josmul123

I think it depends on the allergy. In Elbowrm's case above, her child has to eat a nut (Which I assume also means touching a tray table that was exposed to nuts then putting fingers in mouth, hence the wipe-down procedure). People with allergies so severe that nuts being nearby trigger it? I have no clue what they currently do, but regardless preboarding won't help them.

ssbmoro

I have no issues with this at all, it's nice to hear that someone is going to be cleaning seats

Also, I'd prefer to let some jerks abuse the system to board first occasionally than risk the flight needing to divert because someone with an allergy didn't have time to thoroughly wipe down their seat and goes into anaphylaxis.

Segments

If someone with a severe allergy needs to use the lav during flight, does a companion wipe down all surfaces in the lav before the pax with peanut allergies can use it? That's probably a more thorough cleaning than during a typical turn between flights.

Where / how do they store carry on bags? Certainly wouldn't want to put a personal item on the floor, and who knows what nut artifacts are in the overhead bin.

josmul123

Presumably, a child is not ingesting nut residue from their carry-on bag, and hand washing after handling potentially-contaminated items would be proper (as well as hand washing after using the lavatory).

I give up on appealing to the humanity of FlyerTalk members. I really should have known better than to believe there is any.

I BOARD FIRST, AND THE REST OF YOU ARE JUST GATE LICE.

LordHamster

Logic suggests that an allergy that is severe enough to require extra time (pre-boarding) to wipe down the area... would be severe enough to warrant protective clothing when traveling by air.

I think the resentment stems from the abuses of the system that frequent fliers often witness. We've all seen countless "service animals" that are clearly not legit (as already referenced in this thread). We've also all witnessed Miracle flights where there is a massive delta between wheelchairs needed before and after a flight. Heck, on United flights where they pre-board families with children under two, I've personally witnessed several instances where I've overheard the kids saying "but mommie I'm 4" or similar. In summary I think there IS a resentment on Flyertalk that is rooted in the frustrations of air travel, and compounded by more and more people attempting to claim special status.

I'm not in a position to judge what is a real need and what isn't. That is for the airline to decide, but I DO understand that frequent fliers get upset over the issue. Airlines charging for early boarding and the severe lack of overhead space make the issue more prominent than it needs to be.

LINDEGR

I'm sorry but what is "outrageous" is the idea that we should give certain people a special boarding privilege because there MIGHT be something that causes one to have an allergic reaction. People need to get a grip. I might have a heart attack being stressed about overhead space too but I'm not going to leverage that into early boarding. When does this madness end? Life is full of risks - people need to deal or just stay home!

davesam12

^

N1120A

I think pre boarding for nut allergies isn't a terrible idea. First, you have the already mentioned issue with wiping surfaces. Second, you also have the ability for passengers to notify FAs early, so that the FAs can make mention to the other passengers of a nut restriction.

LINDEGR

And what are other passengers supposed to do with this information? Change clothes? Rummage through their belongings for a loose peanut? Move seats?

josmul123

Yeah, it's totally "outrageous" that we allow someone a few extra minutes to head to their seat and make sure it's not going to kill them or their child because hey... There's only a CHANCE it might kill 'em. Such a privilege to hop on the the plane 5 minutes early to work as a janitor. Those people should totally have to do this work in front of a line of angry passengers trying to get to their seats.

"Life is full of risks - people need to deal or just stay home!" Yes, let's see a 10 year old "deal" with anaphylaxis 30 minutes from the nearest divert-able airport. At least you got your bag in the overhead, though. Kudos!

DataPlumber

I really hope there isn't a stray peanut from a Payday bar someone ate last week lurking in the seat track or in between the seat frame and the cushion.

I am with Louis C.K. on this one

mvoight

Of course the reason there is not much available overhead spaces is because airlines now charge for checked bags

Elbowrm

I recognize that all of this sounds strange to people without children dealing with this potentially deadly condition, but man there is a fair amount of unnecessary hostility in this thread.

Dr. HFH

I am. Nonsense.


Way too far. Absurd. If the point is to allow those affected to wipe down surfaces, it's useless until everyone is onboard and seated.


I agree; but the whole thing is absurd.


Exactly. These people (the ones instigating the action, not peanut allergy sufferers) seem to have no problem with what's in between the seat cushions (take a look, sometime, -- there's a lot). This is about pre-boarding. Period. Nothing to do with safety for those afflicted.

Elbowrm

Have a good night all.