The site commented last week on hero Mirko Fischer and it was gladdening to see that Libby Purves, columnist for the Times agree (no link available as The Times now has a paywall) explaining how it demeaned men everywhere. As did Rosie Murray-West in the Telegraph.
A reader wrote to British Airways last week stating that they would hear from his solicitor if they tried to move him in the same way they tried with Mr Fischer. He has asked that the reply is published which proves that British Airways are having to review it but also shows the contorted and convoluted way they try and defend the undefendable.
British Airways
I am sorry you are dissatisfied with our seating policy for unaccompanied minors. We carry tens of thousands of unaccompanied minors every year and take great pride in the service that we provide to them and their parents. We have offered this service on all flights for many years for children aged between five and 11 years old, who are travelling alone.
Parents look to us to ensure the welfare of their children when they are travelling unaccompanied, who can be as young as 5 years old. Given that some of these flights last up to 13 hours and are overnight, we take the responsibility of caring for these children, whose safety and security has been entrusted to us, extremely seriously.
There is a specific seating department, which oversees the booking and places the child in an appropriate seat. To minimise risk to the child, whenever possible we do not seat unaccompanied minors beside adult male passengers. On some services, this will be in a specially created Unaccompanied Minors zone within a short distance of the cabin crew in the galley.
This procedure is not meant to cause offence to our male passengers, nor is it meant to imply that all men are a danger to children. It is there as a precaution in the best interests of the welfare of our young passengers flying alone and will also protect male passengers from being the subject of false accusations. However following recent court action taken by one of our passengers, this policy is currently under review.
Please be assured customer feedback such as yours is important to us. We do hope that despite your current sentiments, you will give us an early opportunity to better serve you next time you travel with us.
Best regards
British Airways Customer Relations
Posted by Skimmington
My policy is that no employee of British Airways should be allowed out in public except on a leash, with a sign hung round their necks saying " Keep clear - dangerous animal".
This procedure is not meant to cause offence to employees of British Airways, nor is it meant to imply that all employees of British Airways are nasty, spiteful jerks. It is merely a precaution in the best interests of the welfare of the great majority of decent people in public places. It will also protect employees of British Airways from being attacked by people who might think they are an easy target for abuse.
Posted by: paul parmenter | Wednesday, 30 June 2010 at 07:13
Title of this piece contain an out of place "the". It doesn't read correctly.
Posted by: John Kimble | Friday, 02 July 2010 at 02:59
"To minimise risk to the child, whenever possible we do not seat unaccompanied minors beside adult male passengers."
They forgot to add: "...but we've been willing to take the risk that one of the adult female passengers to whom we sit unaccompained minors beside could have been Vanessa George."
Otherwise, such an ommission would be proof that this isn't 'all about the childrenz' as BA claim and more to do with sexism.
Posted by: Sick of Lies | Friday, 02 July 2010 at 13:03
Its incredible they can get away with this misandry. Can you imagine if they were removing women from seats next to children!!
Why not Jews, Arabs, Blacks?
Young boy see this and MUST be deeply affected by it. Is this what they have to look forward to? Second class citizenship.
If men are so dangerous they shouldn't have them on the plane at all. Of course 'men' are all the same y'know, if one man is a danger then all are, but when a woman is a danger to children she 'needs help and support'.
Its utterly outrageous and never reported in the media.
Posted by: Bob | Sunday, 04 July 2010 at 18:01