British Airways under fire for not allowing teen with TS to board plane (after he shouted "bomb")

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C C

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Kind of reminiscent of the BAFTA fiasco back in February. Some of those angry at Jamie Foxx's insensitive comment (which equated to "just too much of a coincidence that he used that particular word") tried to assert that with TS it is the most inappropriate language specific to the context of the immediate environment that the afflicted individual loses control over. But that was the first I had likewise ever heard of such a subtle degree of involuntary selection with regard to the vocal tics. It might be the case, especially since "bomb" is what the kid below uttered at the airport. But that nuance doesn't exactly stand out in articles about the disorder.
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British Airways under fire for refusing teen with Tourette's Syndrome board the plane for shouting 'bomb'
https://www.ibtimes.co.uk/british-airways-denies-boarding-teen-tourettes-1798641

EXCERPTS: British Airways is facing a backlash after refusing to let a teenage boy with Tourette's syndrome board his flight, sparking a heated debate over safety rules, disability rights and how far airlines should go to accommodate passengers with neurological conditions. The 13‑year‑old was reportedly heard shouting 'bomb' inside the airport, leading authorities to fear he could have a dangerous device in his bag. The teenager's parents criticised British Airways over their decision and said they had informed the airline ahead of time about their son's condition. [...] Some netizens are also questioning why Mason's 'tic word' is 'bomb'... (MORE - details)
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C C said:
Kind of reminiscent of the BAFTA fiasco back in February. Some of those angry at Jamie Foxx's insensitive comment (which equated to "just too much of a coincidence that he used that particular word") tried to assert that with TS it is the most inappropriate language specific to the context of the immediate environment that the afflicted individual loses control over. But that was the first I had likewise ever heard of such a subtle degree of involuntary selection with regard to the vocal tics. It might be the case, especially since "bomb" is what the kid below uttered at the airport. But that nuance doesn't exactly stand out in articles about the disorder.
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British Airways under fire for refusing teen with Tourette's Syndrome board the plane for shouting 'bomb'
https://www.ibtimes.co.uk/british-airways-denies-boarding-teen-tourettes-1798641

EXCERPTS: British Airways is facing a backlash after refusing to let a teenage boy with Tourette's syndrome board his flight, sparking a heated debate over safety rules, disability rights and how far airlines should go to accommodate passengers with neurological conditions. The 13‑year‑old was reportedly heard shouting 'bomb' inside the airport, leading authorities to fear he could have a dangerous device in his bag. The teenager's parents criticised British Airways over their decision and said they had informed the airline ahead of time about their son's condition. [...] Some netizens are also questioning why Mason's 'tic word' is 'bomb'... (MORE - details)
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I have some sympathy with BA. If this kid is going to shout “bomb” during the flight it is likely to frighten or at least annoy a lot of other passengers. The airline has a duty to them too.
 
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exchemist said:
I have some sympathy with BA. If this kid is going to shout “bomb” during the flight it is likely to frighten or at least annoy a lot of other passengers. The airline has a duty to them too.
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I think argument was the family let the airline company know beforehand. I am not sure what they could have done, make the other passengers aware? Could they have sedated the child once on board?
I have not flown for a bit but my worst nightmare regarding flying (besides obvious stuff like mid flight emergency, fire, crashing etc) was sitting next to a crying baby, there is no escape.
 
BA should have discussed it with the family beforehand, explained what is and what is not acceptable with regards impact to other passengers, and thrashed out a solution between them. If one is not possible then at least all parties tried.
But this does seem like a case where no solution is going to please everyone. Unfortunate tho it is, it's the manner in which it is handled that is probably just as, if not more, important, imo.
 
Pinball1970 said:
I think argument was the family let the airline company know beforehand. I am not sure what they could have done, make the other passengers aware? Could they have sedated the child once on board?
I have not flown for a bit but my worst nightmare regarding flying (besides obvious stuff like mid flight emergency, fire, crashing etc) was sitting next to a crying baby, there is no escape.
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Ear plugs. Noise cancelling headphones etc. ?

My nightmare flight would be stuck in the middle of a 3-seat section, between two people who really could do with a seat-and-a-half each, and the one with the window seat has a small bladder, always needing to get up. Oh, and they both snore. And eat loudly (that may be just a bugbear of mine, tho). ;)

I could add to the list of nightmare traits, such as a BO problem, American sense of entitlement, rude to the steward/ess, sweaty, loud. And someone who likes neither rugby nor cricket (oh, the diabolical existence of such people!).
 
