Updated: Dec. 1, 2016
Originally Published: May 11, 2015
What began as a typical flight home from a magical trip to Disney World on United Airlines took a distressing turn when the Beegle family was escorted off the plane by law enforcement after their 15-year-old daughter, who is autistic, was deemed “disruptive.” The incident highlights a troubling combination of inadequate preparation from the parents and a glaring absence of empathy from the airline crew.
In a heartfelt post on social media, Donna Beegle recounted the events leading up to their removal. Her daughter refused the meal offered to her prior to takeoff, leading Beegle to seek warm food once they were in the air, as her daughter does not favor cold offerings. Despite her repeated requests to the flight attendant, she was met with refusal. Beegle recalls, “For 40 minutes, I kept brainstorming what she might eat. He said no every time.” After expressing her concern about her daughter potentially melting down, the attendant finally provided a hot meal, but not without visible reluctance.
Shortly thereafter, an unexpected announcement came over the intercom: “We will be making an unscheduled landing in Salt Lake due to a passenger having issues.” The Beegle family, seated at the front, was taken aback, unaware that the message referred to them. Beegle described the scene as two paramedics approached their row, seemingly unaware of the situation. After a brief check-in, the paramedics left only to be replaced by two police officers who requested the family to disembark. Beegle was left bewildered as they had done nothing wrong.
The officers informed her that the captain felt uncomfortable continuing the flight with her daughter onboard, even though throughout this ordeal, her daughter was quietly watching a video. Fellow passengers, witnessing the family’s exit, expressed their confusion, with one even exclaiming, “this is ridiculous.”
While it’s unfortunate that the flight had to land prematurely and a family was removed, it’s clear that better communication and preparations could have averted this situation. The family could have informed the airline in advance about their dietary needs, and the flight crew could have displayed more understanding and flexibility.
Moreover, it’s essential for airlines to train their staff in recognizing and accommodating passengers with special needs. A 15-year-old girl, who was simply trying to enjoy her flight, should not have been labeled as “disruptive” or removed from the plane.
In summary, this incident showcases significant shortcomings on both sides — the family’s need for better preparation and the airline’s requirement for compassion and understanding.
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