Mom Booted From Plane Over Baby's Babbling

The Indy Channel ^ | 07/12/07

[AxelPaulsenJr]

I love the parenting threads...

And dang it, I'm all out of popcorn.

[VRWCmember]

You just assumed that the stewardess went a little nuts, then you denigrated my opinion as knee jerk.

I’m just a little tired of your over reaction to anyone who expresses a different opinion than your “knee-jerk” opinions.

Aside from my my joking posts, my posts on this thread include the following statements:

#130 - If the story happened anything like it was reported in the article, the flight attendant was way out of line and should be reprimanded. If you have children, I doubt you would be very receptive (even if your child were behaving very badly) if someone leaned into your face and said “It’s not funny anymore, you need to shut your baby up.” Regardless of how somebody else is acting I would hope that I never respond with such rudeness. (emphasis added)

Note that I qualified the statement based on what was reported. Note also, that while I disagreed with the other poster's reaction to the story, I did not overreact or resort to any form of name-calling. I simply expressed my opinion based on what I had inferred from the article.

#154 - Given the description of the situation by other passengers, I would infer that the child was saying the words in a normal voice rather than shrieking the words. To assume the child was shrieking is about as kneejerk a reaction as assuming the flight attendant was just pissed off that the child was not listening attentively to her safety speech about the location of exits, floatation devices and emergency oxygen supply.

Again, I stated what I inferred from the information available. Also, I did not denigrate your opinion as kneejerk. I said that "to assume the child was shrieking is about as kneejerk a reaction as assuming the flight attendant was just pissed off that the child was not listening attentively to her safety speech about the location of exits, floatation devices and emergency oxygen supply." This was simply pointing out two possible equally kneejerk reactions to the story. If you want to infer from that that you have a kneejerk opinion that is your own business, but I did not criticize you or your opinion.

#162 - What is critical about pointing out a kneejerk reaction that is not supported by any information in the story. Based on the information available, one would infer from the story that the flight attendant over-reacted, and possibly lied about the situation in order to retaliate against the mother of the child.

According to the story, another passenger confirmed the mother's account to a tv news department, and none of the other passengers were complaining about the child. If there is more to this story (as you presume to be the case) then the airline will probably not discipline the flight attendant. If however the story at face value is accurate, then the flight attendant should probably consider another line of work where she doesn't have to interface much with the public.

I haven't condemned the flight attendant anywhere on this thread. I have simply pointed out the kneejerk reaction of many on the thread that assumed the child was unruly and screaming and out of control not only in the absense of any information to that effect in the story but in stark contradiction to the statement of at least one other party to the story.

Again, I cited the elements of the story upon which I based my inferences. Also, I again stated that many on the thread have concluded with no basis from anything in the story that the child was unruly, screaming, and disruptive. That may be the case, but there is nothing in the story to suggest so other than the possibility that "there must be more to this story". Based on the fact that several individuals have posted comments along the line of yours, but I have replied to only you and one other poster, it is surpising that you have so quickly been able to become "tired of (my) over reaction to anyone who expresses a different opinion than (my) “knee-jerk” opinions."

[Allegra]

Now if only someone would come up with a smell filtration system for those long overseas flights next to passengers who choose not to shower regularly.

Don't ever fly Air France. I did once - on one of those halfway around the world flights and it was one of the worst olfactory experiences of my life.

[Equality 7-2521]

...it is surpising that you have so quickly been able to become "tired of (my)...

It doesn't surprise me. Clearly some people are very good at working themselves up or becoming annoyed over every little thing (or even nothing sometimes). And they call the other guys "self-centered." Pot, meet kettle.

[Hoodlum91]

Absolutely check with the doctor, however every one of my friend’s pediatricians recommended Benedryl for their children on flights. I would try it at home first to see the reaction (for allergies and because the dye can make children hyper as it did for me) Taking your argument, you should refrain from giving them water as too much water can kill too.

Frankly i don’t foresee it as a problem since I don’t plan on taking my children on an airplane until they are old enough to handle it. An emergency may come up that will need flight, but frankly it’s not worth the aggrevation and inconvenience to others. My children, my responsiblity - I will do the utmost in my power to make sure others aren’t inconvienced by that, unlike most on this thread.

[VRWCmember]

Thanks. And by the way, I wanted to commend you on your gracious apology to another poster on the thread for a comment that might have gone a little too far. That shows character.

[AxelPaulsenJr]

Clearly some people are very good at working themselves up or becoming annoyed over every little thing (or even nothing sometimes).

