As I stated in another post, I live in the Midwest but have a passion for the Western U.S. You can imagine how excited I was to jump at the chance to visit SoCal for the first time this winter. I've been to Northern California a few times but never Orange County and because I'm a sunshine, toes-in-the-sand kind of girl, I told Mr. Man that I was booking tickets, lodging and a car and we were breaking away from this record-cold winter. And, so we did!
As always, when vacationing, I worry most about flying. I can control most other environments through avoidance. Think restaurants. However, being confined in a relatively small area like an airplane can be a little nerve-wrecking. First order of business was remaining calm and not worrying about nuts while in flight from the time I booked the trip until travel day. Idiopathic Anaphylaxis as well as Mast Cell Activation Disorder can be exaggerated by stress. I have learned to not sweat the little, or in this case, big things but instead remain positive and calm and have a well executed plan.
Prior to booking the flight, I reviewed Allergic Livings Flight Grid. They provide some good information for what to expect with some of the larger airlines. I also did alot of googling to find out what airlines have been good to other nut allergic flyers. I then did a lot of airline calling to find out specifically what policies were in place with each airline. Some airlines were definitely better than others. We decided to go with Delta Airlines. I really enjoy a direct flight whereas you do not have to layover somewhere and start the whole process of explaining your allergy and pre-boarding more than one time. We were not able to get a direct flight this time. We left Grand Rapids, MI and flew to Minnesota and then on to Orange County. The flight home was the same locations in reverse order. I have to say, I was incredibly impressed with the ease, patience and privacy that Delta Airlines provided me. When I made the airline reservation and told them I was a nut allergic flyer, they flagged my ticket. This allowed us to pre-board without question in each location. My finacee' wiped down my seats, armrest and the tray table with some sanitizer wipes and then proceeded to cover both of our seats with baby crib sheets (they fit perfect). He Rocks! Because nobody else was on the plane, I was able to privately confirm with the flight attendants that nuts would not be served in-flight. They confirmed this to be true. And, during in-flight take off announcements, they announced they would not be serving nuts on the plane as there was an allergic flyer aboard. In one location, they actually asked passengers to refrain from opening products containing nuts. I did wear a mask just in case someone was eating nuts on the plane. I always feel a bit goofy with it on however I wasn't the only one and I had a safe flight! Oh, I still haven't ordered my Scough (scarf with a filter).
Hats off to Delta Airlines!!! We will fly again!
As always, when vacationing, I worry most about flying. I can control most other environments through avoidance. Think restaurants. However, being confined in a relatively small area like an airplane can be a little nerve-wrecking. First order of business was remaining calm and not worrying about nuts while in flight from the time I booked the trip until travel day. Idiopathic Anaphylaxis as well as Mast Cell Activation Disorder can be exaggerated by stress. I have learned to not sweat the little, or in this case, big things but instead remain positive and calm and have a well executed plan.
Prior to booking the flight, I reviewed Allergic Livings Flight Grid. They provide some good information for what to expect with some of the larger airlines. I also did alot of googling to find out what airlines have been good to other nut allergic flyers. I then did a lot of airline calling to find out specifically what policies were in place with each airline. Some airlines were definitely better than others. We decided to go with Delta Airlines. I really enjoy a direct flight whereas you do not have to layover somewhere and start the whole process of explaining your allergy and pre-boarding more than one time. We were not able to get a direct flight this time. We left Grand Rapids, MI and flew to Minnesota and then on to Orange County. The flight home was the same locations in reverse order. I have to say, I was incredibly impressed with the ease, patience and privacy that Delta Airlines provided me. When I made the airline reservation and told them I was a nut allergic flyer, they flagged my ticket. This allowed us to pre-board without question in each location. My finacee' wiped down my seats, armrest and the tray table with some sanitizer wipes and then proceeded to cover both of our seats with baby crib sheets (they fit perfect). He Rocks! Because nobody else was on the plane, I was able to privately confirm with the flight attendants that nuts would not be served in-flight. They confirmed this to be true. And, during in-flight take off announcements, they announced they would not be serving nuts on the plane as there was an allergic flyer aboard. In one location, they actually asked passengers to refrain from opening products containing nuts. I did wear a mask just in case someone was eating nuts on the plane. I always feel a bit goofy with it on however I wasn't the only one and I had a safe flight! Oh, I still haven't ordered my Scough (scarf with a filter).
Hats off to Delta Airlines!!! We will fly again!
