Below is a note I sent to Southwest Airlines regarding a flight we will taking this summer...
Southwest Airline,
Owen Cress has an allergy to peanuts. Owen has a history to respiratory distress when there is allergen in the air. In other words, he doesn't need to touch or eat a peanut to react. If there is allergens in the air, he can have trouble breathing.
I attended a food allergy conference in March 2010, and they said it is ideal to pre board, so that you can wipe down the area, and make sure there are no nuts in the area that was left over from another flight. I called SWA customer service to see if I can pre board the flight, but they denied my request.
Allowing my family to pre board will improve our flight experience because it will allow us to make sure we have done everything necessary to give Owen a safe trip. This will decrease our stress. Allowing my family to pre board does not cost SWA anything, and will greatly improve our flight experience, and reduces the risk to the airline for an emergency landing.
We love Southwest Airlines. We are grateful that it will provide a peanut free flight. But I plead with the airline to allow families with significant allergies to pre board. Please consider updating your policy to keep families safe.
Very Respectfully,
Joanna Cress
Food Allergy Mom and Advocate Of A Fabulous 3 Year Old Boy
7 months ago