On a recent flight from New York to Seattle, I flew US Airways/American Airlines. Upon arriving at my gate, I informed the Gate Attendant about my allergies. I explained the severity, and she kindly reassured me that I would be safe on the flight and told me to inform the flight attendants of my condition. Which I did.
I have never been met with the kind of hostility that Debi-with-one-b served up. I told her about my allergies, and asked whether it would be possible to please create a buffer zone, similar to Jet Blue's procedure. That would simply mean asking one row ahead of me and one row behind me to refrain from eating nuts during the flight. If not, could she please make an announcement to let passengers know there was someone with a nut allergy on board. Not only did she refuse to accommodate me, she went as far as to point out that it's in the airline's rules that they will not make any kind of special exception for medical conditions such as nut allergies. She offered, with a hearty dose of sass, to show me the writing. Appalled, I didn't know what to say, so I responded with the simple fact: "I can die."
Debi-with-one-b. "You should have rented a car."
One swift punch in the face. "You should have rented a car." Those six words left me speechless. I shuffled to my seat, my stomach turning and my heart racing. I was starting to sweat. I had never felt so unsafe on a flight in my life. I've been refused food on international flights, told to move to a different seat, and suffered the inconvenienced glances of snackers who just want to eat their peanuts in peace. I have never been told that getting on the plane was a mistake. Debi-with-one-b made me feel like my life was at risk. Her dismissive, negligent, unprofessional attitude made me feel like it didn't matter what happened to me. It was obvious that she didn't really care.
I demand a change in airline policy. My life is more valuable than a bag of mixed nuts.
I have never been met with the kind of hostility that Debi-with-one-b served up. I told her about my allergies, and asked whether it would be possible to please create a buffer zone, similar to Jet Blue's procedure. That would simply mean asking one row ahead of me and one row behind me to refrain from eating nuts during the flight. If not, could she please make an announcement to let passengers know there was someone with a nut allergy on board. Not only did she refuse to accommodate me, she went as far as to point out that it's in the airline's rules that they will not make any kind of special exception for medical conditions such as nut allergies. She offered, with a hearty dose of sass, to show me the writing. Appalled, I didn't know what to say, so I responded with the simple fact: "I can die."
Debi-with-one-b. "You should have rented a car."
One swift punch in the face. "You should have rented a car." Those six words left me speechless. I shuffled to my seat, my stomach turning and my heart racing. I was starting to sweat. I had never felt so unsafe on a flight in my life. I've been refused food on international flights, told to move to a different seat, and suffered the inconvenienced glances of snackers who just want to eat their peanuts in peace. I have never been told that getting on the plane was a mistake. Debi-with-one-b made me feel like my life was at risk. Her dismissive, negligent, unprofessional attitude made me feel like it didn't matter what happened to me. It was obvious that she didn't really care.
I demand a change in airline policy. My life is more valuable than a bag of mixed nuts.
