Spring Break
Airline overreacted by booting parent from plane
Taylor Trudon
Issue date: 11/6/09 Section: Commentary
Picture this: you are on an airplane preparing for takeoff with your two-year-old son - who won't stop screaming. It could be because he's scared of the loud noises the engines are making, he's hungry or he would just rather walk up and down the aisle than be strapped into a seat against his will. Just when you think that airline stewardess is approaching you to offer some assistance or lead you to the back of the plane where your child can calm down, she informs you that you must get off the plane.
Pamela Root and her two-year-old son, Adam, were booted off a San Jose-bound flight leaving from Amarillo, Texas when the Southwest Airlines crew claimed passengers could not hear the pre-flight safety announcements. According to the New York Daily News, Root says that she was "confident that Adam's screams of 'Go! Plane! Go!' and 'I want Daddy!' would subside after the plane took off." As a result of being kicked off the plane, Root said she wanted to be compensated for the portable crib and diapers that she had to buy for the extra night of being away from home.
Despite an apology from a spokesman at Southwest Airlines and a promise of a refund and a $300 travel voucher, an MSNBC poll revealed that a whopping 76.6 percent of people agreed with Southwest's decision to kick Root and her cranky son off the plane. To those 89,293 people who voted, if you're not parents already and are considering having children, I sincerely hope you rethink your decision.
As a veteran baby sitter with more than 10 years of experience, I by no means consider myself to be the next Super Nanny, but I do consider Southwest kicking a mother and her son off a flight for yelling "Go! Plane! Go!" outrageous.
Coming from experience, there is nothing more uncomfortable than when your child (or in my case, baby-sitting charge) decides to have a meltdown in a public place. But the worst part about these temper tantrums is not the child who is throwing the fit, but rather the insensitive individuals giving you dirty looks and glares insinuating that you're an unfit caretaker.
Pamela Root and her two-year-old son, Adam, were booted off a San Jose-bound flight leaving from Amarillo, Texas when the Southwest Airlines crew claimed passengers could not hear the pre-flight safety announcements. According to the New York Daily News, Root says that she was "confident that Adam's screams of 'Go! Plane! Go!' and 'I want Daddy!' would subside after the plane took off." As a result of being kicked off the plane, Root said she wanted to be compensated for the portable crib and diapers that she had to buy for the extra night of being away from home.
Despite an apology from a spokesman at Southwest Airlines and a promise of a refund and a $300 travel voucher, an MSNBC poll revealed that a whopping 76.6 percent of people agreed with Southwest's decision to kick Root and her cranky son off the plane. To those 89,293 people who voted, if you're not parents already and are considering having children, I sincerely hope you rethink your decision.
As a veteran baby sitter with more than 10 years of experience, I by no means consider myself to be the next Super Nanny, but I do consider Southwest kicking a mother and her son off a flight for yelling "Go! Plane! Go!" outrageous.
Coming from experience, there is nothing more uncomfortable than when your child (or in my case, baby-sitting charge) decides to have a meltdown in a public place. But the worst part about these temper tantrums is not the child who is throwing the fit, but rather the insensitive individuals giving you dirty looks and glares insinuating that you're an unfit caretaker.
Viewing Comments 1 - 3 of 4
Russ Varcoe
posted 11/06/09 @ 8:06 AM EST
Wrong, Wrong, wrong! The airline's primary obligation is to the safety of the passengers. If the attendants felt there was a problem, then there IS a problem. (Continued…)
cj
posted 11/06/09 @ 10:16 AM EST
So you are saying that you'd prefer police officers, firefighters, military personnel, healthcare practitioners, etc. to be human first and professionals second? Wonderfully idealistic, but given the choice I'd rather live. (Continued…)
percy
posted 11/07/09 @ 1:34 AM EST
Get a clue Taylor.
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