Baby Stroller Incident on AA591 SFO>DFW April 21st
Apr 22, 2017, 4:56 pm
#331
Join Date: May 2009
Location: Silicon Valley
Programs: UA GS, WN A-List, AA Exec Plat, National Emerald
Posts: 1,020
That really could be a misunderstanding. Perhaps the stroller-grabber assumed that the woman was looking to deposit it for gate check and the FA or gate agent wanted to quickly pull it out of the way before it blocked the entrance for everyone else. It just doesn't make sense that an employee intentionally hit her out of the blue! (Would that be your first thought even if a FA or GA's hand struck you as he was reaching for something? Or would you think it was an accident?)
It looks like the woman misunderstood this and had a Public Meltdown.
According to BBC, AA has suspended employee, and apologized to passenger for unacceptable treatment. What do the chorus think of that?
http://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-39677296
http://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-39677296
Last edited by reamworks; Apr 22, 2017 at 5:03 pm
Apr 22, 2017, 5:00 pm
#332
Join Date: Sep 2006
Programs: United: 1K
Posts: 390
I didn't realize this mother was the very first mother to have carry on items gate checked. I have been on a few flights which had involuntary gate check when the bins were full.
The male crew member should have been removed because he escalated the situation with the male passenger. I wouldn't have objected if both were removed from the flight.
The male crew member should have been removed because he escalated the situation with the male passenger. I wouldn't have objected if both were removed from the flight.
But you are correct that she is not the first mother to be wrongly told she can't take a conforming stroller onboard a plane. But she may be the last mother wrongly told that on AA.
Apr 22, 2017, 5:05 pm
#333
Join Date: Oct 2010
Posts: 404
That man was not that woman's spouse. And the claim was someone "grabbed the stroller" not that anyone hit her.
That really could be a misunderstanding. Perhaps the stroller-grabber assumed that the woman was looking to deposit it for gate check and the FA or gate agent wanted to quickly pull it out of the way before it blocked the entrance for everyone else.
It looks like the woman misunderstood this and had a Public Meltdown.
We've just taught this woman--and a swath of the flying public--that Public Meltdowns and crying is a strategy that apparently works well if you want to bring your oversided strollers on planes. Now she'll keep doing it.
That really could be a misunderstanding. Perhaps the stroller-grabber assumed that the woman was looking to deposit it for gate check and the FA or gate agent wanted to quickly pull it out of the way before it blocked the entrance for everyone else.
It looks like the woman misunderstood this and had a Public Meltdown.
We've just taught this woman--and a swath of the flying public--that Public Meltdowns and crying is a strategy that apparently works well if you want to bring your oversided strollers on planes. Now she'll keep doing it.
Reading this thread and news accounts now the allegation is the fa hit her which appears to be corroborated by the growing wound on her head in the video.
Apr 22, 2017, 5:07 pm
#334
Suspended
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That man was not that woman's spouse. And the claim was someone "grabbed the stroller" not that anyone hit her.
That really could be a misunderstanding. Perhaps the stroller-grabber assumed that the woman was looking to deposit it for gate check and the FA or gate agent wanted to quickly pull it out of the way before it blocked the entrance for everyone else. It just doesn't make sense that an employee intentionally hit her out of the blue! (Would that be your first thought even if a FA or GA's hand struck you as he was reaching for something? Or would you think it was an accident?)
It looks like the woman misunderstood this and had a Public Meltdown.
It looks like the woman was actually hit by something.
We've just taught this woman--and a swath of the flying public--that Public Meltdowns and crying is a strategy that apparently works well if you want to bring your oversided strollers on planes. Now she'll keep doing it.
That really could be a misunderstanding. Perhaps the stroller-grabber assumed that the woman was looking to deposit it for gate check and the FA or gate agent wanted to quickly pull it out of the way before it blocked the entrance for everyone else. It just doesn't make sense that an employee intentionally hit her out of the blue! (Would that be your first thought even if a FA or GA's hand struck you as he was reaching for something? Or would you think it was an accident?)
It looks like the woman misunderstood this and had a Public Meltdown.
It looks like the woman was actually hit by something.
We've just taught this woman--and a swath of the flying public--that Public Meltdowns and crying is a strategy that apparently works well if you want to bring your oversided strollers on planes. Now she'll keep doing it.
Apr 22, 2017, 5:09 pm
#335
Join Date: Jan 2003
Programs: American Airlines Platinum, National Executive
Posts: 3,790
I've been a very frequent flyer for nearly 20 years and have only rarely seen rudeness by on-board personnel, and nothing like in the recent United/AA incidents.
The woman passenger in this situation is more of a baby than her baby. The guy passenger who jumped up is awesome, though.
Apr 22, 2017, 5:13 pm
#336
Join Date: Oct 2009
Posts: 140
Can we commend the female flight attendant? She did more than both the pilot and raging male FA combined.
Apr 22, 2017, 5:14 pm
#337
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: MCO
Programs: Hilton Diamond, AA PP
Posts: 541
AA is making a Big Mistake if they don't make a statement about the horrific behavior of that man who wanted to be a "White Night" and jump up to "defend" a woman, where he didn't know the story. That woman was out of control and trying to manipulate the situation by having a public meltdown. The video shows the "White Knight" clearly threatened the Flight Attendant first.
While that AA Employee certainly needs to re-take the course on "Verbal De-escalation", AA should also indicate that they stand behind employees who are physically threatened by pax.
Exactly right. I don't know how comfortable I'd be on that flight if I had to sit next to a man who just threatened a crew member or flight attendant.
(For the record, I was strongly on the side of Dr. Dao on that UA case. I'm not one of these "The Airlines Are Never Wrong" people.)
While that AA Employee certainly needs to re-take the course on "Verbal De-escalation", AA should also indicate that they stand behind employees who are physically threatened by pax.
Exactly right. I don't know how comfortable I'd be on that flight if I had to sit next to a man who just threatened a crew member or flight attendant.
(For the record, I was strongly on the side of Dr. Dao on that UA case. I'm not one of these "The Airlines Are Never Wrong" people.)
The passenger was standing up for a person who had been assaulted by an employee of the airline flight crew--something the Captain should have been on top of.
Apr 22, 2017, 5:15 pm
#338
Join Date: Oct 2010
Posts: 404
Agreed, and now Ma and Pa Kettle will be filming everything, posting it on Facebook and demanding all sorts of stuff from airlines even when the airlines do nothing wrong. (Different from the current situation.)
I've been a very frequent flyer for nearly 20 years and have only rarely seen rudeness by on-board personnel, and nothing like in the recent United/AA incidents.
The woman passenger in this situation is more of a baby than her baby. The guy passenger who jumped up is awesome, though.
I've been a very frequent flyer for nearly 20 years and have only rarely seen rudeness by on-board personnel, and nothing like in the recent United/AA incidents.
The woman passenger in this situation is more of a baby than her baby. The guy passenger who jumped up is awesome, though.
Apr 22, 2017, 5:16 pm
#339
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: MCO
Programs: Hilton Diamond, AA PP
Posts: 541
According to BBC, AA has suspended employee, and apologized to passenger for unacceptable treatment. What do the chorus think of that?
http://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-39677296
http://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-39677296
Apr 22, 2017, 5:21 pm
#340
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: May 2001
Location: LAX; AA EXP, MM; HH Gold
Posts: 31,789
According to BBC, AA has suspended employee, and apologized to passenger for unacceptable treatment. What do the chorus think of that?
http://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-39677296
http://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-39677296
Apr 22, 2017, 5:22 pm
#341
Join Date: Mar 2014
Posts: 217
I watched the video. The FA should be fired. The Captain needs to take his finger out of his
A** and take control
A** and take control
Apr 22, 2017, 5:23 pm
#342
Join Date: Jan 2003
Programs: American Airlines Platinum, National Executive
Posts: 3,790
I'm aware of that. I wouldn't be crying, and please read the full description of the incident, including before she was hit. She sounds nutty.
Apr 22, 2017, 5:25 pm
#343
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Apr 2009
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I don't at all think that's the lesson many people are walking away with.
Apr 22, 2017, 5:25 pm
#344
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(There is an old joke about 3 females applying for the same job. But I digress.)
Apr 22, 2017, 5:36 pm
#345
Moderator: Travel Safety/Security, Travel Tools, California, Los Angeles; FlyerTalk Evangelist
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That really could be a misunderstanding. Perhaps the stroller-grabber assumed that the woman was looking to deposit it for gate check and the FA or gate agent wanted to quickly pull it out of the way before it blocked the entrance for everyone else. It just doesn't make sense that an employee intentionally hit her out of the blue! (Would that be your first thought even if a FA or GA's hand struck you as he was reaching for something? Or would you think it was an accident?)
It looks like the woman misunderstood this and had a Public Meltdown.
It looks like the woman misunderstood this and had a Public Meltdown.