I’ve seen some poorly-behaved children on my flights over the years, but never anything like my flight today…
I was flying SriLankan from Colombo to Kuala Lumpur and was sitting in business class with four other passengers. As we leveled off, flight attendants closed the curtain separating business and economy class and begin serving breakfast.
Suddenly, a little kid, maybe six years old, ran up through the curtain and toward the front galley. Flight attendants ignored him for a few moments, then pointed him back toward the economy cabin. Clomping down the aisle, he darted out just as fast as he had appeared.
But not more than three minutes later, the kid returned then proceeded to run laps back and forth between the front of the aircraft and the curtain separating the two cabins. Flight attendants were preparing breakfast in the front galley (with the curtain drawn), but when they noticed him, one grabbed him by the hand and hauled him back to his seat.
It took no more than five minutes for the kid to return. The purser noticed him crouching in front of seat 1F and wagged her finger at him to return to his seat. He refused. Instead he brushed past the purser and ran into the front galley. With a look more of annoyance than anger, the purser turned toward the galley and attempted to grab the kid.
He dodged her grasp and ran to the back of the business class cabin (only three rows). She marched toward him and he ran past her again back into the galley.
This continued for another minute and a half before a second flight attendant helped to trap the kid. He was dragged, kicking and screaming, back to his seat.
The Real Fun Starts
Not more than five minutes later, the kid was back again. This time, the purser noticed him almost right away, grabbed him by the shoulders, and guided him back to the cabin. She was there for quite some time – I imagine she was lecturing the kid’s parents or guardians.
She then quickly retreated to the front of the aircraft, called the captain, and moments later the seatbelt light came on despite a very smooth flight.
Unfortunately, the seatbelt light only kept the kid seated for a few minutes, because he was soon back again. Only this time he started climbing on an open business class seat in row one, directly in front of me.
At this point I thought, what the heck…no one is going to believe me unless I document this.
I opened my window shade and took a couple pictures of the little guy. He then swung over the business class seat in front of, pivoted around the seat, lowered my window shade, and plopped himself directly in my lap.
I looked at him. He looked at me. And then be bolted out of my lap and back to the rear of the cabin.
By this time, some of the passengers in the cabin were getting really annoyed. One rang his call button and just pointed to the kid when the flight attendant came out. She dragged him back, again kicking and screaming, to his seat.
But moments later, before the flight attendant even returned, the kid was back. The flight attendant returned, sighed, and marched him back again.
This time, he must have been bolted down because I heard violent screaming for the next 15 minutes, but did not see the kid again. Maybe they sedated him?
Poor Kid.
This was not a baby. This was not a toddler. This was a five or six year old. And all I can say, how sad that the boy does not have a guardian in his life who loves him. That’s quite a charge, but I mean it. The parents (or guardian) who do not correct their children hate their children. Discipline is love. And this little kid, more than anything, needed the rod of correction…at least that’s my opinion.
Hopefully the little maniac, for that is exactly what is he now, will get the love and discipline he needs to be a functioning member of society.
By the way, the purser did apologize to each business class passenger for the pint-sized disturbance.
I concur with your take that at the age of 6, the focus must squarely be on the parents and not the child itself.
I would have personally lost it at this kid. Good on you for showing calmness. lol.
And I agree, the blame here is solely on the parents/guardians.
Now granted this was in the mid 1990’s before camera phones but I was flying home with my dad and uncle, both playing in the NFL at the time, and a 8 year old kid was running up and down the plane making the craziest sounds in the world. Several passengers asked the parents, both of whom were to busy drinking, to be worried about there kid. We were sitting in first and the kid made the mistake of jumping on my Uncle’s lap while he was sleeping. My uncle, all 6’7 285lbs of him got out of his seat, picked the kid up and delivered him to his parents….my uncle told the kid’s father ” if i have to get back up, there is going to be a problem” sure enough the kid was up and running 10 minutes later, and the kid ran past my uncle, but this time the kid’s father came running into first class to gather is child. My uncle stood up and punched the man so hard in his chest, that the man dropped to his knees…..the plane broke out into cheers and people on the plane suddenly realized who my dad and uncle were and began to cheer and do and EAGLES cheer. My dad helped the man up and the man asked for an autograph, said he was a big fan and said he was sorry for the kid, explaining that “it” belonged to his sister. That was one of the funnest flights ever…..and my favorite memory of TWA
I took from this story that famous people can assault others without any negative repercussion. The kid was being a terror but that’s not a justification for punching someone in the chest.
