WestJet, however, remains cautious in what it tells passengers. “It should be noted that we cannot confirm all of our snacks are free of trace amounts of peanut or nut products,” a WestJet spokesperson told Allergic Living. While WestJet won’t serve any nuts or peanuts, other travellers are free to bring them on board.

Still, an optimistic Rousseau is asking people to contact the airline: “We need to encourage WestJet to keep the policy, and let them know the positive impact it has. And maybe other airlines will follow suit.” To provide feedback, write to Lorne MacKenzie, lmackenzie@westjet.com.

First published in Allergic Living magazine, Summer 2008
(c) Copyright AGW Publishing Inc.

To subscribe or order this issue, click here.

The Lung Association has also asked Air Canada and WestJet to compromise by designating some flights as pet-free. “We’re worried that profit is taking a front seat and public health is taking a back seat,” says Cameron Bishop, director of government affairs for The Lung Association. “We want to help Canadians to express their views on the issue of pet-free flights.”

A poll released by the association found that 80 per cent of Canadians want Canada’s airlines to offer pet-free flights. In addition, 75 per cent of Canadians believe that the federal government has a responsibility to protect the health and safety of passengers and crew.

Bishop hopes the campaign will convince Parliament to hold hearings this fall to review the public health ramifications of the airlines’ policies. “We, of course, recognize the need for service animals or guide dogs to be allowed on flights,” he adds. “We just request that passengers be alerted to their presence.”

The campaign has received the support of thousands of Canadians like Monica Peterson, who has asthma and a severe allergy to cats. She was flying on a WestJet flight from Winnipeg to Victoria last year when her eyes started watering and her airways became congested. “When the plane was unloading, it turned out a cat was under the seat in front of me. Luckily it was a short flight; it was alarming that there wasn’t even a warning that pets were on board.”

When Traveling with Asthma, Pet Allergies or COPD:

• Check with the airline beforehand to try to get on a pet-free flight.
• Take your medications regularly and follow your asthma action plan.
• Use your rescue inhaler 20 minutes before boarding the plane.
• Speak to your doctor before traveling. You may need medications adjusted for the flight.
• Always have your medications with you – never keep them in checked baggage.

From the Fall 2009 issue of Allergic Living magazine.
To order that issue or to subscribe, click here.

© Copyright AGW Publishing Inc.

The check-in attendant told the St. John’s resident that WestJet is a pet-friendly airline – small animals are allowed in the cabin in an enclosed kennel. In fact, there were two other cats on the flight. “I told her, ‘I cannot get on that plane. If I do, I could die,’” recalls Callahan.

He was offered a seat near the back. He explained that moving would make no difference since the air is re-circulated: “I can’t get away from a cat at 30,000 feet.” Callahan was told he could have a seat on the next flight, but turned that down since the airline could not guarantee there would be no cats on that plane.

“So I had two options, get on a WestJet plane and put my life in jeopardy or stay behind.” Instead, Callahan bought a last-minute ticket on the next Air Canada flight, which cost him $1,900 one way. Air Canada does not allow animals to travel in the passenger cabin.

“We’ve made the decision as an airline that we will continue to take them (pets) on board,” explains Richard Bartrem, vice-president of culture and communications at WestJet. “While we empathize with this gentleman’s situation, we will continue to offer this service as a benefit to our guests.”

The risk of a severe reaction for passengers with asthma is relatively low with air travel, according to Dr. Antony Ham Pong, an Ottawa allergist. Dander takes time to accumulate, so the level of dander would depend on how long the cat has been on the plane. “The risk is certainly lower than walking into a house where someone lives with a cat,” he says.

The level of reaction would also depend on a person’s asthma control. “If someone has uncontrolled asthma and he or she is sitting beside a cat, it can lead to big-time trouble,” says Dr. Ham Pong. “It could be fatal. But if his or her asthma is under control, it shouldn’t be a big issue. Just don’t sit next to the cat.”

Travelers should check ahead for pet policies on planes, trains and buses to reduce the risk of an asthma attack, the allergist says, adding that they should always carry their asthma and allergy medication on board, just in case.

Callahan is not content with WestJet’s policy, describing the airline’s attitude toward passengers with severe pet allergies as “terrible.” Although WestJet does post its pet-friendly policy on its website, it’s not easy to find. Callahan would like to see it on the homepage, so others with pet allergies will be well warned. However, Bartem says WestJet has no plans to post a warning on its homepage. So unless that policy changes, at least for this airline, it’s “flyer beware.”

