Didn't like movie thrown off plane

[DebbieB]

Another reason why we don't fly (although a minor one).

Even if edited down, there's probably still a lot that would frighten a toddler. And you can't control what they look at for 101 minutes (the length of Alex Cross through IMDB.com.

My DGD-4 is at that stage in which she's frightened of Scooby Doo. A couple of weeks ago, she ran crying to me regarding a new monster cartoon on Nickelodeon. At least we can change the station. But we can't change the channel on an airplane.

Wondering if anyone missed their connections out of Baltimore because of this.

The thing is they can't hear the sound of the movie on the plane, you have to have earphones plugged into the movie channel on the armrest. So I can't imagine that it would keep their interest. I'm not sure if it was the type of plane where the screens come down from the overheads or if it was the type where the monitors were over the aisle. The screens aren't that big. My question is did the kids actually get frightened or did the parents overreact.

 

[momof3ds]

That is an extremely violent movie, even edited down. Our kids have seen avengers, Spider-Man, Harry potter, etc but I would not want them watching this, even without headphones!

The parents had a valid argument.

That being said, airplanes should get rid of those monitors. Most people are traveling with their own devices at this point.

 

[danielmorgan03]

The airline should charge the family for the cost of the diversion. As a whole our skin is way too thin these days and the family was inconsiderate in delaying others. How lame are we now when a parent can't tell their kids it's make believe. It wasn't pornography the airline was showing.

 

[amym2]

I hadn't heard about this until now, and just yesterday I was wondering what movies they will show on our October flight to Hawaii on UA. The thought crossed my mind that I hope it's not something inappropriate for my kids (11 and 9). While it's easy to say that parents should "divert their kids' attention," that is not always realistic. I can guarantee that even if my kids were watching a movie on their own player, their eyes would be drawn to the public screen from time to time. And once a child sees something violent, it cannot be unseen. My 11yo has seen PG-13 movies, and we are usually pretty lax about letting him watch war movies (he has seen The Patriot), but there are certainly topics that are off-limits (ie serial killers). No matter what the situation in this case, it seems like airlines could use some judgment with what movies to show when they know they will have child passengers. Guess I'll keep my fingers crossed for movies that my kids can watch on the plane! Or even better, personal movie players on the plane!

Oh and from what I read, the passengers around the family agreed that the movie was too violent for kids and were okay with folding up the screen, but the flight attendants wouldn't/couldn't do it. So the family asked for the flight attendants to ask the captain (as you would ask for a manager in a store). Doesn't sound like they made any threats or tried to approach the captain. Would be interesting to hear from others on the plane as to what really happened.

 

[seashoreCM]

If all the airline did was transfer the affected family to another flight then the airline had admitted that its choice of movie was improper.

And apparently the pilot (and I presume others the pilot contacted on the ground) felt that stopping to transfer the family was better than shutting off the movie even though the added cost the airline absorbed (I estmate) was about $19,999., it probablywould have cost no more than $1. of flight attendant labor to shut off the movie.

 

[maxiesmom]

If all the airline did was transfer the affected family to another flight then the airline had admitted that its choice of movie was improper.

And apparently the pilot (and I presume others the pilot contacted on the ground) felt that stopping to transfer the family was better than shutting off the movie even though the added cost the airline absorbed (I estmate) was about $19,999., it probablywould have cost no more than $1. of flight attendant labor to shut off the movie.

They probably don't want to set the example. How much craziness would ensue if all it took was one complaint for a whole section of an aircraft to be denied watching the movie?

 

[sam_gordon]

They probably don't want to set the example. How much craziness would ensue if all it took was one complaint for a whole section of an aircraft to be denied watching the movie?

But it makes sense that one complaint forces the aircraft to make a diversion?

 

[danielmorgan03]

Remember its always about me today. Granted I think Tyler Perry is horrid but I wouldn't force diversion of a plane because I didn't want my kids to see. Also we don't know the while story the family could have been yelling and irate. The media sanitizes many stories due to the editors leanings.