Any personal anecdote on the internet that includes a large group of people erupting in applause is most certainly a fabrication. So we can logically conclude this did not happen and no assault-and-battery occured.
Definitely true, they were Eagles fans! That’s the only proof I need.
I’d sue you if I was the kid’s dad. No need to post pictures of him. Your post doesn’t need it.
Take that stick out of your ass. Learn how to parent.
Don’t disagree with you on the parent, but it’s not the kid’s fault.
I really don’t give a rat’s [redacted by admin] about such beasties. ANY human that plops him/herself on my lap without consent earns a trip do the floor, preferably headfirst. If a kid cannot be trusted to have better judgement, parents should keep the beastly creature on its’ toes.
Very well said.
Oops. That was supposed to be a general reply not a reply to a previous comment.
I think you’ve hit the nail on the head. The child’s behavior was unacceptable and the behavior of the flight attendants toward him confirms it. His behavior is reflective of his parents who are clearly setting him up for failure as an adult. It is to them your condemnation was very properly directed.
To those of you leveling charges of racism at Matthew shame on you. It’s a vile accusation and there is no basis for it.
I appreciate your concern but I find the comment quite amusing and very, well, American:
1) Father/parent lets their son annoy other passengers. Repeatedly.
2) Son is photographed in a public place unsupervised.
3) Father/parent sues the victim of the son’s behavior for publishing the photos of the father/parent’s neglect.
It’s happened before such as this:
https://www.foxnews.com/world/woman-falls-in-fountain-while-texting-sues
you would deserve a punch square in the nose if that was your child.
As a suggestion it might be better to blur the kid’s face, given that this is publicly available online.
What an old grouch you are! The kid was harmless and just having a bit of fun. You should have been flattered that he chose to include you in the game.
Seriously?
No..
I took a BA flight in F recently and a small child came and woke me up repeatedly to call me mummy. This persisted even after his actual mother came and got him, and despite my “i’m not your mother, sport!” comment. Fun and games
Sorry but You can’t post photos of children without the consent of their parents. Also saying that he is unloved is inflicting emotional distress on a child so not on
Your opinion is noted.
@NAT,
There is absolutely no expectation of privacy in a public place. You don’t want your (or your kids) picture taken and posted in the internet? Be a parent and keep them under control.
Actually, that very much depends on the laws of the country in question.
Having said that, as others have said, it’s more of an ethical question about whether it’s right or responsible to shame a young child online, especially while acknowledging that it is not the child’s fault.
I know, today my sacker at the local grocery store put my milk on top of my eggs, unacceptable behavior! For my inconvenience, I should post her picture online! Right? I mean…I was inconvenienced! Surely that means I have the right to post whatever I want and include pictures you privileged prick!
Grow up, put on your big boy caviar laced panties, and deal with one less than perfect flight, and pray you never have a child with developmental delays. I would hate to think how you would shame that child daily.
Go home and take a hard look at your life.
I would have slapped the kid so hard that would have made his ancestors dizzy.
Then you would have laid yourself open to arrest.
I agree that the child needs to be taught how to behave, and the responsibility rests with the parents. However, I’m not sure that posting a child’s photo and “shaming” him on the internet is appropriate. Perhaps blurring his face would have been better to keep him safe and still show what his behavior was like?
Perhaps. But I think he forfeited his right to privacy when he invaded my personal space.
Forfeited his right? This is a 5 or 6 year old kid your talking about here! At that age children still act mostly on impulse, how about a little patience and understanding from yourself in future.
Unfollowed.
stephen no need to announce it. see ya.
We are all going to miss Stephen, another wonderful parent teaching their kids that it’s never their fault, and there are no consequences.
That’s a particularly ignorant statement…”forfeited” his right? He’s too young to forfeit any rights. How do you know this child didn’t have some kind of disability or personality disorder? It’s the parents’ fault, not his. They should be the ones you are shaming, not him.
That’s why I did, if you read my post.
In that case why not post a picture of the parents, and not the child.
