Waiting to board our plane and....

[NHdisneylover]

This thread alone shows you how many people have problems with the accommodation. If you think people don't have an issue with the accommodation regardless of notice, you're mistaken.

Maybe, maybe not. I, myself, feel it is unreasonable to ask that of people without advanced notice.

With notice I am perfectly willing to accommodate. DD had a boy and a girl in her class from grades K-2 who were severely allergic to nuts/peanuts and the girl also fairly allergic, though less severely to eggs. Our family often ate at a steakhouse that did peanut shells on the floor back in those days. I went out and bought my daughter a pair of shoes that she always wore to that restaurant and NEVER to school so that there was no possibility of a piece of shell being tracked in that had gotten stuck in the soles of her shoes. No one asked us to do that, I went over and above because I would not want to put someone at risk. I did lots of other things too (including calling the mother for a good egg free cake recipe so her daughter could eat the birthday cake and my DD's party), etc. That'S how I am and how much I DO care---and I still do not feel it is appropriate to expect a last minute change when you know full well when you book the flight you will be asking for that.

Respect for one another and kindness and compassion needs to go in all directions.

 

[gwynne]

Where do I say that?! No you aren't understanding. I'm addressing this specific OP and thread.

If we were flying I wouldn't think twice about helping to ensure the safety of a fellow passenger, but I do generally care about the well being of others.

I've dealt with Type I diabetes since my DS17 was diagnosed at age 4. I used to carry plenty of snacks (nut and other) for him. He manages on his own now. He is also considerate and empathetic and would never grouse about missing out on peanut butter crackers for someone with a life threatening allergy.

Yes, most of us are kind, empathetic, and willing to help.
I happen to believe not everyone on every plane will do what is "right". I don't see the payoff on risking death due to those who wouldn't comply. It would seem easier and safer to drive.

 

[undertheradar]

Yet the easiest and lowest risk option is for the party with the allergy to travel via personal auto, not a tightly packed plane full of possible peanut exposure. I feel for the person with the allergy but I don't see how taking the risk in the general public becomes the responsibility of everyone else.

 

[fly girl]

What about people with other health issues who have planned ahead and are relying on something with peanuts or nuts to meet their dietary needs? Should their health needs take a backseat and require them to make a last minute scramble or suffer because someone else neglected to provide advance notice of their allergy?

A couple points to consider, a peanut isn't a nut, it's a legume. So if I were to come on board with almonds or pecans they might not affect your peanut allergy in the slightest, but my hummus might present an issue. It's also important to consider the peanut allergy may be quite legitimate and bothersome, but not in fact life threatening. If the dietary and medical concerns of the other passengers can be dismissively discussed as simply the right to eat a NUT, implying they should somehow deal with whatever bothersome effects come from not following their original plan involving eating the nuts, then the non life threatening allergy concerns can be treated just as dismissively, without all of the hyperbole of every peanut allergy being of the life threatening variety.

The plane will have alternative snacks/drinks onboard. Even if the flight wasn't serving, it's in the galley. If you had a health issue (even from lack of food from traveling all day) let the flight attendant know. S/he will get you something to tide you over.

And there are passengers with peanut allergies are onboard all the time. They don't pull it unless it's a severe allergic reaction. This is not an occurrence that happens frequently. I think that is getting lost in the discussion.

 

[NHdisneylover]

That's a slippery slope. There's a disability act and denying someone due to an allergy is going to stir up trouble.

The ADA requires REASONABLE accommodation. I would bet that a court would agree that requiring notice be given is reasonable.

Also, as I noted above, in the one case where the ADA has made comment on conflicting needs, it was to say that the need for a service animal supersedes the need of someone with an allergy to that animal. So, certainly in light of that, the rules could allow for the person with an allergy to have to give advance notice in order to accommodate the legitimate health needs of others who would need to plan around it.

 

[mom2AidanAndEli]

I also think there's the issue of is it really that life threatening or is there a bit of attention seeking going on? No one needs to provide a written doctor's note, just their word. And we all know people who like to exaggerate!!! So little Johnny might have a slight skin reaction if he comes in direct contact with peanut products. Because mommy is afraid for her snowflake, it gets turned into, "Oh, my god. If Johnny is on a plane and someone, anywhere on the plane, even thinks about eating a peanut, Johnny is going to swell up and die before anyone can do anything."

And because there are people like that, we all get frustrated every time we hear the warning. Is it really true this time? Or another overprotective parent? I have to say for myself, I usually assume it's another overprotective parent because I think the really, truly, life-threatening instances are very few and far between.

 

[Dawnlight]

The plane will have alternative snacks/drinks onboard. Even if the flight wasn't serving, it's in the galley. If you had a health issue (even from lack of food from traveling all day) let the flight attendant know. S/he will get you something to tide you over.

A traveler should not rely on this. Not too long ago there was a family with an daughter with autism. She would only eat hot foods and was relying on the airline to accommodate her; the airline did not (according to the mother). People who carry nut snacks for their health needs aren't doing it to stick it to those with allergies. Many have said that they would be able and willing to accommodate with enough advance notice; they should not have to rely on the kindness of the flight attendants due to lack of prior notice.

 

[Bec3b1g]

I am a frequent flyer and have seen my fair share of stupid people doing stupid things on flights. If I had a child with a life threatening peanut allergy, I would never place his/her life in the hands of these people.

If the issue is recirculated air, I would use a mask. If I need to wipe down the seat and seats around my child, then that's what I would do. If bathroom handles aren't safe or walking past people to get to the bathroom isn't safe, then my child even if older would be wearing a diaper. If I do everything I can and still require the assistance of all the passengers on the plane to keep my child alive then I wouldn't fly. Period.