To provide feedback, visit www.westjet.com, click on “contact us” and then select “e-mail guest relations”.

First published in Breathing Space, a supplement of Allergic Living magazine.
To contact the Lung Association in your region, click here.

In 2002, we took our first summer vacation in Europe with two children. Kieryn was not yet 3 years old and Taya had just turned one. We flew into Toulouse in the south of France and rented a car for what should have been a simple two-hour drive on the motorway to our villa near Perpignan.

We were barely onto the motorway when Kieryn called out: “I have to go pee!” Fortunately the French have a lot of rest stops, and we pulled over briefly. Back on the motorway, we’d only driven 15 minutes more when Kieryn again had to go.

She was toilet training, and we were trying to encourage that, so I pulled over at the next rest stop. Back under way and, you guessed it, 15 minutes later, Kieryn “had to pee”. I was a bit frustrated, but once more pulled over.

While my wife Keely and Kieryn were in the bathroom, Taya, our younger daughter, woke up crying; she’d soiled her diaper and it had leaked right up her back. I got her out and began cleaning up the mess. Keely returned to help, first giving Kieryn some bread with cream cheese to keep her occupied. We had Taya cleaned up and dressed when I noticed Kieryn had just spread the cream cheese all over the front seat.

At this point I lost it, asking Keely, whose bright idea was it to go on vacation to Europe with two small children. She calmly pointed out that it was all mine, to which I replied, “That’s why I married you, so you’d talk me out of these crazy ideas.”

Traveling with children, even without food allergies can be challenging, but it is also highly rewarding. Despite that rough start, we had a great first trip with two kids, and we find that enjoying new experiences as a family can be uplifting.

It does, however, take careful planning to travel with children with life-threatening food allergies. The good news is that our food requirements are complicated – so if we can do it, you can, too. Taya has multiple allergies, including peanuts, nuts, sesame and kiwi. Keely and I are vegetarians, and Keely is allergic to eggs. As well, I have allergies to dust and cats.

Our fundamental approach explains the “Have Kitchen” title of this series: we always stay in places with a kitchen, and prepare as many of our own meals as humanly possible. Not only does this keep us safe, it also saves money, especially in Europe where eating out can be expensive.

City or Countryside?

Europe has a wonderful selection of self-catered villas and apartments for rent, usually for a minimum of one week. While many people think villa vacations are for the wealthy, in fact, there are villas in every price range. Sharing these acommodations with family or friends makes them even more affordable.

If you want to spend your time sightseeing at museums, churches and landmarks, then look for an apartment in a city. If you want to spend it relaxing in the country or at the seaside, then there are lots of villas to choose from as well. For the best of both worlds, consider one week in a city and one in the country. (Remember that if you are renting outside a city, you will need to rent a car to get around for sightseeing day trips and for groceries.)

The Internet is a great source for finding villas. If you can travel outside of high season, you’ll find the best selection and prices. It’s possible to rent directly from an owner, but I recommend that first-time renters book through an agent. Check that the agent has seen the properties recently, and have a list of questions ready to ensure you get a villa that suits your family.

Our European Trips

England/Ireland – England is the most accessible of the European countries for English speakers, and what better way to experience it than to stay in an historic building. The Landmark Trust is a charity that rescues heritage buildings and gives them new life as places to stay. There are 185 “Landmarks,” including forts, manor houses, mills, cottages, castles, follies, gatehouses and towers (www.landmarktrust.org.uk).

We stayed in a 17th century house called Shelwick Court near Hereford, with beautiful countryside. The Irish Landmark Trust is a similar organization with properties throughout Ireland (www.irishlandmark.com/home/self-catering-ireland.html). You can also rent apartments in London and other major cities in the U.K.

Next: France, Spain, Italy

IN 1993, BEFORE having children, my wife Keely and I went trekking in Nepal. We felt so adventurous, traveling with just a guidebook. We walked from village to village, staying in huts without electricity or running water, and eating at local restaurants.

Keely and I knew when we had children that our days of backpacking through Asia, Africa and South America were over, but we still wanted to travel and to instill the love of travel in our children.

When Taya, our second child, was diagnosed with multiple food allergies, including peanuts, nuts, dairy, eggs, barley and kiwi, it seemed like travel was going to be impossible.

Our food requirements were already complicated since Keely and I are vegetarians and she is allergic to egg yolks. As well, I have environmental allergies to dust and cats to consider.

However, we have discovered that you can travel safely with anaphylaxis and allergies. With careful planning, by always staying in places that have a kitchen, and by bringing our special foods with us, we have been able to continue to travel, albeit in a different style.

