Almost kicked off FLIGHT! Please help

[IDoDis]

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/21134540/vp/21470554#21470554

Interesting story about a 13 year old who died from an allergic reaction to peanuts.

Here are more stories:
http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2009/06/30/2612448.htm

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/10243950/

 

[JessicaR]

Has anyone actually suffered a reaction in flight and succumbed to a peanut allergy? For all the hype I hear about peanut allergies I'd expect to hear about at least one or two. By the same token, I've never heard of a child starving to death in flight, either.

Airlines don't have the luxury of providing several alternate snacks for each person on board any given flight. If your children need to eat frequently, think about non-peanut foods like almond butter sandwiches instead.

If you are traveling with an allergy sufferer, take precautions. This would include choosing an airline that doesn't routinely serve peanuts as part of its inflight service.

I was wondering what the statistics were too. This is what I found doing a quick search. No deaths that I could find on board.

A published study showed that severe, or anaphylactic, reactions caused by peanuts occurred on flights from ingestion of peanut-containing meals or snacks. Other reactions from exposure via skin contact or inhalation were generally less severe. These noningestion reactions generally occurred when at least 25 other passengers were served individual packages or bags of peanuts; products that had little peanut content did not cause such reactions.

Allergic reactions to peanuts, tree nuts, and seeds aboard commercial airliners
http://www.ingentaconnect.com/content/acaai/aaai/2008/00000101/00000001/art00010?crawler=true

 

[kaytieeldr]

Airlines don't have the luxury of providing several alternate snacks for each person on board any given flight. If your children need to eat frequently, think about non-peanut foods like almond butter sandwiches instead.

Ahem. JetBlue does. Every flight

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

Airlines don't have the luxury of providing several alternate snacks for each person on board any given flight. If your children need to eat frequently, think about non-peanut foods like almond butter sandwiches instead.

That's still a nut and for many folks (as I have been informed on this thread) still an issue.

For a diabetic that needs PB crackers per doctors orders in the event of a sudden drop--it could be a matter of life and death (and an ADA issue) if he were expressly prohibited from consuming them. It quite likely is illegal.

Airlines have lots of luxuries that they have chosen to drop in the name of the almighty dollar while still not having a clue of how to turn a profit despite all their drops.

Air travel was much more fun when they had hot towel service. But I digress.

The lack of this "luxury" is at the choosing of the airline--so they have a few options, change their offerings or figure out some way around the peanut issue by obligating pre-notification in order to better serve all passengers.

This isn't an all or nothing thing. It's about making a life threatening situation easy on everyone.

I can't help that my sons food choices are limited--but now that someone reminded me that I can use frozen fruit as a make-shift ice pack -- he can live on cheese the whole flight if necessary. But forcing my 2yo son to eat against his will is like trying to force feed a cat. IMPOSSIBLE.

My son will even spit out his beloved PB if he isn't in the mood for it and we insist he eat it.

As for the peanuts--when I am obligated for whatever reason to read all labels to avoid peanuts, it becomes EXTREMELY difficult to find peanut free products to take along when you are not yourself peanut free. Though I did just spot check my cabinet for fun and found a number of things. But there is a million other things that aren't "nut flavored" but have nuts hidden in them and it is very easy for a non-PA person to quite easily miss that.

It isn't about turning a 747 instead the floor of Texas Roadhouse.

Noone wants anyone's child to die by accident or on purpose.

But as with any disability--there is personal accountability to take proper measures to notify people so that everyone will know and can plan accordingly. If a PD/PDA person or guardian is unable to do that, then they shouldn't be shocked when folks cannot comply as though the other people were the ones that failed to plan.

Notifying Flight crew on the jetway as a first notification is completely 100% unacceptable for everyone including the child with the PA/PDA.

OP didn't do that and numerous folks here didn't do that--though one did post that she keeps her sons PA private.

But it shouldn't be surprising that there are people out there who do not disclose the information to people they should be notifying. It's almost as though they feel entitled to the world stopping on their behalf due to ADA or something. But ADA clearly states REASONABLE accomodations and it is unreasonable to be selfish and withhold valuable life threatening information until the last minute. They then shouldn't be shocked at someone's unwillingness or inability to comply nor should they guilt trip anyone with "surely you can put up with two hours without a peanut." It is disrespectful and rude. It goes back to the "failure to plan on your part, does not constitute an emergency on my part." They have the option of walking back up the jetway and return to the ticket counter and have their flight changed.

