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Passengers protest peanuts, prefer pretzels
Blame Northwest. Or, blame the merger with Delta. Either way, peanuts are back, and some passengers are pissed.On February 1, Northwest began dishing out peanuts on flights, which Delta has been doing since dirt was new. The timing isn't all that hot, given a national salmonella outbreak involving Peanut Corporation of America. And then there are the people who are allergic to peanuts ... they're also far from thrilled with the change.
A commenter on the Star Tribune website (local to Minneapolis, where NWA is headquartered) wrote, "Northwest is really out of touch with its customers and the reality of allergies to peanuts." Another chimed in, "What's wrong with pretzels?"
Indeed, what is wrong with pretzels?
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, more than 3 million people in the United States are allergic to peanuts (or tree nuts). Food allergies cause 30,000 cases of anaphylaxis, 2,000 hospitalizations and 150 deaths every year. On its own, this sucks. On a plane, it's worse than sitting next to a fat person.
Delta is doing what it can to prevent an in-flight disaster, creating a "buffer zone" of three rows in front of and behind a peanut-allergic person's seat. And, the airline is advising "cabin service to board additional nonpeanut snacks." So, flight attendants who are busy with such trivial matters as keeping order on the plane and tending to broader safety issues will have to keep track of the "peanut zone," as well.
[Via CNN]
What strange things have been found on planes?
Filed under: Activism, North America, United States, Airlines, News
Reader Comments (Page 2 of 2)
Arlene Feb 17th 2009 8:42PM
Less than 1% of the population is allergic to peanuts and the other 99.2% (majority) have to listen to you whine and cater to you. I'm tired of catering to the minority-grow up. Why are your rights and wants greater or more important then mine?
HotRod Feb 17th 2009 8:58PM
WAY TO GO!!! I AGREE!!! Whatever happened to majority rules? What has happened to this country? We can't do anything any more without the fear of "Offending somebody". Wah.....Suck it up! Or find another country!!
Matt Feb 23rd 2009 6:32AM
This isn't about "majority rule." Actually, the United States was never about "majority rule." If all liberals banded together and decided to pass a law mandating the mass execution of all conservatives (I say this because Dems outnumber Repubs), then this would not be acceptable. Like it or not, America is about protecting the weak minority.
But that digresses. We aren't saying make your lives miserable, we aren't saying don't fly. The point here is that there is one tiny concession that can help ease the concerns of thousands. Peanuts are prohibitive for some people to fly, but pretzels are not. It's as simple as that. If you want peanuts that badly - bring your own. (For almost all of the peanut allergies out there [I do know of exceptions where being in the room with one snickers bar is fatal] One person isn't a problem, it's when the whole plane opens the bags at once that people with the peanut allergy start feeling the pain.
You are accusing us of being selfish, but allow me to turn the tables on you. Aren't you being selfish by saying you will not refrain from eating peanuts or instead eating pretzels in order to allow us to fly? It's not about majority rule, it's about maximizing the good. Airborne pretzel particles don't kill people, airborne peanut particles do, so why can't this one concession be made so that people can fly?
By the way, in New Jersey, a peanut allergy is a legal disability. Should we not have handicapped parking spaces because you want to be able to park close to the store? After all, majority rules...
mb Feb 17th 2009 8:42PM
While I can empathize with peanut allergy passengers, there is another side to this story. There is nearly an equal number of people in the country with Celiac Disease (gluten intolerance). There are additional people that are allergic to wheat as well. These intolerances and allergies completely rule out pretzels.
Why not have both, Continental managed to do it for years. Or better yet fruit?
matt Feb 23rd 2009 6:32AM
The issue here, more than anything else, is the fact that gluten allergies aren't airborne and peanut allergies are. I am allergic to peanuts, but I am also pragmatic, when they come out, if I have trouble, I breathe through a towel to filter the air. If it gets really bad, I run to the back of the plane (irrespective of the seatbelt sign if necessary) and sit in the bathroom for twenty minutes. The point is more the courtesy - someone will not be able to eat the snack, we all know that. Therefore, we should choose the least deadly form - i.e. gluten pretzel fumes won't kill someone, but peanut fumes may, so take the pretzels.
