Video footage from Illinois shows a father and his young daughter being forced off of a plane just before the aircraft was set to depart on Thursday, March 15.
Southwest Airlines Flight 1683 was scheduled to leave for Atlanta from Chicago when the toddler became anxious about flying.
Armstrong, a mother herself, said the girl was getting unruly but a flight attendant came by to try to calm her down.
Soon enough, though, the father and child were removed from the plane despite the situation appearing to be resolved.
A few minutes later the captain announced the plane would be returning to the terminal, and the father and child were forced off.
Armstrong became angry after one of the attendants told her to “shut up” after the mother was one of multiple people to object to the removal.
Armstrong also says she was told by another attendant that she needed to stop filming, or she would be kicked off of the plane next.
After the father and toddler were removed, an attendant addressed the rest of the passengers.
“We’re cleared for departure,” the attendant said. “We all need to understand the operation, unfortunately. This is not helpful guys. Do you want to go to Atlanta? The decision’s been made.”
Armstrong said that she hopes Southwest apologizes for what she did.
“All I really wanted was it to be seen by [Southwest] and apologize to this family, I am a mom and my heart was hurting for this dad. Southwest owes them an apology,” Armstrong said. “I did NOT think this would blow up, I am not sure why I even began to film, I just knew from the woman’s attitude and security approaching it wasn’t going to end well.”
“After pushback Wednesday evening, Flight 1683 to Atlanta returned to the gate at Midway to allow supervisors to board the aircraft. Our initial reports indicate a conversation escalated on board between the crew and a customer traveling with a small child,” the company said.
“We always aim for a welcoming and hospitable experience and regret the inconvenience to all involved. The traveling party was booked on the next flight to Atlanta after the original flight continued as planned. We will reach out to the customer[s] to listen to any concerns they have about their experience and look forward to welcoming them on board again soon.”
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