 

[sam_gordon]

Remember its always about me today. Granted I think Tyler Perry is horrid but I wouldn't force diversion of a plane because I didn't want my kids to see. Also we don't know the while story the family could have been yelling and irate. The media sanitizes many stories due to the editors leanings.

You are correct, we don't know if the family was causing a scene. But we don't know they did either. As far as I'm concerned, unless more information comes out refuting the reports, I'm taking them at their word. And if they were causing a scene, I'm surprised they weren't arrested.

As far as your example of 'Tyler Perry', there's a difference (IMO) between a "bad" movie/show and an "inappropriate" movie/show.

I've been on flights were the overhead video system didn't work. Wouldn't the "always about me" also qualify the passengers (and we don't know there were any) who thought "the airline owes me a movie".

 

[Tonka's Skipper]

They probably don't want to set the example. How much craziness would ensue if all it took was one complaint for a whole section of an aircraft to be denied watching the movie?

Hi maxiesmom,

We usually agree, but in this case there more to the story.

The parents asked once, and then they did divert the child's attention, then other Attendants came over and discussed it. The person seating next to them and the people around them all told the attendants that they had no problem turning the movie off.


My problem with all this is the over top reaction of the Pilot. Diverting the plane and having a mob of security and FBI waiting. They interviewed the parents for less then 5 minutes and then left.

 

[danielmorgan03]

Sam the movie was a Tyler Perry movie. Man grow a pair and a sense of humor. We as a society coddle and extend adolescence into the twenties to the point that we have not created men an women but adult kids who cannot stand on their own. I see it every day in my profession and I have to set an example of how to be a person that can take care of themselves. It's really sad an thats all I'm going to say about that. Oh and damn the Victorians for the creation of adolescence.

 

[msjprincess]

Sam the movie was a Tyler Perry movie. Man grow a pair and a sense of humor. We as a society coddle and extend adolescence into the twenties to the point that we have not created men an women but adult kids who cannot stand on their own. I see it every day in my profession and I have to set an example of how to be a person that can take care of themselves. It's really sad an thats all I'm going to say about that. Oh and damn the Victorians for the creation of adolescence.

It wasn't the usual Tyler Perry movie. It was Alex Cross. I haven't seen the movie but I have read the books and have seen other movies from the series with Morgan Freeman. There are parts that are pretty violent and gruesome.

 

[goofy4tink]

Airlines need to be aware of movie content if they are going to show them on overhead screens. Now....I doubt that little children were going to be able to see those screens easily. They are short, the seatback in front of them is usually in the way. I would imagine that we would hear more of an outcry about
'my kids are too short to see over the seat in front of them...they can't see the movie!!!' than this type of scenario.
I don't think we need to censor things, but we do need to make better choices. Where does it stop?? Can JB no longer show anything that might be offensive simply because your child might end up seated next to a stranger who wants to watch an R rated movie..and pay for it??? That could easily happen. Or if your child has to sit next to someone that is watching something you don't particularly approve of on their personal viewing device?? Where does it stop?

I have to think that there is more to this story than we are getting. I find it extraordinarily hard to believe that because parents kept asking for a movie screen to be shut down the pilot diverted the plane and had them taken off the plane. That is just nutty!!

 

[sam_gordon]

Sam the movie was a Tyler Perry movie. Man grow a pair and a sense of humor. We as a society coddle and extend adolescence into the twenties to the point that we have not created men an women but adult kids who cannot stand on their own. I see it every day in my profession and I have to set an example of how to be a person that can take care of themselves. It's really sad an thats all I'm going to say about that. Oh and damn the Victorians for the creation of adolescence.

I don't know why you feel you need to insult me because I voiced my opinion.

I don't see a parent saying a movie is inappropriate for their children to watch is "coddling". SHOULDN'T parents do that? Now, is it possible the kids couldn't see the screen at all? Sure. Is it possible the family was sitting immediately behind the screen so the kids COULD easily see it? Of course. I'm guessing if the kids couldn't see the screen at all, why would it be an issue?

