Last week was a traumatic time for airline passengers, at least on one JetBlue flight and an American Airlines flight. On the American Airlines flight, one flight attendant lost it screaming about 9/11 and that the flight was going to crash. It took the other members of the flight crew and a passenger to subdue her. JetBlue had a bigger issue. A JetBlue flight scheduled to fly to Boston from Turks & Caicos was held up by”...you guessed it, a 2-year-old passenger!
The 2-year-old daughter of a Boston family had a scream fest or meltdown as described by other passengers as the plane taxied down the runway for takeoff. Her parents tried to calm and hold her down just so the plane could take off but the scream fest grew into a full code red nightmare. So, the pilot turned the plane around, returned to the gate and authorities promptly escorted the entire family off the plane. The Boston family was stranded in Turks & Caicos as the JetBlue took off for Boston. In the end the family had to spend an additional $2,000 for overnight lodging until the next flight departed.
JetBlue corporate supports the pilot’s decision saying it was the best decision for the crew and the other passengers. Critics are complaining that the family shouldn’t have been put off the plane. Others have suggested that the FAA and airlines should restrict the age of air passengers (i.e. you have to be 5 and older to fly).
What do you think BMWK family? Did the pilot make the right decision? Are 2 year olds too young to fly? Some say that the parents should have had more control over their child. Do you agree? Should the FAA and airlines have a say in who goes on your family vacation?
BMWK family, share your tips on keeping kids happy before and during the flight.
By The Travelin Diva (Kirstin N. Fuller)
Visit www.Passenger156.com for the latest travel news.
Bridgette Howard says
i’m a fly attendant for a MSP based airline and we have 2 young boys. each of whom have been flying since birth to visit Grandma, family reunions and other activites. i don’t think it’s an “age issue” i think it’s a “lack of parental control issue.” our boys are 6 & 3 and they do get restless if i’ve forgotten to bring enough snacks, books or activies. however, having a meltdown on a plane is just unacceptable and both of our boys know that. children need to know…”you are the child, i am the parent.” it’s too bad that the family was removed from the flight, but just think of those passengers forced to endure the screams of an uncontrollable child for 8 hours…they hadn’t even taken off for Boston yet!
The Travelin Diva says
I agree with you, I definitely think it was a “lack of parental control.” I would have went crazy if I was stuck on that plane with her screaming for hours. Forget snacks there are only so many 800 mg motrins I can take per flight. 🙂
Cheryl says
This is a hard call. I have flown with my small children without incident. I think some of the time it is a parent control issue as Bridgette said, some of the time it is just a crap shoot, especially with a 2 year old. If you have been stuck on a plane for hours on the runway, been delayed or anything like that, which is out of your control, you can bet there is going to be a meltdown. There are only so many snacks and cheap toys one can carry.