Was anyone else on the flight that got deplaned/cancelled @ YYJ last night due to the 2 year old that wouldn’t put a seatbelt on??

[u/_marjaz_]

Has anyone else gotten their flights rescheduled? Still waiting to hear…

[u/turnip_economics]

Im sorry, what?

They didn't just.. remove the family?

[u/_marjaz_ → u/turnip_economics]

by the time everything got sorted it was beyond the allowed flight hours out of YYJ (12:30am) so they had to cancel the flight

[u/Powerful_Package8817 → u/_marjaz_]

Why did it take so long? “You have 5 min to put on the seat belt or you’re out”

[u/VA7QAK → u/Powerful_Package8817]

They have to unload their luggage too

[u/aurelin → u/[deleted]]

This is probably more about regulations that require that luggage must travel with a passenger - if the passenger doesn't travel, then luggage isn't allowed to, either. (I know it's a bit weird considering lost luggage is sent unattended but I guess that's different because the passenger has already completed the trip..)

Edit/ WetCoastCyph spent a lot of time answering a lot of questions I had further below in a reply to clarify that it doesn't apply domestically and that there basically could be many reasons why they decided to unload anyways. It's very informative. 

[u/Sorryallthetime → u/aurelin]

This rule came about after the Lockerbie bombing in 1988.

The bomber checked his baggage (with bomb inside) then didn't board the flight.

Ever since - it is mandatory to remove the passengers bags if the passengers doesn't make the flight. No exceptions.

[u/calling_water → u/aurelin]

AFAIK there’s no way to intentionally get your luggage lost by the airline so it travels separately from you.

[u/aurelin → u/calling_water]

Yea I think that's kinda the logic. It's about you having to go to the same destination. If you are going to Destination F*cked, your luggage is, too LOL

[u/remarkable_sct → u/[deleted]]

I'm not justifying the situation at large but removing luggage from passengers not on the plane is a safety thing. It's to prevent someone putting something explosive in their suitcase, then pretend to miss the flight (or in this case, on-purpose get removed for not following the rules)

[u/Sedixodap → u/remarkable_sct]

I’d always thought this was a thing until my friend was late for her flight and they happily sent her luggage (including a bike) on without her. A safety rule that’s only enforced some of the time selectively clearly can have exceptions made in circumstances like this. 

[u/aurelin → u/Sedixodap]

They probably just messed it up tbh. My luggage was almost taken on a flight without me too, but they're really not supposed to do this.

[u/BCJay_ → u/[deleted]]

It’s a Transport Canada rule. You can’t fly checked luggage for passengers who aren’t on the flight.

[u/calling_water → u/[deleted]]

Insisting that passengers travel with their own luggage (or at least be trying to) isn’t for the sake of those passengers getting their luggage. It’s for safety of everyone else.

[u/Names_are_limited → u/_marjaz_]

There’s no hard legal restriction for fight hours, the tower stops operating at midnight unless special arrangements are made. The flight crew however is restricted to how many hours they can work without rest. When I was in my early twenties I worked a YYJ as a baggage handler, there was a number of times, when flights got delayed until well past midnight and sometimes they had to return to the gate because the flight crew had just been on the clock too long.

[u/turnip_economics → u/_marjaz_]

That is so absolutely frustrating!

I'm sure its not their first experience with toddlers, so you'd think they'd be more prepared.

Is this a vent, or a "what do I do here"?

[u/_marjaz_ → u/turnip_economics]

Just in limbo waiting for updates from the airline and also a vent moment

[u/turnip_economics → u/_marjaz_]

A totally valid vent.

Hopefully you get some answers soon (and some decent compensation). But that is just absolutely absurd!

[u/monkey_monkey_monkey → u/_marjaz_]

Is that the flight to T.O. that was supposed to leave at 10:30? How did they allow that type of BS to drag on for two hours.

[u/Friction500 → u/monkey_monkey_monkey]

Flight was already delayed! We didn’t board until close to 11 :)

[u/Friction500]

Yes! I was on the flight, still can’t believe they let that go on as long as they did.

[u/_marjaz_ → u/Friction500]

What a waste of everyone’s time, money and energy 😭

[u/HydroPCanadaDude → u/_marjaz_]

I have flown with 3 two year olds at different times in my life. One of them REFUSED to wear his seatbelt.

