By now, most of what needs to be said about the incident on board a recent AirTran flight (crying, unruly toddler, frazzled parents, impatient passengers... DEPLANING) has been said.
The traveling public has given a resounding thumbs up to the airline (92% of e-mails to AirTran were supportive of the crew's eviction of the family). One blogger declared that AirTran is his airline of choice from now on. One can almost hear the passengers cheering when the toddler was put off the plane.
My two cents: the parents are in for a trifecta of embarrassment. Shame #1 - the child was out of control in public. Few things are more awkward. Those who practice the fine art of corporal punishment look for a restroom or return to the parking lot for a clear, decisive, non-abusive swat. Where to go on a plane? If you don't use "the rod," what do you do for a "time out" on a tightly scheduled airliner?
Embarrassment #2 - the threat of a lawsuit. Even the couple said they were humiliated by being put off the plane. What a misplaced sentiment! The whining of adults (threat of lawsuit) is plainly read by all (now 22,000 + hits on Google!) as nothing more than a tantrum.
Embarrassment #3 - the rejection of that suit. The airline was more than generous by picking up the cost of their tickets, and an offering three more free round trip tickets. (AirTran passengers are thankful the couple refused, vowing never to fly AirTran again.) Should this couple have the chutzpah to actually file, I hope the legal system puts them off that "plane" as well.
Brothers in Massachusetts, rally around your friend, Gerry Kulesza, and help him build some loving discipline in his home. Of course, discipline is up to both parents. But dude. Seriously. Step up and help those beautiful ladies in your house understand the essential nature of discipline. By God's grace, they can live down this episode of parental immaturity.
The traveling public has given a resounding thumbs up to the airline (92% of e-mails to AirTran were supportive of the crew's eviction of the family). One blogger declared that AirTran is his airline of choice from now on. One can almost hear the passengers cheering when the toddler was put off the plane.
My two cents: the parents are in for a trifecta of embarrassment. Shame #1 - the child was out of control in public. Few things are more awkward. Those who practice the fine art of corporal punishment look for a restroom or return to the parking lot for a clear, decisive, non-abusive swat. Where to go on a plane? If you don't use "the rod," what do you do for a "time out" on a tightly scheduled airliner?
Embarrassment #2 - the threat of a lawsuit. Even the couple said they were humiliated by being put off the plane. What a misplaced sentiment! The whining of adults (threat of lawsuit) is plainly read by all (now 22,000 + hits on Google!) as nothing more than a tantrum.
Embarrassment #3 - the rejection of that suit. The airline was more than generous by picking up the cost of their tickets, and an offering three more free round trip tickets. (AirTran passengers are thankful the couple refused, vowing never to fly AirTran again.) Should this couple have the chutzpah to actually file, I hope the legal system puts them off that "plane" as well.
Brothers in Massachusetts, rally around your friend, Gerry Kulesza, and help him build some loving discipline in his home. Of course, discipline is up to both parents. But dude. Seriously. Step up and help those beautiful ladies in your house understand the essential nature of discipline. By God's grace, they can live down this episode of parental immaturity.
By the way, I actually enjoy sitting next to children on flights. I interact with them, play with them, distract them, and otherwise try to give their parents some rest and encouragement. And if they're uncomfortable or agitated, or just bad, I enjoy it all the more, because I look at them with the "eye," and they know that I know the game. They usually simmer down, and I tell the parents, "Keep up the good work. Be strong. You can win at raising these children." Those are important words for parents in a society that gives little support to strong disciplinarians, but always appreciates the peaceful result.
I am forever indebted to Dr. James Dobson's first major book, Dare to Discipline (1982). When I read it as a young parent in the 80's, his was a rare voice in parenting. He laid out the nature of children, and the terms and conditions for discipline, corporal and otherwise, in the context of LOVE. Brilliant, and still valid. Kids haven't changed.
MSN posted an article on its Men's channel, "No" by Kristopher Kaiyala.
Another good article from MSN Travel: "No Babies on Board"
MSN posted an article on its Men's channel, "No" by Kristopher Kaiyala.
Another good article from MSN Travel: "No Babies on Board"
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