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Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsFamily Kicked Off Flight After Daughter With Autism Deemed 'Disruptive'
An Oregon mom has filed a complaint against United Airlines after it removed her and family from a flight because it said her 15-year-old daughter, who has autism, had become "disruptive."
The woman, Dr. Donna Beegle of Tigard, Oregon — a prominent advocate for anti-poverty programs who frequently consults with state and federal government agencies — was returning home with her family from a trip to Walt Disney World last week when her daughter Juliette became agitated because she was hungry during a layover in Houston, Beegle said.
Beegle said that after she persuaded a flight attendant to give her daughter some hot food, Juliette had calmed down and was quietly watching a movie when "the next thing we hear is we're doing an emergency landing in Salt Lake City," Beegle told NBC station KGW of Portland, Oregon. "We have a passenger on board with a behavior issue."
Police officers boarded the plane and escorted the entire family off, Beegle told the station. "As a mom it ripped my heart out," she said. "I was shaking."
The incident was recorded in a video posted to YouTube that Beegle authenticated. In the video, a passenger can be heard remarking, "It's ridiculous." Another says, "That's going to be a lawsuit."
http://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/family-kicked-flight-after-daughter-autism-deemed-disruption-n356811
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Ilsa
(61,691 posts)for nothing. The mother said no one from the cockpit came back or checked to see what the situation was. Sounds like they took the word of a flight attendant that the sky was falling.
hlthe2b
(102,192 posts)and surely the flight crew should have better assessed the situation.
Still, if hunger had been a trigger in the past, I'd have thought her mother would have brought some kind of packaged snack or purchased food with them... 
Ilsa
(61,691 posts)hlthe2b
(102,192 posts)or you can always purchase just about anything once you get to the gates...that is what I meant.
cwydro
(51,308 posts)I take food frequently. They will throw away liquids over a certain size, but you can buy anything once you're past security.
leveymg
(36,418 posts)Never had a problem.
nolabear
(41,956 posts)It's hard to buy and pack on a hot item. I assume this has been worked out before because they say they have flown a lot, but getting caught short means nothing to an autistic child.
cwydro
(51,308 posts)Hot rice, Mac cheese, pasta, etc. stays hot in those.
LisaL
(44,973 posts)the whole thing is off since she says they're experienced travelers...
Ilsa
(61,691 posts)It was right after new rules were implemented, but I don't recall exactly what year. I guess it's possible the agents at this smaller airport didn't know everything about it.
peace13
(11,076 posts)I agree that is was unnecessary to divert the plane. The problem began when the mother asked for a meal for her daughter because if she got too hungry and agitated someone could get bitten. These parents should have known prior to departing that this would be an issue. They should have packed food that the young woman would enjoy and made sure that she was comfortable. The other option would have been first class tickets for the daughter and one adult.
I can't tell you how many times I have picked up family members from a flight and they proclaim that they are famished and have not eaten all day. What is up with that? What if the plane had been stuck on the tarmack or suffered delays. People need to take responsibility for their basic needs. This family caused hundreds of people an inconvenience because they could not bother to bring a granola bar, fruit, peanut butter and jelly or any number of safe foods for traveling.
I feel sorry for the family. I feel sorry for people with young children that have been left behind by the airlines because of unruly behavior. We have become an intolerant society. While there are some wonderful people on this planet, there are some real doozies!
wellstone dem
(4,460 posts)and had tried to get her to eat before they got on the plane.
The facebook post is linked in the article. https://www.facebook.com/donna.m.beegle/posts/816056981803855
KittyWampus
(55,894 posts)only acceptable preference?
peace13
(11,076 posts)That this woman should purchase a first class fare for herself and the child. As we all know, there is no hot food in the back of the plane. The other option was for her to purchase a hot meal before boarding, wrapping it in foil and putting it in one of those insulated lunch bags. You see there are options.
My sister had special needs , both physical and mental,as an adult and as her caregiver I had to plan on supplying her with what she would need. Travel was difficult, for certain. We flew by the seat of our pants from time to time. Our world is not what it used to be. People, for the most part, are not tolerant. I understand the challenges that this woman has with her daughter and travel but she needs to be realistic about her expectations from corporations.
To be clear, the airline personnel over reacted but that being said the mother should never have threatened that her daughter could become out of control and that bodily damage could happen to other passengers. Bad word choices with an unfortunate outcome.
JI7
(89,244 posts)peace13
(11,076 posts)They may give her a medical discount. That being said, if her daughter bites or scratches another passanger....that will be expensive. Her umbrella policy better be giant! The airlines will also pay a huge price. The cost of re booking all of those passengers could be billed to the offender. Who knows where the costs could end. My guess is that a first class ticket would be the cheapest option.
MADem
(135,425 posts)With 22 round trips (44 one ways) accrued by the family they should have a few upgrade points.
Even if not, doctors make good money--and a good tax lawyer could probably get them to write off part of the fare if first class is deemed "medically necessary" for the kid so she could get a hot meal.
I'd tell her to get one of those Thermos food holders. They work really, really well. She could buy hot food in the concourse, shove it in one of those things and it would still be hot six hours later.
Ilsa
(61,691 posts)hlthe2b
(102,192 posts)They won't let you bring home-prepared food, that's true. But, I would have made sure to have purchased a meal at the gate for this child, had it been an issue in the past.
Dorian Gray
(13,488 posts)I always bring turkey sandwiches made at home on my trips.
hlthe2b
(102,192 posts)Dorian Gray
(13,488 posts)I had no idea. I thought we can bring food. I've brought sandwiches every single time I've flown in the last four years (about 5 tiimes round trip) for my daughter. Wrapped in foil and in a baggie. Now I"m going to feel like I'm carrying serious contraband when I fly.
jberryhill
(62,444 posts)Because of the lack of airline food, there are plenty of places in the airport terminal past security that have pretty much anything.
Granted, they mark it up because of the difficulty of getting your own food past security, but compared to a vacation at Walt Disney World... not much.
RobinA
(9,886 posts)here in Philadelphia the last time I was there it was mainly just pizza, junk, and pizza. Oh, and pizza. I have hypoglycemia and it really is a challenge sometimes to stay sane with what passes for food in most public places these days. Hell, many times I consider myself lucky to find McDonalds.
Luckily, I don't bite anybody when my sugar crashes, I just get irritable or cry, sweat profusely and get confused.
Which terminal?
