off to wash their hands in the lady''s room, etc., and I think it''s a huge risk. You never know what could happen -- it could fall down the drain, you could forget it, someone could swipe it when you reach for a paper towel. Much better to leave the ring on, get it soapy, and worry about cleaning it later. At least you''ll never have to think twice about losing your ring!

DiamondLil

 

[JCJD]

I was on an international flight and lost a little silver ring (cute, no real sentimental value, so no great loss) in the bathroom while washing my hands. It dropped on the floor and I could not find it! This random guy waiting in line for the bathroom even helped me look for it, and we couldn''t figure out where it had gone! Turns out it had rolled underneath the sink, where the cabinet is not attached to the floor, and it was way back there (nasty!!!) So I don''t take rings off on airplanes anymore...

 

[MichelleCarmen]

oooh no. . .that poor lady. Talk about embarrassing - holding up a flight

 

[FireGoddess]

OMG - I think I would have heart palpitations and die. I''m really glad she got her rings back - I''d have gotten more than a few grey hairs from that experience. And holding up a flight for an hour....yikes. I never take my ring off in public places, for any reason. For this exact reason!

LOL about not getting the specs from her...try harder next time!!! And get a cell phone with a camera!!! JK of course...

 

[Kaleigh]

Oh my!! Glad she got her ring back!! I never take my rings off when I out and about, so scared of losing them. Very good advice, you CAN always clean it later when you are home!!

 

[Judi W]

That poor lady! Bad enough that she lost the ring and went through the emotional trama of trying to find it....but I can imagine the other passengers being held up for an hour! People get so nervous trying to make connecting flights and just getting places on time. I''m so glad she found it

You must have LOTS of INTERESTING stories from working at United!

 

[kaylagee]

OMG! Thanks so much for posting this z78!

I''ve removed jewelry lots of times on those horrible 10-11 hour flights between Europe and SFO. You can get soo horribly dry(and you don''t want to cake up your jewelery..sigh), but you''re right... I''ll stop taking silly chances.

I appreciate the cautionary tale! BTW, my aunt works for United!

 

[Jennifer5973]

Date: 4/18/2005 2:16:15 PM
Author: FireGoddess
OMG - I think I would have heart palpitations and die

OMG--me too!

 

[jennalyns]

Wow, that poor lady! I would''ve freaked... I was actually comparing my old and new wedding bands on a plane last weekend, and dropped my old one! I saw it go into my purse, but even after taking EVERYTHING out I still couldn''t find it. It had fallen into one of the folds of the purse, thank goodness... but that was enough of a scare for me. It was a domestic Japanese flight, I was about the only American on board, I''m sure they all thought I was nuts digging through my purse in a panic. I never take my rings off to wash hands, and I only take them off to put lotion on at my desk... I figure I can clean it later if it gets soap on it!

 

[rosy]

Mother always said that the safest place for a ring was right on your finger & to never, ever take it off anyplace other than at home. It''s good advice that should be followed!