Family kicked off flight for girl's tantrum

[NM]

A small child, especially around the age of two, has limited means to express themselves and get their message across to others around them. They don't have the vocabulary or depth of thought process to explain their feelings or what they want. So if they find themselves in a situation or environment where they are uncertain, uncomfortable, hungry, tired, needing to empty bladder/bowel etc, it may well be that the only means of communication available or means of getting the attention of someone who can change their situation is one that may well be described by many as "throwing a tantrum". That may involve crying, escalating to screaming (frustration being the escalation factor), arching the back or contorting the body to stop the seatbelt being fastened, kicking the person trying to "help" etc.

With an older child, there is more opportunity to reason. But a 2yo, especially one already in mind-state of stress and discomfort, is unable to stop and listen to reason. And it quite possible for a child in that state to continue to fight the process for quite an extended period of time. The frustration from an adult's perspective is that the child is incapable of expressing the underlying situation that has made them distressed, and as the distress escalates, even if the original cause is addressed/removed, the "tantrum" can continue without any apparent continuing cause.

Oh, the joys of parenthood and dealing with small children.

 

[markis10]

A photo has now emerged of events after the family left the plane:

http://my.opera.com/clean/albums/showpic.dml?album=923933&picture=12645920

 

[Nigelinoz]

A photo has now emerged of events after the family left the plane:

Clean - Superlame - Dummy Spit.jpg

 

[medhead]

Have experienced the car seat belt thing with children. Would stop the car and tell them the police said they had to wear it. Fortunately about the second time we did this the police drove past in the opposite direction. Just said "see there they are, they'll take you to goal". Never seen the child move so fast.

I've recently experienced a 3 year old go off because of numbers on their pants. Same child last year headbutted the road (cobblestones) for no reason I could work out (well I have theories that shall remain secret). Fortunately, not my child.


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[amaroo]

I think I've been seated near this family a few too many times over the years...:shock:

 

[horseman]

I've said it before, sedate them and ship them as freight!

 

[medhead]

I've said it before, sedate them and ship them as freight!

Maybe, but that is a total abrogation of parental responsibilities. As such I cannot support it.


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[harvyk]

I don't know about shipping them as freight, but phenergan does work a treat...

 

[NM]

I don't know about shipping them as freight, but phenergan does work a treat...

yes it does for many children, but test it first as it can have the opposite affect on a small percentage of kids, and an international flight is not the time to find out!

 

[harvyk]

yes it does for many children, but test it first as it can have the opposite affect on a small percentage of kids, and an international flight is not the time to find out!

Yeah it worked nicely with my daughter as well... But we tested a few days before hand first knowing what it can do to some kids...

As for the original story, without knowing the full details I expect there is more than is being reported, I've unfortunately been the parent of kids that have thrown a tantrum, and yet didn't get kicked off the flight (and I've seen many other parents have to deal with a tantrum and yet didn't get kicked off the flight), so I do wonder what role the parents played in all this...

 

[Canny man]

I'm also pretty happy with the decision by the JetBlue crew.

There have been a few times over the many years flying I have had, that I would have appreciated a rowdy passenger being thrown off the plane. (Usually not a child BTW)

AND....... To be fair....I would have turned a blind eye even if the decision had been made at 38,000 feet!

On a recent flight from LHR I would gladly have thrown myself off at 38,000 feet - if it allowed me to escape from the 12hr's of hell inflicted by a tag team of tantruming tots who kept it up for the duration of the flight

 

[AVC]

Every child goes through the "terrible-twos" at some stage. It can last a week or a lifetime, and as a parent all you can do is be calm and consistent and eventually you should prevail.

Hmm, we seem to have skipped the terrible twos (our daughter is now 4) . But she won't stay seated at restaurants, she wants to get up and dance or count the chairs at other tables or generally goof off under the table. She particulary like pretending to be the the waitress. I hope she can reLAX on or upcoming LOTFAP trip.

Maybe the FAs could use a helper. LOL

Many years ago, good friends of ours flew JAL to Japan. Their daughter was under two, blonde hair & blue eyes. The cabin crew basically whisked her away and all took turns carrying her around for the flight and had a great time with her.

And yeah, I know of people who have used the Phenergan thinking it will calm them down and it's had the opposite effect. Hee hee.