What began as a typical return trip from Disney World on United Airlines quickly escalated into a distressing situation, culminating in police intervention and the removal of a family from the flight. The incident stemmed from a lack of proper preparation by the parents and an unfortunate absence of empathy from the airline staff, leading to the grounding of the plane because the 15-year-old daughter, who is autistic, was considered too disruptive to remain onboard.
Jessica Harper shared her experience on social media, detailing how her daughter refused the food offered before takeoff. After the plane was airborne, Harper sought to get her daughter some warm food, as she has an aversion to cold meals. Despite explaining this need to the flight attendant, her request was denied multiple times. Frustrated, Harper questioned whether assistance would be provided only after her daughter experienced a meltdown. Eventually, the attendant brought a hot meal, albeit with visible reluctance.
Shortly thereafter, an announcement came over the intercom indicating an unexpected landing in Salt Lake City due to a passenger “having issues.” The family, seated at the front of the plane, initially did not suspect that the announcement pertained to them. Harper recounted what transpired next:
Upon landing, two paramedics approached a passenger a few rows ahead to check on him. After determining he was fine, they then came to Harper’s row, asking if everything was okay. She confirmed that all was well and expressed confusion about why they were there. The paramedics inquired about her daughter, Juliette, and when Harper assured them she was fine, the paramedic rolled his eyes, indicating they had more important matters to attend to. He cautioned her that they might be asked to leave the plane.
Soon after, two police officers approached and informed the family they needed to exit. Harper was bewildered, asking why they were being removed. The officers questioned whether her daughter had been scratching anyone, which she denied. She explained the situation regarding the hot food and her intent to prevent a potential meltdown. Despite her reassurances that her daughter was calm and occupied with a video, the officers insisted they had to leave, citing the captain’s discomfort with continuing the flight under the circumstances.
A fellow passenger recorded the family’s departure, capturing the confusion among onlookers, with one even exclaiming, “this is ridiculous.”
This unfortunate episode highlights the need for both families traveling with special needs children and airline crews to engage in better preparation and communication. While it is crucial for parents to ensure all necessary arrangements are made prior to flying—such as notifying the airline about special dietary requirements—airline staff must also be trained to handle such situations with understanding and compassion. It is unacceptable for a 15-year-old who was quietly watching a video to be labeled disruptive and removed from a plane.
In summary, this incident serves as a poignant reminder of the importance of empathy and preparation when it comes to air travel for families with special needs. For more information on pregnancy and home insemination, check out this great resource at Mount Sinai.