Journalist Elizabeth McCafferty has published a book titled Sicko, which celebrates a unique collection of over 150 airline sick bags amassed over 37 years by Trevor Cunningham. The collection began in 1989 after Cunningham's boss, Peter, died from a brain aneurysm at age 32. Clearing Peter's office, Cunningham found a binder of sick bags from Peter's flights and decided to continue the collection in his honour.
Origins of the Collection
Cunningham, an engineer who installed and repaired paper mills worldwide, now holds sick bags from airlines that no longer exist, such as Dragonair, Air Berlin, and Varig. He met McCafferty in 2023 while she was making a film about his support group Ask Trev, which offers free advice from 140 people all named Trevor. During filming, Cunningham showed her the sick bag binder, sparking the idea for the book.
Creating the Book
McCafferty travelled to Cunningham's home in Torquay to document each bag and its story. The process involved holding up each bag while Cunningham recalled memories, from stewardesses falling during turbulence to the first time he saw dog on a menu in 1991 on a Shandong Airlines flight. One memorable incident occurred in 2016 when Cunningham flew from Amsterdam to Mumbai for work; after drinking unsanitary water, he used at least 20 sick bags during a flight from Mumbai to Delhi. He described passengers passing bags forward 'like buckets of rubble after an earthquake.'
Publication and Reception
McCafferty self-published Sicko, initially printing only 10 copies wrapped in neon yellow biohazard waste bags. They sold out on the first day, leading to a second print run. The book is now available via her website and selected London bookshops. McCafferty calls the project 'one of the most joyful' she has ever done, celebrating cherished collections and encouraging people to see the mundane differently.
