American Airlines Crew Accuses Dad Of Trafficking Daughter

American Airlines Crew Accuses Dad Of Trafficking Daughter

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A father and daughter duo were traveling together on an American Airlines flight last week, and the father was accused of human trafficking. Is this a case of “better safe than sorry,” or does this cross the line?

American flight met by police over human trafficking claim

As reported by King 5 News and flagged by PYOK, a man named Francisco De Jesus had quite a flight last week on American Airlines, from Seattle (SEA) to Charlotte (CLT). The man was traveling with his 13-year-old daughter, as they were going to celebrate his oldest daughter’s graduation.

During the flight, the man got up to use the lavatory. According to De Jesus, when he returned to his seat, he noticed that his daughter had been given some wings. He asked his daughter where she got them from, and she explained they were given to her by a flight attendant.

A flight attendant had reportedly come to her to seat to ask if she was okay, where she was going, and who she was meeting. The father didn’t think much of the interaction at the time, and thought the two exhibited normal behavior, as the daughter had a cell phone, and the two watched movies together.

However, things changed once the plane arrived in Charlotte. As the duo were deplaning, they were stopped by several people, including one person who introduced himself as the head of security for the airport.

The father and daughter were escorted through the terminal, and were then eventually told that a flight attendant had suspected that the girl was being trafficked, and this needed to be investigated. De Jesus answered all the questions he was asked, and quickly cleared up any confusion. De Jesus acknowledges that the authorities were very professional, and quickly saw the situation for what it was.

De Jesus says he reached out to American Airlines about this, but got absolutely nowhere. The airline issued the following statement to media:

“Our frontline team members are trained to navigate a variety of safety issues, including recognizing the potential signs of human trafficking. We strive to create a positive, welcoming environment for everyone who travels with us and apologize for any misunderstanding that may have occurred.”

De Jesus acknowledges that human trafficking is a serious matter, but just wishes the staff had gone about the interaction differently:

“Human trafficking is a very serious thing. But what we went through and the fear of that wasn’t nice. I just wish that they would have maybe talked to me more. Maybe whoever, the person that made the judgment, should have come over and had a conversation with me. I just want to know what kind of training they do. And is it enough?” 

This is a tough situation…

For quite some time, the airline industry has proudly highlighted how it is training employees to spot human trafficking. The challenge is that it seems that they’ve trained employees just enough to get themselves in trouble, but not enough to do this in an intelligent way.

We see a story like this with some frequency, and I can’t help but notice one theme — it’s almost never a white parent and a white child being accused of human trafficking. It almost always involves passengers who are Hispanic, Black, Asian, etc. I can’t imagine that’s a coincidence.

I absolutely believe that the crew thought they were doing the right thing by reporting the man. The problem is that if flight attendants are going to investigate trafficking, they need to be better trained and have better resources. For example, shouldn’t there be some step between a flight attendant asking a child a few questions, and a passenger being interrogated on the ground in front of his daughter? Couldn’t some research be done in the background during the flight?

For so long we’ve been taught “if you see something, say something,” but there should probably be limits to that. Along similar lines, over the years we’ve seen a countless number of stories of people being removed from flights for speaking Arabic, because they “seemed suspicious.” Just because someone is different doesn’t mean they’re suspicious, and there should be some sort of threshold for deciding when a claim should be taken seriously.

I totally get the “better safe than sorry” mentality, but for us white folks, that’s also a pretty easy argument to make. We’re not usually the people who are presumed guilty until proven innocent.

Bottom line

An American Airlines crew on a recent Seattle to Charlotte flight accused a father of trafficking his daughter. The pair were traveling together, and when the father went to use the bathroom, the crew asked the daughter some questions. Nothing else happened during the flight, but upon landing, the father was questioned by authorities, before eventually being released.

What do you make of this situation?

Conversations (232)
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  1. Michael Skaggs Guest

    I travel with my daughter all the time and never get even a question. I took the two neighbors kids a few times ( they are all 10) and Clear at DFW made it a point to ask all 3 girls “how do you know him? But nowhere else not even a question from TSA or FAs. (We were non revving so I bet that was a sign it was all good) . I fully...

    I travel with my daughter all the time and never get even a question. I took the two neighbors kids a few times ( they are all 10) and Clear at DFW made it a point to ask all 3 girls “how do you know him? But nowhere else not even a question from TSA or FAs. (We were non revving so I bet that was a sign it was all good) . I fully expected some sort of interrogation at some point.

    This guy should be glad a flight attendant bothered to check. I’m guessing there have been a few saves and that makes all these false alarms worth it.

  2. Josh Scott Guest

    If we want “better safe than sorry” it would be best to question all adults with children. This would be non discriminatory and be Safest!

    I’m sure some would hate that inconvenience though because they aren’t that concerned.

  3. Tam Klem Guest

    Even under the best of circumstances and the best treating, people will make mistakes. This IS a better safe than sorry situation. A child’s life is much more important than someone questioned for an extra 30 minutes. No question.

  4. Andrea Guest

    Human trafficking is a large and viable business in our country. The results are horrendous for a child caught up. It is unfortunate that an adult might be misconstrued, but saving a child is much more important.

  5. DC Guest

    I think it was a great lesson for the young to learn and differentiate between a trip with dad and a trip with a pedofille. Some kids may not know the difference and it was a great example to learn that someone is alway looking after the young vulnerable girls. No harm on checking if you get a hunch. Imagine if it really was a real situation like that, and someone could not step in in time? I say good job on the airline staff.

  6. Jonathan Guest

    All this backlash does is create an environment in which the airlines will say "Not our responsibility or problem" and look away and do nothing. Is THAT better?
    If you're a parent, you should shut up and be grateful things like this occur.

  7. Alan Guest

    Seriously, how much training does these flight attendants actually get to spot human traffickers?

    30 mins out of their initial training program?
    2-3 pages out of their training manual?
    a semi-regular reminder email?
    Some recurring online computer based training?

    None of these makes them any more 'expert' at spotting these situations than the average passenger on that flight.
    This flight attendant was over zealous based on his/her personal biases.

  8. Jeff Guest

    The issues here is a common one. For every company policy, human action, judgement or decision there are consequences and often times collateral damage. If you are going to act, train, or take action, you should also be willing to deal with the predictable consequences. Basic personal responsibility.

    What AA did here was take credit (virtue signal) their social justice attempts without really taking a full vested interest in the totality of their actions....

    The issues here is a common one. For every company policy, human action, judgement or decision there are consequences and often times collateral damage. If you are going to act, train, or take action, you should also be willing to deal with the predictable consequences. Basic personal responsibility.

    What AA did here was take credit (virtue signal) their social justice attempts without really taking a full vested interest in the totality of their actions. The same holds true for the FA or other participative staff. The airline should not shield them from participating in the totality of the situation. Shielding them will not foster the best results.

    AA's public statement is insufficient and shows a rather inhumane way to deal with the predictable consequences of their actions. Swift empathetic action would likely have prevented this one given the rather mature manner in which the father has conducted himself.

  9. Bort Guest

    Trafficking does happen. It's on balance a good thing that airlines look for signs of it. Having said that, if airlines are looking, then there will inevitably be "false positives" in which an airline employee will flag someone who is not doing anything wrong. I can picture this false report happening to me because my daughter and I have noticeably different skin tones. I think the appropriate thing to do in such a situation is...

    Trafficking does happen. It's on balance a good thing that airlines look for signs of it. Having said that, if airlines are looking, then there will inevitably be "false positives" in which an airline employee will flag someone who is not doing anything wrong. I can picture this false report happening to me because my daughter and I have noticeably different skin tones. I think the appropriate thing to do in such a situation is for the security people to be extremely nice to the passengers, and thank them for taking the time to help them sort through the process (not that they have a choice if LE is involved) so as not to cause unnecessary offense.

  10. Mario Guest

    It happened to us in Chicago when they turned the aircraft from the runway and wanted us to proof that my wife is our son's mother - same airline AA, we will never fly with them again.

    We called all the lawyers in Chicago and we didn't get any help, this is going way to far and they're wet unprofessional and not trained to handle these situations.

    We really feel for the father - we've been there but we still didn't heal.

  11. Claudia Guest

    There is no perfect way to handle the situation. I think the father was wanting to talk to someone from airline for answers he had a right to ask. They instead of getting back to him, they ignored him. That makes the situation worse. What ever he chooses to do I am glad he and his daughter are together. I hope this didn't give either fears that will hang on for years.

  12. David M Guest

    At the end of the day, you don't lose your Constitutional rights based on someone having a "feeling". You don't have to answer any questions, and if you haven't committed a crime, they can't detain you for very long (Google "unreasonable searches and seizures"). Even police have to have a Reasonable Articulable Suspicion just to ID you in most states. That means you had to have been doing something that a "reasonable" (not paranoid) person...

    At the end of the day, you don't lose your Constitutional rights based on someone having a "feeling". You don't have to answer any questions, and if you haven't committed a crime, they can't detain you for very long (Google "unreasonable searches and seizures"). Even police have to have a Reasonable Articulable Suspicion just to ID you in most states. That means you had to have been doing something that a "reasonable" (not paranoid) person would find suspicious. So, what exactly, was this father doing that was so suspicious? Being brown? Because, legally, a "feeling" is not enough to justify detaining someone. He had to have been DOING something that a reasonable person would find suspicious. That's why "better safe than sorry" is such a VERY slippery slope (and why it's right up there with "shoot first, ask questions later"). Lastly, to all the simpletons, there are very good reasons why "better safe than sorry" is not in the Constitution.

  13. M.Anthony Guest

    While I agree with being concerned about Hunan trafficking, the airlines should show their statistics on there identification of possible trafficking interventions, to identify if improvements in training needs to be conducted. How many trafficking situations have they correctly identified vs the accusations. They also need to identify what made the flight personnel consider what they co cerned about to be a trafficking situation. They do need to break down the incidents by Race, gender,...

    While I agree with being concerned about Hunan trafficking, the airlines should show their statistics on there identification of possible trafficking interventions, to identify if improvements in training needs to be conducted. How many trafficking situations have they correctly identified vs the accusations. They also need to identify what made the flight personnel consider what they co cerned about to be a trafficking situation. They do need to break down the incidents by Race, gender, age of the accused and those making the accusations, to include the age of the person believed to be trafficked These statistics will help identify training concerns and racial bias. Failure to identify measurable factors can and will cause the airlines to be sued successfully.

  14. Jennifer Shannon Guest

    I agree with Robin Johnson.

