It is only human to be forgetful. Whether it’s forgetting to pickup groceries on the way home, defrost the chicken or put sugar in your tea- it happens to us all. However, it does seem that some people can be more forgetful than others. Forgetful, negligent? It appears there is a very thin line these days! This Belgian couple seemed to show an example of this when arriving for their flight at the airport, only to ‘forget’ something rather important at the check-in desk… their BABY!
Late Arrival
One thing is for certain- airlines at airports can be super strict with check-in times. Yes, that means if your flight says to check in by 18:00, you really have to ensure that you do this. This Belgian couple on the other hand, didn’t appear too concerned by this important detail. Considering their flight was at 20:50, the ticket clearly stated that the holder had to have checked in for the flight by LATEST, 19:50. Seeing as how this is only one hour before the flight, it does appear quite generous too. So when Claude and Sara arrived at the airport at 20:15, you can imagine that hell was about to break loose…
Late Arrival
Initial Luck
After approaching the desk, Claude and Sara were initially happy to see that there was no line. They knew if they came too early that they’d be waiting for a long time, but they also didn’t anticipate such heavy traffic en-route. The pair approached the desk with all their luggage and stroller, requesting from the clerk to check-in. Despite missing the check-in time by some time, the woman was eager to help, offering to make an exception on this occasion. She requested that all passports and boarding passes be given to her to scan, which is when the first of a sequence of major issues began…
Initial Luck
A Missing Ticket
Claude handed the clerk his and Sara’s passports and tickets. Initially all went smoothly, until the clerk then asked to see the child in the stroller’s ticket and passport. Claude handed her the passport and told her that she didn’t need a seat, seeing as how she was just an infant. Clearly Claude hadn’t read the rules prior. The airline’s rules strictly state that any child, even if they opt to sit on a parent’s lap, must have a ticket from the ages of 14 days to 2.5 years of age. The lady informed Claude of this, saying that they must purchase a ticket for their child. Claude blew up. He yelled expletives and abuse at the clerk, unable to comprehend the situation. As soon as the yelling started, the clerk’s manager came rushing over to intervene.
A Missing Ticket
A Peaceful Explanation Gone Wrong
The manager of the airline quickly approached the check-in desk, dismissing the clerk to go on break, she’d been through enough. “Hi there, I’m Greg, how can I help you sir?” Claude continued, explaining the situation, and how he shouldn’t need to purchase a ticket. Despite expressing urgency to make the flight, Greg doubled down on the clerk’s initial response, telling him that the child need’s a ticket, and at this late stage it would cost $350. Claude responded saying that he would need a few minutes to discuss the matter with his wife, took the documents and pulled off to the side. While Greg got on with other tasks in the meantime, it was only a few minutes later he realized that both Greg and Sara had disappeared, but they had left a very important item behind… their BABY!
A Peaceful Explanation Gone Wrong
Abandonment
Greg peered over the counter and saw that sat on the conveyor belt was a small child. Greg stared in confusion. Surely the parents had just dashed off somewhere for a moment and would be returning imminently. Greg waited a few more minutes for their return. After 10 full minutes, Greg realized that the parents were not coming back. At this stage he radioed security in and put out an urgent message to locate Claude and Sara. This poor child had been abandoned, an explanation was needed. The police were already on their way as the search for Claude and Sara ensued.
Abandonment
Security Rush
Airport security rushed to find the parents. Several head to the bathrooms, while some went to the exit of the airports. The rest headed towards the gates and through security check, assuming that Claude and Sara were merely attempting to board their flight without their child. Thankfully, it didn’t take security too late to locate the pair. They were halfway through security check, scanning their hand luggage. Claude’s face dropped as soon as he saw police coming his way. It appears that realism has finally sunk in now that the plan had failed. Claude and Sara were instantly circled and extracted from the line, taken off to the side. The commotion caused huge shock among everyone in the vicinity.
Security Rush
Questioning
To de-escalate the situation, police calmly marched Claude and Sara to a private room for questioning. Nobody quite yet understood what had happened exactly. Had this unsuspecting pair really accidentally forgotten their child? Was the child really abandoned? There were several questions that needed addressing right now.
Questioning
Sudden Concern
“Where is Yaara?”, yelled Claude. It was almost bemusing that Claude now showed concern for his daughter, seeing as how it was only 20 minutes earlier that he had abandoned her at the check-in desk. The security officers explained that she was safe and social services had been called. Sara began to cry, realizing how much trouble they could be in. “So what was the plan here?”, the officer asked. “To board without your child? What was your plan!”, he said while raising his voice. Claude and Sara both sat there in silence. They weren’t cooperating. They needed to bring in the ‘big guns’.
Sudden Concern
Big Trouble
“I don’t think you realize the seriousness of the situation Claude. You and Sara abandoned your daughter to try and board a plane. We’re going to have to take you down to the station for further questioning. You could be charged with abandoning a youth, child negligence, among other charges. Was it all worth it? Just to board a plane?”.
Big Trouble
Taken Away
Despite pleas from Claude not to separate him from his wife and daughter. The police had no choice but to take Yaara into Social Services, and both Sara and Claude in separate vehicles to the station. Further questioning was needed. Why on Earth did they abandon their daughter simply to make a flight?! There was definitely more to this situation…
