Court orders Air Canada nut-free zone

[oz_mark]

Canada's transportation regulator has ordered Air Canada to accommodate passengers with severe nut allergies by seating them in new nut-free zones on aircraft.
"The agency has determined that a buffer zone, including an announcement within that zone, is the appropriate accommodation for persons with disabilities due to their allergy to peanuts or nuts," the Canadian Transportation Agency said in its ruling.

Court orders Air Canada nut-free zone - Yahoo!7 News

 

[AlphaVictor]

Too far!

I miss the days of a beer and few packets of honey roasted nuts. Every now and then on a different carrier or two I ask for a pack and I get looked at like I'm a leper

What's that old quote from Star Trek, Wrath of Khan? ..

Spock: That is wise. Were I to invoke logic, however, logic clearly dictates that the needs of the many outweigh the needs of the few.
Kirk: Or the one.

Oh well, gotta go with the times...

 

[samh004]

I just saw this on /. Some good quotes there.

Of all the stupid rulings. What is the world coming to? Doesn’t help the CTA that they applied it to only one airline, I’d think they’ll be appealing on the grounds it’s unfair for just them to create this “buffer zone”.

However, this got my attention:

Ms. Huyer said she is unhappy with the ruling because it won't solve the problem. “It's not enough,” she said. “You know that in grade schools if there is a child with a nut allergy nuts are banned either from the classroom or the entire school because that's how dangerous it is.”

So she’d prefer my rights, and everyone else without a nut allergy, are taken away because she wants to fly on the same plane as us. What a b….

 

[2muchplastic]

So she’d prefer my rights, and everyone else without a nut allergy, are taken away because she wants to fly on the same plane as us. What a b….

I agree. She is/they are the minority with the problem, and whilst that may not sound sympathetic, I think the word that I'm thinking of is tough.

Yes it's a serious, life threatening problem, but it's their problem, not mine

 

[mannej]

Are 2 complaints in the last 4 or so years enough to implement these orders?

Considering the volume of passengers that would travel Air Canada each year, I think the judge's orders are a tad overkill to say the least.

 

[Mal]

While I feel bad for those with severe nut (or other food) allergies, (particularly certain nut allergies as they can be affected by someone nearby having nuts) unfortunately we do not live in bubbles and prevent them being exposed to the toxins.

Preventing nuts on flights seems to be a way to avoid personal responsibility to take their own precautions.

Strangely I don't see the same effort being taken to assist those allergic to dog/cat hair (even though pets are a common carried on item in the U.S), or perfume etc. Granted the situation is different (life threatening vs being very uncomfy), but the principle seems to be the same.

 

[trippin_the_rift]

It will be overturned......

the passenger was probably the judges' wifes tennis buddy

 

[thewinchester]

I couldn't help reading the post title thinking that Canada was doing something smart and banning all nuts from getting on board

And I'm sorry, but having to create nut free zones because some people get allergies.... please. I'm with the crowd on this one - why should the many have their enjoyment of a simple crunchy snack interrupted by a few people who can't be coughd to look after themselves and carry an EpiPen or other pharmaceutical concoction to relieve themselves in the event of a problem.

 

[Mal]

And I'm sorry, but having to create nut free zones because some people get allergies.... please.

One of the issues as I see it is that even with a nut free zone (could we extend that to idiot free zones too?), it won't stop someone with the most severe nut allergies from being affected by someone outside that zone.

Are we going to see a bunch of lawsuits against Canadian airlines because people think that they will be protected?

Not much different to some other situations where companies will refuse to do something due to the legal issues involved. A UK example is that some companies/shops/pubs/restaurants etc refuse to remove ice on their driveways/walkpaths because by doing so it makes them (apparently) liable if someone slips because of the way the ice was removed. Instead everyone slips and slides trying to get into the place - not a pleasant experience.