  15. Ginger Guest

    I can understand him being upset but just think whst if he was trafficking and no one dud anything . So it's a catch 22
    It's easy if father has picture ID and a child getting on a plane at any age should have a picture ID then it wouldn't be an issue

  16. Robin Johnson Guest

    I think the father should sue American Airlines for falsely accusing him of human trafficking. They need to get more training before they do that again. So getting sued by the father will be a wake up call for the airlines.

    1. Lyn Guest

      Well from a flt attendants perspective. There are cues and behaviors we look for. There have been cases where flt attendants have been right and some cases they have been wrong. But the story I read, I don't know if they put everything in the story. But it typically it isn't just one flt attendants opinion. It should be a collective decision amongst all the flt attendants...because like this case 1 person can miss something....

      Well from a flt attendants perspective. There are cues and behaviors we look for. There have been cases where flt attendants have been right and some cases they have been wrong. But the story I read, I don't know if they put everything in the story. But it typically it isn't just one flt attendants opinion. It should be a collective decision amongst all the flt attendants...because like this case 1 person can miss something. Just giving the child wings isn't enough in my opinion to decide she is being trafficked and enough time to access the situation. We look at interactions between the two...we look at questiones being answered to the child in front of the potential trafficker. Its an assessment. One of the behaviors of a trafficker is that they don't want to leave their victim alone to be questioned...the little girls answers may have made her uncomfortable and nervous....I mean parents do raise their children to not talk to strangers. This was an unfortunate outcome.

    2. Jonathan Guest

      Or next time when a child IS being trafficked the airline will do nothing because of stupid litigation. Brilliant.

  17. Raymond Davis Guest

    Writer threw in the race card. Ok, but here is truth. Hispanic, SE Asian, native American girls are the most frequent victims of human trafficking around the world. They are sold by family, tricked into false jobs or marriage arrangements. Yes this father wishes it was handled differently but that's his story, not the flight personal observations or even the girls actions while he was away, maybe she accidentally gave the "need help signal". So...

    Writer threw in the race card. Ok, but here is truth. Hispanic, SE Asian, native American girls are the most frequent victims of human trafficking around the world. They are sold by family, tricked into false jobs or marriage arrangements. Yes this father wishes it was handled differently but that's his story, not the flight personal observations or even the girls actions while he was away, maybe she accidentally gave the "need help signal". So get ALL the facts before you bring in the race card or complaining about a situation.

    1. M.Anthony Guest

      While I agree with being concerned about Hunan trafficking, the airlines should show their statistics on there identification of possible trafficking interventions, to identify if improvements in training needs to be conducted. How many trafficking situations have they correctly identified vs the accusations. They also need to identify what made the flight personnel consider what they co cerned about to be a trafficking situation. They do need to break down the incidents by Race, gender,...

      While I agree with being concerned about Hunan trafficking, the airlines should show their statistics on there identification of possible trafficking interventions, to identify if improvements in training needs to be conducted. How many trafficking situations have they correctly identified vs the accusations. They also need to identify what made the flight personnel consider what they co cerned about to be a trafficking situation. They do need to break down the incidents by Race, gender, age of the accused and those making the accusations, to include the age of the person believed to be trafficked These statistics will help identify training concerns and racial bias. Failure to identify measurable factors can and will cause the airlines to be sued successfully.

    2. Lee Guest

      My question is did the girl look very different from him? Was this his step daughter or adopted daughter?

    3. George Guest

      Agree, but disagree. Yes, statistics show that minorities are the most likely victims of human trafficking. Looking at statistics, 2021 Data from the National Human Trafficking Hotline shows that out of 2,227 incidents where they knew the ethnicity of the victim, 24% were Hispanic (and 24% Asian and 21% African).

      But looking at stats from the Bureau of Justice, of the 1,169 defendants charged in U.S. district court with human trafficking offenses in 2020,...

      Agree, but disagree. Yes, statistics show that minorities are the most likely victims of human trafficking. Looking at statistics, 2021 Data from the National Human Trafficking Hotline shows that out of 2,227 incidents where they knew the ethnicity of the victim, 24% were Hispanic (and 24% Asian and 21% African).

      But looking at stats from the Bureau of Justice, of the 1,169 defendants charged in U.S. district court with human trafficking offenses in 2020, 199 were Hispanic, so around 17%- slightly lower than the 19% overall in population.

      There were 674M flights in 2021. Assuming that Hispanics are proportionally represented, that would mean 128M Hispanics flying. Let's make a WAG and say that 10% of the suspects charged in court were found while flying. So you are saying it's OK to suspect 128M people to find 20 suspects, because of racial profiling?

      Then it's definitely OK to put white people through metal detectors at schools, because we know that the majority of mass shootings in the US are carried out by white shooters...

  18. Robert Eckard Guest

    Better safe than sorry. Father should be glad the Airline was being cautious on the relationship. Father was handled professionally and needs to swallow his ego. Way to go American Airelines.

  19. Jeorge Guest

    It was handled professionally and transferred to the other professionals waiting at the jet way.
    Not arising suspicious behavior before reaching their destination and letting the proper authorities sort it out was there was the way to do it. Everybody is safe and no harm. What ever behavior was displayed that alarmed the crew, good job in the way they proceeded. We never know, do we!
    .

  20. Ron Guest

    Sue them. They understand that language. It's the only language they understand.

  21. Joe Sperando Guest

    I absolutely support the airlines in what they did.... their efforts are appreciated and a good parent should recognize that...not rebut it

  22. Chuckie Guest

    The fact that they questioned a minor without consent of the adult is a violation in itself. They did nothing to "appear suspicious" than be a brown man with a young brown girl.

    Boy Scouts of America, White Christian organization paying out an $850 million dollar settlement to over 10k victims at the hands of over 5000 White male troop leaders that molested them leading back 50 years, yet we still don't see White males...

    The fact that they questioned a minor without consent of the adult is a violation in itself. They did nothing to "appear suspicious" than be a brown man with a young brown girl.

    Boy Scouts of America, White Christian organization paying out an $850 million dollar settlement to over 10k victims at the hands of over 5000 White male troop leaders that molested them leading back 50 years, yet we still don't see White males as the go to suspect.

    Jeff Epstien showed us who we should suspect. It isn't the Brown guy.

  23. Antonio Guest

    I agree, better safe than sorry. No more white male students should be allowed to attend school. I mean statistically they commit an overwhelming majority of the mass shootings.

  24. Curious poster Guest

    Wonder if they had the same last names. I've been stopped and questioned because I don't have the same last name as my daughter.

  25. Tanner from the south Guest

    Very well put article. Puts most of America's thoughts on the page. But of course there are gonna be reactionary MAGAheads saying that this was not racially motivated in any sense. But as this article says, it is incredibly easy to throw stones as a white person in modern America.

  26. John Cooper Guest

    I traveled dozens of times from LAX to numerous international airports. Never had an issue but I'm WHITE. She is olived-coloured as her mom is an Israeli. Had some stranger started deposing me in the AP, I would have told the group my & my minor daughter's travel are none of the mobs business. FUCK OFF

    The man American abused is guilty of being NON-WHITE, nothing else. I'd hire an attorney.

    1. W. L. H. Guest

      Totally agree with you. I hope this man sue’s!!!!!

  27. Anna Guest

    Airlines tried their . Whatever they do, there will be some complaints. I am happy that American Airlines watched out for us: better careful than sorry. Kudos to AA.

  28. Starsandbars Guest

    Came here to see the prevented democratic reply,wasn't disappointed.

    1. Jack M Guest

      Came here to see the incoherent inbred response , wasn't disappointed

    2. FDT Guest

      Came here to see the illiterate Republicans cry. Wasn't disappointed.

  29. Elwood Blue Guest

    Just read the story about father and daughter traveling on plane. People, that was as big to do about nothing as ever was. Seriously? That's best you can do? Make it even worse some religious group had big chunk of screen blocked with their ad. Whole thing was a non funny joke

  30. Norberto Tjon Ajong Guest

    I totally agree with the American Airlines Flight Attendants procedure in this case. Besides being trained the passengers behavior in flight must have given them a reason for the " let's make sure the child is safe ". Even more although it's within an USA flight in our jurisdiction a child cannot leave our city and island without a written legal consent of the mother or father if one travels separately.

  31. Tim Guest

    I’d be curious to know what made these flight attendants think this could be a human trafficking situation? Why didn’t they query the father separate from the daughter? Clearly neither the father or daughter can flee. It does seem like profiling given the paucity of investigation.

    1. Jack M Guest

      Yes because they are trained investigators and interrogators. So escalating a situation by separating the man from the child during a flight and possibly causing an incident while in the air would be a preferred outcome. Think before you type.

    2. K james Guest

      Why reply back with hostility?

  32. Joe Jonas Guest

    Say it with me "I will not fly on an American brand airline, I will only fly on a foreign brand airline. I have always had bad experiences with domestic airlines, and great experiences with various European airlines.

    1. Jack M Guest

      So you are saying it has been easier for you to traffic children on foreign carriers? That is good to know

  33. Quik Guest

    This has nothing to do with race. It’s only dads that are ever accused of this. Never are women/moms.

    1. Antonio Guest

      Pretty obvious it was racially motivated.

    2. Tanner from the south Guest

      It can be both. But downplaying the racial aspect does more harm socially than downplaying the gender aspect, imo.

  34. Michael Fisher Guest

    Sue airline into the dust

  35. Carol Richardson Guest

    Should be thankful that the airlines are taking the time and effort to protect our young. First time I flew I used the time to do my Bible reading. Attendant asked me if I was afraid. I said no. I read my Bible daily. Nice that she asked.

  36. Laura Guest

    Why does race have to come in to everything when it is not a white person. I'm Puerto Rican and once when I was young somebody hated me because of my race but other than that I find myself accepted everywhere I go. Whoever wrote the story I want to know what basis the statement on race was made are they qualified do they know what they're talking about, are they haters.. Mr DeJesus did...

    Why does race have to come in to everything when it is not a white person. I'm Puerto Rican and once when I was young somebody hated me because of my race but other than that I find myself accepted everywhere I go. Whoever wrote the story I want to know what basis the statement on race was made are they qualified do they know what they're talking about, are they haters.. Mr DeJesus did not call race. Quite often those who call race sometimes they're right and sometimes they're the bigots. The airline employees did what they thought was right and that took courage. The airline probably doesn't want to talk to Mr DeJesus cuz they don't want to give him any ammo to sue them with. And Mr de Jesus is owed an apology or at least a lifetime full of free airline tickets. But I think an apology might admit guilt and that's the ammo they probably don't want to give him.

  37. Iris Guest

    Thank you American Airlines for caring about the safety of children. It us better to be safe than so sorry.

