Change starts right here. Right now. Our adrenaline rushed when my friend and attorney Mary Vargas, shared today’s potentially landmark actions against American Airlines (AA). Stein & Vargas filed a Complaint with the US Department of Transportation regarding American Airlines (see letter: DOT Complaint Filed) for “targeting and discriminating against individuals with peanut and tree nut allergies in violation of the Air Carrier Access Act.” Today’s complaint has the potential to positively impact our families and represents a call to action. Your voice is needed.
Mary Vargas, Esq, explained,
This is not a lawsuit – it is a complaint filed with the U.S. Department of Transportation so it is an administrative complaint. American Airlines’ policy (see here: ) is blatantly discriminatory insofar as it categorically denies preboarding to individuals with peanut and tree nut allergies. The complaint asks DOT to force American Airlines to withdraw the policy and assess penalties against American Airlines. Their policies really targets one group of people in a clearly discriminatory way.
As a community we have incredible power when we use our voices.
The ability to preboard and wipe down a seating area is critical for the food allergy community in air travel.
People who have been denied preboarding by American Airlines – and there are many – need to file complaints and ask DOT to make it right. Numbers matter.
American Airlines maintains a published policy outlining their Special Meals and Nut Allergy Policies, which deny preboarding to people with peanut and tree nut allergies. Logic and experience tell us that risk reduction to any exposure to an allergen is our main goal. Therefore, this policy actually places individuals with peanut and tree nut allergies in harms way.
Please share this CALLT TO ACTION with your network:
From Mary Vargas:
People who have been denied preboarding because of a peanut or tree nut allergy can and should file a DOT complaint here:
http://airconsumer.dot.gov/escomplaint/ConsumerForm.cfm or they can email us at mary.vargas@steinvargas.com. This policy must change.
Today’s complaint was filed on behalf of the Mackenzie family. We applaud them as their road is not going to be easy. Just as we witnessed with the children involved in the Young Shakespeare Theater Discrimination Decision, people attacked the children and their parents. We are grateful for those who are willing to swim up stream to do what they feel is right. The community benefits when brave people stand up and fighting the good fight.
The beauty of this kind of work is that starting with one allergen will then open the door to the other allergens.
Gratefulfoodie and the No Nut Traveler, Lianne Mandelbaum, are asking you to share the link above with your networks to encourage those who were denied pre boarding to have their voices heard.
Our words are needed more than ever.
One of the hardest things I find about managing both life threatening food allergies and asthma is talking to others. I hate to be the one that might be perceived as demanding, pushing or for asking too much. What I now know, fourteen years later, is that honest, clear information presented with kindness works!..
Thank you for your ongoing efforts to make it easier for nut allergy children and adults to travel with peace off mind and making traveling stress free.. thank you from bottom of my heart. ❤
All your kudos go to Mary Vargas, the lawyer and mastermind to change! I really believe if we all pitch in just a little bit, so much can take place. Traveling is often stressful in general! Without or without allergies. I’m always impressed when I see mother’s traveling alone with several little ones. How do they do it? Happy New Year and thank you for joining the conversation.
Great cause
Hi Tara,
Thanks for joining the conversation! I hope AA sorts out preboard as it appears that most other airlines allow preboard. Have a Happy New Year!
This is ridiculous. People with nut allergies are becoming the Nazi’s of everything. People got along just fine before any of this. What about those with asthma, or an allergy to chocolate. They are just as dangerous as “tree” allergies, but you don’t see them whining and crying constantly.
Hi David,
Thanks for joining the conversation. You are right, there over the top people who want to place their families in bubbles and ask for unreasonable accomodations. Unfortunately though, people did not get along fine and there have been many heartbreaking deaths or even worse, long term damage or hospitalizations surrounding nut allergies. People have a tendancy to focus on nuts due to the nature of nut dust being easily moved around, but other allergens, say sesame are even more challenging to manage.
No two food allergies are alike either. Additional diseases, such as asthma impact and make a food allergy even more serious.
Preboard wipe downs work to prevent reactions. Peanut and tree nut allergies are no more important than any allergen that has the potential to harm someone–this is why I don’t understand why AA singled those two out. Preboard wipe downs for asthma or allergies appears to be a quick fix to a problem that can land a plane. With so many animals now flying, my own family has found animal hair to be a challenge due to their asthma, which when a severe attack occurs immediately medical care is required. I hope that AA and other airlines will work towards simple prevention actions to prevent air travel disruption for all travelers.
I truly hope allergy and asthma therapies continue to grow as well as cures, so that these types of accomodations are not needed. Happy New Year David!
Thank you for doing this for our community of ongoing allergies. If you need for us to sign anything to support please let us know.
I agree with the pre-boarding. How could wiping down an area negatively affect anyone? In addition to reducing the amount of allergens in the cabin it could also remove bacteria and/or viruses, yes? I think all would benefit and put people at ease that need to be overly cautious when traveling.