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Three cheers for AirTran Airways!

hippiemomhippiemom Posts: 3,326
edited January 2007 in A Moving Train
How happy are the other 112 passengers that they didn't have to spend a couple of hours cooped up with that little monster?! Go AirTran!

AirTran defends decision to remove family from plane after toddler's tantrum

ORLANDO, Fla. (AP) - 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.
"Nothing in the world is more dangerous than sincere ignorance and conscientious stupidity." ~ MLK, 1963
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Comments

  • sonicreducersonicreducer Posts: 713
    the parents set themselves up for that. i guess the dude had to say he wouldn't fly with that company anymore to save face.
    you're a real hooker. im gonna slap you in public.
    ~Ron Burgundy
  • americanamerican Posts: 55
    make it four cheers.
  • normnorm Posts: 31,146
    "We weren't given an opportunity to hold her, console her or anything," Julie Kulesza said in a telephone interview Tuesday.

    Give me a small fucking break! You are the parent. If you have been doing your job your child should have listened to you. If your child has "emotional" issues then prepare your child for the flight beforehand. BE A PARENT!
  • hippiemomhippiemom Posts: 3,326
    cutback wrote:
    "We weren't given an opportunity to hold her, console her or anything," Julie Kulesza said in a telephone interview Tuesday.

    Give me a small fucking break! You are the parent. If you have been doing your job your child should have listened to you. If your child has "emotional" issues then prepare your child for the flight beforehand. BE A PARENT!
    No, no, no ... everyone else on the flight, and everyone on every connecting flight, should be inconvenienced so they can snuggle with their daughter until she's happy and content to hop into her seat without screaming and hitting her parents.

    I feel sorry for this little girl. Two adults that between them can't get a three year-old into a seat belt within fifteen minutes have no business raising a child. What a pair of idiots.
    "Nothing in the world is more dangerous than sincere ignorance and conscientious stupidity." ~ MLK, 1963
  • AbuskedtiAbuskedti Posts: 1,917
    Horse hockey.. flying is stressful.. there are a million things that may have happened to set the child off like that -

    It is likely she would have been quieted in just a couple of minutes.

    Next they will throw ugly fuckers off planes - and stupid people.

    That was ridiculous....

    Obviously the flight attendant couldn't control her fucking adult self.
  • AbuskedtiAbuskedti Posts: 1,917
    hippiemom wrote:
    No, no, no ... everyone else on the flight, and everyone on every connecting flight, should be inconvenienced so they can snuggle with their daughter until she's happy and content to hop into her seat without screaming and hitting her parents.

    I feel sorry for this little girl. Two adults that between them can't get a three year-old into a seat belt within fifteen minutes have no business raising a child. What a pair of idiots.

    She screamed for 15 minutes? I watched the video and it appeared they threw them of almost immediately as they boarded..

    If it was 15 minutes - I would have to agree - If you can't control your own childs temper after 15 minutes - thats child abuse!
  • AhnimusAhnimus Posts: 10,560
    Abuskedti wrote:
    She screamed for 15 minutes? I watched the video and it appeared they threw them of almost immediately as they boarded..

    If it was 15 minutes - I would have to agree - If you can't control your own childs temper after 15 minutes - thats child abuse!

    Got a link to the video?

    I am stuck in the middle of this. The flight crew had every right to toss them off the plane and seem to have compensated them fairly, where no compensation was required. On the other hand, that kind of behavior from children is common and to be expected. It's a good habit to always allocate 15 - 30 mins in your schedule for likely occurances like that. So the other passangers shouldn't have been all uptight about waiting an extra 15 mins, IMO. But like I say, I'm torn between the intolerance of the flight crew and the inability of the child to settle down. Either way, I don't see this as a big issue.
    I necessarily have the passion for writing this, and you have the passion for condemning me; both of us are equally fools, equally the toys of destiny. Your nature is to do harm, mine is to love truth, and to make it public in spite of you. - Voltaire
  • AbuskedtiAbuskedti Posts: 1,917
    Ahnimus wrote:
    Got a link to the video?

