WTF Stories of the Week - Page 261

Alex · 06-25-2010, 01:29 PM

I agree. I'd refuse to take responsibility for someone else's pet just on liability grounds. They were offered a way to resolve the situation and get on a later flight at no additional charge. That seems good enough to me.

If anything, the error was in standing there while they threw a living animal in the trash to get back on the plane. Disposing of the animal and reboarding the plane should not have been an option allowed to them and since splitting up would have required a minor being left unattended somewhere they all would have been subject to it.

All the while I would have been apologizing profusely that they'd been allowed to get that far with the animal without the issue being raised (I'm not sure if the security gate should have caught it or not) but I'd still have very much been in the "life sucks, we'll put you on the next plane" camp.

Besides, everybody know you flush little turtles.

SzczerbiakManiac · 06-25-2010, 02:28 PM

Lightning strikes three Chicago buildings simultaneously.

Ghoulish Delight · 06-25-2010, 03:51 PM

I disagree that anything about this constitutes a "security" threat. Liability issues yes, security no. But the bottom line is, the girls broke the rules and refused reasonable attempts to allow them to get back within the rules. Nothing else the airline could have done.

innerSpaceman · 06-25-2010, 03:56 PM

They could have bought the turtle a seat, if one was empty.

Kevy Baby · 06-25-2010, 03:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by innerSpaceman

They could have bought the turtle a seat, if one was empty.

Actually, not an option. From the article:

Quote:

AirTran company policy bars animals other than cats, dogs and household birds in the cabin, said spokesman Christopher White. White cited a Centers for Disease Control and Prevention report that says the reptiles have been known to carry salmonella bacteria.

Unless, of course, you were just kidding...

Kevy Baby · 06-25-2010, 03:58 PM

Not the item itself, but the act of leaving an item might be considered a threat (a silly notion to be sure, but a possibility). Yes, the liability is the bigger issue (which I covered in my earlier post; I was just trying to avoid duplication), but I wouldn't be surprised if the TSA might have something to say about it.

Not Afraid · 06-25-2010, 04:09 PM

I think the girls were stupid to try and fly with a turtle - at least being obvious about it. (I have no problem with them sneaking it on the plane.) But, the outcome of trashing a live animal is ridiculous and inhumane. Really, they could have held it in the front for Dad to pick up. Did they really expect young children to make the appropriate decision?

Ghoulish Delight · 06-25-2010, 04:11 PM

Young children? We're talking about a 22 year old.

ETA: A 22 year old and her father who was on the phone as part of the decision making process.

Cadaverous Pallor · 06-25-2010, 04:12 PM

There are few concepts I hate more than "liability". I know it's pointless to fight it, but I still feel the rising tide of liability has tied our hands and made small, everyday injustices more common. The employment issues are a good example.

Don't worry, GD has talked to me about this in very plain, sensible terms a million times and I still don't like it.

I wonder how much of this stuff is prevalent in other countries.

Things Jen does not like that aren't going away any time soon:

Liability issues
Lobbyists
Logrolling

I don't know what it is about the letter L. Again, no need to convince me these are necessary, I know, I know, and I hate hate hate it.

</derail>

Alex · 06-25-2010, 06:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cadaverous Pallor

There are few concepts I hate more than "liability".

Who are you blaming for this hated thing, though? Large companies that get sued dozens of times per day and so have a certain motivation to just avoid the more obvious stupid suits that could be brought or the people who file stupid lawsuits all of the time?

But I'm curious, if one of your library patrons came in saying "I have errands to run and can't take my turtle here with me. Would you hold him? I promise my husband will be along to pick him up before too long" would you really say "Sure, no problem, I'll just put that guy in the back here I'm sure it'll all work out."

06-25-2010, 01:29 PM	#1
Alex . Join Date: Feb 2005 Posts: 13,354	I agree. I'd refuse to take responsibility for someone else's pet just on liability grounds. They were offered a way to resolve the situation and get on a later flight at no additional charge. That seems good enough to me. If anything, the error was in standing there while they threw a living animal in the trash to get back on the plane. Disposing of the animal and reboarding the plane should not have been an option allowed to them and since splitting up would have required a minor being left unattended somewhere they all would have been subject to it. All the while I would have been apologizing profusely that they'd been allowed to get that far with the animal without the issue being raised (I'm not sure if the security gate should have caught it or not) but I'd still have very much been in the "life sucks, we'll put you on the next plane" camp. Besides, everybody know you flush little turtles.
	Submit to Quotes

06-25-2010, 02:28 PM	#2
SzczerbiakManiac "ZER-bee-ak" Join Date: Jan 2005 Posts: 4,409	Lightning strikes three Chicago buildings simultaneously. __________________
	Submit to Quotes

06-25-2010, 03:51 PM	#3
Ghoulish Delight I Floop the Pig Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Alternative Swankstyle Posts: 19,348	I disagree that anything about this constitutes a "security" threat. Liability issues yes, security no. But the bottom line is, the girls broke the rules and refused reasonable attempts to allow them to get back within the rules. Nothing else the airline could have done. __________________ 'He who receives an idea from me, receives instruction himself without lessening mine; as he who lights his taper at mine, receives light without darkening me.' -TJ
	Submit to Quotes

06-25-2010, 03:56 PM	#4
innerSpaceman Kink of Swank Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Inner Space Posts: 13,075	They could have bought the turtle a seat, if one was empty.
	Submit to Quotes

06-25-2010, 03:58 PM	#6
Kevy Baby Chowder Head Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Yes Posts: 18,500	Not the item itself, but the act of leaving an item might be considered a threat (a silly notion to be sure, but a possibility). Yes, the liability is the bigger issue (which I covered in my earlier post; I was just trying to avoid duplication), but I wouldn't be surprised if the TSA might have something to say about it. __________________ The thing about quotes on the internet is that you cannot verify their validity. - Abraham Lincoln
	Submit to Quotes

06-25-2010, 04:09 PM	#7
Not Afraid HI! Join Date: Jan 2005 Posts: 17,108	I think the girls were stupid to try and fly with a turtle - at least being obvious about it. (I have no problem with them sneaking it on the plane.) But, the outcome of trashing a live animal is ridiculous and inhumane. Really, they could have held it in the front for Dad to pick up. Did they really expect young children to make the appropriate decision?
	Submit to Quotes

06-25-2010, 04:11 PM	#8
Ghoulish Delight I Floop the Pig Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Alternative Swankstyle Posts: 19,348	Young children? We're talking about a 22 year old. ETA: A 22 year old and her father who was on the phone as part of the decision making process. __________________ 'He who receives an idea from me, receives instruction himself without lessening mine; as he who lights his taper at mine, receives light without darkening me.' -TJ
	Submit to Quotes

06-25-2010, 04:12 PM	#9
Cadaverous Pallor ohhhh baby Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Parental Bliss Posts: 12,364	There are few concepts I hate more than "liability". I know it's pointless to fight it, but I still feel the rising tide of liability has tied our hands and made small, everyday injustices more common. The employment issues are a good example. Don't worry, GD has talked to me about this in very plain, sensible terms a million times and I still don't like it. I wonder how much of this stuff is prevalent in other countries. Things Jen does not like that aren't going away any time soon: Liability issues Lobbyists Logrolling I don't know what it is about the letter L. Again, no need to convince me these are necessary, I know, I know, and I hate hate hate it. </derail> __________________ The second star to the right shines in the night for you
	Submit to Quotes