So far Taya (who’s now 6) has been to Jamaica, Grenada, England, France, Spain, and even Morocco.

Next Page: Villa Vacations in the Sun

Before you fly:

• Call the airline and ask about their allergy policy before you book your ticket. You don’t want to find out by surprise that peanut satay is being served on your flight to Hong Kong.
• Look at the airline’s website or call customer service to find out what foods are served or sold on board.
• When you book, make sure to tell the reservations or travel agent about your allergies, and what specific accommodations you need.
• Book a flight that’s earlier in the day, because the planes get cleaned overnight, and there is less likelihood nut snacks will be consumed in the morning. This means less chance of encountering the allergen on seats and in seat pockets, etc.
• Book direct flights if possible, so you’re not dealing with multiple planes and flight crews.
• Bring your auto-injectors and/or asthma medications with you onto the plane (do not check them). Security may require that these medications show a prescription label in the name of the patient/traveler.
• It’s wise to carry an official doctor’s note stating that the medication is required for severe allergies or asthma. See sample notes here.

When you fly:

• Tell everyone you deal with – the check-in agent, the staff at the gate, the flight attendants – about your child’s or your allergies. Even if the booking agent said you will be accommodated, play it safe and make sure everyone knows.
• Arrive at the gate early and talk to the staff before they’re too busy. Be clear, calm and polite.
• If concerned about contact with allergen residue from previous passengers, ask to pre-board and wipe down the seats, tray tables and armrests. You can also cover the seat with a blanket or a seat cover. Bring wipes to wash your hands.
• Bring your own food. Don’t eat meals prepared by the airline’s caterers, even if a flight attendant tells you there are no nuts or other allergens. You don’t know if there has been cross-contamination in the preparation. Bring extra food in case of delays.
• Keep medication with you; do not store it in the overhead bin.
• If someone near you is eating a food that is dangerous to you, politely explain your situation and ask if they would be willing to stop. If they are, say thanks and offer to buy them some food that is safe.
• Keep your hands out of your eyes and mouth.
• Have a plan for what happens if you react.
• If you are reacting to something, tell the flight crew. It is important that they know about your condition.

After you fly:

• If you had a good experience, make sure to thank the flight crew for their efforts, and tell them you’ll definitely fly with the airline again. Write a letter to the airline (copying the company president), expressing your appreciation, and noting that you will certainly travel with the company again and will encourage others to do so.
• If you have an unpleasant experience, write to the airline and politely explain what happened. Tell them that you and your family will think twice before flying with the carrier again. Also include information about what could have made your flight better.
• You can also lodge a complaint with the U.S. Department of Transportation or the Canadian Transportation Agency.
  

First published in Allergic Living magazine.
To subscribe, click here.

See Also:

• Flying Allergic by Jennifer Van Evra
• Scott McKenzie’s Rules for traveling with food allergies
• Travel Guide 1 -Have Kitchen, Will Travel
• Travel Guide 2 - Off to Europe
• Flying With Food Allergies – Allergic Living’s Essential Tips

© Copyright AGW Publishing Inc.

The ruling looked at three cat-allergy complaints against Air Canada, Air Canada Jazz and WestJet. CTA decisions on allergy complaints are usually made case-by-case. But in this instance the agency requested the parties broaden the scope to examine airline policies on carrying all pets in cabins, not just cats, and allow interested organizations and individuals to comment.

The February ruling came shortly after an editorial in the Canadian Medical Association Journal called pets on airplanes an “unnecessary allergic hazard,” and urged the airlines to put the needs of human passengers ahead of pets.

The CTA considers a condition a disability if it restricts the passenger’s ability to travel. In 2002, the CTA determined that not all allergies are disabilities, and so each case must be examined separately.

If the CTA decides having animals in the cabin is an obstacle to travel for some allergic persons, it could instruct the airlines to ban pets in-flight, but other options will also be considered. The airline regulator has asked the parties involved to agree to expand the investigation to include a “thorough review” of the airlines’ policies in regard to all pets in airplane cabins. Aside from the airlines, the CTA is also allowing other interested organizations to participate in this discussion.

The issue of pets on airplanes began to heat up in the summer of 2009 after Air Canada said it was once again allowing small pets on board. It had previously banned the practice in 2006. (WestJet, Canada’s other national carrier, always allowed small pets in its cabins.)

From the Spring 2010 issue of Allergic Living magazine.
To order that issue or to subscribe, click here.

Read the CTA’s announcement

See Also: