Male passenger sues BA
Another example of "New Britain". What a crock. With regard to British Airways, I bought traveller plus tickets for 6 of us (wife, 2 girls 7 & 5, grandparents & myself). Imagine my surprise when the seats were allocated that the girls were on their own, & the rest of us were split up around the cabin. I explained to customer services that I hoped the 2 gold card holders next to them wouldn't be too upset to be next to my kids & that they wouldn't mind being responsible for them in case of evacuation. I hope the extra profit they make from these daft ideas are worth it. Somehow I doubt it! 
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Right Way Up
As you say - what a crock. But I mean your post. This is not "New Britain" at work it is BA. Did you ask BA to change your seating arrangement or did you only say to them what you posted? What extra profit?
AL446,
I should have been clearer. The seats were allocated 3 days before the flight. I spent an hour on the phone trying to sort out the seating to be told finally that I would have to wait until 24 hours before the flight to try to change the seating. Cometh the hour still no chance of swopping seats as the cabin was full. Finally on board the crew were excellent & picked up the issue before I even had to say something. With minimal fuss it was dealt with. This all happened before the new BA charge for seat allocation which I would obviously would now have to pay to ensure my 7 & 5 year daughters sit next to a parent. I would rather fly with somebody else.
I have to disagree with you about BA vs New Britain. Companies are now having to implement these rules such as in the OPs post, because we have become such a nanny state. I am not sure whether it was the influence of the EU or the influence of the lawyers on the New labour gravy train. Either way Britain is losing out because of it.
I should have been clearer. The seats were allocated 3 days before the flight. I spent an hour on the phone trying to sort out the seating to be told finally that I would have to wait until 24 hours before the flight to try to change the seating. Cometh the hour still no chance of swopping seats as the cabin was full. Finally on board the crew were excellent & picked up the issue before I even had to say something. With minimal fuss it was dealt with. This all happened before the new BA charge for seat allocation which I would obviously would now have to pay to ensure my 7 & 5 year daughters sit next to a parent. I would rather fly with somebody else.
I have to disagree with you about BA vs New Britain. Companies are now having to implement these rules such as in the OPs post, because we have become such a nanny state. I am not sure whether it was the influence of the EU or the influence of the lawyers on the New labour gravy train. Either way Britain is losing out because of it.
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As SLF it seems there is possible legal argument either way.All the situation required was a little common sense.But it is very apparent that it has become an anti-male society whether it is currently PC or not, or Harriet Harman on her crusades that is putting us down.
Please allow me to go on a tangent.
I am a Male 40 something full-time single parent with 3 girls under 11.I have been on my own with them for almost 7 years when the youngest was 2. I am also a School Governer and hold an Enhanced CRB. Yet I am treated with what could be described as contempt when buying such items as underwear for my kids and have been abruptly questioned by sales staff to the effect of was I sure as to what I was buying as it was little girls items.After one such "interrogation" that was rather brutal as the sales assistant raised her voice so the other (female) shoppers could hear. I took out my Court Orders which I keep in my wallet which state my Parental Responsibility and Residence Orders for my girls until they are 18 and made the sales assistant read them then I walked out in disgust as it appears the S*x Discrimination Act doesn't work both ways when being a parent.I hate being treated as a potential Peado and I will take to task any company,corporation or civil dept(council,etc) who suggest anything of the sort. It wasn't my fault as a Male I ended up as a single parent. I stood up to the plate and took responsibility for my kids instead of them going into care after their Mother left.Yet, I am constantly fighting a wall of officialdom because of my gender as the system expects a single parent to be Female.
Sorry that it turned into a rant I apologise. But this Government and it's PC attitude, it's hate of Males over the years and the companies who expand on PC policy and then the litigators who get rich off it really P*ss me off and I feel like a 3rd or 4th class citizen who is always under suspicion from big brother and it's policies.
Please allow me to go on a tangent.