No I am not saying they shouldn't be allowed on any flight--but they aren't the Queen of Sheba, their destination will still be there when they get their later and sooner or later they will learn that failure to properly notify people and plan for their kids PA/PDA is what made them late.

The airline does have the luxury of doing that.

 

[mlynn]

Thanks for posting those links!
My prayer to those children and their families

 

[phorsenuf]

So what do these people with the sever allergic reaction do in the gate area? I see people snacking all the time while waiting for the flight. Can't they somehow be exposed that way too?

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/21134540/vp/21470554#21470554

Interesting story about a 13 year old who died from an allergic reaction to peanuts.

Here are more stories:
http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2009/06/30/2612448.htm

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/10243950/

The girl kissing her boyfriend was later found to not have died from kissing him. She died from an asthma attack. http://www.cbc.ca/canada/story/2006/05/11/asthma-death.html

It is an injustice to continue passing the story as though it was the peanuts that killed her when he consumed the product 9 hours prior to the kiss and it was later declared it was the asthma and not the peanuts.



Otherwise, noone is disputing that the allergy is indeed not real.

The 13yo who died (parents interview at end)--she ate it.

The cadet--ate it.

These are tragic stories, but these are not the nuts of other people but rather what they ingested. This thread isn't about forcefeeding nut products to people.

The question is has anyone evered suffered a reaction IN FLIGHT without eating the peanut.


I am curious about the 13yo, my vidoe cut out--but they never said what it was in the sandwich that killed her. They said she ate it manytimes before without incident so it seems something in it had changed. For her, it was a very avoidable death and how horrible to be in the process of dying while trying on a graduation dress.

 

[Luv2Scrap]

I didn't read through all the posts but I just wanted to say I'm sorry you went through this!

Not sure if anyone mentioned this, but the first thing I thought of is this is where my new iphone with video would have come in handy.

You could have had two options: tell him he's being recorded on video and watch him to a complete 180, or just sit there and record everything without telling him and see just how bad he gets (and use the video later as needed).

 

[Nicoleclaw]

But it shouldn't be surprising that there are people out there who do not disclose the information to people they should be notifying. It's almost as though they feel entitled to the world stopping on their behalf due to ADA or something. But ADA clearly states REASONABLE accomodations and it is unreasonable to be selfish and withhold valuable life threatening information until the last minute. They then shouldn't be shocked at someone's unwillingness or inability to comply nor should they guilt trip anyone with "surely you can put up with two hours without a peanut." It is disrespectful and rude. It goes back to the "failure to plan on your part, does not constitute an emergency on my part." They have the option of walking back up the jetway and return to the ticket counter and have their flight changed.

No I am not saying they shouldn't be allowed on any flight--but they aren't the Queen of Sheba, their destination will still be there when they get their later and sooner or later they will learn that failure to properly notify people and plan for their kids PA/PDA is what made them late.

You seem quite upset about this. Has this happened to you?

 

[Nicoleclaw]

So what do these people with the sever allergic reaction do in the gate area? I see people snacking all the time while waiting for the flight. Can't they somehow be exposed that way too?

I think it is more to do with the close quarters and recycled air on the plane.

 

[dismom2]

I have a child with a PA. We do what we can, but we also are realistic and know that there is no possible way to prevent all exposure to peanuts. Many people and kids eat things with peanuts in it, then they touch everything imaginable: bathroom doors, faucets, walls, arm rests, counters, trays, put the empty peanut wrappers everywhere including the seatback (where the magazines are) until the FA comes along with the garbage (even then, some people don't bother to throw them away), etc... there is probably peanut residue on everything. We just try our best to avoid peanutes and their residue, but know that it is literally impossible to avoid, so we take responsibility for ourselves and just try to be really careful, and hope for the best. But, we also carry an epipen (which I know only buys so much time, but it's better than nothing), which no airline or security has ever refused to let us carry. I really don't think a small child can avoid touching everything. From a young age, we taught our child different ways to 'be careful' about peanuts. If I wanted to up the chance of a reaction I would spend the money to avoid an airline that served it, but I am also realistic and know that passengers are going to probably have their own peanut snacks. Even if an announcement is made to not bring them aboard, I bet a lot of passengers don't hear that announcement.... due to not hearing it, or being in the bathroom, or running late....etc.... not to mention, some people really don't care. So, we don't rely on others. What do you do everywhere else? You can't make the world quit eating peanuts, or make them wash up after eating them. This is a problem everywhere you/we go, and we are realistic.