Pinball1970 said:
I think argument was the family let the airline company know beforehand. I am not sure what they could have done, make the other passengers aware? Could they have sedated the child once on board?
I have not flown for a bit but my worst nightmare regarding flying (besides obvious stuff like mid flight emergency, fire, crashing etc) was sitting next to a crying baby, there is no escape.
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Yes, one is cooped up in a tiny space for hours. I once had to spend a night flight from S Korea next to a work colleague who kept farting, smellily, in his sleep. Another time there was a girl who chewed bubble gum and blew and popped the bubbles noisily at regular intervals. In the end I had to ask her if she would mind stopping. Which, to do her justice, she then did. Many people have to exercise considerable self-control to cope with the confinement and annoyance of being trapped in close proximity to a load of strangers with objectionable habits. And many of these others seem totally insouciant about the nuisance they cause with video games that go beep, continual sniffing, or whatever. A 13 yr old blurting out "bomb" at random intervals would drive a lot of people nuts in fairly short order.

(I flew back yesterday from Rabat in Morocco, where I was visiting a friend who works for the FO, 3hrs. Thank goodness not too full and no awful people this time, but it reminded me of my past experiences flying on business.)
 
Sarkus said:
Ear plugs. Noise cancelling headphones etc. ?

My nightmare flight would be stuck in the middle of a 3-seat section, between two people who really could do with a seat-and-a-half each, and the one with the window seat has a small bladder, always needing to get up. Oh, and they both snore. And eat loudly (that may be just a bugbear of mine, tho). ;)

I could add to the list of nightmare traits, such as a BO problem, American sense of entitlement, rude to the steward/ess, sweaty, loud. And someone who likes neither rugby nor cricket (oh, the diabolical existence of such people!).
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Yeah it seems a bit mean and petty but if you have a bad fear of flying like me, getting stuck next to a screaming baby just sets ones anxiety through the roof.
If I had to choose between the occasional "Bomb!" and continual screeching then it is "Bomb" every day.
Headphones were a god send previous flights agreed, screaming baby the other side of the plane, long flight so it was work out the video thing, film and alcohol.
If I go to spoons, I do a quick recky for babies and I sit as far away as possible. It is not a phobia but it is the most irritating and annoying noise after a barking dog.
What about my sedation idea? The kid was 13, old enough? The Dr had no qualms giving me meds for my fear.
 
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Sarkus said:
BA should have discussed it with the family beforehand, explained what is and what is not acceptable with regards impact to other passengers, and thrashed out a solution between them. If one is not possible then at least all parties tried.
But this does seem like a case where no solution is going to please everyone. Unfortunate tho it is, it's the manner in which it is handled that is probably just as, if not more, important, imo.
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eah it looks like something has gone wrong here.

This from Ai. Source cited CAA (Civil aviation authority)

"Passenger Rights and Airline PoliciesInvoluntary Tics: Because Tourette's symptoms (such as cursing or making alarming statements) are completely involuntary, they do not inherently pose a security threat.Prior Notification: It is highly recommended to inform the airline at least 48 hours before your flight by requesting Assistance (often called a DPNA code) via the airline's special assistance team.Documentation: Always carry a doctor's note or medical ID explaining the condition to present to TSA/airport security and flight crews."

Perhaps it was a coms issue?
 
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Pinball1970 said:
What about my sedation idea? The kid was 13, old enough? The Dr had no qualms giving me meds for my fear.
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It's a different situation, tho. You might be offered meds to calm you down for your own sake. If you were going to be loud and difficult and physical in your fear such that you might cause actual harm to others, then you might be given meds, sure, and if pre-flight then maybe asked to leave. But TS isn't harmful to others. It's just noise. People shouldn't have to take meds just to give other people a slightly more enjoyable trip. Yes, annoying, but as you allude, far less so than a crying baby. The fact that the guy was saying "bomb" can be explained by the Captain up front, and after that it's just a word.
People should just suck it up and tolerate such a minor inconvenience. This poor kid will be dealing with it the rest of his life.
 
Pinball1970 said:
Perhaps it was a coms issue?
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Probably/possibly. But it also seems (from the initial reports) that it was also about the word "bomb" causing consternation, which might not have been known until they got to the airport etc. Either way, not a great look for BA, this whole episode. Nor, in my view, for any passenger who might have kicked up a fuss (if any passengers did, and it was not just BA acting preemptively).
 
Sarkus said:
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People should just suck it up and tolerate such a minor inconvenience. This poor kid will be dealing with it the rest of his life.
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Yeah I totally get that. Nothing worse that your kid not being right in some way, not speaking from experience, just imagining the situation.
 
