newjerseynewsroom.com

BY BOB HOLT

NEWJERSEYNEWSROOM.COM

Alaska Airlines has a very strict policy regarding the use of seat belts on their flights. Their strictness became evident on Saturday when the airline asked a fussy 3-year old and his parents to leave a flight at a Seattle airport after the boy didn’t want to wear the belt.

The father of the toddler, Mark Yankchuck, said his son, Daniel, was wearing his seat belt, but he was trying to get out. Yanchuck said his son was sleepy and being cranky. He went to his wife for help after Daniel refused to remain fastened. She brought the boy a pacifier and some water and Daniel was willing to settle down.

The plane taxied only 50 feet before the pilot parked back at the gate.

According to the Huffington Post, Yanchuck told the flight crew that his son had quieted down and tried to remain on the flight, but was still asked to leave. No explanation was given to the family. Alaska Airlines says it was a safety issue and the pilot preferred to settle such matters on the ground than in mid-flight.

The airline offered to rebook the family’s flight later, but Yanchuck said, according to MyNorthwest.com, "As soon as we got off the plane he said, 'Dad, no fly, go home, let's go home."

Kirotv.com reported that a spokesman for Alaska Airlines said flight attendants saw Daniel lying across the seat with his legs dangling and the seat belt close to his neck at one point in the attempted flight.

Alaska Airlines said flight attendants had three or four conversations with the parents before the pilot turned the flight around. They say they’re trying to get the family a refund.