British Airways Treats Passenger Like Pervert, Passenger Sues

[HuckleB]

http://www.jaunted.com/story/2010/1/19/82156/2670/travel/British+Airways+Treats+Passenger+Like+Pervert%2C+Passenger+Sues

Another piece on the story:

http://www.theaustralian.com.au/travel/news/british-airways-sued-over-humiliating-policy/story-e6frg8ro-1225820673018

"A BUSINESSMAN is suing British Airways over a policy that bans male passengers sitting next to children they don't know - even if the child's parents are on the same flight.

Mirko Fischer accuses the airline of branding all men as potential sex offenders and claimed innocent travellers are being publicly humiliated.

In line with the policy, BA cabin crew patrol the aisles before take-off to check that youngsters travelling on their own or in a different row from their parents are not seated next to a male stranger.

If they find a man next to a child or teenager they will ask older person to move, and the aircraft will not take off unless the passenger obeys.

..."

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Apparently the guy was sitting next to his pregnant wife, but, of course, we all know how easy it would be to accost a child on an airplane. Right?

:shrug:

[JVS]

1. How the hell are parents not forced to sit with their own kids?

[HuckleB]

3. Who knows what the deal was, in that regard.

A big family? The kid could have been traveling on his own, too.

[SharonAnn]

10. My husband and I traveled with an 11 yr. old daughter and her friend.

We were able to get seating 3 across and a middle seat in the row in front of us.

Mistakenly, we let our daughter take that seat because she didn't want to sit with us. Too grown-up, you know.

I watched the man next to her keep coming on to her, leaning over too close, touching her arms, etc. I notified the flight attendant and she asked my daughter if she was being bothered. Of course, she was "too cool" to say so. I watched it happen one more time and then I insisted on getting up and made her move into my seat. I also told that man his behavior was entirely inappropriate and that he'd better hug the window and keep in his own space.

Sorry, but some men will behave inappropriately with young children, especially when they're sitting right next to one who can't get away.

[lazarus]

2. standard way to treat men

Imagine this: You're in a mall, and there's a 3 year old crying, and a man is standing there. Would you react differently if it was a woman? Most people would. Sadly.

[HuckleB]

6. Maybe.

I've spent a good deal of time in public with my pre-schooler, and that means he's cried now and then, but no one has given me grief over it.

Yet.

[blueamy66]

4. Complete and utter bullshit.

I would slap a slander and/or defamation of character suit on them in a heartbeat.

[woo me with science]

5. Good for him. nt

[TrogL]

7. the policy won't work - there are female sex offenders

[HuckleB]

8. Indeed.

And wouldn't they be more at risk if they sat next to a family member, anyway?

[tammywammy]

9. Good for him n/t