  38. Mimi S Guest

    Sue American Airlines !
    Crazy
    Some FA, think they are above God on that closed space.

  39. Victor Guest

    Wrong on airlines..very wrong..I suspect there was also a prejudment obviously because the gentleman was LATINO/HISPANIC...THIS COULD HAVE BEEN HANDLE DIFFERENTLY..HOPEFULLY THIS GENTLEMAN SUITS THE HECK OUT AIRLINES..DISGUSTING ACT ON THEIR PART!!!!

  40. Tammy Berry Guest

    What this causes now, is a quick realignment of human trafficking, and will now cause them to make changes to their despicable deeds, or become indignant and make a scene and get away. In my opinion all though it was not what it seemed and Dad was innocent, he should be grateful that more people are becoming aware to watch out for these horrible people. It should've been kept quiet instead of turned into a...

    What this causes now, is a quick realignment of human trafficking, and will now cause them to make changes to their despicable deeds, or become indignant and make a scene and get away. In my opinion all though it was not what it seemed and Dad was innocent, he should be grateful that more people are becoming aware to watch out for these horrible people. It should've been kept quiet instead of turned into a racial issue. Human trafficking is a serious problem. Helping instead of crying poor me, Sacrifice for maybe saving a life.

    1. Antonio Guest

      I have read nothing suspicious about this father's activity. His race seems to be the only factor.

  41. Ted Guest

    Aside from this incident which could have been handled better, I have to say from personal experience and from very close friends and family that American Airlines has fallen in their service to those who fly with them.
    I and many others will not be picking American airlines as our 1st choice when we fly.

  42. Carmen Sanchez Guest

    Although they were trying to be safe and protect I wish they would of been honest to avoid these would of should of. I understand they were trying to be safe but honesty would of been better to all parties.

  43. Lynn Monte Guest

    I have to ask why people get so angry that only blacks, Hispanics etc are being questioned, when 1) that's not true, BUT 2) the stats tell us all that it's typically those races that bring trafficked, which THAT should be questioned a whole lot more!

    1. Victor Guest

      DO not beleive your STATS..HUMAN TRAFFICKING IS A WORLD WIDE PROBLEM...

    2. Jack M Guest

      And most of the world is not white, so your point is?

    3. Antonio Guest

      1) race should not be the only factor considered. What else did this man do to he suspicious. As of now, I have read nothing that further implicates him. 2) by your logic, most mass shooters are white males, so we should allow white males on airplanes at all.

      Stats do not condone prejudice.

    4. K james Guest

      Lynn, you didn't just type that out loud, Did you?

  44. Karen Guest

    Better safe than sorry as long as it only happens to minorities. Question them all before they get on flights. Load them all onto boxcars and ship them away if they refuse. Make them work in labor camps until they confess. Better safe than sorry. I'm white so I'm all for this as long as it's not me, I don't care. I agree with most of the other comments 100% better safe than sorry

    1. Jose Gonzalez Guest

      When this happens to White America then this will become a National crisis that must be addressed. Until then we don't Care!

    2. K625 Guest

      Yes, it’s like the drug problem in this country. It wasn’t a drug problem until it ended up in the suburbs. Urban area have been dealing with bs forever.

    3. WLH Guest

      Sadly sir you are right. I’m so sick of apologizing for my fellow white people! Come on white people do better!!!!

  45. Brandon Guest

    I for one appreciated being questioned by TSA, I know it's not the airline, but still airport related. I was travelling with my gf and her two kids, I'm dark haired half white, half asian. They are all very white blonde people, obviously not my kids.

    So when I took them through TSA precheck with me while my gf went through the regular line. I got the questions and they asked my gf's daughter...

    I for one appreciated being questioned by TSA, I know it's not the airline, but still airport related. I was travelling with my gf and her two kids, I'm dark haired half white, half asian. They are all very white blonde people, obviously not my kids.

    So when I took them through TSA precheck with me while my gf went through the regular line. I got the questions and they asked my gf's daughter who I was to her and where we were going, etc. I let her do the talking so it didn't seem like I was trying to influence her answers. It was quickly apparent they were with me and we moved on.

    I thanked them, then we went to the lounge and got some food and waited for their mom.

    1. Lynn Monte Guest

      ✌ thank you for NOT personalizing something that stats clearly show us who is doing most of the trafficking!

  46. Sela Vahai Guest

    Sad to say....communication is key and common sense isn't common anymore... there's nothing wrong with speaking to people on the plane, for many travel for a reason especially if you look at the events that tend to take place around the calendar year.... this month of May is known for graduations and proms and even vacation... so do ask away when you see a parent traveling with their little one. It's okay to get familiar...

    Sad to say....communication is key and common sense isn't common anymore... there's nothing wrong with speaking to people on the plane, for many travel for a reason especially if you look at the events that tend to take place around the calendar year.... this month of May is known for graduations and proms and even vacation... so do ask away when you see a parent traveling with their little one. It's okay to get familiar with those you're flying with because we don't know when the next time we'll fly together once again.....

  47. Debby Guest

    I would be mad as all get out!!! Exactly, what did this father do that led the flight attendant to think he was trafficking his child!? what!? The FA should be able to provide some answers to the question; and the father should be allowed to ask her/him just what did he observe; that the FA would accuse him if something so reprehensible.

  48. J Dills Guest

    Something that struck me in this story: I live in an area of Seattle where there is a prostitution strip. The girls are probably 80% white, maybe more. I drive by every day. Rarely see a brown skinned girl and never Asian.

    1. WLH Guest

      Sadly sir you are right. I’m so sick of apologizing for my fellow white people! Come on white people do better!!!

    2. Travis Guest

      Ha! I drive by a spot in Fife that's the same way. Have to get down by Hosmer and 72nd to see anything other than white.

  49. Grey Diamond

    It is amazing how people love saying, 'better safe than sorry' as an excuse for overreaching behaviour. Well, on that logic, we should just ban anybody flying with anybody else. Yes it might be a bit inconvenient, but it will make it much harder to use planes to traffic individuals if everybody has to travel independently. And probably should do a background check every time someone buys a plan ticket. Otherwise some criminals might get...

    It is amazing how people love saying, 'better safe than sorry' as an excuse for overreaching behaviour. Well, on that logic, we should just ban anybody flying with anybody else. Yes it might be a bit inconvenient, but it will make it much harder to use planes to traffic individuals if everybody has to travel independently. And probably should do a background check every time someone buys a plan ticket. Otherwise some criminals might get onboard. Obviously this will all be a bit inconvenient, but it is better safe than sorry!

  50. SNCY Guest

    If I had been tge Father there, I'd have sued the living sh*t out of that airline.
    You simply don't call the cops unless you are reasonably sure and have evidence that a crime was committed.

    1. Lynn Monte Guest

      They didn't call the police...they called the airline security.

    2. Starsandbars Guest

      So if my flight is over ,I would sue the airport security and the airline and flight attendant.

    3. Daphne Guest

      Airline security is the cops. There's no equivalent of mall security at the airport. They are actual law enforcement.

  51. George N Romey Guest

    None of us know specifically what happened, what was said and what kind of training FAs get to spot human trafficking. So spare the political theater. Ultimately it's better to be safe than sorry in this case. As hard it is for some people to believe but there are parents out there that will sexually traffic their kids. Just ask any law enforcement that works in human trafficking.

    1. TER Guest

      Yes, there are.

      And, I - personally - would like to see a demographic breakdown of those who are considered suspicious/stopped/questioned versus those that breeze right through...

    2. Lynn Monte Guest

      And then you can also look at the statistics of who is getting trafficked the most. THAT should be more of your concern, if you're truly concerned of the maltreatment of our minorities.

    3. Emma Guest

      True, we do not know what the 13yr old said or how she behaved. Maybe she really didnt want to go on the trip & seemed upset. Plenty that age get moody & resent not be able to do what they want.

  52. Bea Guest

    Great job flight attendant. Better to be safe than sorry in the long run. People always say should of would of could of. But not do it to late in some cases.

    1. Emily Guest

      I'm a white Mom in my 50s, traveled with teenage daughter from Seattle to NYC (pre-college stuff) a 2 weeks ago and this happened to us. I don't think there's anything about our appearance that made this happen. I guess you could say we look bland, "suburban". My daughter and I were separated at security before we even got on our first flight. They took her phone (put it through on the conveyor belt with...

      I'm a white Mom in my 50s, traveled with teenage daughter from Seattle to NYC (pre-college stuff) a 2 weeks ago and this happened to us. I don't think there's anything about our appearance that made this happen. I guess you could say we look bland, "suburban". My daughter and I were separated at security before we even got on our first flight. They took her phone (put it through on the conveyor belt with her backpack etc) and she disappeared with several people from TSA. I told myself to be calm, they were doing their jobs and we'll be on our way soon. She was freaked out, mainly because she had no way to communicate with me. I was mostly concerned our trip would be delayed but I also felt pretty helpless not to mention the scene they were causing which was for sure embarrassing, but whatever. After questioning, they let her go and she wandered over to find me at the other side of TSA. It was very clear to me that there was not much training, but this is becoming a big enough issue they are being told to be hypervigilant. I'm a firm believer in "better safe than sorry" and even explained to my daughter while it was happening that there is a thing such as human trafficking and its their job to investigate. Still, it seemed a bit over the top.

    2. Kiki Guest

      I think you probably didn't understand what was happening to your and your daughter. Please inform yourself of your rights at the security checkpoint. They are not law enforcement. If they took her for additional screening, she had the right to have someone with her.

    3. George Guest

      Wouldn't it have been much more sensible to talk to the two of you together, look at your boarding passes and see that you had the same last name? Rather than scaring the *&#$ out of your daughter?

  53. Keith Guest

    It seems like with all the security checks we go through just to get to the gate it should have been easy enough to check and find out wether or not this was actually his daughter. They could have done this during the flight and that should have been the end of it.

  54. Cat Guest

    Why on earth would they talk to him more. Send like this was handled the best way possible. Round of applause for this flight attendant for speaking up when she could've looked the other way. Good work, glad it was not the case. I wonder what the comment section would look like if she was right. Flight attendants are not detectives

  55. Tony Guest

    See a brown guy, aaaaahh, haah!!! Human trafficker!

  56. Pat Guest

    Ha yes comments by morons always fun thank you John

  57. Jeffkasman Guest

    Better safe then sorry

  58. S karg Guest

    I give the flight attendant a round of applause. Better to error and be wrong than to sit by and do nothing. The flight attendant should be given a hi five.

