Mother And Child Kicked Off Flight Over Skin Condition
Jackie Reddy March 05, 2019
A mother and child were asked to leave a recent American Airlines (AA) flight after a crew member became concerned over their rare genetic skin condition. Jordan Flake was traveling with her one-year-old infant from El Paso, Texas to Dallas when the incident occurred. AA has offered an apology and is investigating.
A mother and baby were asked to leave a recent American Airlines (AA) flight after a crew member expressed concern over their genetic skin condition, Metro.co.uk reports.
Offering her account of the incident on Love What Matters, Jordan Flake explained that she and her one-year-old son were returning home after visiting her husband prior to his military deployment. Metro.co.uk reports that the incident occurred as the pair were preparing to depart El Paso, Texas for Dallas.
In her post, Flake explained that she and her son had already boarded their return flight when, “Before takeoff, an employee from the airline came up to my row and asked the two men sitting next to me to get up.” He was called by the cabin crew.
“He then quietly asked me about ‘my rash’ and if I had a letter from a doctor stating it was ‘OK for me to fly.’” Flake said.
“I explained to him it was called ichthyosis, a genetic skin condition I share with my son,” she added. Ichthyosis causes dry, scaly and thick skin.
At this point, Flake states that the crew member left her to speak to his colleagues, but returned to inform her that she and her son would not be able to complete their journey.
Flake explained that the crew member helped her and her child off of the plane, but that AA would be unable to offload their checked luggage. She and her son were provided with accommodation and a new flight on another carrier.
Speaking of her experience, Flake said, “I have never been so humiliated in my life! I have emailed them and am waiting for a reply.”
A spokesperson for AA told the outlet that it has offered an apology to the pair and is in the process of investigating the incident.
[Source: American Airlines]
Recently I saw a child with chicken pox not allowed to board. So if the lady had a similar disease that could have affected everyone on the plane (measles too), everyone would be saying sue the airline that allowed them to get sick. The employees see a rash they don't know what it is. they are trying to protect the rest of the passengers. The lady should have a letter from her doc. I think you need one to fly with oxygen, etc.
I agree with the airline on this, because if the airline had allowed a passenger with a visible illness board the plane, and it had infected people on the plane, people would be asking why the airlie permitted this and the airline would have been sued. I think, if flying with a condition that might cause some fear of it being infectious, you should carry a doctor's letter stating this. (Yes, I know they can be forged, but at least the airline can make a copy of the letter for its court defense)
You have a genetic condition. That's bad enough. But now you should also carry a letter from the doctor just in case a FA/someone else objects to your "icky" condition? No. When she informed them of the generic condition, that should have been it. No contagion, no reason whatsoever to get them o
Can we PLEASE talk about the elephant in the room? The lady with the skin condition... Her last name is Flake. No way that's a coincidence!!!! "Man with sinus infection asked to leave flight. Mr. Achoo described the events in detail".
I thought there were rules about offloading baggage if the passenger does not fly