Family Sues American Airlines Over Peanut-Free Flight

[Boblobla]

Originally Posted by Gozer

I had a classmate in school that would vomit from smelling peanuts in the same hallway. He didn't die, but I doubt he has the worst allergy in the world.

Hmm that is a weird reaction. I have never heard of an allergy triggering vomiting.

[metal_geek]

Originally Posted by GreenTeaFrapp

If you're just allergic to nuts, it doesn't matter if they are packed in a factory that packs peanuts.

Peanuts != Nuts.

If you're allergic to nuts, try finding peanuts to eat from a supplier who doesn't also process peanuts..

If you allergic to peanuts try finding nuts to eat from a supplier who doesn't also process nuts

If you have a severe allergy to either you don't care about the semantics, they're one in the same..
________
Paxil Injury Lawyer

[Dion]

Originally Posted by RougeUnderoos

Okay, well you didn't answer my other question.

Has anyone in the history of the world died from exposure to "peanut dust" on an airplane.

Hell, I'd like to know if anyone has ever actually even been hospitalized.

Caroline's United Airlines flight was forced to land early so she could be whisked to an emergency room. The release of peanut dust into the cabin from several hundred open peanut bags apparently set off her reaction. A Mayo Clinic study suggests the situation was not unusual. Researchers found quantities of peanut allergens in the ventilation systems of several commercial airplanes. Some airlines, like Northwest and Southwest, say they'll pull peanuts in flights with allergic passengers, but Caroline's parents say when they asked United to do that on a subsequent flight, the airline said no.

http://www.pbs.org/newshour/bb/healt...nut_12-19.html

If the "dust" from such a common substance is "potentially fatal" then people would be having reactions all the time. Do they? Does it happen?

Can someone with such a severe peanut allergy even walk past the bulk food section at the grocery store?

"There are true risks when ... enough peanut protein is really being disturbed. So if people are cracking open peanuts, especially in a confined space, a waiting area of a restaurant, you could have a very severe reaction because there's enough peanut airborne there," said Dr. Robert Wood of Johns Hopkins University.

http://www.cnn.com/2005/HEALTH/condi...nut.allergies/

[RougeUnderoos]

Okay, so that's one incident 11 years ago. She said she "felt like she was going to pass out".

For all the attention this "epidemic" gets and how many millions of people are put in "life threatening" situations every day you'd think there would be more to it than that.

I don't doubt that peanut allergies exist, but they've served peanuts on airplanes forever. Billions of people on millions of flights have been exposed to "peanut protein" and nobody, far as I can tell, has ever actually died from it, but here we are calling it "life threatening". If it's life threatening, someone's life was surely threatened. We have one potential story from a decade ago and really, nothing else.

[jammies]

In other news, more than 20 000 people die each year in the USA of the common flu. Where are the campaigns to quarantine flu sufferers in bubbles? Should there be mandatory flu testing before getting on planes, trains, buses and other forms of public transportation? If your kid has the flu, shouldn't the law be able to keep him/her at home by any means short of lethal force? I mean, compared to 100-150 peanut allergy deaths every year, that's a BIBLICAL PLAGUE!!!!!

Yes, it's tragic that there are people with peanut allergies. However, statistically even a chronic sufferer is much more likely to die in a car accident than from inhaling peanut dust or being exposed to some other source of peanuts, so I question the need for draconian peanut regulations to protect people from what is realistically a vanishingly small chance of death. Further, why not ban wheat products, fish products, eggs, or other common foods that provoke allergic reactions - if peanut allergies are so dangerous that you can't eat a PBJ in the same room as a sufferer, surely the scarfing down of hundreds of slices of wheat-based bread in the school cafeteria has the potential to slay a wheat-allergic child like a bullet to the head?

I suspect that while there ARE people who are severely allergic, the vast majority of people who are allergic are only mildly so, and the hysteria far outstrips the actuality of the danger.

[Dion]

Originally Posted by RougeUnderoos

Okay, so that's one incident 11 years ago. She said she "felt like she was going to pass out".

Anaphylactic shock is a life-threatening reaction characterized by swelling and difficulty breathing.

For an anaphylactic reaction, an emergency injection of adrenaline (epinephrine) and a trip to the emergency room is necessary.

I don't doubt that peanut allergies exist, but they've served peanuts on airplanes forever. Billions of people on millions of flights have been exposed to "peanut protein" and nobody, far as I can tell, has ever actually died from it, but here we are calling it "life threatening". If it's life threatening, someone's life was surely threatened. We have one potential story from a decade ago and really, nothing else.

