Peanut Allergies and Flying

[Niagara2]

A neighbor was flying Southwest this week and I told him about on line printing of boarding passes. He told me that they get pre boarding because one son (family of six) has severe allergies and reactions anytime he is even near peanuts. Not only did they get preboarding for this disability but all peanuts are taken off the plane and pretzels are substituted. Now we know why there are times with different snacks offered! I understand that if peanuts were served it could be a major problem to this child. I think preboarding six people is a problem with Southwest. I guess if only the one with a disability and a companion were preboarded that they would hold seats for the rest of the family and may as well let them all on at once. Thought this was interesting on how they pull all the peanuts off the flight.

 

[JudithM]

Interesting ... thanks for sharing ... I would rather have pretzels any way!

 

[Christine]

I have a peanut allergic son and have yet to fly Southwest with him. We did fly USAir and, of course, we had assigned seats. We also did request that they serve pretzels over peanuts, which they did. No big deal.

I have flown Southwest when my daughter was very young (maybe 4 years old?). She has no allergy but we were told that we would be able to pre-board (the WHOLE family) because we had a small child. I think, no matter what the reason, Southwest does try to let families board together so that there is a possibility that they may sit together.

The one time I did fly Southwest I was with eleven people. We were in 3 separate boarding groups (I pre-boarded), the second group was in group A, and the last of our group arrived at the last minute and they were in the last boarding group. Somehow we all managed to sit adjacent to each other.

 

[Poorman]

We flew USair this past weekend and were told the there was a passanger with severe peanut allergies on board and pretzels would be served. They also asked that people that had ANYTHING made with peanuts not be eaten on that flight. Nobody hade a problem with that, I thought it was great that they made the announcement.

 

[ducklite]

As a person with serious nut allergies, I can comiserate. But, I'd also like to know what they'd do about the mom who made PB&J sandwiches for her toddlers to feed them on the plane because they're flying during a mealtime who is now being told she can't do so. Hungry toddlers on a three hour flight--the airline had better have a plan to deal with it. At least advance notice before boarding so the family can have a chance to grab Mc D's or something for the kids.

Anne

 

[LorraineH]

Hi there!

We're flying with Virgin Atlantic from the UK to Orlando in October and my daughter has a severe peanut allergy and we have to carry her epi-pen (anti-histimine injection) in our hand luggage.

Virgin told us that, although they wouldnt serve her any meals that contained nuts, they couldnt stop anyone else eating them!

And we are flying economy. We were told that the upper class passengers ARE served peanuts on board, and wouldnt be offered substitutes!

I thought this was bad at the time. I am sure that if Virgin said to the upper class passengers "we have an 8 yr old child in economy who is allergic to peanuts" the upper class passengers wouldnt mind missing out and having a substitute instead!

So well done to your US airlines that do offer substitutes. I only wish everyone had the same attitude.

Lorraine

 

[Figaro]

Here's a recent article on peanut allergies that I thought was pretty interesting.

http://tinyurl.com/39x9o

 

[Christine]

Originally posted by ducklite
As a person with serious nut allergies, I can comiserate. But, I'd also like to know what they'd do about the mom who made PB&J sandwiches for her toddlers to feed them on the plane because they're flying during a mealtime who is now being told she can't do so. Hungry toddlers on a three hour flight--the airline had better have a plan to deal with it. At least advance notice before boarding so the family can have a chance to grab Mc D's or something for the kids.

Anne

Anne,
As a parent with a peanut allergic child, I would not object to a child or two on the plane having a peanut butter and jelly sandwich. As long as they weren't seated right next to my son, I would be okay with it. My problem is when 200 passengers open up their little individual peanut bags. This definitely causes a problem. To much peanut dust flying in the air. Fortunately, on the plane, the few kids eating peanut butter sandwiches won't be getting up and running around the cabin with their dirty hands.

I only speak for myself on this issue. Some other allergic individuals could have more of a problem than my son does.

 

[shelby2001]

As the parent of 2 children with severe nut allergy and we carry and Epi-Pen for both I have had no problem with them not serving nuts on Delta, Southwest and Jet Blue. As for the toddler with the peanut butter sandwich that's ok with me too as long as they are not seated next to my child. The Epi only last 20 minutes and I think people would rather go without nuts for 2-3 hours that have to land the plane for medical help delaying their vacation and the possible death of a child.

 

[ducklite]

I just wanted to point out that I in no way meant my post as a flame to people with peanut allergies. I'm glad to hear that both of you feel that a couple kids eating PB&J's wouldn't be a problem. And I can see the difference between peanut dust from the packets and PB in between a couple slices of bread.

Like I said, I have peanut and nut allergies as well. I also am allergic to down and feathers, which is becoming more and more of an issue as many of the hotel chains are switching to "Heavenly Beds" or something along those lines

Anne

 

[Christine]

Originally posted by ducklite
I just wanted to point out that I in no way meant my post as a flame to people with peanut allergies. I'm glad to hear that both of you feel that a couple kids eating PB&J's wouldn't be a problem. And I can see the difference between peanut dust from the packets and PB in between a couple slices of bread.

