Airlines that DON'T give peanuts?

[antkim]

Good for you and I'll be sure not to fly Airtran!

Just had to add I REALLY hope they don't ban shellfish and melon on planes anytime soon because I so often bring lobster with a side of honeydew to snack on during my flight! LOL

 

[Lewski709]

Knowing there are peanut allergies and I am going to be on a plane and could sit around someone who may have one, I just wouldn't pack anything with peanuts or PB. It's polite. I would hate to have the flight interrupted by a peanut allergy. It could lead to death, imagine the burden of that. I think I'll bring "other" snack items.

 

[Schmeck]

skiwee1 was right about my previous post - I was concerned about the legality of informing people onboard a plane about conditions enforced in a "trapped" environment. If the airline lets you know ahead of time (like the day before!) about certain conditions enforced on a certain flight, and gives you money back/extra compensation if you choose not to take that flight, OK. But if you're on a flight, and then they tell you "no this, no that" I can't see that as being fair or legal.

For my examples, I picked the underwire bra because the wire can be used as a weapon, and the breathing because it is critical for life. Just some extreme examples, that's all!

Schmeck, who still wishes antkim and family a wonderful trip to WDW, and would willingly do without peanuts, latex, melon, and all other allergens possible on a flight if notified enough time in advance to make adjustments.

 

[kbeverina]

Originally posted by skiwee1
I never said I would give my child PB in a situation like that.

Yes, you did:

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 said I wouldn't like it if I were told not to though after I was already boarded. At that point I wouldn't be able to get anything else which I hardly think is fair or right. I wouldn't feel too good as the parent of the allergic child if I were demanding everyone else to comply. You are correct in that someone with allergies that need a completely PB free flight to check with the airlines. As I've found out not all of them will demand their hundreds of other customers to comply with something concerning one person. If it were my child allergic and I was that concerned then I would drive so as not to risk it or inconvenience others on the plane.

Why such resentment? The parents aren't demanding anything. They're choosing airlines that will accommodate them.

As I recall, you were upset about someone smoking on a balcony in a non-smoking building at the Poly. If that person booked that building for the location and had no idea it was non-smoking, should that person be allowed to smoke anyway, or should that person comply with the rules of the resort? As I recall, you were pretty hot to have everyone comply with the rules so your child was not exposed to smoke on the balcony.

 

[Alex]

Ok...this isn't the debate board... everyone take deep breaths...
You can start a thread over on the debate board if you feel the need!

 

[kbeverina]

Originally posted by skiwee1
I am not going to pack something else on the chance that DD might be barred from eating her sandwich.

I don't know why you wouldn't. I always pack something else in case my son can't eat his peanut butter crackers. Maybe if you packed something else, you wouldn't feel so miffed about this.

What next? Banning tunafish or shrimp salad? My same friend's kid that has a PB allergy also cannot tolerate tuna, even the smell or she blows up like a balloon. What about the poster that cannot even smell melon or her throat swells up? So I guess that everyone should think twice before bringing peanuts, shellfish and melon on a plane? When does the nonsense stop? Yes, these allergies can be life threatening but should everyone be policed on what they eat around others?

I think you're confusing public and private sector. There's no slippery slope in allowing privately-owned businesses to establish their own rules.

I think the responsiblity lies with the parent and whether they want to risk taking their child on a plane and not on whether the other 100 passengers are carrying an allergen that can kill their child. As I've said, Airtran doesn't bar their paying customers from eating anything and that is what we fly. Thank goodness!

So do you believe it's your responsibility to keep your daughter away from someone else's smoke, or do you appreciate that Disney provides you the option of non-smoking buildings?

 

[Christine]

Originally posted by skiwee1
What next? Banning tunafish or shrimp salad? My same friend's kid that has a PB allergy also cannot tolerate tuna, even the smell or she blows up like a balloon. What about the poster that cannot even smell melon or her throat swells up? So I guess that everyone should think twice before bringing peanuts, shellfish and melon on a plane? When does the nonsense stop?

Forgive me for not having the references to back myself up; however, there was a study done on different allergens and it was found that peanut residue, particles, and dust spread like no other food out there with the exception of tree nuts which do spread just as much. When a person opens a bag of peanuts there is a good amount of peanut dust that flies into the air. There is also a good amount of oil that gets on the fingertips or the palms of the hand. The study found that wiping does not eliminate it off of hands, chairs, tables, desktops, etc. They actually had to use soap and scrubbing to eliminate residue. Handywipes, Wet Ones, etc don't work. So, one bag is not a big deal, but the majority of the plane passengers opening their bags, residue flying in the air, people touching their seats, tables, and bathroom door knobs all pose a some risk--it is different for each child. Fortunately the percentage of those who have the "smell reaction" is small but still there. I would say that the percentage of those who have the "smell reaction" to other allergens is equally as small, but let's face it--we don't have the whole plane eating scrumptuous, aromatic melon (I haven't had THAT on a plane since about 1980), nor do we have people opening cans of smelly tuna or noshing on shrimp salad.

