Family gets tossed off plane when child throws a temper tantrum.
Jan 24th, 2007, 01:04 PM
#142
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I have a problem with a couple things that were mentioned one is lawyers. This is just another way of dodging responsibility between lawyers and insurance companies there is always someone else to blame. The other thing is don't airlines have the same right to refuse service as any other business granted it's not always good pr. One more thing Airtran doesn't fly into Omaha so where would I have to go to get a flight and do they have a Rent-A-Brat franchise there.
Jan 24th, 2007, 01:31 PM
#143
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Actually, Clark, that's a good question. The danger to the unseated, unbelted child is that he/she might be tossed violently about the cabin in a rough landing and suffer great physical harm.
The FAs, I imagine, do not have the authority to manhandle such a child. So, if the parents refuse, what should be done?
The FAs, I imagine, do not have the authority to manhandle such a child. So, if the parents refuse, what should be done?
Jan 24th, 2007, 01:36 PM
#144
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The facts of this case are, the plane was NOT about to land, but about to take off. At the point, the flight attendants (fortunately) had the option of removing the family from the plane.
If you want to make up hypotheticals that are different from the facts in the present case, ok - I suggest that if it is a safety matter for landing, the flight attendants may physcially restrain someone who is causing a safety hazards, just as they would do with an adult who refuses to behave prior to landing.
Although I suspect the parents would attempt to sue the airline for manhandling their child, even if it was for the child's own safety. And there will be probably be a small minority of people on these boards backing the parents and blaming the airline. But I think the majority would agree with the airline.
If you want to make up hypotheticals that are different from the facts in the present case, ok - I suggest that if it is a safety matter for landing, the flight attendants may physcially restrain someone who is causing a safety hazards, just as they would do with an adult who refuses to behave prior to landing.
Although I suspect the parents would attempt to sue the airline for manhandling their child, even if it was for the child's own safety. And there will be probably be a small minority of people on these boards backing the parents and blaming the airline. But I think the majority would agree with the airline.
Jan 24th, 2007, 02:02 PM
#146
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Regarding what to do with the unruly child if the plane is about to land? Oh, if only those windows would open, problem solved!
My apologies to those who have stated that humor doesn't belong here.
My apologies to those who have stated that humor doesn't belong here.
Jan 24th, 2007, 02:28 PM
#147
http://www1.whdh.com/news/articles/local/BO41085/
In essence it says: "AirTran Airways says it's getting overwhelming support from the public for bumping a screaming toddler from a flight.
Airline spokesman Tad Hutcheson says the company's getting swamped with e-mails and phone calls, and 92 percent support the decision to get the tantrum-raising toddler off the plane. He says about eight percent are opposed."
The piece also mentioned that the tantrum started as they boarded and continued 15 minutes past departure time before they took this action. If true, that puts to rest the idea that the plane was already delayed, but for some other reason.
In essence it says: "AirTran Airways says it's getting overwhelming support from the public for bumping a screaming toddler from a flight.
Airline spokesman Tad Hutcheson says the company's getting swamped with e-mails and phone calls, and 92 percent support the decision to get the tantrum-raising toddler off the plane. He says about eight percent are opposed."
The piece also mentioned that the tantrum started as they boarded and continued 15 minutes past departure time before they took this action. If true, that puts to rest the idea that the plane was already delayed, but for some other reason.
Jan 24th, 2007, 03:50 PM
#150
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What happens when a plane is landing is absolutely not relevant.
Wasn't this story about a family that was removed from the plane before it took off? Now someone is suggesting the plane was ABOUT TO LAND? What is that based on? Where did you hear that? From evertyhing I read, the plane was about to depart. If you know something we don't, please share. Otherwise, it seems to be a "fact" that the plane was departing. People tend to get off-topic, I know, but I don't see how discussing what happens when a plane lands is relevant to what Airtran did.
Wasn't this story about a family that was removed from the plane before it took off? Now someone is suggesting the plane was ABOUT TO LAND? What is that based on? Where did you hear that? From evertyhing I read, the plane was about to depart. If you know something we don't, please share. Otherwise, it seems to be a "fact" that the plane was departing. People tend to get off-topic, I know, but I don't see how discussing what happens when a plane lands is relevant to what Airtran did.
Jan 24th, 2007, 03:54 PM
#152
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Well, for business purposes, I suppose it matters to the airline what 90% of the people think. If they want to stay in business, they have a better chance of doing that if they cater to the 90% rather than the 10%. Doesn't make it "right" (although, I still think the airline was right), but it makes good business sense. And I think that is any airline's bottom line.
Jan 24th, 2007, 04:21 PM
#153
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The plane was about to take off and the child wouldn;t sit in her seat - was apparently crawling around on the floor. Which means the plane couldn't push back, was in danger of losing it's slot in the take off line and could have been a significant delay for all the travelers aboard.
It seems the child had a reason for her behavior (problems on an earlier flight due to pain from ear surgery). But it;s up to the parents to help the child through that and ensure she was ready to fly. Or calm her and get her in her seat in a reasonably quick way.
I'm sorry for the child if she feared more pain. And I'm sorry for the parents that they were pulled off the flight.
But realistically you can;t delay a planeful of people for a lengthy period because a toddler won't behave and the parents can do nothing about it.
It seems the child had a reason for her behavior (problems on an earlier flight due to pain from ear surgery). But it;s up to the parents to help the child through that and ensure she was ready to fly. Or calm her and get her in her seat in a reasonably quick way.
I'm sorry for the child if she feared more pain. And I'm sorry for the parents that they were pulled off the flight.
But realistically you can;t delay a planeful of people for a lengthy period because a toddler won't behave and the parents can do nothing about it.
Jan 24th, 2007, 05:01 PM
#154
The landing question is TOTALLY relevant. If you think that "tossing the family off the plane" is the best solution for dealing with an unruly child, then what would your suggestion be for when it happens upon landing???
The answer is that if it were landing time, they would have had to come up with another solution. Like firmly demanding that the parents harness their child. Which is what should have been done upon departure as well. Which the airline now realizes, and which is why they offered compensation and decided to re-train employees.
The answer is that if it were landing time, they would have had to come up with another solution. Like firmly demanding that the parents harness their child. Which is what should have been done upon departure as well. Which the airline now realizes, and which is why they offered compensation and decided to re-train employees.
Jan 24th, 2007, 05:17 PM
#155
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Sorry, but I really don't get the relevance of what to do in landing as opposed to what to do in takeoff.
First of all the two are nothing alike. A plane doesn't have to take off -- it can stay on the ground indefinitely until everything is right. A plane does have to land. If there is a problem with landing gear or the engine a plane will not take off until that problem is totally solved. If it means taking everyone off the plane and getting another one, then that's what will happen. If the plane is in the air and there is a problem with landing gear or the engine, they must deal with it on an emergency basis -- those other options simply don't exist. How they react in the two different situations is totally different. Same with this incident. Having to make an emergency decision because a plane has to land reduces the choices, but before take-off the crew has the right and the ability to make more choices. They made one. Frankly, I think they made the right one.
First of all the two are nothing alike. A plane doesn't have to take off -- it can stay on the ground indefinitely until everything is right. A plane does have to land. If there is a problem with landing gear or the engine a plane will not take off until that problem is totally solved. If it means taking everyone off the plane and getting another one, then that's what will happen. If the plane is in the air and there is a problem with landing gear or the engine, they must deal with it on an emergency basis -- those other options simply don't exist. How they react in the two different situations is totally different. Same with this incident. Having to make an emergency decision because a plane has to land reduces the choices, but before take-off the crew has the right and the ability to make more choices. They made one. Frankly, I think they made the right one.
Jan 24th, 2007, 06:30 PM
#156
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I say Bravo, AirTran! And I'll contact them to share my accolades. I respect the airline for standing up to abide by the FAA rules, standing up to the negligent parents, and standing beside the FA's for once.
