Peanuts on a plane

[monsterkitty]

Sometimes I take pistachios instead of peanuts for my snack. I also take a ziplock baggy to put the shells in so I don't leave a mess. I doubt the poster planned to toss shells all over the plane's floor.

I doubt he did as well. However, there is still a mess with unshelled peanuts. The dust and the salt, plus the little pieces of shell that break off and fall.

I'm sorry, but I still cannot imagine taking a 2 lb bag of unshelled peanuts on a plane to eat. I may be a freak, but if the person sitting next to me or behind me was cracking peanuts open the entire flight, it would drive me batty.

 

[TDC Nala]

I would imagine unshelled peanuts would generate peanut dust when opened, should there happen to be someone who has a reaction to peanut dust onboard. If there's an announcement to that effect you may wish to leave the peanuts in the bag.

For myself, would have never occurred to me to bring a 2 lb bag of unshelled peanuts to eat on a plane. I like plane snacks to require less effort.

 

[NYDisneyKid]

I doubt he did as well. However, there is still a mess with unshelled peanuts. The dust and the salt, plus the little pieces of shell that break off and fall.

I'm sorry, but I still cannot imagine taking a 2 lb bag of unshelled peanuts on a plane to eat.

I never said I was going to eat them,,,just taking them to Ohio with me to a movie convention.

 

[design_mom]

I never said I was going to eat them,,,just taking them to Ohio with me to a movie convention.

We have six Five Guys Burgers and Fries locations in/around Columbus, wouldn't it be easier just to buy them here? (I assumed from your earlier post you were planning to get them in Columbus and take them home.)

 

[pilotwife_02]

The problem is almonds or cashews might be packaged in a facility that also processes peanuts. Some people are so sensitive that cross contamination is an issue.

The major issue is peanut dust and touching peanut. PB sandwiches aren't generally an issue.

Ok, I usually don't get involved in these types of threads because they get so heated, but I have a question about this; you said these could be packaged in a facility that also processes peanuts. Couldn't this occur with other snacks too?

I am careful not to bring peanuts on the plane, but I'm sure that the snacks I do bring have been processed in plants that may have cross contamination. Do I have to look for this on the package and now make sure I only buy snacks that aren't? I'm not trying to be rude, just honestly trying to figure out how far I have to go to avoid peanut dust, etc. in the snack I bring for my kids on the plane.

Thanks!

 

[NYDisneyKid]

We have six Five Guys Burgers and Fries locations in/around Columbus, wouldn't it be easier just to buy them here? (I assumed from your earlier post you were planning to get them in Columbus and take them home.)

nope,,,no car,,,flying in and hotel is picking up guests from the airport. i also i said im in fl and taking the peanuts from here to ohio,,not vise-versa.

 

[hildarumpole]

Ok, I usually don't get involved in these types of threads because they get so heated, but I have a question about this; you said these could be packaged in a facility that also processes peanuts. Couldn't this occur with other snacks too?

I am careful not to bring peanuts on the plane, but I'm sure that the snacks I do bring have been processed in plants that may have cross contamination. Do I have to look for this on the package and now make sure I only buy snacks that aren't? I'm not trying to be rude, just honestly trying to figure out how far I have to go to avoid peanut dust, etc. in the snack I bring for my kids on the plane.

Thanks!

The cross contamination or may contain warnings are for allergy sufferers to be aware of a potential risk if they ingest the food. If during processing a chocolate chip cookie got some tiny amount of peanut dust in it, it's not going to create an airborne risk throughout the plane. Don't worry about the cross contamination warnings when choosing snacks for your kids. It will drive you batty. We recently came across bubble gum with a warning. Of course, I didn't buy it for my kids, but would never dream of telling a fellow plane passenger they couldn't chew the gum.

Thank you for asking.

 

[Brian Noble]

Am I the only one thinking that Lewis Robinson's Peanut Butter & Jelly gun would make for interesting conversation on an airplane?

 

[Carriemel]

My take on the peanut situation is this: There's ALWAYS a chance for some cross-contamination.

This might be a bit of a far-fetched example, but...here goes. You've got a passenger who's just had a peanut butter sandwich chased with a bag of roasted, salted in-the-shell peanuts. They've touched their carry-on bag, ALL over it, with peanutty-residued hands. That bag goes up in the overhead where the peanut-allergic person's bag is. Residue gets on that bag.

