A distressing incident occurred on an American Airlines flight when a 13-year-old girl traveling alone was subjected to harassment for a staggering 30 minutes before a flight attendant intervened. The situation escalated when 26-year-old Alex Thompson boarded the nearly empty plane from Dallas to Portland and chose to sit next to the unaccompanied minor.
Despite being offered the chance to move to a more comfortable seat, Thompson refused, raising immediate concern. His loud and inappropriate behavior upon boarding—cursing—should have alerted staff to the potential danger, but unfortunately, it went unnoticed.
According to a criminal complaint reported by various outlets, when a flight attendant returned for drink service about half an hour later, she observed Thompson with his hand on the girl’s thigh. The girl was visibly upset, with a single tear rolling down her cheek. Flight attendants quickly moved him away, but the trauma she experienced during those 30 minutes was harrowing. Thompson was arrested upon landing, and he later pleaded not guilty to charges of abusive sexual contact.
The complaint details disturbing interactions, including Thompson intentionally brushing against the girl’s arms and laughing when she attempted to distance herself. He even attempted to share his headphones with her and placed his hands on her knee and upper thigh repeatedly, each time ignoring her discomfort.
American Airlines has a policy for unaccompanied minors, guaranteeing their boarding and release to an appropriate guardian at the destination for an additional fee of $150 each way. Unfortunately, this incident highlights a significant flaw in their service, leaving parents to wonder what protections they are really paying for. As attorney Lisa Johnson pointed out, families are led to believe they are investing in safety, while in reality, the airline may not be providing the level of supervision expected.
Other airlines like JetBlue and United have similar, though more limited, policies concerning unaccompanied minors, ensuring stricter seating arrangements and fewer passengers to better protect young travelers. It’s alarming that parents are being charged for a sense of security that may not actually be upheld, as evidenced by this tragic case.
The young girl, understandably, is now terrified of flying again.
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Summary
A 13-year-old girl traveling alone faced harassment on an American Airlines flight when a 26-year-old man sat beside her and engaged in inappropriate behavior for 30 minutes. Despite the airline’s assurances regarding the safety of unaccompanied minors, this incident raises serious concerns about the level of protection offered. Families are left questioning the value of the fees they pay for these services.