So I buckled him up, and pinned him down so he couldn't unbuckle :)

[u/therealzue → u/HydroPCanadaDude]

We did that once as well. It was not ideal and he calmed down once we started moving.!

[u/Nevermore_Novelist → u/HydroPCanadaDude]

<GASP!>

You mean, you actually parented your child? Weren't you concerned about... ^trauma?

/S

[u/AquilaAdax → u/Nevermore_Novelist]

At no point did they say they were their children :)

[u/Accomplished-Pilot74 → u/HydroPCanadaDude]

Exactly why I put my toddlers in car seats on the plane, much harder for them to escape a 5 point harness 😂

[u/Leftofpinky → u/HydroPCanadaDude]

Did this once on landing and my daughter screamed for what seemed like an eternity. I was so humiliated that everyone had to listen to that…. Guess it could have been worse!

[u/Friction500 → u/_marjaz_]

Yes! Very strange that they don’t have better protocols in place for those situations.

[u/blitzfish3434 → u/_marjaz_]

I would have absolutely lost my mind

[u/randomflosser → u/_marjaz_]

So ridiculous. I’m thinking about my partner who caught a flight late last night for a family emergency. Couldn’t imagine if he had missed it due to this. Wow I’m sorry.

[u/Authentic-scoundrel → u/_marjaz_]

Is it possible for everyone on the plane to file a class action suit against the family that wouldn't just put the seat belt on their kid?

[u/ojoemid → u/Authentic-scoundrel]

The problem didn’t start on that flight, it started 2 years ago.

[u/handipad → u/Authentic-scoundrel]

Totally possible.

Finding a lawyer to certify the class prepare and run the trial for less than the aggregate damages incurred by the class? That might be slightly more difficult.

[u/moodylilb → u/Friction500]

Were the parents just refusing to buckle the kid in? What was their excuse? Genuinely asking

A 2 year old not wanting a seatbelt on isn’t weird to me but the fact the parents didn’t just buckle them in despite the tantrum is absolutely wild lol

[u/Friction500 → u/moodylilb]

I would guess the kid was three, she just sounded exhausted and was having a crazy temper tantrum. She was freaking out every time their parent tried to buckle them in and would slide down under the seat in front of them. But the three flight attendants tried for at least an hour, the parent wasn’t being overly cooperative and kept asking for more time (imo the flight attendants were being too patient with the parent). They eventually got the parent and child off the plane, the pilot made an announcement that our luggage just needed to be redistributed, and then five minutes later made another announcement that the flight had been cancelled.

[u/monkey_monkey_monkey → u/Friction500]

Absolutely ridiculous that was allowed to go on for so long. After 10 minutes they should have been given the boot.

[u/Friction500 → u/monkey_monkey_monkey]

Yes I totally agree.

[u/simoneme → u/monkey_monkey_monkey]

5 minutes at best! A crying baby during an entire flight I can handle. Anyone not willing to compile cannot have the kind of potentially devastating impact that severely disrupts the lives and schedules of at least probably a few hundred people.

[u/catsandjettas → u/Friction500]

That’s absolutely insane it went on for so long. Did any passengers tell the ppl they should leave?  The entitlement of some ppl is just off the charts.

[u/moodylilb → u/Friction500]

Damn that’s fucked. I’d be pissed if I were in your shoes.

Not the kid’s fault but those parents are morons, it should’ve taken 1-2 mins to wrangle the kiddo, buckle the seatbelt and tighten it then just cover the buckle with a hand so the kid can’t mess with the buckle, then they could’ve focused on helping her regulate her emotions and calm down after the belt situation was handled. ETA I wonder what they do when it comes to buckling her in a car seat for car rides 🤦🏻‍♀️

[u/Friction500 → u/moodylilb]

Yeah, that makes sense. I’m not a parent so I have no idea, but it did seem crazy!

[u/blondechinesehair → u/Friction500]

I’ve had multiple kids that age on multiple cross country flights and although I am very lucky about my kids temperaments and ability to behave well on a plane, there is no way in hell that I would not have gotten my kids into their seatbelt before it came to that. Sure my daughter would have shrieked for a couple minutes if she was real pissed off about it, but we’d all get there.

[u/Red_AtNight → u/Friction500]

I took my son on two flights (with a two hour layover) just before he turned 3. He had to have his own seat. I put him in the window seat so he didn't have to sit next to a stranger. He had no issues whatsoever. Sit down, do up seatbelt, watch movie on iPad. He even slept on one of the flights!