Just because something is life threatening doesn't mean someone has to die to make this true. If someone has a health emergency during a flight the plane is often diverted to the closest airport so said passenger can get emergency medical treatment.

[Azure]

Originally Posted by jammies

In other news, more than 20 000 people die each year in the USA of the common flu. Where are the campaigns to quarantine flu sufferers in bubbles? Should there be mandatory flu testing before getting on planes, trains, buses and other forms of public transportation? If your kid has the flu, shouldn't the law be able to keep him/her at home by any means short of lethal force? I mean, compared to 100-150 peanut allergy deaths every year, that's a BIBLICAL PLAGUE!!!!!

Yes, it's tragic that there are people with peanut allergies. However, statistically even a chronic sufferer is much more likely to die in a car accident than from inhaling peanut dust or being exposed to some other source of peanuts, so I question the need for draconian peanut regulations to protect people from what is realistically a vanishingly small chance of death. Further, why not ban wheat products, fish products, eggs, or other common foods that provoke allergic reactions - if peanut allergies are so dangerous that you can't eat a PBJ in the same room as a sufferer, surely the scarfing down of hundreds of slices of wheat-based bread in the school cafeteria has the potential to slay a wheat-allergic child like a bullet to the head?

I suspect that while there ARE people who are severely allergic, the vast majority of people who are allergic are only mildly so, and the hysteria far outstrips the actuality of the danger.

Exactly the way I feel.

[ricosuave]

Originally Posted by jammies

In other news, more than 20 000 people die each year in the USA of the common flu. Where are the campaigns to quarantine flu sufferers in bubbles? Should there be mandatory flu testing before getting on planes, trains, buses and other forms of public transportation? If your kid has the flu, shouldn't the law be able to keep him/her at home by any means short of lethal force? I mean, compared to 100-150 peanut allergy deaths every year, that's a BIBLICAL PLAGUE!!!!!

Yes, it's tragic that there are people with peanut allergies. However, statistically even a chronic sufferer is much more likely to die in a car accident than from inhaling peanut dust or being exposed to some other source of peanuts, so I question the need for draconian peanut regulations to protect people from what is realistically a vanishingly small chance of death. Further, why not ban wheat products, fish products, eggs, or other common foods that provoke allergic reactions - if peanut allergies are so dangerous that you can't eat a PBJ in the same room as a sufferer, surely the scarfing down of hundreds of slices of wheat-based bread in the school cafeteria has the potential to slay a wheat-allergic child like a bullet to the head?

I suspect that while there ARE people who are severely allergic, the vast majority of people who are allergic are only mildly so, and the hysteria far outstrips the actuality of the danger.

you said it much better than I could.

[RougeUnderoos]

Originally Posted by Dion

Anaphylactic shock is a life-threatening reaction characterized by swelling and difficulty breathing.

For an anaphylactic reaction, an emergency injection of adrenaline (epinephrine) and a trip to the emergency room is necessary.

Okay, I'm not denying that people are allergic to things and can have reactions. You don't have to explain to me that it can happen. I know it can.

Originally Posted by Dion

Just because something is life threatening doesn't mean someone has to die to make this true. If someone has a health emergency during a flight the plane is often diverted to the closest airport so said passenger can get emergency medical treatment.

Billions of people have been exposed to peanuts on an airplane. Millions of them with "peanut allergies". Not one of them has ever died. Does that constitute "life threatening" to you?

Going by your own numbers (1% of the population suffering from this allergy), there is probably at least 1 person on most commercial flights in North America who is allergic to peanuts. Nothing ever happens to them and they are flying on regular flights on which peanuts are served.

Where is the threat?

[RougeUnderoos]

Originally Posted by jammies

I mean, compared to 100-150 peanut allergy deaths every year, that's a BIBLICAL PLAGUE!!!!!

According to the CDC, 12 people died from food allergies in 2004. All foods.

[Azure]

Originally Posted by RougeUnderoos

According to the CDC, 12 people died from food allergies in 2004. All foods.

And half a million are going to die this year because of unhealthy food.

I wonder which we should ban first.

[Hack&Lube]

These guys aren't after money, they just want to protect people like their son

His parents say that if they are successful in their suit they will donate the entire judgment to the Food Allergy and Anaphylaxis Network.

[jammies]

Originally Posted by RougeUnderoos

According to the CDC, 12 people died from food allergies in 2004. All foods.

Free Mr. Peanut! He's been framed!

[Dion]

Originally Posted by RougeUnderoos

Billions of people have been exposed to peanuts on an airplane. Millions of them with "peanut allergies". Not one of them has ever died. Does that constitute "life threatening" to you?

