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springchick
make a wish
Member since 5/08 3566 total posts
Name:
justask
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autistic son and mom kicked off plane
abcnews
Autistic Boy and Mom Kicked Off Plane
Mother Says Flight Crew Should Have Been More Understanding
By STEPHANIE DAHLE and JONANN BRADY
June 25, 2008 —
There were no weapons on board or concerns about terrorism, but an American Eagle flight about to take off from the Raleigh-Durham, N.C., airport was turned back to its gate on Monday to remove two passengers.
The culprits? An upset, autistic toddler and his mother.
By all accounts, two-year-old Jarret Farrell wasn't a happy traveler. But his mother, Janice Farrell, who said she tried everything to calm her son, believes there was no reason for the airline to kick them off the plane.
The airline disagrees, saying they were removed primarily because Janice Farrell kept her carry-on bag on the floor in front of her seat, but that Jarret's behavior added to the tense situation.
"The child had been crying and screaming uncontrollably, to the point where the child's well being was in question," American Airlines, the parent company of American Eagle, said in a statement. "Though, ultimately, the parent's violation of FAA regulations was the cause for removal, both situations contributed to an uncomfortable and potentially unsafe atmosphere for our passengers and crew."
But Farrell told "GMA" she allowed the flight attendant to place her bag in an overhead compartment. And, even though Farrell said she explained Jarret's autism to the flight crew, they only made the situation worse by reprimanding and yelling at the toddler.
"[The flight attendant] kept coming over and tugging his seatbelt to make it tighter, 'This has to stay tight.' And then he was wiggling around and trying to get out of his seatbelt. And she kept coming over and reprimanding him and yelling at him" Farrell told ABC News' Raleigh-Durham affiliate WTVD.
Farrell said that a pilot came into to the cabin and told Jarret, "You have to get in your seat, young man."
Farrell said she started crying then, which just exacerbated Jarret's behavior.
"He just melted down. He saw me getting upset. He was upset. He was on the floor rolling around," Farrell told WTVD.
That's when the pilot turned the plane around and headed back to the terminal, where Farrell and her son were escorted off the plane.
The Farrells, who were on the way to visit family in New Jersey, were originally supposed to takeoff on Sunday, but the flight was cancelled when the plane was on the runway.
Jarret was perfectly fine on that flight, Farrell said, with crew members letting her son walk around the plane and watch his DVD player.
Farrell said that had the flight crew been more patient and understanding, the situation might not have escalated. She suggested that airline flight attendants and other crew members should be trained to deal with special needs children.
I don't want to start drama I just want to see what people think about this situation... How would you feel if you were one of the passangers or the mom/dad of the child
Message edited 6/25/2008 2:21:06 PM.
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Posted 6/25/08 2:19 PM  |
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kahlua716
3 Girls for Me!
Member since 8/07 12475 total posts
Name:
Keri
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Re: autistic son and mom kicked off plane
What a horrible situation for that child and his mother.
ETA: We were on a shuttle and a flight with an child with autism coming home from our honeymoon. And while DH wasn't thrilled, we were fine with it. The family kept her calm and distracted with a portable dvd player and headphones on plane. She wasn't very happy in the shuttle van though.
I know that there are varying levels of severity with autism- but there is usually something that will keep an child with autism calm- holding something they like the feeling of, music, TV- something. Maybe the mother will bring something to keep him calmer next time.
I am in no means saying the mother or child is at fault- but sometimes people have trouble understanding.
If this is all true The airline crew could have handled the situation much better-
Edited after reading others responses:
I didn't think about the safety aspect...I thought he was just screaming in his seat and the bag was in the way...If he was out of his seat and she couldn't control him- then I agree that he should have been removed.
Edited to fix bad wording- the "autistic child" thing always bothered me too, and I used it here
Message edited 6/26/2008 9:32:34 AM.
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| Posted 6/25/08 2:21 PM |
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MrsM-6-7-08
<3
Member since 8/06 4249 total posts
Name:
Nicole
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Re: autistic son and mom kicked off plane
I duno, it sounds a little exaggerated.
I cant believe that the crew were yelling at 2 year old.
