I am in the midst of a crisis.
I booked a ticket with American 3 months ago for departure on December 16th. Three weeks prior to departure they contacted me VERY VERY NICE...and said they will submit the paperwork to my doctor, etc. They have covered all ground.
My doctor received the fax, and said that although American will take off all peanuts, she will not permit flying, because American says that they can't control if other people bring it on. (well of course they can't....noone can...we all know that "clause in the policy")....in any event my doctor signed that it is unsafe for me to fly.
It is now impossible to reverse that decision.
American is doing everything possible, but they will not allow me to board next week. $400 ticket to waste. And if I begin with a new airline....it may be the same problem.
New doctor? I am in Washington DC and my doctor in Arizona...because I am SO severely allergic, they did it through the blood work and no scratch test. we know what it is like to get into a specialist especially during the holidays, and I have no insurance here, as I am a doctoral student.
So....why is my doctor being so "overboard"? I have asked for her support and her advocacy for all of us with changing transportation policies, and she has CHOSEN NOW to set an example.
In any event....please please talk with your doctors, and make sure communication is always clear (and that egos are low). We want to advocate for ourselves, but we also are dependent on getting from point A to point B. I have no idea what I will do. Currently, American Airlines is having a head doctor through their nationals, call my doctor to explain it. You want to hear the catch? I am flying a 5am flight....to dallas and then to phx. Breakfast is served on ONE flight...the other NOTHING. Then returning, peanuts "may be the issue" but only for one leg of the trip.
Paperwork, legal suits, and mal-practice ....everyone is covering themselves, and we as the patient, have NO control.
AS SOON as I get to phx, I have already contacted a lawyer to help us get through these kinds of things. No lawsuit....who would I sue? just kidding...we just need to begin the publicity and the legislation to get this under control.
I truly hope I can call on you all for support. Please make sure this doesn't happen to ruin your holiday travels.
And I am in the midst of final exams, and candidacy exams......oh lord! I'm a mess.
American Airlines, after dealing with my VERY RUDE doctor.....has arranged for me to board another flight with America West. They covered the change in cost, and they made sure that America west will have it Peanut Free. (AW's policy is 24 hour notice).
The woman at American's name was Joyce....through special services. I have never experienced such quality care. And such terrible patient care through my doctor. I saw the document, my doctor was unclear and she checked the wrong information, and wrote some contradicting remarks. I don't know what happened. Time for a new allergist.
PLEASE just take note....and be extra cautious. Also, please keep up to date with future memos that I am working on to the Department of Transportation. This needs to be resolved for all of us, once and for all.
Happy holidays, and God Bless!
Wow! Sounds like you've had to deal with a lot! I know I've complained about my son's pediatrician not taking his peanut allergy very serious when first diagnosed, but it seems your doctor has taken it a little too seriously.
I'm glad that everything worked out for you. I hope you have a safe flight home and a great holiday! Take care. Deanna
jdickson6 - FYI - I also live in DC and traveled to Las Vegas last week on a new airline - National Airlines, right out of National Airport. My PA children were not with me, but a woman behind me questioned the warm (yes, warm) cookies they were passing out, as to whether or not they contained peanuts, and the attendant told her "no, we don't serve any peanut products." I've sent a letter to them asking about this and will pass on the info. Good luck with American Airlines and keep posting, some of us like to hear what you have to say!
how did your dr. get involved in the first place? why would the airline need her permission?
American Airlines Special Services department will contact anyone who requests a peanut free flight, about a few weeks before departure. They have a policy will a legal form that requires the allergist to fill out completely. Information about the kind of medicine, and how it should be administered is on this document.
It actually seems very thorough.
My doctor, altered this document, and instead of "checking" the appropriate boxes, she created her own! Now at this point she altered a legal document, and the airlines were stuck with it.
I am contacting American to applaud them. They had a VERY calm and friendly woman who handled all of this, they covered me for a new flight, gave me suggestions on what to do next time, and I spoke with their head national doctor.
Unbelievable. I am now flying America West....(never flown with them...more prayers!). And looking forward to buying a car!
Thanks though for the hint about the airline here in DC...I will DEFINITELY look into it!
As for doctors......oh my!
That's too bad your doctor screwed everything up like that! American sure has changed since we flew them 6 months ago... We requested a peanut free flight at the time of purchase and then confirmed it at the gate. And - after a few arguments with personnel who didn't know what they were doing - we received it. Of course there was the usual "We can't control what other passengers bring on board..." The flight home we had no problems at the gate and were told that we were now "in the system" so any future tickets we bought would automatically designate the flights peanut free. No paperwork or anything like that. They must have had a scare or been sued or something.
Rebekah
JDickson,
Just a quick word of encouragement, last june I flew AW, with my PA son and they were very good about the allergy. I (being a paranoid mom) checked at the gate and with the flight attendant and was told that each of them had received a note in their mailbox that morning about the peanut free flight and the severity of an allergy that one of their passengers had. I was very releived.
When our flight home was cancelled, they were also very helpful finding us another flight that was peanut free, we ended up on another airline, but only after the ticket agent helping us verified the peanut free flight.
I would feel good about flying America West again in the future.
I've flown on US Air with my PA son and they
offer PA flights if booked 5 days in advance.
I saw a list in the Food Allergy Network newsletter dated December 1999-January 2000 that listed the airlines and their rules on
peanuts during flights. If you contact them
at foodallergy.org I bet you can order the back issue.