Almost kicked off FLIGHT! Please help

[Christine]

I did pose a hypothetical situation, and you're right, it probably doesn't matter. However, I was only trying to give each side of the argument a different perspective to see if their thoughts/feelings might change. Perhaps it would help someone better understand the other person's side.

As far as being airborne, I'm not sure what would make the proteins/allergens in peanuts more likely to be "airborne" than the proteins in wheat, but I believe a cracker (just using your example) could pose just as much problem as a stray peanut, for someone who is allergic. I would think that as crackers and other wheat products are crumbly and sometimes flour-y (think bread that has a "dusting" of flour on top of it that is frequently served with sandwiches), the likelihood of a wheat product that is "airborne" would cause just as much problem as a peanut product that is "airborne". I think it would have the same potential to do just as much damage to the person that is allergic.

I truly believe that if that were the case (and I do get your point) that accommdations would have already been made. Not to belittle any other type of allergy, but the peanut allergy does seem to be unique in that it causes such a strong reaction in people. I no longer have all the data that I used to read, but there is something about the peanut protein that is different. It is a very strong protein and very little can break it down. An incredibly high heat must be used to destroy it--one that is only ever used when processing peanut oil. Other allergenic proteins (milk, egg, wheat, etc) are often destroyed to some extent during the food processing mechanisms so that while the protein is not totally gone, it is "fractured" in some way as to remove some of the offenders from it if that makes sense.

I'm probably not explaining that real well as I'm going off my memories of what the doctors have told me!

I know there are some ultra-sensitive milk allergic folks that react like a peanut or shellfish allergic person but it is more rare. That doesn't mean that they don't deserve equal treatment--they do. But I think that until their numbers increase and there are more that react in that manner, there won't be any need for those policies.

 

[GoldieSaysMeep]

I think this is a case like anything else where one person has special needs.

You can't expect the world to stop and revolve around you and your specific problems.

I have two allergies that can cause me to stop breathing and die. Bees and Cats.

Do you know what it's like being deathly allergic to cats? Do you know what it's like to not be able to go to friends houses due to my allergies? Would I ever ask them to not have a cat because of me? No way.

I'm allergic to bees. I avoid BBQs and other fun outside stuff.

I'm allergic to cats. I can't go in peoples houses who have them and sometimes I get up and move on subways and busses if someone too close has cat hair on them.

I'm the one with the issue, I am the one who makes the adjustment because it's not worth the risk. It seems like common sense. I don't expect the world to revolve around my needs.

If you have a child who is that deathly allergic to peanuts that someone sitting near him on a plane could kill him, then whoa- that's a special need indeed. He should probably not even risk it. If he was my kid, sorry, but I would just not risk it and take him on a plane. Even if the airline doesn't serve peanuts, you aren't going to get every other person on the plane to not bring their own.

 

[happygirl]

I think this is a case like anything else where one person has special needs.

You can't expect the world to stop and revolve around you and your specific problems.

I have two allergies that can cause me to stop breathing and die. Bees and Cats.

Do you know what it's like being deathly allergic to cats? Do you know what it's like to not be able to go to friends houses due to my allergies? Would I ever ask them to not have a cat because of me? No way.

I'm allergic to bees. I avoid BBQs and other fun outside stuff.

I'm allergic to cats. I can't go in peoples houses who have them and sometimes I get up and move on subways and busses if someone too close has cat hair on them.

I'm the one with the issue, I am the one who makes the adjustment because it's not worth the risk. It seems like common sense. I don't expect the world to revolve around my needs.

If you have a child who is that deathly allergic to peanuts that someone sitting near him on a plane could kill him, then whoa- that's a special need indeed. He should probably not even risk it. If he was my kid, sorry, but I would just not risk it and take him on a plane. Even if the airline doesn't serve peanuts, you aren't going to get every other person on the plane to not bring their own.

Nice post

 

[Nicoleclaw]

I truly believe that if that were the case (and I do get your point) that accommdations would have already been made. Not to belittle any other type of allergy, but the peanut allergy does seem to be unique in that it causes such a strong reaction in people. I no longer have all the data that I used to read, but there is something about the peanut protein that is different. It is a very strong protein and very little can break it down. An incredibly high heat must be used to destroy it--one that is only ever used when processing peanut oil. Other allergenic proteins (milk, egg, wheat, etc) are often destroyed to some extent during the food processing mechanisms so that while the protein is not totally gone, it is "fractured" in some way as to remove some of the offenders from it if that makes sense.

I'm probably not explaining that real well as I'm going off my memories of what the doctors have told me!

