All that makes sense.
I cannot get over the part about
"she wouldn't get into her seat."
I think a 3-yr. old is light enough to be lifted by a parent and forced into a seat, strapped into the seat, and HELD FIRMLY into place.
If I were traveling with a little one, out of courtesy to others, I think I would request a seat near the rear of the plane. I'd also come with an aresenal of entertainment options. There are also other options to a public spanking that will get a little one's attention. Pinching comes to mind.
I'd agree, had I not been blessed with an extremely strong-willed daughter of my own. To have forced her into a seat, would have required us to risk physical injury.... AND it wouldn't have solved the problem of her screaming.
She's become a pretty great young lady now, though -- and now that she's gained a good measure of control over it, her strong will is going to be a definite asset.
Sometimes a kid just gets too worked up for anything to get them under control ... and then you have to be able to leave them alone someplace, which clearly was not an option on the airplane.
As noted above, I think the airline was right in removing the family from the plane. Given the airline's subsequent offers, the family should have accepted it with good grace.
"I think a 3-yr. old is light enough to be lifted by a parent and forced into a seat, strapped into the seat, and HELD FIRMLY into place." Agreed. Unfortunately, you can't "muzzle em."
What I gathered from the story is the 3 year old was in the seat in front of the parents.
They lost control from the get go.