LondonAndy

Excellent response by the pilot. Whatever people want to do to endanger themselves is fine, so long as they don't endanger others as a result.

secretplantofightinflation

If you were to say that to my child, I'd be telling you exactly where to go (unless, of course, this was in your crew days - where I would ask you to consider how you spoke to a paying customer). Thankfully, my daughter is incredibly placid and well-behaved, so the situation would not arise - of that I am confident.

As ever, CWS gets it spot on. I don't know if many of you understand how difficult it can be to get a small child to do exactly what is required in any given situation. A two year old cannot be reasoned with in the same way as you and I. They don't understand the necessity of being belted. The key, as always, is perseverance from the parent. It is not always simply a case of the child being 'poorly behaved'.

obduro

This is called parenting I'm afraid and while you are correct, it is still your responsibility to ensure your child does the necessary - reasoning is not the only way ("Do it because I said so" worked incredibly well when I was a child, because a loud, intimidating telling off was the only option after that!)

PUCCI GALORE

It was my crew days. Nowadays I would not get involved - that's someone else's problem! I think that this was about 30 or so years ago. I suspect that I would not have needed to say anything of the sort to you as the situation would not arise. I was dealing with a full blown battle of wills and fare paying passenger or not, I would not back down over a matter of safety. I have to add that usually firmness and insistence works, but this was exceptional.

secretplantofightinflation

Absolutely. But where do you go when the child still does not obey? I have seen this in action, on aircraft no less!

Personally I would not raise my voice to my child (it sets an awful example), nor would I smack - but I guess I'm lucky in so far as my child does what I ask her to (mostly ). Other parents are not so lucky, and I have sympathy.

But the point stands, and must stand - no belt, no flight.

Can I help you

I have had parents tell me when they were given the extension seatbelt that their child wouldn't use it and they have never been forced to use it by any offer crew on any other airline, yea right!
I just say thank you for telling me early and that the two choices, they have it to comply with the Captains orders or offload, I say that I will give them a minute to decide before I tell the Captain.

WorldLux

This is definitely a first for me. That said, I fully understand that a PIC will not want a passenger on board who refuses to wear a seat belt, particularly if they are children.

Personally I agree with you. That said, you can still drive a car or be a passenger in one with such a notice and you can't be fined (as it is an exemption in some countries similar to cops/taxi drivers not having to wear seat belts).

There are actually cases in which a doctor can and will write these kinds of notes. I don't know about the specific requirements to be exempt from wearing a seat belt, but I believe that people having gone through surgery and can't put any pressure on their chest are exempted from having to wear a seat belt in a car. The pretensioner could activate when you brake too harshly and do quite a bit of damage to the freshly operated passenger. I would however think that those cases are very limited in the case of hip seat belts.

I definitely call BS on multiple kids of the same family having doctor notes of not being allowed seat belts. If the parent said that only for the F/A to disappear, I seriously question her parenting skills. Kids should be taught about the importance of seat belts.

kaizenflying

In the late 90s I remember a similar commotion on return from the US. Full 747 Classic and a woman demanding an upgrade at the door. She didn't fly.
1-800-therapy.

simons1

Strange thread. Who knows what really happened here.

The OP viewing from another cabin has told us what "apparently" happened and has already decided that the "mom didn't want to be a parent". Judgemental or what.

By posts 6 the doctor is branded an "idiot" (without anyone having seen the note or knowing what it said, naturally) and the mother sarcastically as "mom of the year".

The right result was undoubtedly reached but there could have been any number of reasons behind this for which some have been put forward (like autism) and if all we have to go on is one person's account of what "apparently" happened it is hard to judge.

As the parent of an adopted child with special needs, nothing in life is straightforward despite what the armchair experts on FT seem to think.

South London Bon Viveur

Sensible post. However some of the other stories in this thread sound like they involve moron passengers rather than children with special needs. But you are right, without knowing the full facts it is churlish to condemn.

secretplantofightinflation

Fantastic post.

Cris L

Thank you so much! I love this, and wish it was done more frequently!

jimthewhiz

Totally agree!

KeaneJohn

Being an uncle to an autistic child, I'd like to be able to think that I can tell the difference between a child having a meltdown caused by anything and a moronic parent letting their badly behaved kid act up. This is something that my sister taught me and for that I am very grateful.

Indeed an unusual thread, the pilot was right to do what he did but despite all the preparations and hoping for the best on a journey it could possibly be too much for this family.

MSPeconomist

I really wish some pilots would have the guts to refuse to carry lap children, especially the larger and heavier ones, because they create a safety issue for other passengers.