Mom And Talkative Tot Kicked Off Plane

Ga. Woman Says Stewardess Told Her To Drug Her Child To Keep Him Quiet

(AP)  The mother of a 19-month-old boy says she and her son were kicked off a plane after she refused a stewardess' request to medicate her son to keep him from talking.

Kate Penland, who lives in Gwinnett County in suburban Atlanta, said she and her son, Garren, had boarded the Continental Express plane last month after an 11-hour delay in Houston on a flight from Atlanta to Oklahoma City.

Garren kept saying, "Bye bye, plane," Penland recalled. And she said the stewardess objected.

"At the end of her speech, she leaned over the gentleman beside me and said, 'It's not funny anymore. You need to shut your baby up,"' Penland told WSB-TV in Atlanta.

When Penland asked the woman if she was kidding, she said the stewardess replied, "You know, it's called baby Benadryl."

"And I said, 'Well, I'm not going to drug my child so you have a pleasant flight,"' Penland told the TV station.

Penland said other passengers began speaking up on her behalf, and the flight attendant announced they were turning around and that Penland and Garren were going to be taken off the plane.

"I was crying, I was upset and I was thinking, 'What am I going to do? I don't have anything with me, I don't have any more diapers for the baby, no juice, no milk," Penland said.

The young mother said she later learned the flight attendant told the pilot that she had threatened her. Penland said that never happened.

Express Jet Airlines released a statement saying, "We received Ms. Penland's letter expressing her concerns and intend to investigate its contents." Express Jet did not immediately return a call Thursday from The Associated Press.

A fellow passenger told WSB none of the other passengers had problems with Garren and that Penland never threatened the flight attendant.

[mandylou4u]

Do you think the flight attendant was angry about her job or what?! Has any one of you tried to keep a young child quiet for 11 hours? It's impossible, it's not happening. Passengers already have to wait hours and sometimes days before their plane takes off, it's a shame they have to be harassed when they finally get on the plane too.

[gunnerv1]

I don't like being a "Sardine", so I quit flying in 1986 after I retired from the service. So long and thanks for all the fish.

[scottiemac52]

The child wasn't crying or screaming or running up and down the aisle, right? That attendant needs naptime or a change of occupation. I've always thought flight attendants should br drawn from the ranks of experienced elementary school teachers; they know how to handle almost any situation with aplomb.

[skyz2]

accusing someone of threatening you is serious ~ obviously none of the other passengers heard these alleged threats ~ if it were me i'd sue ~ not for money but for justice ~ if the flight attendant lied she should be fired

[Dboersma]

This whole thing doesn't make any sense. I wonder how long that flight attendant had been working that day. It's impossible to keep a child that age quiet for very long. Doesn't seem like the child was upsetting the other passengers. Sounds like the flight attendant lied to the captain to get the child off the plane. She needs to find a new career. This one is working out too well for her.

[soldat44]

After an 11-hour delay the baby would not have been the only one talking!

[emsaund1]

The Stewardess (Yes, the politically INCORRECT TERM) Should be fired. In fact, she should be executed for being so stupid.

[msnooy79]

I would have waited to get off the plane, and slapped the flight attendant

[rushlimpdrug]

So many nuts out of Atlanta -what's up Atlanta?
first the speaker lawyer idiot can't stop flying and now a lawyer in the making.
The town needs to get their baseball going again so they have something to do.

Meanwhile check with Homeland sekurity.
I have a gut feeling this may be some terrorist taktic.
What's your gut feeling Mickey?

I hope the stewardess loses her job and pays for the flight for the two

[cryonbrian]

Big deal! You missed your flight! GET OVER IT!

[emsaund1]

I grow fatigued with posting on this stupid story. Time to move on to another story....

[mitywhity]

None of you were there.

[sgerry]

If you can't discipline your child so others can tolerate them the keep them home.

[foranc]

Parents need to discipline AND TEACH their children how to behave properly in public. Why should the public have to put up with an obnoxious brat? It has gotten ridiculous! Parents seem to think that once they have the child that is the end of their responsibility (and don't they have an over-bloated sense of entilement since they have graced the world with more population). It's got to the point you can't even go to the grocery store without having to witness the decline of civilazation through lack of parenting. EVERYTHING ELSE you need a license for, even to drive, but not to parent ...

