Airlines that DON'T give peanuts?

[BedKnobbery2]

In reading through the thread (and in making my post), I didn't get the sense people were "attacking" those with peanut allergies; they were simply wondering out loud how, if one has severe allergies, one can manage daily life. I took it (and meant it) as more of a "Wow, there is so much outside of your control; how do you manage it??" rather than a "You should live in a bubble." Understand that those of us who don't suffer from severe allergies don't know and understand them; its only natural for us to wonder (aloud, in this case) how one could manage life with them, when our own lives have a lot of contact with the very things that are life-threatening to the person with the allergy.

Look at this as an opportunity to educate, rather than admonish, those of us unfamiliar with peanut allergies.

 

[disneyjunkie]

Originally posted by BedKnobbery2
In reading through the thread (and in making my post), I didn't get the sense people were "attacking" those with peanut allergies; they were simply wondering out loud how, if one has severe allergies, one can manage daily life. I took it (and meant it) as more of a "Wow, there is so much outside of your control; how do you manage it??" rather than a "You should live in a bubble." Understand that those of us who don't suffer from severe allergies don't know and understand them; its only natural for us to wonder (aloud, in this case) how one could manage life with them, when our own lives have a lot of contact with the very things that are life-threatening to the person with the allergy.

Look at this as an opportunity to educate, rather than admonish, those of us unfamiliar with peanut allergies.

 

[Pinnie]

I am with Bedknobby2 here, look at this as an opportunity to educate rather than admonish.

I guess if I was a parent and I packed a penut better sandwich and Peanut Buter Ritz mini crachers etc, for my child on the plane and was then told AFTER I boarded that they couldn't consume them, I would be a bit anxious. While *I* would understand why my child would not be eating on that flight the lunch I packed, I wonder how my child would react???

pin

 

[Rock'n Robin]

I was just thinking along those lines. My kids love uncrustables as well, and I'm partial to peanut M&Ms (not on my current diet, LOL). I also was silently thanking God my kids don't have any of these allergies. DD#2 is allergic only to penecillin, as I am. If we got on a plane and they asked us not to eat peanut snacks, I would just explain the situation--even my youngest, age 5, would understand that he couldn't eat a snack because it might make some other little boy or girl sick. It's kind of a moot point because he is partial to fruit snacks and the girls like starburst and stuff like that, but I think most children would accept that explanation.
As for the guy who made a rude comment and opened his peanuts anyway--I can't even begin to address that!
Robin M.

 

[skiwee1]

I wasn't attacking anyone but merely wondering what happens if indeed someone is eating PB on the plane with you. You have answered that it isn't so much as one person but an entire plane that can be really bad so now I understand. I have to add though that if it were announced AFTER boarding that it will be a PB free flight and DD was all set to eat her PB&J I would be a little miffed. If the attendant cannot come up with a hot dog, another favorite of DD's, then she will be eating her sandwich. The only suggestion I would then make is for the allergic person to sit as far away from us as possible. I certainly wouldn't crack open a jar of nuts for spite though!

 

[Alex]

All commercial airliners also carry medical kits. They are only supposed to let trained medical personal use them but they contain injectable Epinephrine and Injectable Benadryl.
Those would be the first drugs that an emergency room would give.
There is a really good chance of any given commercial flight having a doctor or nurse aboard.
NOT that you ever want it to come to that but it is good to know it is there if needed.

 

[antkim]

My brother is well aware that even though he chose to fly a peanut free airline, and even though the airline will announce that are severely peanut allergic passengers on board there will still be those who might choose to ignore this and do what is best for them. Such is life. They will be seated at the front of the plane to help eliminate the amount of people surrounding them. Jet Blue takes peanut allergies very seriously from what the agents have told me.
I just have to say that I think most children would understand if they couldn't eat their peanut M&M's or uncrustables because it might make someone very sick. They are smarter and more caring than we sometimes give them credit for.
If this thread has helped people understand the severity of this allergy I'm glad because it is a tough one to deal/live with especially for kids. I didn't even realize how bad it was myself at first until I witnessed my niece having a reaction. The fear on her face was enough for me to learn very quickly! Someone gave her a "peanut free" candy bar unfortunately she made the mistake of taking a bite and had a reaction because there was some other kind of nut in it. She is allergic to all nuts but fatally allergic to peanuts. It was very scary to watch. They USUALLY read every ingredient in EVERYTHING they eat. No impulsive eating in their house!
Kim