Same thing with animal dander. Lots of people with cats or long-hair dogs will have the fur stick to the outside of their bags. Even if the critters aren't traveling, they're still going to be "going with" the passenger. I've met people with such severe cat allergies that even being in the general area with a cat or cat fur could start their allergic reaction.

So, what I guess I'm trying to say is, you can't ever be sure of no cross-contamination even if a flight is "peanut-free" or "animal-free".

 

[pnutallergymom]

As a mom to a child who has a peanut allergy, I don't expect everyone around me or my son not to eat peanut butter, peanuts etc.....We make sure that we alert SW of the allergy when we purchase our tickets, and we also let them know when we check in. I also let the gate agent know when I get to the gate so that they can make the decision or not whether to announce they would prefer you to not have peanuts on the flight or not and also to see whether they are going to serve the peanuts as a snack or offer an alternative. For the record, I don't ever recall SW announcing it in the terminal to allow others a choice to get another snack....that is a good idea, but as some others have said, there are so many allergies to everything that its kind of hard to discriminate against one and not the other.

I do preboard with my son and generally if I had my choice would like the front row so as not to subject him to being in the middle of people, I feel it lessens our risk, but that isn't always able to happen either.

I understand how sensitive people can be about the subject and I don't believe that I can MAKE you not eat your peanuts or peanut products, but if you make that choice, would you at least have the courtesy to let that passenger or his/her parent know that you are going to eat them if you know who they are at least. Or could you let the FA know so they can alert the passenger? I would encourage this for all allergies, not just peanuts. I completely understand that there are life threatening allergies to many other things not just peanuts.

I make it a point to let the people in the neighboring rows know that my son has an allergy and just ask them nicely if they could just let me know that they are going to choose to eat their peanut product anyways. That way, if I see them go to the bathroom, etc, I will be extra diligent in wiping down the handles etc. I would probably have my son use purell to wash his hands rather than use the sink etc.

As some others have said, its just courtesy. My son's allergy is extremely severe, but I haven't raised him in the "no peanut bubble". I can't be around to protect him 24/7 for the rest of his life. He needs to learn to deal with his allergy himself. BTW, he is 6. He is not in a peanut-free classroom. We even have peanuts/PB in our house. My older daughter LOVES it. She just knows that anytime she eats it, she lets me know. She washes up really well afterwards, and then I wash everything down that she came in contact with. My allergic child will usually go in the other room when she is eating.....unfortunately, I can't put him in another room while on a plane. It would just be nice if I had the "heads up" if someone is eating something that may be an issue for my child. I tend to do this everywhere we go. I always ask if someone is allergic if we are going to be eating food outside of our house. As I said, I don't expect the world to cater to me or my child's allergies.....that's not fair, but if you are made aware of it and make a choice to eat it (food), use it (disinfectant wipes as a PP said they are allergic to) just let others know around you.

 

[goofy4tink]

As a mom to a child who has a peanut allergy, I don't expect everyone around me or my son not to eat peanut butter, peanuts etc.....We make sure that we alert SW of the allergy when we purchase our tickets, and we also let them know when we check in. I also let the gate agent know when I get to the gate so that they can make the decision or not whether to announce they would prefer you to not have peanuts on the flight or not and also to see whether they are going to serve the peanuts as a snack or offer an alternative. For the record, I don't ever recall SW announcing it in the terminal to allow others a choice to get another snack....that is a good idea, but as some others have said, there are so many allergies to everything that its kind of hard to discriminate against one and not the other.

I do preboard with my son and generally if I had my choice would like the front row so as not to subject him to being in the middle of people, I feel it lessens our risk, but that isn't always able to happen either.

I understand how sensitive people can be about the subject and I don't believe that I can MAKE you not eat your peanuts or peanut products, but if you make that choice, would you at least have the courtesy to let that passenger or his/her parent know that you are going to eat them if you know who they are at least. Or could you let the FA know so they can alert the passenger? I would encourage this for all allergies, not just peanuts. I completely understand that there are life threatening allergies to many other things not just peanuts.

I make it a point to let the people in the neighboring rows know that my son has an allergy and just ask them nicely if they could just let me know that they are going to choose to eat their peanut product anyways. That way, if I see them go to the bathroom, etc, I will be extra diligent in wiping down the handles etc. I would probably have my son use purell to wash his hands rather than use the sink etc.