    I am stuck in the middle of this. The flight crew had every right to toss them off the plane and seem to have compensated them fairly, where no compensation was required. On the other hand, that kind of behavior from children is common and to be expected. It's a good habit to always allocate 15 - 30 mins in your schedule for likely occurances like that. So the other passangers shouldn't have been all uptight about waiting an extra 15 mins, IMO. But like I say, I'm torn between the intolerance of the flight crew and the inability of the child to settle down. Either way, I don't see this as a big issue.
    javascript:cnnVideo('play','/video/us/2007/01/24/barnett.ma.family.kicked.off.plane.whdh','2007/02/07');

    I'll watch it again.. I am not sure about the duration
  • AbuskedtiAbuskedti Posts: 1,917
    Ahnimus wrote:
    Got a link to the video?

    I am stuck in the middle of this. The flight crew had every right to toss them off the plane and seem to have compensated them fairly, where no compensation was required. On the other hand, that kind of behavior from children is common and to be expected. It's a good habit to always allocate 15 - 30 mins in your schedule for likely occurances like that. So the other passangers shouldn't have been all uptight about waiting an extra 15 mins, IMO. But like I say, I'm torn between the intolerance of the flight crew and the inability of the child to settle down. Either way, I don't see this as a big issue.

    or go to this page... and click the link

    http://www.cnn.com/TRAVEL/
  • chrisg72chrisg72 South Jersey Posts: 112
    If it was a true temper tantrum then she would have calmed down in a few minutes, I am sure having everyone staring and making a fuss didn't help. She should have been in a car seat not just the normal seat. Sometimes temper tantrums happen when you don't want them to, there is nothing you can do about it. I am not going to say they are bad parents because their kid had a tantrum on an airplane, they were probably mortified. I would have been. But coming from Orlando there is bound to be children and the airline should allow some extra time if there are young travelers on the plane, they know the ages of all passengers in advance.
    9.28.96 - 9.29.96 - 9.1.00 - 6.3.06 - 6.24.08 - 6.25.08 - EV 8.7.08 - 10.30.09 - 5.20.10 - 5.21.10 - 9.11.11
  • AbuskedtiAbuskedti Posts: 1,917
    no mention of duration on the video...

    Its hard to say - not enough info.

    I always hated temper tantrums.. If a kid is screaming - it has to be addressed - they are obviously suffering. Because I was always very sensitive to this, I learned how to deal with them early and never had a problem with them.

    But all kids throw a tantrum now and then... there has to be more to the story - either it was extraordinarily long - or an over reaction by the airline.
  • normnorm Posts: 31,146
    chrisg72 wrote:
    If it was a true temper tantrum then she would have calmed down in a few minutes, I am sure having everyone staring and making a fuss didn't help. She should have been in a car seat not just the normal seat. Sometimes temper tantrums happen when you don't want them to, there is nothing you can do about it. I am not going to say they are bad parents because their kid had a tantrum on an airplane, they were probably mortified. I would have been. But coming from Orlando there is bound to be children and the airline should allow some extra time if there are young travelers on the plane, they know the ages of all passengers in advance.

    Well don't children usually get to pre-board so the parent has time to get their child situated?
  • Skitch PattersonSkitch Patterson Posts: 642
    Its bullshit.
    Id respect them if they hadnt given the the free round trip tickets. The refund is obviously okay- they didnt recieve the flight they paid for.
    People too often think everyone should have to deal with their children- and if they dont want to "Well, its just a kid". Fuck that.
  • western pearlwestern pearl Posts: 632
    This is definetely on the parents. There are lots of people that think everyone should cater to their needs and their needs alone. Note to parents, the world (or the airline/passengers) doesn't revolve around you. Airlines have to be strick w/ passengers. Not only are FAA rules very strict but if the airlines let some people get away w/ stuff then they'd have to be flexible w/ everyone else and that just doesn't work in the airline business.
    "Everyone is a patriot in some form or another.... i prefer the intelligent ones."

    "She fell funny"

    "Klaus Daimler, 40, engineer, calm, collected, German"
  • prismprism Posts: 2,440
    hippiemom wrote:
    No, no, no ... everyone else on the flight, and everyone on every connecting flight, should be inconvenienced so they can snuggle with their daughter until she's happy and content to hop into her seat without screaming and hitting her parents.

    I feel sorry for this little girl. Two adults that between them can't get a three year-old into a seat belt within fifteen minutes have no business raising a child. What a pair of idiots.