[peach652]

I want to hear the flight attendant's side. It doesn't add up. I find it hard to believe she would be that upset over a child simply saying "Bye bye plane". I wouldn't be surprised if the child was actually screaming his head off. (It has been MY experience that mothers on planes are deaf and blind when it comes to their little "angels".)

[random_radar]

One of the great things about the war on terror is that now we can accuse anyone we don't like of being suspicious or threatening and the authorities will gladly arrest, imprison, torture, and kill them.

Totalitarianism offers so many opportunities for fun and for profit!

Just make sure you are on good terms with your neighbors or you might be the next person getting your door kicked in and dragged out of your house at midnight...

[mainemade]

If this stewardess is so hell bent on drugging a 19 month old baby, I feel with this company's attitude on drugs, the whole outfit should be grounded until ALL employees get drug tested!
Parents have been jailed for less! In my opinion the stewardess should lose her job at the very least! Rediculous is what this mess is!

[gkc99]

"Parents need to discipline AND TEACH their children how to behave properly in public. Why should the public have to put up with an obnoxious brat? (blah blah blah) It's got to the point you can't even go to the grocery store without having to witness the decline of civilazation through lack of parenting."

Posted by foranc

Oh you poor thing, all that trauma at the grocery store. Now why didn't that Mom, after an 11 hour delay for her flight, just kick the cr*p our of the kid and gag it with a diaper?

Maybe you're the one who should be sedated so you don't whine and *** about little kids.

[courtneyg11]

muzzle your child or get off the plane. so why should 120 or so other people have to suffer because they are subjected to hear that crud?

[photogeezer]

Was the child inciting a riot? Was he reciting the Koran? Criticising the Homeland Security? Why should a glorified waitperson with some first aid training have this kind of power?

[simpsonman19]

In all honesty the kid was 19 months old, it's hard to control a kid that young, but I still feel that if you paid money for a plane you deserve a quiet, comfortable flight.

[aforet2]

All of you who do not have kids CAN NOT give a valid comment on this subject AT ALL!!!
A 19 month old child with an 11 HOUR LAY OVER is not ready to be quiet, He is ready to talk and play!!!!

GET OVER YOURSELVES!!!!!

[Syndicate]

The child has a first admendment right to free speech wich includes screaming. The airline stewardess should be fired for violating the childs civil rights.

[misssuzq]

Bye-Bye stupid flight attendant and helllloooo to a college education for the child!

I prefer a quiet fight but would rather have the baby (which was not crying) than a bunch of men on their way home from their golf tournament and all of their loudness.

[mo005]

Nancy_Naive : Now that was funny!!!!

[mo005]

And now we know why they sell those little bottles of Jack Daniels, to cope with stewrdass's and unquiet babies. But I agree with both sides on this one. I pay for a nice peacful flight, but after an 11 hour layover waiting to go I would be screaming too. LOUDER THAN THE KID NEXT TO ME.

[susanhelit]

At 19 months old, this child was quite well behaved to be merely chatting. The other passengers seem to back this up.

If you want a childfree, peaceful flight, charter yourself a plane. Because when you buy a ticket on an airline, you know you'll be in an airplane with a bunch of other people, and you'll have to just endure it. Whether it's a few people in the seat ahead who can do nothing but gossip about Paris Hilton, or a toddler repeating his new favorite phrase, or even a poor child in pain, screaming his lungs out - that's what you contract for with an airline ticket. We all pay our money to be there.

Drugging the child for silence is completely inappropriate. If he was in pain, sure. But he was just happy and chatting. The stewardess needs to be fired, the airline needs to compensate the mother for her time and inconvenience, and give an apology. If they choose to take that money out of the stewardess's paycheck, I think that'd be quite appropriate.

[misssuzq]

PS - if all the child was doing was the phrase and not crying, those of you without children would not know that that was amazing and unusual, almost like he had been drugged and to not have those accessories for the baby is pretty bad if she could not change a diaper and you are sitting next to them.

