Association of Flight Attendants

Flight Attendants have reported bed bugs in the hotels, so we are using this letter to address the issue of bed bugs and provide information to answer many of your questions. This is to make everyone aware of how to protect themselves from bed bugs as well as what to do if you are bitten.

First, you cannot see bed bugs if they have not had a blood meal. They are translucent until they have fed on blood, then they are a dark brown. This means that you will not be able to detect those that have not fed. However, you should still search your hotel room for signs of bed bugs. They are not known to transmit any type of disease but they do produce burning, itching bumps. The scars can last for weeks, months, maybe even years.

You should check your sheets for any kind of stains. Bed bugs do leave droppings. Pull your bed from the wall as they have been known to hide behind the bed board. Check the seams and under the mattress to see if you see any indication of bugs. Do not place your luggage on the floor or the extra bed. You should place the luggage on the rack or on the desk. This will keep you from bringing them home. Keep your luggage out of your house for 24 hours.

Should you get bitten by bed bugs, immediately go to Concentra; file an Irregularity report, as well as informing the In-flight department and the hotel that you are staying in. If you should have any other problems, contact the EAP Committee as well as the Safety Committee to get assistance with dealing with the after affects.

The following are websites that you can use for additional information:

MEC Executive Board
AFA-CWA, Spirit Airlines, Inc.