Pinball1970 said:
If I had to choose between the occasional "Bomb!" and continual screeching then it is "Bomb" every day.
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My sympathies, but hardly a fair comparison.

The only stress-trigger from someone shouting "bomb!" is the very first, unexpected one, that causes people to actually panic, climb over one another and try to open the emergency exit.

Or, to put it another way, in any given scenario (lounge, gate, plane, etc), innocent bystanders are not prepped for this, and will likely react as if it is a real, imminent threat to their lives, causing a snowball panic effect.

And I can see an argument being made that the needs of the many outweigh the needs of the one.
 
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Sarkus said:
And eat loudly (that may be just a bugbear of mine, tho). ;)
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Eating loudly and rudeness/entitlement are two of my bugbears. Also exchemist s bubble gum popper would make me reconsider my position on the death penalty. Things people have no control over bother me less (screaming baby, weirdly, has never much bothered me, I guess my brain has categorized that as "nature sounds.") Farts seem to be more problematic on planes, as the cabin pressure (7-8000 feet altitude equivalent) drop seems to increase them.

Agree if Tourettes is delicately announced to passengers, it shouldn't be a problem. Ordinary rudeness and uncouthness is much worse. Maybe extra care be taken if it's the BAFTA Tourettes fellow and he's sharing the flight with an American basketball team.
 
DaveC426913 said:
The only stress-trigger from someone shouting "bomb!" is the very first, unexpected one, that causes people to actually panic, climb over one another and try to open the emergency exit.
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"Please don't panic, he has TS." would solve that.

Get him through the fast track thingy then make an announcement at the gate and on the plane, job done.
Meanwhile my screeching baby is getting all that top level marathon screeching energy ready just for me, the little shit.
 
Pinball1970 said:
[...] This from Ai. Source cited CAA (Civil aviation authority)

"Passenger Rights and Airline PoliciesInvoluntary Tics: Because Tourette's symptoms (such as cursing or making alarming statements) are completely involuntary, they do not inherently pose a security threat.Prior Notification: It is highly recommended to inform the airline at least 48 hours before your flight by requesting Assistance (often called a DPNA code) via the airline's special assistance team.Documentation: Always carry a doctor's note or medical ID explaining the condition to present to TSA/airport security and flight crews."

Perhaps it was a coms issue?
Click to expand...

The fact that a different airline accepted the family sort of undermines BA's "security and the safety" reason. Although minus the details, it's unclear what hoops (if any) that the other service might have made them leap through.
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Pinball1970 said:
Film about bad shit happening to a plane? No thanks, got any good killer bee movies for me?
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T of S partly happens on a superyacht cruise - it's just a good movie if anyone likes black comedy plus some surrealism. If anyone has seen Bunuel's The Exterminating Angel, this picks up that theme and goes off in its own direction.

Killer B movies? The Hellstrom Chronicles, maybe. I got a little buzzed from watching it when I was around 17. :confused:
 
Pinball1970 said:
"Please don't panic, he has TS." would solve that.
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By which point it may already be too late. And panic may drown out any instructions.

The word 'bomb' spreads through a crowd at FTL, whereas 'don't panic' spreads at normal STL speeds.

That's my point.

I'm not advocating any particular action; I'm simply saying I can see the airline's point about safety.
 
DaveC426913 said:
I'm not advocating any particular action; I'm simply saying I can see the airline's point about safety.
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And shouldn't that be all airline's prime concern?
If it isn't, then we wouldn't be flying them.
QANTAS just recently had an episode...
"A Qantas flight traveling from Melbourne to Dallas (QF21) was diverted to Tahiti's Faa'a International Airport on May 15, 2026, after a heavily intoxicated passenger became violent. The disruptive individual had to be restrained by crew and fellow passengers, during which he bit a flight attendant on the arm".
All considerations for the young fella and his illness, but........
On another QANTAS many years ago, myself and my family were on our way to Fiji. Once out of Sydney this is generally a direct straight line flight to Nadi. On this particular flight, a couple of hours after take-off I felt the 747 making a left hand turn. I knew something was amiss immediatly. Shortly thereafter the Captain made the announcement that there had been claims of a bomb on board. We landed at Noumea New Caledonia, and all luggage was dumped on the tarmac. Every passenger had to retrieve his or her own luggage which was repacked.
Again, my sympathies go out to the young fella and his family. Perhaps though the airline could have reconsidered their decision and made some allowances in lieu thereof.

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