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JetBlue Kicks 18-Month-Old Baby Off Flight, Claiming She's On "No-Fly" List
By
Jen Chung
Published May 10, 2012
Modified May 10, 2012
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WPBF
By
Jen Chung
Published May 10, 2012
Modified May 10, 2012
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We know that air travel has become difficult, especially for the vulnerable (hello, granny stripping), but isn't it weird when an airline allows a family to board a plane... and then tells them to leave, claiming that their 18-month-old baby is on the no-fly list? That's what one NJ couple claims happened to them and their adorable daughter when they were trying to go back home to the Garden State.
According to WPBF, the incident happened on Tuesday, when the family was on a flight at Fort Lauderdale Airport. The parents, who did not want to be identified because they are Middle Eastern, said a JetBlue employee told them to leave the plane with little Riyanna. "And I said, 'For what?'" the mother recalls. "And he said, 'Well, it's not you or your husband. Your daughter was flagged as no fly.' I said, 'Excuse me?' "
When they were taken off the plane, they had to stand around as the TSA and JetBlue figured out the situation for 30 minutes; the father said they were profiled, "We were put on display like a circus act because my wife wears a hijab." The family was finally allowed back on the plane—without explanation or apology—but they refused because they felt humiliated.
JetBlue told the station the issue was with the TSA, but the TSA told HuffPo, "The TSA did not flag this child as being on the No Fly list. TSA was called to the gate by the airline and after talking to the parents and confirming through our vetting system, TSA determined the airline had mistakenly indicated the child was on a government watch list." The TSA points out the family, including the baby, was giving boarding passes. JetBlue has more recently said, "Our crew members followed the appropriate protocols, and we apologize to the family involved in this unfortunate circumstance."
Riyanna's father said, "We were humiliated. We were picked on," and said they'll speak to an attorney.
Tagged
air travel
baby
fort lauderdale
hijab
jet blue
muslim
nj
no fly list
toddler
Jen Chung
Jen Chung is a former WNYC and Gothamist editor.
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Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
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