  59. Cyd Guest

    How was he accused when he said he was asked set of questions and yes it's better to be safe than sorry and still trying to pull the race card. At this day and age it's good to know that airlines care about this stuff. They should've followed them both to make sure that it's not really a trafficking situation. I have children and if I was asked questions during the flight, I'll answer them...

    How was he accused when he said he was asked set of questions and yes it's better to be safe than sorry and still trying to pull the race card. At this day and age it's good to know that airlines care about this stuff. They should've followed them both to make sure that it's not really a trafficking situation. I have children and if I was asked questions during the flight, I'll answer them without complaining. If he's not trafficking his kid then what's he worried about? What's the big deal then?

    1. Yvi Guest

      Please read! He was NOT asked questions during the flight...he was asked after he deplaned the flight when security interrogated him.

  60. Ron from FL Guest

    As a single father.... what's the problem? Someone asked you a few questions to make sure the child belonged to you. Violation of your rights? I doubt it, but you could have asked for a lawyer at anytime. Do you get upset if someone asks for ID when using a credit card? I wish it would happen more often. Ask a parent of an abducted child if they wish more would just ask the question. I'm not a fan of AA, but thank you flight attendants for the extra vigilance.

    1. Nikki Chi Guest

      Did you not read or simply ignore the part about the suspicion bring disproportionately leveraged at non-white families? That's a problem that goes beyond a simple case of being careful. It's racism and it's wrong. It's also very overwhelming and uncomfortable to experience. Sadly, if they crunch the numbers, it's probably doing little to positively impact the issue of human trafficking. But, of course, people like you are usually okay with things happening to everyone...

      Did you not read or simply ignore the part about the suspicion bring disproportionately leveraged at non-white families? That's a problem that goes beyond a simple case of being careful. It's racism and it's wrong. It's also very overwhelming and uncomfortable to experience. Sadly, if they crunch the numbers, it's probably doing little to positively impact the issue of human trafficking. But, of course, people like you are usually okay with things happening to everyone else.

    2. Jack M Guest

      That was the author's opinion with no proof or sites of where that belief comes from. What percentage of non whites vs whites are stopped? What percentage of actual traffickers are .nonwhite? This is just one person's opinion with absolutely nothing to back it up.
      Would you prefer that they check less when the child is a minority? I for one would rather have this happen occasionally and trafficking decrease than have the airlines...

      That was the author's opinion with no proof or sites of where that belief comes from. What percentage of non whites vs whites are stopped? What percentage of actual traffickers are .nonwhite? This is just one person's opinion with absolutely nothing to back it up.
      Would you prefer that they check less when the child is a minority? I for one would rather have this happen occasionally and trafficking decrease than have the airlines solely just provide lip service to their anti trafficking stance.

    3. Yvi Guest

      They asked the child while he was in bathroom and reported him to Security...he was not asked anything until he deplaned and was reported.

      The point is WHY did they suspect him and it is always Hispanics, and Blacks when there are more white human traffickers.

  61. Mo Guest

    I think it’s a good thing that American Airlines is taking an approach to find human traffickers and save children.

  62. Kevin B Guest

    Lucky, being an adoptive father you wouldn't imagine how lax airport security is. My son is of a different race and for another mont will have a different last name.

    We have flown about 6 or 7 flights with him and not once has an airline or tsa agent asked to see his birth certificate or his placement paperwork.

    It is horrifying how easily someone can traffic a child or kidnap a child....

    Lucky, being an adoptive father you wouldn't imagine how lax airport security is. My son is of a different race and for another mont will have a different last name.

    We have flown about 6 or 7 flights with him and not once has an airline or tsa agent asked to see his birth certificate or his placement paperwork.

    It is horrifying how easily someone can traffic a child or kidnap a child. This has me so scared as a father. Airlines and the FAA need to put some sort of verification in place.

  63. SoupKuma Guest

    Reading the article I thought the argument would be what is the percentage of success should the FA's be allowed to profile the passengers. As in maybe if the FA's are correct 1 in 20 times where passengers are grilled with questions, it's still worth it?

    But then I opened the comment section seeing it's all about US politics and almost no one is trying to be practical.

  64. Nathan Guest

    The basic problem is that human trafficking isn’t actually an issue within the US. But advocacy organizations are not incentivized to point that out (it is absolutely a problem worldwide).

    1. Kevin B Guest

      Human trafficking is a bigger issue than you think especially in Florida the hospitality industry in florida is extremely guilty of this

    2. Cindy Guest

      Several people were just arrested in NE Ohio for human trafficking so, yes, it is a problem in the US.

    3. Tina Guest

      Nathan your head is in the sand if you think human trafficking isn’t an issue in the US. It is actually a very big problem. Research the stats and you will be shocked that it’s occurring regularly right in our own back yards.

    4. Angel Guest

      This comment is crazy. I grew up along interstates that run from north to south border and east to west border of the US. As I became an adult, I started hearing about human trafficking and how easy it is to take a person, jump on the interstate and disappear. Trafficking in the US has been a problem for several years now.

    5. Daphne Guest

      It is a problem in the US. Human trafficking for labor is more of an issue than sex trafficking but both are big issues.

  65. Common sence Guest

    All the sturedess had to ask the girl was who she is traveling with and when she said her father it should have been over.

  66. iamhere Guest

    Ignorant and racist. What about the training? This man should be compensated.

  67. Larry Guest

    I was "racially profiled" by a new, Caucasian police officer on a Sunday morning walking my son to Walmart in the Atlanta area. My son is mixed, I'm white, my late wife was black. In our neighborhood, I stuck out as it's predominantly black. We lived there for a couple of years, my neighbors know me and I get along with everyone. However, at the time there was a lot of heroine being trafficked there...

    I was "racially profiled" by a new, Caucasian police officer on a Sunday morning walking my son to Walmart in the Atlanta area. My son is mixed, I'm white, my late wife was black. In our neighborhood, I stuck out as it's predominantly black. We lived there for a couple of years, my neighbors know me and I get along with everyone. However, at the time there was a lot of heroine being trafficked there and about the only time you would see a white guy, chances are they are looking to score. I guess the other cops didn't brief this new guy about the one legitimate white guy. Even though we were walking he asked for my license. He saw it and said, Oh shit, may bad. You really do live here." My son was four at the time and I laughed it off, and he gave my son like Atlanta PD swag.
    That said, as a former flight attendant we weren't necessarily trained to look our for human trafficking, but to be aware. Sounds like these F/A were just plain paranoid. Then again I also served in the USAF as an Air Transportation Specialist and the last two weeks of my technical school was passenger service, other than pax, we mainly deal with air cargo. Being in the military (I spent my whole enlistment in Europe), we're always told to be situationly aware of Operational Security. When I became a flight attendant, it was just second nature to make sure my pax are legit, and for the most part not under any type of duress.

  68. Doxwife Guest

    I commend the person(s) who were attentive to the child, and the ones who listened to the dad with open minds & realized he had done nothing wrong. HOWEVER, if people are going to be put into a position where they could EASILY destroy someone’s life like this, shouldn’t we make sure they have the correct/utmost training? I mean ‘see something say something’ is great, but what stops someone from simply being petty or spiteful...

    I commend the person(s) who were attentive to the child, and the ones who listened to the dad with open minds & realized he had done nothing wrong. HOWEVER, if people are going to be put into a position where they could EASILY destroy someone’s life like this, shouldn’t we make sure they have the correct/utmost training? I mean ‘see something say something’ is great, but what stops someone from simply being petty or spiteful in an attempt to simply do harm? Especially when there are ZERO consequences for ‘well it LOOKED TO ME like (fill in blank)’…

  69. Random Guest

    I can relate, I travel quite a lot a I still find it insane that I am always selected at "random" for extra screening when going through TSA even though I have TSA Pre check. The airlines are racist and still probably use old racist custom rules created in the 1950s.

    1. Larry Guest

      Even when I was commuting to my crew base as a flight attendant, I'd sometimes get that, and I'm a white guy. Maybe because they found out I'm married to a black chick, and I'm not a gay male flight attendant they were picking on me? The SSSS on the boarding pass is random. However, if your name is similar to someone on a no fly list, you will get flagged. It's unfortunate. BTW, the...

      Even when I was commuting to my crew base as a flight attendant, I'd sometimes get that, and I'm a white guy. Maybe because they found out I'm married to a black chick, and I'm not a gay male flight attendant they were picking on me? The SSSS on the boarding pass is random. However, if your name is similar to someone on a no fly list, you will get flagged. It's unfortunate. BTW, the regional carrier I flew for was very diverse. I've seen my share of idiots working for mainline carriers I've dealt with. A few times I've had to write trip reports that would eventually go back to their bosses. When I would work United Express flights, United actually had questionnaires I would give to my pax and I highly encouraged them to fill them out and turn them in. Most F/A's I knew wouldn't even bother. I actually had really great write ups. The way I saw it, if we can improve, let it be known. I've been on both sides. If enough people complain about bad service, hopefully it will change.

    2. Ronald H Guest

      @Random. I'm white and I get the random phone screens at TSA too. It's computer generated, so please stop with the bias argument.

  70. Jeff Brodsky Guest

    I actually do Airport Training through my organization JOY International (joy.org). While I would agree it's better to be safe than sorry, there's no way that a teenage girl being trafficked would have a cell phone or have the kind of interaction they were having. This was an overzealous flight attendant. She was right to ask the girl some simple questions that she did and the girls answers and demeanor should have been enough. Based...

    I actually do Airport Training through my organization JOY International (joy.org). While I would agree it's better to be safe than sorry, there's no way that a teenage girl being trafficked would have a cell phone or have the kind of interaction they were having. This was an overzealous flight attendant. She was right to ask the girl some simple questions that she did and the girls answers and demeanor should have been enough. Based on what I'm reading in what was written, there's no way they should have been confronted after the plane landed.

  71. Jenna Guest

    WOW! This Could hv Bn any 1; just think of our own son Who has 13 yr old; & because he’s person of color American Airlines assumes he’s Human-trafficking her! What kinda Training is this; if he ws human-trafficking her, he would hv never left her alone, she could hv Bn wearing a Disguise, quiet, in-coherent & would not Hv cellphn! Only persons they nd pay attention to is white men; all over news Kidnaping...

    WOW! This Could hv Bn any 1; just think of our own son Who has 13 yr old; & because he’s person of color American Airlines assumes he’s Human-trafficking her! What kinda Training is this; if he ws human-trafficking her, he would hv never left her alone, she could hv Bn wearing a Disguise, quiet, in-coherent & would not Hv cellphn! Only persons they nd pay attention to is white men; all over news Kidnaping kids 10-14 & 15-21; Man was just caught Human-traffick girl found in Alabama, he ws white. This sicko spirit brought from the United Kingdom to America years ago still exists in America!