I know there are some ultra-sensitive milk allergic folks that react like a peanut or shellfish allergic person but it is more rare. That doesn't mean that they don't deserve equal treatment--they do. But I think that until their numbers increase and there are more that react in that manner, there won't be any need for those policies.

What you are saying is true, nuts and shellfish are the biggest offenders for severe reactions. I don't think we have to worry about the airlines having shrimp cocktail though! lol

And you are right, there won't be a need for policies until the number of people having severe reactions to other items increases. Even then, the "airborneness" and "spreadability" if you will is not the same.

 

[Nicoleclaw]

I think this is a case like anything else where one person has special needs.

You can't expect the world to stop and revolve around you and your specific problems.

I have two allergies that can cause me to stop breathing and die. Bees and Cats.

Do you know what it's like being deathly allergic to cats? Do you know what it's like to not be able to go to friends houses due to my allergies? Would I ever ask them to not have a cat because of me? No way.

I'm allergic to bees. I avoid BBQs and other fun outside stuff.

I'm allergic to cats. I can't go in peoples houses who have them and sometimes I get up and move on subways and busses if someone too close has cat hair on them.

I'm the one with the issue, I am the one who makes the adjustment because it's not worth the risk. It seems like common sense. I don't expect the world to revolve around my needs.

If you have a child who is that deathly allergic to peanuts that someone sitting near him on a plane could kill him, then whoa- that's a special need indeed. He should probably not even risk it. If he was my kid, sorry, but I would just not risk it and take him on a plane. Even if the airline doesn't serve peanuts, you aren't going to get every other person on the plane to not bring their own.

Asking your friend not to have a cat for the life span of a cat 15 years or so and asking people not to eat nuts for 2 hours or so are two completely different things.

In your last paragraph, and this question applies to anyone else who has stated the same, I want to know, IF you have a child that is PA, you plan to never, ever, ever have a need to take a plane with them?

 

[Nicoleclaw]

I truly feel for the OP and she should not have been treated like that. The airline guy was way out of line and I think the letter is great. I hope she gets somewhere!

I just wanted to mention that it is possible though, for others' rights to be violated by not being able to eat peanuts on the plane. The last time we flew as a family (which was a couple years back, before the new guidelines) I had packed for our journey: pbj sandwiches for all of us and everyone had picked a favorite candy bar to eat on the plane which included, peanut m&m's, reese's, and snickers. Once we had all boarded, it was announced that there was a peanut allergy on the plane and no one was allowed to ingest any peanuts for the duration of the flight. Well, that's all fine and dandy except I was traveling with little children who had not eaten anything but toast that morning and now we had do the entire trip, the waiting on the runway, the flight as well as the unboarding with starving, cranky children. The airline offered us nothing, as they had nothing else on board except the sodas. Once we landed and got into the airport I let my kids eat what we had packed but one child got sick because he had gotten too hungry and ate too fast. We lost the rest of the day dealing with those issues. All could have been avoided if they had told us prior to boarding so I could've let the kids eat then maybe they would've slept! I would not want to cause anyone to have a reaction, but people need to realize that the allergy people are not the only ones with rights. I had paid for our tickets also, and then had to deal with a sick child all day. We now drive when we go to WDW because there's just too many issues with flying. It's way easier to drive!

I was asking myself the question of when/how do the airlines tell the passengers this? I am SURE most parents will do like the OP and tell them at booking, at check-in when they get there and at the gate. I would anyway. But when does the airline convey this? It should be done perhaps when you check in at the airport - you know before security and everything. It really stinks what happened to your family, just remember it is fault probably lies within the airline, not the family that has to deal with this every day, every second of their lives.

 

[disneyfav4ever]

Asking your friend not to have a cat for the life span of a cat 15 years or so and asking people not to eat nuts for 2 hours or so are two completely different things.

In your last paragraph, and this question applies to anyone else who has stated the same, I want to know, IF you have a child that is PA, you plan to never, ever, ever have a need to take a plane with them?

I'm wondering what people overseas would have to do to travel if they couldn't take a plane?

 

[PattnFmly]

I'm glad, Nicoleclaw, that you are sure more people are like the OP and let the airlines know, but in my life experiences, people are just not always that way. Many people feel that just because they say so or ask for it, things should be their way. Just look at how many people show their children to just cross the street whereever they feel like it, not just at the crosswalks or crossing lights! But I digress! In any case, most people flying are to their "podium" area well before the flight time, especially now that we have to be there so early, and airlines certainly make enough announcements about this passenger and that, that they could make an announcement that this is a peanut free flight. People could then go buy an appropriate candy bar or whatever it is they want to eat. My issue was with them not telling us until we were boarded and seated. Kaytieeldr is probably right that this particular time the airline wasn't told ahead of time. Not sure what the answer is. But it's not ... people going into shock from an allergy nor is it .. people unable to eat for hours because there's nothing else available in the air. There has to be a better solution.