I would be upset if I was treated rudely, however. No need for that. I would clean up the area myself if needed, and wash my childs hands frequently, and maybe use paper/tissues to open doors. Do what you can and don't rely on the world to protect you...it's really not realistic.

ETA: Regarding the other topic discussed here: people say how "limited" their choices of snacks are, I find that funny because I can think of dozens of different kinds of snacks and food items you can take on a plane. Name an allergy and I could find several different kinds of alternative items. If your child is extremely picky, maybe they need to learn that there are times where you have to make do and can't always have what you want. If that child is two years old, doesn't matter. Best to teach them early on that they can't always have what they want when they want. It's just one of those facts of life. If they refuse to eat..... well, they aren't going to starve to death. Be prepared, bring a variety of snacks like I do, and let the kids help choose different things if necessary---before you leave home. Let them also know that they may not get their beloved favorite drink until after you land. Won't kill them, I promise.

 

[phorsenuf]

I think it is more to do with the close quarters and recycled air on the plane.

But what about the little kid snacking on peanut butter crackers in a seat at the gate? He may have smeared or dropped crumbs on the chair.

If a stray peanut on the floor of a plane is enough to throw someone into a reaction they probably shouldn't be flying on a peanut friendly plane.

What if the peanut was one row back and she didn't see it? Then what?

 

[boltfans]

But what about the little kid snacking on peanut butter crackers in a seat at the gate? He may have smeared or dropped crumbs on the chair.

If a stray peanut on the floor of a plane is enough to throw someone into a reaction they probably shouldn't be flying on a peanut friendly plane.

What if the peanut was one row back and she didn't see it? Then what?

Very good points. Same applies anywhere, I would think. Like a restaurant that serves peanuts/peanut butter. Surely there must be peanut residue all over stuff.

 

[GoldieSaysMeep]

No, but people with small cats or small dogs can travel with them in the cabin provided they are in a carrier in which case that person would be SOL and not abel to ride the plane. If a passenger already secured permission to travel with the cat in the cabin, it would not be right to deny that permission after the fact. Rather, the person you quoted would likely be transferred to a later flight.

I am the person that was quoted and I would FULLY EXPECT to be told to rebook if someone was already booked with a cat on board because the world does not revolve around me.

To address the question, if I had a child with a PA would I never fly with them? Honestly, probably not. If they had an allergy so severe that being next to a person eating nuts could kill them, I would not risk it and I would be HORRIFIED at the idea of asking people to change their behavior to accomodate my family.

To address the question of people traveling overseas. Travel is generally a want, not a need. As long as the child was under 18 I would treat the issue the same as above. If the risk was that great, I wouldn't risk it. Once the person is over 18, it's up to them if they want to travel overseas and take the chance.

You can stop airlines from serving peanuts but you can't stop people from just bringing them on. Most people don't have PA. Most people aren't going to be thinking about your childs PA when they pick snacks for their child for the flight.

 

[Nicoleclaw]

But what about the little kid snacking on peanut butter crackers in a seat at the gate? He may have smeared or dropped crumbs on the chair.

If a stray peanut on the floor of a plane is enough to throw someone into a reaction they probably shouldn't be flying on a peanut friendly plane.

What if the peanut was one row back and she didn't see it? Then what?

What about the kid snacking near the gate? I don't understand your question. I stated that the problem is more the close quarters and recycled air.
There could be peanut residue anywhere. Since I have a little one, think of playgrounds, shopping carts, picnic tables, library, etc. I think the real issue is being on a plane with the recycled air and not being able to get immediate medical attention. Kinda like how you can't fly past certain weeks when you are pregnant. You don't want to go into labor on the plane. I can't speak for the OP or what exactly her situation was one stray peanut, 20 I don't know....but remember there is a difference between 100+ people opening bags of nuts and a stray nut a few rows back.