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| Posted 6/25/08 2:25 PM |
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melbalalala
Little Lady
Member since 5/07 5014 total posts
Name:
Melissa
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Re: autistic son and mom kicked off plane
Posted by stinkysmom80
I duno, it sounds a little exaggerated.
I cant believe that the crew were yelling at 2 year old.
ITA. I think autistic or not...the kid had a meltdown, wasn't playing by the FAA rules, and they had to ask them to leave. It su cks, but rules are rules.
ETA I would be P!ssed if I was a passenger and we were forced to turn around. Regardless of if it was an autistic child, an unruly adult, or a crazy flight attendant, any delay that seems unnecessary would p!ss me off.
Message edited 6/25/2008 2:30:14 PM.
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| Posted 6/25/08 2:29 PM |
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quasi3
LIF Adult
Member since 7/07 1764 total posts
Name:
Stacey
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Re: autistic son and mom kicked off plane
did the mom agree that the child was rolling around on the floor?
If so I think that safety is the number one thing on flights.
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| Posted 6/25/08 2:29 PM |
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MrsPJB2007
MBA at your service!
Member since 7/06 12020 total posts
Name:
MJ
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Re: autistic son and mom kicked off plane
Posted by melbalalala
Posted by stinkysmom80
I duno, it sounds a little exaggerated.
I cant believe that the crew were yelling at 2 year old.
ITA. I think autistic or not...the kid had a meltdown, wasn't playing by the FAA rules, and they had to ask them to leave. It su cks, but rules are rules.
yeah ditto. i mean i know its terrible because he is a "special needs" child having autism...but i'm sure the crew just felt that they needed to not just worry about the mother and her child but the entire flight of people. she says that he was "fine" on the flight later...well the crew don't know that he's going to be "fine" when he is throwing a tantrum. they probably worried about his safety if he was getting up and running around or the other passengers who may not want to hear him screaming and such during the flight.
it totally stinks cause i feel for the mother...but news stories can really make things sound soooo dramatic (like the way they make the flight attendant seem like the wicked witch of the west)...but in this case he couldn't get under control and once he was rolling on the floor...i'm sure they figured he would delay the flight even more. they had to make the decision.
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| Posted 6/25/08 2:32 PM |
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Beth
The Key to your new home....
Member since 2/06 24849 total posts
Name:
Beth
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Re: autistic son and mom kicked off plane
as a business traveler and non-parent- I would have been happy to see the child removed from the plane
sorry- it's the truth - I get annoyed VERY easily after a few days of meetings, flight delays, lack of sleep and the desire to get home
as a human- I feel bad about the situation- I can't imagine the flight crew yelling at a child- I have been on many flights with annoying, screaming childern- and NOTHING has ever been done
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| Posted 6/25/08 2:33 PM |
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MsSissy
xoxoxo
Member since 3/07 39159 total posts
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Re: autistic son and mom kicked off plane
Posted by quasi3
did the mom agree that the child was rolling around on the floor?
Yes:
"He just melted down. He saw me getting upset. He was upset. He was on the floor rolling around," Farrell told WTVD.
Unfortunatley, thr FAA has rules. I don't think they can start saying they apply to you but not you.
God forbid something happened to him when he wasn't in his seat.
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| Posted 6/25/08 2:33 PM |
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MarisaK
HELLO Manolo !!
Member since 5/06 14562 total posts
Name:
Marisa
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Re: autistic son and mom kicked off plane
I feel absolutely AWFUL for the poor mother who I'm sure was doing everything she could to console and calm her child - However, special needs or not, that kid is on a plane with HOW many other people? I would be seriously ****** off if I paid a small fortune for a flight only to be delayed for an hour until the kid took his seat, or god forbid had to make an emergency landing/layover b/c of a melt down he had in the middle of the flight -
Unfortunately it's not JUST about him in this case -
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| Posted 6/25/08 2:38 PM |
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nov04libride
big brother <3
Member since 5/05 14672 total posts
Name:
Me
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Re: autistic son and mom kicked off plane
Posted by Mssissy
Posted by quasi3
did the mom agree that the child was rolling around on the floor?
Yes:
"He just melted down. He saw me getting upset. He was upset. He was on the floor rolling around," Farrell told WTVD.