 

[mkymouse1928]

I have to say that when I read these threads I see a lot of people mentioning "everyone else's" rights. This I find quite interesting because I have always wondered who's rights were more important. My diabetic father in law always has peanut butter crackers on him in the event of his blood sugar dropping. He does this on the advice of his Dr. If he was not told prior to the flight so that he could bring something else, then whose rights take precedence?

I do want to add that I feel horrible for anyone who deals with a life threatening allergy. I am sure that is tough, and I thank God that I don't have to.

 

[Christine]

I have to say that when I read these threads I see a lot of people mentioning "everyone else's" rights. This I find quite interesting because I have always wondered who's rights were more important. My diabetic father in law always has peanut butter crackers on him in the event of his blood sugar dropping. He does this on the advice of his Dr. If he was not told prior to the flight so that he could bring something else, then whose rights take precedence?

I do want to add that I feel horrible for anyone who deals with a life threatening allergy. I am sure that is tough, and I thank God that I don't have to.

They actually cannot stop your father from having his peanut snacks during the flight. They can request it but, as far as I know, cannot legally enforce it. It would be extremely unlikely that one person having a necessary peanut snack on the plane, with proper precautions taken, would affect the peanut allergic. The whole idea of the precaution is to stop 100-200 people (depending on the size of the plane) from simultaneously eating the offending food.

 

[kaytieeldr]

I'm wondering what people overseas would have to do to travel if they couldn't take a plane?

Interesting question. The only chart I could find extrapolated (rather than researched) the incidence of peanut allergies around the world, using the 1.1% of the US population affected.

The next closest answer I could find appears... peanut allergies are less prevalent in other countries:

Q. Why is peanut allergy more common in the U.S., U.K., and Australia than in Europe, Asia, and the Middle East?
A. In the U.S., peanut allergy is the third most common food allergy in children behind milk and egg allergy. In Israel, sesame allergy is third, behind milk and egg allergy, ahead of peanut allergy. This difference most likely reflects the differences in dietary practices. In the Middle East, sesame products and sesame paste are more commonly used than peanut butter.

In China, the world's leader in peanut production, peanut consumption is comparable to that this country, but peanut allergy is much less common. The explanation for this may be that peanuts in the Chinese diet are usually boiled or fried, as opposed to the peanut butter and dry-roasted peanuts in the Western diet. Laboratory studies show that the higher processing temperatures used in manufacturing peanut butter and dry-roasted peanuts result in an increase in the allergenicity of the peanut proteins. The lower cooking temperatures used in boiling or frying peanuts do not cause this increase, so boiled and fried peanuts are relatively less allergenic than dry-roasted peanuts or peanut butter.

http://www.parents.com/recipes/nutrition/kids/what-you-need-to-know-about-peanut-allergies/?page=2

 

[Nicoleclaw]

I'm glad, Nicoleclaw, that you are sure more people are like the OP and let the airlines know, but in my life experiences, people are just not always that way. Many people feel that just because they say so or ask for it, things should be their way. Just look at how many people show their children to just cross the street whereever they feel like it, not just at the crosswalks or crossing lights! But I digress! In any case, most people flying are to their "podium" area well before the flight time, especially now that we have to be there so early, and airlines certainly make enough announcements about this passenger and that, that they could make an announcement that this is a peanut free flight. People could then go buy an appropriate candy bar or whatever it is they want to eat. My issue was with them not telling us until we were boarded and seated. Kaytieeldr is probably right that this particular time the airline wasn't told ahead of time. Not sure what the answer is. But it's not ... people going into shock from an allergy nor is it .. people unable to eat for hours because there's nothing else available in the air. There has to be a better solution.

Respectfully, I feel a parent who is properly looking after for their child tell the airline ahead of time, and several times. Many times, an allergy like this consumes your life. It is something that is CONSTANTLY on your mind. I just wanted to open your horizons to consider that it is not the allergic person's fault that it was told so late. They airline definitely should have let everyone know beforehand.

 

[kaytieeldr]

Respectfully, I contend the airline notified the passengers on PattnFmly's flight as soon as they were informed. Simply because the allergy controls one's life doesn't mean people think far enough ahead (or, less politely, care about anyone else enough) to give the airline advance notice. What's in it for the airline? It's not like they'll profit from selling food now that passengers suddenly can't eat what they brought aboard. Most airlines don't sell food, they expect you to bring your own if you'll want to eat on the plane; in this case, the airline couldn't even serve the snack they did have on the plane. Had the affected party given the airline any reasonable advance notice, an alternate snack would have been stocked/passengers would have been notified while still IN the terminal and able to purchase acceptable food.