David M Habben Feb 17th 2009 8:58PM
I thought peanuts were removed from planes a long time ago because of the allergy problem. It is very serious. I've been working in EMS for 30 years and have seen patients who have severe allergic reactions from just the dust of peanuts when a bag is opened. Why risk the lives of passengers and creat extra unnecessary work for flight attendants. I fly frequently and have had all kinds of snacks other than peanuts; pretzels, raisins, generic unrecognizable crunchy things, etc.
HotRod Feb 17th 2009 8:59PM
David, I agree that it is a serious issue. I've worked in EMS now also for 28 years. Are you trying to tell me that peanut reactions are the only ones you have come across in your career? I've seen and treated many also but the peanut is not the only one by far! So, how 'bout we just stop letting people eat altogether on any flight? That will solve it all won't it? These pple with allergies know they have them and should be prepared to the best of their ability! I don't wish any harm to anyone but this is getting ridiculous!
nav Feb 17th 2009 9:00PM
Delta serves a choice of peanuts/and or/biscoff cookies. If there were an allergy situation, the psgrs. seated 3 rows forward and 3 rows aft would be served the cookies. This solution seems to work pretty well. So, for those who choose not to fly on Delta, simply because they serve peanuts, will miss out on some excellent service otherwise.
We2millers@yahoo.com Feb 18th 2009 5:57PM
I have flown with Delta many times and do enjoy there service but when traveling with my son, we fly another airline. The service just is not worth the risk. For people with food allergies each environment has it's own level of risk. No environment is 100% safe it's dangerous to think anything is 100% safe. We do the best we can to limit the risk he is exposed to. When flying we ask to pre-board. Usually one parent is allowed to pre-board with the child on some flights both. This way we can quickly wipe down surfaces such as our arm rests and tray tables without blocking the isles and holding everyone up. We make sure that no less then 3 epi-pens and Benadryl are within arm's reach and we bring his and our snacks with us. We also chose to fly with a carrier that offers "peanut free" flights and try to fly early morning flights. Peanut free does not mean that peanuts, PB&J and trail mix won't be present because passengers bring on there own food just as we do. It's not about eliminating risk its about minimizing risk and to me that’s worth flying another airline. I don't try to force business to change but they won't have our business we fly with those carriers who will attempt to meet our needs.
J Feb 17th 2009 9:17PM
Quit complaining if you dont like it drive.
nutjob Feb 17th 2009 9:27PM
The entire peanut allergy issue is overblown like most every other crises... take a Benedryl and get over it.
Why not prohibit the peanut nuts and people that pur over the arm rests into my seat from flying.
I've got news for you... Even if the airline does not serve complimentary peanuts, they sell trail mix with peanuts...
Matt Feb 23rd 2009 6:32AM
Some mild peanut allergies can be delayed or repressed with Benadryl, but for the majority of them Benadryl only helps to delay the problem and epinephrine and medical care are needed. Peanut allergies are fatal in small doses, unlike cat and dog allergies which make you itch and sneeze.
ChgoGrl Feb 17th 2009 9:52PM
I've been flying on Delta for several years and they have always served peanuts and cinnamon cookies. If certain people are allergic to peanuts then why should everyone else suffer who like peanuts. This is the most retarded argument I've ever heard. If people are so allergic to peanuts then suck it up and bring medication with you. Those who have allergies should let a flight attendant know as soon as they board the aircraft so they can make seating arrangements. I've seen it before, it's not a big issue.
masanddjs Feb 18th 2009 6:00AM
Talk about "retarded"..if you can't sit on a plane for a few hours without eating peanuts, then YOU have the problem...why don't YOU suck it up?
