Posted on 07/12/2007 9:10:39 AM PDT by Abathar
GWINNETT COUNTY, Ga. -- A Georgia mother said she wants answers and action after she and her baby were kicked off a plane.
Kate Penland said she was glad to board the plane in Houston to visit her father in Oklahoma after an 11-hour delay. But she said a rude and aggressive flight attendant caused her to get to Oklahoma a day late.
Penland thinks her 19-month-old son, Garren, has a bubbly personality. But Penland said when they were aboard a Continental Express plane, a flight attendant became annoyed by Garren's personality when he kept saying three words.
"As we started taxiing, he started saying, 'Bye, bye plane,'" said Penland. "At the end of her speech, she leaned over the gentleman beside me and said, 'It's not funny anymore. You need to shut your baby up.'"
In disbelief, Penland asked the woman if she was kidding. It was then, Penland said, the flight attendant went too far.
"She then said, 'You know, it's called baby Benadryl.' And I said, 'Well, I'm not going to drug my child so you have a pleasant flight,'" Penland said.
Penland said when the other passengers began speaking up on her behalf, the flight attendant got angrier and soon announced they were turning around and that Penland and Garren were going to be taken off the plane.
"I was crying, I was upset and I was thinking, 'What am I going to do? I don't have anything with me. I don't have any more diapers for the baby, no juice, no milk," said Penland.
The mother said she later learned the flight attendant told the pilot that she had threatened her. Penland said that never happened.
Express Jet Airlines released a statement that said, "We received Ms. Penland's letter expressing her concerns and intend to investigate its contents."
A fellow passenger told Atlanta TV station WSB that none of the other passengers had problems with Garren and that Penland never threatened the flight attendant. Penland said she is considering legal action.
Standard procedure for children on planes.
Now, if parents could just control their teenagers who talk loudly and giggle and kick the seat in front of them!
No, his children were perfect and learned it the first time. I hope you're not going to make him repeat that his children were not allowed repetitive behavior.
That's what I thought, too. Until I had one myself.
My son is one of the most well-behaved 15-month-old boys on the planet, but it was a chore and a half to keep even a good kid like him occupied on a 1-hour flight so that he wasn't a nuisance to the passengers around us. Luckily, everyone around us was very cool, and enjoyed interacting with my son---I can't say I would have done the same if I were in their shoes before I had children of my own. Having children truly does put you in a separate mindframe.
And even though he was relatively good, I'll never take him on a plane again, if I can help it. The stress level of a parent with a toddler on a plane is pegged to the right.
The use of Benedryl is completely safe and many doctors recommend it. You’re not slipping the kids valium.
The one on the right....absolutely! GROOVY!
>>I see many more parents that put in no effort whatsoever than those that do. Im hoping that seeing the overall lack of parenting that exists nowadays and learning for the non-example will make me a better parent.<<
I see it too, which is why I would rather encourage the good parents. This baby wasn’t doing anything wrong, the mom (and other passengers) weren’t annoyed.
In my case, when my mind was elsewhere (and trust me, once you have kids you’ll be here too) and my kids did something wrong, I was so embarrassed. Terrible twos can be terrible, but I never got upset by dirty looks when I carried a screaming toddler out of a store. Kids are kids, it’s the efforts of the parents that make a difference.
How about "Bye, bye b*tch"
Maybe you should give me some Benadryl so that I won’t annoy you anymore.
One would think you’d know the affects Benedryl would have on your on child. However, Benedryl is safe and many doctors recommend the use. you’re not using animal tranquilizers.
there are a few with class. mine have outgrown the kicking phase now, but when i had someone reclining into my lap upon which my child was sitting. i was far less careful to make sure they did nothing to disturb the person in front of us. people are just inconsiderate or they aren’t. kids or no kids. the inconsiderate, full length recliner person, if a parent, would be oblivious to their kid annoying someone else. someone who is considerate generally, will do their utmost, as a parent, to ensure their kids do not annoy.
Well, let's be honest---that depends on whose head it is.
The problem is Benedryl, especially in young children, oftentimes has the OPPOSITE effect than what was intended. Some kids react to it like a shot of caffine...
“I have been annoyed far more often, by adults who thoughtlessly fully recline their seat into my lap.”
LOL...I know what you mean. I always want to ask them if they want a shave and a haircut or just a haircut.
No, you don’t even know me, you told me my children behaved badly and yours didn’t.
And then you used inappropriate language. Perhaps self examination would be more in line than calling people names.
Well, your responses are reminiscent of a three year old. It may work!
i have been there and lived through it. the last time we flew to Hawaii with the kids, they were big enough to sit all three abreast by themselves in the middle section, and my hub and i sat in the 2 seats across the aisle. a totally relaxing experience. i love my kids, but i am loving them as teenagers now, insteada of as toddlers.
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