Peanut Allergy PreBoard?
Jul 15, 2011 | 11:49 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Aug 2010
Posts: 102
Peanut Allergy PreBoard?
Had a situation last week on a flight out of SMF to ABQ. One of the teenagers, who was about 12-14 years of age was allowed a blue preboarding card because she had a peanut allergy. Unfortunately she had a family of 8 traveling with her and all were allowed to preboard. Is this standard? Of course when I boarded (A16) all the first several rows was filled with her entourage.
Jul 15, 2011 | 12:26 pm
#2
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: STL
Programs: Hhonors Diamond, Southwest A-list Preferred, Delta Million Miler
Posts: 362
Had a situation last week on a flight out of SMF to ABQ. One of the teenagers, who was about 12-14 years of age was allowed a blue preboarding card because she had a peanut allergy. Unfortunately she had a family of 8 traveling with her and all were allowed to preboard. Is this standard? Of course when I boarded (A16) all the first several rows was filled with her entourage.
Jul 15, 2011 | 12:27 pm
#3
Join Date: Aug 2004
Programs: HHSilver;SWACompanion;AA;CO
Posts: 253
Sounds like a crock, to me. She should have been allowed to board with one parent, at the most. Everyone else should have boarded at their assigned position.
I find it hard to believe that ANYONE with a genuine, serious, peanut allergy would even travel on SW. It's not like they sanitize ANYTHING on those planes on a turnaround. The oil & dust from the nuts is on every conceivable surface, FAs hands, bathrooms, etc.
May be just a rather creative way to get 9 people their seats of choice, in my opinion.
I find it hard to believe that ANYONE with a genuine, serious, peanut allergy would even travel on SW. It's not like they sanitize ANYTHING on those planes on a turnaround. The oil & dust from the nuts is on every conceivable surface, FAs hands, bathrooms, etc.
May be just a rather creative way to get 9 people their seats of choice, in my opinion.
Jul 15, 2011 | 12:58 pm
#4
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: STL
Programs: Hhonors Diamond, Southwest A-list Preferred, Delta Million Miler
Posts: 362
Sounds like a crock, to me. She should have been allowed to board with one parent, at the most. Everyone else should have boarded at their assigned position.
I find it hard to believe that ANYONE with a genuine, serious, peanut allergy would even travel on SW. It's not like they sanitize ANYTHING on those planes on a turnaround. The oil & dust from the nuts is on every conceivable surface, FAs hands, bathrooms, etc.
May be just a rather creative way to get 9 people their seats of choice, in my opinion.
I find it hard to believe that ANYONE with a genuine, serious, peanut allergy would even travel on SW. It's not like they sanitize ANYTHING on those planes on a turnaround. The oil & dust from the nuts is on every conceivable surface, FAs hands, bathrooms, etc.
May be just a rather creative way to get 9 people their seats of choice, in my opinion.
Jul 15, 2011 | 6:32 pm
#6
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: Japan/Thailand
Programs: AS, UA
Posts: 1,214
Jul 15, 2011 | 6:33 pm
#7
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: Newport Beach, California, USA
Posts: 36,062
I've had melanoma. If I get it again, it could be deadly.
Can I preboard, too?
Jul 15, 2011 | 9:09 pm
#9
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: Nashville, TN
Programs: WN Nothing and spending the half million points from too many flights, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 8,043
The preboard is so that the seats and area can be thoroughly wiped down and "cleaned" before the regular passengers load. If one has a mild peanut allergy, this preventive measure can prevent an attack.
However, those with severe allergies would not get a lot of success in doing this. The WN aircraft is full of peanut residue and would set of someone that was very sensitive.
More on peanut allergies and WN.
Preboarding? I could find nothing about a limit on the number of assistants.
And for your reading enjoyment CFR 14 Part 382. (Warning 136 page pdf of legaleze and regulatory language.)
There is this from boarding school:
So, the number that may board with the preboarder appears to be at the discretion of the OA.
However, those with severe allergies would not get a lot of success in doing this. The WN aircraft is full of peanut residue and would set of someone that was very sensitive.
More on peanut allergies and WN.
Preboarding? I could find nothing about a limit on the number of assistants.
And for your reading enjoyment CFR 14 Part 382. (Warning 136 page pdf of legaleze and regulatory language.)
There is this from boarding school:
Prior to general boarding, preboarding is available for Customers who have specific seating needs to accommodate their disability and/or need assistance in boarding the aircraft or stowing an assistive device. If you have a disability and require preboarding, you should request a blue preboarding sleeve from our Customer Service Agent positioned at the departure gate. The sleeve serves as notification to our Operations (Boarding) Agent that you need to preboard. It's important to keep in mind that Customers who preboard may not occupy an emergency exit seat. Customers with disabilities who have any other special needs related to boarding should speak with a Customer Service Agent at the departure gate.
Jul 15, 2011 | 10:08 pm
#12
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: Washington, DC
Programs: United Silver
Posts: 130
Someone mentioned on here a few weeks ago about how their child has a peanut allergy, and why it's important for them to preboard. It seems like there could be good reasons, but I can't imagine why eight other people need to preboard with them. One at most, and that's only if they are a minor. Otherwise, it just cheapens EBCI, which isn't good for WN or for anyone.
Jul 16, 2011 | 5:44 am
#13
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: MCO
Programs: Southwest Rapid Rewards
Posts: 791
The way I see it, this would be exactly the opposite of the thing to do. Would it not make more sense for the allergic person to board *after* his family has taken their seats and cleaned them for him? If he gets on the plane first, he gets on while all the "peanut residue" is there, thus promoting the chance of a reaction. What difference does it make if the seat is cleaned while he's sitting there? He's still there before the cleaning!
Last edited by mritty; Jul 16, 2011 at 5:45 am Reason: html->bbcode
Jul 16, 2011 | 6:26 pm
#14
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: ORD
Programs: UA Silver
Posts: 1,818
I tend to agree. If a person actually has that serious of a peanut allergy, SW is the last airline they would want to fly. Wiping down the seat is not going to do anything when the entire plane was full of peanut dust 30 minutes prior.
Jul 16, 2011 | 10:48 pm
#15
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: STL
Posts: 1,563
Out of curiosity, if someone has a peanut allergy, will WN not serve peanuts on the flight? It doesn't seem like wiping down your seat will help if the person in the row behind you opens up a bag of peanuts later on.