Family removed from flight after 2-year-old wouldn't wear a mask — here's how to avoid that happening to you
A health coach recently posted on social media about her experience being removed from a United Airlines flight from Denver to Newark because her two-year-old daughter wouldn't wear a mask. From where the video posted to Instagram starts, you can see attempts the parents make to have the little one put a mask on to no avail. A United agent then asks the family to gather their things and exit the flight. The family stated they were traveling to New York to spend time with friends and family for the weekend.
There's a lot to unpack here, from properly following pandemic protocol to the official policy of United Airlines. As a father of two little ones myself, I also have a lot of thoughts on what occurred as well as a lot of empathy for all parents for the times your little ones just won't cooperate. Let's review what happened and how you can avoid a similar situation.
Know the airline's mask policy before you board (or book)
Whether you agree or disagree with the official United Airlines mask policy, it is clear in its language that all travelers over the age of 2 are required to wear a mask on board. (Also, the day you turn 2, you're over 2.) There are three FAQs on the United website that again make it clear all travelers over the age of 2 are required to wear face coverings during the entire flight. With the policy clear and reiterated multiple times during the booking and check-in process, parents have adequate knowledge about whether or not a child will have to wear a mask.
If you think mask compliance for your child might be an issue, choose one of the other airlines with more lenient policies for flying little ones.
On Delta, which flies from Denver nonstop to Laguardia, children under the age of 2 and young children who cannot maintain a face covering are exempt from the mask requirement.
Normalize wearing a mask with your child before the flight
As a parent, you know whether your kid is likely to be capable of wearing a mask for a lengthy flight even before you book the flight. To help your chances, there should be a lot of conversation and practice even before heading to the airport.
It also helps to pick out a fun series of masks. From the video, it looks like the mask the parents are attempting to use is an adult surgical mask provided by United. Your kid's favorite cartoon, superhero or storybook character is probably on a mask at this point. (Check out recs from TPG's Summer Hull here.)
Then, practice practice practice. Wear a mask yourself at home so your child sees it is normal and let them wear it while doing their favorite activities at home. Start short for a few minutes and work your way up then reward them for success.
I'm not a child development pro, but we've done these with my 3 and 5-year-old and had good luck this year when they have been on a flight or in a place where a mask is required for a long time.
Prepare to be flexible
Accept that some days the little ones just aren't going to play ball and roll with the punches. Fly Delta when possible if you know you're at risk of having a little one that doesn't like masks.
And finally: Always follow state-issued quarantine requirements
Whether or not to travel right now is a personal decision. But whether or not to comply with mandatory quarantine requirements is not.
New York state requires a minimum of a three-day quarantine from noncontiguous states if the travelers received a negative COVID test within three days of departure. In the video in question, this parent says this is a weekend trip, which would not allow enough time to follow the state-mandated quarantine guidelines. If we ever want to beat this thing for good and get back to travel as we knew it, we must travel responsibly and follow the proper guidelines.
Bottom line
Life is tough right now and the smallest stressors can quickly boil over. Do your homework to avoid any surprises and if you don't like the policy of a particular company (airline) then choose to do business with another one.
It can certainly be tough when your little ones don't want to cooperate, but you have to plan for how to counteract those times and plan to be in a position where it's ok if today is Meltdown Day. I don't fault United for enforcing its written policy. Taking the aforementioned precautions into consideration might have helps these parents lessen the chance of setting themselves up for failure.
TPG featured card
at American Express's secure site
Terms & restrictions apply. See rates & fees.
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 5X | New! Earn 5X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid hotel stays booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points on flights booked through AmexTravel.com, the Amex Travel App, or purchased directly from airlines. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid car rentals booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App and cruises booked and paid through AmexTravel.com. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
Pros
- Valuable dining and food-related credits
- Flexible rewards with airline and hotel transfer partners
- Multiple travel and purchase protections
- No foreign transaction fees
- Access to Amex Offers for additional savings (enrollment required)
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $8,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- New! Earn 5X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid hotel stays booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points on flights booked through AmexTravel.com, the Amex Travel App, or purchased directly from airlines.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid car rentals booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App and cruises booked and paid through AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- Pay It® lets you tap in the American Express® App to quickly pay for small purchase amounts throughout the month and still earn rewards the way you usually do. Plan It® gives you the option to split up big purchases into equal monthly payments with a fixed fee. You’ll know upfront exactly how much you’ll pay.
- Updated! $120 Dining Credit: Earn up to a total of $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the Gold Card at Grubhub (including Seamless), Buffalo Wild Wings, Five Guys, The Cheesecake Factory, and Wonder. This can be an annual savings of up to $120. Enrollment required.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year at over 10,000 qualifying U.S. Resy restaurants after you pay for eligible purchases with the American Express® Gold Card. That’s up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: Earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin’ locations. Enrollment required.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Enjoy up to $120 in Uber Cash annually with your Gold Card. Just add your Card to your Uber account and you'll get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an Amex Card for your transaction.
- New! As an American Express® Gold Card Member, you can enjoy complimentary Hertz Five Star® Status. Enjoy benefits like skipping the counter at select locations, adding an additional driver at no additional cost*, and vehicle upgrades**. Benefit enrollment and Hertz Gold+ registration are required. *Additional drivers must meet standard rental qualifications and must be a spouse or domestic partner to qualify as complimentary. Other additional drivers subject to fees. **Benefits are subject to availability and vary by location. Additional Hertz program Terms and Conditions including age restrictions apply.
- Take advantage of a $100 credit towards eligible charges* at over 1,300 upscale hotels worldwide when you book The Hotel Collection through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App **. *Eligible charges vary by property. **The Hotel Collection requires a two-night minimum stay.
- Book your travel through the Amex Travel App with added peace of mind – backed by American Express® service and support. Only for American Express® Card Members.
- Whenever you need us, we're here. Our Member Services team will ensure you are taken care of. From lost Card replacement to statement questions, we are available to help 24/7.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.