Waiting to board our plane and....

[sam_gordon]

Severe peanut allergy flights are NOT common. In my 18 years with thousands upon thousands of flights under my belt I had, are you ready -- 2 in my career. That's it!

And yet one poster is pushing for peanuts to be banned on ALL flights. (S)He also claims one airline says peanuts should not only not be eaten, they shouldn't even be taken on the plane.

Another(?) poster pointed out they've never taken their child to the circus because of possible contamination. But they have no problem putting their child in a metal tube 35,000 feet in the air with 150+ total strangers. I just don't understand that logic.

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

Why does the person take a chance with a peanut product when they know it could possibly be forbidden if it is so vital? Peanut bans are becoming more and more common. If I were a diabetic and it was life saving important to have a protein product on hand, you bet I wouldn't be taking the chance that I get to the gate and they say that my peanut product is banned. I would be bringing a safe substitute that I know didn't have a chance of being banned.

In 18,000 flights, fly girl posted she has had all of 2 where no peanuts on the flights occurred.

So why take the chance? Because peanuts aren't outlawed?

If you can suggest and expect that passenger to carry a safe substitute in the very remote odds their flight will be announced peanut free (0.0001 for Fly Girl) at the last minute; would it not be fair to suggest that instead the peanut allergen passenger be REQUIRED to provide more notice since they need to fly peanut free 100% of the time? Their needs negatively impact other people and it is unreasonable to not allow others to have adequate warning to make other preparations.

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

If we are all okay with mandating that people to get injections to keep immune compromised people from becoming sick, I think we can also ban people from eating peanuts to keep those with allergies from dying. I really don't see how this is very different.

You would need to ban the crop entirely. Good luck with that.

 

[fly girl]

How would you know as the plane is accelerating down the runway that you should violate your own safety instructions and captain's request to leave your seat to give a diabetic passenger a cracker?


And no need to worry about me. I wouldn't eat the peanuts. It does not change the absurdity of a poorly handled situation by a passenger with a lethal allergy and an airline. All this talk about "kindness" is slow absurd given the notion that lack of consideration is what creates the problem in the first place.

That's why I said be proactive and talk to the flight attendant at boarding!

And we will come to you ASAP. I've popped out of my jumpseat many of times during takeoff (usually for open overhead bin) and I'd certainly answer a call bell because that's our duty. Yes, I will probably give you "a look" if it's for a blanket and tell you I'll get one when the seatbelt sign turns off, but I will get you a cracker if your diabetic. But seriously, the diabetic person wouldn't have started to feel ill 5 minutes prior while we were going through the cabin during safety checks?

It's absurd to me why in these rare cases of severe peanut allergy flights all the diabetics are on board too, and all of them came only with peanut butter crackers.

 

[declansdad]

That's why I said be proactive and talk to the flight attendant at boarding!

And we will come to you ASAP. I've popped out of my jumpseat many of times during takeoff (usually for open overhead bin) and I'd certainly answer a call bell because that's our duty. Yes, I will probably give you "a look" if it's for a blanket and tell you I'll get one when the seatbelt sign turns off, but I will get you a cracker if your diabetic. But seriously, the diabetic person wouldn't have started to feel ill 5 minutes prior while we were going through the cabin during safety checks?

It's absurd to me why in these rare cases of severe peanut allergy flights all the diabetics are on board too, and all of them came only with peanut butter crackers.

I think you are missing the point many people have made over the past 22 pages.

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

That's why I said be proactive and talk to the flight attendant at boarding!

And we will come to you ASAP. I've popped out of my jumpseat many of times during takeoff (usually for open overhead bin) and I'd certainly answer a call bell because that's our duty. Yes, I will probably give you "a look" if it's for a blanket and tell you I'll get one when the seatbelt sign turns off, but I will get you a cracker if your diabetic. But seriously, the diabetic person wouldn't have started to feel ill 5 minutes prior while we were going through the cabin during safety checks?

It's absurd to me why in these rare cases of severe peanut allergy flights all the diabetics are on board too, and all of them came only with peanut butter crackers.

What do you have in hand for someone whose blood sugar elevated?

Diabetes is much more common then peanut allergies. It estimated to affect 9% of adults. Worldwide (This doesn't include children.)
http://www.who.int/mediacentre/factsheets/fs312/en/


About 25% of Americans. Granted these are skewed due to Type II. But it does include kids Type I. http://www.diabetes.org/diabetes-basics/statistics/

Contrast that with food/peanut allergy.
6-8% of children and 4% adult.
This does not differentiate to those who are ingested allergic only versus those who are airborne allergic.
http://www.achooallergy.com/allergy-statistics.asp

Odds are, you have a diabetic on almost every flight.

