Jodi Degyansky and her son have been escorted off of a Southwest Airways flight at RSW as a result of the 2-year-old was not carrying his masks in an effort to eat some snacks, she mentioned.A girl touring from Fort Myers, Florida, to Chicago mentioned she was escorted off her Southwest Airline flight on Saturday as a result of her 2-year-old son was snacking previous to takeoff and wasn’t carrying his masks.
Jodi Degyansky, 34, desires airways to have extra compassion for folks who’ve toddlers that may have problem donning their masks for a very long time.
“We are trying to get used to it, but he’s 2,” Degyansky mentioned.
Degyansky mentioned she flew to Florida to go to her household in Naples. On her arrival flight to Southwest Florida Worldwide Airport, the flight attendants have been far more understanding, she mentioned.
“On the way back I was surprised the flight attendants were much stricter,” Degyansky mentioned.
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Degyansky mentioned she boarded the flight together with her son, Hayes Jarboe, and he took off his masks to eat a few of the snacks that have been served. On a number of events, a flight attendant instructed her that he wanted to be masked, however he was consuming, she mentioned. The aircraft had already left the gate, however returned for workers to escort them off the flight. For about 15 minutes, Degyansky argued with airline personnel as a result of her son had his masks again on, however they didn’t take heed to her, she mentioned.
In keeping with CDC pointers, kids 2 years and older ought to put on a masks over their nostril and mouth if its tough to social distance.
“My toddler who literally turned 2 two weeks ago. … I know you have to draw the line but let’s be a little compassionate with everyone’s individual circumstances,” she mentioned.
Degyansky mentioned a flight attendant instructed her that folks have been utilizing snacks and chips as an excuse to not put masks on their toddlers.
However that wasn’t the case for Degyansky, she mentioned. The mom mentioned she helps carrying masks and is conscious of the way it can cease the unfold of COVID-19.
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“I’m sure other parents are going through this,” Degyansky mentioned. “I want people to either do their homework before they choose to fly or find an airline that has more leniency.”
Jodi Degyansky and her son have been escorted off of a Southwest Airways flight at Southwest Florida Worldwide Airport in Fort Myers as a result of the 2-year-old was consuming snacks and so not carrying his masks, she mentioned.Degyansky mentioned it was humiliating to have the aircraft return to the gate so she might be escorted off. In keeping with her, the airline provided to search out her one other flight for later within the day, however none have been direct to Chicago. The subsequent direct flight was on Monday, she mentioned.
As a substitute, she booked a flight on American Airways, nevertheless it price her $600.
“I just felt like I can’t believe it happened,” Degyansky mentioned. “I was left scrambling — how the hell am I going to get home? What if I didn’t have the resources to buy a $600 ticket?”
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In keeping with Degyansky, Southwest Airways mentioned they might refund her cash, however hadn’t by of Sunday.
In an announcement to The Information-Press, a part of the USA TODAY Community, Southwest Airways mentioned they’re trying into the state of affairs to be taught extra about what occurred and can attain out to Degyansky.
Nonetheless, the corporate coverage is {that a} buyer should put on a masks and that it’s communicated typically previous to the flight and in the course of the check-in course of.
“If a Customer is unable to wear a face covering for any reason, Southwest regrets that we are unable to transport the individual. In those cases, we will issue a full refund and hope to welcome the Customer onboard in the future, if public health guidance regarding face coverings changes,” mentioned Ro Hawthorne, a spokesperson for the airline. “Caring for others with our Southwest Hearts is at the center of everything we do, which is especially important during this pandemic. We appreciate the ongoing support and spirit of cooperation among our Customers and Employees as we collectively take care of each other while striving to prevent the spread of COVID-19.”
This text initially appeared on Fort Myers Information-Press: Southwest Airways escorts mom, 2-year-old from flight over masks
