Profile: kkpingle
This is kkpingle's Profile page. Use it to view kkpingle's comments, other users' replies to these comments, and comments kkpingle has endorsed.
What's Happening Now
Thank you for the comment, kkpingle. If the DOT does change the way airlines structure their fees, what type of disclosure procedures will be needed? Is displaying fare change information on the carriers website enough?
Practically how can a peanut ban be enforced? I eat a lot of peanut products and travel with peanut butter M&M’s as there are many things I do not eat and I find them to be a a great snack, that does not go off after a few days. The only problem is that sometimes the bag opens and so their are crumbs at the bottom of my bags and maybe my hangs are not so clean when I opened the zipper and so on. If I was told last minute I cannot take my peanut butter products on board will the airline have to make sure they have suitable alternative snacks available for me to eat? Surely the highly allergic peanut people will be at risk from the peanut crumbs/ dust on my clothes and hands (which may have brushed their headrest as I walked past)? Let those who can’t cope with peanuts take cars ,boats and trains
I don’t mind of the airlines no longer hand out peanuts but to make me feel responsible for a reaction to the food products I may be carrying/ have recently eaten is “passing the buck”. Will peanuts be banned from all airports?
Why don’t those who are severely allergic to peanuts start their own schools and arrange their own charter flights?
As for the allergic Captain – there are many people who cannot follow the career they would like to for health reasons e.g the dentist who develops a tremor, the nurse with a back problem. Maybe you should look into a peanut free airline or another career.
No comments
Airlines, and 3rd party sites should be required to display the full price. Any optional fees should be disclosed and the prospective purchaser given the option of selecting those wanted, so they are included in the price and can be paid at the same time as the ticket. This allows people to compare the total fares.
Ticket sellers should not be allowed to raise the price after the ticket is purchases, except possibly if they will also reduce the price if lower fares are later published for the flight.
I normally fly Southwest, which does not have baggage fees. However, I do think lines that charge should have to include it in the fee shown (possibly having to ask how many bags will be checked. Also, purchases should always be able to pay the fees with the ticket instead of waiting until they are at the airport.
I have no real problem if some airlines want to charge for baggage, although I would prefer a charge only for more than one bag (most people will need one). I would prefer there be charges (even on Southwest) for people who try to bring full-size bags into the cabin. I have come close to having bags dropped on me several times by people attempting to lift bags that were too heavy for them.
Note that while liquids cannot be brought through security, I have found that empty water bottles are OK and then can be filled at a drinking fountain or rest room. Also, some airports do not gouge people for food and liquids.
While I have some concerns about what else people might want banned, I have no problem with a peanut ban. I think it would be easier on the airlines to either never have peanuts, or use something else when someone with an allergy is flying. A bubble around the person(s) puts too much responsibility on the flight crew that has other things to worry about. Since people could be switched to a flight at the last minute, and changing snacks already loaded could be a problem, I suspect this would just ban peanuts completely. While I agree that people with allergies should be ready to deal with problems, I do not consider telling people with severe problems to just not fly to be reasonable. Taking a boat to other continents is not a reasonable option, nor is keeping people from visiting them.