 

[fly girl]

I think you are missing the point many people have made over the past 22 pages.

No, your point is for airlines to advise you beforehand.

Honestly, I don't see it happening but I could be wrong. Given the fact this is a rare occasion IT isn't going to add this as an alert in programming. Second, reroutes happen all the time and your once peanut welcome flight could change in less than an hour.

Airlines know even though it's requested, you will eat peanuts. There putting the request out to lessen the risk for a potential allergic reaction.

 

[fly girl]

What do you have in hand for someone whose blood sugar elevated?

Diabetes is much more common then peanut allergies. It estimated to affect 9% of adults. Worldwide (This doesn't include children.)
http://www.who.int/mediacentre/factsheets/fs312/en/


About 25% of Americans. Granted these are skewed due to Type II. But it does include kids Type I. http://www.diabetes.org/diabetes-basics/statistics/

Contrast that with food/peanut allergy.
6-8% of children and 4% adult.
This does not differentiate to those who are ingested allergic only versus those who are airborne allergic.
http://www.achooallergy.com/allergy-statistics.asp

Odds are, you have a diabetic on almost every flight.

Yes we do! Not doubting that. And I've had illness to low blood sugar on my flight. The person requested OJ and cookies and was monitored the whole flight. Passenger was fine and didn't need medical assistance upon arrival.

 

[declansdad]

No, your point is for airlines to advise you beforehand.

Honestly, I don't see it happening but I could be wrong. Given the fact this is a rare occasion IT isn't going to add this as an alert in programming. Second, reroutes happen all the time and your once peanut welcome flight could change in less than an hour.

Airlines know even though it's requested, you will eat peanuts. There putting the request out to lessen the risk for a potential allergic reaction.

That certainly was one point in the thread but you and others keep going on about a person saying they need PB crackers because of diabetes and that just isn't what was said at all.

 

[fly girl]

Everyone, this isn't commonplace put it in perspective!

Yes, it stinks when it happens. Your nice snack with peanuts you've geared up for was now asked not to be consumed. No one is going to tell the diabetic s/he can't have their crackers to keep from getting ill. No one is telling the guy who has flown on 4 flights with no time he can't have is protein bar. They are simply asking if you can do without, do without!

Yes, we are all sucking it up to help a kid who may or may not really have a severe allergy. Who the hell knows. But for just those few hours make the concession if you can, if you can't then you can't.

 

[fly girl]

That certainly was one point in the thread but you and others keep going on about a person saying they need PB crackers because of diabetes and that just isn't what was said at all.

Please tell me what I'm missing? I'm just responding to the posters who have quoted me and answered their questions. I said "surrender" yesterday (I think page 13) but I will respond to those who have quoted me.

That because of 1, 100+ other people now can't have peanut products for 2 hours? I said in my very first post, it stinks and it's an inconvience but in the scheme of life it's one flight!

 

[MrsDuck]

If my peanut allergy was that bad, I wouldn't be flying.

 

[undertheradar]

Yet again, the easiest and safest scenario for the severely allergic party is to use private transportation. That is the only way to have complete control of exposure, within the passenger cabin. Any other travel means is taking assumed risk.

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

No, your point is for airlines to advise you beforehand.

Honestly, I don't see it happening but I could be wrong. Given the fact this is a rare occasion IT isn't going to add this as an alert in programming. Second, reroutes happen all the time and your once peanut welcome flight could change in less than an hour.

Airlines know even though it's requested, you will eat peanuts. There putting the request out to lessen the risk for a potential allergic reaction.

While it may be impractical, then the best thing to do is to announce that any passengers needing accommodation to see the agent at the gate. Since it is so rare, it would not be cost prohibitive to accommodate any passenger who are unable to adhere to the peanut ban.

Unfortunately, like here--I see them being villainized for their lack of kindness. But all passengers medical needs are important. No need to endanger yourself as a FA at a time when you should not be out of your jump seat.

Accommodations can be the same as for when you ask for volunteers to bump flights if you are unable to meet the passengers dietary needs.

Everybody wins and every body is safe.

 

[aaarcher86]

Yet again, the easiest and safest scenario for the severely allergic party is to use private transportation. That is the only way to have complete control of exposure, within the passenger cabin. Any other travel means is taking assumed risk.

That's just not an option. Instead, let's focus on what 200 other people can do instead.

 

[sam_gordon]

Everyone, this isn't commonplace put it in perspective!