 

[lillygator]

I have to say that when I read these threads I see a lot of people mentioning "everyone else's" rights. This I find quite interesting because I have always wondered who's rights were more important. My diabetic father in law always has peanut butter crackers on him in the event of his blood sugar dropping. He does this on the advice of his Dr. If he was not told prior to the flight so that he could bring something else, then whose rights take precedence?

I do want to add that I feel horrible for anyone who deals with a life threatening allergy. I am sure that is tough, and I thank God that I don't have to.

that is a very interesting question!

 

[golfgal]

Ok, maybe this has been said already but I wasn't going to read 10+ pages but if you KNEW the airline served peanuts, why did you book a flight on that airline? I guess if my child had such a severe allergy I would make sure they didn't serve peanuts and fly with someone that served something else. Besides that, how are you going to stop everyone else on the plane from eating peanut products. DH always takes Reeces Peanut Butter cups on flights.

 

[Nicoleclaw]

Respectfully, I contend the airline notified the passengers on PattnFmly's flight as soon as they were informed. Simply because the allergy controls one's life doesn't mean people think far enough ahead (or, less politely, care about anyone else enough) to give the airline advance notice. What's in it for the airline? It's not like they'll profit from selling food now that passengers suddenly can't eat what they brought aboard. Most airlines don't sell food, they expect you to bring your own if you'll want to eat on the plane; in this case, the airline couldn't even serve the snack they did have on the plane. Had the affected party given the airline any reasonable advance notice, an alternate snack would have been stocked/passengers would have been notified while still IN the terminal and able to purchase acceptable food.

Didn't they not tell them until they were on the plane though?
I have to look back, I should have first, but she said there were no alternate snacks?
I have never been on a plane where there were provisions for a PA. Haven't flown with ds post diagnosis. So I wonder when do the airlines typically tell the passengers? At first check in would be great, however I am wondering if it is typical to just tell them on the plane? Anyone else been on a plane with a peanut ban?

 

[crashbb]

Didn't they not tell them until they were on the plane though?
I have to look back, I should have first, but she said there were no alternate snacks?
I have never been on a plane where there were provisions for a PA. Haven't flown with ds post diagnosis. So I wonder when do the airlines typically tell the passengers? At first check in would be great, however I am wondering if it is typical to just tell them on the plane? Anyone else been on a plane with a peanut ban?

I have and the parent only told the flight crew upon boarding (I was sitting in the bulkhead and heard the conversation). The airline could only inform passengers once they were on the plane, because they only knew of the PA passenger at that time.

And, there is no "peanut ban" - an airline cannot force people not to eat peanuts/peanut products (or any other allergy causing food). They can only request that they not and not serve any peanuts themselves.

 

[Nicoleclaw]

I have and the parent only told the flight crew upon boarding (I was sitting in the bulkhead and heard the conversation). The airline could only inform passengers once they were on the plane, because they only knew of the PA passenger at that time.

And, there is no "peanut ban" - an airline cannot force people not to eat peanuts/peanut products (or any other allergy causing food). They can only request that they not and not serve any peanuts themselves.

I just looked too. Kinda wierd though they didn't atleast have some pretzels or something. I feel like I have always been offered a choice.
I am sorry I seemed to have offended you by saying peanut ban. I was asking in a shorter way if anyone had been on a flight where they did they request that there be no peanut consumption.

 

[Nicoleclaw]

Ok, maybe this has been said already but I wasn't going to read 10+ pages but if you KNEW the airline served peanuts, why did you book a flight on that airline? I guess if my child had such a severe allergy I would make sure they didn't serve peanuts and fly with someone that served something else. Besides that, how are you going to stop everyone else on the plane from eating peanut products. DH always takes Reeces Peanut Butter cups on flights.

I can't speak for the OP, I don't knwo where she lives, where she was going, etc, if there was an available flight on an airline that does not serve nuts. However, the airline did have a policy with a buffer for safety, which was in their comfort level. the peanuts on the floor was an unfortunate surprise.

 

[crashbb]

I just looked too. Kinda wierd though they didn't atleast have some pretzels or something. I feel like I have always been offered a choice.
I am sorry I seemed to have offended you by saying peanut ban. I was asking in a shorter way if anyone had been on a flight where they did they request that there be no peanut consumption.

I wasn't offended - just wanted to clarify what you said since others might actually think there would be a "ban".

Many airlines that I've flown on only serve one type of snack (though there may be other snacks that you can buy) - if they have peanuts in them (and they sometimes do), there would be no free snacks on that flight.