New York – American Airlines Apologizes For Onboard Clash Over Stroller

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    New York – American Airlines on Saturday apologized to a female passenger and suspended an employee after a video showing an onboard clash over a baby stroller went viral, in the latest embarassment for a U.S. carrier over how it treated a customer.

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    The clip, posted to Facebook on Friday by a bystander on the flight, shows a woman in tears with a young child in her arms, and a man emerging from his seat to confront a male flight attendant.

    Facebook user Surain Adyanthaya, who put the video on his page, said in his post that the flight attendant had forcefully taken the stroller from the woman, hitting her with it and just missing her child.

    “You do that to me and I’ll knock you flat,” the unidentified man tells the flight attendant.

    The crew member then points his finger angrily and challenges the passenger to hit him.

    The video shows the man eventually returning to his seat.

    American Airlines said in a statement it was investigating the incident, which took place before the plane took off on a flight from San Francisco to Dallas.

    “We are deeply sorry for the pain we have caused this passenger and her family and to any other customers affected by the incident,” the airline said in a statement released early on Saturday.

    The woman elected to take another flight and was upgraded to first class, the airline said.

    Less than two weeks ago, United Air Lines (UAL.N) found itself in a public relations nightmare when a video appeared online showing a 69-year-old doctor being dragged off one of its flights to make room for a crew member, sparking international outrage and policy changes by the airline.


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    7 Comments
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    6 years ago

    The cowardly flight attendant, who was suspended, should be fired. It is too bad that the male passenger didn’t punch the guy. I remember a similar incident at Newark Airport, in 2001, whereby a gate agent manhandled a young child who started running near a gate. When his Mother ran after him, the gate agent started shoving her. Unlike this time, the husband confronted the violent gate agent, and got into a fight with him. During the altercation, the gate agent suffered injuries to his spine. The dumb prosecutors charged the husband and father of the child with felonious assault. He was eventually acquitted by a Newark jury. The gate agent sued the airline and the passenger. Unfortunately, this is what flying has boiled down to. Years ago, passengers were treated like royalty on commercial airliners. Today, the animals in the cargo area, are treated more humanely than the passengers. I don’t see what the big deal was in bringing a small baby stroller on a plane. The airliners permit all sort of junk to be brought on a flight, anyway, including large suitcases, which people cram into the bins. If possible, people should drive, take the train or the bus.

    Mark Levin
    Mark Levin
    6 years ago

    The problem is flight attendants have been given the power , l’havdil, of G-d . They think their word is final. They have fat heads from the power trip.

    Butterfly
    Butterfly
    6 years ago

    This should never have happened! Flight attendant should be fired! No passenger should be in tears!! Just one look at the small video is enough to make you decide to drive anywhere!! Even to take the extra two days with no pay!! Nobody should suffer like that woman and child!! Enough! The airlines do not own us!! WE buy the tickets!! Let us not buy!!

    yosher
    yosher
    6 years ago

    It’s worse on El Al. The authority new laws enacted to control terror in the air, have allowed airlines unmitigated arrogance.

    6 years ago

    To: #3-The gentleman from Samoa- I agree 100% with you; Quantas Airlines, Japan Airlines, Singapore Airlines, Asiana Airlines, Malaysia Airlines, as well as European Airlines, such as Lufthansa, SAS, Alitalia, and Swissair all treat their passengers with courtesy and respect. However, the flight attendants and the gate attendants in the USA, have a chip on their shoulders, and an air of arrogance, from the minute the minute that they get up in the morning. Today, flying on a domestic airliner in the USA, is tantamount to riding the NYC subway. Years ago, people used to dress up to fly, and there was a different socio-economic crowd on the flights. Today, it is common to see smelly people on the flights, people with rings on their belly buttons, people who look like Hell’s Angels with a zillion tatoos, etc. This is what has occurred since airlines were deregulated. Incidentally, has everyone noticed what the Captain on that flight did? He did NOTHING. He took the path of least resistance. Captain Chesley Sullenberger, would have thrown that arrogant flight attendant off, as he never would have stood, for such an abuse of authority.