Currito Burritos Terminal A - East Food and Beverage
Guava & Java Terminal A - East Food and Beverage
Jack Duggan's Pub Terminal A - East Food and Beverage
Philly Soft Pretzels Terminal A - East Food and Beverage
Saladworks Terminal A - East Food and Beverage
Villa Fresh Italian Kitchen Terminal A - East Food and Beverage
Angelina's Panini Bar Terminal A - West Food and Beverage
Au Bon Pain Terminal A - West Food and Beverage
Chickie's & Pete's Terminal A - West Food and Beverage
Cibo Bistro & Wine Bar Terminal A - West Food and Beverage
Dunkin' Donuts Terminal A - West Food and Beverage
Famous Famiglia Terminal A - West Food and Beverage
Good 2 Go Terminal A - West Food and Beverage
Healthy Gourmet Terminal A - West Food and Beverage
Hudson Euro Café/Newsstand Terminal A - West Food and Beverage
La Tapenade Mediterranean Cafe Terminal A - West Food and Beverage
Maki of Japan Terminal A - West Food and Beverage
Philly Soft Pretzels Terminal A - West Food and Beverage
Vino Volo Terminal A - West Food and Beverage
Auntie Anne's Gourmet Pretzels Terminal B Food and Beverage
Cibo Bistro & Wine Bar Terminal B Food and Beverage
Eat at Joe's Terminal B Food and Beverage
Guava & Java Terminal B Food and Beverage
Jet Rock Bar & Grille Terminal B Food and Beverage
Philly Soft Pretzels Terminal B Food and Beverage
Villa Fresh Italian Kitchen Terminal B Food and Beverage
Vino Volo Terminal B Food and Beverage
Asian Chao Terminal B/C Food and Beverage
Chick-Fil-A Terminal B/C Food and Beverage
Dunkin Donuts Terminal B/C Food and Beverage
Le Bus Cafe Terminal B/C Food and Beverage
Legal Sea Foods Terminal B/C Food and Beverage
Philly Steak & Gyro Terminal B/C Food and Beverage
Pinkberry Terminal B/C Food and Beverage
Starbucks Terminal B/C Food and Beverage
Subway Terminal B/C Food and Beverage
Vino Volo Terminal B/C Food and Beverage
Wendy's Terminal B/C Food and Beverage
Aldo Lamberti Trattoria Terminal C Food and Beverage
Au Bon Pain Terminal C Food and Beverage
Auntie Anne's Gourmet Pretzels Terminal C Food and Beverage
Burrito Elito Terminal C Food and Beverage
Chickie's & Pete's Terminal C Food and Beverage
Cibo Gourmet Express Market Terminal C Food and Beverage
Jamba Juice Terminal C Food and Beverage
Philly Pretzels Terminal C Food and Beverage
Philly Steak & Gyro Terminal C Food and Beverage
Popeye's Terminal C Food and Beverage
Sky Asian Bistro Terminal C Food and Beverage
Auntie Anne's Gourmet Pretzels Terminal D Food and Beverage
Chickie's & Pete's Terminal D Food and Beverage
Currito Burritos Without Borders Terminal D Food and Beverage
Dunkin' Donuts Terminal D Food and Beverage
Earl of Sandwich Terminal D Food and Beverage
Green Leaf's Beyond Great Salads Terminal D Food and Beverage
Jamba Juice Terminal D Food and Beverage
Jet Rock Bar & Grille Terminal D Food and Beverage
Philly Soft Pretzels Terminal D Food and Beverage
Au Bon Pain Terminal E Food and Beverage
Cantina Laredo Terminal E Food and Beverage
Chickie's & Pete's Terminal E Food and Beverage
Good 2 Go Terminal E Food and Beverage
Guava & Java Terminal E Food and Beverage
Maki of Japan Terminal E Food and Beverage
McDonald's Terminal E Food and Beverage
Sbarro's Italian Eatery Terminal E Food and Beverage
Yummy Pretzels Terminal E Food and Beverage
Au Bon Pain Terminal F Food and Beverage
Chipotle Terminal F Food and Beverage
Far East Terminal F Food and Beverage
Good 2 Go Terminal F Food and Beverage
Le Bus Cafe Terminal F Food and Beverage
Local Tavern Terminal F Food and Beverage
Philly Pretzel Factory Terminal F Food and Beverage
re:vive Terminal F Food and Beverage
Red Mango Terminal F Food and Beverage
Sbarro Terminal F Food and Beverage
Smash Burger Terminal F Food and Beverage
Tony Luke's Terminal F Food and Beverage
Yummy Pretzels Terminal F Food and Beverage
I didn't know they had pizza at Saladworks, Green Leaf's, Cibo Gourmet Express, Healthy Gourmet or Good 2 Go; but I learn something every day.
justamama83
(87 posts)I love love love their food places- so many things to choose from. There is one place in terminal B that has the best breakfast sandwiches, I don't even find the prices to be much worse than anywhere outside the airport either.
jwirr
(39,215 posts)yeoman6987
(14,449 posts)Why should the other passengers suffer with an unruly child? They paid just as much as the family did.
jwirr
(39,215 posts)down. Some people do not have the means to communicate as easily as others.
yeoman6987
(14,449 posts)ADA gives opportunity to go on airplane if they don't disrupt other in doing so. I feel horrible for the other passengers who were incredibly inconvenienced.
jwirr
(39,215 posts)wonder what she did that was disturbing. My daughter would have cried. It is her only means of communication.
Kalidurga
(14,177 posts)Just in case. BTW, I think everyone on the plane has a right to sue. There was only a slight pretext to inconvenience this family and even less of one to inconvenience everyone else. What a crappy thing to do. If I flew I would want to remember the name of this airline I bet they are jerks in other ways as well.
HockeyMom
(14,337 posts)If they diverted flights to and from for babies and little kids crying/screaming on planes, they could shut down the entire airport.
Initech
(100,054 posts)The tourists coming to and from Disneyland usually bring lots of them with them at the airport.
Terra Alta
(5,158 posts)The family has good reason to sue the airline, especially since the daughter had already calmed down when they were kicked off.
wellstone dem
(4,460 posts)She speaks around the country about her journey from poverty. She has helped me to understand "economic privilege." She also talks about putting family first as part of how she grew up. The airline is not going to soon forget what they did to her family.
http://www.combarriers.com/Home
Response to wellstone dem (Reply #6)
1000words This message was self-deleted by its author.
LittleBlue
(10,362 posts)I'd have to see that before judging the airline guilty. Seems like an overreaction at first glance
LisaL
(44,973 posts)very sure the daughter isn't hungry when she is on the plane.