  72. Guest Guest

    I expect the airline stock will soon be in the toilet. They need better training or they can expect many more lawsuits. I stopped flying because of all the issues airlines have now.

  73. Maureen Caruso Guest

    The crew was out of line! As a former flight attendant I would have handled the situation much differently and not jumped to a conclusion that was wrong

  74. Donato Guest

    I went through a similar adventure in NYC. I am Caucasian as is my daughter. My daughter was volunteering at a nursing home, I drove her to a bus stop on the way. After she exited the car I called her back but as a teenager, she was embarrassed to interact with her dad. As I drove off I was actually pulled over by a NYPD traffic officer and roughly questioned. It was hilarious but...

    I went through a similar adventure in NYC. I am Caucasian as is my daughter. My daughter was volunteering at a nursing home, I drove her to a bus stop on the way. After she exited the car I called her back but as a teenager, she was embarrassed to interact with her dad. As I drove off I was actually pulled over by a NYPD traffic officer and roughly questioned. It was hilarious but deadly serious, Traffic Officers do not have police powers and do not have the right to pull drivers over, unless the driver is white I guess..

    1. Sel, D. Guest

      Thank you for sharing your lived experience. Anti-white bigots that cream themselves over self deprecating racism like Lucky must be made aware. The tides will turn eventually. Stay strong. It’s harder now than ever to be white, the only race that it’s currently acceptable to discriminate against.

    2. Dee Guest

      There's something wrong with you

    3. Starsandbars Guest

      So if my flight is over ,I would sue the airport security and the airline and flight attendant.

    4. CJSams Guest

      It’s not acceptable to discriminate against ANY race. You sound like you have a chip on your shoulder and you are far removed from reality. Any discrimination white people have felt is horrible, however cannot compare to the discrimination and cruelty Black and Brown people have suffered.

      But I digress. The FA was overly zealous. Caution is good however as others have it out, the girl would not have been left alone or it...

      It’s not acceptable to discriminate against ANY race. You sound like you have a chip on your shoulder and you are far removed from reality. Any discrimination white people have felt is horrible, however cannot compare to the discrimination and cruelty Black and Brown people have suffered.

      But I digress. The FA was overly zealous. Caution is good however as others have it out, the girl would not have been left alone or it would’ve had a cell phone. If the flight attendants are going to get training on human trafficking, actions should be based on signs on human trafficking and not on the race of the adult or child.

  75. glenn t Diamond

    AA flight attendants would do well to divert their attentions to minding their own business and providing a better flight experience for their passengers. The FA concerned well and truly crossed the line and should be counselled about inappropriate behaviour.
    Meantime, the father and daughter should avail themselves of that other American tradition and sue the pants off American Airlines.

  76. Stephen Guest

    Curious if they share a family name and if that was noticed by the suspicious crew member!

  77. Jonny Q Guest

    I think the FA did a great job. I appreciate their vigilance. Rather be safe than sorry. If this man sues and wins the case, crews will be more apprehensive to report any suspected traffic issues. Unfortunately, sex offenders have messed it all up for everyone.

  78. Tim K Guest

    Profiling is what keeps us safe(er). Understanding that the writer is liberal and wants equity, not reality is kind of hard to comprehend. Did you consider the facts of previous arrests for human trafficking to come to your conclusion of "racism" before letting this piece of liberal literature loose ? Facts matter

    1. DdM Guest

      Yet another person who has failed at reading comprehension. If facts matter so much to you then why did you miss the part about the girl having a cellphone and being left alone? Traffickers don't leave their victims alone when traveling and they sure as hell don't let them have cellphones! Also the majority of are white. Check F.B.I. stats or Atlanta Center for Diseases both track stats of traffickers arrests going back 30yrs.

  79. Joe Guest

    Ignorant untrained racist FA. Not for the initial questions, but for everything after it.

    Seems VERY clear to anyone with a brain this was not a trafficking situation.

    AA FA's are the worst.

  80. Chase Guest

    Regardless of whether they FAs were in the right or wrong, AA should have immediately refunded their flights and sent an apology.

  81. Ron Guest

    I guess the TRAINING suggest that RED FLAGS are BLACK, ASIAN or Hispanic MEN are most likely to be PIMPS and Traffickers. That's JUST like assuming all WHITE MEN/WOMEN are ENTITLED, Bigots and RACIST. The REAL QUESTION should be why TRAINED FLIGHT ATTENDANTS considered FRONTLINE EMPLOYEES but are not paid more money for their keen investigative skills.

    1. Koggerj Guest

      Your victim complex is showing.

  82. dander Guest

    Never a white parent? I totally respect you, but this crossed the line Ben. I took my son, daughter and her boyfriend to Canada. My son and I flew one airline the other two took another airline. My Son and I got to Canadian Customs and I got the 20 + questions. I am White and my wife is Hispanic. My son has my wife's skin tone. Finally, after a few minutes of grilling by...

    Never a white parent? I totally respect you, but this crossed the line Ben. I took my son, daughter and her boyfriend to Canada. My son and I flew one airline the other two took another airline. My Son and I got to Canadian Customs and I got the 20 + questions. I am White and my wife is Hispanic. My son has my wife's skin tone. Finally, after a few minutes of grilling by Canadian customs we were allowed to enter the country. I even had a notarized statement from my wife stating I had her permission to take our son into Canada. I saw my daughter and her boyfriend going through customs and told my son we need to wait in case I have to verify anything. They were waived through customs. Another time when my son was younger, he acted up on the light rail, and I got to have a conversation with a deputy sheriff.
    I am not the only white person I know that has had to deal with it. Human trafficking is a real thing. One day you and/or Ford will take Miles on a flight and you will get the 20 Questions. Its not going to be because you're gay it will because the authorities will find something suspicious about the situation.
    Neither time nor a few others I don't remember off hand, have I felt the need to convey my "embarassment/butthurt/hurt feelings to the media.
    Maybe you never hear about White people getting hassled is because we realize it is an issue and we don't get our feelings hurt and see no issue with it. Its inconvenient and a waste of time, but its not embarrassing and its not profiliny.
    If the daughter was a victim of trafficking, and the airline did nothing about it, he would be the first one screaming about why they didn't intervene.

    1. Sel, D. Guest

      Thank you for your story. Should be humbling to to race baiting ideologues like Lucky. Life is more than what CNN says.

    2. NL14 New Member

      Yes white adults are stopped for possible human trafficking and aggressively questioned about it, but the simple truth is that most of those accusations involve a white adult and a non-white minor. Moreover, the anecdotal evidence (Several organizations are beginning to compile data but haven't published their results yet.) shows that more often than not, by a large margin, non-white adults are accused of trafficking far more often than white adults whether the child is...

      Yes white adults are stopped for possible human trafficking and aggressively questioned about it, but the simple truth is that most of those accusations involve a white adult and a non-white minor. Moreover, the anecdotal evidence (Several organizations are beginning to compile data but haven't published their results yet.) shows that more often than not, by a large margin, non-white adults are accused of trafficking far more often than white adults whether the child is of the same or different race than the adult and most whites that are accused of trafficking are traveling with a non-white child, like @dander above. There isn't doubt that racism is in play. It's likely that @dander would not have been accused of anything if his son looked white along with @dander. Since most traffickers are men, women are less likely to be accused generally.

  83. MoreSun Guest

    AA owes him and the daughter compensation for putting them in that spot. An accusation that lands you having to explain your existence to the police so they’ll allow you to leave an airport? Not remotely ok. It was 100% the FA’s fault, the airline should throw them some vouchers.

    1. dander Guest

      Now its not. Trafficking is a real thing. As I said if she was kidnapped and the airlines did nothing, he would be on TV with tears and a lawyer,

  84. jetSetFly Guest

    I would sue if I were in his shoes. I would require that flight attendant to apologize to me and my kid repeatedly in front of everyone at gate check area on a microphone so she can feel the same type of embarrassment that she put me through. It’s only fair.

    1. Flyer1 Guest

      Very funny! Next time you go to work, that is if you actually have a job, apologize for doing your job that is required by your company over your company loud speaker. Typical comment from someone that has no clue about anything.

    2. JetSetFly Guest

      @Flyer1. Lol, are you that flight attendant? Have your feelings hurt? When the girl has her own cellphone, that means she’s very unlikely to be a victim of being trafficked… because you know, victim will call for help unless victim has zero IQ. But then again, maybe you are so clueless that you can’t figure that out. Typical comment from someone who has no clue about anything.

    3. Flyer1 Guest

      So right in your comment you have made it very obvious you are the one that has no clue on any human trafficking training. Let me point out to you one glaring fact. Victims DO NOT always call for help due to a variety of reasons. Take a class and be part of the army of people who help these victims and their families. Don’t sit on the sidelines spewing nonsense.

  85. Joe Smuck Guest

    Racism in play. EVERYTHING about AA is wrong. Disgusting airline and it doesn’t deserves the American name.

  86. Rachel Donnelly Guest

    I think that the father should sue the airlines for putting him and his daughter through this. The mistake was all theirs.

  87. Elizabeth P Guest

    I am an ER nurse. I report suspected child, elder, vulnerable adult and domestic violence even if I have very little evidence. Computerized documentation programs often flag suspected abuse for report (so reporting is color blind). I would rather make dozens of reports that wind up being unfounded if it means saving the life of a single child or other vulnerable person. I do not fault the flight attendants at all. Yes, it might inconvenience...

    I am an ER nurse. I report suspected child, elder, vulnerable adult and domestic violence even if I have very little evidence. Computerized documentation programs often flag suspected abuse for report (so reporting is color blind). I would rather make dozens of reports that wind up being unfounded if it means saving the life of a single child or other vulnerable person. I do not fault the flight attendants at all. Yes, it might inconvenience a few people, but if it saves just one life, it's worth it.
    I know several of my reports were not unfounded which makes the unfounded ones worth it.

    My oldest has pretty severe autism and someone made a CPS report on us after witnessing one of my son's tantrums in public. I have personally been investigated. Yes, it was unfounded, but it is nice to know that people care enough to make sure that my son is okay. I hold no ill will against whoever reported me.

    1. Sad state-of-the-art affair Guest

      So your the cause of months or years of pain and misery for innocent people stuck in the system because YOU had no evidence but just assumed. Problem is it's the innocent ones attacked by cops not the guilty. I hope you continue to sleep well at night.

    2. Apple Guest

      Better that a hundred parents be falsely accused of child abuse and put in prison than one child abuser go free.