    I have to agree with this. I was a single Mom that flew with two small children from Seattle to Florida and back again numerous times and I never had a problem with my kids refusing to take their seats. now sometimes i would have to sit in between them to keep them from beating the shit out of each other but they KNEW from the time that they were old enough for their own seat that they were not to ever get out of their seat, or kick the seat in front of them, or raise their voice above a whisper or do anything that would disturb the other passengers. cause if they did they KNEW that there would be hell to pay from me. it's called socializing your child and these parents need to catch on
    *~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
    angels share laughter
    *~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~
  • western pearlwestern pearl Posts: 632
    prism wrote:
    I have to agree with this. I was a single Mom that flew with two small children from Seattle to Florida and back again numerous times and I never had a problem with my kids refusing to take their seats. now sometimes i would have to sit in between them to keep them from beating the shit out of each other but they KNEW from the time that they were old enough for their own seat that they were not to ever get out of their seat, or kick the seat in front of them, or raise their voice above a whisper or do anything that would disturb the other passengers. cause if they did they KNEW that there would be hell to pay from me. it's called socializing your child and these parents need to catch on

    EXACTLY. Parents that let their kids control them have no place being parents.
    "Everyone is a patriot in some form or another.... i prefer the intelligent ones."

    "She fell funny"

    "Klaus Daimler, 40, engineer, calm, collected, German"
  • DinghyDogDinghyDog Posts: 587
    edited November 2012
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  • DinghyDogDinghyDog Posts: 587
    edited November 2012
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  • chrisg72chrisg72 South Jersey Posts: 112
    cutback wrote:
    Well don't children usually get to pre-board so the parent has time to get their child situated?

    You would think but every situation isn't perfect. I don't know but I'll tell you I don't think I want to travel anymore. I have a five year old and 20 month old twins...after this I am staying home or driving. God Forbid one of them decides to have a tantrum.....
    9.28.96 - 9.29.96 - 9.1.00 - 6.3.06 - 6.24.08 - 6.25.08 - EV 8.7.08 - 10.30.09 - 5.20.10 - 5.21.10 - 9.11.11
  • DinghyDogDinghyDog Posts: 587
    edited November 2012
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  • chrisg72chrisg72 South Jersey Posts: 112
    DinghyDog wrote:
    driving's much more fun anyway and you get to see more next to the road! you can stop off at stalls next to the road, explore stuff you would never see on a plane... and by the time you have three kids the gas is cheaper than 5 airfares!


    Exactly!
    9.28.96 - 9.29.96 - 9.1.00 - 6.3.06 - 6.24.08 - 6.25.08 - EV 8.7.08 - 10.30.09 - 5.20.10 - 5.21.10 - 9.11.11
  • hippiemomhippiemom Posts: 3,326
    DinghyDog wrote:
    i challenge everyone here to attempt flying on a family trip with a three year old daughter and then to reconsider their posts. sometimes no matter how good a parent the child cannot be calmed.

    travelling with kids is extremely stressful.

    we have a duaghter of our own, she's only 3 months and an absolute angel, and travelling with her, although very very stressfull, went really well.

    on the one hand yes, i've thought in my head many a time "shut that f***** kid up" while flying with a screaming kid next to me. but put yourself in the parents' shoes. it must feel horrible.

    i'm stuck in the middle of this too. i don't know the details but getting thrown off a flight seems a bit harsh. if i were the dad i would have took my daughter, picked her up and physically placed her ass in her seat.

    ask me in three years again what my opinion is, hopefully our little angel still is an angel then :D touch wood
    I've been a mom for 26 years. I've traveled with kids. There's a reason we're bigger than they are ... as you said, when sitting isn't optional, you pick them up and put them in their seat. How hard is that? They didn't get thrown off the plane because the kid was noisy, they got thrown off because she was violating regulations and the plane couldn't take off with her crawling under the seats.