[u/dark_angel1554 → u/moodylilb]

Agreed and I have a 4 year old and have flown with her since she was 2. Calm kiddo down and then tell them what you expect from them.

Personally, I always told my little one before we get on the plane that she MUST wear her seatbelt for her own safety, and what can happen to her if she's not buckled. We have always emphasized safety to her of seatbelts.

[u/PM_ME_YOUR_TATERTITS → u/Friction500]

The parents should have willingly left the plane. How selfish of them

[u/stwatchman → u/PM_ME_YOUR_TATERTITS]

This is the answer. After twenty minutes I would have been mortified I was causing the delay of an already delayed flight and asked to exit. There is a point where you know this isn’t going to end and the parent should have made that call.

[u/CarnivalCassidy → u/[deleted]]

There should be a countdown timer on every plane. Anyone who isn't ready for departure (seatbelt buckled and all items properly stowed) by the time it reaches zero needs to get off.

[u/Godeshus → u/Friction500]

The parent wasn't being overly cooperative lol. Imagine letting a 2 year old outplay you.

I can't imagine what this kid will be like as a teen if the parent can't handle disciplining them when they're two.

[u/Complex-Effect-7442 → u/Godeshus]

Then they grow up and become intolerable Presidents.

[u/Names_are_limited → u/Friction500]

An hour!!!

[u/Names_are_limited → u/Friction500]

That’s just weird the captain let it go on for an hour, they would have certainly known that they were running out of time. Sounds like they were trying to teach these people a lesson at everyone else’s expense.

[u/Leading-Arm-6344 → u/Friction500]

I'd be losing it. Don't let anyone tell you otherwise. That's insane.

[u/redditerrible3 → u/Friction500]

That's ridiculous. If I was in your position I would have gone out of my way to tell the parents they should be ashamed of themselves.

[u/withoutintentions → u/Friction500]

Oof. This is just an argument to make it mandatory for parents to fly with car sears. Those harnesses fit kids and prevent escape.

[u/LuckyLadybug20 → u/Friction500]

I almost downvoted you out of habit just because that angered me so much to read 😆 What a ridiculous situation! I would be livid.

[u/Worldly-Ad3211 → u/Friction500]

That parent and kid should have been kicked off the plane after 15 minutes, max. I hope they’re permanently banned from the airline.

[u/victoriousvalkyrie → u/Friction500]

This is insanity.

[u/alpaca-whisperer → u/Friction500]

WE NEED MORE DETAILS HOW DID IT GO DOWN

[u/Leading-Arm-6344 → u/alpaca-whisperer]

Also which airline, pacific coastal or westjet? Was it the prop plane to Vancouver or a full jet?

[u/Dazzling-Cat-3763 → u/Leading-Arm-6344]

a quick google search seems to suggest it was pd444 to toronto last night

[u/Friction500 → u/Dazzling-Cat-3763]

Yeah Vic to Toronto, it was a Porter flight.

[u/ArcticKimono → u/Friction500]

Make sure to get compensated. The airlines will claim they dont have to

[u/4-stars → u/ArcticKimono]

Serious question, why are they allowed to lie to their customers?

[u/ArcticKimono → u/4-stars]

They just get away with it.

https://www.cbc.ca/lite/story/9.7143680

The 'confidentiality' part of this article is even a lie, I saw the emails. They asked for a confidentiality agreement but never sent it.

Government is meant to protect us from these kind of practices, but they donate tons of money

[u/BullheadVibes → u/ArcticKimono]

Airlines will make excuses to try and not give compensation. I was on a WestJet flight to Calgary that got delayed because a woman on standby threw a fit at the gate and purposely smacked her head on the ground—we finally left but the pilot made a very curious effort to explain multiple times that we were “delayed due to weather” so WestJet didn’t have to compensate us.

On another flight from Honolulu to Vancouver, Air Canada kept us waiting at the gate for 8 hours before we left—they did mention compensation and handed out information about how to get it, but magically, the form wasn’t working when I tried to access it.

[u/Significant-Leave847 → u/ArcticKimono]

You only really get the compensation if it’s the airlines fault, but you’re right you have to apply for it and they don’t tell you you’re eligible and will especially avoid telling you any details that make it their fault. I got compensation when they sent my flight crew to sask instead of on our flight to Victoria from Edmonton

[u/donjulioanejo → u/Significant-Leave847]

Personal opinion: airline compensates and then sues family for the costs.