    3. Russell Guest

      Better 10 guilty go free than 1 innocent

    4. Guy Guest

      Bias in machine learning models is a huge problem and absolutely not colour blind (or gender, religion, or any other captured variables). These models are often trained on data previously generated by humans, therefore the algorithm learns our bias as truth.

    5. JohnRossa Gold

      You're clearly a moron. Please have your tubes tied.

    6. Rational Person Guest

      "it's worth it" to YOU because you are not suffering through the "inconvenience." You are a bad person. You think you're a good person, but are self deluded. YOU cause harm to people, no doubt in some cases serious harm, in some self righteous quest to make a difference. Rationalizing your own malignance as being "worth it" or "justified" betrays your abject selfishness. A "hero" that really believed as you pretend to would own the...

      "it's worth it" to YOU because you are not suffering through the "inconvenience." You are a bad person. You think you're a good person, but are self deluded. YOU cause harm to people, no doubt in some cases serious harm, in some self righteous quest to make a difference. Rationalizing your own malignance as being "worth it" or "justified" betrays your abject selfishness. A "hero" that really believed as you pretend to would own the negative consequences of their false accusations and the resultant harm they've imposed on other innocent people and embrace those consequences as the price of their crusade. Instead you blame your victim and tell them they should thank you for your "vigilance."

    7. Dg Guest

      You sound like a power tripping piece of garbage.

    8. Miami305 Gold

      YOU are part of the problem. Clogging the system with unwarranted claims, letting the real ones slip through the cracks.

    9. Bratty Guest

      You are disgusting for gloating about making people's lives miserable, while they are in pain, because you see yourself as a savior. It's people like you who engage in it and blame others.

    10. glenn t Diamond

      Steady on there Karen! One day someone is going to sue you and you will find your hospital will wash its hands of your actions.
      Better get yourself personal insurance if you continue down that self-rightous path, if you don't want to lose your house/trailer.

    11. Richard Guest

      I am also a parent of an autistic child and went through a similar incident.
      We had driven to Massachusetts so that we could drop my son off at a residential school the next morning. We went to visit a supermarket and my son was not easy. I did my best and walked him out as my wife went to pay. As I left I noticed a manager staring at us nonstop. I stopped...

      I am also a parent of an autistic child and went through a similar incident.
      We had driven to Massachusetts so that we could drop my son off at a residential school the next morning. We went to visit a supermarket and my son was not easy. I did my best and walked him out as my wife went to pay. As I left I noticed a manager staring at us nonstop. I stopped and told her that it was the first time someone stared at us so blatantly. She immediately answered that she had been asked by a customer to call the police but decided to observe us. She stated that she saw no action that needed her to call Police.

    12. Jenna Guest

      (Whites Caused Society & World-wide To Mark Others just because they can & Color of others Skin Tones); The Truth & Ur dead Wrong Trying get Innocent Peoples Lives Destroyed! & U should be flagged! But U never reported Human Cruelty, Abuse, rapes, murders & killings of whites & others enslaving & Human-Trafficking carried out by whites & others slave traffickers (Calling themselves owners over other Human-beings who lived on the Continent of Africa; forcefully...

      (Whites Caused Society & World-wide To Mark Others just because they can & Color of others Skin Tones); The Truth & Ur dead Wrong Trying get Innocent Peoples Lives Destroyed! & U should be flagged! But U never reported Human Cruelty, Abuse, rapes, murders & killings of whites & others enslaving & Human-Trafficking carried out by whites & others slave traffickers (Calling themselves owners over other Human-beings who lived on the Continent of Africa; forcefully & dangerously brought to Every Country on The Planet & America! When hv or will U ever stand up against & report this? Millions of Men all males & females of every Origin Hv children of their own! & not stolen ages birth to 19; are U going report them! White Men 24/7, 365 kidnaps & human-trafficking Other Peoples children are U reporting them! Don’t Create false reportings & cases against Innocent People; just because Donald Trump is a known listed sex-offender & rapist don’t Revenge against other Races! Because U too Elizabeth can be sued! Good People want & trying to prevent sane thing; but make sure Ur Instincts Right! Lives are Fragile Don’t Destroy Other Peoples lives & Reputation; just cause U think U hv The right to! We all know there’s a lot of wrong & corruption everywhere! Remember White race Hv Histories from (slavery all over the world) Origin-present! (Remember republicans signed-off on ILL-legal gun laws; to create People of Color as Killers to take Limelight of whites & put on People of Color!

  88. Rachel Guest

    I think that the father should sue the airlines for putting him and his daughter through this. It was their mistake!!!!

  89. patricia dillery Guest

    I would be very curious to know what signs though I guess that would sort of beleaguer the efforts. Is there evidence to suggest that human traffickers are nearly always men? Because if you look into these situations it's nearly always as they pointed out a minority individual and it's nearly always a man. And I'm just wondering like is there evidence to suggest that it is primarily a problem between minorities and men being...

    I would be very curious to know what signs though I guess that would sort of beleaguer the efforts. Is there evidence to suggest that human traffickers are nearly always men? Because if you look into these situations it's nearly always as they pointed out a minority individual and it's nearly always a man. And I'm just wondering like is there evidence to suggest that it is primarily a problem between minorities and men being the traffickers? Because if that isn't the majority of trafficers then I think we know why that's happening right?

    1. Ricki Guest

      Looks to me like they were profiling. They know Title 42 is expired. I'm sure the girl would have asked for help if she really was in trouble.

    2. Sad state of affairs Guest

      Read about this happening to a woman and her child, one was black one was white they accused the woman of trafficking

    3. Flyer1 Guest

      @Ricki, they don’t ask for help. Hence the training given to different groups of people, ie airline personnel, police, medical personnel.

  90. Maryland Guest

    Questioning why flight attendants were picked for this training. First it seems unlikely that someone committing these crimes would choose a domestic flight to move a child rather than drive, where they could be less exposed to scrutiny. Secondly flight attendants really don't have a great deal of contact with the passengers to make such a judgement so quickly. Heck restaurant and hotel staff should be far more useful. And they should record any private...

    Questioning why flight attendants were picked for this training. First it seems unlikely that someone committing these crimes would choose a domestic flight to move a child rather than drive, where they could be less exposed to scrutiny. Secondly flight attendants really don't have a great deal of contact with the passengers to make such a judgement so quickly. Heck restaurant and hotel staff should be far more useful. And they should record any private questions to a child for later review

    1. dander Gold

      Airlines are the primary way for transport. Driving can cause many issues. Airline employees are trained to look for signs. One thing that gets flagged is when the man tells the FA what the other person wants to drink.

    2. Apple Guest

      Airlines are not the primary method of transport. Stop making things up.

    3. Maryland Guest

      @dander. So you suggest that in the 2 minutes of beverage service a flight attendant is able to determine that a child has been abducted on parental ordering? Sorry but that's ridiculous. What I do believe is we all need to keep our eyes open. And not one comment in this thread has convinced me a flight attendant is a first line warrior. I think it was suggested by their union some time ago to justify a raise.

    4. Daphne Guest

      Everyone has to get trained that work for an airline. Sometimes trafficking isn't done with a forced kidnapping. Many people are coerced. I know of two instances where human trafficking was stopped because someone saw something was amiss.

    5. George Guest

      Did they have the same last name on their boarding passes and the flight manifest?

  91. Ed Guest

    Defamation of Character come to mind.. at the end we as human being has to be careful when approaching and ask question first. Father has the right to be angry cause is a embarrassment to both.. that's all folk. Stay safe.. blessed

  92. Joe S Guest

    Way over the line. "Doesn't look like Ma and Pa and Junior from rural texas" shouldn't be a cause for suspicion. I would have been furious and wanted that specific flight attendant's contact info. It's not the airline, it's the bigoted employee.

  93. Jojo Guest

    My wife (asian) and me (white) were detained for 4 hours in South Korea and missed our connecting flight.
    We flew a redeye flight from Vietnam. My wife gets motion sickness very easily so takes medication. at 6AM while going through security she answered her name and where we are going. I answered all the rest because she was half asleep and the women asking the questions had a very thick accent. We where...

    My wife (asian) and me (white) were detained for 4 hours in South Korea and missed our connecting flight.
    We flew a redeye flight from Vietnam. My wife gets motion sickness very easily so takes medication. at 6AM while going through security she answered her name and where we are going. I answered all the rest because she was half asleep and the women asking the questions had a very thick accent. We where taken to different rooms. She started crying and freaking out. Finally after hours someone realized that nothing was wrong

  94. Suzanne Guest

    Just the fact the girl had a cell phone, I mean. Also, do human traffickers really use commercial airlines to "smuggle" underage victims? Clearly it's a case of being a POC.

    1. TM Guest

      Yes in fact, Miami is one of the centers of human trafficking and much of it occurs at MIA airport. https://www.local10.com/news/local/2021/01/11/officials-at-miami-international-airport-to-announce-initiative-against-human-trafficking/

    2. George Guest

      Ummm- nothing in that article about how Miami is a center of human trafficking, nor any statistics about how many victims are smuggled through the airport, etc. Just a press release about how Miami Airport plans to train thousands of more staff using the Blue Lightning Online module. Upon further investigation, this is a 20 minute slide show comprised of four lessons that include:

      What is Human Trafficking?
      Indicators of Human Trafficking Activity
      ...

      Ummm- nothing in that article about how Miami is a center of human trafficking, nor any statistics about how many victims are smuggled through the airport, etc. Just a press release about how Miami Airport plans to train thousands of more staff using the Blue Lightning Online module. Upon further investigation, this is a 20 minute slide show comprised of four lessons that include:

      What is Human Trafficking?
      Indicators of Human Trafficking Activity
      Reporting Suspected Human Trafficking
      Indicator Challenge

      It's like an on-line traffic school- I doubt anyone learns anything from it, and certainly wouldn't think it would prepare someone to do sensible profiling of thousands of people they see per day.

  95. Deborah Guest

    They are trained to recognize signs. Exactly what signs did they recognize with these two? My guess is the only sign was that it was a man and young girl traveling together. That's not enough. Good grief.

    1. dander Gold

      He could have told the FA what drink to serve her, he could have been controlling

    2. Geez Guest

      So flight attendant is coming down the aisle serving drinks and the man turns to his seatmate and says what do you want to drink? And the flight attended arrives at their row and he says "she'll have a Coke and I'll have a Sprite". And now he's a trafficking suspect? God forbid someone make it faster for them to get the drinks served. Efficiency is "suspect" on airlines. That I do believe. Do you...

