Ideas for packing "lunch" as a carry-on for flight??

[goofy4tink]

I will now stop packing peanut butter sandwiches and pb crackers. Just to be safe. However, my dd doesn't eat a lot of sandwich type stuff...meats and such. So, we used to bring that pb sandwich. And sometimes a bagel. We got those little cream cheese packets. That makes a good sized snack and it's healthy too boot. Always carry water for each person. And a chocolate bar or 10!!!
But now that we have opened the peanut allergy box, I'm starting to get concerned about flying with my ds's cat. What about those poor people with cat dander allergies!!!

 

[ducklite]

I wonder if they still sell peanuts at ballgames, or if that's one place nut-sensitive people have to avoid? Also, are nut-sensitive people allergic to sesame seeds as well? They always seem to serve those on Air Canada flights.

They do sell peanuts at ballgames. As I said above, I'm allergic to tree nuts and peanuts, but I can eat seeds with no problem. Mmmm...sesame chicken!

Anne

 

[gigi1313]

The thing about little kids and pb& j is, you don't know where else they're putting their hands, paper towels, etc. and simply touching seats and surfaces that an allergic child may touch later may be enough to trigger a reaction, I don't know. . (I suppose if they're that sensitive, peanut residue left by previous flight passengers could be a factor, too)

that is why we pre-board and wipe down his entire area w/clorox wipes... just to reduce the possibility of residue...

ballgames are okay 'cause the air is circulated (typically it's open air)...

 

[gigi1313]

goofy4tink... you're bringing ds' cat on the plane? will it be in the "belly" of the plane or in the cabin w/the passengers?

 

[mbb]

I went

You know something...my DSIL came home a few months ago, cross country red-eye, and was saying - on the drive home from the airport - about how many cups of coffee she had consumed on board...

After the next 3 days of her being very ill, I'm wondering if it wasn't the water, and not the flu/tummy bug we all assumed that she had "picked up".

I'll stick with my bottled water!

...and just to chime in a *very* little on the pb allergy...our kids go to a peanut safe school - and after seeing what happens to the one child that 250 other children, in a large school space, are peanut safe for, we don't do peanut products on board a small aircraft.

Chippies, protein shakes, and fruit juice..it's only for one travel day - but I carry enough for delays

 

[goofy4tink]

goofy4tink... you're bringing ds' cat on the plane? will it be in the "belly" of the plane or in the cabin w/the passengers?

With me, on the plane. She'll be in her cat carrier, and put underneath the seat in front of me...just like my carry-on tote. I can't, in all good conscience, put her in cargo, even live cargo. I've just heard too many horror stories about that.

 

[sandiegosusie]

I didn't know that the airlines allowed pets in the cabin. That news to me...all of my children are allergic to cats. I guess I need to be proactive when we fly next time.

 

[gigi1313]

With me, on the plane. She'll be in her cat carrier, and put underneath the seat in front of me...just like my carry-on tote. I can't, in all good conscience, put her in cargo, even live cargo. I've just heard too many horror stories about that.

i had no idea that was permissable on an airplane... do all airlines allow it or just some? any clue if swa permits it? honestly, other than service animals, i'd never heard of such a thing... (and i have to admit, as much assome find a crying baby or kicking child on the flight upsetting, i would go out of my mind if i had to listen to a barking dog or mewing cat for four hours! )

 

[ducklite]

I didn't know that the airlines allowed pets in the cabin. That news to me...all of my children are allergic to cats. I guess I need to be proactive when we fly next time.

Almost all carriers allow up to two pets in each section of the cabin. The owner has to make a reservation for the pet in advance, and they need to have a health certificate.

A few carriers don't accept pets at all, if your kids are that alelrgic that even being in the same cabin will be a problem, I'd fly the carriers who don't allow pets.

Anne

 

[Diamond_Girls]

I'm highly allergic to cats! What a way that would be to start vacation with an allergy attack... I'll have to take a pill before boarding - I've been lucky in the past and never encountered a cat. I have, however, encountered a dog who barked and yiped the entire trip. The flight attendant said "at least it's not a baby". Not sure what she meant by that... I did say at least a baby could be held/fed/comforted... but nothing could be done for the dog... which by the way drove me completely crazy!!!

 

[goofy4tink]

Oh man....now I'm feeling really bad. I do believe they make an announcement before the flight leaves to make sure no one is allergic and sitting close to the animal. She'll be sedated a bit so hopefully won't be meowing. And I'm planning on draping her carrier with a blanket, leaving only a small opening for her to be able to breath. I have checked with Delta and they do allow this. Just like ducklite says...two per cabin.

 

[gigi1313]

again, this is all news to me! i checked swa.com and found this... and i must say, i'm glad!

