United Airlines Club Lounge

[sdlane]

These fools yell at me when I eat my safe gluten-free food in the Club Lounge, where nothing is labeled safe to eat.  The only gluten-free thing they certify is their Bloody Mary mix.  I kid you not!  lol.  Anyhow, I quote Section 3 of the ADA, but to no avail.  I am going to write a nice letter and send it to the Chicage headquarters with my concerns.  Case law supports a Celiac being allowed reasonable accomodation by allowing them to bring their own safe food into a public or private location.  Has anyone had any good/bad experiences with airport lounges or other private clubs?  I was given the number for the Department of Justice as a resource for enforcement of the reasonable accomodation standard.  It's embarassing to get in arguments with staff, but I shouldn't have to, especially when I'm in here for hours on end and starving.  Thanks in advance for your thoughts!

[manasota]

Wow, that is sooooo unfortunate that you have to tolerate that abuse!  I'm so sorry you have to deal with this.  I guess the saving grace may be that you are blazing trails for the rest of us Celiacs.  Little comfort, I am sure, but I guess it's our collective path until we get enough understanding in the pubic domain.

Sorry i can't offer any personal experiences in this realm.  Luckily (or maybe not),  I am now of retirement age and never eat outside of my home.

What do they want you to do?  Eat their gluten food and throw it all up in their beautiful lounge?!

I'm sending you plenty of hugs!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  Go get 'em girl!

[Jays911]

I am platinum for life on American, and since 9-11, they allowed you to bring food into their club.  Amex platinum severed their ties with American, and has set up a new series of lounges that, at least the two times I have used them, designated which of their food items are gluten-free.  I use the United Club in Houston quite often, and have never had a problem there.  Good luck.

[Gemini]

I have only had great experiences at the Virgin Atlantic Lounge.  They have a great menu and offer some things that can be done gluten free very easily.  Never been sick from anything I've eaten there and I'm very sensitive.  I think that American carriers are very different than their European counterparts.  You get much better food and most people there know what's in food and what gluten is.  We have a lot of catching up to do!

I think a nice letter outlining your problem, maybe from a lawyer, will do the trick.  You just have to push the right people around.........  Good luck!