When was the last time any of us had hot meal flying commercial airline?
Why did the mother expect airline would have hot meals on board?
wellstone dem
(4,460 posts)See the Facebook post linked in the article, and linked in a message above.
KittyWampus
(55,894 posts)that all important hot meal.
Or salty snack.
Because in her Facebook page she also asked for something salty.
So she packed stuff but not what the kid will actually eat (salty)?
I feel empathy for Mom dealing with difficult daughter but think she needs to rethink her strategy when flying with her daughter in the future.
Especially if it's a long flight (as per mother's own description).
LisaL
(44,973 posts)LisaL
(44,973 posts)Last edited Mon May 11, 2015, 02:29 PM - Edit history (1)
Even though everybody who flew recently knows most airlines don't provide hot meals anymore (unless you are in first class).
jwirr
(39,215 posts)to divert the plane was taken after the girl settled down. It is not as if she is a terrorist or something.
KittyWampus
(55,894 posts)I feel bad for this family.
However, suppose her daughter commenced scratching someone because she got hungry again. Attendants are supposed to provide another hot meal?
She wasn't in first class? If she needs hot meals for her daughter, she should pay for first class tickets.
Mother says her daughter has flown many times. Well then, she's been lucky so far. Maybe next time she should discuss with her doctor mild sedative for her daughter so there's no chance of her daughter scratching someone.
Or ensure her daughter has a hot meal before boarding the plane before a long flight.
She also said if no hot meals could she have something salty. Why not bring something salty if that is her daughter's preference.
Mother needs to adjust her strategy when flying with her daughter. It was just a matter of time before something like this wouldh happen.
I asked the flight attendant if she had any hot food (Juliette will not eat cold food and had refused her dinner prior to the flight). We had a back pack of snacks but she did not want what we had. The attendant sold me chicken sandwich but it was not hot and Juliette would not eat. The flight attendant said that is all we have. I asked if there was some hot food in First Class. It was a very long flight and I wanted her to get something in her system. The flight attendant went to ask and a male flight attendant in First Class. He came back to tell me that they could not serve the hot food from First Class because we were in economy. I offered to buy the rice they had. He said no. For 40 minutes, I kept trying to think of something that they had that she would eat. He told me no every time. I finally, told him that I am platinum on United thinking he might help. He said No. I again asked if he could make an exception for our daughter who faces autism. He said, no he could not give her the rice from first class. I asked if I could get some chips or something salty for her. He said they had no chips. Juliette was beginning to cry. Frustrated I said, after she has a melt down and tries to scratch in frustration, will you help her then? He said he would see what he could do. He came back scowled at me and gave her a hot meal. I thanked him and offered to pay for it. He did not answer and went back to First Class.
MADem
(135,425 posts)And if they do it for one, they have to do it for all. It's unreasonable to expect a FA to be running around looking for food that the teenager will eat as they do have other duties and not much time to accomplish all of them. The mother should have been prepared if she wanted to fly coach, where hot food is not served. I think it probably might have been possible for a doctor (someone other than the mother who is a doctor, as well) to declare first class travel medically necessary for the hot meal--they could write off the difference, maybe.
The mother should have just bought 1C tickets for herself and her child, left the husband in coach, and traded off if needs must. I've seen that done in other circumstances, where one parent will trade off with another mid flight (usually it's if one is seated in first, and the other is stuck in coach with the kids). She's a doctor--it's not like she's on the edges of poverty, and if she's a platinum club member, she probably should have thought about splurging and using some of those points to upgrade.
I wouldn't expect a FA to produce, say, insulin or heart medication or a diaper if I were traveling with someone who needed those things. Why would I expect one to pony up "hot food" when "hot food" isn't on the menu in coach? The mother was unprepared, and instead of blaming herself, she's blaming the flight crew. Not one "salty snack" in her pack of food for the kid to satisfy her? When she KNOWS that will placate her?
Also, I find the mother characterizing the FA as "scowling" sounds like she's setting him or her up as the "bad guy." It's not the job of the FA to give first class food to coach pax.
The bottom line, here, though, is this--it is the PILOT/aircraft commander of the aircraft, not the flight attendant(s), who make the decision to divert in the event of disruption. The FA's always take the heat, but they don't make the call.
kiva
(4,373 posts)that her daughter would become agitated if they didn't come up with the hot meal she demanded:
And that was when I just kind of said, ‘You know what? Maybe after she has a meltdown and she's crying and trying to scratch, then you'll help us,’” Beegle said.
http://www.katu.com/news/local/Autistic-teen-family-kicked-off-Portland-bound-plane-303146891.html
I suspect if Beegle hadn't told them that, the plane wouldn't have been diverted - when you tell people that a 15 year old will have a meltdown and 'scratch' in a confined space with other people, don't be surprised if they believe you.
LisaL
(44,973 posts)Because the scratched people could then turn around and sue the airline.
yardwork
(61,588 posts)It sounds like tempers were fraying on both sides. The mother writes that she argued with the flight attendant from first class for 40 minutes. That was after the economy flight attendants called the first class flight attendant because of the mother's demand for something that is not served in economy class.
Then the mother tells the flight attendant that her daughter might "melt down and scratch" people. That's when the first class attendant gave the girl something from first class to eat, and also seems to have notified the pilot. At that point, liability becomes a real issue for the airline. You can't get away with making threats to injure other people on an airplane.
I sympathize with this family, but I think that they were not well-prepared for their daughter's travel needs. People who have paid for economy tickets can't expect first-class service just because they ask.
Traveling is miserable nowadays, especially in economy class. I would urge this mother to prepare better next time, and maybe tone down the threats. Standing up and shouting at the crew wasn't very wise either.
gollygee
(22,336 posts)On one side, we as a society need to be more generous to people on the autism spectrum.
However, it sounds like she basically threatened them that her daughter would start freaking out and scratching people if they didn't give them a meal for her, and I guess I can imagine the airline staff worrying that there was a high risk of a serious problem. The mom should probably have picked up a meal for her in the airport to take on the flight or something.
I'd have to have more information or talk to them or something to have a feel whether the flight attendent was overreacting, or legitimately worried based upon what the mother said.
Pisces
(5,599 posts)sorry for their situation, but I don't. Why didn't she have a hot bag and buy hot food after the security line that she could
have put into an insulated bag?? Why didn't she have salty snacks???