I understand your argument here with "when will it stop", but the fact is that the peanut is unique in its ability to "materialize" into the air and circulate--much more so then other foods. Couple that with the amounts that the airline would give out and it's a problem. Seafood is a HUGE allergy, probably bigger than peanut, but since its use is so limited on planes it has never become an issue.

 

[C.Ann]

I'm still confused by this thread.. If a child is that allergic to PB wouldn't it be safer - and make more sense - to drive? Even if you notify the airline ahead of time - and even if the airline then advises passengers not to bring any of these products on board, there is STILL a chance that someone is going to "rebel" against the restriction and do whatever they please..

On the other hand, if the parents choose to drive - rather than fly - they have 100% control over the situation..

If they choose to fly, regardless of the precautions they may attempt to put in place, they are taking a HUGE chance with a child who is that allergic..

The safety of the child comes first and rather than gamble on the airline and/or the passengers cooperating, I would think that most parents would opt for the situation that provides them with the MOST control, not the least..

 

[nancy679]

Basically it is the parents decision which is safer for their child, but in some cases, flight is the only way to get to a destination, IE: Europe.

My DD is allergic, and we take very very strong precautions, and I certainly wouldnt tell anyone what they can or cannot eat, if someone near us was eating PB then I would ask if WE could switch our seats, but for those that seem to be inconvenienced by not eating PB, think of the inconvenience it would be if the plane had to make an emergency landing due to a child not being able to breathe.

I also have never heard of a flight telling people that they couldnt eat a certain food due to allergies. THey didnt announce that on our flight.

 

[disykat]

Good post, Nancy. Many of us who live with peanut allergies take risks daily - we just work to minimize the risks. I take my child to the playground, the mall, school, and yes, even on airplanes. We carry epipens everywhere. It's a matter of choosing quality of life. I see no reason to deny my child the experience of travel when he could be exposed at our own house if the mailman has peanuts before delivering our mail.

We take precautions. We try to minimize risks. We weigh options and make choices. (days of travel, eating in unfamiliar restaurants vs. flying) We even ask friends for help when trying to determine the safest ways to achieve goals.

I would not recommend asking for a peanut free flight - first of all I know it's impossible. Second, you risk being denied boarding. I have, however, tried to minimize the risk by asking around as to who serves peanuts. Sometimes people who actually fly know more about the reality of this than the customer service people at the airlines.

I have to wonder about the "helpfulness" of people who continue to insist that if they had a PA child they would never....travel by plane, leave the house, go to school, etc. Since they don't have one, they can't really make that judgement.

 

[skiwee1]

Originally posted by kbeverina
Yes, you did:


Why such resentment? The parents aren't demanding anything. They're choosing airlines that will accommodate them.

As I recall, you were upset about someone smoking on a balcony in a non-smoking building at the Poly. If that person booked that building for the location and had no idea it was non-smoking, should that person be allowed to smoke anyway, or should that person comply with the rules of the resort? As I recall, you were pretty hot to have everyone comply with the rules so your child was not exposed to smoke on the balcony.

No the person shouldn't be allowed to smoke there. It is the person's fault for not asking for a smoking room. It was his responsibility if he wanted a smoking room, not mine. I booked a non smoking room in a non smoking building. Trying to compare the two are ridiculous and you are grasping at straws. An airline is more then welcome to establish peanut free flights and I have no problem with it IF I know ahead of time that the flight I'm booking is indeed peanut free. That way I can be prepared to be inconvenienced or take my business elsewhere. I can't see how anyone thinks it's fair for an airline to surprise you with a rule once you have not only bought your ticket but are already boarded. What if they did the same thing with carryons? Woudl you think that fair? Wouldn't you like to know ahead of actually buckling in that you can't bring the carryons now sitting over your head? There is a difference between a peanut free airplane and asking everyone else to not eat peanuts too. An airline can and do make some flights peanut free but I have never heard of forcing the other passengers to comply. I'm sure they could seeing they are a private business but I've never heard of such a thing nor can I see how it would be enforced. And no I really wouldn't let DD eat a PB&J knowing there was an allergic child near by. Unfortunately everyone will suffer the wrath when she cannot get her lunch!

