Toddler On No-Fly List Gets Booted From JetBlue Flight
A couple from New Jersey, along with their 18-month-old daughter, were kicked off of a JetBlue flight today after the toddler’s name appeared on a no-fly list.
CBS reports that the middle Eastern family was taken off the flight and “put on display” in the terminal as they were questioned by TSA agents and JetBlue employees.
The parents, who declined to give their names, said that they feel that their daughter Riyanna was targeted because of her Middle Eastern name.
The girl’s father said:
“It’s absurd… It makes no sense. Why would an 18-month-old child be on a no-fly list?”
JetBlue said that a computer “glitch” had caused the error. Airline spokeswoman Sharon A. Jones said:
“Our crew members followed the appropriate protocols, and we apologize to the family involved in this unfortunate circumstance. Our crew members are trained to address each situation discreetly, treating every customer with dignity and respect.”
The TSA said that they were not responsible for pulling the family from the plane. The TSA said that they were called to the gate and ultimately determined that it was a mistake. According to the TSA, the family would have never made it to the gate if they had truly been on a no-fly list.
“TSA did not flag this child as being on the No Fly list. TSA was called to the gate by the airline and after talking to the parents and confirming through our vetting system, TSA determined the airline had mistakenly indicated the child was on a government watch list.”
Agency spokeswoman Sari Koshetz said:
“If a passenger is able to print a boarding pass at home or at an airport kiosk, then, in fact, that passenger has been cleared by TSA’s Security Flight program.”
