We’ve been traveling to Disney World for many years since our children were young and continued with our grandchildren. This spring, my wife and I went again, this time with our 5-year-old grandson.

It was planned months in advance as you must do when you go during spring break. As luck would have it though, by the time accommodations were finalized at Disney, we found space on available flights to be limited to first class for our return flight – yikes! Despite the added cost, we bit the bullet and scheduled the trip.

Our grandson was excited and talked about the trip months before. He was clued in by his older sister whom we had taken two years earlier and he would often talk about the upcoming trip when he settled into bed at night. It would be his first trip away from his parents and his first flight on an airplane.

When the time came for his trip, he was enthralled with all of the new experiences – even the ride in the shuttle bus to the airport from long term parking in Philly. Everything was new to him and we enjoyed watching his discoveries. When we boarded the airplane, he was greeted enthusiastically when it was learned it was his first flight and the captain graciously let him sit in the pilot seat for a picture. What a way to start a trip!

Disney was as we expected it to be; somewhat overwhelming for a 5-year-old and exhausting for grandparents. But by the end of the trip, we successfully wore the little guy out and he confirmed that his fun meter was at 10.

Our trip home took us through a Charlotte connection back home to Philly; it was unremarkable because we were still exhausted and spent time reading and napping. However, when we got to Philly, things were odd. It took some time to get the jetway to the plane and even more time to get the front door of the plane opened. When it was opened, the captain came out of the cockpit and left the plane. Flight attendants would not let anyone leave. I found all of this odd. I’ve travelled commercially for over 40 years and it is unusual to hold a plane load of people after the jetway is in place and the front door is opened.

After some time waiting in the aisles with 100+ passengers anxious to be on their way, we were finally allowed to leave the plane. At that point, my wife, grandson, and I were pulled aside for “a few questions.” We were confused of course since we did little more than read and nap during the flight. The captain and an American Airlines representative said that they needed to ask questions of us due to an on-board “observation”. When pressed by us for further information, they mentioned that a passenger had alerted a member of the flight crew and the term “human trafficking” was used. Our questioning began on the jetway and continued in the busy concourse surrounded by hundreds of passengers who were either disembarking our plane, waiting to load for the next flight, or otherwise moving through the concourse.

Upon arrival of an American Airlines supervisor, our questioning continued and focused on our relationship to our grandson, as if this was in question. Our grandson was not carrying ID since none are routinely issued to children in kindergarten and the American Airlines web site, which we consulted before the trip, advised that none was required on a domestic flight when accompanied by an adult.

When we asked why we were being questioned, we were given no information, but the term “human trafficking” was mentioned again and they referenced following some required protocol in stopping and questioning us. I have seen situations before when line personnel blindly follow a protocol, because it is safe for them – there is no personal risk for them as long as the boxes are being checked. Disruption to passengers and customers appeared secondary. Short of an instantaneous DNA test, I had no way to “prove” that my grandson was indeed my grandson, so I did what I could and called my son-in-law (his father), a former cop, and had him speak to the American Airlines personnel who were in the process of questioning us. Apologies quickly ensued.

From piecing together the bits of conversations with the airline personnel coupled with our own observations, we believe the following occurred;

  • A passenger observed an older man (me) in the company of a young boy (my grandson) and had a dark thought about human trafficking.
  • The dark thought was expressed to the flight attendant who did her in-depth assessment by asking my grandson if he wanted more juice.
  • When my grandson turned to me seeking permission, the flight attendant interpreted that as a sign he was under the control of the person he was traveling with (me) and the dark thought now rose to the level of suspicion.
  • The suspicion was relayed to the captain who in turn referred it to ground personnel in Philly.
  • All passengers were held on the plane when we landed while the captain, flight attendant, and ground personnel conferred and a decision was made to question us when we disembarked.
  • Questioning occurred immediately in the jetway and continued in the concourse in full view of all travelers.
  • The supervisor concluded that there was no “illegal” activity and apologized.
  • As we walked away to retrieve our luggage, we noted two Philadelphia policemen walking to the gate we just left. We assume they had been summoned.

Roughly 30 days after we filed a complaint with the airline and the Department of Transportation, I was contacted by a Customer Service Representative from American Airlines. During the course of our conversation, he apologized and in the next breath, defended their actions. He refused to tell me what observation initiated the incident because to do so would also inform those who were involved in human trafficking. I think he failed to realize the “Catch 22” nature of his position because he was defending observations and suspicions that were false, and in so doing made it likely that this will happen again.

We of course are angry that our much-anticipated vacation with our grandson was marred by this thoughtless incident; there is only one first trip of this kind for a child and this is now a permanent part of our memory of that experience. In our view, there were many failings.

Airline personnel, who work for private corporations, are taking on law enforcement roles that reach beyond their mandate for airline safety and security and may be acting well beyond their “Conditions of Carriage” which establish the terms of service between the airline and the passenger. In our case, we were quiet, respectful, and compliant at all times.

It is likely that the airlines are operating in concert with the Department of Homeland Security’s “Blue Campaign” to identify and render assistance to victims of human trafficking. Putting an end to human trafficking is a human rights issue which we support; it is a scourge that must be eliminated. However, civil rights and common sense must not be suspended in this pursuit.

We have no control over the dark thoughts that others have or the biases and ignorance that underpin those thoughts. But when airline personnel accept the mantle of law enforcement, responsibility comes with that decision. They have a responsibility to get it right and do their due diligence before escalating the issue. To use a response to an offer of juice as a diligent verification of a suspicion lacks common sense; all 5-year old children are controlled by their parents (or grandparents) who have a responsibility to act for them until they are old enough to act responsibly for themselves.

In our view, this incident points to a lack of adequate training and judgment. It is not sufficient to follow a protocol and suspend common sense; doing so resulted in holding a plane full of passengers unnecessarily and the public interrogation of us based on a falsehood. All of this could have been avoided.

We are disheartened that this is now the world we live in where an anonymous and false dark thought moves through well intended people in responsible positions unchecked by reason and common sense. Forgive us if we choose not enter into that dark process.

 

by Kevin Deeny, a lifelong resident of Levittown Pennsylvania