An Atlanta father and his young daughter were removed from a Frontier Airlines flight this week after the airline accused them of breaking federal law.
Chrisean Rose was traveling to Orlando with his 2-year-old daughter Rayana for a quick weekend to visit Disney World. Rose had intended to fly with his daughter sitting on his lap, which the airline took issue with.
Rayana had flown while sitting in his lap on the Spirit flight down with no issue, according to Rose. Frontier staff was adamant that she fly sitting in her own seat, which Rose had purchased.
“They will arrest you; I’m telling you that right now,” a flight attendant told Rose. He captured the flight attendants threatening to have him arrested.
Rose explained to the flight crew that it was his daughter’s first time traveling, and she was nervous. He said things escalated when he could not get her into her seat.
The plane was taxiing on the runway while the confrontation took place and was eventually returned to the gate. Rose and Rayana were removed from the flight.
“It is an FAA requirement that all passengers over the age of 24 months must be buckled into their own seat for takeoff and landing,” Frontier said in a statement. “The parent refused to comply and therefore was asked to exit the aircraft with the child.”
Rose acknowledged to WSBTV that while it is Frontier’s policy, he was hoping the airline would make an exception.
“I did not think it needed to be that far. I mean, arrest for what? For a kid crying?” he told the outlet.