I am a Male 40 something full-time single parent with 3 girls under 11.I have been on my own with them for almost 7 years when the youngest was 2. I am also a School Governer and hold an Enhanced CRB. Yet I am treated with what could be described as contempt when buying such items as underwear for my kids and have been abruptly questioned by sales staff to the effect of was I sure as to what I was buying as it was little girls items.After one such "interrogation" that was rather brutal as the sales assistant raised her voice so the other (female) shoppers could hear. I took out my Court Orders which I keep in my wallet which state my Parental Responsibility and Residence Orders for my girls until they are 18 and made the sales assistant read them then I walked out in disgust as it appears the S*x Discrimination Act doesn't work both ways when being a parent.I hate being treated as a potential Peado and I will take to task any company,corporation or civil dept(council,etc) who suggest anything of the sort. It wasn't my fault as a Male I ended up as a single parent. I stood up to the plate and took responsibility for my kids instead of them going into care after their Mother left.Yet, I am constantly fighting a wall of officialdom because of my gender as the system expects a single parent to be Female.
Sorry that it turned into a rant I apologise. But this Government and it's PC attitude, it's hate of Males over the years and the companies who expand on PC policy and then the litigators who get rich off it really P*ss me off and I feel like a 3rd or 4th class citizen who is always under suspicion from big brother and it's policies.
Last edited by cyclops16; 18th Jan 2010 at 10:38. Reason: Spelling error
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Cyclops
Very well put - I agree entirely with what you say. In my case, I always insisted that my daughters accompany their friends when I was giving them a lift home - no exceptions.
And yes, the PC Nutters and the Harriet Harmons of this world on their somewhat skewed female emancipation quests are largely ( but not entirely ) responsible for this sad sad state of affairs.
Very well put - I agree entirely with what you say. In my case, I always insisted that my daughters accompany their friends when I was giving them a lift home - no exceptions.
And yes, the PC Nutters and the Harriet Harmons of this world on their somewhat skewed female emancipation quests are largely ( but not entirely ) responsible for this sad sad state of affairs.
cyclops16
Good on you, for looking after your kids, and for putting the PC brigade back in their boxes!
Political correctness is discrimination on steroids - it achieves bugger all, except create jobs and attitudes for the pathetically weak-minded.
Good on you, for looking after your kids, and for putting the PC brigade back in their boxes!
Political correctness is discrimination on steroids - it achieves bugger all, except create jobs and attitudes for the pathetically weak-minded.
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Just as a matter of interest. Would that male passenger have been asked to move had he paid BA's seat levy for the location he occupied?
The fact of the matter is that the rule states that UM's cannot be seated next to "Male passengers travelling alone"! Therefore it is actually up to the checkin agent to ensure when the UM is being allocated a seat that it is next to a female. What happened on board this flight happened because the crew member WAS IN THE WRONG. This man was NOT travelling alone so therefore does not come under the ruling AND even if he was, the rule does not state that the male needs to move, the crew member should have used some cop on and just move the kid without causing any fuss or even needing to reveal the rule.
Every company has idiots like that who both get the rules wrong and seem to glee in imposing their version of the rules on others...suppose its a power trip thing!
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I think BA may well be on a sticky wicket on this one under the sexual discrimination rules.
They seem to have a written policy that discriminates against male's. I think nielperrin is correct and BA will find themselves not only settling out of court but then re writing their policy.
I'm neutral on their policy. I can see it's origins but i can also see the pitfalls as illustrated by JSL and Paddy.
Please can I ask a question here which is based purely on the ignorance of a concerned SLF who could recieve an UM SLF into the UK.
I have a really close friend who lives in Jersey who would like to send her daughter aged 7 unaccompanied over to meet me at LGW to spend a week with me. Apparently she can travel on BA aged 7 but I have not checked this myself. My friend seems to have gleaned this from BA somehow.
My friend also is under the impression BA will provide a chaperone? Is this correct? If so why do we have the seating issues/policies stated on this thread?
Paddy/JSL any info would be appreciated.
They seem to have a written policy that discriminates against male's. I think nielperrin is correct and BA will find themselves not only settling out of court but then re writing their policy.
I'm neutral on their policy. I can see it's origins but i can also see the pitfalls as illustrated by JSL and Paddy.
Please can I ask a question here which is based purely on the ignorance of a concerned SLF who could recieve an UM SLF into the UK.