It is clear to me that on a parenting thread, if one is not pro let the child do whatever he or she wants, then that person is going to be attacked. The article states that the mother has supporting passengers and that the airline will investigate, how this silly thread has run on so long, indicates that we all have nothing better to do......

[TexasCajun]

There's always the cargo hold.

(Just Kidding... really. hehe)

[elc]

There’s more exaggeration on this thread than discussion

As for the baby Benedryl - I support the liberal usage on planes. To think - one dose and all the other passengers coul have had a pleasant flight AND she would have been on it.

Exaggeration AND overreaction. Hoodlum, do you not think suggesting medicating a kid is overreaction for "bye, bye, plane"? Especially since many of us have pointed out the potential negative side affects of benadryl.

Most parents try their darndest to get their kids to be well behaved on a plane. The first few times we flew with our daugther it was easier as she wasn't walking yet. I wore her in my sling or she slept in our laps and we made sure she had the pacifier in during take off in landing (something many don't think about). We looked into the Bendadryl thing before flying and determined the risk was not worth it.

This last time was a bit trickier - day time flight, 14 month old, active baby. Anytime she started to get fussy we tried to entertain her, let her walk up and down the aisle, offer her some milk in hopes of getting her to sleep, etc. It was tiring, but it worked. But I assure you, I wouldn't have been worried about a little repetitive "bye, bye plane."

[VRWCmember]

You never just disagree with a poster, you make a statement that denigrates the poster. You must be one miserable old man (or woman).

Since you clearly can't be talking about anything I've posted on this thread you must be thinking about something from another thread or maybe you have me confused with someone else. I don't recall ever posting anything to you or reading any of your other posts in the nine years you've been posting on this Forum. As for denigrating another poster, I rarely ever do that and I try to reserve it only for those that really deserve it. As outrageous as some of the posts on this thread have been, nobody here has made a comment worthy of being denigrated (although one came dangerously close), so you'll have to wait for another day to see me denigrate somebody who disagrees with me.

[VRWCmember]

LOL!

[RockinRight]

Actually, that might be useful just to threaten kids with...

“If you don’t settle down...we’re going to put you in THE CAGE...”

Dunno how many idle threats I got as a kid that shaped me right up! They wouldn’t ever have actually DONE them but the suggestion sure straightened me up.

[Hoodlum91]

bye, bye plane is fine. And frankly the benedryl would have done very little to stop the baby at that time since it would take to kick in. However I think the mother overreacted too. She should have just apologized. She helped escalate it.

Frankly, when you step on a plane, you should be prepared to have the child sit in the seat the entire time. You should consider yourself blessed that you were allowed to walk - although I will point out that some passengers find that almost as annoying as crying and it can be a security problem. Most flights I’m on don’t turn off the seat belt light at all. In and out of DC, no one is allowed out of their seat for any reason in the first 40 minutes. While planning to take a child on a flight do not count on being able to move from your seat.

[ozarkgirl]

You’re a parent aren’t you?? I can tell....

[elc]

Well, then I fully expect you to sit in your seat the entire time. No getting up to walk to the bathroom. No getting up to stretch the legs. Nothing. If that’s what you expect of a child, it’s what I expect of you.

And Reagan stopped the 30 minute rule last year.

[VRWCmember]

bye, bye plane is fine. And frankly the benedryl would have done very little to stop the baby at that time since it would take to kick in. However I think the mother overreacted too. She should have just apologized. She helped escalate it.

You make a good point that the mother's reaction probably helped escalate the situation. The "I'm not going to drug my child so you can have a pleasant flight" comment did not help. It is very possible that had the mother reacted differently the situation would have been resolved without the removal from the plane. However, (and if and when you have children you will understand this) when someone gets in your face and says "you need to shut your baby up" the reaction is seldom reasoned, rational, and cheery. I guarantee you if a flight attendant said those words to my wife regarding either of our children as an infant or toddler, we would have had to make alternative flight arrangements too.

[Hoodlum91]

I do. I never get up.

[Shyla]

When did you get sperm??

Does RR know?

[Cecily]

This flight attendant lacks a professional manner. She isn’t there to trade barbs and snide remarks with her company’s paying customers. If I spoke this way to any of my firm’s clients who might be annoying me, I would most likely find myself looking for another job.

[RockinRight]

Don’t be a smarta$$ though - getting up to use the bathroom is one thing. Running up and down the aisles, kicking the seat in front of you, is another.