MS. FAIRECHILD'S EXPERIENCE

• 10 million miles as an in-flight purser/flight attendant

• 30 years research and analysis of flight health and safety

• Author of five books, three of which are on air health and safety

• Professional rhetorical skills that give reports precision and clarity

• Ability to untangle even the most complicated scenario

• Sought after by the media as a leading passenger expert

TESTIMONY, REPORTS, RESEARCH

Ms. Fairechild has been recruited as an expert witness in precedent-setting aviation lawsuits and she continues to pursue research on the effects of air travel on passenger health and well-being.

Passenger Death on an International Flight. In August 2000, Ms. Fairechild testified in Northern California District Court (Rubina Husain vs. Olympic Airways) on behalf of the widow of a passenger who died on a flight. Plaintiff’s attorney Susie Injijian (Sterns & Walker) wrote to Ms. Fairechild: “Judge Breyer specifically quoted you to support his finding that Olympic had committed willful misconduct and therefore could not benefit from the liability limits. Your testimony was very effective.” The U.S. Supreme Court upheld the District Court’s Decision.

Passenger Arrested After Landing. In July 2006, one day after Ms. Fairechild's name was submitted as an expert for the plaintiff in Frederick Woolverton vs. Continental Airlines, Continental offered a settlement. Plaintiff’s attorney, Mark Henry (Henry Law Firm), informed Ms. Fairechild by phone that he believed the offer to settle was based on her being named as his expert witness. Mr. Henry subsequently wrote to Ms. Fairechild: “Our firm believes that your involvement was necessary to the successful resolution of this matter by settlement.”

Passengers Injured During Emergency Evacuation. In May 2002, Ms. Fairechild prepared testimony for the Superior Court of California (Anonymous vs. United Airlines). After United settled, plaintiff’s attorney, Ron Herron (Herron & Herron), wrote to Ms. Fairechild: “Your experience and research were perfect. You equipped me with nine or ten points that were like fire crackers, giving me the specifics and confidence I needed to push for and achieve a positive settlement for my clients. I am always happy to recommend you.”

Many Passengers Suffer/Die from Deep Vein Thrombosis. In February 2001, Ms. Fairechild conducted research on DVT for Gerry Sterns (Sterns & Walker). He wrote to Ms. Fairechild: “We are very grateful for your extensive insight and thoughts regarding DVT. Your assistance in listing and analyzing all the potential contributing and precipitating factors that may be associated with air travel was invaluable. You have made a strong contribution to what may be a landmark case involving DVT and air carriers.”

MS. FAIRECHILD'S BACKGROUND

In her first book, the bestselling Jet Smart, Ms. Fairechild brought worldwide attention to the hazards of air travel created by the federal government’s sweeping deregulation of the airline industry in 1978.

While serving as an in-flight purser for Pan Am, Ms. Fairechild conducted her own research on deteriorating environmental conditions in passenger cabins and the dangers of reduced standards for passenger welfare.

The new realities of air travel include:

• Recirculated cabin air, resulting in the spread of airborne disease and dangerously high levels of chemical toxins. At least one lawsuit against airlines has since been based on the chemical toxicity of cabin air.

• The spraying of pesticides in occupied aircraft. Lawsuits against airlines have since been based on this practice and at least 19 countries have stopped spraying pesticides in occupied aircraft cabins. Pesticides are still routinely used, however, to replace thorough cabin cleaning and to disinfect luggage. 

• Contaminated  drinking water and the lack of adequate potable drinking water for passengers. Several studies about airline drinking water have since proven Ms. Fairechild's allegation.

• Reduction of oxygen in cabin air. Pilots have been rewarded by airlines for reducing passenger oxygen, to save money.