I do agree it brings up an interesting thought process regarding the personal seat back entertainment centers and what is available on them. However, I would ASSUME a child is sitting with a parent, so switching seats is an option (if the "stranger" is in the aisle, the child in the middle, and the parent in the window for example). But I don't think it's right for the airline to play a PG13 movie on the overhead screens.

 

[Lewisc]

The parents asked once, and then they did divert the child's attention, then other Attendants came over and discussed it. The person seating next to them and the people around them all told the attendants that they had no problem turning the movie off.

Do you have a link? Were you on the plane? Your version doesn't even match the version offered by the family. The family said they asked two flight attendants, then spoke to the purser then finally asked if the pilot had the authority to fold up a screen.

It wasn't the usual Tyler Perry movie. It was Alex Cross. I haven't seen the movie but I have read the books and have seen other movies from the series with Morgan Freeman. There are parts that are pretty violent and gruesome.

We really can't comment unless we've seen the version of the movie aired on the plane. United says most movies are edited.

 

[sam_gordon]

We really can't comment unless we've seen the version of the movie aired on the plane. United says most movies are edited.

Here's what I'm ASSUMING happened... Either...

1) Family boards the flight, looks through the in flight magazine (or asks a FA), see 'Alex Cross' will be the movie, does a quick search on IMDB or other sites, sees what appears in the movie and starts the questioning.
2) Family boards the flight, the plane takes off, the movie starts, and then the parents (either through previous knowledge of the movie) or browsing the internet, raises objections.

Either way, I'm guessing the family, even if they knew the movie was edited, didn't know what parts were edited out and took steps to prevent their kids from watching a movie they felt was inappropriate. Isn't that what parents are supposed to do? Did the parents go overboard? THAT'S my big question on this. If not, the pilot went overboard by diverting the plane.

ETA: I know the 'American Pie' series of movies have been edited to be shown on "basic cable". That doesn't mean I want my kids being able to watch them. Same with 'Family Guy'... it's shown on a main network, so it's no higher than PG13. I still don't want my kids watching it.

 

[sam_gordon]

Here's an interesting (to me at least) article including a interview with the director from 'Alex Cross' AND reaction from another parent who saw the movie on a different flight...

http://www.theatlantic.com/national/archive/2013/04/from-the-director-of-the-film-that-made-a-pilot-divert-a-plane/274745/

 

[goofy4tink]

Here's an interesting (to me at least) article including a interview with the director from 'Alex Cross' AND reaction from another parent who saw the movie on a different flight...

http://www.theatlantic.com/national/archive/2013/04/from-the-director-of-the-film-that-made-a-pilot-divert-a-plane/274745/

Interesting to say the least. The thing that bothers me is that you wouldn't (hopefully anyway) allow a 10 y/o into the theatre to view that movie. So, why in heaven's name would an airline put it up for general consumption? A movie that is up there, for all to see, should be age appropriate for all passengers.

 

[bumbershoot]

Sam the movie was a Tyler Perry movie.

He acted in it, but he certainly isn't playing Madea.


Little kids can see through the gap between seats better than adults can, sometimes. I'm amazed at what my son can see in front of us. Depending on exact seat configuration, a kid could totally see a screen (and what's worse is when you THINK they can't because YOU can't, and find out later that they can...when they start asking questions).


I hope that this causes airlines to be a bit more careful in their movie selection. Interesting that the director didn't do an airline cut, and even he would have had a problem with it playing on a plane.

 

[Lewisc]

Interesting that the director didn't do an airline cut, and even he would have had a problem with it playing on a plane.

The director did do a TV version (edit) of the movie. He assumed the airline would have some additional edits made. Does the director ever have responsibility for making an airline edit?

1. Passengers like IFE.
2. I agree tablets, smartphones, laptops...suggest WiFi and seat power may be more important then IFE for some passengers.
3. Not everyone wants to watch a G movie.
4. I don't have an issue with a PG13 movie which was at least edited to broadcast TV standards.
5. Parents complained to 2 flight attendants, purser and wanted to escalate the issue to the pilot. At some point you have to accept NO as the answer.
6. Some people shouldn't fly.

United says most movies are edited. It's not clear if this movie was edited. Makes all the difference.