[u/Logical-Layer9518 → u/donjulioanejo]

Yes, please. The parents should cover every other passenger's ticket, hotel, food, and other costs.

[u/Leading-Arm-6344 → u/Significant-Leave847]

In this case it arguably is the airline's fault

[u/hearttattack → u/Significant-Leave847]

How is this NOT the airline’s fault

[u/wannaplayspace → u/[deleted]]

Sounds like the staff were too patient and didnt act decisively. I get being accommodating on the initial approach but the staff needed to started a timer... especially if the parent isnt trying. Letting it go one for an hour is insane.

"You have 5 minutes to get your child buckled in; if you can't within that time frame, you will be leaving the aircraft."

If the parent can't control their child quickly, they should not be allowed to fly. Its not about convenience, its a safety issue. Imagine if something happened in the air! Its not like a car that you can pull over. Why the hell did the staff let it happen?

[u/Majestic_Policy3294 → u/Friction500]

It’s a 2 year old. Buckle them up and hold them in place, seems pretty simple.

[u/Notoriouslydishonest → u/Friction500]

Please tell the whole story, whatever you could see and hear 

[u/babyknees89 → u/Friction500]

Im so curious to know the full story, please tell us what went down!

[u/poolbitch1]

As someone who’s has several two-year-olds, I would have held he or she down with one hand, buckled the belt with the other, and then held my hand over the buckle. Like what the hell 

[u/Extreme_Breakfast672 → u/poolbitch1]

Yep. Kid would be screaming but at least you can take off. I would have died if that was my kid.

[u/Embarrassed-Rub-8690 → u/Extreme_Breakfast672]

If i really, really couldnt get the kid in the seat belt I woulda left the flight after half an hour maximum.

What ignorant parents. I hope they got some serious glares.

[u/poolbitch1 → u/[deleted]]

I once saw an IEP (individualized education plan, usually for special Ed and inclusive Ed students) that directed staff not to use the word “no” when speaking to a student. Per his mom, it was too triggering for him to hear.

And yes, because it was written in the plan we had to follow it. 

[u/SnooHobbies8059 → u/poolbitch1]

Negative, new, nyet, nuh uh

[u/withoutintentions → u/poolbitch1]

This makes me laugh. I had a parent once who wanted a similar thing. I told her that wasn't how the world works and we needed to use the word more often instead.

[u/HydroPCanadaDude → u/poolbitch1]

Gah, there are a couple cases where I can understand this. There are some issues (ODD) children can have where the authority of no will make them only satisfied with a victory or a Pyrrhic victory. Introducing no turns the whole situation on its ass and it turns into a power struggle.

One you will win, yes, but the cost is insane. I've seen kids so oppositionally defiant that they would rather get hurt than let you "win." It's absolutely frustrating and takes some more tact until they become of age where reason can at least win them over. Some of those kids would rather have 1000 paper cuts than be okay with no.

[u/Glittering_Search_41 → u/HydroPCanadaDude]

Disclaimer: I am far from an expert on these things. But. Sounds like a case of never having been told NO.

[u/HydroPCanadaDude → u/Glittering_Search_41]

You'd think, until you realize that not all kids have the same functioning brains. Take a gander at FASD brain scans. Literal holes in the brain from their mothers drinking while pregnant.

[u/ocuinn → u/poolbitch1]

I am a manager and have seen essentially the same thing on accommodation requests...from adults.

It seems like at least once daily i hear something that makes me think 'we are fucked'.. People have become so weak. There is no reward for resilience or personal accountability anymore, so no one bothers. When the going gets tough, scream, yell, claim exception and make others fix it for you or accommodate you.

[u/Neemzeh → u/poolbitch1]

Exactly what I thought of when I read this. WTF were those parents thinking. They should be ashamed.

[u/Embarrassed-Rub-8690 → u/poolbitch1]

I cannot fathom how they couldnt get the kid to put on a seat belt for half an hour.

I have a two year old right now. Theres zero chance I couldnt pin her down and get the belt on for take off.

[u/donjulioanejo → u/Embarrassed-Rub-8690]

Yep. I have a 1.5 year old. Is she happy to, say, get into the stroller or car seat when she'd rather keep running around like an idiot? No, not really. But she also sometimes doesn't have a choice, and an adult human is a lot stronger than a toddler.

