Originally Posted by
doc4science
I am surprised at the apparent lack of communication between the crew though. FAs up front speaking with the one in the back could have cleared this up it sounds...
Oh, there most likely
was communication between the crew about the situation.
Also UMs switching seats is generally a no-no. The crew knows the UM's assigned seat and are responsible for - among other things - keeping an eye on the UM upon arrival when everyone is exiting to make sure the UM doesn't wander off with everyone else but instead is personally handed off to ground staff at the aircraft door. Having them change seats complicates that.
Originally Posted by
Antarius
I also don't understand, if the OP and the child switched seats, how would the OP be able to be close or in contact with the child during the flight?
I am NOT saying this was the case here, but maybe a seat-switcher in this situation could be working with the person in the F seat next to his and they wanted to get the UM next to that person.
I am not saying the OP did anything wrong, but all transportation workers (at least in the US) get training in human trafficking awareness these days and this situation undoubtedly raised some yellow - if not red - flags for the crew, understandably IMO. They were most likely doing just what they were trained to do.