I have traveled with toddlers before and I did not rely on the airline to provide me with snacks or meals to prevent their
meltdown. I came prepared to keep them entertained, fed and made sure I had water with me. Videos, books etc.
This is the mothers fault. I'm sorry you she has a challenged child, but that means you have to be more prepared than the next
person. You can't think your needs are going to be met just because you have a special needs child.
missingthebigdog
(1,233 posts)Apparently, if we are unfortunate enough to be the parents of autistic kids, we should keep them at home. The audacity of this woman!
Three of our children are on the autism spectrum. The youngest is very severe. We have dealt with numerous public tantrums. The alternative is isolating our daughter, and never allowing her the opportunity to learn how to behave in public.
It appears that this mother did as much as she could to prepare. She packed snacks. She was in tune with her daughter, and saw the warning signs of a meltdown developing. She made appropriate accommodation requests, and appropriately informed the crew of what was likely to occur in the event of a meltdown. It was stubborn, selfish, and small minded of the flight attendant to not let her have rice. RICE!
Note that this family was RETURNING from a vacation to Disney. They had successfully flown there, had gone to the theme park, stayed in hotels, etc., presumably without serious incident. Mom does not anticipate this specific problem, and it is all her fault. Smh.
KittyWampus
(55,894 posts)for hot meal, she didn't have her daughter's preference (salty snack)
Asking for a hot meal in coach is not a "appropriate accomodation request".
And from the mother's own words, it sounds like she threatened the attendant with someone possibly getting scratched if they didn't comply with her demands.
It's not about not going into public. It's figuring out strategies to cope.
That this woman has traveled many times over the years with her daughter without incident means she was probably lucky so far.
How is it she can't even consider maybe her strategy should be adjusted for next time?
But this really shouldn't be about the Mom, it should have been about getting the plane to where it was going safely and with as little deviation from the scheduled plan as possible so that the other 100+ people on the plane get the service they paid for.
missingthebigdog
(1,233 posts)"she can't even consider maybe her strategy should be adjusted for next time?"
I am sure she will make adjustments next time- beginning with what airline she chooses. How does that impact what happened this time?
She tried to feed her daughter prior to boarding. Should she have forced her to eat? Decided not to fly home? How would you "get" a sixteen year old to eat?
Should she have not mentioned that her daughter scratches people when she has a meltdown? How could she have conveyed that information without someone perceiving it as a threat. If I tell you that my child will throw up on you if you hold her up in the air, am I making a threat? Isn't that just an objective statement of what happens in a certain situation?
You think she was "lucky so far" that she had been able to travel with her before. I agree. Luckily, she had not previously encountered a stubborn crew member who refused to make adjustments for the special needs of a passenger. But that isn't really what you mean. You seem to be implying that because this woman's child ALMOST had a meltdown (her advocacy for her child prevented that), she is guilty of improper preparation and insight into her daughter's needs.
I don't even want to get started on what I think of the assertion that people with special needs should have to pay for first class tickets in order to travel. . . .
LisaL
(44,973 posts)an airline to provide it? Because airlines don't provide hot meals anymore (at least on any I flew recently).
No food, actually. All we got were drinks.
missingthebigdog
(1,233 posts)They did ultimately provide a hot meal.
LisaL
(44,973 posts)Neither did this woman. But apparently she expected to get food as in first class. When I flew United recently, no food was provided at all (not even pretzels). All we got were drinks.
Blanks
(4,835 posts)She asked if there was any food on the plane that she could purchase.
Surely, you can see how those are very different things. It seems like kind of a small thing to ask for.
If someone asks me for food, and I have it, I don't hesitate to provide it.
I'm kind of surprised to see someone here at DU supporting the airline and chastising a parent when the airline is essentially holding food at arms length from a disabled person.
It's a bit disturbing actually.
LisaL
(44,973 posts)Blanks
(4,835 posts)See how that works, a little give and take and everything worked out just fine.
Kind of a statement about the ineffectivenes of zero tolerance policies.
kcr
(15,315 posts)gollygee
(22,336 posts)There are tons of restaurants in airports and you can bring food from them onto a flight. People do allll the time, especially since airlines aren't usually offering meals anymore.
LanternWaste
(37,748 posts)I like to pretend knowledge of all relevant information too... it allows our judgement the thin patina of studied relevance.
KittyWampus
(55,894 posts)
d_r
(6,907 posts)I wish we lived in a world where people were nice enough to let a kid with a disability in coach have some precious first class rice.
RobinA
(9,886 posts)Having read what actually happened, it seems the crew could have done what they had to do to avoid a problem but declined. A hot meal could have avoided a WHOLE LOT of inconvenience for innocent bystanders.
Of course, knowing the way things work these days, maybe they would get fired for the crime of serving first class food to economy passengers. It's a mean world out there and common sense is NOT the way decisions are made these days.
LisaL
(44,973 posts)What about other passengers on the plane?
This woman knows her daughter gets agitated if she doesn't get her hot meal.
Then why doesn't she buy something hot at the airport so daughter doesn't get agitated?
missingthebigdog
(1,233 posts)If not for the mother, who incidentally not only deserves our compassion but also our respect and gratitude for all that she has done thus far for her child and the children of others, at least for the CHILD herself.
Assuming, for the sake of argument, that these parents (interesting that no one has anything to say about dad here, even though he was right there, too) were ill prepared and foolhardy to take this "disturbed" child on the airplane, where is the compassion for her? Is her behavior her fault? Should she have been subjected to all of this?
Clearly, we still have a long way to go in accepting people for who they are, regardless of their differences. Everyone here would be up in arms had the airline refused to allow a seeing-eye dog, or kicked a person with a disability off a plane for soiling himself. Because this is a "behavior" issue, there seems to be an assumption it was in this child's (or her mother's) capacity to control it. That is not the reality of autism.
LisaL
(44,973 posts)I wasn't even aware that he was on the plane.
As for controlling it, seems pretty clear from mother's own description, she knew how to control it (hot or salty meal).
Yet apparently she wasn't prepared even though she was full aware that her daughter might get agitated if she doesn't get that hot or salty meal.
missingthebigdog
(1,233 posts)In another scenario, it might have been an extra blanket, or a pair of sunglasses, or some Mardi Gras beads.
Those of us who have children with special needs try our best to anticipate every possible scenario, so as not to inconvenience the (amazingly intolerant) public. Unfortunately, we cannot predict every possible scenario, nor can we carry around every supply that a need might crop up for.
