It seems that your life can be ruined for just about anything now. People are stupid some times. People make mistakes. But most people are not evil, like the media wants you to think. This story illustrates what happens if you act on instinct...like playing with someone's kid cuz ya know, it might be fun....God forbid.
Recently, the Williamson Family was on flight from Fiji to Sydney with their 17-month-old son, Riley. According to reps from Virgin Blue, one of their flight attendants noticed the young boy playing a game of peek-a-boo with his father and decided to join in on the fun. In an act we assume was without the parent's permission, the flight attendant hoisted the boy into one of the overhead compartments and closed the latch. Outraged, mother Natalie Williamson started yelling at the steward to release her son, which he did under a matter of seconds.
Now, the steward has been fired and Natalie is telling sources that their whole family is traumatized by the ordeal. She insists that her son was locked in the compartment for up to 10 seconds in complete darkness and now is suffering from anxiety and withdrawal because of it. Really? 10 seconds put this kid into PTSD? The airlines released an official apology to the family, as well as offered three free flights for the family to use. However, Natalie said she was too "shaken" to accept.Hmmmm....
Now, we're not arguing that this guy didn't cross a line. He had no business handling a child that young without the parent's permission.With that said, it's clear he was just trying to be friendly. Kids get fussy on planes. He was probably just trying to get the kid to laugh. This is where I get confused. I mean, if they are this freaked out then they had to have been right there with their son. They had to have seen what was happening. They obviously aren't letting the child run a muck through the plane. So if the parents were in view why didn't they just stop him. I wasn't there obviously, but really???
They seem to be overacting a bit. Just sayin'. What do you say?
i say, i cant believe things get to this point, why is this even newsworthy? its not like he kidnapped their kid while they werent looking.... would he really do something in front of a plane full of people that was inappropriate? But again we dont know the whole story so who knows how it went down...but syaing he has PTSD from it, are they just trying to get more since they are already offering free plane tickets. Id like to hear what some of the other passengers think, was the child freaking out, what were the parents doing etc.
ReplyDeleteThat was an odd thing to do, to put the kid in the compartment but how many times do we act innocently without fully thinking it through? For me, all the time. I'd rather people take an interest in my kids while I still maintain my job of keeping them safe, than to have strangers to scared to interact for fear of being misunderstood. I think it's especially difficult for men to play with a child without getting glares than for women. Whatever. It's this family's loss.
ReplyDeleteKate Dickey
It's all a product of the sue happy nature we have now. Free tickets isnt enough fof most people because they think a jury will award them a million dollars! They are looking for their big payday! If It was my kid , I would have insisted they NOT fire the steward , just talk to him about handling someone elses kids. And yes I probably would have taken the free flights!
ReplyDeleteCorey
Obviously this guy had no business handling the child, and certianly had no business putting him in the overhead compartment!! Really, who does that? Even as a joke, what was he thinking?? The parents obviously were not paying attention or maybe it happened so fast they watched in disbelief.
ReplyDeleteIn my opinion, they are blowing this out of proportion. IF the child suffers from anything, it is probably because of the parents reaction to it all. The child picks up on it and doesn't understand so he/she responds in the same manner as Mommy.
Take the free air fare and shut it.
Brenda
They'll prbably be on Good Morning America tomorrow
ReplyDeleteWhere were the parents while the attendant picked up the kid, hoisted him overhead and put him into the compartment? Why didnt they say anything as this all happened?
ReplyDeleteI think the most shocking thing about this is that there was any empty space in the overhead bin.
ok so the flight attendant was wrong, but seriously this is a classic axample of another whiney family looking for money which will tie up the legal system with another bullshit lawsuit. Hoping what goes around comes around for them.
ReplyDeleteWow, but i have seen people first hand who grossly exaggerate situations for nothing more than attention so i believe it. Uh I once jumped onto a moving merry go round to stop an attendant from shaking the horse my 3 year old son was riding back and forth as my son's neck looked like it could be damaged. I yelled at him too and reported him.
ReplyDelete