DJ Feb 18th 2009 12:06PM
YOU are the nutjob if you think a Benadryl will take care of an allergic reaction to peanuts.
we2millers@yahoo.com Feb 18th 2009 6:11PM
I have flown with Delta many times and do enjoy there service but when traveling with my son, we fly another airline. The service just is not worth the risk. For people with food allergies each environment has it's own level of risk. No environment is 100% safe it's dangerous to think anything is 100% safe. We do the best we can to limit the risk he is exposed to. When flying we ask to pre-board. Usually one parent is allowed to pre-board with the child on some flights both. This way we can quickly wipe down surfaces such as our arm rests and tray tables without blocking the isles and holding everyone up. We make sure that no less then 3 epi-pens and Benadryl are within arm's reach and we bring his and our snacks with us. We also chose to fly with a carrier that offers "peanut free" flights and try to fly early morning flights. Peanut free does not mean that peanuts, PB&J and trail mix won't be present because passengers bring on there own food just as we do. It's not about eliminating risk its about minimizing risk and to me that’s worth flying another airline. I don't try to force business to change but they won't have our business we fly with those carriers who will attempt to meet our needs.
JusticeShouldRule Feb 20th 2009 11:10AM
How STUPID!!!!!! Bring your own. People know they serve peanuts and your lucky to get Those.lol
Justina Feb 23rd 2009 7:49PM
On a recent JetBlue flight from Ft. Lauderdale to LaGuardia an announcement was made at the gate that there would be a child onboard with a severe peanut allergy. They said no peanut products should be consumed on the aircraft for the safety of the child. Additionally, any JetBlue snack containing peanuts would not be served. Once we boarded, the anti-peanut announcement was made again. After the in-flight beverage service we were just basically sitting there chilling out and waiting to get home. I then noticed the flight attendant having a snack in the galley, but facing the passengers. I was in the second row, aisle seat. She was eating celery with PEANUT BUTTER. She had a couple of peanut butter tubs and was filling the celery sticks with them. I could smell the peanut butter. I was flabbergasted! Once she was done, she did not wash her hands, then she came around with a garbage bag to pick up any trash that people might still have. I tapped her arm and asked her how long till we land. She leaned into my face and said "about 30 minutes" - she reaked of PEANUT BUTTER. Now, how do they justify these announcements when their own staff do not follow the rules? She technically had peanut butter on her hands, how about if she had to approach the allergic child? Some of those allergies are so fatal that even inhaling peanut breath can cause illness (no joking). The reason why I didn't say anything is that these flight attendants can get so snippy and nasty and the last thing I need is to be blacklisted or be accused of "interfering with the flight". Jacqueline, shame on you!
Rebecca Feb 24th 2009 3:24PM
I too have a peanut allergy. I am also allergic to a lot of other things, but nothing as bad as peanuts.If I should accidentally ingest peanuts, its not as easy as taking a pill. I have to inject myself with an Epi-pen and make a beeline for the nearest hospital.For some, they only need to inhale "peanut dust" to go into anaphylaxic shock, which can cause death. I am surprised at the ignorance of the people on this board who are making comments like, "I'm allergic to wool, what are they going to do for me" and "what ever happened to majority rules". Shame on you, that your peanuts are more important than someone's life.
Cynical Synapse Apr 12th 2009 9:49PM
Back in the day when snacks on planes were common and complimentary, the pretzels some airlines gave out carried the warning that they were made in factories in which peanut products were also made. It would seem, therefore, pretzels are not the answer to the peanut allergy problem. I did, however, really like the Anheuser-Busch pretzels; forget which airline I used to get them on.
As for Northwest now giving out peanuts, it's really a Delta decision. While I was recently pleased to get complimentary peanuts, I'd rather not get a snack and not have to pay to check a bag. I'm ok with paying for more than one bag, but the first checked bag should be included in the ticket price.
Here's a word of advice: don't miss your first flight or you'll regret it for the rest of your trip.