 

[skiwee1]

Originally posted by Christine
Forgive me for not having the references to back myself up; however, there was a study done on different allergens and it was found that peanut residue, particles, and dust spread like no other food out there with the exception of tree nuts which do spread just as much. When a person opens a bag of peanuts there is a good amount of peanut dust that flies into the air. There is also a good amount of oil that gets on the fingertips or the palms of the hand. The study found that wiping does not eliminate it off of hands, chairs, tables, desktops, etc. They actually had to use soap and scrubbing to eliminate residue. Handywipes, Wet Ones, etc don't work. So, one bag is not a big deal, but the majority of the plane passengers opening their bags, residue flying in the air, people touching their seats, tables, and bathroom door knobs all pose a some risk--it is different for each child. Fortunately the percentage of those who have the "smell reaction" is small but still there. I would say that the percentage of those who have the "smell reaction" to other allergens is equally as small, but let's face it--we don't have the whole plane eating scrumptuous, aromatic melon (I haven't had THAT on a plane since about 1980), nor do we have people opening cans of smelly tuna or noshing on shrimp salad.

I understand your argument here with "when will it stop", but the fact is that the peanut is unique in its ability to "materialize" into the air and circulate--much more so then other foods. Couple that with the amounts that the airline would give out and it's a problem. Seafood is a HUGE allergy, probably bigger than peanut, but since its use is so limited on planes it has never become an issue.

Actually I was speaking of someone I thouht on this thread that said her throat closed up at the smell of melon. She is that allergic to it. I'm not going to call her a liar so I believe her. We did have twins sitting across from us on our last flight eating tuna. It smelled up the whole plane. I wasn't talking about peanuts like you are speaking of. We never eat them. I'm talking about an Uncrustable. I doubt there is any dust coming from them.

 

[antkim]

My family has chosen to go with JetBlue- a peanut free airline. Yes they will make an announcement asking people to consider the PA passengers on board. Yes, my nieces will be sitting in the front of the plane because the airline has recommended this. Yes, they will be traveling with their epipens. Yes, they will wipe down the trays etc. Yes, we have done our research and have chosen the airline that is best for us. YES, JET BLUE TAKES THIS ALLERGY SERIOUSLY. I'm sorry if my nieces allergy might "inconvience" some uncrustable loving people. Do you think this is the way the want to live their lives? Talk about inconvient!
AGAIN, for some reason I can't seem to get this message through. IT WAS THE CONCERN OF EVERYONE EATING PEANUTS ON THE FLIGHT not just 1 or 2. SW gives every passenger, on every flight, every day of the week a package of peanuts. Jet Blue does not. Not a tough decision to make.
I'm sure if it's really necessary for you to know ahead of time about the possible inconvience of a PA passenger you could call the airline in advance or ask them at the gate if they see such a request in their reservation system. If there is then you can eat before you get on the flight if THAT'S not too much of an inconvience.
I'll be sure to let my nieces know that they really are putting some people out. I'm sure they'd understand and gladly miss their magical trip to WDW. Maybe you could send them a postcard.

 

[Cruisin]

antkim



Robin

 

[Pinnie]

Antkim.

I am going to take issue with one of your statements and STRONGLY disagree with you.


>>> SW gives every passenger, on every flight, every day of the week a package of peanuts.<<<<

I fly SWA a LOT. (10 - 12 times a YEAR) and I have a very good friend that works for the FAA and flies with them also and they DO NOT give out a package of peanuts on EVERY flight. The last flight I was on we got snack crackers. In the "snack box" on my last flight to LAX we got a piece of cheese, crackers and a meat stick. I also have had mini pretzels, Cheezits and Goldfish Crackers recently.

Be careful when you make blanket statements like that. I am flying SWA next week from DTW to MDW then on to BNA and will finally end up at MCO. I will be more than willing to report what snacks I had, but I am going to bet that I will NOT be getting peanuts on ALL those flights!!!

I wish you and your family the best, and I totally understand that a peanut allergy can be life threatening and I would do my best to curb my peanut intake on a flight, but I do see a lot of "tail wagging the dog" around lately and I think that is what a lot of people are starting to object too.

Personally, I think the thread is headed to the debate board!

pin

 

[*Fantasia*]

I don't see what's the problem if the Pilot says no peanuts in this flight. I don't think it's going to hurt someone who is a peanut lover to stop eating for about a few hours until the plane lands and everyone off the plane.

The word is "courtesy." If they ask you (in general) not to bring peanuts in the plane cause someone is highly allergic to it, then please disregard them. It will not kill you not to eat peanuts for 3 hours or 5 hours or even 24 hours. You're saving someone's life here. Just be nice and smile.

I don't know the policy of the carriers, but it doesn't matter, whatever that will help someones lives, I am for it. Cause if it's my life or my kids, I hope they will do to their power to make things safe and comfortable for us...for all of us.

Sorry...I can't help you as far as who carries peanuts. And I only read a few post here and there.

Good luck with your neice. I hope things will work out for her.

 

[Alex]

ok... since nobody took the hint
this thread is closed