    Honestly, if your kid is three years old and has somehow gotten the idea that hitting you is an ok thing to do when she doesn't feel like doing what she's told, getting thrown off a plane is the least of your concerns.
    "Nothing in the world is more dangerous than sincere ignorance and conscientious stupidity." ~ MLK, 1963
  • DinghyDogDinghyDog Posts: 587
    edited November 2012
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    Post edited by DinghyDog on
  • jeffbrjeffbr Seattle Posts: 7,177
    hippiemom wrote:
    I've been a mom for 26 years. I've traveled with kids. There's a reason we're bigger than they are ... as you said, when sitting isn't optional, you pick them up and put them in their seat. How hard is that? They didn't get thrown off the plane because the kid was noisy, they got thrown off because she was violating regulations and the plane couldn't take off with her crawling under the seats.

    Honestly, if your kid is three years old and has somehow gotten the idea that hitting you is an ok thing to do when she doesn't feel like doing what she's told, getting thrown off a plane is the least of your concerns.

    Words of wisdom, for sure! The airline did the right thing. I'm afraid that the parents, when presented with a valuable object lesson, decided to blame the airline instead of understanding what really happened.
    "I'll use the magic word - let's just shut the fuck up, please." EV, 04/13/08
  • chopitdownchopitdown Posts: 2,222
    benadryl
    make sure the fortune that you seek...is the fortune that you need
  • Purple HawkPurple Hawk Posts: 1,300
    Abuskedti wrote:
    Horse hockey.. flying is stressful.. there are a million things that may have happened to set the child off like that -

    It is likely she would have been quieted in just a couple of minutes.

    Next they will throw ugly fuckers off planes - and stupid people.

    They SHOULD!

    Have you ever sat next to an ugly person? or stupid person? It's even worse when they want to talk to you!
    And you ask me what I want this year
    And I try to make this kind and clear
    Just a chance that maybe we'll find better days
    Cuz I don't need boxes wrapped in strings
    And desire and love and empty things
    Just a chance that maybe we'll find better days
  • surferdudesurferdude Posts: 2,057
    DinghyDog wrote:
    i challenge everyone here to attempt flying on a family trip with a three year old daughter and then to reconsider their posts. sometimes no matter how good a parent the child cannot be calmed.
    Been there done that and was successful. It's the parents call to decide if their child can handle the stress of flying. No one forces the parents to make their child get on a plane. I'm sure the cost of keeping a plane on the ground runs at least $5,000 a minute. Then there's the additional risk faced by every passenger on that plane and surrounding planes by first a runway being occupied for an extended period of time, plus the rescheduling and juggling of all flight paths.

    Sorry but if you cannot control your child don't fly.
    “One good thing about music,
    when it hits you, you feel to pain.
    So brutalize me with music.”
    ~ Bob Marley
  • even flow?even flow? Posts: 8,066
    Wow, she was hitting her parents and what were they doing. "Please, stop that."? So this just is a little proof that the odd smack to straighten out your kid isn't a bad thing. Good for the airline. Imagine if she had a "Bush is a Tool" shirt on to boot. ;)

    Next to the guy or chick who hasn't used deodorant in the past couple of days. A screaming kid is the next best thing to have near or beside you on a plane.
    You've changed your place in this world!
  • chrisg72chrisg72 South Jersey Posts: 112
    even flow? wrote:
    Wow, she was hitting her parents and what were they doing. "Please, stop that."? So this just is a little proof that the odd smack to straighten out your kid isn't a bad thing. Good for the airline. Imagine if she had a "Bush is a Tool" shirt on to boot. ;)

    Next to the guy or chick who hasn't used deodorant in the past couple of days. A screaming kid is the next best thing to have near or beside you on a plane.

    It's funny because I was thinking about this...if they had tried to handle her or give her a little smack then the parents would have been called abusive.
    9.28.96 - 9.29.96 - 9.1.00 - 6.3.06 - 6.24.08 - 6.25.08 - EV 8.7.08 - 10.30.09 - 5.20.10 - 5.21.10 - 9.11.11
  • even flow?even flow? Posts: 8,066
    chrisg72 wrote:
    It's funny because I was thinking about this...if they had tried to handle her or give her a little smack then the parents would have been called abusive.


    Well I didn't quite mean right there and then. Although the kid seemed to be begging for one. I was meaning more throughout the kid's life. Obviously your child either knows to raise their hand to a parent or not. And this kid shows the signs that it may do this more frequently then a child should.
    You've changed your place in this world!
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