Yes, it stinks when it happens. Your nice snack with peanuts you've geared up for was now asked not to be consumed. No one is going to tell the diabetic s/he can't have their crackers to keep from getting ill. No one is telling the guy who has flown on 4 flights with no time he can't have is protein bar. They are simply asking if you can do without, do without!

Yes, we are all sucking it up to help a kid who may or may not really have a severe allergy. Who the hell knows. But for just those few hours make the concession if you can, if you can't then you can't.

Please tell me what I'm missing? I'm just responding to the posters who have quoted me and answered their questions. I said "surrender" yesterday (I think page 13) but I will respond to those who have quoted me.

That because of 1, 100+ other people now can't have peanut products for 2 hours? I said in my very first post, it stinks and it's an inconvience but in the scheme of life it's one flight!

Haven't most, if not all, posters in this thread said they WOULD give up their peanuts for the flight (if possible)? I will say before reading this thread, it would never cross my mind to ask a flight attendant to "replace" my peanut snack with something that doesn't contain nuts.

I do think it's ridiculous to ask EVERYONE travelling to pack something other than peanuts on the rare possibility they are on a flight with someone allergic to peanuts. I know you didn't say that, but others have.

 

[morgan98]

Haven't most, if not all, posters in this thread said they WOULD give up their peanuts for the flight (if possible)? I will say before reading this thread, it would never cross my mind to ask a flight attendant to "replace" my peanut snack with something that doesn't contain nuts.

I do think it's ridiculous to ask EVERYONE travelling to pack something other than peanuts on the rare possibility they are on a flight with someone allergic to peanuts. I know you didn't say that, but others have.

Yes, who knew until this thread that people are supposed to fly with eggs in a thermos and extra cheese in your purse!

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

Please tell me what I'm missing? I'm just responding to the posters who have quoted me and answered their questions. I said "surrender" yesterday (I think page 13) but I will respond to those who have quoted me.

That because of 1, 100+ other people now can't have peanut products for 2 hours? I said in my very first post, it stinks and it's an inconvience but in the scheme of life it's one flight!

You seem to be erring in the side of "how hard it could be" and downplaying the situation for those folks where it could be a legitimate conflict.

Them being a little inconvenienced is worth someone's life.

Those of is being pegged as selfish and unkind are trying to point out that such attitudes are nothing but guilt trips. Sure, they serve a purpose as someone's life may be at risk. But the ease at which it seems folks are downplaying concerns over whether the accommodations for the peanut allergy passenger are reasonable is what is at issue. This post here even continues with the dismissive nature of the attitudes. ("It's just one flight.")

At least for me.

I WILL bend over backwards and help someone. I have done so for a number of years and will continue to do so. Just don't hose me by waiting until the last minute and use guilt and shame to force my compliance and tell me I should have been better prepared and I should be more kind. That is WRONG and as someone suggested...makes me think the measures may be a bit extreme for the reality for some, but not all people with peanut allergies.


As you said, in your experience,
This accommodation is extremely rare but at some point, you will hit the lottery where you have the needs of multiple passengers in conflict with one another. "It's just one flight" ain't going to cut it from a Customer Service or a safety perspective.

Hope that clears up the reason for disagreement on how things are handled.

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

I had to plan for a several hour hike once for a group of girls that was nut free. We had to have a protein from a safety perspective of the hike as it was a camping trip and the hike included one of their meals.

Do you know how difficult it is to find a protein that does not require refrigeration AND is but free? It is a pain!

We settled on a beef jerky if some kind. Several of the hikers did not like it as it was too spicy. (My kids loved it.) however, if an emergency arose and sustenance was needed, they had it.

Having someone with medical need for protein on hand as a back up, choices are limited for non-perishable once you eliminate peanuts and nuts as an option.

 

[fly girl]

Haven't most, if not all, posters in this thread said they WOULD give up their peanuts for the flight (if possible)? I will say before reading this thread, it would never cross my mind to ask a flight attendant to "replace" my peanut snack with something that doesn't contain nuts.

I do think it's ridiculous to ask EVERYONE travelling to pack something other than peanuts on the rare possibility they are on a flight with someone allergic to peanuts. I know you didn't say that, but others have.

Yes, most people will comply without issue. You can be chapped (just don't yell at your crew because they have no control over it) because yes it's an inconvience, but it beats the alternative to making an emergency landing IMHO. I was referring to asking flight attendants for alternatives for those who needed it for medical purposes, but you'd be amazed at the requests I've received over the years.

I don't think you should always pack an alternative because it is rare. And I also think it's crazy for the family to have to buy everyone a non peanut snack (that one boggled my mind) but everyone has their opinion.