 

[fly girl]

Most of the time, the airline is informed. However, you always have mechanicals, weather delays, and reroutes that change the flights. And of course, you have those who notify at the last minute but that is typically the exception to the rule.

The airline is aware, it comes up on the manifest. It's the airline that doesn't tell you until boarding.

 

[FLCyndi]

I bet you would feel differently if it was your child with the severe allergy. How can you possibly be torn?

This is how feel.

 

[fly girl]

A traveler should not rely on this. Not too long ago there was a family with an daughter with autism. She would only eat hot foods and was relying on the airline to accommodate her; the airline did not (according to the mother). People who carry nut snacks for their health needs aren't doing it to stick it to those with allergies. Many have said that they would be able and willing to accommodate with enough advance notice; they should not have to rely on the kindness of the flight attendants due to lack of prior notice.

Yes, I read about that. They tried buying her hot food in the concourse but she refused. The passengers were in coach and the mom asked for a hot meal from first class. The flight attendant didn't have any extra meals as they are only boarded for the seats in FC. They had plenty of other options. I agree, they should've accommodated earlier.

However, if you are having low sugar levels, OJ or other snacks onboard will be at the ready. A diabetic doesn't need a hot meal to retain sugar levels.

 

[Art 1]

Those people need to either fly in a private jet, drive, all stay home or leave junior at home. I would not be able to make a request like that.

 

[Mkrop]

Peanut butter is not a cure all for diabetes. There are innumerable acceptable alternatives. No one is asking passengers to fast for a day.

There are only alternatives if the person affected knows they need to pack them or go buy them at the airport. If they show up at the gate and not given notice in a timely manner than there is no alternative. And since you have no idea where other passengers flights originated or how long they have been traveling you have no idea if the request is making them fast.

And in all honesty, the airline knows people are going to still eat nut products. Like I said making the announcement is reducing the risk. They know people are going to do what they need to do. But in making that announcement some people will refrain and then in turn the risk for an allergic reaction goes down.

And think how much the risk would be lowered if passengers were emailed, called or texted a few days or even hours before. Hopefully even more can refrain bc they were able to make alternative options. I gave the example of my DS, even if he got a text while he was enroute, he could have eaten his protein bar on the bus, since by then it was clear they were cutting it close for their flight

 

[Art 1]

An airplane isn't the only place with a ventilation system like that. I work in an office building where the vast majority of offices and spaces don't have windows. Everything is circulated in the HVAC system.

Those buildings bring in fresh air, a good amount of fresh air. The excess air leaves the building when the doors are opened.

 

[Disneybuckeye]

I think most people will do everything in their power to abide by the request. If someone needs a peanut butter cracker to avoid going into diabetic shock (or some other medical issue) then they need to be able to eat it. I do not blame them at all for seeing to their needs over a last minute request that puts them at a health risk. You also never know if a flight attendant can provide a suitable alternative to what they brought.

My daughter was stuck on a rerouted plane for 8 hours due to weather. They were not permitted to leave the plane and it was out on the tarmac. If I had a small child with me in that situation, and all I had to feed them was a pb&j, I would feed them rather than expect them to go 8+ hours without food. I would find out where the allergic person was and do everything in my power to keep the peanuts away from them.

While I do not have a problem with the request, if your child is so allergic that being anywhere near peanuts will severly affect them or cause death, I would suggest they not fly. Too many variables that cannot be cotrolled

 

[undertheradar]

For those advocating that alternative snacks should be purchased. What about those who do not have credit cards or debit cards? Most flights are cashless nowadays. Where is that person supposed to get a substitute food?

 

[Dawnlight]

However, if you are having low sugar levels, OJ or other snacks onboard will be at the ready. A diabetic doesn't need a hot meal to retain sugar levels.

And what if the available options in-flight aren't suitable for a person? What if they are not only diabetic, but have celiac disease, are allergic to oranges, and eat kosher?

If a person has been responsible to bring along foods that are suitable for their needs, whatever their reasons (health, religious, allergies), then they should be able to eat them.

So many people are saying that non-allergic folks have other available food options; well, allergic folks have other travel options.

 

[phorsenuf]

What would happen if these people were boarding an existing flight and the leg before them had people eating peanuts. Wouldn't that air with the peanut dust still be circulating when the child with the allergies came on board? I was on a flight once where we stopped in Nashville, no plane change. Just picked up and dropped off passengers. If the parents didn't notify the airline until they got to the gate, how would that be handled?

 

[mondragon]

This is why I love flying virgin air

https://www.yahoo.com/travel/airlines-and-nut-allergies-95399512052.html

Is it really that hard from eating nuts on a plane.

 

[fly girl]

I think most people will do everything in their power to abide by the request. If someone needs a peanut butter cracker to avoid going into diabetic shock (or some other medical issue) then they need to be able to eat it. I do not blame them at all for seeing to their needs over a last minute request that puts them at a health risk. You also never know if a flight attendant can provide a suitable alternative to what they brought.

My daughter was stuck on a rerouted plane for 8 hours due to weather. They were not permitted to leave the plane and it was out on the tarmac. If I had a small child with me in that situation, and all I had to feed them was a pb&j, I would feed them rather than expect them to go 8+ hours without food. I would find out where the allergic person was and do everything in my power to keep the peanuts away from them.

While I do not have a problem with the request, if your child is so allergic that being anywhere near peanuts will severly affect them or cause death, I would suggest they not fly. Too many variables that cannot be cotrolled

That's what I've been saying! They request it, but it's not demanded. The airlines know you're going to do what you need to do. Basically they're putting it out there someone on board has a severe allergy. To reduce the risk, they make the announcement. They know peanuts will still be consumed, but by making the announcement the risk is reduced because less passengers will be consuming them.