I have a really close friend who lives in Jersey who would like to send her daughter aged 7 unaccompanied over to meet me at LGW to spend a week with me. Apparently she can travel on BA aged 7 but I have not checked this myself. My friend seems to have gleaned this from BA somehow.
My friend also is under the impression BA will provide a chaperone? Is this correct? If so why do we have the seating issues/policies stated on this thread?
Paddy/JSL any info would be appreciated.
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Moving males!
What absurd rubbish! How come there was a single male child on his own anyway? Where were his parent/s? If I had been the passenger I would have flatly refused - whatever the circumstances. Yes - whatever. The CC member also needed his/her common sense examined. I hope the airline has sunstantial damages to pay out. As a former CRB checked school governor I was contsantly having to advise the governors and teachers to "get a grip on themselves" and stop being so suspicious of every male. In any event most males who are likely to "interfere" with young males have a homosexual predisposition and not husbands accompanying their pregant wives!
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Lowcostdolly,
We do offer the Skyflyers Solo on the Jersey route. Hopefully, the following link will be able to answer your questions. I would be put it all on here, but it's a bit long!
British Airways - Children travelling alone
Jersey is a great route for UM's. Most of the kids are real regulars and know the routine, and us, better than we do!
We do offer the Skyflyers Solo on the Jersey route. Hopefully, the following link will be able to answer your questions. I would be put it all on here, but it's a bit long!
British Airways - Children travelling alone
Jersey is a great route for UM's. Most of the kids are real regulars and know the routine, and us, better than we do!
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Being male in the 21st Century
Being male in the 21st century you are considered to be a potential wife basher,criminal,rapist,war monger,muderer and child abuser.
No wonder the young men of today have self esteem problems
No wonder the young men of today have self esteem problems
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What absurd rubbish! How come there was a single male child on his own anyway? Where were his parent/s? If I had been the passenger I would have flatly refused - whatever the circumstances. Yes - whatever. The CC member also needed his/her common sense examined. I hope the airline has sunstantial damages to pay out. As a former CRB checked school governor I was contsantly having to advise the governors and teachers to "get a grip on themselves" and stop being so suspicious of every male. In any event most males who are likely to "interfere" with young males have a homosexual predisposition and not husbands accompanying their pregant wives!
And as for children travelling alone...you certainly have your head in the clouds....hundreds of thousands of children fly unaccompanied every year for various reasons, it is a service that is considered very valuable by many and for the very reasons being discussed here many airlines are no longer providing the service for fear of even the slightest prosecution. And I do not think you are one to judge parents who feel the need to use such a service.
My friend also is under the impression BA will provide a chaperone? Is this correct? If so why do we have the seating issues/policies stated on this thread?
I wasn't assuming anything - just asking a question. But, I'm grateful for your insight. If what you say is correct, then BA had better settle this one out of court asap.
IF it happened the way this man says it happened then its a mere case of a crew member being an idiot!
simple solution then. no unaccomanied minors. end of. yes sometimes it's not as simple as that but it's probably the only way you can prevent this idiocy from continuing.
i believe some airlines already have this policy in place.
i believe some airlines already have this policy in place.
Children travelling alone
We do not accept any unaccompanied children under the age of 14 for travel. Children under 14 years of age cannot travel unless accompanied by a person aged 16 years or older who will take responsibility for them. easyJet does not operate an indemnity policy and therefore, under no circumstance, under the Child Protection Act, must another passenger be asked to accept responsibility during flight of an unaccompanied minor.
We do not accept any unaccompanied children under the age of 14 for travel. Children under 14 years of age cannot travel unless accompanied by a person aged 16 years or older who will take responsibility for them. easyJet does not operate an indemnity policy and therefore, under no circumstance, under the Child Protection Act, must another passenger be asked to accept responsibility during flight of an unaccompanied minor.
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The no um idea does seem like a better solution. If you're worried that every male in the world is out to get your kid, have the decency to travel with them yourself instead of relying on someone else ( oh no - possibly a man!) to look after them.