Animals and Pets
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Southwest Airlines does not accept live animals in the aircraft cabin or cargo compartment other than fully trained service animals accompanying a person with a disability or being delivered to a person with a disability.

For more information regarding Southwest Airlines policies, please see the Contract of Carriage.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

 

[bavaria]

Oh man....now I'm feeling really bad. I do believe they make an announcement before the flight leaves to make sure no one is allergic and sitting close to the animal. She'll be sedated a bit so hopefully won't be meowing. And I'm planning on draping her carrier with a blanket, leaving only a small opening for her to be able to breath. I have checked with Delta and they do allow this. Just like ducklite says...two per cabin.

This would normally not bother me at all, but just a word of caution to not expect to be warned about an animal on your flight.

I found a service animal (very large!) next to me on a recent flight, immediately after I had suffered an athsma attack. I was given the option to tough it out or take a later flight, and this only after I asked for a possible seat change.

Just be aware, for those of you who are concerned. I have had many animals on flights in the past (two per flight max) and don't think that I ever heard a warning or announcement. Nor have I ever hard a bark, whine, or meow on those flights!

 

[heathriel]

As a former flight attendent on an airline that carried animals both in cabin and in cargo (a previous poster is correct that it is limited to 2 per cabin per flight, and that service animals trump all, and that health records are required, etc, etc) I can tell you that not once did we ever make an announcement about it.

Heck, I've traveled with cats on airlines multiple times myself, as a passenger, and the most that has happened has been a conversation between me and the passenger next to me at the beginning of the flight, initiated by me, asking them if they are allergic. Not once have they said they were, and every single time they wanted me to take the animal out and play (not allowed.) I do, however, open the flap slightly on the sherpa bag so they can pet it.

 

[goofy4tink]

As a former flight attendent on an airline that carried animals both in cabin and in cargo (a previous poster is correct that it is limited to 2 per cabin per flight, and that service animals trump all, and that health records are required, etc, etc) I can tell you that not once did we ever make an announcement about it.

Heck, I've traveled with cats on airlines multiple times myself, as a passenger, and the most that has happened has been a conversation between me and the passenger next to me at the beginning of the flight, initiated by me, asking them if they are allergic. Not once have they said they were, and every single time they wanted me to take the animal out and play (not allowed.) I do, however, open the flap slightly on the sherpa bag so they can pet it.

Thanks for the insights!! I had been told they would make sure no one was allergic. I'm going to try to get the very back row of seats when go so that the least number of people might be impacted. Since you have done this before, can I ask how easily the cat carrier fits underneath the seat? Should I just buy the smooshable ones rather than hard-sided?

Sorry to hijack your peanut allergy thread....I'll stop asking questions now.

 

[heathriel]

Of, definitely get the sherpa bag rather than the hard sided. And check out seatguru.com - if there are any seats on the plane with less underseat storage than others, it will tell you.

As for sitting in the back of the plane, for cat dander, that might actually work. Recirculated air can spread dust but not heavier oils like dandruff.

 

[DMRick]

I did this. Only do this, if you want everyone within 5 rows commenting on your smelly lunch. I won't do it again..man, when I opened that packet, the trapped smell on the plane was really overwhelming LOL. After the air picked it up, I could smell tuna when I came out of the rest room. I felt so sorry for the other people who weren't enjoying the fish smell.

OH! Those self-contained tuna salad lunches! Tuna, already mixed, with crackers and a plastic spreader, no refrigeration needed!

 

[bavaria]

I did this. Only do this, if you want everyone within 5 rows commenting on your smelly lunch. I won't do it again..man, when I opened that packet, the trapped smell on the plane was really overwhelming LOL. After the air picked it up, I could smell tuna when I came out of the rest room. I felt so sorry for the other people who weren't enjoying the fish smell.

You were sitting next to me on that flight, weren't you?! I don't think that people realize how some smells can become very strong on a flight. I was shocked when Air Canada started offering a can of tuna as a meal for purchase option!!! What were they thinking???

I have a hard time with some smells, and wake up from a sound sleep whenever someone eats a ham sandwich even if they are a few rows back... Both Song and United/Ted offer some snack box options which are well thought out from a no smell perspective, and offer some variety. In fact, my fellow frequent travellers and I were just discussing this the other day - how we'd take a $5 snack box over a lot of the airport options. (I fly every 2 weeks, 9+ hours, connect through O'Hare's United terminal with short connection time, and can't carry food in my carry on since I start in an international location - believe me, I know that finding food can be an issue!)

You can go online and look at most airline's offerings on their website to see if there is a snack box. They have lots of 'sample' sizes and range from healthy to junk food types.