Well, the basis for saying that Ebola is not contagious until symptoms appears, and only through direct contact with bodily fluids, is based on prior outbreaks. Granted, First World experience is very limited, but so far, it does seem to support that assertion, too. Early on, these people are not suffering from vomiting, diarrhea, or bleeding out yet, so the risk to others seems minimal in the early stage. The viral load in bodily fluids that early is also relatively low.

The point about countries not accepting planes when Ebola patients are not sealed in a pod is a good point. I can certainly see countries blocking the landing of such flights. Boy, what happens if a plane had to make an emergency landing?