But even accepting, for the sake of argument, that the mother was unprepared, how does that justify the behavior of the airline?
Standing before you is a child, clearly in distress, and you have, within your possession or power, a solution to that distress. What kind of human denies that child the solution? What kind of person punishes a child for his or her parent's perceived lack of preparedness?
LisaL
(44,973 posts)Would you get on the plane without the Beads, and then demand airline produced the Beads, or you child could get agitated and might scratch people?
And if airline doesn't produce these Beads, it's airlines fault?
missingthebigdog
(1,233 posts)My child did, in fact, go through a phase in which she was obsessed with Mardi Gras beads. We were actually ejected from a Goodwill thrift store once due to that obsession. The end result of that was a significant policy change for the organization in that region. That is a story for another time. . . .
If the airline has the beads, and is merely refusing to produce them to make some kind of ridiculous point, yes, I think they are at fault.
Again, before you is a child in distress. What is your justification for not doing what you can to help her?
Lee-Lee
(6,324 posts)is unacceptable. Period.
And that kind of behavior on public transportation is unacceptable. Period.
The crew of that plane is responsible for the safety of all onboard. Removing a person having a breakdown and making demands to be given special treatment or they will harm people is the right choice. They had no clue when or if the girl may go into another rage or what would set her off, and clearly mom was incapable of managing he behavior.
Had mom not made the comments about her starting to scratch people if they didn't give in to her demands they probably wouldn't have diverted. but she did, and once the crew was told that their responsibility of the safety of all passengers dictated she be removed like any other passenger who they belive stands a chance of harming others.
missingthebigdog
(1,233 posts)She was pleading for help for her child. She made a truthful statement about what would happen if the child did not get help.
If she had been asking for orange juice for her diabetic child, and stated that if the child didn't get it she would have a seizure in the aisle, would that be a threat?
The pilot's decision, I think, was an over-reaction. That is only my opinion, and I will acknowledge that it was a judgment call. The flight attendant's decisions, however, were not reasonable given the circumstances. A more appropriate, helpful, compassionate response would have prevented this whole fiasco.
I am glad your world is so black and white. I hope you are never faced with the challenges this mother has to face to raise her child.
Lee-Lee
(6,324 posts)Is a threat.
Blanks
(4,835 posts)Kind of like "if you kids don't stop antagonizing the dog, it's going to bite you."
Very different than a threat because it's based on experience. If the mom was telling them that she (mom) was going to scratch them, that would be a threat.
A very different scenario.
LanternWaste
(37,748 posts)Conflating "threat" with "knowledgeable predication" is a common mistake, I'd guess.
treestar
(82,383 posts)or biting them.
missingthebigdog
(1,233 posts)If the person seizing and/or scratching and biting cannot control the behavior?
It is different only because of what we deem "appropriate" versus what we deem "inappropriate." To the child, the two are the same.
LisaL
(44,973 posts)airport anyway.
treestar
(82,383 posts)makes it different. Something bad happening to the diabetic child happens only to that child.
LanternWaste
(37,748 posts)I think its both rational and common to presume there is food available on an airline.... yet not so much Mardi Gras beads. However, maybe you fly airlines which do in fact, pass out beads on a regular and consistent basis.
treestar
(82,383 posts)and then she calmed down, so I'm not seeing why they had to land the plane.
treestar
(82,383 posts)They landed the plane because of the child. But it's not like they are going to sue the mother.
They just landed the plane. Out of compassion for everybody.
ohnoyoudidnt
(1,858 posts)The situation was quickly deescalated when the daughter was served and they still diverted the plane. If I was a passenger, I would be far more ticked at the captain than the mother.
Lee-Lee
(6,324 posts)and daughter already exhibited one breakdown.
The pilots first responsibility if the safety of passengers. Mom told the crew her daughter would harm others if she didn't get what she wanted and the daughter already displayed behavior of a breakdown- the crew had no idea what if anything may set her off again.
Removing the girl was the best option given the crews primary responsibility- the safety of the passengers.
treestar
(82,383 posts)
LadyHawkAZ
(6,199 posts)since most are still insisting she didn't try to feed the girl ahead of time and/or brought no snacks for her, and was expecting the airline to handle everything.
It's a shame, since it's linked to in the story.
I think UA handled a reasonable request very poorly.
Blanks
(4,835 posts)Than it is to actually read the article and get the whole story.
Ilsa
(61,691 posts)Prevent big mood swings. Airport food can be a big trigger for behavior that's difficult to manage. A lot of families are careful about artificial flavors and colors and certain preservatives, like some folks are sensitive to msg.
LisaL
(44,973 posts)or should you expect that airline will have this special diet available?
What is your point here?
Ilsa
(61,691 posts)the rules on what we could bring, but this agent threw it all in the trash.
It's a crap shoot for families with disabled children. Like life isn't hard enough, there's frequently an asshole making sure it's worse. Occasionally, someone does the right thing, but that's usually the exception.
yardwork
(61,588 posts)The mother states over and over again that her daughter won't eat anything but hot food, yet for some reason the family did not prepare for this.
Perhaps the airline attendants didn't handle this well. We don't know their side of the story. But just based on what the mother herself states in her FB post, she made some missteps. The main one was telling the crew that her daughter was getting ready to hurt other passengers. At that point, liability becomes a real issue for the airline.
I haven't read any posts saying that they think that this family should stay home.
SwankyXomb
(2,030 posts)on the All-New All-Heartless Republican Underground.
KamaAina
(78,249 posts)I had a really tight connection in Nashville. And the first plane came in late. I was, um, getting agitated. 
Then some prissy little pill comes out and tells me the pilot is worried about flying with me! 
I managed to calm down, we took off, and we made it into BNA with 15 whole minutes to spare. Fortunately, it's not a very big airport, so I made my connection, to New Orleans, for my first Mardi Gras! 
Lee-Lee
(6,324 posts)And that was when I just kind of said, ‘You know what? Maybe after she has a meltdown and she's crying and trying to scratch, then you'll help us,’” Beegle said.
She essentially said "you give me whatever my daughter wants that we didn't pay for and are not supposed to have or my daughter will be disruptive and try to hurt people".
If any other passenger had made a threat of "you give me XXXX or I will start screaming and clawing at people" the pilot would have rightfully landed and removed them. Mom made essentially the same threat here, that her daughter would do so.
Its not acceptable behavior on a plane with other people, nor is it acceptable in any way to use a threat of that behavior to try and demand special treatment.