Why do you feel it is necessary to include this child’s face? Are you unable to make your point without it? Perhaps your writing is not strong enough to stand up on its own without shaming children online.
I know you’re not a journalist, so journalistic ethics may not be something you are familiar with, but I would hope that basic human ethics are.
If it was just a misjudgement, that would be one thing, but many people have highlighted this to you here and you’re more interested in defending yourself than considering the ethics or consequences of your actions.
Yeah, but he is just a kid who doesn’t know better…had it been an adult, I would agree with you.
if he had mental incapacity, would you have known and would you have toned this article differently?
Yes.
How would you have known? Are you sure he isn’t autistic and that he doesn’t have a syndrome? Parents of special needs kids get complaints like this all of the time and people assume they are bad parents.
Even if he had autism, it is absolutely unacceptable that he would be permitted to run wild on the flight.
Sue for what? It doesn’t require a model release, it’s journalism (editorial use).
It’s also not libel, because the statements of fact are true, and the harsher descriptors are obviously opinion or hyperbole (not statements of fact).
My apologies, I meant to reply to someone else.
No – why does it matter if he is a retard or not — he is still disturbing others.
Completely agree. No need to post the child’s face. At least blur or obscure it in some way. It’s creepy and childish.
If you scroll this page sort of fast, you can almost experience this kid as a movie.
You are also behaving like that kid on the plane refusing to blur his face. He did what he did but you do not have the right to post his photo. You are very mistaken here & if I was the parent of this kid I would definitely sue.
They are welcome to try…
This. Kids on the spectrum vary in their capacity for social integration, and what might seem like “demonic” behavior is not something they can control.
I would counter sue for disrupting my peace and zen. I’m with Matthew here, taking the kids photo is my right, and there is nothing morally wrong with it. Get a grip folks, you were not there, you don’t know enough. Well done Matthew.
There is no right for privacy in a public place, so Matthew has every right to post his photos, and he should actually sue the kid for disruptive behaviour in the business class cabin.
he could be autistic … could have sone other issues as well
You’re lame for posting his picture – blur his face
exactly my thoughts. you’re so judgmental. lighten up … it was a short flight and the kid was probably autistic. calling him a maniac and posting his photos – shame on you
I agree with you Matthew; if you get in my face you have lost your right to privacy regarding pics. That kind of behavior is unacceptable.
I am solidly in your camp Matthew. I would have screamed if that kid would have come onto my lap.
I had a friend whose child acted the same way in public and it was exhausting. The friendship ran its course and her blind-eye to her darling’s behavior was a part of it.
I stand with Matthew!
It’s the parents and the culture they come from; I had a feeling about it before I saw the photos. BS about autism or other issues.
Last year, I was on a SIN-SFO with two similar demonic entitled children behind me with their parents. The kids were frequently jumping on the seats (even with seatbelt sign on), turning lights off and on, frequent bouts of yelling and screaming to get parents attention, frequent kicking back of my seats in my row and grabbing headrests. Running up-and-down aisles in both classes. Multiple calls to FAs and talks with them in galley did noting. FAs were afraid to confront the parents.
Wish I had videos and photos.
Love your posts I enjoy reading them but I’m surprised to see photos of a child on here. This is absolutely the responsibility of the parents and the child should not be shamed online.
All blame goes to the parents, not the poor little fellow.
Not the pictures though, eh?
Who is likely to feel the impact of the article in reality? The unnamed, unpictured parents? Or the child whose picture you have plastered across your blog?
I agree. Posting pics of the kid is a bit unwarranted.
Maybe it wasn’t his fault. Maybe this kid thought he was still in the business class lounge at the airport 🙂
As a person of color reading this article made me feel very uncomfortable. Also the comments section is filled with disappointing condemnation of “their culture”. Wow. Yes it is annoying, yes it is umwanted, and yes it is intrusive; however, it is a child, and likely a hyper active child. Further, who are you to dictate that he needs better parenting or that his parents are not doing a good job? Did you go back and investigate who he was traveling with? CMB – KUL is not a holiday route, its a migrant worker route, and the economy cabin is consistently stacked full of sri lankan tamils considerably worse off than you are hopping over to make a better life for themselves. So pretty please, with a cherry on top, stfu and cut them some slack and get off your high horse of white privilege, absolutely disgusting Matthew, absolutely disgusting.
