Boy With Autism Removed From Flight
A young boy with autism was removed from flight for not wearing a face mask.
Spirit Airlines Removed The Child For Not Wearing a Mask
Spirit Airlines made the decision to remove the 4 year old from a flight, despite a medical note from the boy’s doctor. He and his family were flying home from Arkansas to Las Vegas. The family showed the flight attendant the note from their doctor. The note clearly states the 4 year old has autism and wearing a face mask can cause him to hold his breath or hurt himself.
The flight crew said autism is not a disability. Therefore, they removed the family. As a result, the family flew home on American Airlines. Spirit has refunded the family the cost of the flight.
The boy’s mother said he is obsessed with planes. She said he was sitting in his seat, quietly, looking out the window. The child was not being disruptive. However, the flight attendant approached asking him to be removed.
When the boy was removed from the flight, he was very upset.
However, this wasn’t the first incident with Spirit Airlines. Back in September, a mother of a 3 year old with autism said they banned her son from flying with their company after he wouldn’t wear a mask.
Where Do You Draw The Line?
What gives a flight crew the right to make that decision? After seeing a medical note from a licensed doctor. Whether the flight crew thinks autism is a disability or not, it’s ultimately not up to them. The boy’s doctor is well aware of the child’s medical history and ultimately knows what’s better for the child.
In addition, it can be a challenge for anyone to get a young child to wear a mask properly. But this is a whole other situation. It wasn’t to disrespect the airline’s rules, it was to protect the child! Do you think
Spirit Airlines says all passengers must wear a mask, with the exception of children 2 years of age and younger. The US guidelines state travelers with a medical exemption should not be required to wear a mask.
What Would YOU Do?
How would you have responded in this situation? Why would a boy with autism be removed from a flight? Most parents would go to any extreme for their child. We can only imagine what emotions and frustration this family experienced. Does this type of response affect how you view companies?
(Source: BBC)
