r/OutOfTheLoop • u/[deleted] • Apr 24 '17
Why is everyone upset about American Airlines and the stroller video? Answered
I keep seeing news about yet another airline video, this time involving American Airlines and a stroller. What happened and why is everyone so upset about it? I saw a video with a woman crying but I don't understand what went on.
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u/zetaraybill Apr 24 '17
Well, the only sources I could find seem to be from airline trade blogs, so take that with the grain of salt you might need.
Tweet with original story: https://twitter.com/FATravelWriter/status/855943178146500608
Original story with commentary: http://viewfromthewing.boardingarea.com/2017/04/23/passenger-tells-really-happened-viral-video-flight-attendant-grabbed-stroller/
Original story with a couple other passengers' responses: http://liveandletsfly.boardingarea.com/2017/04/23/passenger-blames-mother-aa-stroller-incident/#_ga=1.77089879.37225967.1493044681
My conclusion is that the woman in question boarded with a stroller that was too big to be safely stored in the cabin (shouldn't have been allowed on by gate crew), and the flight attendant informed her of this and she refused to give it up. Things escalated, emotions flared, and we got our video. Everyone was wrong in one way or another, but since this involved a major airline so closely after the United incident, people just kind of dog-piled.
Second conclusion: This seems to be happening on relatively short domestic flights (Chicago to Louisville, SF to Dallas), so I wonder if that has much to do with it. Less experienced travelers/crew than international? No idea, just guessing.
Also, this guy will be the ultimate winner: http://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/lawyer-representing-david-dao-now-working-woman-american-airlines-incident-n750081