At some time in that kid's past throwing a tantrum got her what she wanted, why shouldn't she try again?
This Nation is now held hostage by adults who will throw a tantrum if they don't get everything handed to them. It's working, isn't it?
BTW, I never abused a kid, just made sure I had a reputation for doing what I say I'll do, don't call my bluff.
So, your one kid got 30 seconds!
Gad!
I was always able to pick the kid up and that was the end of that ~ and sometimes both kids ~ and ..... well, what can I say. I have more than 30 first cousins on one side of the family and I was one of the older ones so maybe I got more practice.
All of them are different, and sometimes a kid gets in a crying jag that's uncontrollable. Years back the stewardesses would have probably been able to comfort the kid but today they have to be super cautious because there are plenty of parents who don't want anybody to touch their kids ~ even they don't touch them!
It's possible the kid wasn't such a problem as it was the fact that the parents were uncooperative ~ just like the crew reported.