Unfortunatley, thr FAA has rules. I don't think they can start saying they apply to you but not you.
God forbid something happened to him when he wasn't in his seat.
It sounds like they were right to be kicked off. And honestly even if I was on his next flight, I would have been ****** that they let him run/walk around the aisles. The aisles are not for playing. The last flight I took (home to NY from FL) there were little kids running up and down the aisles the entire time, smashing into knees and kicking bags all over. To me, if the kid can't sit still, he shouldn't be flying. A walk to the bathroom is one thing, but running around is just unacceptable on a plane.
Message edited 6/25/2008 2:48:30 PM.
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| Posted 6/25/08 2:46 PM |
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quasi3
LIF Adult
Member since 7/07 1764 total posts
Name:
Stacey
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Re: autistic son and mom kicked off plane
Posted by nov04libride
Posted by Mssissy
Posted by quasi3
did the mom agree that the child was rolling around on the floor?
Yes:
"He just melted down. He saw me getting upset. He was upset. He was on the floor rolling around," Farrell told WTVD.
Unfortunatley, thr FAA has rules. I don't think they can start saying they apply to you but not you.
God forbid something happened to him when he wasn't in his seat.
It sounds like they were right to be kicked off. And honestly even if I was on his next flight, I would have been ****** that they let him run around the aisles. The last flight I took (home to NY from FL) there were little kids running up and down the aisles the entire time, smashing into knees and kicking bags all over. To me, if the kid can't sit still, he shouldn't be flying. A walk to the bathroom is one thing, but running around is just unacceptable on a plane.
Agreed!
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| Posted 6/25/08 2:48 PM |
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KGools
Happy
Member since 9/06 9532 total posts
Name:
Kim
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Re: autistic son and mom kicked off plane
If I was a passenger, I would have been annoyed and frustrated, but understanding that this mother is doing all she can to calm her child down... that's why I have my iPod with me at all times! But on the other hand, I hope that if I had been on that flight and was sitting in front of, next to, or behind that mom, I would have offered any help I could to help her calm down her child.
If I was the parent of the child... I would have been embarassed and frustrated that my child was making a scene (for lack of a better word) and I had no one to help me calm them down. And I would have been beyond furious that I was being treated like an animal at the zoo.
People have no compasion these days...its just sickening.
ETA: I do agree that if this child was literally rolling around on the floor that his safety was at risk and he needs to be removed... I'm going to go ahead and assume that the flight attendants could have gone about it in a much more compasionate way though.
Message edited 6/25/2008 2:51:47 PM.
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| Posted 6/25/08 2:48 PM |
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Pumpkin1
LIF Adult
Member since 12/05 3715 total posts
Name:
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Re: autistic son and mom kicked off plane
Posted by Beth1210
as a business traveler and non-parent- I would have been happy to see the child removed from the plane
How do you think that parent felt? Being a parent of a special needs child is not easy at time and comments like that do not make it any easier.
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| Posted 6/25/08 2:49 PM |
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quasi3
LIF Adult
Member since 7/07 1764 total posts
Name:
Stacey
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Re: autistic son and mom kicked off plane
Posted by CoopersMom01
If I was a passenger, I would have been annoyed and frustrated, but understanding that this mother is doing all she can to calm her child down... that's why I have my iPod with me at all times! But on the other hand, I hope that if I had been on that flight and was sitting in front of, next to, or behind that mom, I would have offered any help I could to help her calm down her child.
If I was the parent of the child... I would have been embarassed and frustrated that my child was making a scene (for lack of a better word) and I had no one to help me calm them down. And I would have been beyond furious that I was being treated like an animal at the zoo.
People have no compasion these days...its just sickening.
I don't think it has anything to do with compasion.....if the child is not following the rules for a safe flight for himself and others on the plane, than action needs to be taken.
while I understand the nature of is dx, that is not an excuse... he is being a child going through a tantrum.....I am sure there have been others in the same situation that were removed from The plane
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| Posted 6/25/08 2:53 PM |
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KGools
Happy
Member since 9/06 9532 total posts
Name:
Kim
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Re: autistic son and mom kicked off plane
Posted by quasi3
Posted by CoopersMom01
If I was a passenger, I would have been annoyed and frustrated, but understanding that this mother is doing all she can to calm her child down... that's why I have my iPod with me at all times! But on the other hand, I hope that if I had been on that flight and was sitting in front of, next to, or behind that mom, I would have offered any help I could to help her calm down her child.
