Posted on 09/03/2014 10:02:25 AM PDT by Tolerance Sucks Rocks
The parent of a child with a life-threatening peanut allergy is fighting for new rules to protect airline passengers who have severe food allergies.
Lianne Mandelbaum, who says she was practically kicked off a United Airlines flight last year because of her son’s condition, has been lobbying for new protections for allergy sufferers.
Now, more than 14,000 people are coming to her aid, petitioning lawmakers and federal regulators to establish a "buffer zone" around passengers who are allergic to certain foods.
“I am not after a nut ban,” Mandelbaum said. “Just the ability to preboard, wipe down the seat area and make an announcement that will let everyone live with their own moral compass around me.”
The petitioners are calling for a rule that would prohibit airlines from serving snacks containing nuts to any passenger sitting near someone with a peanut allergy. Furthermore, passengers who bring peanuts on board would not be allowed to eat them during the flight, if they are sitting within the buffer zone.
The buffer zone would extend to passengers sitting in the three rows in front of or behind someone with a severe peanut allergy.
The rules would also prevent airlines from removing passengers who have peanut allergies.
When Mandelbaum reported her son's allergy to United Airlines, she recalls being told: "Well, if you think he's going to die, don't get on the plane."
"Children and adults with food allergies should be able to report their allergy without fear of being kicked off a flight," Mandelbaum said. "As it stands, they have no such rights and cases have been reported of people being taken off a flight for reporting a food allergy."
Currently, there are no federal rules protecting airlines passengers who have peanut allergies, Mandelbaum says — something she is hoping to change.
Mandelbaum successfully convinced the New Jersey Senate to protect airline passengers with peanut allergies in 2013.
But she is pushing for federal rules that would expand the protections for passengers around the country.
Mandelbaum is also meeting with officials at top airlines, asking them to establish company policies protecting passengers with peanut allergies. She noted that "different flight crews on the same airline will react differently to a food allergy request" without set policies.
She has had some success in her efforts.
WestJet has stopped serving peanuts on board, while Jet Blue Airways will create a buffer zone for allergic passengers upon request, Mandelbaum said.
However, United Airlines has shown "no signs" of changing its policy, following the incident where she was asked to take her son off the flight, Mandelbaum said.
Delta Airlines has not responded to her request, she added.
The petition is being hosted by Care2, an activist website that hosts petitions from public interest, environmental and health groups.
That’s ridiculous
A close friend's brother died of a peanut allergy in the 1960s. I watched the ambulance leave, although I was outside and didn't see him eat whatever it was (I've forgotten some details), but that's what they did back then. I'm still not sympathetic to the mother - she should protect her child by not boarding a plane if peanuts are that dangerous to her child - but i am well aware of just how severe these allergies are. BTW, the friend's son also has a severe peanut allergy, and he takes no unreasonable chances.
“Everyone accepted outdoor smoking, nothing unusual. And no one asked permission.”
You do realize the context of the discussion about smoking (the “do you mind if I smoke?” comment) is related to being inside, you know, in an AIRCRAFT, car, someone’s home, a restaurant, an enclosed area. . .polite people asked the question.
excellent
No, I thought you were responding to the post that said people used to smoke outdoors with no problems. If I was wrong, I apologize. Although my post was certainly not rude.
Are you kidding? That never happened. Smokers attitudes were like yours about peanuts..."If you don't like my smoke, deal with it...your problem, not mine."
Old movies are funny...showing people smoking where it would never be allowed these days. People smoked in movie theaters, grocery stores...everywhere. All over restaurants.
The bus station in my hometown had a sign that read, "If you spit on the floor at home, go home to spit."
“Hey I have a severe allergy and might die, could you refrain from eating peanuts for an hour or two, please?”
“F$*$ you!”
Yes, this is FReeper civility.
Yes, the parents and school were aware of the peanut allergy, but certainly not aware of its severity until after the episode I described. It was a small school, and parents in that child’s class willingly sent other types of lunches with their children. No peanut butter cookies at class parties, etc. — just a friendly and cooperative approach.
The issue arose because a class other than his had used the table earlier and left peanut butter residue. It is my understanding that he merely touched it.
I don’t know if an epipen was used. I was not present at the time of the incident. I do know that EMTs were called, and he was treated in a nearby emergency room. I could call his mom and ask for details, but I don’t like her, so I won’t. Which is completely unrelated to the subject. Please forgive me.
I believe the difference between peanut allergies and other life-threatening allergies lies in the pervasive use of peanut products. Blame George Washington Carver. Peanut oil and peanut products are widely used, but you don’t encounter a bee every day. (My mother actually had an anaphylaxic response to a wasp sting but recovered.)
Same with foods on airplanes. Those with allergies to seafood don’t often encounter seat-mates slurping shrimp. I would imagine that the reason travelers nowadays are downgraded to pretzels could be an indication that airlines are avoiding potential liability. It’s easier to ditch the peanuts — lots of alternate snacks available.
If you have not already, please read the link in post #91.
Defective people shouldn’t be flying
AMEN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Then the skies would be as empty as they were on 9-12-01.
Everyone ELSE must change so as to accommodate MEEEEEEEEEE!
She is. She wants to control the behavior of everyone in the safe zone and when that doesn't suit her she'll go for the entire plane. Is she going to have the air marshal arrest someone who had eaten a peanut and got up to stretch his legs or walk past her to the restroom? Or will people not be allowed to walk down the aisle to the restroom and have to hold it until the plane lands and she disinfects everyone between her and the door? No, she does not control me or any passenger.
Next we'll have parents enrolling their brittle bones diseased kids in football, because, ya know, everyone must have equal opportunities, but then require 10 yard tackle free safe zones. Sorry, whatever issue/disease/symptom you have, be responsible for it yourself and don't shuffle responsibility to the rest of the world. If this was really about the safety of her son, she wouldn't put him in dangerous situations.
They may as well do it complete the goal of making flying a living hell.
Soon, the entire United States will be one giant ‘Common Sense-Free Zone’.
See? They've already been given the best possible advice regarding their dilemma.
How about “liberal free” zones ...everywhere!
We enjoyed the flights more.
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