AC nut free zone

[Guest The Real World]

My link

[deicer]

In working with youth who are affected by nut allergies, I can see why this would be a good thing.

However, I have a problem with the fact that the ruling is only against AC. To make it an even playing field, it should be a ruling that affects ALL airlines in Canada, including foreign carriers that carry Canadian passengers, All rail service,ALL bus transportation, as well as ALL municipal transit systems.

Let's have a level playing field at least.

Iceman

[Kip Powick]

Didn't AC stop serving edible nuts a couple of years ago.

[boestar]

the nuts were NEVER edible

AC will NEVER be nut free.....They run the place

[J.O.]

Yep, and they sell tickets to the odd one as well (as does everyone else).

[CD]

The actual ruling is quite interesting to read... Here is one tidbit:

[46] In response to Decision No. LET-AT-A-93-2010, Air Canada submits that some passengers may not want to adhere to the conditions of the buffer zone or may refuse to be reseated. However, Air Canada also submits that a request to comply with buffer zone rules or to be reseated would be an instruction from the crew and that failure to abide by these instructions would fall within the definition of disruptive behaviour as per its applicable tariffs and could entail the non‑obliging passenger being removed from the flight.

[47] In case of potential disruption and refusal by passengers to be reseated, Air Canada requests the flexibility to move the buffer zone and the passenger with the allergy. Air Canada explains that its flight attendants are trained to diffuse potentially volatile situations. Air Canada suggests that instead of getting into an argument with a passenger that could result in that passenger being deplaned and their luggage removed, thus causing a delay to all passengers, a solution could be to move the allergic passenger and recreate the buffer zone around more accepting passengers.

[48] Dr. Huyer submits that if nut allergies have been ruled to be a disability, any person who refuses to accommodate that disability should be moved either to another seat or off the aircraft. Dr. Huyer states that she understands that air carriers are required by law to accommodate passengers with disabilities, so the issue of persuading other passengers to comply should not have any relevance.

CTA Decision No. 431-AT-A-2010

[Seeker]

It is conclusion that I find most interesting, consider the case of a passenger who has purchased some snacks to enjoy during the flight prior to boarding the aircraft and who is subsequently told that he/she can not consume them. If it was me, I would be then expect the airline to provide me with one of their onboard for sale meals for free.........

Well, if it was me I'd be asking the person with the allergies to replace my bag of peanuts with something from BOB.

[Seeker]

One very interesting part of this for me is that it appears as if the CTA has greatly increased the scope of the concept of "disability" as it applies to our industry.

The Canadian Human Rights Act defines "disability" as; any previous or existing mental or physical disability which includes disfigurement and previous or existing dependence on alcohol or drugs (not much help there - I thought you weren't allowed to use the term you wanted to define in the definition).

I think the CTA has opened a real Pandora's Box because it seems that any physical, mental or genetic condition or state could be a "disability" by their interpretation. Just wait for the guy who's too tall for the seat pitch, the woman who's kid is allergic to gluten and the person who claims to be allergic to perfumes to file their complaints. Boarding the aircraft is going to turn into a puzzle challenge as the Service Director moves people around looking for the one combination that satisfies the buffer zone requirements.

[J.O.]

Having once seen a serious case of a passenger suffering anaphylactic shock due to a peanut allergy when flying a small corporate airplane, I can understand why it would be a disability for that person. They were eating what was supposed to be a nut free meal at the time. Fortunately, the passenger had briefed us on his allergy and on the fact that he carried an Epi-pen in his brief case. My partner had to administer it because the guy was in such severe shock, he was unable to do it himself. Probably saved his life.

[MD2]

It's going to be a long time before any airline, especially Air Canada, is "nut" free! ..... Sorry, couldn't resist