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Children Travelling Alone
What a mamby pamby society, full of useless rules that frighten good people. As a child aged 11 years in 1961, I flew from Manchester to Entebbe with one of the following EAA , BEA and possible BOAC as an UM. Some of the flights were known as lolly pop specials as it was expats kids returning home for the holidays. On the flights from Heathrow were 'aunties', mature ladies who looked after the little ones, and you did sit next to adults who out of normal behavior kept an eye on you as every one should today, but who now have a fear of doing or saying anything in case they get verbally abused or accused of some thing else.
I travelled alone from boarding school in Gargrave ,Yorkshire, by train with changes at Manchester and sometimes Preston, to my grandmothers in Blackpool, left my school stuff and the next day went alone by train to Manchester, bus to Ringway, and then check in staff told you where to meet them in the departure lounge at a given time. I then flew to Heathrow changed planes and flew to Entebbe, with stops at one or two of the following Rome, Paris , Munich and Athens and at the end of the holidays I made the return journey. I did this until 1969 as an UM as it was beneficial to do so if the aircraft was delayed for any reason. I met lots of adults who were not frightened of talking to me and me to them as normal caring human beings, who often watched to make sure I had gone to the correct platform, along with the railway and airport staff.
Perhaps my many school friends and I were lucky none of them ever said they had been molested, some moaned about the miserable person they had been sat next to, but all of us felt safe. In today's world Social Services would have had a field day, airlines wouldn't have let me travel so I wouldn't have seen my dad for two years , and my parents branded neglectful for making me travel alone. I met lots of good people, people cared, but today as I thankfully come to the end of my teaching career, I wonder if we will ever be able to give the freedoms to children I had in being able to sit and talk to a stranger, travel and roam without fear. Sad world in many ways, made sadder by the many children who cannot behave and who no longer know that big word NO, but who know there rights but not responsibilities, and by rules and regulations that say they can't fly as an UM till they are 14 or talk to a male adult sat next to them.
I travelled alone from boarding school in Gargrave ,Yorkshire, by train with changes at Manchester and sometimes Preston, to my grandmothers in Blackpool, left my school stuff and the next day went alone by train to Manchester, bus to Ringway, and then check in staff told you where to meet them in the departure lounge at a given time. I then flew to Heathrow changed planes and flew to Entebbe, with stops at one or two of the following Rome, Paris , Munich and Athens and at the end of the holidays I made the return journey. I did this until 1969 as an UM as it was beneficial to do so if the aircraft was delayed for any reason. I met lots of adults who were not frightened of talking to me and me to them as normal caring human beings, who often watched to make sure I had gone to the correct platform, along with the railway and airport staff.
Perhaps my many school friends and I were lucky none of them ever said they had been molested, some moaned about the miserable person they had been sat next to, but all of us felt safe. In today's world Social Services would have had a field day, airlines wouldn't have let me travel so I wouldn't have seen my dad for two years , and my parents branded neglectful for making me travel alone. I met lots of good people, people cared, but today as I thankfully come to the end of my teaching career, I wonder if we will ever be able to give the freedoms to children I had in being able to sit and talk to a stranger, travel and roam without fear. Sad world in many ways, made sadder by the many children who cannot behave and who no longer know that big word NO, but who know there rights but not responsibilities, and by rules and regulations that say they can't fly as an UM till they are 14 or talk to a male adult sat next to them.
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When my lad was 6 his school closed for a day (some sort of staff training) so I took him swimming at the local pool which was full of mum's and pre school kids...
As a 35 year old male the looks of horror that were thrown at me for the duraton of my swim (Oh my god, a lone man and a child..!) meant that was the first and last time I did that outing.
On a plane, frankly the further away other peoples kids are from me the better, most adults too for that matter!
As a 35 year old male the looks of horror that were thrown at me for the duraton of my swim (Oh my god, a lone man and a child..!) meant that was the first and last time I did that outing.
On a plane, frankly the further away other peoples kids are from me the better, most adults too for that matter!
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I have a 2 year old girl, can you imagine the looks when I took her to a toddlers swimming session and was the only male.
The looks of suspicion and fear in the eyes of the mums assembled made me feel sick........
I am fed up of being considered a potential paedophile
The looks of suspicion and fear in the eyes of the mums assembled made me feel sick........
I am fed up of being considered a potential paedophile