Nut-free zone ordered on Air Canada
#17
Join Date: Jan 2006
Posts: 142
I have been seated next to a passenger before who had decided he didn't like the fact that airlines didn't serve peanuts anymore. He had brought his own bag of peanuts. Enough peanuts to serve the entire aircraft. How is AC or any other airline suppose to stop passengers in certain rows from opening their own bag of nuts?


#18
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: YEG
Posts: 3,913
I have a somewhat severe nut allergy, and even I think this is stupid. How big of a buffer zone is required? Would they have to stop serving nuts in the J cabin because I'm there?
The only accomodation I'd like AC to make for me is that I can get a snack without nuts - it is very rare that inhaling nuts ever gives people reactions; reaction comes from actually consuming nuts. I hate it when I am in J and I can't get a snack because all they've got is a package of almonds and the FA doesn't even want to get the salted snacks they serve in Y (although I'd much prefer a cookie or something nicer than the standard Y snack).
The only accomodation I'd like AC to make for me is that I can get a snack without nuts - it is very rare that inhaling nuts ever gives people reactions; reaction comes from actually consuming nuts. I hate it when I am in J and I can't get a snack because all they've got is a package of almonds and the FA doesn't even want to get the salted snacks they serve in Y (although I'd much prefer a cookie or something nicer than the standard Y snack).
#19
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I have been seated next to a passenger before who had decided he didn't like the fact that airlines didn't serve peanuts anymore. He had brought his own bag of peanuts. Enough peanuts to serve the entire aircraft. How is AC or any other airline suppose to stop passengers in certain rows from opening their own bag of nuts?




I love peanuts. I usually bring my own and skip the nuts served by AC.
#20
Join Date: Dec 2007
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I have a severe nut allergy. As to the one person who said "what about soy?", soy rarely causes anaphylaxis - so there is a big difference.
Personally, I am more uncomfortable letting people in the "zone" behind me know that I have said allergy than for them to be eating nuts.
Really, and I think most people who share my allergy would agree, can we merely just get an airline to actually agree to serve guaranteed nut-free food on the plane, rather than this "we can't guarantee" anything BS - especially if I am on a J or F ticket. I am just about up to my eyeballs eating fruit platters on flights (especially trans-pac).
Personally, I am more uncomfortable letting people in the "zone" behind me know that I have said allergy than for them to be eating nuts.
Really, and I think most people who share my allergy would agree, can we merely just get an airline to actually agree to serve guaranteed nut-free food on the plane, rather than this "we can't guarantee" anything BS - especially if I am on a J or F ticket. I am just about up to my eyeballs eating fruit platters on flights (especially trans-pac).
#21
Join Date: May 2007
Location: YOW
Posts: 2,351
@:-)
People with nut allergies should be made to wear a sign to alert other passengers of their allergy. A no u-turn sign with a peanut replacing the u-turn would work well I think - one on the forehead and one on the back.
Too bad Maryse Durette works for TC and not the CTA because her common sense approach to things would have demanded such signs.
People with nut allergies should be made to wear a sign to alert other passengers of their allergy. A no u-turn sign with a peanut replacing the u-turn would work well I think - one on the forehead and one on the back.
Too bad Maryse Durette works for TC and not the CTA because her common sense approach to things would have demanded such signs.
#23
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The Globe piece reports that Sophia Huyer (who lodged the complaint) is an "international consultant".
Actually:
Enough said.
Actually:
- Senior Advisor at Third World Organization of Women in Science (TWOWS)
- Director at Gender Advisory Board, UNCSTD
Enough said.
#25
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend and Moderator: Manufactured Spending
Join Date: May 2002
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The CTA ruling only applies to Air Canada, but an agency spokesperson said other airlines typically follow suit in such situations.
#26
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#27
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#28
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^ Agree fully!
The only thing these types of cases -- as well as government tribunals in general -- are good for is keeping lawyers gainfully employed. A further CanWest article indicates that Air Canada can get out of the order provided it can demonstrate some level of business related hardship.
Furthermore, according to the same article, a lobby group has also piled on -- along with the usual weasel words
-- vaguely referring to "some studies" demonstrating that a portion of allergy sufferers had "reactrions" in-flight. A less scientific argument I cannot imagine ...
The only thing these types of cases -- as well as government tribunals in general -- are good for is keeping lawyers gainfully employed. A further CanWest article indicates that Air Canada can get out of the order provided it can demonstrate some level of business related hardship.
Furthermore, according to the same article, a lobby group has also piled on -- along with the usual weasel words

" ... Gwen Smith, editor-in-chief of Canadian magazine Allergic Living, spearheaded a campaign to get Air Canada to develop clear policies on allergies to minimize the risk of inflight allergic reactions. ...
"We need some formal policies. It really is risky. We found studies showing that up to one in 10 people with nut and peanut allergies were having reactions on flights, so this is significant," said Smith. ... "
"We need some formal policies. It really is risky. We found studies showing that up to one in 10 people with nut and peanut allergies were having reactions on flights, so this is significant," said Smith. ... "
#29
Join Date: Oct 2006
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^ Agree fully!
The only thing these types of cases -- as well as government tribunals in general -- are good for is keeping lawyers gainfully employed. A further CanWest article indicates that Air Canada can get out of the order provided it can demonstrate some level of business related hardship.
Furthermore, according to the same article, a lobby group has also piled on -- along with the usual weasel words
-- vaguely referring to "some studies" demonstrating that a portion of allergy sufferers had "reactrions" in-flight. A less scientific argument I cannot imagine ...
The only thing these types of cases -- as well as government tribunals in general -- are good for is keeping lawyers gainfully employed. A further CanWest article indicates that Air Canada can get out of the order provided it can demonstrate some level of business related hardship.
Furthermore, according to the same article, a lobby group has also piled on -- along with the usual weasel words

" ... Gwen Smith, editor-in-chief of Canadian magazine Allergic Living, spearheaded a campaign to get Air Canada to develop clear policies on allergies to minimize the risk of inflight allergic reactions. ...
"We need some formal policies. It really is risky. We found studies showing that up to one in 10 people with nut and peanut allergies were having reactions on flights, so this is significant," said Smith. ... "
"We need some formal policies. It really is risky. We found studies showing that up to one in 10 people with nut and peanut allergies were having reactions on flights, so this is significant," said Smith. ... "