Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

Skip to comments.

Girl Kicked Off Plane After Tantrum
Associated Press ^ | Jan 23, 2007 | JimEllis

Posted on 01/23/2007 7:35:25 PM PST by don'tspeak4me

ORLANDO, Fla. (AP) -- Flight attendants often deal with obnoxious passengers who won't listen to instructions by kicking them off the plane. But a Massachusetts couple think AirTran Airways went overboard by treating their crying 3-year-old daughter in much the same way.

Julie and Gerry Kulesza and daughter Elly were removed from the flight when the girl refused to take her seat before takeoff, airline officials said Tuesday. But her parents said they just needed a little more time to calm her down.

The Kuleszas planned to fly home to Boston on Jan. 14 from Fort Myers after a four-day visit with the girl's paternal grandparents. She was removed because "she was climbing under the seat and hitting the parents and wouldn't get in her seat" during boarding, AirTran spokeswoman Judy Graham-Weaver said.

AirTran officials say they were only following Federal Aviation Administration rules that children age 2 and above must have their own seat and be wearing a seatbelt upon takeoff.

"The flight was already delayed 15 minutes and in fairness to the other 112 passengers on the plane, the crew made an operational decision to remove the family," Graham-Weaver said.

But Julie Kulesza said: "We weren't giving an opportunity to hold her, console her or anything."

"Elly was sitting in front of our seat crying," she said in a phone interview. "The attendant motioned to a seat and asked if we purchased it for her."

They had paid for the seat. Gerry Kulesza said another attendant then approached the family and told him: "You need to get her in control and in her seat."

The couple told the attendants they were trying. Julie Kulesza said she asked the attendants if Elly could sit on her lap, but they said no.

The family flew home the next day.

The Orlando-based carrier reimbursed the family $595.80, the cost of the three tickets, and offered them three roundtrip tickets anywhere the airline flies, Graham-Weaver said.

But that's too little, too late for the Kuleszas. The father said they would never fly AirTran again.


TOPICS: News/Current Events
KEYWORDS:
Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first previous 1-2021-4041-6061-80 ... 161-167 next last
To: don'tspeak4me

If it was my little darlin' I'd have made her walk home.


21 posted on 01/23/2007 7:49:40 PM PST by kylaka
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Hildy

It seems there are some out of control parents out there that expect world to revolve around them and their out of control kids.


22 posted on 01/23/2007 7:51:32 PM PST by Kimmers (It's not what you take when you leave this world behind, it's what you leave behind when you go)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 9 | View Replies]

To: roadcat

The sad part is that the twit parents are from Massholeachusetts so they probably don't even think their little brat was acting up.


23 posted on 01/23/2007 7:52:10 PM PST by MIchaelTArchangel
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 12 | View Replies]

To: art_rocks

That was my first take... but it's not clear aftr two re-readings.

Either way, if the child would not stay in the seat, wherever it was, the flight needed to takeoff and therefore the child and family removed.

I won't judge either the child or the family because there is not enough information.


24 posted on 01/23/2007 7:52:33 PM PST by From many - one.
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 15 | View Replies]

To: SevenofNine
With flight attendant sit your a** down you better after Sept 11 you better sit your brat down

Say wha-huh?

25 posted on 01/23/2007 7:54:40 PM PST by TomServo ("Uh, Donner, party of three please.")
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 2 | View Replies]

To: metmom

I agree. Sometimes children do get scared and take a long time to get calmed down. However an airline waiting to take off is not the place to find out just how long this might take. Depart the plane, calm your child in a nice quiet place. Then call friends and family to let them know you are taking a later flight.


26 posted on 01/23/2007 7:55:09 PM PST by lastchance (Hug your babies.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 3 | View Replies]

To: don'tspeak4me

I grew up in the 50s and 60s. A very different time I guess. Because, simply, it only took a look from my Dad or Mom to shut you up and straighten up immediately. My Dad only had to spank me one time as I ever remember. I was about 9 or 10. I still remember it and never forgot that I DID NOT want to travel that path again. He did not beat me or was he brutal. But, the lesson learned then is a lesson I carry with me today. My parents, grandparents, etc. practiced corporal punishment. However, no one in my family has committed mass murder or mayhem because of the ass whoopings.


27 posted on 01/23/2007 7:56:31 PM PST by RetiredArmy (Marxis-Dimocrats stand for everything I hate and wish to see destroyed, including them!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: bannie

Maybe our nanny government would be better served by allowing STRANGERS to spank the little brats when their idiot parents get so "confused" that they can't discipline their own spawn.


28 posted on 01/23/2007 7:56:58 PM PST by Humidston
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 18 | View Replies]

To: art_rocks

I read it the same way, they were seated behind the child instead of sitting with their child.

Idiot parents alert. AirTran should put them on a No-Fly list.


29 posted on 01/23/2007 7:58:05 PM PST by Valpal1 (Social vs fiscal conservtism? Sorry, I'm not voting my wallet over the broken bodies of the innocent)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 15 | View Replies]

To: roadcat
Duct tape works wonders. (Never had to use any on my kids but mine were raised proper.)

I've always been of the opinion that all you need to properly care for small children are bubble wrap, velcro, and duct tape. For some reason I've never been asked to babysit by any of my friends.

