From the Independent -
http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/autistic-teen-removed-from-plane-by-uncomfortable-pilot-10239739.htmlA US couple and their teenage daughter with autism were told to get off an airplane after the pilot said the girl was making him ^feel uncomfortable^ and made an emergency stop.
Donna Beegle was travelling with her 15-year-old daughter Juliette Forbes from Houston to Portland when the United Airlines pilot landed the plane at Salt Lake City and had the family escorted out, KOIN reported.
Ms Forbes has trouble expressing herself and Ms Beegle realised that she had not eaten in some time. Her daughter was calm but she knew there was a risk of her getting upset and so asked the cabin crew if there was a hot meal she could buy.
The only hot food available was for first class passengers, and the stewardess told Ms Beegle that she couldn^t make an exception ^ even if she were to pay for it.
It was when Ms Beegle explained that if her daughter did not get a hot meal she might ^get to the melting point^ and maybe scratch someone, that she received a dinner tray, ate and remained calm.
Around half an hour later Ms Forbes was watching television when the pilot announced they were making an emergency stop in Salt Lake City, Utah, because of a passenger ^at the back of the plane who has behaviour issues.^
Police and paramedics came on board when the plane had landed to tell the family they had to leave and that the pilot had said he did not feel comfortable flying with her there.
Ms Beegle said she stood up and asked passengers if anyone had a problem with her daughter. ^The people were like ^no, leave her alone^ she told KOIN.
She said the incident was caused by a ^fear of autism,^ and that ^I get the ignorance but it has to change.^
She is in the process of filing a law suit and said she hoped to raise awareness of autism and make sure airline employees have are appropriately trained.
United Airlines issued a statement saying: ^After working to accommodate Dr Beegle and her daughter during the flight, the crew made the best decision for the safety and comfort of all of our customers.^
I've shared this article as I think it's worthy of discussion and shows what some, like myself, with Autistic Spectrum Disorders can encounter. Anything from clear discrimination and sheer ignorance to some of the best and exemplary customer service transport providers can offer.
I am sure there is alot more to this story than meets the eye. So my comments are going to be based on the article at
face valueA known factor of autism is that one cannot express or explain themselves. A read of some of my own posts on this very forum shows I struggle to explain things and it takes me a good 3 or 4 posts to finally get my point across in a way they're understood.
The parent offered to pay for the meal. But the onboard crew decided to refuse and it resorted to what the Pilot deemed as a threat... The parent saying the girl may scratch someone...
Now from the pictures it is clear the girl was sat in the Window Seat. So the only person who would have got scratched are her parents - who would know how to handle the situation and what to do.
My personal belief is the mother asked for the meal to
prevent known behavior which would not occur once the girl had eaten.
That is not a threat - It is purely an explanation of what will happen if action is not taken.
Let me put that into context. 5 Years ago I took a Ryanair Flight to Madrid. There was terrible turbulence and the seat belt signs were on for the whole the journey. Eventually I needed the toilet so I asked the Stewardess if I could use the toilets. With an hour left to fly, I made it undoubtedly clear that waiting till Madrid wasn't going to happen. She had a word with the Pilot and she came back to me and said and I quote:
"Toilets all yours, but you hurt or damage yourself or someone else, it's on you, caphice?"
Common sense prevailed on that one... I have no doubts that Ryanair have a soiling charge
Ultimately I think landing the plane and announcing it as a passenger with behavior issues is the pilot being a bully. It's clear from the reports that passengers had no concern.
I actually think someone with a fear of flying is a greater risk of doing something stupid than the girl here. But as I said earlier, only one side of the story.
Hand on heart I say this, If I was travelling in the First Class cabin and for 1 moment thought this was going on... I would
willingly forfeit my meal for them. As a hypothetical First Class passenger I would expect the cabin crew to honor that request as well.
Having seen a
TM‡ on East Midlands Trains refuse a parent/carer a bottle of water, (which she offered to pay for) as she couldn't leave her seat because of the high support needing child she was with. Whilst I was in the Buffet I asked for a complimentary bottle of water which was given without fuss. As I walked back to First Class I put the bottle of water on the table as I passed and just kept walking.
Some say it was wrong for me to do that. Some agree they would have done the same. I saw it as a good dead of the day, It was clear the lady was having issues with her supportee... So it just seemed the right thing to do
All in all I think this is indeed fear and misunderstanding with Autism. Common sense should have come into play here. I wonder how the airline would have reacted to a request to pay to upgrade to First Class.........
