Girl on plane not able to use bathroom

[kaytieeldr]

Remember the FA who worked for I believe it was SW, a few years ago he flipped out on an unruly customer, then quit? That guy wouldn't get off the news. Something tells me he was just waiting for an excuse.

"He quit" being the focus. No longer employed by that company. They can't stop him.

 

[sonofanarchy]

On the ground, the plane is apt to stop and start abruptly which could toss a person about the lavatory/cabin.

Can't turbulence do the same thing?

 

[Art 1]

Can't turbulence do the same thing?

The airlines might not be liable for that but would be if it happened on the ground.

 

[EMode]

Can't turbulence do the same thing?

That is why they put the fasten seatbelt sign on and expect you to remain in your seat while its lit

 

[sonofanarchy]

That is why they put the fasten seatbelt sign on and expect you to remain in your seat while its lit

I know. I'm talking about when it first goes off. If you're on the can, not much they can do.

I'm not really being serious. I just had this image of the guy in "Airplane" shaving in the lavatory and cutting himself to pieces while the plane was bouncing all over the place.

 

[Gracie09]

That is why they put the fasten seatbelt sign on and expect you to remain in your seat while its lit

Exactly. That's why they say if you are in your seat you should have your seat belt fastened.

Once when I was flying into or out of Nola I can't remember which, the plane landed and the FA made the announcement to remain in your seat with your seatbelt fastened until they pull up to the jetway and the sign is turned off. Of course people ignored her and started unfasten inhabe gathering the stuff under their seat. The plane stopped suddenly and people were thrown into the seats I front of them. No one was hurt but the Fa got back on the speaker and said something to the effect that that is why you need to keep your seatbelt on until the light goes off. Snarky, perhaps a bit but it was true

 

[DisneyNutMary]

Regardless of what happened on that plane, whether the mother was wrong, the flight attendant was wrong, both wrong, whatever, JetBlue's response of throwing money at the mother to make things ok bothers me. This knee jerk reaction of corporations throwing money at people, who were likely in the wrong (mom violated an FAA rule, not an airline rule or the rule of a cranky flight crew), only reinforces the behavior. We live in a world where people's sense of entitlement is out of control, and it gets worse every day.
JetBlue would have been better off apologizing to the mom for her experience, and ended it there...instead they threw money at mom, who blabbed it to the media, and who now has it ingrained in her head that it's ok for her to do what she wants as long as she is willing to complain loudly when she doesn't like the consequences, and who has now let a world full of people that rules don't apply, and you'll get a paycheck out of it if you complain loudly enough. Customer service is being ruined by the greedy customer.

 

[LBIJim]

Exactly. That's why they say if you are in your seat you should have your seat belt fastened.

Once when I was flying into or out of Nola I can't remember which, the plane landed and the FA made the announcement to remain in your seat with your seatbelt fastened until they pull up to the jetway and the sign is turned off. Of course people ignored her and started unfasten inhabe gathering the stuff under their seat. The plane stopped suddenly and people were thrown into the seats I front of them. No one was hurt but the Fa got back on the speaker and said something to the effect that that is why you need to keep your seatbelt on until the light goes off. Snarky, perhaps a bit but it was true

Something similar happened on an Air Canada flight. The plane stopped somewhat short of the jetway. People started getting up and the FA made the announcement to please sit down until the seat belt sign is turned off. Of course most of the people who stood up ignored her. Suddenly the plane lurched forward and some people stumbled. The FA gave the same snarky response as above in English. I didn't quite fully understand the French announcement, but it seemed to be something on the order of "you got what you deserved."

 

[OceanAnnie]

Child crying had nothing to do with the plane being turned around. That was instigated by the mother refusing to comply with Flight Crew directions.

I imagine the child crying being uncomfortable led to the mother getting up to do something about it.

Regardless of what happened on that plane, whether the mother was wrong, the flight attendant was wrong, both wrong, whatever, JetBlue's response of throwing money at the mother to make things ok bothers me. This knee jerk reaction of corporations throwing money at people, who were likely in the wrong (mom violated an FAA rule, not an airline rule or the rule of a cranky flight crew), only reinforces the behavior. We live in a world where people's sense of entitlement is out of control, and it gets worse every day.
JetBlue would have been better off apologizing to the mom for her experience, and ended it there...instead they threw money at mom, who blabbed it to the media, and who now has it ingrained in her head that it's ok for her to do what she wants as long as she is willing to complain loudly when she doesn't like the consequences, and who has now let a world full of people that rules don't apply, and you'll get a paycheck out of it if you complain loudly enough. Customer service is being ruined by the greedy customer.

I read a blurb about the mother saying she didn't want anything. She had flown with JetBlue for years and now will not because of this. I don't know if anything has changed since then.

 

[sonofanarchy]

I'm glad they're giving $5,000 to a charity. I guess I just don't understand why. They're standing by what happened, yet at the same time admitting they were wrong.

 

[bcla]

Remember the FA who worked for I believe it was SW, a few years ago he flipped out on an unruly customer, then quit? That guy wouldn't get off the news. Something tells me he was just waiting for an excuse.

Perhaps you're thinking of JetBlue FA Steven Slater? He went over the intercom and blasted the passenger he claimed to have dropped a bag on his head, grabbed a beer, then activated the emergency slide and went down to the tarmac. Witness statements were that nobody dropped anything on his head.

