I wanted to post about our recent trip. We flew America West. They assured me that all four flights (we had connecting flights both ways) would be peanut free. A week before we went they decided the wouldn't quarantee it. [img]http://client.ibboards.com/peanutallergy/frown.gif[/img] I complained until I was blue in the face to no avail. Regardless, I ended up speaking with a million people prior to and during the trip (basically everyone I came in contact with). To my surprise only one of the four flights was clueless. The other three were prepared. As everyone on here suggested to me, the flight attendents were the best to deal with. But, I would still recommend you tell the airline when you make the reservation because the flight attendents told me you have to do this or they won't change the flight for you. The first flight was the one unprepared despite me telling EVERYONE. When we checked in the guy actually made fun of me in front of numerous people asking me why can't I just keep my daughter from eating the peanuts. When I explained the situation he laughed. Not a good way to start the trip. He and another person said they would make sure my request was take care of, but upon boarding the flight attendent told me they had peanuts on the plane! She took care of it for me and announced the flight would be peanut free on the PA. Very helpful. I went ahead of my husband and daughter to wipe everything down for her (we also wanted to wait until the last second for her to get on since she is sixteen months old and we wanted her to run around). The person in the seat beside us asked what I was doing. I told her and she held up a HUGE bag of peanuts! I explained the situation to her and she said sorry I want my peanuts and seat! I almost began to cry! I had to get the flight attendent and it was a scene. Can you believe this woman?!? They had to move her way up front because she said she was still going to eat her peanuts (it was an over booked flight, too). So I was a wreck when my husband came on board with my daughter. Our ped suggested we give her Zrytec an hour before we flew. She had no reactions on all four flights! [img]http://client.ibboards.com/peanutallergy/smile.gif[/img] But, I awoke on the first flight to notice the person in the row beside us eating Nutter Butters. That first flight was from you know where! The other flights I noticed peanuts on the floor beneath us and on the seats. I had her wear long sleeves and pants. I also wiped the windows because I noticed finger prints (worried it was from peanut oil). One suggestion - next time I will board ahead of them while they are seating for special needs instead of waiting. On the third flight I had a couple laugh at me for wiping everything down. They were talking with the row beside them (they were right behind me and KNEW I could hear them). They were asking what was the world coming to to have so many freaks. I stood up and told them why I was wiping the trays and such down and pretty meanly, too. I was just so over it all. The whole flight experience was stressful. She kept wanting to walk around and I was afraid. She would pick something off the floor in a second. Next time we will fly only peanut free airlines. Anyone know of any? I think United is. And if you can believe this - we went to the beach one day and were playing in the sand. Quess what I dug up? Yep, peanut shells!!! We had to pack up and move elsewhere. It was almost enough to make me scream can you ever get away from this?!? Oh, I thought this was weird - the first flight the attendent told me they have to make the entire flight peanut free if asked prior to, but on our last flight the attendent told me they will only do this for the five rows in front of and back of you...
[This message has been edited by Shan (edited August 04, 1999).]
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pShan--You are scaring me we fly American in January everyone keeps acting like it will be no big deal. Who told you that the flight would be have no peanuts served? I am starting to feel like we should drive or something. Can you give me all the information you can so I will make sure we do this right?/p
pHi Michelle. I am sooooo sorry I scared you. I went back and read my post and I understand why. Keep in mind my daughter had no reactions. But, I did go through alot. I would suggest these things - call now and speak with the airline and explain your situation and ask for the flights to be peanut free (if they give you a hard time I would tell them what their flight attendents might have to go through if they don't and something happens, use alot of drama!), call the week before and the day before to verify (this is where they changed their tune on me), speak with the desk when you check in and with the flight attendent when you board, board early before everyone else so you don't feel like Michael Jackson (LOL) to wipe everything down, have your child wear long sleeves and pants, and an hour prior to flight give an antihistamine. Just remember my daughter had no reactions, but you really have to keep your eye out and raise your voice alot. Hopefully, your airline will be better. I recall another post where someone flew our same airline and had no problems. It was just luck maybe that our first flight was so bad. Let me know if you have any other questions. Shan/p
pHi /p
pJust wanted to tell my story. I am a PA adult and I recently returned from a trip to Key West. When I made my reservations (in April) with US Airways I told them about my allergy and they marked all the flights as peanut free (with the disclaimer that they cannot guarantee that people will not bring on their own peanuts). When I checked in I made sure that peanuts would not be served during the flight. My flight in was wonderful - no problems at all. On my return trip I again asked when checking in about peanuts. The man at the check-in went on board and then told me that there were peanuts on the plane, but he had them removed. I double checked with the flight attnedants and they assured me that all the peanuts had been taken off the plane. Well, they may have removed the bags of peanuts, but they served peanut butter candy with the snack. I have never had a reaction to touch or smell, but I become very very uncomfortable when in an enclosed area where peanut products are present. I basically covered my face with my sweater and tried to remain calm. My mom told the woman next to us about my allergey and she immediatley put her candy away and asked if I was ok, etc. She was very concerned, which was nice. Just wanted to let you all know that apparently the airlines don't seem to realize that peanut butter can cause a problem too. /p
pI also took some zyrtec prior to flying - it will not stop a reaction, but it will slow it down (at least that is what the allergist told me). Shan, I am glad you had a safe trip and am sorry that you were so stressed. Hopefully one day things will be easier for all of us who have to deal with this. Michelle, I hope you have a safe trip and all works out well. If its any consolation, My boss flies American often and she told me that recently (since knowing me and being more aware) she has noticed pretzels as a snack rather than peanuts. Of course this doesn't mean that they won't serve peanuts.../p
pStay safe,br /
Mary/p
pHi Michelle, relax. We flew US Air/Express in May. When I booked the tickets I informed them of my son's peanut allergy so they would not serve peanuts. I followed-up one week before to verify that everything was in place. On the first flight we noticed a couple peanuts on the floor. I kicked them forward and made sure my son (20 months at the time) didn't crawl under the seats which was no big deal./p
pOn another flight they had not loaded another snack aboard (only peanuts) and did not serve a snack. I heard the flight attendent tell someone that they were not serving a snack because somebody on board was allergic to peanuts. We told the attendent that our son was the one and had a nice discussion about PA. I found it amusing that peanuts on board were stored (individually sealed packages in a large sealed bag) in the rack above our seats./p
p[This message has been edited by SteveW (edited August 05, 1999).]/p
pThanks everyone!!! My travel agent keeps telling me to repeat to my self "it will be okay". I hope it works with alot of prayer. We are talking to everyone at the airline. We will keep everyone posted. Thanks!!/p