 

[phorsenuf]

What about the kid snacking near the gate? I don't understand your question. I stated that the problem is more the close quarters and recycled air.
There could be peanut residue anywhere. Since I have a little one, think of playgrounds, shopping carts, picnic tables, library, etc. I think the real issue is being on a plane with the recycled air and not being able to get immediate medical attention. Kinda like how you can't fly past certain weeks when you are pregnant. You don't want to go into labor on the plane. I can't speak for the OP or what exactly her situation was one stray peanut, 20 I don't know....but remember there is a difference between 100+ people opening bags of nuts and a stray nut a few rows back.

This is exactly what I meant. If 1 peanut can throw the child into an attack then why fly an airline that serves peanuts. That's a recipe for disaster if you ask me.
The OP got freaked out because she saw 1 peanut on the floor. So one has to assume that 1 peanut is enough to cause a reaction. If 1 peanut is enough than how does she handle the possibility of PB smeared on a gate seat or heck, even the oils from a peanut on the airline seat from 2 flights ago. It seems to me that if an allergy was that severe that 1 peanut in an enclosed space warrants and attack then why fly that airline and why chance siting at the gate where that airline services.

Can you have an airborne allergy and not a "touch" allergy?

 

[boltfans]

What about the kid snacking near the gate? I don't understand your question. I stated that the problem is more the close quarters and recycled air.
There could be peanut residue anywhere. Since I have a little one, think of playgrounds, shopping carts, picnic tables, library, etc. I think the real issue is being on a plane with the recycled air and not being able to get immediate medical attention. Kinda like how you can't fly past certain weeks when you are pregnant. You don't want to go into labor on the plane. I can't speak for the OP or what exactly her situation was one stray peanut, 20 I don't know....but remember there is a difference between 100+ people opening bags of nuts and a stray nut a few rows back.

But the OP posted that there were loose peanuts on the floor, not 100+ people eating peanuts, a bag or 2 that was spilled on the floor. How is that different than if 20 bags had been spilled outside the 6 row buffer zone? To me, if you can handle people eating peanuts outside of the 6 row buffer zone in the enclosed space, then a few on the floor, that she could have picked up herself then washed her hands, shouldn't be an issue.

 

[corndog]

Well, I've read the first few pages and still haven't been able to see if the OP got on the plane or not?

 

[Nicoleclaw]

But the OP posted that there were loose peanuts on the floor, not 100+ people eating peanuts, a bag or 2 that was spilled on the floor. How is that different than if 20 bags had been spilled outside the 6 row buffer zone? To me, if you can handle people eating peanuts outside of the 6 row buffer zone in the enclosed space, then a few on the floor, that she could have picked up herself then washed her hands, shouldn't be an issue.

Oh sorry I was not really talking about the OP at that point....lol I was more referring to why not serving the bags of peanuts would be beneficial to some people with PA.

 

[Nicoleclaw]

This is exactly what I meant. If 1 peanut can throw the child into an attack then why fly an airline that serves peanuts. That's a recipe for disaster if you ask me.
The OP got freaked out because she saw 1 peanut on the floor. So one has to assume that 1 peanut is enough to cause a reaction. If 1 peanut is enough than how does she handle the possibility of PB smeared on a gate seat or heck, even the oils from a peanut on the airline seat from 2 flights ago. It seems to me that if an allergy was that severe that 1 peanut in an enclosed space warrants and attack then why fly that airline and why chance siting at the gate where that airline services.

Can you have an airborne allergy and not a "touch" allergy?

I think it was more than one. I wasn't there, but I don't think she freaked out. She asked that it be cleaned, and in the meanwhile some guy went all crazy on her.

I don't know the answer to your last question. If Ihad to take an educated guess (educated because both my kids have food allergies and I have done tons of research) I would say if there were a hierarchy I guess airborne would be at the top, followed by contact, and then actual consumption. But I do not know that for sure, and I bet it varies per individual as well. Interested to know if anyone has info/personal experience.