Should A Passenger Dictate What Other Passenger Eat On Their Holiday Flight?

[Gromit]

A couple booked their daughter on a flight even though she had a nut allergy. Then walked the plane asking other passengers not to eat nuts.

The child didn't die so all is good. But they then complained bitterly about the airline.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c0kkzzy8eqjo.
 

Take your sprog to Rhyl and no problem.

[newmodarmy]

Hi Gromit, please can you check the link

[davebro3]

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c0kkzzy8eqjo#:~:text=A%20freelance%20BBC%20weather%20presenter,due%20to%20her%20daughter's%20allergy.

[ToraToraTora]

No, if it's that dangerous then you go nowhere near it. Another example of perceived entitlement.

[Gettingonabit]

I've  been on flights when an announcements have been made  requesting you not to eat nuts.  I have no problems with it whatsoever.   On one flight I had intended to eat a Snicker I'd brought with me but wasn't  the least bothered that  I couldn't.   I can't  understand  why the crew couldn't  make a simple announcement explaining they  had a child passenger  with a nut allergy.

[Prudie]

I think way more than half of all the flights I've been on in last 4 years there has been an announcement about not serving peanuts etc becasue someone on board has a nut allergy. It's a very regular feature.

[bhg481]

It wouldn't bother me one jot to eat something else for the duration of a flight - it's only consideration for others. If some selfish so-and-so chooses to ignore the polite request they might find they have a medical emergency on board and the flight deing diverted with all the associated delays.

[andy-hughes]

I don't think the parents were 'dictating' and it appears the situation could have been handled better by both sides.

The family should no exactly how dangerous their child's allergy is, and advise the airline accordingly.

If the allergy is sufficiently serious that breathing air that may contain nut traces could trigger it, then clearly flying is not an option. 

But we don't know how serious things might, or might not be, or become.

Knocking on the cockpit door I'd unacceptable, probably leading to them being  deplaned. 

A simple announcement seems reasonable, I would have no issue avoiding eating something to safeguard another passenger. 

Hopefully everyone will handle this better next time.

[ToraToraTora]

This is moronic entitled parents that think that they and their child matter. If they cared and it was that bad they'd not be on a plane. End of.

[webbo3]

What if someone was eating peanuts onth previous flight.

[andy-hughes]

TTT - I think 'entitlement' is a bit strong.

They should have advised the airline in advance, they didn't. 

The crew should have made an announcement, they didn't. 

Things got heated, they shouldn't, but hopefully everyone will do better next time. 

[douglas9401]

Nuttin to be done about that, Webbo.

[Old_Geezer]

Out of common decency no one should be releasing the stench of peanuts within 50 miles of anyone else. That's just common decency.

 

However no, unless there is an airline rule about it, then no one should be able to dictate to others what they may eat. But they could politely ask. Trouble with that is that it's putting peer pressure on folk to relinquish their rights, which isn't a fair thing to do. Plus there's no guarantee all will comply anyway, so it's foolish to put yourself and your loved ones at risk.

 

One can understand an airline not wanting to get sued so refusing to make such an announcement. It would have been more sensible for those at risk not fly in the first place.

[Blubster]

Apart from the fact that someone with a nut allergy is risking flying in a huge metal tube, wouldn't the parents in this case carry an EpiPen?

[jno]

she doesn't seem to have been dictating, she just asked other passengers, who passed the message on, and nobody complained. (Nor would I.) But the airline got the hump.

From Ryanair's website: Customers with nut allergies are asked to inform cabin crew when boarding the flight and a public address is then made informing other customers and advising that no products containing nuts will be sold onboard

Easyjet: If you or somebody travelling with you suffers from a nut allergy, it is important that you let us know before your flight. You can do this during the booking process online by requesting Special Assistance and then selecting the “I have a nut allergy” statement. 
This information will be added to your booking and Ground Crew and Cabin Crew will be aware of your nut allergy. 
On the day of travel, you must also tell the cabin manager when boarding the flight.  Our cabin crew will make an announcement to ask other customers not to eat any nut products for the duration of the flight. We will also stop the sale of any products containing nut traces on board.

That seems a sensible way of doing things.

[237SJ]

Peanuts are legumes, not nuts.  I can't imagine any airlines serve peanuts anymore. Yes, the passenger would have an Epipen and so would the airline in their med kid.  It's got a bit out of hand now.  I`ve been on the upper deck of a 747 and someone has had an allergy who was sitting right down the back.  It used to be that the people just a few rows in front and behind of the passenger were requested to refrain from eating said allergen but due to litigation, the airlines are much more careful nowadays.  Didn't happen 25 years ago

[DTCwordfan]

I'll try this next time on a flight as to bananas.....thx

[Old_Geezer]

A comparison could be that if someone, knowing there was a risk to their health, is allowed to ask everyone on the plane not to eat peanuts, is it also true for someone, knowing there was a risk of feeling famished, because they were fasting during the day, is allowed to ask everyone on the bus not to eat food ?

[jno]

feeling famished isn't quite the same as dying in anaphylactic shock; try them and see

[THECORBYLOON]

OG, in your example, could breaking a fast result in

Constriction of airways

Swelling of the throat that makes it difficult to breathe

A severe drop in blood pressure (shock)

Rapid pulse

Dizziness, lightheadedness or loss of consciousness

Death?

[Ellipsis]

Communication let them down. For example, if an airline says nothing about peanuts, does that mean that it will it it won't have peanuts on the plane. ASSUME makes an ASS out of U and ME ...