The pilot was right to make that call. He or she has 100% responsibility for the safety of all on board. Not the comfort, not the self esteem, not the dignity of all passengers- the SAFETY. One person onboard was disruptive, screaming and the caregiver indicated that she would start physically harming others if she didn't get what she wanted as a part of that process. Thats not acceptable behavior on a plane- period.
The pilot knows they have a person onboard whom the caregiver has indicated has a history of harming others (scratching them) who is screaming and being disruptive. With a whole host of unknowns, including what can or will set the girl off again, and moms apparent inability to handle her needs on the flight, getting them off the plane as soon as possible was the only sure way of ensuring the safety of the rest of the passengers.
Mom failed to properly prepare (evidently she did have food, but not what the girl wanted), and failed to properly handle the situation when she essentially told the crew that if they didn't give her daughter what she wanted she would start harming others.
missingthebigdog
(1,233 posts)She was pleading for help for her child. She made a truthful statement about what would happen if the child did not get help.
If she had been asking for orange juice for her diabetic child, and stated that if the child didn't get it she would have a seizure in the aisle, would that be a threat?
The pilot's decision, I think, was an over-reaction. That is only my opinion, and I will acknowledge that it was a judgment call. The flight attendant's decisions, however, were not reasonable given the circumstances. A more appropriate, helpful, compassionate response would have prevented this whole fiasco.
gollygee
(22,336 posts)We'd have to hear the tone of her voice when she said it, but I agree what you said is likely.
However, the airline staff might have felt it was a threat, or at least a threatening situation. If they were honestly concerned about a violent incident on their plane, they had to respond seriously. This is a teenager, the size of an adult. Someone that size trying to hurt people would be a huge issue for them, and could also lead to lawsuits. I can hear a lawyer say, "The mother told you her child was close to becoming violent. Why didn't you take that threat seriously?"
missingthebigdog
(1,233 posts)As I have said elsewhere on this thread, the pilot's decision to divert was a judgment call. I think it was an over-reaction, but my opinion on that is not relevant.
I take issue with the decisions of the crew member that led up to this desperate plea for help. By all accounts, it was obvious that the child was in distress. A more appropriate, compassionate response from the crew member would have resulted in an entirely different outcome.
Lee-Lee
(6,324 posts)You can argue it was or was not a threat, but she told them "If you don't give me what I am asking for she will start harming people". That is a threat.
Call it a threat, call it a statement of fact- it doesn't matter. She told the crew her daughter, who had already exhibited breakdown like behavior, was likely to start harming people if they didn't give in to whatever she wanted.
That is a threatening situation toward all the other passengers, and a responsibility the crew who was not familiar with the girl or her history didn't want to, and shouldn't be forced to take on. Once the mom made that statement, coupled with the daughters behavior, she was an unacceptable risk to the safety of others on board.
Blanks
(4,835 posts)That's just reality. If the child were wheelchair bound and the parent said "the wheelchair needs to be strapped to something, or it may roll and hurt someone" is that a threat?
Of course not, it's a statement illustrating that the parent recognizes the reality of dealing with that particular disability. This is no different.
It was a warning, one that the airline wisely heeded by providing the requested food. If they'd stopped intervening at that point, there'd be no story here at all.
HappyMe
(20,277 posts)It sounds to me like mom dropped the ball.
When my sons were little we took them to Disneyland. I called the airline about lunch on the plane. They said no lunch, so we ate before we got on the plane. I had little backpacks for the boys with coloring books, story books, crayons, paper, pencils, and their favorite stuffed animal. I had with me sweatshirts, small pillows, animal crackers, ritz crackers, gum, anti-nausea medicine and baby aspirins.
Unless you are in first class, there is no meal service.
missingthebigdog
(1,233 posts)and not a cranky toddler?
What is the worst that would have happened if one of your little ones had decided to throw a tantrum because he wanted animal crackers instead of Oreos? What if YOU had "dropped the ball," so to speak?
It is likely that other passengers would have simply rolled their eyes and ignored you. It is also likely that, if anyone in the vicinity of your seat happened to have Oreos, they would have been offered to you. It is highly unlikely that a flight attendant would have refused to give your child an Oreo in order to minimize the disruption.
HappyMe
(20,277 posts)because they were the ones that picked out the snacks.
They weren't tantrum throwers.
This mom dropped the ball. It isn't as if the daughter developed this 3 days before the flight. I planned for every possibilty. She clearly did not. This is a 15 year old kid who could have started harming others on the flight. Should I have been expected to sit there while this kid scratched me up? Or my child? I don't get on a plane and expect people to cater to my every whim unless I pay for first class.
missingthebigdog
(1,233 posts)who did not throw tantrums. They knew how to behave, and you could anticipate their needs.
Try to imagine if, instead, you were blessed with a child who, through no fault of her own, could not control her emotions? Who had unpredictable outbursts?
I guess that child should just be kept at home? That child should not have the opportunity to experience the things your children are allowed to experience?
I take exception with your characterization of this situation as a "whim". . . .
HappyMe
(20,277 posts)If I have a child with those limitations, I would plan just as much as I did for my sons. Maybe even more. Know your child and plan accordingly. Don't expect any special treatment. I shouldn't have to fight off a screaming scratching kid.
It is a damn whim. Everybody knows that they don't serve much in the way of food on flights any more.
My son needs supplemental oxygen to breath, and requires an oxygen tank.
Without getting into a "who has it worse" contest, I think it's probably safe to say that his need for the oxygen is probably a bit more of an immediate and non-negotiable safety issue than what would have happened if this girl didn't get hot food (as evident by the fact that when the diverted the plane the mother herself admits she was fine and calm and watching a movie).
If I showed up at the airport to get on a flight with his oxygen tank without making the necessary prior arrangements, and then proceeded to cause an issue because they wouldn't let me on, would anyone really think that was a reasonable way to handle the situation? Apparently so, but man alive I can't imagine thinking that way even with a special needs kid.
HappyMe
(20,277 posts)if there are special circumstances. Hell, I didn't even have a special circumstance and I called ahead about lunch. Better to be safe than sorry.
I wish the best for you and your son.
missingthebigdog
(1,233 posts)Suppose you made the arrangements, and arrived at the airport with not only his oxygen tank, but a back-up tank as well, intending to be prepared for any eventuality.
You and your son board the flight, and his primary oxygen tank fails. No problem, you hook up the back-up tank. For some reason, the tank doesn't work. The meter malfunctions, or it is empty when it is supposed to be full.
