[martin14]

BartSimpson BartSimpson:

lily lily:

$1:

Obviously the parents aren't at all embarrassed by sending this toddler alone on a plane, so it shouldn't come as a big surprise that they now want money.

A 5 year old is not a toddler.

WestJet owes the parents considerably more than a refund and a return flight. It's not about the money, but that's about the only way we have to deal with such situations.

Could always flog a pilot, stewardess, or a corporate officer.

.. greta idea..

[Ex-Expat]

Regina Regina:

Ultimately WestJet is responsible for the screw up, but I believe the parents were irresponsible for sending the child on a flight like that alone. I think WestJet should look at reworking their policy and have a minimum age for flying alone based on length of flights and stops. Obviously the parents aren't at all embarrassed by sending this toddler alone on a plane, so it shouldn't come as a big surprise that they now want money.

Yep. This is exactly what I've been saying.

[Ex-Expat]

mtbr mtbr:

they owe them an apology and a free ticket. anymore than that is absolute friggen ridiculous...and I am a parent there is no way in hell I would send my 5 year old cross country by herself..
just think of all the things that could happen.

I agree. As PCC said, if anything goes wrong she will be left to fend for herself. At 5 this is simply not possible.

mtbr mtbr:

I bet that divorced mother has all kinds of skeletons in her closet.

And the divorced father escapes your scrutiny? Hmm...

[mtbr]

Ex-Expat Ex-Expat:

mtbr mtbr:

they owe them an apology and a free ticket. anymore than that is absolute friggen ridiculous...and I am a parent there is no way in hell I would send my 5 year old cross country by herself..
just think of all the things that could happen.

I agree. As PCC said, if anything goes wrong she will be left to fend for herself. At 5 this is simply not possible.

mtbr mtbr:

I bet that divorced mother has all kinds of skeletons in her closet.

And the divorced father escapes your scrutiny? Hmm...

Did he put her on the plane?

[Ex-Expat]

Thank you, that was my point. And, he agreed to doing UM rather than going to pick her up.

[mtbr]

Ex-Expat Ex-Expat:

Thank you, that was my point. And, he agreed to doing UM rather than going to pick her up.

Are you trying to turn this into a who's worse him or her? their both scumbags and they should both be investigated. I'm sorry if I offended you when I left "HIM" out of the original position. Do you feel better. Maybe you should join the Calgary Women's Council they're still upset the "ALDERMAN" voted to continue calling themselves "ALDERMAN" .(including the 3 females who voted to retain the name.)

[mtbr]

lily lily:

Investigated for what? Child abuse?

[Ex-Expat]

mtbr mtbr:

Ex-Expat Ex-Expat:

Thank you, that was my point. And, he agreed to doing UM rather than going to pick her up.

Are you trying to turn this into a who's worse him or her?

No, you were by slamming her and leaving him out like he's blameless. I merely made the point that they are equally to blame.

mtbr mtbr:

their both scumbags and they should both be investigated. I'm sorry if I offended you when I left "HIM" out of the original position.

I didn't say it because I was offended, I am saying at least be consistent.

mtbr mtbr:

Do you feel better. Maybe you should join the Calgary Women's Council they're still upset the "ALDERMAN" voted to continue calling themselves "ALDERMAN" .(including the 3 females who voted to retain the name.)

Do you feel better attacking someone personally and then changing the subject because they calmly pointed out a flaw in your argument?

[mtbr]

Ex-Expat Ex-Expat:

mtbr mtbr:

Ex-Expat Ex-Expat:

Thank you, that was my point. And, he agreed to doing UM rather than going to pick her up.

Are you trying to turn this into a who's worse him or her?

No, you were by slamming her and leaving him out like he's blameless. I merely made the point that they are equally to blame.

mtbr mtbr:

their both scumbags and they should both be investigated. I'm sorry if I offended you when I left "HIM" out of the original position.

I didn't say it because I was offended, I am saying at least be consistent.

mtbr mtbr:

Do you feel better. Maybe you should join the Calgary Women's Council they're still upset the "ALDERMAN" voted to continue calling themselves "ALDERMAN" .(including the 3 females who voted to retain the name.)

Do you feel better attacking someone personally and then changing the subject because they calmly pointed out a flaw in your argument?

I would have to say you changed the subject not I

[Brenda]

Good they are just as shocked as everybody. Good to see they try to do something about it.

[Brenda]

I was serious. I really think it is a good thing they are working on it.

[Ex-Expat]

lily lily:

I got a call from WestJet a little while ago, partly to address any concerns I might have and partly to let me know of the changes they've made to their policies with regard to UMs.

She reminded me to check in 90 minutes prior to departure and make sure I had proper ID, with an address that matched the info they had. She also said to remind my daughter to make sure her VIP card was visible at all times.

New changes are:

1. All UMs will be seated in rows 2 & 3.

2. UMs will be the first to leave the plane, rather than last.


I talked to my kids about their experiences, and they said they're checked on frequently. It seems unusual that this girl wasn't.


It still seems odd to me that the man didn't alert anyone - especially when he took her off the plane.


I'm happy to see WJ acted quickly to address safety concerns, although I'm not thrilled that they're not accepting new UM bookings.

Thank you for posting that info. I too am pleased to hear that they've acted right away. In too many cases it seems that a company will hire a consultant, for example, then those recommendations will go to committee, etc. etc. so it's nice to know that didn't happen here. It also sounds like they've made some sensible changes.

Yes, actually it does seem odd that a good samaritan would stop a little girl from exiting the plane during a stopover, or walk her off the plane, and yet at no time during all this, question staff about it or call their attention to it.

They've stopped accepting new UM bookings? Did they say whether this is temporary or permanent?

[Ex-Expat]

lily lily:

Seriously, Brenda... WestJet has awesome customer service. There's a reason people stay loyal to them.

Good to know. I haven't flown with them before but will keep that in mind for future travel.

[Ex-Expat]

lily lily:

$1:

They've stopped accepting new UM bookings? Did they say whether this is temporary or permanent?

She didn't say, but she encouraged me to go to their website and give them any feedback - positive or negative.

I got the impression talking with her that so far people have been supportive and feel this was an unusual case and not the norm.

I imagine some things were decided immediately and for others maybe they'll wait to hear public opinion first.

Yeah that seemed to be the general consensus here, too.