Waiting to board our plane and....

[kaytieeldr]

However, if it were restated by the onboard crew members (and the regulations say "crewmembers") like on the Ryanair flight, it could be. Anyone trying to split hairs on that might not find a amenable flight crew, especially if they see the offending foodstuff. And if they see it then give a direct order to put it away that is ignored, that could definitely be "interference with a crewmember" as stated in the law and regulations.

But again, with nobody in this discussion having been on that flight, there's no way to know if it was a request ("Please dont…" or "We ask that..."), or if was a direct order.

As for the recirculation of the air - it may not even be very critical. The fact is that the cabin is an environment with a lot of swirling air. I noted over a hundred little jets of air from those little nozzles plus other sources causing air to swirl around. It's not exactly the best environment to ensure that air from one section doesn't reach the rest of the cabin. If the air system were really that effective at trapping allergens, then that four year old girl wouldn't have passed out and needed an adrenaline shot.

Those little jets blow from ceiling to floor - top to bottom - so while it's likely the air jets in those couple of rows,were directed in such a way to send the peanut dust to the victim, it's unlikely one person opening a bag of peanuts a distance from an allergy sufferer wojld have any effect.

Of course a lot of things are simplified. However, I don't get the attitude among some here that instructions from airline crewmembers are basically optional at the individual passenger's discretion.

Depends how it's stated.

The guy was four rows back. Who's to say the same thing wouldn't have happened had he been eight rows back or even twelve? The flow of air in a cabin isn't exactly like a range hood over a stove sucking in air directly away from the surface. It's blowing air from hundreds of little ports, hitting seats/passengers, and probably scattering air all throughout the cabin.

See above.

To the person talking about peanut butter crackers as a "need" for diabetics - no, it isn't a need. Cheese can be used just as easily. Usually we recommend a complex carb and a protein for someone with low blood sugar. There are other options.

The person in question carries peanut butter crackers in case of hyperglycemic emergency. She's probably not comfortable carrying around string cheese until some incident. Advance notice of a PB prohibition would allow her to bring a different food.

 

[mondragon]

Then I'd fully expect people with peanut allergies to stick to those airlines and help themselves... But I feel like my expectation is too great.

I don't see many instances when a flight for a child would be absolutely necessary.

So my nephew who is on a heart transplant wait list and who has many allergies like nuts should not be able to fly from Washington to Houston to see a pediatric cardiac specialist once a month because you need your precious peanuts. They notify the airlines before they go that he has allergies. They accomidate him by using special seat covers and not serving nuts on the plane. But you really need to bring your mixed nuts on the plane even though they announce no nuts to be brought on the flight so screw Him and his bad heart. I can't wait till the day they ban all nuts from the airlines and stop selling them at the airports. I hope you never have to experience having to care for a very ill child.

 

[kaytieeldr]

I just can't believe how people can be so rude. I would never think of taking anything on a plane with any kind of peanuts or nuts knowing how many people are allergic to nuts.

About 1% of the U.S. population http://www.peanutallergy.com/statistics-and-facts.html

 

[ashley0139]

So my nephew who is on a heart transplant wait list and who has many allergies like nuts should not be able to fly from Washington to Houston to see a pediatric cardiac specialist once a month because you need your precious peanuts. They notify the airlines before they go that he has allergies. They accomidate him by using special seat covers and not serving nuts on the plane. But you really need to bring your mixed nuts on the plane even though they announce no nuts to be brought on the flight so screw Him and his bad heart. I can't wait till the day they ban all nuts from the airlines and stop selling them at the airports. I hope you never have to experience having to care for a very ill child.

Give it a rest with the dramatics. Almost everyone on this thread has stated that they would not eat the nuts on a plane if asked not to. Very VERY few people are at the extreme end of either spectrum (will die if someone eats a Reese's cup in the vicinity or will die if they don't eat that peanut butter cracker this second). The discussion has been about whether airlines should/are able to give notice ahead of time.

 

[Disneylover99]

And that is a lovely thing to do. But it's still unrealistic to think that 100% of the adults/children on any given flight will obediently comply with a peanut ban. Will most? I think so. But it really has to be assumed at least one or a few passengers will go ahead and eat peanut products of some type. Not everyone is gracious and kind, and some really don't understand the possible danger. So the decision to fly is a matter of the adult or parent deciding whether the potential risk is worth it to them or their child.

