Sarah Blackwood of Canadian group Walk off the Earth says she was kicked off a United Airlines flight because her 23-month-old son was crying.
“It felt like it was in slow motion. I was in tears, it was so embarrassing,” the singer told CTV News. “No mother should have to apologize because their child is crying or upset on a flight.”
Blackwood, who is currently on tour with her band, was heading from San Francisco to Vancouver on Wednesday. Before the flight took off, the 34-year-old said she was bluntly told to keep her child under control, otherwise the plane would turn around.
“He was crying and squirming,” recalled Blackwood, who is seven months pregnant. “I was holding him down on my lap.”
The plane taxied down the runway for a few minutes before it stopped and returned to the gate. A flight attendant then told Blackwood she had to get off the plane. According to SkyWest, who operates United Airlines, the singer was removed from the flight because her “child could not be secured for takeoff.”
At the time, Giorgio was sitting on his mom's lap because plane tickets can only be bought for children who are two years and older. According to Blackwood, the little boy was quiet and asleep by the time the plane turned around. Nonetheless, the singer, her son and her nanny, who was accompanying her, were all kicked off the plane and rebooked on a different flight that evening.
Outraged by the incident, Blackwood took to Twitter to share her feelings:
On Thursday, a YouTube video surfaced of Blackwood speaking to another United Airlines employee, who was shocked at what had happened. “I’ve never heard of somebody taking you out because [the baby] is crying,” the woman can be heard saying.
Soon, Blackwood’s story went viral, leaving many people appalled. “What kind of flight attendants and pilot would do such a thing?” wrote one Facebook user. “Babies cry. Definitely not a health or security risk to anyone on the plane.”
Another simply said: “Absolutely unacceptable.”
While United Airlines has yet to comment on the incident, Blackwood says: “I can’t believe that they would treat somebody this way. I was traveling with my child. I’ve been on planes before with babies that have screamed the entire way and I felt compassion for the mothers and the children.”
The 34-year-old mom eventually reached her destination at about midnight and encountered no problems on the new flight. Walk Off The Earth is set to perform at The Vogue in Vancouver on Friday, May 29.
“It felt like it was in slow motion. I was in tears, it was so embarrassing,” the singer told CTV News. “No mother should have to apologize because their child is crying or upset on a flight.”
Took my beautiful boy to an aquarium today...his favourite part was the ducks. #tourlife #familylife #touringwontstopus #alwaysdoingawesomestuff
Posted by Sarah Blackwood on Saturday, May 23, 2015
Blackwood, who is currently on tour with her band, was heading from San Francisco to Vancouver on Wednesday. Before the flight took off, the 34-year-old said she was bluntly told to keep her child under control, otherwise the plane would turn around.
“He was crying and squirming,” recalled Blackwood, who is seven months pregnant. “I was holding him down on my lap.”
Major wrestling match happening right now! #stayuplate #nevergotosleep #neverwillforgethesemoments @giorgio.michael #mamalove
Posted by Sarah Blackwood on Friday, April 3, 2015
The plane taxied down the runway for a few minutes before it stopped and returned to the gate. A flight attendant then told Blackwood she had to get off the plane. According to SkyWest, who operates United Airlines, the singer was removed from the flight because her “child could not be secured for takeoff.”
At the time, Giorgio was sitting on his mom's lap because plane tickets can only be bought for children who are two years and older. According to Blackwood, the little boy was quiet and asleep by the time the plane turned around. Nonetheless, the singer, her son and her nanny, who was accompanying her, were all kicked off the plane and rebooked on a different flight that evening.
Outraged by the incident, Blackwood took to Twitter to share her feelings:
Just got kicked off a @united flight because my son was crying really loud. Stayed calm but overall #Discrimination #motherhaters @united
— Sarah Blackwood (@SarahBlackwood1) May 27, 2015Apparently my little 2 yr old crying son was a big threat to @united UA6223.MY 2 YR OLD!A threat?!?! Kicked us off the plane @discrimination
— Sarah Blackwood (@SarahBlackwood1) May 27, 2015On Thursday, a YouTube video surfaced of Blackwood speaking to another United Airlines employee, who was shocked at what had happened. “I’ve never heard of somebody taking you out because [the baby] is crying,” the woman can be heard saying.
Soon, Blackwood’s story went viral, leaving many people appalled. “What kind of flight attendants and pilot would do such a thing?” wrote one Facebook user. “Babies cry. Definitely not a health or security risk to anyone on the plane.”
Another simply said: “Absolutely unacceptable.”
While United Airlines has yet to comment on the incident, Blackwood says: “I can’t believe that they would treat somebody this way. I was traveling with my child. I’ve been on planes before with babies that have screamed the entire way and I felt compassion for the mothers and the children.”
The 34-year-old mom eventually reached her destination at about midnight and encountered no problems on the new flight. Walk Off The Earth is set to perform at The Vogue in Vancouver on Friday, May 29.
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