 

[CinqueTerre]

Again, turns out the "rules" here are QUITE arbitrary, and the FA has the discretion.

Here's an interesting quote from an actual person in the industry:

"As a member of cabin crew for a major airline I will admit there are a lot of frustrated and unhappy militant types of flight attendants out there. Unfortunately Jet Blue historically has had plenty of sour grapes - which shows there is something not right in the management end of their company. My company, while in training, has informed our crew members to be aware of the needs of the passenger. Furthermore, any experienced flight attendant would've called the flight deck to make them aware the cabin wasn't secure and allowed this child to use the lavatory. "

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/06/14/urinating-child-jet-blue_n_5495173.html

I like militant FA's personally. I like people who can keep order and don't tolerate any nonsense on a flight.

Oh and before we start attacking JetBlue, they were recently voted the 2nd best airline, just behind Virgin America. VA and JB are by far the 2 best domestic airlines and it's not even close.

 

[CinqueTerre]

I am amazed at the lack of compassion for a child having an accident and the mother being in a difficult position of comforting her child, cleaning up in tight quarters, and embarrassment. IMO you can't tell the mother's tone. I read it as pleading for a break, not demanding.

I think everyone here feels compassion for the child, doesn't mean we're willing to let a mother and child argue with an FA that is in the process of taking off. Taking off is the most dangerous part of a flight where many things can go wrong and quite a few folks are probably on edge. The last thing the other passengers want or need is an argument between a confused passenger and the FA. If the FA tells you to sit, you sit. End of discussion.

 

[The Mystery Machine]

I think everyone here feels compassion for the child, doesn't mean we're willing to let a mother and child argue with an FA that is in the process of taking off. Taking off is the most dangerous part of a flight where many things can go wrong and quite a few folks are probably on edge. The last thing the other passengers want or need is an argument between a confused passenger and the FA. If the FA tells you to sit, you sit. End of discussion.

Right.

Once in flight you can clean up your kid.

I really do feel for the mom and kid however it is safety first.

Could things have been handled more appropriately by the FA? Yes, not arguing that point.

I really wish the FA would have asked the pilot for a bathroom allowance for the kid. The answer might have been no, but at least she could have asked.

That being said it is not always possible unfortunately. Just be prepared.

 

[jodifla]

I like militant FA's personally. I like people who can keep order and don't tolerate any nonsense on a flight.

Oh and before we start attacking JetBlue, they were recently voted the 2nd best airline, just behind Virgin America. VA and JB are by far the 2 best domestic airlines and it's not even close.

Oh, yes. All those hooligans trying to use bathrooms! The nerve of them to have bodily functions.

 

[jodifla]

Actually rules are rules, just because you were once on a plane and they once let a passenger use a restroom doens't mean it happens and a lot depends weather the plane is stationary or moving could move at any moment. Since you weren't there you don't know the situation and yes I will side with jet blue and please provide a link where this other pilot said they were wrong , all I read is he came to the womans defense about not getting ejected from the plane, but he didn't intervene when she wanted to get up

Again I will side with jet blue.

I've been on a plane multiples times where we were sitting on the tarmac and they let people get up to use the restrooms. Including my 4-year-old son when the time sitting stretched to hours.

I've also quoted from stories and an airline attendant that this is not a hard and fast rule, that accommodations can be made.


Jet Blue needs to train their staff better.

 

[robinb]

Could things have been handled more appropriately by the FA? Yes, not arguing that point.

I really wish the FA would have asked the pilot for a bathroom allowance for the kid. The answer might have been no, but at least she could have asked.

We don't know that she didn't and the airline isn't saying.

I've been on a plane multiples times where we were sitting on the tarmac and they let people get up to use the restrooms. Including my 4-year-old son when the time sitting stretched to hours.

I've also quoted from stories and an airline attendant that this is not a hard and fast rule, that accommodations can be made.


Jet Blue needs to train their staff better.

I mentioned this upthread, but in case you missed it: another piece that is missing from the story is exactly how close they were to taxi and take-off. If a plane is on the tarmac with the departure fairly far in the future then there is no reason why the flight crew cannot make an exception and allow passengers to use the bathroom. If they are minutes away from moving then they would need to stay in their seat or delay both the plane they are on and everyone behind them.

 

[sam_gordon]

I've been on a plane multiples times where we were sitting on the tarmac and they let people get up to use the restrooms. Including my 4-year-old son when the time sitting stretched to hours.

I've also quoted from stories and an airline attendant that this is not a hard and fast rule, that accommodations can be made.


Jet Blue needs to train their staff better.

I don't think anyone is denying exceptions can and have been made. I even mentioned an exception made for my DD. However, did the mom ASK the FA or just get up while the plane was taxiing? Unfortunately, we just have one side of the story, and of course the mom is going to present her side in the best light toward her.

 

[Tozzie]

I've been on a plane multiples times where we were sitting on the tarmac and they let people get up to use the restrooms. Including my 4-year-old son when the time sitting stretched to hours.


Jet Blue needs to train their staff better.

That is your opinion which doenst mean much I think the parents need to plan better.

 

[MakiraMarlena]

I love to fly JetBlue but I had four flights in May, two were delayed in excess of 2 hours and one was cancelled which resulted in an unexpected overnight stay. Then this month two friends had flights cancelled within a week of each other. I'm sure some was weather but all of mine were mechanical issues.