USAIR and Peanut Allergy..

[clanmcculloch]

You (general you) really should ask the GATE agents. Once people are on the plane, it is too late for them get another snack. If the announcement is made ON the plane, and my snack contains peanuts, I'm still going to eat it. If it is made in the gate area, I could buy something to replace it. With a gluten intolerance it is difficult to find "buy on board" food that I can eat - plus it is very expensive.

I fly SWA. There isn't a single gluten free option on the planes (even the peanuts they serve have gluten for some stupid reason). There isn't even anything I can buy for my kids and even the drinks are limitted for us do to other allergies as well as sensory issues (neither of my kids will touch carbonated beverages). It's either water or apple juice and for some reason we haven't yet identified apple juice causes headaches for DD13. Basically, if she can't eat what we've brought then there isn't a single calorie on board that she can consume.

As crashbb said, PLEASE ask the gate agent to make the announcement. It's very unfair to everybody on board to not have the opportunity to get something else to eat for the duration of the flight. Giving prior notice can give people an opportunity to ensure the safety of the person with allergies while not hurting others (yes I said hurting; not having a single bit to eat for the duration of a trip can be dangerous for people with certain health issues). We try to be courious to others with special needs; please do the same for us.

 

[antree]

Thanks everyone, I will stick with SW. USAIR doesn't seem to work for me after hearing and reading about it. We never had a problem with SW, except once. There was peanuts all over the floor. I called my sons Dr., he told me to give him Bendryl, carry him on the plane, sit him on a blanket and wipe everyhting down. SW was great about it. The plane was pretty empty and while they were waiting to load the plane, they started cleaning the floor and allowed me on the plane to help clean an area for him. We go home with no troubles.
They do allow us to preboard with the young childern and announce about the Peanut Allergy. I do clorox wipe the seat and he sits on a sheet from home and gets bendryl before we board. Actually in April of last year we sat across from another family with a Peanut Allergy and she was wiping the seats too, for her DD.

I was looking to try USAir this time, but I'll stick with SW. Thanks for all the responses.

 

[gigi1313]

I'm not sure why all the talk about bleach. But I do have to say I have never heard anyone say they were allergic to many wipes and the very next sentence say they were going to use clorox wipes (knowing it could cause a reaction in someone else).

Clorox residue causes issues as well even the warning label on product states "For surfaces that may come in contact with food, a potable rinse is required. Clorox® Disinfecting Wipes will not harm most surfaces, including acrylic, fiberglass and vinyl. Not recommended for use on unpainted wood.".

Not sure this is the safest option for others or your child who likes to put things in his mouth. As I understand it baby wipes and soap and water (when available) is what is most often suggested to remove peanut protein.

i use the wipes because they keep my oldest son safe... his is a "real" allergy, whereas my "allergy" to most wipes is due to the fragrance and that is not a true allergy but rather a sensitivity (i.e. i get a headache)... i am willing to risk a headache to keep my son safe... and most people that are "allergic" to wipes are not truly allergic (as in life-threatening) but "sensitive" and again, i use the ones w/the least fragrance/"allergens" for just that reason...

for my younger/finger in mouth son, i use his carseat so he's not touching the seat/armrests that were clorox wiped... and for his tray table i follow it w/a baby wipe (carry them too)... hopefully, by the time he outgrows his carseat, he will also have outgrown fingers in his mouth...

hope that clarifies...

 

[gigi1313]

You (general you) really should ask the GATE agents. Once people are on the plane, it is too late for them get another snack. If the announcement is made ON the plane, and my snack contains peanuts, I'm still going to eat it. If it is made in the gate area, I could buy something to replace it. With a gluten intolerance it is difficult to find "buy on board" food that I can eat - plus it is very expensive.

i have asked gate agents more than once and they say "we don't do that" and brush me off... trust me, i do think of my fellow passengers...

 

[livndisney]

i use the wipes because they keep my oldest son safe... his is a "real" allergy, whereas my "allergy" to most wipes is due to the fragrance and that is not a true allergy but rather a sensitivity (i.e. i get a headache)... i am willing to risk a headache to keep my son safe... and most people that are "allergic" to wipes are not truly allergic (as in life-threatening) but "sensitive" and again, i use the ones w/the least fragrance/"allergens" for just that reason...

hope that clarifies...

I am glad that works for you, but there are people that do have life threatening allergic reactions to clorox wipes, not "get a headache, but can't breathe" reactions.

 

[gigi1313]

I am glad that works for you, but there are people that do have life threatening allergic reactions to clorox wipes, not "get a headache, but can't breathe" reactions.

there's no one-size-fits-all solution... i do the best i can for my family... i pre-board, get the area wiped down in record time, bag the wipes in a ziploc baggie, and pray... i expect that others will do the best they can for theirs...

i have also done my best to educate those i meet about food allergies and the issues associated with them... i am unfamiliar w/life-threatening clorox wipe allergies, (perhaps those that are effected should do more to get the word out)... had i ever thought it would cause someone else to go anaphylactic, i would certainly find another option!

 

[crashbb]

i have asked gate agents more than once and they say "we don't do that" and brush me off... trust me, i do think of my fellow passengers...

I understand. Just as, I'm sure, you understand that some of your fellow passengers will have reasons for eating their snacks (even if they contain peanuts), when they are not given proper warning (which, I understand, is not your fault).

I do suggest changing "more than once" to "always".

 

[livndisney]

there's no one-size-fits-all solution... i do the best i can for my family... i pre-board, get the area wiped down in record time, bag the wipes in a ziploc baggie, and pray... i expect that others will do the best they can for theirs...

i have also done my best to educate those i meet about food allergies and the issues associated with them... i am unfamiliar w/life-threatening clorox wipe allergies, (perhaps those that are effected should do more to get the word out)... had i ever thought it would cause someone else to go anaphylactic, i would certainly find another option!

Believe it or not, those affected are trying to get the word out. Peanut allergy families seem to be very resistant to the idea that others have severe reactions,(had one lady scream that I was trying to kill her child). So I thank you for considering others.

 

[Betty Rohrer]

for the ones using wipes please remember to use ones without scents as i have a real allergy to scents. not a headache but lost of breath which could cause an inair change of airports to get me to hospital. found out at work the hard way. not saying to not use wipes but lookout for scentfree in case of others allergy that you want us to do for you, as ours could be just as bad.

 

[antree]

for the ones using wipes please remember to use ones without scents as i have a real allergy to scents. not a headache but lost of breath which could cause an inair change of airports to get me to hospital. found out at work the hard way. not saying to not use wipes but lookout for scentfree in case of others allergy that you want us to do for you, as ours could be just as bad.

I will remember that, I want to keep everyone in mind that has allergies, it's a horrible thing. I can't believe how bad allergies are anymore

 

[livndisney]

I will remember that, I want to keep everyone in mind that has allergies, it's a horrible thing. I can't believe how bad allergies are anymore

Thank you for thinking of others

 

[OrangeCountyCommuter]

Just remember.. you get more flies with honey then vinegar. So DEMANDING the agents do stuff and telling "horror" stories or "threats" (You know walking up to the FA and/or Agent and starting the coverstation with "IF MY CHILD DIES ON THIS FLIGHT IT'S ALL YOUR FAULT") tends to get you LESS cooperation then nice questions and smiles!

And I have seen "hysterical moms" more then once in FULL steam before they even spoke to anyone. If you start out rude and demanding it tends to be counterproductive. Airline employees are abused a lot, they have a high tolerance to ignore hysteria or pointless threats.