As some others have said, its just courtesy. My son's allergy is extremely severe, but I haven't raised him in the "no peanut bubble". I can't be around to protect him 24/7 for the rest of his life. He needs to learn to deal with his allergy himself. BTW, he is 6. He is not in a peanut-free classroom. We even have peanuts/PB in our house. My older daughter LOVES it. She just knows that anytime she eats it, she lets me know. She washes up really well afterwards, and then I wash everything down that she came in contact with. My allergic child will usually go in the other room when she is eating.....unfortunately, I can't put him in another room while on a plane. It would just be nice if I had the "heads up" if someone is eating something that may be an issue for my child. I tend to do this everywhere we go. I always ask if someone is allergic if we are going to be eating food outside of our house. As I said, I don't expect the world to cater to me or my child's allergies.....that's not fair, but if you are made aware of it and make a choice to eat it (food), use it (disinfectant wipes as a PP said they are allergic to) just let others know around you.

All I can say is 'Thankyou'. What a terrific attitude to be raising your son with. He is going to be much better off because of it.

Everyone needs to take some personal responsibility. I no longer bring peanut butter or peanut products with my when flying. I bring other snacks. But, I have to tell you...I've been seated behind someone who must have showered in cologne/perfume that morning! My sinuses stuffed up within 10 mins...I spent the flight not being able to breathe properly and my ears killed me because of it. Would be nice if people considered those around them when flying.....especially when deciding what to bring to eat while on board or whether or not to wear cologne. There are many types of 'irritants' out there.

 

[bellebookworm9]

Everyone needs to take some personal responsibility. I no longer bring peanut butter or peanut products with my when flying. I bring other snacks. But, I have to tell you...I've been seated behind someone who must have showered in cologne/perfume that morning! My sinuses stuffed up within 10 mins...I spent the flight not being able to breathe properly and my ears killed me because of it. Would be nice if people considered those around them when flying.....especially when deciding what to bring to eat while on board or whether or not to wear cologne. There are many types of 'irritants' out there.

Oh my gosh, I didn't even think of cologne or perfume! I am not anaphylactically allergic to it, but it does make me sneezy and my eyes itchy. Bath & Body Works is not a fun experience.

If I knew there was someone with a peanut allergy, I absolutely wouldn't eat them on the plane. We plan on eating in the terminal before we get on the plane, and then eat whatever snacks Southwest serves us. (I think the last trip was peanuts, and possibly pretzels, maybe cheesy crackers?).

On another note, my mom has an anaphylactic reaction, though we're not sure to what. We think it might be latex, so does anyone know if latex/vinyl gloves are used on planes, if at all? She will definitely be bringing at least two epipens with her.

 

[goofy4tink]

Oh my gosh, I didn't even think of cologne or perfume! I am not anaphylactically allergic to it, but it does make me sneezy and my eyes itchy. Bath & Body Works is not a fun experience.

If I knew there was someone with a peanut allergy, I absolutely wouldn't eat them on the plane. We plan on eating in the terminal before we get on the plane, and then eat whatever snacks Southwest serves us. (I think the last trip was peanuts, and possibly pretzels, maybe cheesy crackers?).

On another note, my mom has an anaphylactic reaction, though we're not sure to what. We think it might be latex, so does anyone know if latex/vinyl gloves are used on planes, if at all? She will definitely be bringing at least two epipens with her.

Most of the time when they flight attendants are walking through the plane, picking up trash, they do have gloved hands. Not sure if they are latex or not though.

 

[pickles]

I wish everyone thought like you..be responsible for yourself and be courteous to those around. What a great way to be

I dont mind being courteous to folks. At the same time I resent them taking nuts off of salad bars or buffets etc.. and preventing me from having nuts because someone with an allergy may be there.
I think people deserve to be alerted to certain situations..ie "we have nuts on our buffets or in this specific location" so they can take precautions needed to keep themselves safe.

and if we are in a situation like an airplane where you cant get away from peanut dust or something and it may harm or kill you, i am happy to forgo eating peanuts to keep you safe

I said this in a post I had started about Peanut allergies and flying...

I have a severe allergy to peanuts (if I touch something that has peanut residue and than eat something, it can kill me) but here's my opinion..

1) I don't care if you bring peanuts/peanut butter....but is it that hard to have a backup snack instead...it's that simple...if your are so selfish that you refuse to NOT consume penauts for a few hours...well...that says something else about you

2) If you do eat peanuts/peanut butter....wipe your hands. Take a couple of those handy dandy wipes with you in your purse and wipe your hands when you're done (and no one go on about the chemicals etc....they make ones that are NOT anitbacterial wipes so they don't contain those chemicals...go to whole foods and look...believe me i know...I am severely allergic to many chemicals and scents)

3) This is for those who ARE allergic to peanuts....take responsibility for your own allergy. As great as it would be for the entire world to care about your allergy, believe me, there are people who don't give a rats behind about whether or not something could kill you. If you have a penaut allergy, alert the airline. Bring your own wipes to wipe down your seat and for petes sake make sure you have benedryl adn an epi pen for EVERY 15 MINUTES you might need it!!