The economic plight of certain persons of colour does not excuse inappropriate action by children. What are you willing to justify for persons of colour? Murder? Rape? Other illegal acts? We need to have ONE standard. Having more than one is the true racism and privilege.
@POC,
Unlike some of those 3rd world shit holes, no one is forcing you to read this (or any) posts. If you are so absolutely triggered by scary comments on the internet that make you fell bad, you should grab your crayons, put on your bike helmet and retreat into your safe space. Perhaps turning off your phone and screaming at the sky will help lower your anxiety.
The child might have issues beyond his control. Per your bio, you have no qualifications to assess his status. Posting his picture, calling him a “little maniac,” and saying he needs the “rod of correction” might be bullying a child with a host of possible challenges. Even if he suffers solely from poor parenting, you focused on the child more than the parents.
Venting is understandable when you are exposed to outrageous conduct. We all agree that the parent(s) or guardian(s) are responsible for managing the child’s behavior. But might the post have been more productive if it focused on policy? For example, are there any consequences for such parents? Can airlines fine passengers for negligent parenting? Ban repeat offenders from flying? How can this be prevented in future?
Well stated. I found this post to be in considerably poor taste.
Could not agree with you more.
I have had to look into this for a child with a brain injury before. There are some regulations in place but the truth is that, even families with disabled kids need to be allowed to fly (provided that the kid doesn’t endanger anyone). Some doctors recommend medicating for the duration of the flight. But until you have flown once, you don’t know how your child is going to behave on a flight.
An little bit of empathy tells me that the kid, and probably the parents too, suffers way more than you and your first world problems.
Let’s face it, (to everyone with a reasonable opinion of his responsibility to blur the kid’s face) if the kid were white, Matthew would’ve blurred his face. *shoulder shrug*
LOL.
Like this kid?
https://liveandletsfly.boardingarea.com/2018/02/14/demonic-child-lufthansa-flight/
Or this one?
https://liveandletsfly.boardingarea.com/2019/05/09/child-crying-business-class/
You race-baiting prick. Matthew just proved you WRONG and deserves an apology.
One is his kid, the other a YouTube video he didn’t post. Not sure what point Matthew was trying to make here.
Two white kids. I don’t discriminate on the basis of race, only on the basis of poor beahvior.
Matthew, Not a child Demon. It’s a young Gollum hunting for his precious.
Juvenile Gollum is a dark haired, hobbit-like creature with seven spiky teeth, who runs through Biz class cabins and galleys on all fours like an ape would, His “Gollum” noise is yelling and screaming when told to go back to economy.
Sméagol’s (pron. [ˈsmæ͡ɑːɣoɫ]) name is Old English one, from sméah, and adjective meaning “creeping in, penetrating”.
For everyone worried that he’s being too hard on the kid…he came back into the Business Class cabin (by my count) SIX TIMES!!
If it had only been 3, which still feels outrageous for a 5-6 year old, I doubt this post would have ever existed. Six times? And the parents made an appearance exactly ZERO times?
That deserves a public outing, child or not, if only to discourage any parents reading this from being a little more laid back on airplane flights.
Once again, while I think you are correct in being upset over this ( I would be as well) you have shown his face in a completely irresponsible manner. It was bad enough the guy whose feet were on the table in the lounge. But this is a child who you have no concept as to whether he is autistic, has disabilities, etc. Sure, his parents should have handled it but you have now shamed this child on the Internet for years to come. I say shame on you.
Love your blog mate, and appreciate the parents were probably at fault but cannot agree with posting photos of him. They may have been traveling for a long time and just spent. Maybe autism or something similar. Annoying kid, but story much more interesting without his photos.
Almost thought it might have been a stock photo.
I love my kids to death but my 3yo has been a nightmare on a flight before. Rushing around, screaming, basically uncontrollable after waking from a nap. Knocked a full cup of coffee all over me etc…. and I would be horrified to see photos ofnhim on a blog. Especially if he was challenged
🙁
Dear all,
I respect the opinions of those who have weighed in to express disagreement wtih my deicsion to post this child’s picture. Thank you for taking the time to write. Until I hear a more convincing argument, the picures will remain. This was more than a child running through the cabin a couple times: this was a child who jumped on me and who acted in deplorable manner for much of the flight. While most if not all fault goes to the parents, as I wrote in my post, actions have consquences and there should be no reasonable expectation of privacy on a crowded metal tube.