Like I said, I have peanut and nut allergies as well. I also am allergic to down and feathers, which is becoming more and more of an issue as many of the hotel chains are switching to "Heavenly Beds" or something along those lines

Anne

Anne,
Never was taken as a flame; however, I get VERRRYYY nervous when I post to peanut allergy threads. Most of them get really nasty.

 

[airhead]

I can't imagine having to deal with that kind of allergy. I'm sure you run into all kinds of idiots who feel their "rights" to eat a freekin' bag of nuts is more important than someones well being.

 

[dlrhine]

Thank you all for this post. I've been so sad lately. Right before Easter this year my oldest DD who is 3 gave her 22 month old younger sister a peanut M&M and she ended up in the ER. We diddn't know before that she was allergic to peanuts cause she never had one. Well last night my DH had a peanut butter and jelly sandwich for dinner and went downstairs when he was done to start playing with our youngest DD and everywhere he blew a rasberry on her she got hives from the peanut oil that was still left on his lips. I would have never thought of that. I called SW this morning as we will be flying with them in Sept and they said I was to tell the gate agent and show a letter saying there is a peanut allergy and they would remove all peanuts from the plane. I have to tell you all....I'm new at this but I worry so much knowing this could be life threating. We do carry Epi pens, I just dread ever ending up in the ER again like the first time, scary. I really appreciate this tread and the support of you that have been dealing with this. I'm also thankful we will get to preboard with a 3 year old and a 2 year old when we go (they are only 16 months apart) we have bought them seat and have car seats for each of them to install. Thanks again.

 

[Familyof14]

I am really confused on this peanut issue and airplanes.

I thought that peanuts were taken off of all airplanes years ago because of peanut allergies.

I fly a lot and can't remember the last time that peanuts were served.

I certainly can do without the peanuts if it means saving a life. As someone that had an allergic reaction to Aleve while on an airplane, I know that not being able to breath when there is no way to get emergency help is horrifying! Luckily, I lived through it.

 

[Bo'sMom]

My niece and her 4 year old son who is severely allergic to peanuts, flew to Disney this week. They flew on Jet Blue out of Boston, and she said that they were fantastic. They made the annoucement that no peanuts woudl be served, etc. Also, Liberty Tree Tavern was by far the best restaurant to eat at if you have a child with a peanut allergy. The chef came out and met with her and her dh and were really great about insuring her son's safety while eating.

 

[maps]

we flew swa with my peanut allergic son. i brought a doctor's note but it was never needed. i also brought 2 epi pens with me just in case.

we told them at check in and they said they would clean the plane before everyone got on( it didn't take them long).
then they made the announcement and served pretzels.

of course they also handed out the snack boxes which contained products that had peanuts in them (oh well, it's my job to read lables, not theirs)

on the connecting flight, they forgot about the allergy even though i told them and served peanuts. luckily my son is not severely allergic to the aroma because i couldn't believe how much the plane was filled with the peanut smell. my husband looked at me from across the aisle where he was sitting with a really worried look but luckily my son was ok.

it was scary though.

 

[NotUrsula]

Anne, if you join their loyalty clubs, most of the hotel chains that are going to the "deluxe bedding" model allow you to specify that you cannot have down in the bedding. I know that there is a space for that in the Starwood profile form.

It's usually good to make sure in advance, though, as they might not have any extra fiberfill pillows available when you arrive, especially if it's late. DH has the same problem, which is how I know that they will accomodate it.

 

[ducklite]

Not Ursula,

Thanks for the info about Starwood. I am a Starwood member, but never thought to change the profile online. My online profile for Fairmont specifies no down, and I've had mixed results.

I called the Swan a month ago because DH and I are making a weekend trip to the WDW area in a few weeks, and I couldn't find anythin "reasonable" at a WDW resort. The Swan had a nice rate, but wouldn't agree to have everything down out of the room when we arrived (which at the time we were thinkin was going to be around midnight.) I wasn't willing to have to wait for an hour or so after we checked in to have to room ready to enter at that time of night. We ended up booking the DTD Hilton for under $100!

Anne

 

[MrsJ Henry]

I also thought that there were no longer peanuts on flights. The last few flights I have been on with USAIR I have been served a pretzel mix.
I was also reading something the other day that said that when flying and taking snacks on flights people should always stay away from bringing peanuts due to people's allergies.
I know that people bring on sancks for their young children etc... but I'm sure people could just think of other things a head of time instead of bringing peanut butter and Jelly sandwiches just in case.....
Nice to know though..... This is not something that I have ever thought about until reading about it lately. Now i can be more aware and prepared!!

 

[PB'sMOM]

I flew NWA out of Flint/Detroit last Dec.-the flight staff said they do not serve peanuts anymore due to allergies.
I flew Air Tran this past April-they served a cookie one way and pretzels on the return.