This is a situation where the people WITH the allergy have to be smart enough to know that no one else is looking out for them but themselves BUT, other people should be able to be understanding enough for a few hours to refrain from eating peanut products.

For the record, I only fly SWA, Jetblue adn Virgin America.

Jetblue does not serve peanuts at all and will make an announcement in the terminal before boarding (at least they have when I have flown)

Virgin America will refrain from selling anything that has peanuts in it and will also make an anouncement in the terminal before boarding.

SWA has very specific procedures about this. They require you to let them know when you make the reservation or when you check in (on the reservation online it has a place to check off peanut dust allergy). They give you a boarding card when you check in that says peanut dust allergy and you give that to the FA when you board and they take all peanuts off the plane. They have also always made an anouncement in the boarding area on my flights.

Also, on all 3 airlines, you are eligible to pre board so that you can wipe down your seats, tray table, etc before the mass boarding.

I fly on average 4 RT flights per year. I carry benedryl AND my epi pens with me. The number of epi pens i take depends on teh length of the flight. My allergist says you give an epi pen injection eveyr fifteen minutes after a reaction and she advises me to have enough epi pens for 1 1/2 to 2 hours when flying cross country (so I carry at least 6-8 epi pens with me...usually 8-10 because I just like to be extremely prepared like that..lol)

For me, the bigger concern is kids and peanut butter. I have been on so many flights where parents let their kids run up adn down the aisles touching everything. That's where the wipes are very useful.

And before anyone else says anything about being exposed to peanuts everyday, etc, etc. I know that. I dont live in a bubble. I odn't live in fear eveyrday that I'm going to touch something that will kill me. BUT, it is different when you are in a confined space 35,000 feet above the ground with no immediate access to medical care. I always fly extremely prepared BUT anything is possible and I know that when I get on a plane. I'm 20...I know about personal responisibility and that the only way I can ensure nothing will happen is to take care of myself but there are people who make that very very hard no matter how much I try.

 

[Fire14]

Most of the time when they flight attendants are walking through the plane, picking up trash, they do have gloved hands. Not sure if they are latex or not though.

Last flight I took they wore vinyl but a call to SWA CS may not n bad idea just to b safe.

 

[bellebookworm9]

Last flight I took they wore vinyl but a call to SWA CS may not n bad idea just to b safe.

I sent them an e-mail. However, when I called my mom she said it might not be the vinyl, it might be the powder in the gloves, because they have that in some vinyl gloves, and she's had a reaction that way. However, she doesn't think FAs would wear powdered gloves because that could get messy.

 

[Hannathy]

I sent them an e-mail. However, when I called my mom she said it might not be the vinyl, it might be the powder in the gloves, because they have that in some vinyl gloves, and she's had a reaction that way. However, she doesn't think FAs would wear powdered gloves because that could get messy.

The powder in gloves is just that in the gloves so they are easier to put on. I'm confused why the FA's wearing gloves to pick up trash would effect your Mom? Just don't touch the FA's hands and don't hand them any trash. seems pretty simple to me.

 

[bellebookworm9]

The powder in gloves is just that in the gloves so they are easier to put on. I'm confused why the FA's wearing gloves to pick up trash would effect your Mom? Just don't touch the FA's hands and don't hand them any trash. seems pretty simple to me.

It may or may not affect her, but I think it's better to be safe than sorry. I'd rather have her not almost die like she did once before. And no, I'm not exaggerating. But say they pick up trash off her tray and some of the powder has gotten out of the glove and nobody realizes it, she accidentally touches the powder that gets on the tray, she touches her face and then her eyes swell up so she can't see, her throat closes so she can't breathe, and we're 30,000 feet in the air. KWIM? Granted she always has benydryl, prednisone, and at least 2 epipens with her at all times, but I'm just taking the precautions.

 

[dioxide45]

good because i want to bring a good size bag of them (like a couple pounds). i get them from 5 guys burgers and fries,,,love em

This will be kind of messy, won't it. Five Guys Peanuts are still in the shell. How can you shuck em and eat em without spilling shells everywhere just like the floor in Five Guys?