Down syndrome boy banned from AA flight

I would like to know what classifies as "agitated". But if he was truly out of control, there's no reason why they should've allowed him on the flight. He posed a flight risk. That's extremely dangerous to put someone like that (agitated -- not with Down's) up in the air. What if he had broken into the pilots cabin? What if he had injured someone around him?

Just because you have a disability, that's not a license for poor behavior in public.

stories like this piss me off! I dont think this kid was doing anything dangerous to the flight and putting lives at risk. I have an autistic brother who is sometimes loud and when he gets frustrated he yells and carries on but is no risk to anyones safety. People need to chill out and have some damn compassion.

If they're not giving a boy with Downs a hard time, they're doling it out to disabled veterans and their dogs... :grumble:

http://now.msn.com/disabled-veteran-says-united-airlines-kicked-dog-and-asked-if-he-was-retarded

I would like to know what classifies as "agitated". But if he was truly out of control, there's no reason why they should've allowed him on the flight. He posed a flight risk. That's extremely dangerous to put someone like that (agitated -- not with Down's) up in the air. What if he had broken into the pilots cabin? What if he had injured someone around him?

Just because you have a disability, that's not a license for poor behavior in public.

I understand what you mean and I agree that I would like to know how "agitated" he was. But from personal experiance with my brother some people exaggerate how bad a disabled persons behavior can be. I once had Peter with me at the market and he got upset when I wouldnt buy him something, he hollered and dropped tha candy bar on the ground but I calmed him down in less then 5 minutes. Some worker came up to me and told me we had to leave as Peter was disturbing the other customers and asked us not to come back. A lot of people just look at those with disabilities and assume they will do something terrible

Puhlease. He was not agitated, was an experienced flyer and if he is 'threat' - then the airlines need to reinforce their cockpit doors. The airline also went out of their way to bar him from this flight AND placed him and his parents in the very last row in Coach class of the next flight - and made sure no one was seated around them.

I have a young adult with special needs - I don't know how this mom kept it together. Thankfully, most of the airport security and airline employees I have encountered have treated my daughter with respect, compassion and patience.

My husband was lucky enough to get upgraded to first class and was sat right in front of two screaming kids who alternated kicking the seat and running up and down the aisle. You think they got kicked off?

My husband was lucky enough to get upgraded to first class and was sat right in front of two screaming kids who alternated kicking the seat and running up and down the aisle. You think they got kicked off?

Don't even get me on my soapbox about kids on flights.

Just because you have a disability, that's not a license for poor behavior in public.

I think I know what you're trying to say, but many kids on the spectrum (like my son) can't control their emotions and behavior like most can. He can't regulate himself like others.

Per the video... he was chewing on his hat... I don't think he was a risk at all. The mom on the other hand was clearly going bat **** crazy and more agitated than their son.

In this case alone, it does look sh*tty for the airline. Like they didn't want them in first class.

Is he actually on the plane in the Video? I can't see it for some reason. If not, there is no way for us to say he was or was not a flight risk.

They never let him on the plane. He wasn't "removed" as a flight risk, so no... the footage is not on the plane.

But of course there's no way anyone would know for sure, she was, in fact, told she's not allowed to video the situation

Wondering, how many people would be okay sitting in the middle seat of a 3 hour flight next to someone that was acting out on their impulses if he/she wasn't your own child or sibling?

You do not have a god given right to fly on an airplane. It is a private enterprise and they can choose who flies and who doesn't. Sorry, but that's how it is.

No one is asking for or expecting a 'God given right to fly on an airplane'. How about just a modicum of respect and some compassion?

Is it too much to ask?

If someone was misbehaving on an airplane, someone who DIDN'T have a special condition, I bet you'd have no issue of them getting kicked off. Just something to think about.

You do not have a god given right to fly on an airplane. It is a private enterprise and they can choose who flies and who doesn't. Sorry, but that's how it is.

No one is asking for or expecting a 'God given right to fly on an airplane'. How about just a modicum of respect and some compassion?

Is it too much to ask?

If someone was misbehaving on an airplane, someone who DIDN'T have a special condition, I bet you'd have no issue of them getting kicked off. Just something to think about.

That's my point. (two points actually) He wasn't misbehaving and there are plenty who DO misbehave and aren't kicked off.

Just want to point out that this "news" story was reported by Perez Hilton. That's all.

I would like to know what classifies as "agitated". But if he was truly out of control, there's no reason why they should've allowed him on the flight. He posed a flight risk. That's extremely dangerous to put someone like that (agitated -- not with Down's) up in the air. What if he had broken into the pilots cabin? What if he had injured someone around him?

Just because you have a disability, that's not a license for poor behavior in public.

THIS. Without knowing exactly what classified as "agitated" and why the call was made, it's hard to determine if I agree or disagree with the choice or not. If they truly felt he posed a flight risk because he was agitated, then removing him from the flight was the right call. I've first hand witnessed the temper tantrums mentally disabled can throw, and they can very easily become violent and out of control without warning. I worked at a camp where we literally had to lock a fourth grader in the bathroom (not by himself, obviously, with two or three other adults) because he was out of control and that was the only way to contain him until his mother came.

If it was just based on his disability alone, then that is obviously wrong, But if he looked like he could potentially pose a flight risk then yes, it was the right call.

You do not have a god given right to fly on an airplane. It is a private enterprise and they can choose who flies and who doesn't. Sorry, but that's how it is.

No one is asking for or expecting a 'God given right to fly on an airplane'. How about just a modicum of respect and some compassion?

Is it too much to ask?

If someone was misbehaving on an airplane, someone who DIDN'T have a special condition, I bet you'd have no issue of them getting kicked off. Just something to think about.

That's my point. (two points actually) He wasn't misbehaving and there are plenty who DO misbehave and aren't kicked off.

Really? Youve REALLY seen someone misbehaving on an airplane that wasn't thrown off? Just the other day I saw someone get kicked off because they were talking rudely to a flight attendant. It isn't discrimination - it's policy.