Sure. I agree. Not everyone will be compliant. But I would imagine the risk would be reduced significantly if most people on the plane were compliant. People with peanut allergies face potential exposure everyday. I would certainly be compliant on an airplane.

 

[eliza61]

Hey is it just peanuts? or is any nut a problem? pistachios are actually one of my favorite foods when flying.

 

[DisneyLuver2013]

So it's ok to put a child into respiratory distress because mom needs her peanut butter crackers. What a selfish thing to say.

What an arrogant thing to say. Hypoglycemia, or low blood sugar, can cause a whole range of symptoms in a Diabetic, including (but not limited to): blackout, heart palpitations, confusion, anxiety, excess sweating, excessive hunger, fainting, fatigue, lightheadedness, nausea, and shakiness.


So what are you saying? This poster's mom should suffer the above symptoms just because the person with the peanut allergy/airline decided not to let the other passengers know until the last minute?

You're right, there is someone acting selfish here, but it surely isn't this poster's mom....

 

[Bluestars]

I don't get how a person can't go without eating peanut products for the duration of a flight. It's not of a big deal. I wouldn't hesitate to go peanut-free for a flight if someone had an allergy. Geez. It's only food and not like there aren't ANY other options other than peanut products.

 

[bcla]

What an arrogant thing to say. Hypoglycemia, or low blood sugar, can cause a whole range of symptoms in a Diabetic, including (but not limited to): blackout, heart palpitations, confusion, anxiety, excess sweating, excessive hunger, fainting, fatigue, lightheadedness, nausea, and shakiness.


So what are you saying? This poster's mom should suffer the above symptoms just because the person with the peanut allergy/airline decided not to let the other passengers know until the last minute?

You're right, there is someone acting selfish here, but it surely isn't this poster's mom....

Uh - it's not an either or. There are always alternatives for someone preparing for low blood sugar. I don't even get why peanuts are so special when it comes to treating hypoglycemia.

Maybe buy whatever snacks are available on the flight, or even request it from the flight attendants (that was buried somewhere in this thread). I've taken a flight recently, and they had sodas and juice. I remember my wife had gestational diabetes while she was pregnant. She wasn't on insulin, but was on a common medication to control blood sugar. She was given glucose tablets just in case she went hypoglycemic from too much of the medication. So why wouldn't someone worried about hypoglycemia carry glucose tablets?

 

[CanBeGrumpy]

I think advance notice would be a great idea! Southwest is able to notify me if my flight will have wifi available; it seems that they should be able to notify people if they should avoid bringing peanuts. I have a child with a peanut allergy, and I'd just like to note that WE do not have an issue with people who bring their own peanut snacks on board. The AIRLINE makes that announcement. We really only want to avoid the serving of peanuts by the airline, since it is a little nerve-wracking to think that over a hundred little bags of peanut are going to be opened in an enclosed space! Now, if it happened that every single passenger brought on their own peanuts, well, that would be scary! But I've never seen that happen.

So, before anyone goes blaming the families of the allergic people, please know that the announcements made by the airlines do not necessarily reflect the desire of the allergic person! In fact, my son, who is the kindest person I've ever met, is mortified at the thought that anyone would be inconvenienced in order to help him out. He absolutely hates it, but I tell him it is better for a passenger to be inconvenienced by eating pretzels rather than peanuts than to be inconvenienced by an emergency landing!

 

[aaarcher86]

So my nephew who is on a heart transplant wait list and who has many allergies like nuts should not be able to fly from Washington to Houston to see a pediatric cardiac specialist once a month because you need your precious peanuts. They notify the airlines before they go that he has allergies. They accomidate him by using special seat covers and not serving nuts on the plane. But you really need to bring your mixed nuts on the plane even though they announce no nuts to be brought on the flight so screw Him and his bad heart. I can't wait till the day they ban all nuts from the airlines and stop selling them at the airports. I hope you never have to experience having to care for a very ill child.

"I don't see many instances" must mean something different to you then the rest of us.

Is it safe to assume they seek out airlines that don't serve peanuts in the first place? If they're eagerly allowing dogs, cats, pigs, and turtles in the airplanes without regard for severe allergies I doubt they'll go totally peanut free in an airport.

 

[DisneyLuver2013]

Uh - it's not an either or. There are always alternatives for someone preparing for low blood sugar. I don't even get why peanuts are so special when it comes to treating hypoglycemia.

Maybe buy whatever snacks are available on the flight, or even request it from the flight attendants (that was buried somewhere in this thread). I've taken a flight recently, and they had sodas and juice. I remember my wife had gestational diabetes while she was pregnant. She wasn't on insulin, but was on a common medication to control blood sugar. She was given glucose tablets just in case she went hypoglycemic from too much of the medication. So why wouldn't someone worried about hypoglycemia carry glucose tablets?

So because this announcement was sprung on them at the last minute before boarding (or in one case - taxing down the runway), they are now forced to purchase airline food/drinks? Seems fair.

Not everyone carries hypoglycemia tablets. Some people prefer peanut crackers, some people prefer cheese crackers, some people prefer Smarties, etc. It's what someone carries with them in their everyday life. So you're saying a diabetic shouldn't use what they prefer just on the off chance that someone in their general vicinity is allergic to it?

 

[acebatonfan]

What an arrogant thing to say. Hypoglycemia, or low blood sugar, can cause a whole range of symptoms in a Diabetic, including (but not limited to): blackout, heart palpitations, confusion, anxiety, excess sweating, excessive hunger, fainting, fatigue, lightheadedness, nausea, and shakiness.


So what are you saying? This poster's mom should suffer the above symptoms just because the person with the peanut allergy/airline decided not to let the other passengers know until the last minute?

You're right, there is someone acting selfish here, but it surely isn't this poster's mom....

But the number one treatment for hypoglycemia caused by diabetes and its associated treatment is a source of sugar with minimal fat or protein (peanuts are not a good option -the fat content in the peanuts and minimal net carbohydrates would take forever to bring up my BG. It's why diabetes educators don't recommend eating chocolate to treat lows). Most of the time, the treatment I use for hypoglycemia is peanut free, so I have very few fears about not being able to treat a low because of peanut allergies.

I keep a protein bar that has peanut butter in it and almonds with me as a post-hypoglycemia snack (the fat and protein in nuts help to prevent rebound lows) or for times when I know I need to eat something or I risk going low. They're portable, they don't need to be refrigerated, and they work well for my diabetes. I don't see how I could carry eggs and cheese with me (I would be afraid of food poisoning and lows caused by that), and bagels with cream cheese will send me in to the 300s in under an hour. Please tell me if you have any ideas on portable foods that would meet TSA's guidelines, don't need to be refrigerated, and aren't peanuts -I'm completely lost and would love to find more stuff to carry in my purse.

Would I be frustrated if I were on this flight and received such a short notice about the flight being peanut free? You bet. If I had the time to get a different snack, there would be no issues. Would I willingly eat the peanut/almond-containing snacks I keep with me while on that flight? No, but I would gladly appreciate it if the airline would give me an approved snack instead.

 

[Erin1700]

As a mom of a kid with a severe peanut allergy, thank you to those who are so understanding.
Here is what we do: We rarely fly and the yearly trip to see Mickey Mouse is the longest 2 1/2 hours each way of my life. We board early and wipe down EVERYTHING! We ask that they don't serve peanuts on the plane during our flight. I visually scan the people around us during the entire flight and move his seat if needed.
We don't ask them to make the announcement for no one to eat peanuts because you can't be sure everyone will listen. Besides that, I pray. And pray!

 

[eliza61]

Is it me or does it seem rather ironic that everyone else is supposed to make pre arrangements, buy other stuff etc etc but the same is not expected of the parent of the medically ill person??

Next question what do you do if someone simply goes ahead and eats a p and j sandwich?? try and get them thrown off?

 

[DisneyLuver2013]

Is it me or does it seem rather ironic that everyone else is supposed to make pre arrangements, buy other stuff etc etc but the same is not expected of the parent of the medically ill person??

Nope, not just you!

 

[bcla]

So because this announcement was sprung on them at the last minute before boarding (or in one case - taxing down the runway), they are now forced to purchase airline food/drinks? Seems fair.

Not everyone carries hypoglycemia tablets. Some people prefer peanut crackers, some people prefer cheese crackers, some people prefer Smarties, etc. It's what someone carries with them in their everyday life. So you're saying a diabetic shouldn't use what they prefer just on the off chance that someone in their general vicinity is allergic to it?

Well - what's the choice? Spend $6, ask the flight crew if maybe they can do something as a medical necessity, or just put someone else's health at risk? There are a lot of things I prefer in life, but I may remove an option temporarily if the situation warrants it. It's not as if one life threatening condition is superior to another. However, it's a stupid argument to say that peanuts are the only solution. Why only carry one type of food? Also, an airline will make a reasonable accommodations for the sake of everyone's health. Is it really fair to put someone else's life at risk when the alternative is simply to spend a little money or simply ask the flight crew for food as a medical accommodation?

It's not as if a person can shut down a food allergy. However, it is within one's capability to buy something else or simply ask if too cheap to pay a few bucks.

 

[sam_gordon]

So my nephew who is on a heart transplant wait list and who has many allergies like nuts should not be able to fly from Washington to Houston to see a pediatric cardiac specialist once a month because you need your precious peanuts. They notify the airlines before they go that he has allergies. They accomidate him by using special seat covers and not serving nuts on the plane. But you really need to bring your mixed nuts on the plane even though they announce no nuts to be brought on the flight so screw Him and his bad heart. I can't wait till the day they ban all nuts from the airlines and stop selling them at the airports. I hope you never have to experience having to care for a very ill child.

Will you please show where anyone on here has said they would ignore the request?

Regarding the bolded, I hope you're not seriously suggesting someone throw out the snack/meal they've purchased before getting on the plane.

Personally, I think you'll be waiting an EXTREMELY long time before nuts are banned from all airlines and they're not sold at airports.

 

[sam_gordon]

Well - what's the choice? Spend $6, ask the flight crew if maybe they can do something as a medical necessity, or just put someone else's health at risk? There are a lot of things I prefer in life, but I may remove an option temporarily if the situation warrants it. It's not as if one life threatening condition is superior to another. However, it's a stupid argument to say that peanuts are the only solution. Why only carry one type of food? Also, an airline will make a reasonable accommodations for the sake of everyone's health. Is it really fair to put someone else's life at risk when the alternative is simply to spend a little money or simply ask the flight crew for food as a medical accommodation?

It's not as if a person can shut down a food allergy. However, it is within one's capability to buy something else or simply ask if too cheap to pay a few bucks.

If it's so cheap (and have you looked at the cost of airport food recently? ), why shouldn't the family asking for the accommodation be willing to purchase it for someone? Sounds like a small price to pay for the health of their child.

 

[bcla]

But the number one treatment for hypoglycemia caused by diabetes and its associated treatment is a source of sugar with minimal fat or protein (peanuts are not a good option -the fat content in the peanuts and minimal net carbohydrates would take forever to bring up my BG. It's why diabetes educators don't recommend eating chocolate to treat lows). Most of the time, the treatment I use for hypoglycemia is peanut free, so I have very few fears about not being able to treat a low because of peanut allergies.

I keep a protein bar that has peanut butter in it and almonds with me as a post-hypoglycemia snack (the fat and protein in nuts help to prevent rebound lows) or for times when I know I need to eat something or I risk going low. They're portable, they don't need to be refrigerated, and they work well for my diabetes. I don't see how I could carry eggs and cheese with me (I would be afraid of food poisoning and lows caused by that), and bagels with cream cheese will send me in to the 300s in under an hour. Please tell me if you have any ideas on portable foods that would meet TSA's guidelines, don't need to be refrigerated, and aren't peanuts -I'm completely lost and would love to find more stuff to carry in my purse.

Would I be frustrated if I were on this flight and received such a short notice about the flight being peanut free? You bet. If I had the time to get a different snack, there would be no issues. Would I willingly eat the peanut/almond-containing snacks I keep with me while on that flight? No, but I would gladly appreciate it if the airline would give me an approved snack instead.

Well - the one thing I've seen on most flights (even these days) is juice and sugary sodas. My wife was instructed to try those if her glucose tablets weren't available.