Planet earth decides to ban life...

[delsdad]

Just curious,being peanuts are actually a bean,not a nut,what other foods in the bean family would these people be allergic to?

I know two people quite well who are allergic to peanuts. One is my neice, and she is fine with other legumes. the other person, our former nanny, is allergic to all legumes, including soy. Now soy is very difficult to avoid, as it is in most processed foods. Both young ladies carry epi pens at all times.

Is a peanut allergy a disability ? I dont believe so. It certainly is a health condition, and can be life threatening. But that is not the same as a disability, and I think there must be some way to accommodate without clouding the issue of what a disability is. There are people with severe multiple chemical sensitivity who do have a recognized disability, but they are much much more severe, and often end up having to live in a "bubble" due to the sensitivity to chemicals. But those are not allergies.

Canadian airlines phased out peanuts years ago. As did most school boards and day cares. We were very surprised to be offered peanuts on a delta flight last year, as I assumed all airlines had phased them out. On Air Canada and Westjet they have pretzels or corn nuts. No one misses the peanuts!

I sure wish they would ban the heavy perfumes some people wear ! Many people still think it is an alternative to bathing

[Mr. M]

However, flying is a different story. The air is recycled. It's not like we can open a window and get fresh air, and god help us should he go into a reaction, guess what... that whole plane is going to the nearest airport. I have had two Captains inform us this is exactly what is going to happen without a second thought. Is having peanuts instead of pretzels worth the risk of inconvenience?

Then again I say, take your own responsibility and bring a mask. Peanut allergies make up 1% of people. You are the minority. The rest of the world should not have to bend around your needs.

As a fan of Airline Peanuts, I was totally on the "personal responsibility" side of the argument, until I read a study where they consistantly found peanut dust in airplane air-filters. I don't know how, but SOMEHOW those peanuts are getting pulverized and airborne in a recycled air canister. That's not a matter of personal accountability anymore. So long as they can't stop those little suckers aresolizing... they should at the least be removed from flights containing passengers who have notified that they have allergies... and this from someone who counts on those peanuts for protein when riding back to back flights all day.

8^)

So when someone has a disability that prevents them from being able to walk. does that mean we all have to now carry them around? NO, they get crutches or a wheel chair, they take care of them self so they can be mobile. People with peanut allergies when flying can wear a mask for the short time they are on the plane.

[CptnSkippy]

Just curious,being peanuts are actually a bean,not a nut,what other foods in the bean family would these people be allergic to?

We ran into a problem with split pea soup. (mild reaction)

[ktulu]

Wait, what airline is giving out free snacks? My last flight DFW-SFO only got beverage service. American only gives out drinks in cattle class. Besides, those bags they used to give out are tiny. I'd bring my own if it was that important.

I do agree though, if you're worried, choose peanut free airlines. Watch out for yourself, the government is only interested in the power and will drop your special interest if it is no longer useful for them.

[Disneyguy85]

I don't care if there airlines don't give out peanuts.

All I want is some freaking leg room!

[darph nader]

Wait, what airline is giving out free snacks? My last flight DFW-SFO only got beverage service. American only gives out drinks in cattle class. Besides, those bags they used to give out are tiny. I'd bring my own if it was that important.

I do agree though, if you're worried, choose peanut free airlines. Watch out for yourself, the government is only interested in the power and will drop your special interest if it is no longer useful for them.

Too bad ExpressJet doesn't do regular runs anymore. From Ontario to TIA was just a tad over an hour. Not only did we get a snack, (sandwich),but the beer was cheap. Only $1.00 per can. :D: Can you say 'Nirvana',sure you can.

[Mr. M]

Wait, what airline is giving out free snacks? My last flight DFW-SFO only got beverage service. American only gives out drinks in cattle class. Besides, those bags they used to give out are tiny. I'd bring my own if it was that important.

I do agree though, if you're worried, choose peanut free airlines. Watch out for yourself, the government is only interested in the power and will drop your special interest if it is no longer useful for them.

Every airline I have been on gives out free snack of some kind. Mostly cookies (pack of 2).

[Main Streeter]

I don't care if there airlines don't give out peanuts.

All I want is some freaking leg room!

Am with you on this! Don't need food, just cokes. Must check what we get on flight to MCO in Aug. later today.

[lady ulrike]

Here's something for all of you to think on. We had a kid at world the other day, who I am guessing has a VERY severe peanut allergy. The parents were clearly doing all they could to prevent him coming into accidental contact, but if it's in the only air you breathe (on an airplane) there's not much you can do. The kid was wearing a shirt that said Warning Severe Peanut Allergy and they had a dog with them who's purpose was to sniff for any evidence of peanuts, the dog came in a sniffed the row of the boat the kid was getting on before he got on. Now if the allergy is that severe, I think it can be classified as a disability, the problem is finding a way to determine where that line is and how to ensure that people with a mild allergy don't get classified as disabled.

As for whoever mentioned all those other food allergies. They only have reactions when they eat those foods, many people with peanut allergies can have a reaction by inhaling a tiny bit of peanut dust. That is completely different. I have a friend who is allergic to strawberries, I can sit next to her and eat strawberries, I can't do that with many people with a peanut allergy.

[DragonFox98]

I wonder why peanut allergies can cause such severe reactions compared to other allergies (like LU mentioned about the strawberry allergy)? Hmm...I might have to do some reasearch on this. I do agree that airlines could easily switch to another snack; I think when we flew in October it was cookies, not peanuts or pretzels. But I also agree that airplanes recycle the air and peanut dust could hang around for a long period of time.

CptSkippy, sorry if I came off abrupt...wasn't meant to. I am sorry your son has such a severe allergy. I use peanut butter a lot when baking and for other household uses (mousetraps); it would involve some serious changes for us, but we'd do it in a heartbeat. I often mention to my husband how lucky we are that our kids are "healthy". We've had broken bones and one of my boys is partially deaf, but that is nothing compared to some.