The attendant has no business in a people serving environment at all. She must "know" the pilots very well.

[akpals]

You know, I won't even walk into a walmart for fear of being assaulted with the sound of a zillion spoiled kids not getting their way. However, Hats off to the moms and dads out there at walmart who are sticking to their guns and not giving the child whatever they want just to shut them up.
I don't agree with the way the airline attendant treated this poor woman. If the passengers around her weren't complaining, what is the problem? Maybe after a frustrating layover they were enjoying listening to him.
To those who don't have the patience for the really terrible kids who do nothing but scream and throw fits in public places, I'm right there with you, but it does no good to throw a tantrum yourself. Just try to pay attention to how many minivans are in the parking lot. If the number is high, pick another time to get your errands done.

[michellem99-2009]

I have not flown since the 80s. I have the way Bush has or ever it was that put them dumbs regs in place is the blame. You can't this/that. What a bunch of nannys. I like it years ago. How can a mother meant the needs oh her child when she is told you can't..I am legally blind and hearing impared plus other handicaps. So you can't tell a child to shut up as they know no better. You don't tell her to drug her child. If that lady can't handle it then she be put off ..what is this nation coming to. Kids fuss on the bus in stores. I would rather they didn't but they do. They can't understand our world and that is why they have parents. Parents get lazy.I am chillless am 52.

[primereal]

I disagree with aforet2. I do not have children, but I believe my comment is VERY valid.

The flight attendent should be fired. It was VERY unprofessional of her. I feel for the mother.

[primereal]

Reply to SusanHelit's comment:
I dont think the money should come from the flight attendents pay check...she doesnt make enough to cover the "damage" that this airline will have deal with.

[rushlimpdrug]

I may have been on a flight with this lady a few weeks ago.
I may have asked the flight attendant for permission to throw both the mom and kid out while in flight over the Mohave.
at the time all the kid could say on the trip was"
"waaaaaaaaa, waaaaaaaa, waaaaaaaa, waaaaaa!"
thanks lady, you have a great kid and wonderful parenting skills.

[misssuzq]

"Posted by MichelleM99"

WHAT??? I need a translator!!!

[susanhelit]

PrimeReal - I doubt she has the money either - but if she didn't want to do the time, don't do the crime. Why should the airline have to pay the costs from this one individual's irresponsible actions? And obviously the mom kicked off the plane should not have to bear the costs of her involuntary delay.

I don't think she'll be made to pay, and losing her job will be enough - but it's something maybe the next flight attendant should think about - that if they want to push someone off their airplane just for their own comfort or whatever reason it was - they should think about how much it will cost that person as if it is their own money.

Realistically, this doesn't happen often, usually those booted from a plane deserve it fully, and many who do deserve it are allowed to stay. This is a very atypical case.

[floresa66]

Wow, not the first story of Flight attendant abuse after 9-11. This is way beyond control. Airlines should take these events seriously and demostrate the public that such abuses are prosecuted appropiately.

Just like it is done with abusive passengers, fines and cost associated with returning a plane, should be directed to the responsible flight attendant.

[rushlimpdrug]

"Posted by MichelleM99"
WHAT??? I need a translator!!!
Posted by MissSuZQ

If I may I believe I can translate. Translation:
I be me 80 cause baby say so can see now then how me be then fly and so in conclusion many planes but then have cry then must be right.
-Hope that helps

[dukeudevil]

Kids...one of the primary reasons I prefer flying red eyes.

[foranc]

hey, gkc99, that's why I and a whole lot of other folks don't get on airplanes or go around any crowds anymore, because of undisciplined brats and their obnoxious parents. Life is too short to put up with that ***. My parents didn't put up with *** like that from me, nor would I have acted up like that, and neither did my kids, and neither do my grandchildren now. I can only imagine what your brats are like, perfect angels I'm sure. Sit on it and spin.

[ralan40]

I think most air travelers understand kid's behavior on planes. Very small children are not physically capable of dealing with air pressure changes and can be in a lot of pain. This Flight attendent had to have been a newbie.

