There is a story behind the death of every man and woman. Those stories tend to get buried as death tolls quickly mount. Sadly, COVID-19 has claimed the life of a United Airlines ramp worker in Newark. It is a death that hits home for me, as a passenger who just flew through Newark and dealt with several ramp workers. Two other United workers have also reportedly tested positive.
RLS Media, a local news outlet in New Jersey, reports that Carlos Consuegra, a United ramp work at Newark Liberty International, has succumbed to COVID-19. RLS obtained an internal communication from United Airlines shared with local staff:
“It’s with deep sympathy that I share the unfortunate passing of Mr. Carlos Consuegra, one of our Ramp Service Employees here at Newark.
It is a true tragedy to lose a member of our Newark family under such circumstances.
We have been working closely with our Corporate Medical Department, the CDC and local health authorities during this entire pandemic and working together with all our employees on keeping each of you protected against the virus.
The spread of the virus is difficult to identify, and it’s unknown where or how Carlos contracted the virus
We must take this untimely incident to remind each of us to follow the CDC guidelines to wash our hands often, with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, avoid touching noses, mouths, and eyes, and keep social distancing to remain healthy.
Carlos Consuegra’s passing is a loss for all of us. His team described him as their big brother, who would always take care of them. He was known for his dry sense of humor and always going to the gym.
He’ll be remembered by his friends and family, including his wife, two children, three grandkids, eight siblings and his parents”
Apparently, Consuegra was admitted to the hospital toward the end of last week and there diagnosed with COVID-19. RLS also reports that two other United employees have tested positive. I have reached out to United for confirmation, but have verified that Consuegra was a ramp lead at EWR.
CONCLUSION
For all I know, I may have interacted with Consuegra directly after at Newark after my United Express flight from Washington less than two weeks ago. Several ramp workers met our aircraft. This is a chilling death and alarming in the sense that Consuegra may have unwittingly infected many of his colleagues who continue to report for work.
To all the dear United employees (and to everyone), stay safe. Respect the quarantine. Practice social-distancing. And RIP Consuegra.
Ugh. I head to work tonight flying to TVC. Aircraft I’m on comes from LGA. Lysol wipes will be my friend. I am happy I’m still flying that’s for sure but concerned at the same time.
Matthew, I’m sorry to read about the passing of Mr Consuegra.
There are several (risk) factors that may have contributed to his death.
-Was there an underlying disease that exacerbated his symptoms and death?
-Was he a smoker and/or vaper of nicotine and/or pot? (Both suppress immune systems and are bronchodilators.)
-Did he grow up with smokers in his house?
-Was he immune compromised?
-Was he obese?
-What was his age?
-When was his last physical.
-Was he exposed to airborne chemicals or compounds as a ramp worker?
Seriously?
Matthew, this is news that major media outlets need to know. There is something wrong with the airline system during this crisis, especially United Airlines, and at their Newark hub.
Workers are not being told the truth and are not being protected against this raging virus. They are not given protective gear.
Investigative reporting about this is needed. Let’s get the word out there or more airline employees’ lives will be in danger and lost.
This is tragic and sad. I think a good policy for tackling this virus would be to — in a nutshell — “try and behave as much as possible like Japanese people.”
Masks for transit and work, social distancing (no hugs or handshakes), and obsessive attention to cleanliness.
This is our new reality, but luckily some cultures offer some lessons for how we can tackle this beastly virus.
Yes, James, Japanese Bow is the way to go. Rather do that than bump elbows after someone just sneezed in it!
How does this “hit home” for you? Did you snicker while looking at him through your first class window while bitching about your pre-departure beverage?
Actually, I was flying on a single-cabin aircraft and there wasn’t time for a beverage service due to the short duration of the flight.
why did you not contact the family before you wrote this. Did you forget that he was sent home from the hospital twice being told he had a throat infection. United refused to test him, finally after calling an ambulance he was admitted, tested and put on a ventilator and in a short time passed away
Matthew talk to the family you have failed them
Can you put me in touch with them?
