Family kicked off plane because of squalling brat

[Jill1228]

I definitely applaud the airline on this one. Thoughts?

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20070123/...flight_tantrum

Toddler's temper ousts family from plane

By JIM ELLIS, Associated Press WriterTue Jan 23, 12:54 PM ET

AirTran Airways on Tuesday defended its decision to remove a Massachusetts couple from a flight after their crying 3-year-old daughter refused to take her seat before takeoff.

AirTran officials said they followed Federal Aviation Administration rules that children age 2 and above must have their own seat and be wearing a seat belt upon takeoff.

"The flight was already delayed 15 minutes and in fairness to the other 112 passengers on the plane, the crew made an operational decision to remove the family," AirTran spokeswoman Judy Graham-Weaver said.

Julie and Gerry Kulesza, who were headed home to Boston on Jan. 14 from Fort Myers, said they just needed a little more time to calm their daughter, Elly.

"We weren't given an opportunity to hold her, console her or anything," Julie Kulesza said in a telephone interview Tuesday.

The Kuleszas said they told a flight attendant they had paid for their daughter's seat, but asked whether she could sit in her mother's lap. The request was denied.

She was removed because "she was climbing under the seat and hitting the parents and wouldn't get in her seat" during boarding, Graham-Weaver said.

The Orlando-based carrier reimbursed the family $595.80, the cost of the three tickets, and the Kuleszas flew home the next day.

They also were offered three roundtrip tickets anywhere the airline flies, Graham-Weaver said.

The father said his family would never fly AirTran again.

[Senusret I]

I think the airline made the right decision. Cuz if it were Senusret I airlines, the kid would have been sedated involuntarily.

[CrimsonTide4]

Originally Posted by Senusret I

I think the airline made the right decision. Cuz if it were Senusret I airlines, the kid would have been sedated involuntarily.

Word. I flew home Christmas and accidentally sat in the wrong row but I believe it was divine intervention because my row was occupied with a pair of 1 - 2 year old twins who CRIED the entire flight!!!!!!! I was ready to kick them off the plane and drop them off in the air, lol.

[TonyB06]

Let's see....

1. they were delayed one day,
2. they got their $598.00 reimbursed (which meant they flew home for free), and
3. they got 3 round trip tickets anywhere the airline flies?

will somebody please loan me their crying baby cause I can use this kind of "hassle" if you know what I mean?

[unspokenone25]

Originally Posted by TonyB06

Let's see....

1. they were delayed one day,
2. they got their $598.00 reimbursed (which meant they flew home for free), and
3. they got 3 round trip tickets anywhere the airline flies?

will somebody please loan me their crying baby cause I can use this kind of "hassle" if you know what I mean?

EXACTLY! That man better STOP TRIPPING! What happened to the days when Momma only needed to give the child "THE LOOK" and the child straightened up? Oy vey!

[squirrely girl]

i think these parents were just embarassed by it all and wanted to save face by complaining 'bout it - whatever - i've had way too many crappy flights due to screaming kids who kick my seat - please start kicking more of them off

[33girl]

It said they were just "offered" the tickets. If the guy is being a jagoff and insisting he'd never fly AirTran again, then the airline hasn't lost any money on them, and they've made themselves look good. It's like when a restaurant offers you a gift certificate after you find a hair in your food or something that grosses you out so much you never go there again.

[MzDoctaKay]

OK....I'm trying to understand two things:

1. Why did the airline give them three tickets to fly anywhere they wanted to AFTER reimbursing them their ticket money?

and

2. Why would the man assert he'd never fly AirTran again? Seems to me like they came out on top to me.

I would've kicked them off the plane too - without complimentary tickets!

And parents: Home train your children so that when they're in public, they'll know how to behave. How are you going to ask if your child can sit on your lap and you KNOW everyone must be strapped in?

Originally Posted by MzDoctaKay

OK....I'm trying to understand two things:

1. Why did the airline give them three tickets to fly anywhere they wanted to AFTER reimbursing them their ticket money?

I agree with 33, the airline did it to save face. When people get denied boarding compensation (generally when the flight's oversold), they usually don't get their entire trip reiumbursed. The family lucked out.

Mom should have known that no, her 3 year old cannot be considered a "lap child". In my experience with the airline industry, parents are asked if they're traveling with a child. If so, they are asked for child's age. Depending on how young they are, children are usually placed next to the window if it's a 2 seater, or in the middle if it's a 3 seater. They are almost always never seated next to the aisle.

AirTran handled this situation the best way, IMO.

[squirrely girl]

i just get a little cranky when some people get the impression that flying is a "right" and therefore they've got the right to act - well mostly just let their children act - however they darn well please. flying is a not a "right" or even absolutely necessary. its a perk that you pay for - just like EVERYBODY ELSE - i just don't like having my payed experience ruined by getting a massive headache. if your kid sucks at flying either deal with the problem or don't fly.

- m

[mccoyred]

Originally Posted by MzDoctaKay

OK....I'm trying to understand two things:

1. Why did the airline give them three tickets to fly anywhere they wanted to AFTER reimbursing them their ticket money?

and

2. Why would the man assert he'd never fly AirTran again? Seems to me like they came out on top to me.

I would've kicked them off the plane too - without complimentary tickets!

And parents: Home train your children so that when they're in public, they'll know how to behave. How are you going to ask if your child can sit on your lap and you KNOW everyone must be strapped in?

'Nuf said!

[RedAngel]

I agree.

[dzdst796]

Originally Posted by Senusret I

I think the airline made the right decision. Cuz if it were Senusret I airlines, the kid would have been sedated involuntarily.

LOL. You sound like Madea!!

[dzdst796]

We are going to Disney in July for a family reunion. I will let you all know how my son behaves. He will be 18 months.

I would have kicked them off too.

[BlessedOne04]

How about they learn to manager their child's behavior instead of being mad at the airlines. The airlines was doing their job, how about the parents start doing theirs.