“and there should be no reasonable expectation of privacy on a crowded metal tube.” True. So why were you so upset that your privacy, for which you should have “no reasonable expectation,” was violated by this child Matthew?
Good on you for calling out unacceptable behavior. I also thought posting pictures was a bit much but unfortunately, we live in a “pix or it didn’t happen” society. Actions have consequences. I agree that this little hellion probably forfeited his supposed “right” to privacy. Name and shame!
Never again. As an aviation enthusiast and an avid traveller, I used to visit your site at least once a day. Despite your opinionated representations of events sometimes, you have been an interesting read. But today you just crossed all limits posting that kids photo, in my opinion (which, of course does not matter). Wish you more great flights for the future but just hope that I never see you in person in an airport lounge or a flight.
This whole post is just distasteful.
Regardless of your inconvenience, taking pictures of a minor without consent, speculating about his condition/lack of love without knowing his circumstances..
It’s this kind of self righteous attitude (probably paid peanuts for a ticket yet demand utmost exclusivity) gives airline bloggers a bad name.
Have you considered the fact that the child may have mental development issues? Speaking as the brother of one. Spent a lifetime dealing with such bouts of behavior. The screaming, jumping on your lap all points to such mental issues. To call such a child a demon is cruel. The child deserves the benefit of the doubt. Does not absolve the parents for not trying to bring things under control.
I’d rather have people not believe my story than prove it by posting pictures of a toddler with issues.
Your description of the kid screams ADHD.
True it’s the family’s responsibility to seek help for him and try to keep him under control, but you just don’t know enough about them or their child to draw conclusions, much less publicly shame him the way you just did.
Besides, calling a 5-year old “demon-possessed” for misbehaving is just wrong.
Nothing annoys me more than kids misbehaving in public areas, but this child isn’t simply ill-mannered, it’s clearly someone who has a problem.
More importantly though, what does this post aim to achieve exactly?
Sorry you had to endure that, Matthew.
Sadly, paying for a seat in a premium cabin doesn’t necessarily guarantee a premium experience. Flying is sometimes just miserable – no matter where one sits.
Wow… The comments are more interesting than the article itself.
On the other side of the world, youtuber was reported to the police by Garuda Indonesia for allegation of defamation. Apparently, they uploaded a youtube review where the menu on bussiness class was hand written. Not long after the incident, GA issued circular regulation instructing cabin crew to use assertive wording to prohibit any pax making photo and video onboard without any prior permission.
Matthew – fully agree with you on everything here. Based on your description and the pictures I do think the demonic designation is applicable. I feel the pictures enhanced the nature of the article and from a reader’s perspective help me relate to exactly how many boundaries this kid crossed. The blurring of the face isn’t necessary, especially given the consistent pattern of not blurring other kids faces and he was out of control in a public space. I don’t think the kid has a mental issue, I’ve seen kids with mental issues on flights and their parents are always doing everything they can to maintain control, plus you can tell when parents are making an effort and had these parents been making an effort I don’t think we would have seen this article.
I cannot understand people’s concern with showing a child’s face, are children that horrible that you don’t want to see their faces?…I mean I might be able to understand if that was your point, but I don’t think it is…
Bravo, Matthew. When I started reading your post, I wondered how long it would take the “bad parenting” apologists to start to attack you. The kid was on your LAP for Christ’s sake. At that point, you had the right to do whatever you wanted to, including pushing the little monster off. And how could you have taken pics of the parents when they never had the decency to come up and restrain the hellion themselves? Too bad there wasn’t an Air Marshall on the flight with those plastic zip tie handcuffs.
Sorry but…no. A 5-year old acting out is not a reason to post pics of him without his or his parents consent.
I usually agree with you Matthew but not this time. As deplorable as his behavior may have been, it’s just common courtesy (I know it’s not illegal) not to post picture of a child on the internet and infringe on his privacy. I find this particularly surprising since whenever you post someone’s picture, you verify that you’ve sought their permission.