Mark

30 posted on 01/23/2007 7:58:08 PM PST by MarkL (When Kaylee says "No power in the `verse can stop me," it's cute. When River says it, it's scary!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 12 | View Replies]

To: over3Owithabrain
"I'm continually amazed by the lack of parental control nowadays. I have a good friend, he and his wife are great people. But they have a 3 year old son who completely rules them. I mean they are totally slaves to his every whim. My friend is a big guy with a short fuse who doesn't take crap from anyone - except this kid. He will literally ask/tell the child to do (or not do) the smallest thing and the kid will look right at him and defy him, as my friend just slumps his shoulders and caves. It's really sad."

Parents like this make me want to puke...and then they make me want to open a can of whoop ass on them!

31 posted on 01/23/2007 8:00:19 PM PST by don'tspeak4me
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 20 | View Replies]

To: don'tspeak4me
I live in a military town. I was comparing children discipline stories with a friend of mine, a retired Navy Captain. His story was the best I have heard.

Years ago he was crossing the Bay Bridge in Maryland, a very long and high bridge. His kids were acting up, so he told his children that the next kid who said a word would be spanked. Needless to say, within seconds one of his kids had to test him. So he stopped the car on the bridge, took the offending child out of the car and spanked him. Within seconds he had stopped traffic and people were honking their horns. When he was through with the spanking, he looked up and realized that almost every person that he could see was giving him signs of approval, e.g waving, giving a thunbs up, etc... . Additionally, miles later when he stopped for gas he heard the person infront of him in line paying for gas tell attendant of the event and give his approval of what had happened.

32 posted on 01/23/2007 8:00:20 PM PST by fini
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: crystalclear9823

LOLOL! When I hear that "OK?", I just want to screech!!! They just needed time to calm the kid down?? Sheesh!

Those parents need a copy of the new book on child behavior. I think it is entitled -- "NO"!

I wonder what happened on the flight the family took.


33 posted on 01/23/2007 8:00:35 PM PST by Exit148 (Founder of the Loose Change Club. Every nickle and dime counts!!)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 11 | View Replies]

To: don'tspeak4me
But Julie Kulesza said: "We weren't giving an opportunity to hold her, console her or anything."

Good, I hate when folks give opportunities to hold kids.

Dirty little buggers.

34 posted on 01/23/2007 8:00:58 PM PST by humblegunner (If you're gonna die, die with your boots on.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: don'tspeak4me

To the airline: Goodonya!

To the parents: Boo hoo sux to you!

I've had far, far too many flites ruined by obnoxious brats whose parents will not keep them under control. If this kid behaves like a brat in public, that is the fault of the parents.

What happened here is Natural Consequences: raise a brat, get kicked off the plane. And Natural Justice for all those others on the plane, air crew and passengers alike.

We need to see more of this: in cafes, in supermarkets, on buses, in trains, on planes -- anywhere that a shrieking howling brat can make anyone else's lives miserable.

(Yes, I'm a parent and my kids do not misbehave like this because they are not permitted to.)


35 posted on 01/23/2007 8:01:28 PM PST by DieHard the Hunter (I am the Chieftain of my Clan. I bow to nobody. Get out of my way.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

Comment #36 Removed by Moderator

To: don'tspeak4me
The Orlando-based carrier reimbursed the family $595.80, the cost of the three tickets, and offered them three roundtrip tickets anywhere the airline flies, Graham-Weaver said.

Extraordinarily generous on the part of Air-Tran. My kids are all responsible and delightful young ladies, 17, 20 and 21. Yes, they had their tantrum time. And, yes, they learned a "Spock pinch" was a signal to knock it off . . . immediately. Even a mild whimper of protest brought added punishment later. I once overheard the middle girl explain this to the oldest.

37 posted on 01/23/2007 8:01:52 PM PST by Vigilanteman (Are there any men left in Washington? Or are there only cowards? Ahmad Shah Massoud)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: metmom
The flight was delayed for 15 mins. What a crock. No wonder the kid behaved like that.
___________________________________________________________

Wow; only delayed for 15 minutes? Funny thing about flying military - About 15 years ago my average "delay" was about six hours. That's only in the terminal. I've also waited during two hour "delays" on the aircraft. Also traveling on these flights were families with children ranging in age from infant to teens. Military parents seemed to be capable of preventing this sort of behavior.

Before you assume I am talking about the parents being "Tough" let me enlighten you. These parents are seasoned travelers. They brought things to distract the kids, especially the younger ones. The kids had small toys that kept them entertained without annoying the other passengers. There were lots of books too.

The coolest thing I saw was the little ones "helping" mom and dad with the luggage. Alright; they were holding on to the strap but the parents kept them involved and the small ones felt like they were part of the family and not part of the luggage.

Most of these military families understood the challenges from years of doing it on their own before they had children. Couples with kids who are new to the military usually have some of the older ones take them under their wing and give them some helpful advice. Contrary to a certain campaign challenged senator, they ain't undereducated or stuck. They know what they're doing. More; they want to do what they're doing.
38 posted on 01/23/2007 8:05:45 PM PST by Grizzled Bear ("Does not play well with others.")
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 3 | View Replies]

To: don'tspeak4me

Too fickin' bad boo hoo. She sounds like a brat who prolly sleeps with her folks and rules the roost......


39 posted on 01/23/2007 8:06:02 PM PST by yldstrk (My heros have always been cowboys--Reagan and Bush)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: don'tspeak4me

SAUNDERS: There ought not to be a law on spanking
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1771139/posts


40 posted on 01/23/2007 8:06:09 PM PST by quietolong
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]


Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first previous 1-2021-4041-6061-80 ... 161-167 next last

Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.

Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson