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This was all over the internet this morning: A mother and toddler were removed from an American Eagle flight about to take off from Raleigh-Durham, North Carolina. The 2 year old boy, who is autistic, was clearly not happy; at one point, in his mother’s own words, the child had a meltdown and “was on the floor, rolling around.” The mother, who told the flight crew about the boy’s autism said they made the situation worse by yelling at the child and yanking his seatbelt. We contacted American spokesman Tim Wagner who gave us some answers — keep reading. |
American’s Tim Wagner told us “the child had been crying and screaming uncontrollably, to the point where the child’s wellbeing was in question” but the reason the mother and child were taken off the flight was because the mother “refused to comply with our flight attendant’s request to stow a carry-on bag properly” (she says, she did allow the flight attendant to move it).
Obviously we don’t have all the answers here (Could the crew have been more sensitive? Were other passengers complaining?), so I’m reserving judgement — but clearly, a sad situation all the way around.
I hope that American doesn’t get in trouble for this. This clearly sounds like a situation where removal was called for. Even though it may not be PR, when you’re inconveniencing every other passenger on the plane, I have very little sympathy for you.
Every mother seems to feel that the world should go out of their way to accommodate her child. Many children are well behaved, there’s no reason to give special treatment to one who isn’t.
Comment by Anonymous — June 25, 2008 @ 12:04 pm
American is always in trouble over something. I no longer fly their airline, because of the rudeness of every employee that I ever dealt with. Their planes are dirty, and need refurbished. Last time I rode their plane, the floor creaked and indented everytime someone walked the aisle, I laid my head on my pillow against the wall and it was collapsing outward about an inch toward the outer skin of the airplane. I was so happy when we landed, I feared for my life.
Comment by Joseph — June 25, 2008 @ 7:24 pm
First of all, if your child is autsitic there should be special treatment. What are they supposed to do, stay home all the time…give me a break!!
Autistic kids are human too, they have a brain disorder and should be treated with extra care. If you don’t like it, get your ass off the plane!
Comment by Jane Doe — July 9, 2008 @ 10:14 pm