Would it be reasonable for the airline to deny you use of the emergency oxygen that they have on board? If they did deny you the use of the oxygen, or only gave it to you once you became upset with them and made a scene, wouldn't you feel the same way this parent does?
I know that these situations are not precisely parallel. The autistic child was not going to die without the meal. The severity of the consequence is not what I am trying to argue here. I just want people to see that this isn't really about "entitlement." This is about compassion and humanity.
d_r
(6,907 posts)that's first class oxygen.
vi5
(13,305 posts)if she made these arrangements beforehand then she has a very valid complaint. If she took all the precautions as a parent that she was supposed to then all of this righteous indignation at how the airline handled it would be justified.
But since she doesn't say that she did (since it would presumably bolster her case even more I can't imagine why she would leave this out if she did) then my sympathy is much less so for her.
This all hinges on a very big "if".
MADem
(135,425 posts)This would allow the caregiver to replace the malfunctioning tanks and get medical help for the child. The caregiver would have to make alternative arrangements, but that's what happens when you're not prepared--even if it isn't the person's fault.
And then I would want the airline to be replacing that emergency oxygen before they continued on.
In the case of this mother, it was her fault. She knew her child's needs and was not prepared, and thought she could bully the FAs into giving her a first class meal. I would not be surprised if she has pulled this before. It's not appropriate. It puts the FAs in a bad position. They have to account for everything on the plane. If she wants first class service, she needs to have a first class ticket.
I think this lawsuit--if she even brings it--will go nowhere and she's likelly on the banned list for United.
Ilsa
(61,691 posts)Developmentally delayed children, or you'd have a little more compassion. This mother probably planned everything out the wazzoo and still had an "event." The rest of us are the grownups and should try to be more understanding.
I know because I've walked in her shoes. But even if I hadn't I would hope that I would be more understanding and less demanding.
treestar
(82,383 posts)in the seating of a plane, who would get scratched other than the people right next to her, which would have been her family anyway. How bad could it get? I guess I would be uncomfortable with anyone struggling on a plane in a fighting manner.
HappyMe
(20,277 posts)Who knows if she would get out of her seat or not.
I wouldn't want to have to deal with screaming and scratching.
treestar
(82,383 posts)When the girl calmed down, they could have reconsidered.
yardwork
(61,588 posts)vi5
(13,305 posts)If the mother knows her child will have issues without hot food shouldn't she have either 1) gotten her hot food before she got on the plane? I mean I've sat next to enough people who brought on big heaping portions of hot food plenty of times enough to know that it is allowed and perfectly acceptable, or 2) Made arrangements with the airline before hand? I've travelled with vegetarians, vegans, the kosher strict, the peanut allergic, the gluten intolerant the severely autistic, the asthmatic, a kid with oxygen and a tracheostomy, and many others with issues and needs and every single time they've been sure to arrange what they will require before hand.
Yes, stopping the plane was a bit of an overreaction, but once the mother made threats that her kid would bite or scratch other people, she opened that door, and regardless of where she was sitting or how calm the girl was at the time those threats were made and the airline probably had little choice but to act on it, especially if the woman spent what had to be close to an hour arguing with them over this.
This woman is an author so clearly she's travelled....probably a lot of travelling to be exact. How could she not know any of this before hand?
missingthebigdog
(1,233 posts)We don't know if hot food was available, or if there was time to get it. We don't know if this was a connecting flight that prevented them from having the opportunity. We can only assume.
Even assuming the worst, that these parents- dad was there, too, failed to anticipate the need for the hot food, how does that excuse the behavior of the flight attendant? Setting aside all of the "could haves" and "should haves" regarding the parents, the refusal of the flight attendant to assist this family was unreasonable and uncaring.
Orrex
(63,189 posts)then who should bear responsibility?
vi5
(13,305 posts)Again, if it turns out that this was due to a delay from the airline over a connecting flight or some other airline cause issue, or that she called ahead and made arrangements that the airline didn't accomodate then they would bear some responsibility.
But if her child had these needs and she didn't make the proper arrangements and then gets mad at the airline for not anticipating something which she didn't notify them about in advance, then it's her responsibility.
That's why it was the parents' responsibility to take the necessary precautions prior to putting their daughter on the plane and not demanded that the flight attendant make the accommodations after the plane was already in the air.
Jesus Malverde
(10,274 posts)Asking to buy a first class meal when sitting in coach is bizarre. It's a strange world.
The mother basically threatened her daughter would freak out (start scratching) unless she was fed a hot meal. I think attendants sometimes abuse the obey flight crew rules, doesn't seem to be the case here.
vi5
(13,305 posts)The mother herself doesn't (at least in anything I've read) take ANY responsibility whatsoever and is putting this entire thing on the flight attendants which unless I'm missing some major detail, from what I've read and seen is not entirely fair. She doesn't explain why they were in this situation. Maybe it was all the airlines fault. The fact that she seems to be leaving that bit out is what leaves me with some question marks.
Also, in the same article that she says that they didn't accommodate her need for hot food to prevent her from having behavioral issues, but then says that the kid was sitting calmly and quietly watching a movie. I understand that knowing her daughter, that it was a possibility she could have had an issue and caused a disruption so the mother handled that by....making an issue and causing a disruption.
As you pointed out, we don't have enough information. Only the word of this mother. I'll be curious if others who were on the flight come forward and corroborate her story or paint a different picture.
As the father of a special needs child who has done a fair bit of travelling with him, I'm not unfamiliar with this situation, which is also what makes me less than willing to accept the mothers account of this story at face value and not point out or ask for a lot of missing details before I go get my righteous indignation on.
missingthebigdog
(1,233 posts)The flight attendant did, in fact, eventually provide the hot food. That is why the child was calmly watching the movie when the plane diverted.
Had the attendant compassionately listened to the original request, and provided the food in the first place when the need was explained, no mention of the severity of the child's meltdowns would ever have occurred, and there would have been no threat- actual or perceived.
I think there is a basic misunderstanding about people with autism in this thread. It is often very difficult to anticipate what they might react to, and what intervention might head off that reaction. In this case it appears that the parents anticipated that the child might be hungry on the plane, and packed snacks to accommodate that need. Apparently, those snacks didn't address this particular issue.
I am guessing here, but based upon my experience raising my three children with autism, I suspect that this child smelled the food that was being served elsewhere on the plane. Once she knew it was available, that was what she wanted. She has a developmental disability. Depending upon the degree of her impairment, it might not be possible to make her understand why that food was not available to her.