 

[kbeverina]

Even if they'll able to book with an airline that doesn't serve peanut products, how do you deal with people who may bring them on board? Can an airline demand that a flight be peanut free? If so, how can they enforce the policy?

Just because he cannot have peanuts doesn't mean that we have the right to tell other people that they cannot have peanuts either.

I just might be that person on the plane behind you eating peanuts because I am travelling without my son and then I can eat peanuts

If the attendant cannot come up with a hot dog, another favorite of DD's, then she will be eating her sandwich. The only suggestion I would then make is for the allergic person to sit as far away from us as possible.

I think what people forget is that the airlines are private businesses--you don't have a right to eat peanut products if they request that you don't.

What people also forget is that it's not the parents forcing the airlines to accommodate the allergic child. It's the airlines choosing to accommodate the allergic child. It's a business decision they've made and have a right to make.

If they don't let passengers know this beforehand, sure you can be miffed and you can complain, but you can't just eat your peanut butter sandwhich anyway. You have to abide by the rules the airlines have set for that flight--they're not violating any constitutional rights.

Of course it's not possible to protect a child from all the dangers of the world when they have this allergy, but airplanes just happen to be particularly dangerous because of the recirculated air. If an airline is willing to accommodate the family by banning peanut products on a flight, it's only good parenting to find out which airlines will do so and choose that one.

 

[antkim]

Thank you!

Kim

 

[wilderness01]

Kim,

I am so sorry for the health problems of your nieces. I think you have brought an awareness to some that had no idea how severe it can be. Teaching and gaining knowledge is always a good thing! I also think that unfortunately unless it affects someone's own child/close relative they just don't get it. Others, through ignorance to the severity of the problem or just plain ignorance, will not be "told" what to do no matter what the outcome. How sad. If we all treated others like we would like to be treated the world would be a kinder place. I always feel no one should really judge another person's situation because you never know when you may walk in similar shoes. Do the best you can by your family and you really can never be too careful. Good luck with the travels and trip.

P.S. Just my opinion, but the more you answer back to some people's responses the more people feel the need to make their point clear which can very much be misinterpreted through the tone of the internet. The point has been made. Take the advice or not, but don't upset yourself or defend yourself anymore.
You know what is right or wrong for your family, no one else does. Others know what is right or wrong for their family as well. I just hope that those others would treat everyone with the same kindness/thoughtfulness they would want to be treated with if they were in this situation.

 

[palmtreegirl]

Jet Blue takes peanut allergies very seriously from what the agents have told me.

We flew Jet Blue four times and they never served any peanut products on board. They gave us a choice between around 5 different snacks I think they were blue potato chips(yummy), chocolate chip cookies, pretels, bagel chips and something else I can't remember.

Jet Blue's a great airline.

 

[maps]

one other thing on this subject: ingeredients. when the airline gave out pretzels instead of peanuts, they also gave out a snack box. inside the box were a couple of snacks that contained peanut products, ie: ritz bits sandwiches. so even if airlines don't serve peanuts, they still may serve snacks that your nieces can't have.

 

[Mermaid02]

We used NorthWest last fall and I never told them ds was allergic to peanuts (fish too- but we didn't know that at the time) anyway.... pretzels were the snack and my son was fine.... we did have to turn down the special treat of a granola bar from the flight attendant because it said, "may contain peanuts". As we picked our stuff up to change planes in Detroit I noticed that there had been a lone peanut at my ds's feet the entire flight! Guess he isn't allergic to "airborne" peanut fumes!

Good luck Kim!!