If I was the parent of the child... I would have been embarassed and frustrated that my child was making a scene (for lack of a better word) and I had no one to help me calm them down. And I would have been beyond furious that I was being treated like an animal at the zoo.
People have no compasion these days...its just sickening.
I don't think it has anything to do with compasion.....if the child is not following the rules for a safe flight for himself and others on the plane, than action needs to be taken.
while I understand the nature of is dx, that is not an excuse... he is being a child going through a tantrum.....I am sure there have been others in the same situation that were removed from The plane
He's two! He doesn't understand FAA regulations... he probably doesn't even know how to use a toilet. And I understand that as a parent, she should have enforced the rules upon him, but clearly she was having trouble and the FAs coming up and reprimanding her 2 year old child doesn't help.... IMO, that's where compasion needs to come into play... and patience! And I totally understand that there is a plane full of people waiting to take-off, but it sounds like the airline didn't go about it the best way possible considering the circumstances (eg.. a child with special needs).
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| Posted 6/25/08 2:59 PM |
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Re: autistic son and mom kicked off plane
Posted by Pumpkin1
Posted by Beth1210
as a business traveler and non-parent- I would have been happy to see the child removed from the plane
How do you think that parent felt? Being a parent of a special needs child is not easy at time and comments like that do not make it any easier.
I agree with Beth. I understand he has autism, but that does not mean that I am not allowed to feel a certain way. Now if I stomped off of the plane in protest that's one thing....but PLEASE don't tell me everybody on that plane was upset about what happened and that NOBODY was even the slightest bit relieved....I have to believe there where some that felt relief, and that is uman nature....I would rather be a cold person then a liar...
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| Posted 6/25/08 3:01 PM |
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MsSissy
xoxoxo
Member since 3/07 39159 total posts
Name:
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Re: autistic son and mom kicked off plane
Posted by CoopersMom01
He's two! He doesn't understand FAA regulations... he probably doesn't even know how to use a toilet. And I understand that as a parent, she should have enforced the rules upon him, but clearly she was having trouble and the FAs coming up and reprimanding her 2 year old child doesn't help.... IMO, that's where compasion needs to come into play... and patience! And I totally understand that there is a plane full of people waiting to take-off, but it sounds like the airline didn't go about it the best way possible considering the circumstances (eg.. a child with special needs).
The only problem with this is what happens when a child without special needs acts up and the parent can't control him/her? Is it than OK to kick that family off the plane? Can you imagine what kind of problems the airlines would have if they allowed it for 1 and not the other.
Also, who's to say the next family won't try to control their child/children because they know won't be removed.
Unfortunatley, it would be chaos on the planes.
Like I said earlier, unfortunately they can't say the rules apply to one and not the other.
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| Posted 6/25/08 3:04 PM |
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quasi3
LIF Adult
Member since 7/07 1764 total posts
Name:
Stacey
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Re: autistic son and mom kicked off plane
Posted by CoopersMom01
Posted by quasi3
Posted by CoopersMom01
If I was a passenger, I would have been annoyed and frustrated, but understanding that this mother is doing all she can to calm her child down... that's why I have my iPod with me at all times! But on the other hand, I hope that if I had been on that flight and was sitting in front of, next to, or behind that mom, I would have offered any help I could to help her calm down her child.
If I was the parent of the child... I would have been embarassed and frustrated that my child was making a scene (for lack of a better word) and I had no one to help me calm them down. And I would have been beyond furious that I was being treated like an animal at the zoo.
People have no compasion these days...its just sickening.