      So flight attendant is coming down the aisle serving drinks and the man turns to his seatmate and says what do you want to drink? And the flight attended arrives at their row and he says "she'll have a Coke and I'll have a Sprite". And now he's a trafficking suspect? God forbid someone make it faster for them to get the drinks served. Efficiency is "suspect" on airlines. That I do believe. Do you think a child would not speak up if someone else ordered their drink as opposed to speaking up only if they can say what they want to drink?

  96. Matt Guest

    The 4th amendment does no apply to brown people. They should just shut up and comply so that they can quickly be on their way. I can't believe that the idiot father is complaining. Kudos to the FA for keeping this guy in check. I try my best to do my part. If there's a mixed race family at the airport I watch them like a hawk and report any irregularity to the police out...

    The 4th amendment does no apply to brown people. They should just shut up and comply so that they can quickly be on their way. I can't believe that the idiot father is complaining. Kudos to the FA for keeping this guy in check. I try my best to do my part. If there's a mixed race family at the airport I watch them like a hawk and report any irregularity to the police out of abundance of caution for the safety for our society. If the police fail to intervene and demand answers from these people I escalate to the FBI. Every child traveling should be stopped and interviewed for safety reasons. Just a simple set of yes/no questions. Just answer them quickly and you'll be on your way. If this protects just one child from danger it's worth it Everyday citizens need to shut up. You're not professionally trained in safety so you have no say in this matter.

    1. Robyn Marks Guest

      You forgot the big /S for sarcasm Matt, can't believe someone is as prejudiced and paranoid as your comment depicts.

    2. first last Guest

      You are one compliant, stupid and paranoid individual. I sincerely hope someone reports you as a pedophile if you so much as give a side eye to a child.

    3. Rational Person Guest

      Obviously Matt is being sarcastic, but sadly when he says that the 4th amendment doesn't apply to brown people the sarcasm fails, as the 4th amendment doesn't apply to anyone anymore.

  97. Les Guest

    It's very very sad. Who gave them the permission to question a minor without the parent being present. We will have to csution our minors NOT to any any questions asked unless we the parent is present.

    As for us Brown and Black skinned people. We already know the stereotypes We are up against.
    But, glad the Dad kept his cool. I couldn't say that for myself

    1. Gwe Guest

      Unfortunately, in most trafficking situations the last thing you want to do is alert the possible assailant(s). Getting them away from the child is usually the best opportunity to get them to speak up for help.

  98. Nearsighted Guest

    What airline did Matt Gaits use? I see a Hispanic father and daughter get reported but not a white bread rich congress man.

    1. Koggerj Guest

      Why he did nothing wrong and investigation exonerated him.

    2. Apple Guest

      No, his friend and accomplice agreed to testify against Gaetz, but since the accomplice was a convicted, they thought his testimony wouldn’t hold weight in court.

  99. Truth Guest

    Most flight attendants have no higher than a HS education. I don't think they're qualified for much beyond serving drinks and yelling brace/evacuate like a parrot when the captain (ie someone with an actual education) gives the order.

    1. jedipenguin Guest

      The flight attendant position needs to be abolished. Food and drink can be self served. In terms of a when a evacuation is necessary-a abled body male or female can help other people out of the aircraft.

    2. Icarus Guest

      You’re pretty stupid aren’t you. Are all your family uneducated or just yourself?

    3. ted poco Guest

      Most police departments don’t require a college degree and they can kill you.

    4. Flyer1 Guest

      WOW!!! The wannabes are out in force today. Obviously the only uneducated ones are you and most of the commenters in here. Now, back to enjoying my Rome layover with gelato on the menu. Have a good day on your couch.

  100. Christine Guest

    As someone who has been volunteering and trained in human trafficking, I applaud this flight attendant. The father and daughter should, as well. When you make it about discrimination and race, or if the person is reprimanded, they will be hesitant to report in the future. This is a VERY common (yes, even with the high priced plane tickets) and absolutely horrific crime. Anything at all that we can do to stop it is a good thing!

    1. Tri N Guest

      You know nothing about why this man and child were singled out and yet you think the father should thank the flight attendant? You sound like a Karen with too much time on her hands.

    2. Rational Person Guest

      It is not "very common" by any reasonable definition. You clearly don't believe in freedom, that's ok, just acknowledge it. What we could do to stop it completely is get rid of air travel altogether, or perhaps put every passenger through a thorough interrogation before each flight. Everyone can agree that is ridiculous though, so we don't do it. Some people, like you, have no compunction whatsoever of putting other folks through an unjustified wringer...

      It is not "very common" by any reasonable definition. You clearly don't believe in freedom, that's ok, just acknowledge it. What we could do to stop it completely is get rid of air travel altogether, or perhaps put every passenger through a thorough interrogation before each flight. Everyone can agree that is ridiculous though, so we don't do it. Some people, like you, have no compunction whatsoever of putting other folks through an unjustified wringer however. The ends justify the means as long as the means affect other people. You don't even need to add in anything about race to see the problem.

  101. Chris international flyer Guest

    First of all the flight attendant was far to Zella’s in asking a minor All these ?’s there was never any sign of any kidnapping nor trafficking so the attendant was out of line on the other hand it is not unheard of to have this happen

  102. TM Guest

    As a former Emergency Room physician with multiple trainings on human trafficking, there are clearly certain clues you look for: Victim doesn't look you in the eye, male does all the talking for her, raising his voice and threatening gestures, victim has vague answers to questions, bruises on her body, etc. None of us was there to witness the interaction so I can't say if any of these behaviors were exhibited. Furthermore there is a...

    As a former Emergency Room physician with multiple trainings on human trafficking, there are clearly certain clues you look for: Victim doesn't look you in the eye, male does all the talking for her, raising his voice and threatening gestures, victim has vague answers to questions, bruises on her body, etc. None of us was there to witness the interaction so I can't say if any of these behaviors were exhibited. Furthermore there is a good faith, no fault reporting mechanism that the reporter will not be prosecuted if the reporting is done in good faith. This is to insure that more trafficking is prevented. I think I would air on the side of the flight attendants in this case.

    1. Michael Guest

      But should you err on the side of American Airlines in this case? I find it easy to believe the FAs have been trained to the same standard as their catering. If their training consists of automatically assuming a younger girl traveling with a man old enough to be her father is suspicious, there's a problem. Remember, this is the airline who taught their pilots the proper response to wake turbulence is to stomp on...

      But should you err on the side of American Airlines in this case? I find it easy to believe the FAs have been trained to the same standard as their catering. If their training consists of automatically assuming a younger girl traveling with a man old enough to be her father is suspicious, there's a problem. Remember, this is the airline who taught their pilots the proper response to wake turbulence is to stomp on the rudder pedals hard enough to snap off the tail (flight 587).

      The airline deserves to be sued, and potentially a painful award granted. This is a training failure. The airline must feel the pain.

    2. Firstlast Guest

      Each airline that instructs crew and security personnel to actively engage persons to determine if they are engaged in human trafficking, keep statistics on race, ethnicity of supposed victim and perp. Airline, flight, race of accuser, and most importantly if the accusation is correct.

  103. Jack Guest

    The father in this case says the flight attendant should have talked to him or asked more questions... in that case if the girl was being trafficked, he very easily could have been tipped off which could have led to problems for the girl and flight crew. This is exactly the kind of way suspected human trafficking should be handled - calmly, without excessive input or questioning from members of the public, and a short...

    The father in this case says the flight attendant should have talked to him or asked more questions... in that case if the girl was being trafficked, he very easily could have been tipped off which could have led to problems for the girl and flight crew. This is exactly the kind of way suspected human trafficking should be handled - calmly, without excessive input or questioning from members of the public, and a short conversation with security or police.

    Compare that to the way this often goes in this situation (random people taking the child away, detaining or restraining the father, etc.) and it's not hard to see why this was a good outcome.

    There very well may be bias involved that led to this accusation being made, and if so that is a problem that should be addressed with further training. But I think everyone's response aside from that was textbook.

    1. Hbw Guest

      The gentleman was not accused as indicated by the author but was referred to a more qualified supervisor to assess the situation, no matter what color God had painted him. Unfortunately he fit a profile. I do not have an answer for this. I am just stating the facts.

  104. Elva Buckwalter Guest

    Being of Hispanic origin, better safe than sorry! As long as the child is safe.

    1. Apple Guest

      Elva please report to interrogation.

  105. David Guest

    “The challenge is that it seems that they’ve trained employees just enough to get themselves in trouble, but not enough to do this in an intelligent way.”

    Says it all. Hold the airline liable when their crew members make false allegations, and they’ll have an incentive to improve their training. Right now, there’s no cost or consequences for the airline when the crews make wrongful allegations.

    1. Dave Guest

      Sooner or later one of the 'vigilant' employee reporting supposed traffickers is going to tick off the wrong person who will take the trouble to find out who did it and seek their own retribution.

  106. CK Guest

    After the FA’s were given training to spot human trafficking they are more likely to see it in potentially anyone flying with a child. I doubt that the skies are filled with sex trafficked children. Have you seen the price of a ticket lately?

    1. Eskimo Guest

      Have you seen the price of trafficked children lately?

      Even without knowing the prices, like every other legal business. Cost of shipping gets added to the selling price.
      Didn't you learn anything from the pandemic?

      Unless you have a comparison that trafficked children prices are the same, your thinking is too simple.

    2. Sad tire Guest

      As long as this is primarily happening to minorities, I think it's better to be safe than sorry. They should have cuffed the man and forced him to provide his papers and answer questions. If these minorities disagree they can go back to where they came from. Better safe than sorry!

      Any man traveling with a younger female should be required to provide a government certificate prior being allowed to fly anywhere. Flying is...

      As long as this is primarily happening to minorities, I think it's better to be safe than sorry. They should have cuffed the man and forced him to provide his papers and answer questions. If these minorities disagree they can go back to where they came from. Better safe than sorry!

      Any man traveling with a younger female should be required to provide a government certificate prior being allowed to fly anywhere. Flying is a priveldge not a right!
      (This would also be a good time to check their vaccination status too. We don't want them passing on any disgusting diseases they may have).

  107. Eric Guest

    Yeah Mantis it is racial, as Ben’s direct quote so pointedly reveals the fact: “We see a story like this with some frequency, and I can’t help but notice one theme — it’s almost never a white parent and a white child being accused of human trafficking. It almost always involves passengers who are Hispanic, Black, Asian, etc. I can’t imagine that’s a coincidence.”

    He’s right, coincidence takes A LOT of planning…

    As a...

    Yeah Mantis it is racial, as Ben’s direct quote so pointedly reveals the fact: “We see a story like this with some frequency, and I can’t help but notice one theme — it’s almost never a white parent and a white child being accused of human trafficking. It almost always involves passengers who are Hispanic, Black, Asian, etc. I can’t imagine that’s a coincidence.”