 

[gina2000]

Good Luck, Kim. Life threatening allergies are frightening to say the least. I hope you find the people on your flight happy to cooperate. I know my family would be happy to. We have a nephew that is allergic to all forms of corn...including corn syrup and corn starch. He virtually cannot eat anything pre-packaged. He's young, knows not to take anything from anyone, but it's still heartbreaking to watch him not participate in any activities where sweets or packaged foods are involved. Growing up is tough enough without life threatening allergies......

 

[Jcricket Fan]

None of my Delta flights had peanuts served...we were given pretzels on all my flights. (4 different flights over the last few weeks)

Due to these threads I made sure we didn't snack on the peanuts I had in my carry-on until we got off the plane. I have a husband allergic to almonds so I am always watching for them but must admit until I came to these boards I hadn't given much thought to regular peanut products.

I hope this all works out for your brother antkim

Colleen

 

[C.Ann]

The last time I flew South West they gave us stale animal crackers.. (Love SW but can live without their "snacks" - LOL)

However, if my children were that allergic, I wouldn't fly period.. I would just feel more comfortable traveling by car where I had more control over the situation..

 

[Spinning]

Does anyone know why peanut allergies are on the rise? as a kid I never heard of it...but then again we hardly had peanut butter. It has to be extremely scary for a parent and a child to deal with this.

 

[Schmeck]

Having worked in an elementary school with a child with severe peanut allergies, and now assigned to a child with severe latex/peanut allergies, I feel like I can relate to both "sides" of this dilemma.

Having two girls of my own, allergy free, and one that survived elementary school on peanut butter sandwiches alone, I feel for the parents trying to avoid sending peanut products into the school cafeteria. Luckily, our school system has adopted a very strict "no food sharing" policy, along with a handwashing policy, etc. so that the school is a bit more safe (but never 100%, I know!)

But now that I work with the child with both latex and peanut allergies, I'm starting to feel restricted. I can't use my favorite body lotion - it has nut oil in it. Those comfy grip pens - big no-no as well. Even some brands of zipper sandwich bags have latex. It's hard to adjust, but I've managed.



I know how hard it is to deal with people who don't believe such severe allergies exist, and challenge you, and there are also many people out there who just don't know about this stuff at all. And others just wonder "what if", which is where I stand, most every day at work with this child. What if the kid next to my student uses a latex eraser? What if the cooking class uses peanut oil, etc?

antkim, I wish you and your family a wonderful vacation in WDW, and a safe and happy flight!

Schmeck

PS - kbeverina, are you sure that an airline can restrict certain activities not stated in their literature that accompanies their ticket sale? I mean, can they tell everyone that underwire bras are not allowed once on board, or that they can't breath? Unless they have stated, in writing, that food is restricted (as is smoking, etc) I don't think they can prevent you from eating a peanut butter sandwich once you are on board.

 

[Cruisin]

Spinning:
There has been much research done on the increase of peanut allergies in the past few years.
Some of the reasons suggested for possible increase in number are as follows:

Exposing the immature immune system to peanuts such as a pregnant women eating peanuts, or breast feeding with the peanut protein passing thru the breast milk or just feeding babies peanuts/peanut butter at too young an age

The increased use of topical ointments etc that contain peanut oils.

The use of soy formulas

Vegetarian diets that use peanuts/nuts to supplement their diet.


I also think that in earlier days when someone had an allergy to something and had a severe reaction they often died and the cause of death was never really discovered.

I know that when I was pregnant and also nursing I ate a lot of peanuts/peanut butter. When I look back at what a fussy baby my son was I often wonder if that had a lot to do with it. He never had a reaction until he actually ate some peanut butter himself on toast at the age of 9 mths. That was his first known exposure to peanuts. But I still feel bad that somehow I contributed to his allergy.

 

[antkim]

I had decided hours ago NOT to respond to this thread anymore because I was becoming upset BUT(lol) I thought I would just say THANK YOU to all that HAVE and all that WILL respond with understanding and concern.

Kim