Profile: gwamma
This is gwamma's Profile page. Use it to view gwamma's comments, other users' replies to these comments, and comments gwamma has endorsed.
What's Happening Now
No comments
This is gwamma's Profile page. Use it to view gwamma's comments, other users' replies to these comments, and comments gwamma has endorsed.
I am highly allergic to cats, and somewhat allergic to dogs. I have stopped flying since pets have been allowed in the cabin. I was part of a Johns Hopkins cat allergy study because I have severe asthma attacks in the presence of cats. They tested me by putting me in a room with caged cats. I am able to be in the presence of a cat owner because they don’t usually jump around spreading dander from their clothing. I just have to refrain from hugging them. I’m not likely to hug a fellow passenger.
I made the mistake of sitting in a front seat on a SW flight to California from Maryland, last November. I went through 2 bags of cough drops because the tickle in my throat would not stop. Once I left the plane, the irritation ceased. I saw on my return flight that a service dog was sitting… more »
I was on those flights because I did not realize there had been a change in SW policy. I was in line to board the plane before I realized there had been a change. The return trip was also booked and paid for.
I do not know why people are upset about pets not being allowed in the cabin. It’s just been recently that this has been allowed. I now travel cross country by car and call ahead to be sure that the hotel room does not allow pets. That’s getting harder to find now, too.
The peanut allergy people are even in a worse position than I am. Their sensitivity is even more acute. I fail to understand why so many people are so selfish that they cannot give up peanuts for a few hours. Also, why can’t your pet fly in the luggage compartment like they used to do? I understand that they do air condition those compartments when pets are in them. Making sure those compartments are comfortable is a good solution.
For those who require a protein snack. I remember SW used to give snacks that had little sausages and cheese packets in them. Why can’t we go back to that? I know that even lactose intolerant people would be able to eat the sausage and maybe even the cheese (depending on their sensitivity). I know that people allergic to dairy do not react to touching something a cheese eater has touched. They must consume the product.
It is documented that there are a large number of people allergic to cats and dogs and a pretty good number of people allergic to peanuts. I do not think that fear of red hair is a documented problem large enough to be considered. I noticed perfume was also mentioned. My husband and I are also sensitive to perfumes but we haven’t really had a problem with overly scented passengers. If that is a problem, why do people need to douse themselves in perfume for a flight? We already are limited in what we can bring in our carryons. Why not just state, no peanuts, no pets, no perfumes? I think those are the major problems for allergies.
Maybe just looking at peanut allergies is too narrow.
Canada’s lung association is currently fighting the concept of pets being allowed in Canadian Airline cabins. I think we need to take a look at what’s happening there. There must be a reason for it. « less
I do not know of any other food allergies that can be lethal without consuming the food. Peanut allergy can be deadly even if a person just breathes the vapor/dust. On the other hand, I doubt there is anyone who will die if peanuts are not allowed on a flight. There are many other foods that can be consumed as a snack without endangering anyone’s life. I know I risk upsetting pet owners, but why can’t pets be carried in pressurized heated/air-conditioned cargo holds as before? I believe that larger pets are still accommodated this way on most airlines.
Moderator, I’d just like to clarify that the short Gwamma answer to your question for Mithrandir was actually an answer by Mithrandir. My computer is in the shop, I’m using Mithrandir’s computer, and I forgot to logout. Mithrandir answered your question, but it showed up as Gwamma. The long Gwamma post was from me.