I am not arguing that the pilot was wrong to divert- that is his call, and I don't have all of the information that went into that decision. My argument is that this is a child with a disability, and a humane response would have been to give her the food that she wanted. That is what I would have done, and, prior to today, that is what I would have thought anyone would do. . . .
vi5
(13,305 posts)..and my degree of sympathy for this woman not making the proper arrangements before hand is much less than yours.
In fact the cynic in me thinks a lot of this is her attempting to make a point or even more cynically to sell books given that her subject of study is poverty and class and all of that.
missingthebigdog
(1,233 posts)That you appear to have no empathy for the child in this situation is tragic.
vi5
(13,305 posts)I don't like sensationalism and this has all the earmarks of that.
As I said I'm very sympathetic to someone that deals with these issues. I know how easy it can be to forget the little things. It doesn't sound like this was a "little thing" for her daughter, and as such proper arrangements should have been made.
I'm very sympathetic to someone making arrangements with a company and that company then proceeding to royally screw up those arrangements or completely ignore them. And again, if it turns out that is the case then I am all in on defending this woman. But she's given now indication that is the case, and I see no reason why she would leave that out.
I'm not sympathetic to someone who makes threats as to what their kid will do if she doesn't get what she needs, and then goes around screaming that it was "fear of autism" that got them kicked off a plane. If there was nothing for anyone to be afraid of or worried about then she should have handled it with that degree of severity and not the way she did by making threats.
I'm not sympathetic to someone who makes a living speaking and writing about issues of poverty and class, who has likely flown countless times, and who coincidentally makes an issue out of having booked an economy class seat but then not being given the accommodations of first class. This is not some poor, naive, young single mom who has never travelled before or never travelled with her autistic child and could be forgiven for not knowing all that was involved in every level of this situation and what the proper protocol is.
All issues involved here (special needs children, class, corporate awareness of issues, etc.) are ones that I'm deeply involved in and care about. But I also don't just reflexively support things because the story being told tugs at my heart strings, especially when there are as many things in the story that don't pass the smell test.
yardwork
(61,588 posts)I think that some of the posts here defending the mother are actually not responding to the mother's words, but overlaying posters' own experiences. Nothing in the mother's FB post suggests that she planned every little detail and then had an unexpected event. Instead, she seems to be saying that the family didn't bother to bring the only kind of food their daughter would eat, and instead just expected the attendants to provide that food.
In any case, it was unwise for the mother to tell the attendants that her daughter was going to "melt down and scratch."
vi5
(13,305 posts)has by bullshit detectors going off, especially as someone in a similar situation as this mother.
The fact that a mother who is so in tuned with her childs needs and triggers not even planning ahead for a situation where those triggers could very easily present themselves and then demanding that the airline both understand that, know what they need to do, and take it at face value?
The fact that she's saying it was "fear of autism" and not fear of her kid hurting others, which was a threat the mother herself explicitly made?
The fact that this is presented also as a "first class" vs. "economy class" issue and the mother makes a leaving speaking about and writing about issues of class and poverty?
Seems like a lot of very calculated righteous indignation designed to hit a lot of hot button issues and get a lot of press and publicity.
yardwork
(61,588 posts)The purpose of this story seems to be focused on selling a story that first class passengers get consideration for their children with special needs, while economy class passengers get treated unkindly and unfairly.
That makes me even more suspicious of this story. I would be very interested to hear if there are any eyewitness accounts that support the mother's version of events. She claims that there are dozens, but have any come forward?
Blanks
(4,835 posts)There was no problem once the flight attendant gave the child the food. If they hadn't put the plane on the ground, there would be no story here.
Mom averted the disaster by telling the flight attendant exactly what they needed to do in order to avert any problems, and when the airline complied, the problem was averted.
Honestly, in a country with the vast resources that we have, I'm kind of surprised that so many people are ready to condemn this family for a tiny shortcoming in their preparation for a flight when the entire drama would have been 'without incident' if the pilot hadn't landed the plane.
At the core of this, we are talking about one meal for one little autistic girl. The general cluelessness about what parents with autistic children have to deal with due to the judgemental nature of people unfamiliar with the disability is disappointing.
vi5
(13,305 posts)That's the issue. If it's as big a deal as she says it is then it's not "tiny" and there's no reason she shouldn't have been prepared for it. It can't be both ways. If it's as important an issue for her child as it is then there's no way she would have or should have forgotten to prepare for it, nor should the entire plane and staff had to make exceptions for them.
Again, if she made the arrangements with the airline and they didn't follow through then they deserve every bit of hell they catch. But as someone who has dealt with similar restrictions and needs every time I've travelled by plane over the past 9 years, I have very little sympathy for parents not preparing for stuff like this.
Blanks
(4,835 posts)Both tiny and a big deal. The family forgot a tiny detail and the airline made a big deal out of it.
One doesn't have to look very hard to see that's exactly what's going on here. We can't just give passes to the service industry for being abusive to customers that they don't want to serve.
The entire plane and staff didn't have to make an exception for them. The pilot chose to land the plane rather than let the situation work itself out.
IVoteDFL
(417 posts)I have issues of my own. It's hard for me to make eye contact with strangers, let alone have them physically touch me and try to cause me harm. I would most likely all out lose my shit completely if I had been bitten or scratched by anyone on an airline.
The airline has to look out for all passengers on board. If someone is making threats they have to go. Why is that unreasonable?
kcr
(15,315 posts)That would have been easy.
IVoteDFL
(417 posts)Nobody got hurt. The airline reacted to the threat of it's passengers being bit or scratched. The cops probably didn't need to be there, but I assume that is standard protocol in our current day and age when an airplane is involved.
olddots
(10,237 posts)I hope the familly can sue along with rest of the passengers who had to be part of some pissy
little power hungry scum bag'sattempt at brownie points .
This really makes me mad .
missingthebigdog
(1,233 posts)I was losing faith in humanity here!
HassleCat
(6,409 posts)I used to work for TSA, and some of my fellow employees would get pretty heavy-handed at times. So would the airport police. So would the airline employees. All these people wield some degree of authority, but some of them feel "authority" means they can't be challenged, and they have to take action against anyone who causes any kind of problem for them.
kcr
(15,315 posts)Stop pretending the point is the airline didn't immediately whip up a 5 course dinner on the spot, and that's why the mom is upset, because that's the only way you can wag your judgey fingers at her. It's clear the reason they're in hot water is they diverted that plane and escorted them off for no reason.