Yes it does. Luckily airlines have been able to get passengers to the closet airport in time for medical treatment so far.

Going by your own numbers (1% of the population suffering from this allergy), there is probably at least 1 person on most commercial flights in North America who is allergic to peanuts. Nothing ever happens to them and they are flying on regular flights on which peanuts are served.

Where is the threat?

The threat is to the person who suffers from this allergy.

Airlines are treating it as a threat as some have banned peanuts from all their planes

[RougeUnderoos]

Originally Posted by Dion

Yes it does. Luckily airlines have been able to get passengers to the closet airport in time for medical treatment so far.

Have they? Have a lot of people been rushed to the hospital after passive exposure to peanut products on an airplane? I'm not saying it doesn't happen, but I've never heard of it. Are there statistics? A website or anything?

Originally Posted by Dion

The threat is to the person who suffers from this allergy.

Airlines are treating it as a threat as some have banned peanuts from all their planes

Which airlines? Maybe some are banning nuts, I don't know. The two airlines brought up in this thread aren't claiming their flights are nut-free.

[Teh_Bandwagoner]

Dude. You must seriously love peanuts.

Originally Posted by RougeUnderoos

Okay, so that's one incident 11 years ago. She said she "felt like she was going to pass out".

For all the attention this "epidemic" gets and how many millions of people are put in "life threatening" situations every day you'd think there would be more to it than that.

I don't doubt that peanut allergies exist, but they've served peanuts on airplanes forever. Billions of people on millions of flights have been exposed to "peanut protein" and nobody, far as I can tell, has ever actually died from it, but here we are calling it "life threatening". If it's life threatening, someone's life was surely threatened. We have one potential story from a decade ago and really, nothing else.

[Dion]

Originally Posted by RougeUnderoos

Have they? Have a lot of people been rushed to the hospital after passive exposure to peanut products on an airplane? I'm not saying it doesn't happen, but I've never heard of it. Are there statistics? A website or anything?

I gave you a link already where a woman stated her flight had to be diverted to the nearest airport from an allergic reaction to peanuts.

Which airlines? Maybe some are banning nuts, I don't know. The two airlines brought up in this thread aren't claiming their flights are nut-free.

United, Northwest, JetBlue, Spirit, US Airways have pulled peanuts from thier planes.

[8 Ball]

I am suprised they still hand out peanuts on flights given how so many people are allergic to them. Hand out crackers or pretzels or something. That being said, if you are that allergic to something so common, stay off of mass transit. There is no way to know the guy behind, beside, or in front of you isn't going to suddenly tear into a bag of peanuts.

[ernie]

Originally Posted by J pold

I wonder why peanut allergies seem to be the only ones that people are so willing to accommodate

I remember being in elementary school and not being allowed to bring any sort of peanut material for lunch, same thing happened in junior high

Because Peanut and nut allergies, along with shell fish allergies, tend to be extremely serious and can be quickly life threatening. We have a friend with a 2 year old boy who the first time (about 6 months ago) they gave him peanut butter he vomitted everywhere. They thought he was just sick. However, seeing as an aunt has a severe peanut allergy they delayed giving him any more until a few weeks ago.

Trip to the emergency room as he swelled up. He began to have trouble breathing by the time they made it to the hospital. It's the common way of these allergies...each exposure results in a more serious and rapid reaction.

Why are they becoming more prevelant? Many believe it is because we live in environements that are too clean as kids. We don't allow our kids to get exposed to things like they used to get exposed to.

IN this particular case they have every right to sue to call attention to what could have been a serious incident and make the airline either (a) never promise a peanut free environment or (b) train personnel properly so that what is promised is delivered. Note they have said they will not gain financially from it.

Keep in mind several bags of peanuts in a confined environment with people rubbing their hands together to get rid of the peanut dust (we all do it) is completely different than a person eating an Oh Henry next to you.

[RougeUnderoos]

Originally Posted by Dion

I gave you a link already where a woman stated her flight had to be diverted to the nearest airport from an allergic reaction to peanuts.

There you just said it -- "a" woman. One person. Is it more widespread than that?

Originally Posted by Dion

United, Northwest, JetBlue, Spirit, US Airways have pulled peanuts from thier planes.

10 seconds on the "FAAN" website tells me that they still serve food with nuts in it, they just don't give out individual bags of peanuts anymore. Passengers can bring 'em aboard.

Bla bla bla bla.

I think this "peanut allergy" scare is overblown. If it affects someone you know then I can understand being defensive or concerned about it.

I just don't see it as a major issue and nobody has demonstrated that it actually is.