One reason the chaperones may have claimed that they couldn't just separate out the troublemakers is the paperwork. Chaperones for this type of trip have to have signed permission slips, emergency medical authorizations, maybe a health history form and possibly others, depending on local rules. Who knows where the paperwork was (checked luggage?), how it was organized and how long it would taken them to pull the right forms for 10 or 12 kids?

FWIW one article the story had a link today's twitter comments by the kids. Their comments on everything, not just the flight, confirm my earlier impression: self-centered, spoiled brats. Makes me think sometime in the future certain kids may learn about "payback" - a lot employers are now checking twitter, Facebook, etc. for info on prospective hires and would you want to hire one of this bunch?