 

[drron]

Well having a granddaughter with a severe life threatening nut allergy(plus eggs and shellfish) I also am against this.The number that will be affected in the presence of nuts is a very small percentage of those with severe nut allergy.For example i can sit next to my granddaughter on a plane and eat peanuts(and have done so) and she is fine-I just have to remember to go and wash my hands well afterwards.She has had an intensive care admission and has needed to use her epipen on more than one occasion.
The number that would need even this nut free zone really is very small and the number needing a nut free plane is exceedingly small.It is unfortunate for them but everyone has rights.

 

[auriga]

Agree, this is just too much!:shock:

 

[codash1099]

Agree, this is just too much!:shock:

Just like political correctness, it's out of control. Where does it stop? Are FA's to be prevented from even carrying nuts through the nut free zone?

I shudder at what the world has come to. Even if the decision is overturned, the attitude remains out there.

 

[Mal]

Just like political correctness, it's out of control. Where does it stop? Are FA's to be prevented from even carrying nuts through the nut free zone?

Don't forget the mandatory de-contamination of any pax who go through the area. There will be showers and plastic sheeting up at the start and finish.

Madness indeed... minorities* rule the world - didn't we already know that?

* Just before anyone jumps in, I'm using that term for it's broader definition, not the way it's often used.

 

[anat0l]

I don't understand nut allergies. It wasn't the fad thing when I was a very young lad; is it a recent thing that more and more people are allergic to nuts?

As for this ruling, it is insane. And only Air Canada? What about the other Canadian carriers? Or any airline entering Canadian airspace for that matter?

I can just see it now:

• Nuts are completely banned from catering
• Every passenger boarding an AC aircraft must go through additional screening at the gate, including a chamber which cleans a passenger of nut traces, and extra bag and body searches to ensure no one carries any nuts on board
• All food preparation steps must be carefully monitored and done according to the relevant standards in order to ensure a completely nut free environment from - to use the Qantas saying - "paddock to plate"
• Everyone who interacts within the aircraft - FAs, flight deck crew, cleaners, etc. - must be clean and not possess any nuts or traces of them

Imagine what the penalties would be for breach of these terms. I can't imagine them...

Although I sympathise with those that have a nut allergy, this decision is really nuts.

 

[Reggie]

I remember being on an SQ flight from CDG to SIN in the A380 in July, and 2 crew members (1 french, 1 english) got on the PA 4 or 5 times each, prior to pushback, advising that there where pax on board with peanut allergies and that no peanut products were to be eaten on board, even if you had bought them on yourself.

 

[Skoogle]

I recall a recent news report about a school that had 20-odd students with a peanut allergy. They had a fete or similar where international foods where being served. The Satay Chicken was so popular that all but 2 students ate it.

I have a food allergy myself (not peanuts) and it needs to be taken seriously, but I regularly get told to just make do or don't eat.

It is wrong that catering is provided for those with cultural diets, but not for those with allergy-restricted diets.

 

[AlphaVictor]

This will be a challenge for AC.

Where to put the Nut Free Zone.

If they place it at the back of the plane, the No-Nuts will cry fowl and say they are being discriminated against by being given poor seating. Because they don't want to sit there, they'll not disclose their "condition" and sit where they want, which brings us back to square 1.

Imagine Future Check-ins

Window or aisle?
Forward or Rear?
Nuts or No Nuts?
Recline or no-recline?
Armrest or no armrest?
Person overflowing into your seat or non?
Binge drinking or teetotaler?
Light on all night or darkness?

 

[codash1099]

This will be a challenge for AC.

Where to put the Nut Free Zone.

If they place it at the back of the plane, the No-Nuts will cry fowl and say they are being discriminated against by being given poor seating. Because they don't want to sit there, they'll not disclose their "condition" and sit where they want, which brings us back to square 1.

Only those with egg allergies will cry fowl :mrgreen:

 

[drron]

Only those with egg allergies will cry fowl :mrgreen:

And those allergic to crab will declare the decision fishy.

 

[thewinchester]

Only those with egg allergies will cry fowl :mrgreen:

And those allergic to crab will declare the decision fishy.

You're terrible Muriel!