Wwyd???

[tlinus]

I posted this on the Transportation thread, but want input from my homies as well :

As a family of five and a daughter with a severe peanut dust allergy, I have a few questions for you all who are experienced fly guys and gals!

1) We have already notified SW that bean #2 has a severe peanut dust allergy and will get to the gate for a preboard sleeve so I can clean her seat. (Rather have a reaction at the gate than at takeoff KWIM?!) My question is what to say to whomever sits next to her (as SW is 3X3 seating) The airline is already telling me they will not serve peanuts on the flight, but if someone sits next to her and whips out PB crackers, what do I say? I know the chances are slim but I don't want her allergy to become the thing that makes someone else's flight miserable. Do they announce on the plane that there is someone on the flight with a peanut allergy? I will predose her with Benadryl and we have her epi pens just in case.

2) As a family of 5 would it be best to do 3 then 2 behind or 3 on one side of the plane and 2 on the other??

Thanks for your input! I am a nervous flyer to begin with, but now with the kids first flight I am getting REALLY anxious!! (Is 11am the day of the flight too early to have a stiff drink before we board??)

 

[mcrockett1220]

My daughter also has peanut allergies, although we are unsure how she reacts to the dust only. We flew

 

[mcrockett1220]

My daughter also has peanut allergies, although we are unsure how she reacts to the dust only. We flew Southwest last Spring. We were told to take the first flight available in the morning because they told us the plane would be the cleanest and that overnight is the only times the planes are able to "breathe". We also made sure to notify them ahead of time on the phone and again at the gate of her allergy, and we were able to board first. Unfortunately the plane seemed to be covered in peanut debris. The trays were terrible, as were the seats, and even the seatbelts. We thoroughly cleaned everything and did not open our trays once she boarded. We had epipens with us in case they were needed. Fortunately, she did not have any reaction, but again her allergy is not as severe as many childrens. You may want to take a sheet or something (?) to cover the seat. Dont use the trays. I would sit 3 of you in her row, and 2 of you in front of her. They did not pass out peanuts on the flight, in fact they said they usually dont that early in the morning. I just wonder how bad the plane environment would have been later in the day. The plane we were on for our return trip seemed much cleaner. Hope for the best! And again this was just my experience with only 2 flights. Good luck to you..

 

[tlinus]

Thanks for the reply. Unfortunately, we couldn't book the first flight out. I am getting a sheet and covering her seat with it and going to clean off whatever I can for her. The dust gets her - I don't even need to go into the near crisis we had at a Phillies game with someone who had eaten peanuts ( a few rows up) before we got there. It took 3 minutes for her to start with the HUGE hives - had to rush her to first aid and the doctor there gave her a dose and a half of benadryl through an injection - then to the ER for observation.....THAT was a long day

 

[Fan2CSkr]

I can relate! You can worry less since SWA uses a HEPA filter system on their aircraft. They also take precautions as long as you inform them ,inform them and inform them again! I would say it when you check in, when you board and again to EVERY flight attendant on that flight. Trust me you wont be overbearing and they are used to it. Has this allergy ever resulted in anaphylaxis?

Most reported incidents are from ingestion and very few from air dust contamination. Premedicate her with the benadryl and have the EpiPen handy. Dont alarm or make her anxious just be calm that you are prepared.

Dont have any strangers sit next to her since you cannot control what they will eat. Sit her in one of the 3 across with you and another sibling.

For future reference these airlines are peanut free.
American, United, Northwest, Jet Blue, Spirit, AirTrans , US Airways, America West and ATA.

11A is perfectly acceptable to have a bloody mary!.....or 2 Don;t worry you covered all bases already and she will be just fine!

 

[bubba's mom]

i agree w/ everyone who posted above....sit her w/ a "3" ......i think last year's flight down to mco, the attendant announced there was a passenger with a severe peanut allergy onboard and asked everyone refrain from opening anything w/ peanuts.....if you don't even "open" no accidents can happen. if you see someone "near" her w/ pb crackers, and bean just doesn't "look good", you have every right to ask them to put them away and explain --unless they want the entire flight to make an emergency landing and be delayed so you can get your DD to the hospital, they better put it away...kwim???
eta: btw...forgot to ask how the "swimmin' pool" was?

 

[karibritt01]

No children with peanut allergies, but wanted to comment. If you were to ask me or my family to refrain from peanut foods because of "life threatening" allergies (and I would phrase it that way, as it grabs immediate attention) I would have NO problem. I would also involve the stewardess should someone give you a hard time about peanut foods. Have you considered letting her wear one of the medical masks to filter her breathing?