Pregnant singer removed from flight because of fussy toddler
United Airlines caused a media storm after it removed a heavily pregnant singer from a flight, allegedly because her toddler was crying.
Some passengers took to social media to call for a boycott after news of the US carrier’s actions were reported in the US media, but others praised United for removing the child, saying other airlines should follow its example.
Sarah Blackwood, the lead singer of Walk off the Earth, and her son were escorted off the flight from San Fransisco to Vancouver after the little boy started crying loudly as the aircraft taxiied to the runway. When Blackwood, who is seven months pregnant, was unable to calm him, cabin crew ordered the aircraft back to the stand.
Passengers had to endure a 75 minute wait while the mother and son were removed from the aircraft and their bags offloaded, although by the time the pair actually left the aircraft the boy had fallen asleep.
Support flooded in for the singer after she wrote on Twitter, where she had more than 28,000 followers: "Just got kicked off a @united flight because my son was crying really loud. Stayed calm but overall #Discrimination #motherhaters @united"
However, an airline spokesman claimed the child had to be removed as he was not seated and during the taxi he was repeatedly in the aisle of the aircraft, which is against federal regulations.
The airline added: "While our crews work to make travelling safe and comfortable for all travellers, particularly families, the crew made the appropriate decision to return to the gate in the interest of safety."
Some passengers praised the airline. One wrote on the news site TMZ: KUDOS to United! If more airlines did this the rest of us would actually enjoy flying. If you can’t control your brats don’t take them out in public. Nothing is more annoying than a screaming child in a confined space."
Another said: "Keep your baby at home next time. No one likes to see a baby on their flight. Children shouldn’t even be allowed to fly until they reach the age of 5."
And one wrote: "She should have paid for a seat for him and strapped him into his car seat. that way he wouldn’t be a safety risk.. She just didn’t want to pay for the extra ticket. Why would someone 7 months pregnant want to hold a toddler on her lap the entire flight?"
Blackwood claimed that her son had never been in the aisle, telling US news channel CBS that it would have been impossible as she had a window seat. A video released by the singer showed her sitting by the window, arguing with cabin crew who were asking her to secure the child using her own seatbelt, rather than a an extension, which she said she thought was wrong as she had previously been told to hold him on her lap.
Linsey McNeill
Editor Linsey McNeill has been writing about travel for more than three decades. Bylines include The Times, Telegraph, Observer, Guardian and Which? plus the South China Morning Post. She also shares insider tips on thetraveljournalist.co.uk
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