I don't think it has anything to do with compasion.....if the child is not following the rules for a safe flight for himself and others on the plane, than action needs to be taken.
while I understand the nature of is dx, that is not an excuse... he is being a child going through a tantrum.....I am sure there have been others in the same situation that were removed from The plane
He's two! He doesn't understand FAA regulations... he probably doesn't even know how to use a toilet. And I understand that as a parent, she should have enforced the rules upon him, but clearly she was having trouble and the FAs coming up and reprimanding her 2 year old child doesn't help.... IMO, that's where compasion needs to come into play... and patience! And I totally understand that there is a plane full of people waiting to take-off, but it sounds like the airline didn't go about it the best way possible considering the circumstances (eg.. a child with special needs).
What way should they have gone about it?
The pilot even came out and tried to help....its not like they said sit once and then threw him off the plane....the child autistic or not was rolling around the isle.....
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| Posted 6/25/08 3:04 PM |
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isabelle2137
LIF Adult
Member since 12/06 1076 total posts
Name:
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Re: autistic son and mom kicked off plane
Posted by quasi3
Posted by nov04libride
Posted by Mssissy
Posted by quasi3
did the mom agree that the child was rolling around on the floor?
Yes:
"He just melted down. He saw me getting upset. He was upset. He was on the floor rolling around," Farrell told WTVD.
Unfortunatley, thr FAA has rules. I don't think they can start saying they apply to you but not you.
God forbid something happened to him when he wasn't in his seat.
It sounds like they were right to be kicked off. And honestly even if I was on his next flight, I would have been ****** that they let him run around the aisles. The last flight I took (home to NY from FL) there were little kids running up and down the aisles the entire time, smashing into knees and kicking bags all over. To me, if the kid can't sit still, he shouldn't be flying. A walk to the bathroom is one thing, but running around is just unacceptable on a plane.
Agreed!
Have to agree with this as well. Touchy situation, but when it comes to flying, if your special needs two year old isn't ready to fly, don't.
Edited to clarify - I feel this way for all children. Special needs or not.
Message edited 6/25/2008 3:06:31 PM.
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| Posted 6/25/08 3:05 PM |
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MrsPJB2007
MBA at your service!
Member since 7/06 12020 total posts
Name:
MJ
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Re: autistic son and mom kicked off plane
Posted by quasi3
What way should they have gone about it?
The pilot even came out and tried to help....its not like they said sit once and then threw him off the plane....the child autistic or not was rolling around the isle.....
yeah i agree. i mean they asked her to try and get her child relaxed---the flight attendants came by a few times---as i assume the way the article words it--he was not staying correct in his seat belt and then the captain came.
compassion is one thing---but at what point do they have to "wait" for the kid to calm down? they are on a schedule and have to abide by that--and when it wasn't working...they did what they had to do.
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| Posted 6/25/08 3:06 PM |
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LightUpOurLife
Totally in love
Member since 8/06 12785 total posts
Name:
Bonnie-Jean
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Re: autistic son and mom kicked off plane
We are only hearing one side of the story, the mothers. I can't form an opinion. I would love to hear from another passenger though. Did the mother do anything to control the situation? Did the airplane employees really YELL at the child? Would really love to know the truth.
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| Posted 6/25/08 3:08 PM |
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GioiaMia
Let's Go Rangers!
Member since 1/07 14818 total posts
Name:
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Re: autistic son and mom kicked off plane
So what options do you suggest? My nephew has autism so we can never tak him to Disney? He can never see his family in Jamaica?
Before he was diagnosed, I would have been the most p!ssed off and vocal passenger about some kid interrupting my travel plans. Now, I am just in tears because I have a reminder that he can never experience many things that he SHOULD be able to experience.
What are our options? What are our choices? It is just sad and IMO no one's fault.
PS I understand that they were complying with FAA regulations but what was she supposed to do??
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| Posted 6/25/08 3:08 PM |
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KGools
Happy
Member since 9/06 9532 total posts
Name:
Kim
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Re: autistic son and mom kicked off plane
Posted by quasi3
Posted by CoopersMom01
Posted by quasi3
Posted by CoopersMom01
If I was a passenger, I would have been annoyed and frustrated, but understanding that this mother is doing all she can to calm her child down... that's why I have my iPod with me at all times! But on the other hand, I hope that if I had been on that flight and was sitting in front of, next to, or behind that mom, I would have offered any help I could to help her calm down her child.