    He’s right, coincidence takes A LOT of planning…

    As a frequent white flyer, w a daughter we’ve NEVER been focused on or looked @ w a stink ️. But we’ve seen persons of color severely scrutinized.

    1. dander Guest

      Consider yourself fortunate Sir. I am White my wife is Hispanic. One child has my skin tone the other has my wife's skin tone. I have had a few encounters as have my wife. We didn't feel the need to go to the media. After we answer their questions sometimes showing our ID's we are allowed to go on our merry way. Its often happened when we were with the child that shared the same skin tone as the parent.

  108. Matt Guest

    I recall this happened a few months ago, but in that case I believe the professionalism was entirely different. Here it seems like everyone approached the situation calmly. Not sure what this guy expects to get from AA.

  109. STEFFL Diamond

    I HOPE that paying passenger is putting charges against that airline!
    . . . it simply shows, how BAD some "PRO" flight attendants can be, 2 SIMPLE things could have solved there hero habits in a short time.
    1. a look at the passenger list if last names match.
    2. ask the girl, whom she was traveling with
    3. send a TCAS to AA Ops and look up the booking of...

    I HOPE that paying passenger is putting charges against that airline!
    . . . it simply shows, how BAD some "PRO" flight attendants can be, 2 SIMPLE things could have solved there hero habits in a short time.
    1. a look at the passenger list if last names match.
    2. ask the girl, whom she was traveling with
    3. send a TCAS to AA Ops and look up the booking of both passengers and then check pax details.
    .... ALL done in simple steps and some can even ge done by the head flight-attendant or by the cockpit with available pax lists ON BORD.
    IF that Crew was PRO at all and not as superficial as 99% of them are on US airlines, they would have noticed the interaction between the "Suspect" and his daughter on a 4+ hour flights!? I would say.

    I hope for the right of his freedom and the stress that young girl was going trough, being ESCORTED like a gangster trough an airport, for nothing, but has a damage now for life.
    What a c*** that b*** that wanted to be a super cabin crew, instead of doing her job as a PRO.
    After 25+ years working for PRO airlines with good trainings and an eye for human behaviors of any kind, incl. different trainings for different occasions, i'd say, THIS WAS HIGHLY UNPROFESSIONAL!

    That father and the daughter should have been flown back FIRST Class and been explained why this Crew acted like they did in such a stupid way.

    Oh, my anger is going trough the roof right now.
    That young girl, i bet, will NEVER get that escorted moment out of her mind, i bet.
    I had many UM's (young passengers traveling alone, also on int. flights) and i know, what trauma these young passengers sometimes go trough, just by getting strange looks from others and they did nothing wrong.

    What a shame for AA, this behavior was.
    Just imagine, Ben & Ford, 2 completely different last names, and an infant . . . all over sudden, some stupid cabin crew thinks to question, where they got that infant from and after arrival, you're tired and exhausted, but will be escorted by a couple of strangers to an office for questioning!?

    . . . i would want to see that face!
    It's good to be cautious, BUT don't get too far into somebody else's business and if you can 't help it, approach it the PRO way.
    AGAIN, there is SIMPLE steps that that Crew could have done, to simply clear things up, before making such a shocking scene for a young passenger after the fact!

    1. Eskimo Guest

      Calm down. LOL.

      You can't "send a TCAS to AA Ops and look up the booking of both passengers and then check pax details.".

      The only time when TCAS sends out a message is when another plane is heading right at you. And that's a different kind of "traffic".
      As of now there is no technology out there that would warn against this kind of "traffic".

    2. STEFFL Diamond

      Thanks that you took your time away to reply, but i do have to tell you, that TCAS is in fact even able to send faxes to ground numbers if needed! ;-)
      Being connected with the own airlines OPS should be a given these days as it was 15+ years already, when i used to work on flights.
      TCAS was a regular system used to communicate when in 3rd world countries with the...

      Thanks that you took your time away to reply, but i do have to tell you, that TCAS is in fact even able to send faxes to ground numbers if needed! ;-)
      Being connected with the own airlines OPS should be a given these days as it was 15+ years already, when i used to work on flights.
      TCAS was a regular system used to communicate when in 3rd world countries with the home base!
      ACARS is a known way of communicating in writing (like SMS, text messages!) some airlines even use it to send "connecting flight" infos for delayed passengers.
      Maybe ONLY modern airlines use it like that, but at all 3 airlines i flew at, THIS was a way to send messages between OPS (Ground) to aircraft vs. vs. globally!
      IF that crew of AA flight mentioned, that "father" was such a big risk to that teenager, then MORE and most of all better action should have been taken care of, before "reporting" an innocent person as a "suspect".
      ACARS/TCAS WOULD HAVE BEEN a helpful tool to use in that case.

      Of course, you can't look up anything on ACARS, except somebody sends a written message to you, but that was my point, to get written confirmation on the passenger details, just as they are entered in ANY flight booking as APIS Data and check things first, before putting innocent people into such situations.

      VERY UNPROFESSIONAL, as i mentioned already! Speaks for the training of AA. :-(

    3. dander Gold

      Fake id's are easy. Some children have different last names. Trafficking is real. I have been the victim of the 20 Questions more than once. I would hope Ben and Ford understand the seriousness of trafficking and realize its for the child's safety,

  110. Santos Guest

    Leaving a restaurant in Plano, TX a few years ago, my black friend and his dark blonde-haired 6-year-old son (friend's wife/child's mother is white) were approached by a "concerned citizen"—who, it being Texas, was armed—accusing him of child trafficking. Luckily my friend is a clinical psychologist trained in de-escalation and kept his composure. The police were called and he and his child were detained for about an hour in the parking lot while the cops...

    Leaving a restaurant in Plano, TX a few years ago, my black friend and his dark blonde-haired 6-year-old son (friend's wife/child's mother is white) were approached by a "concerned citizen"—who, it being Texas, was armed—accusing him of child trafficking. Luckily my friend is a clinical psychologist trained in de-escalation and kept his composure. The police were called and he and his child were detained for about an hour in the parking lot while the cops did what they felt they had to do to verify the situation.

    No comment, just putting that out there. This is life in America in the 21st Century.

    1. UA-NYC Guest

      Also the outcome when the knuckle dragging MAGA mouth breathers accuse every other person they disagree with of being a “groomer”.

  111. Ben Guest

    Same thing happened at DFW. We were traveling with our infant children and the DFW Airport Police Department were told by a TSA employee that we may be trafficking children. Two guys with two infants. Unbelievable ..the Klondike cops..

  112. GB Guest

    They may have been on a dry run to test the security protocols in place to deal with this kind of situation. You can never be too sure. Flight attendants are the front line of defense and need to act decisively for the safety of all on board. Kudos to the flight attendant for thinking of the child's welfare above everything.

  113. Eve Guest

    Sadly this is an issue that I noticed happen in a frequent manner. I was once taken to a room for further checks in immigration at SFO after my sweaty fingers wasn’t registering and also I was travelling on an old B1/B2 visa that I got when I was assigned to an incubator by my employer. Anyway there was almost 20-30 people in the room, and the only white individuals there were me and the...

    Sadly this is an issue that I noticed happen in a frequent manner. I was once taken to a room for further checks in immigration at SFO after my sweaty fingers wasn’t registering and also I was travelling on an old B1/B2 visa that I got when I was assigned to an incubator by my employer. Anyway there was almost 20-30 people in the room, and the only white individuals there were me and the immigration officers. It was mostly Indians, Africans, Asians and South Americans. People of colour.

    Off course there is the real possibility that they were their for valid concerns but based on the conversation I am was overhearing it was mostly suspicions on their reasons for travel, and in almost every case, they led the person go.

    I also do understand that there is a disproportionate amount of security checks and drug tests done on pax who are from minority communities.

    These things show a huge issue with american society in general and the manner in which security is handled. It can be argued pax from poorer or developing countries do have a higher amount of violations but it is pretty evident the country of origin doesn’t really matter. There are many stories of even coloured Americans disproportionately facing these issues

    1. Eskimo Guest

      You're sweaty fingers is probably from you time in the incubator.

      Sadly it's not just SFO. It's everywhere, coast to coast.

    2. Roger Guest

      Your anecdotal situation is a first-hand observation of the proportion of visas being awarded to non-white foreigners in relation to white foreigners. IV and NIV statistics are posted monthly on the Department of State website.

  114. Mantis Guest

    Gotta make it racial, huh? Perhaps it's just that you're not reading about those cases because when falsely accused, whites don't feel an immediate knee jerk reaction to promote themselves as a victim to the world?

    Maybe bring some stats to the table before making racism claims.

    1. Anthony Parr Guest

      Where are your stats? You’re making some wild claims.

    2. dander Gold

      I have had the pleasure on a few times getting asked some questions and in public. Oh yeah I'm white. I never felt the need to cry to the media.

    3. MM Guest

      Came here to see an inevitably gross republican reply, wasn’t disappointed.

    4. Sel, D. Guest

      His claim is no different than Lucky’s. Neither have stats. Also, if a white person complained about this it would likely be a non-story as news outlets are obsessed with racism. And if you question that, there ARE stats on the rapid and dramatic increase of the media’s obsession with race. This article is sort of case in point - this is a miles blog and Lucky likes nothing more than talking about racism via his performative empathy.

    5. Koggerj Guest

      You mean the truth?
      Lefties have their constant appeal to grievance politics.

    6. Ben Guest

      Accuses author of making it “racial”. Immediately then makes it racial by saying whites wouldn’t do that.

    7. Jack Morris Guest

      It is racial. I’m white, covered in prison ink and look like every villain in a Liam Neeson movie and NEVER get a second glance from security for ANY reason. As Americans the majority of us have been scared witless by conservative and racist politics and “knee jerk” security measures. A couple of nicely worded questions midnight would’ve cleared it up. If the man was a trafficker where the hell do you think he’d escape to at 20,000 feet?

    8. Koggerj Guest

      The politics that you call "racist" are backed by data that makes them justified.

    9. Sel, D. Guest

      Please show the data. Usually when stats are provided the leftist narratives fall apart - quite easily. Would love to be proven wrong.

Featured Comments Most helpful comments ( as chosen by the OMAAT community ).

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JohnRossa Gold

You're clearly a moron. Please have your tubes tied.

3
Rachel Donnelly Guest

I think that the father should sue the airlines for putting him and his daughter through this. The mistake was all theirs.

3
MM Guest

Came here to see an inevitably gross republican reply, wasn’t disappointed.

3
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