Someone stated that the flight attendent should have strapped the kid in, but in this day and age, that FA would have been fired and the airline sued if s/he had done such a thing.
Someone stated that the flight attendent should have strapped the kid in, but in this day and age, that FA would have been fired and the airline sued if s/he had done such a thing.
Jan 24th, 2007, 07:02 PM
#157
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So, in addition to reviewing safety procedures, checking seatbelts, serving beverages, being prepared with cpr & other medical training, bringing pillows, and collecting trash, now they have to strap in kids when parents can't handle them? oy vey.
Bottom line, parents are responsible for their kids behavior-the good, the bad, and the ugly. I think for the most part, people are patient and tolerant, and most rational adults get that kids will be kids, but when it comes to air travel in this day and age, that is a completely different story. I am sorry the parents were inconvenienced by one day, but hey, thats NOT the end of the world.
Bottom line, parents are responsible for their kids behavior-the good, the bad, and the ugly. I think for the most part, people are patient and tolerant, and most rational adults get that kids will be kids, but when it comes to air travel in this day and age, that is a completely different story. I am sorry the parents were inconvenienced by one day, but hey, thats NOT the end of the world.
Jan 24th, 2007, 09:29 PM
#158
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We have 3 children - thankfully they are in their late teens and mid 20's so this isn't a problem anymore.
Our eldest DD ONCE had a tantrum (I have to say that I think this was DH's fault who took her into a store and expected her at the age of 5 to be able to choose a candy bar without narrowing down her options to 3 choices) our other 2 never had a tantrum.
Is this down to their laid back personalities? or the fact that they knew what "the look" meant?
Or both? Probably, but I class myself lucky to have children that have confidence in themselves without ever feeling that they had to confront our authority as parents.
We spent the evening with friends whose DD (7) is supposed to be in bed at 7:30, she was still up at 8:30, when she was told to go to bed she threw a tantrum and woke her younger brother. She was spanked - it doesn't work, she was out 15 minutes later asking to be "tucked in" again.
Our eldest DD ONCE had a tantrum (I have to say that I think this was DH's fault who took her into a store and expected her at the age of 5 to be able to choose a candy bar without narrowing down her options to 3 choices) our other 2 never had a tantrum.
Is this down to their laid back personalities? or the fact that they knew what "the look" meant?
Or both? Probably, but I class myself lucky to have children that have confidence in themselves without ever feeling that they had to confront our authority as parents.
We spent the evening with friends whose DD (7) is supposed to be in bed at 7:30, she was still up at 8:30, when she was told to go to bed she threw a tantrum and woke her younger brother. She was spanked - it doesn't work, she was out 15 minutes later asking to be "tucked in" again.
Jan 25th, 2007, 06:24 AM
#160
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I find the spin that's been put on this story pretty unbelievable.
The airline just sat and let a 15 minute delay occur while they watched these parents try to corral their child? I don't THINK so.
As the pilot prepared for takeoff, the flight attendant warned him..."sir...we can't leave just yet we have an unruly child!"
I don't THINK so.
If an airline employee came up to a parent and said "your child needs to be strapped into her seat immediately so that the aircraft can depart"...any parent is going to call the child's bluff at that point and strap her in. I don't think that happened, I'd like to hear from the passengers in the seat behind this family.
Sounds to me like just another flight attendant who had words with a passenger about something and then decided to throw her post 9/11 weight around and eject somebody just because she had the power to do so.
The airline just sat and let a 15 minute delay occur while they watched these parents try to corral their child? I don't THINK so.
As the pilot prepared for takeoff, the flight attendant warned him..."sir...we can't leave just yet we have an unruly child!"
I don't THINK so.
If an airline employee came up to a parent and said "your child needs to be strapped into her seat immediately so that the aircraft can depart"...any parent is going to call the child's bluff at that point and strap her in. I don't think that happened, I'd like to hear from the passengers in the seat behind this family.
Sounds to me like just another flight attendant who had words with a passenger about something and then decided to throw her post 9/11 weight around and eject somebody just because she had the power to do so.