If I was a fellow passenger, I would have requested to have the flight attendent removed as well since the flight had to go back at HER insistance.

[misssuzq]

"Posted by foranc"

II think the rest of the travelers are quite happy that you are nowhere near them and that many of us feel badly for your children and grandchildren.

What cold material is your heart made of?

[barbaraf4]

I raised my two children while following my military husband around the world. I never medicated, I simply parented. We had books and games to keep us busy. Back when you could book a flight and count on it being on schedule, I would book over-night flights. You do whatever you have to do (short of drugging) to travel with you children.

It does not sound like this young woman and her son did anything wrong. They were on an 11 hour delay, so it could have been much worse.

[likeitis5050]

While I want desperately to side with the Mom on this, since I think the airlines industry has crossed into some form of Nazi control, I just have to wonder if this Mom simply refused to even try to entertain the child or assert any degree of parental control over the child. I've seen too many limp-deaf-blind parents who think any attempt at parental intervention will 'squash all creativity and natural curiosity' so the rest of the world has to suffer. The only time they seem capable of opening their mouths to say anything is in a blanket defense of their bratty child. Children learn to be brats. Parents should be the ones who have to live with the consequences...not the rest of us.

Maybe they will start posting signs on the aircraft door that states, Entering Flying Library Please Be Quiet

[leilani_r]

I have traveled regularly with my son, now 7, for 3 years now. I have always had good luck with his behavior on airplanes. But no child is perfect, especially when they are only 19 months and unable to understand the seriousness of air travel today.

That being said, if my son were acting up on an airplane, it would be difficult for me to discipline him. Where can you put a child in time-out on a plane? And there's no way a parent can spank their child in public in this day and age. There is always a holier-than-thou person standing by to accuse a parent of child abuse if they swat their child on the butt.

I would say to all of those who are against the mother in this story, "Got a solution?"

[jeannec3]

I think kids are cute to a point. But when a mother has no control of their child,then there's a problem there ! Sounds to me the mother was just to lazy to take control of her child and entertain the child in a quite way to keep the child quite. I had two children 10 months apart. I never had to be mean to them to keep them quite. All it took was to keep them entertained in a quite way. Maybe she needs parent classes.

[drivelphobe]

Planes should have a few seats in a quiet room for noisey, misbehaved parents and their brats. It is absolutely intolerable to travel in an airplane, forced to listen to some screaming or babbling kid. The room could also accomodate someone who is sick, sneezing and coughing, picking their nose or drooling, etc. I wouldn't be surprised if the mother did threaten the flight attendant. Some parents, and it sounds like this is one, think the world revolves around their kid. If you say one thing about their behaviour, the parent becomes very aggressive, especially the worst ones. If I had been on the flight, I'd have been elated to see the mother and child thrown off.

[michellem99-2009]

I have seen parents who are brats,children who are brats,Get it brats. Blame the nanny govt. Posting library quiet sign is not the answer. Blame Bush you who voted him in. Yes I perfer a quiet well mannered child in public. They are children. I have seen children do. Throw themselves on the floor,run wild,throw fits etc and Mum laughs. So she is the brat. Children learn in the home and if Mum is LAZY then the childs plays it. It is poor parenting skills. Parents need to step up to the plate in this issue. The flight attentants has to deal with others and if he/she can't handle the duties of quit.

[erasmus6]

The stewardess does sound like she was an a-s-s and it was ridiculous that they had to turn around and go back. Who really knows what was what with the child. Sometimes they fuss when they aren't feeling well and it can't be helped.

But that aside, one of my BIGGEST peeves is people that can't control their kids. Like someone else said: Why should we have to put up with someone elses bratty kids? First off if I had problems controling my child I most certainly wouldn't take him/her on a plane unless I was absolutely DESPARATE to get somewhere.

Also there is nothing worse than going into a restaurant and having some brat behind you jumping up and down in the seat and hanging over the back watching you eat. OR someone bringing in a baby and it cries the whole time they are there.

When my daughter graduated from college someone had a baby there and it cried almost the whole time and no one could hear what was being said.

If you have a child that cries a lot or a brat you can't control, STAY HOME!