If I was the parent of the child... I would have been embarassed and frustrated that my child was making a scene (for lack of a better word) and I had no one to help me calm them down. And I would have been beyond furious that I was being treated like an animal at the zoo.
People have no compasion these days...its just sickening.
I don't think it has anything to do with compasion.....if the child is not following the rules for a safe flight for himself and others on the plane, than action needs to be taken.
while I understand the nature of is dx, that is not an excuse... he is being a child going through a tantrum.....I am sure there have been others in the same situation that were removed from The plane
He's two! He doesn't understand FAA regulations... he probably doesn't even know how to use a toilet. And I understand that as a parent, she should have enforced the rules upon him, but clearly she was having trouble and the FAs coming up and reprimanding her 2 year old child doesn't help.... IMO, that's where compasion needs to come into play... and patience! And I totally understand that there is a plane full of people waiting to take-off, but it sounds like the airline didn't go about it the best way possible considering the circumstances (eg.. a child with special needs).
What way should they have gone about it?
The pilot even came out and tried to help....its not like they said sit once and then threw him off the plane....the child autistic or not was rolling around the isle.....
To come up to a child that is not yours and forcable tighten their seatbelt and reprimand them in front of the parent is inapproriate IMO. I totally get that there are two sides to every story, but from the mother's POV, it sounds like the airline was super insensitive... we'll see how this unfolds I guess.
Posted by Mssissy
Posted by CoopersMom01
He's two! He doesn't understand FAA regulations... he probably doesn't even know how to use a toilet. And I understand that as a parent, she should have enforced the rules upon him, but clearly she was having trouble and the FAs coming up and reprimanding her 2 year old child doesn't help.... IMO, that's where compasion needs to come into play... and patience! And I totally understand that there is a plane full of people waiting to take-off, but it sounds like the airline didn't go about it the best way possible considering the circumstances (eg.. a child with special needs).
The only problem with this is what happens when a child without special needs acts up and the parent can't control him/her? Is it than OK to kick that family off the plane? Can you imagine what kind of problems the airlines would have if they allowed it for 1 and not the other.
Also, who's to say the next family won't try to control their child/children because they know won't be removed.
Unfortunatley, it would be chaos on the planes.
Like I said earlier, unfortunately they can't say the rules apply to one and not the other.
YES! A child who cannot be controlled who does not have special needs should not get different treatment over a child who can't be controlled with special needs IMO.
I'm not saying that this family shouldn't have been removed from the plane, unfortunately, the child's safety was at risk, but if he was sitting in his seat all buckled in, safe and sound, but screaming his lungs out, would the flight staff acted differently? Should that child be removed?
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| Posted 6/25/08 3:13 PM |
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MrsPJB2007
MBA at your service!
Member since 7/06 12020 total posts
Name:
MJ
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Re: autistic son and mom kicked off plane
Posted by Tilde
So what options do you suggest? My nephew has autism so we can never tak him to Disney? He can never see his family in Jamaica?
Before he was diagnosed, I would have been the most p!ssed off and vocal passenger about some kid interrupting my travel plans. Now, I am just in tears because I have a reminder that he can never experience many things that he SHOULD be able to experience.
What are our options? What are our choices? It is just sad and IMO no one's fault.
PS I understand that they were complying with FAA regulations but what was she supposed to do??
I'm very sorry about your nephew with autism--but my nephew also has been diagnosed with autism...although his is not as severe as most.
I don't think anyone is saying that he should NEVER be on a plane--but he is 2 yrs old and autistic...perhaps he just wasn't ready to be on a plane at all. When he gets a little older and his tantrums are more under control, I'm sure he could be on a flight. But in this case--the child wasn't able to control himself when asked.
Whether he had autism or not--if he was a 2 yr old throwing an uncontrollable fit---i would have wanted him removed from the plane as well if I was a passenger.
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| Posted 6/25/08 3:13 PM |
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isabelle2137
LIF Adult
Member since 12/06 1076 total posts
Name:
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Re: autistic son and mom kicked off plane
PS I understand that they were complying with FAA regulations but what was she supposed to do??
There really didn't seem like there was anything she could do. Which is sad, I agree, but I don't think it's wrong that they were removed from the flight - and his mother does.
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| Posted 6/25/08 3:13 PM |
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