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In reply to the discussion: Delta Airlines kicks family off flight, lies about FAA regulations, threatens foster-care [View all]pnwmom
(108,973 posts)they bought a second ticket for the 18 year old to fly the day before.
Then they got to the gate and told the gate agent about their situation and the agent then accompanied them to their seats -- which was allowed under FAA regulations. A 2 year old wouldn't be on any watch list.
It was only afterwards when the stand-by passenger caused the airline to change their decision, and the cabin crew lied to the parents about children not being allowed to sit in car seats.
My guess is they had some airline employee who was flying standby that they suddenly wanted to accommodate. The plane hasn't been overbooked. That was reported in several articles.
http://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/california-family-kicked-delta-flight-threatened-jail-refusing-give-toddler-n755141
Brian Schear said the family had initially purchased a ticket for their teenage son on the red-eye flight, but decided to send him home early so that their 2-year-old could have a seat on the plane. The couple was also traveling with a 1-year-old.
He said they let the ticket agent know about their situation at the gate, and that the agent accommodated the family to sit together.
Brian Schear said they boarded the plane without issue, but with other passengers on the standby list for the flight, he was then told by Delta agents that the 2-year-old had to give up his seat and then threatened with jail.