A family claims they were treated unfairly on a a Delta airlines flight. The family traveling to California says they were kicked off the flight after airline staff insisted the couple's 2-year old son could not sit fastened in a car seat by himself even though the family already paid for the seat their 18-year old son didn’t use because he flew back on an earlier flight.
An eight minute video captured the clash and was uploaded online. At one point an employee tells the family they could get arrested if they don’t comply. You can hear a woman tell the customer it’s a federal offense that could land him and his wife in jail.
Families flying into southwest Florida aren’t taking the story lightly.
“I don’t think that’s right,” Matthew Wood said. “Especially with how difficult it is having a little child with you.”
Other parents like Tucker and Brittany Barlow who have a four year old daughter, a two year old son, and another baby on the way say they’re nervous about flying after the video made rounds on social media.
“Oh, ‘great! I’m getting on a plane today’ was my first thought,” Barlow said. “How do we avoid being the next family that becomes a story.”
The Barlow's tells Four In Your Corner they are double and triple checking the guidelines before taking off.
“With kids you have to make sure all your T’s are crossed and I’s are dotted,” Brittany Barlow said. “And then prepare for the rest of the alphabet too for anything that could possibly go wrong.”
In the video, you can hear the employee tell the man a two year old child must fly sitting on their parent’s laps. While there are rules and guidelines on Delta’s page and the Federal Aviation Administration’s website, the employee’s claims contradict that.
Barlow says while his flight was pleasant, he’s more cautious before taking off.
"I'm just being more thorough with the paper work and I'm being more proactive when it comes to talking to the check agents and gate agents,” he said.