A six year old’s misbehavior (even in the presence of his parents which you seem to think negates any social norm that should be followed) should not lead to you unilaterally suspending his privacy. Imagine if someone snapped a picture of your son misbehaving and put it on the internet. You and your wife won’t accompany him everywhere to ensure that he behaves well 100 percent of the time. He might act poorly as little boys are wont to do, so does that mean that his picture should get posted on the internet? I expected better from the parent of a young child.
Forgot to add that the kid might have ADHD or be on the autistic spectrum . Please don’t be so quick to judge the parents and most importantly the kid, you might not be in possession of all of the facts. In fact, what you describe as violent screaming for 15 minutes might be indicative of other issues; it would be good to have some patience. As St. Augustine said “patience is the companion of wisdom.”
I’ve taken the liberty of blurring his face. I’ll explain why in a post tomorrow.
I flew from NRT to ZRH on Swiss once in J and in the first row of the rear J cabin there were two nannies with two kids, the parents were sitting in F.
The nannies proceeded to get absolutely wasted on the free champagne not caring about the kids who proceeded to run around the cabin throwing stuff, playing with the lights and generally beiny a nuissance. Keep in mind that this was an overnight flight with most people trying to sleep in a dark cabin, while the kids proceeded to throw around those wooden building blocks and magazines (hitting some passengers) and playing around with the lights at the seat. I was as lucky to have an aisle seat and be woken up by one of the childs by it poking me. As you can imagine I was very happy about that.
The flight attendants tried to control the children and apologized to everybody, but there’s really not much they could do. I don’t blame the children, but the parents and the nannies.
Straight to the comments.
Actually was in the Emirates contract lounge (SAS) at EWR, and had parents actually making paper planes for the child to throw around.
Having said that, I treat behavioral problems for a living.
This post highlights 2 issues that seem to always get deafening silence when I ask about them:
Is there any training to deal with behavioral problems other than glaring, shaking fingers (very effective tools, we know…)?
Should there be a screening process?
Once you are in a metal tube at 35K feet in a confined area, your options become very limited.
Have been in planes on long flights with fellow passengers who are obviously mentally ill, and not well controlled. This is in my immediate area, so, odds are there might be more. (Function of statistics.)
Aaah, yes and I have discovered that everybody seems to think they are Mental Health and/or Law experts.
I’m assuming that Matthew called him “demonic” tongue in cheek based on the kid’s behavior. Yes the parents fault. BUT ….
In BUSINESS or COACH (or the cargo hold for that matter) and challenged in some way (i.e. autism) or not, there IS a level of behavior and responsibility that should be maintained.
It is NOT acceptable to impact that many other passengers. period. (or if you are convinced that the kid “has and issue” as a parent you should at LEAST step up and explain to other passengers and apologize). Had the kid landed in my lap I honestly am not sure HOW i would have responded but it would NOT have been pleasant.
Very well said.
Thankfully, there was not an incident of severe in flight turbulence. Seat belts are there for a reason and, as such, are only effective when used. Imagine if the poor child had been thrown to the ceiling in turbulence. The parents would have been the first in line to sue.
What an unkind person you are for posting this without knowing all the facts. I hope you get a kid like that one day.
He had issues, one should not let their kid behave in this manner at any time.
The parents are out to lunch and totally do not parent..further they think the kids actions are cute to them and everyone else!!!!!
They should’ve physically restrained him in the forward cargo hold.
Another demon? https://www.cnn.com/travel/article/united-airlines-boy-autism-flight-wellness/index.html
As a father of an autistic child, I am familiar with how challenging (and terrifying) a flight can be. The behavior of this child reminds me of my own experiences a bit. Of course, it is only an assumption since we do not actually know the child or parents.
I do think the posting of the childs’ pictures was a mistake and I am thankful to see it corrected. I can’t say I blame the author for reacting angrily, however, the child (even if not autistic) should not be held to blame.
All that said, I have faced challenges on flights due to my child with autism. And I would never allow him to roam around the flight disturbing others. I have switched seats, corrected him, held him, gave him melatonin, kept him occupied, fly during certain hours of the day, etc… We have never had any huge issues, just temporary blips that we are able to manage. We’ve successfully made it on 20 hours of flights with an autistic child, and somehow not had any issue at all. We did have some problems on shorter flights, but we managed with minimal disturbance to others.