I’m a bit surprised that it hasn’t been mentioned yet, so I’ll go there. This post seems, to me, somewhat discordant in its marked contrast with Kyle’s post from the weekend, which I viewed as insensitive and irresponsible. As he’s blogging in “Matthew’s Blog”, a unified voice might make more sense. I think this post was a more accurate representation of what you strive for in “your brand image”.
Trump wants to open the economy in two weeks.
I am pretty sure no one in the government takes inputs from Kyle to determine whether to open the US economy. What is disturbing however is why people are not allowed to have completely opposite, even completely foolish views. Stop blaming Kyle.
The guy who should provide leadership is missing and he insists on sacrificing 2% of Americans to keep the economy open. Let’s hope a big chunk of those are republicans.
If you feel strongly start lobbying the government instead of picking on Kyle.
Paul: Perhaps Matthew tacitly approves of Kyle’s viewpoints. As you say, it is, after all, his blog.
This hits hone with me because my husband works at Newark, near Mr Consuegra. There are at least 5 in his area who are positive, of all different ages and health conditions. Underlying condition doesn’t help, but the immune system needs to be strong either way. No one is saying anything to them or giving them gear, yet they work on those germ infested planes “on the front lines.” My husband has no “known” conditions, but I am still concerned he could wind up in the hospital, and then what?
Yes, James, Japanese Bow is the way to go. Rather do that than bump elbows after someone just sneezed in it!
It’s sad…
Are you serious, Matthew?! “The spread of the virus is difficult to identify, and it’s unknown where or how Carlos contracted the virus“ and “This is a chilling death and alarming in the sense that Consuegra may have unwittingly infected many of his colleagues who continue to report for work.” He OBVIOUSLY contacted Covid-19 at work, he was a family-man who was a hard worker and supported his family and parents financially. How dare United and you for repeating that it’s “unknown” how he contracted the virus and then stating he may have infected his colleagues. I hope my boyfriend and his family does not see this article as they will be LIVID! This is not what I wanted to see today.
I’m happy to write a follow-up article. My first article was based upon the local coverage in New Jersey and independent verification that he worked for United.
If you want to discuss this, we can chat by email or phone. Even though it is likely that he contracted this at work, couldn’t it have happened at the gym or grocery store as well? And it wouldn’t be his fault if he didn’t know he was carrying the virus and infected his co-workers.
Please, if you or ANYONE READING THIS has additional info, send it to matthew at upgrd.com. Thanks.
Matthew get your lies straight. what passengers ever deals with ramp? you see them out of the windows loading your plane. no ramp agents met the planes,… that job is done by gate agents. ramp chalks the plane and puts the loader up to take bags out of the belly of the plane. if you see a ramp agent it would be walking thru the terminal because they do come thru the terminal to buy food but i doubt if any passengers are talking to them and if they are it is to ask information about gates.
They unload green checked bags on regional jet flights.
I worked with Carlos and don’t worry he did not take care of your flts cuz he only works for international flts at termb, so please don’t worry about my co worker (May God let him rest in peace) passing you a virus!
P.s. he was a brother to me and one of the nicest respectful guy!!
Joe, some have said above that United was careless about his case. Was that your impression?
Matthew, it is grossly inappropriate to make this tragic death about you suggesting you came in contact with ramp employees. The ramp employees are outside the aircraft; you are inside the aircraft. You failed to mention how you can into contact with the ramp employees. That would be an important part of you making this story about you in which you hint your health may have been jeopardized. The real significant omission in your story is your failure to ask United Airlines if all employee having contact with Carlos have been told to stay home for two weeks and self isolate.
This is not about me at all. Please don’t read into it what I never intended to convey. I mentioned my interaction with ramp agents at EWR simply to note how close this particular death hit…I don’t know anyone who has died from COVID-19, but this still hits close to home as a very frequent United flyer.