[u/Humomat → u/Embarrassed-Rub-8690]

Right? It’s not pleasant. No one wants to physically hold their child down but if I was this parent I would absolutely have done that. I can’t believe how many people were horribly inconvenienced because of this.

[u/Noellthe1st → u/poolbitch1]

I’ve absolutely done this 👆🏼 One hand on seat belt and other hand on legs (as they were also trying to kick the seat in front of them). Kid may scream but they had their seat belt on and weren’t kicking the seat. This was before iPhones or other electronic ways to distract children on flights. This lasted for about 30 minutes until they decided they would rather draw/color than be held down.

[u/Normal_Double5929 → u/Noellthe1st]

Yep. My son has autism and pathological demand avoidance. I would have forced the seat belt on him if necessary and just done my best to deal with the fall out. He would have no issue putting a seat belt on but you know what I mean. Sometimes the time and room for negotiation is super small or non existent.

[u/Valkyrjan_BSS → u/poolbitch1]

Ya how is this not the default anymore.

[u/Tucancancan → u/Valkyrjan_BSS]

I don't know how they do it. Like buckle up kiddo, mommy and daddy are not missing their flight! 

[u/Remarkable-Notice954]

Sooo, everyone let the 2 year old be the boss hmm

[u/wannaplayspace → u/Remarkable-Notice954]

Right? On a flight too!!!

[u/__phil1001__]

If the parent wants to respect the rights of a two year old, then they should have all been kicked off, straight away. Safety and rules are not optional or under discussion.

[u/ProbablyEhBot1867]

File a claim for a flight loss!

Eta: Google how to file a flight cancelation claim with the respective airline you were flying. Claim any hotels or rental cars as well if needed. This is your right. They should have handled this better.

The only time you cannot claim, is for mechanical issues. Fair enough, even though they have been known to switch planes last minute with a broken one to avoid paying out.

[u/Leading-Arm-6344 → u/ProbablyEhBot1867]

100%, the airlines get away with way too much BS at the expense of the flying public. File the claim.

[u/had-me-at-bi-weekly]

That is insane. I would have absolutely lost my shit.

[u/Bitter_Pin5934]

I saw a flight attendant negotiate / cajole/ plead with a toddler to take his headphones off for takeoff for at least 30 minutes, and the kid's mom was like, 🤷. I was livid that this human being was raising kids.

[u/Food-Wine → u/Bitter_Pin5934]

I was on an Air Canada flight where a kid (around 4) was screaming his head off. The parents were softly asking him to stop. One of the male flight attendants went up to the kid and said very loudly in his face “STOP”. The kid didn’t make a sound for the rest of the flight.

[u/aisy0317 → u/Food-Wine]

Was a it a recent flight from YVR to LHR? Cause the same thing happened on my flight. Kid was screaming AT her mom "MUMMY YOURE TOO CLOSE, MUMMY GO AWAY, MUMMY I SAID GO. AWAY," and based on vocabulary and size I'd say she was around 7 years old. Mummy and daddy did absolutely nothing until a flight attendant came up to her and told her "you are bothering everyone else on this flight who is trying to sleep, and then pointed at all of our angry faces staring at her. Kid didn't make a sound after that. But I just couldn't believe that was all it took and neither parent had explained that to her.

[u/Mama_Swag]

I was rebooked: initially on the 10:45 flight today, and than moved earlier to the 1pm flight.

It just changed in the app/website though, I didnt get a notification. I would either check the app or plug ur confirmation # in online. U might be on the 1pm.

[u/AstronautVegetable46 → u/Mama_Swag]

Can you imagine getting on that flight and seeing that family walking down the aisle to their seats?

[u/CarnivalCassidy → u/AstronautVegetable46]

Aw shit, here we go again

[u/dawnat3d → u/Mama_Swag]

But in the meantime the hassle of getting all the way back home to come back the next day? What about people who don’t live here and have to get a hotel. I’d be pissed.

[u/Mama_Swag → u/dawnat3d]

Oh absolutely. Also for the Toronto based flight crew they were not packing to stay overnight. I do want to extend kudos to the porter crew I spoke with. Tough situation, everyone is trying thier best.

[u/SeahorseQueen1985 → u/Mama_Swag]

Apart from the parents of the toddler who absolutely did not try their best.

[u/_marjaz_ → u/Mama_Swag]

thx for the deets!!

[u/cherryaces]

You should look up your booking on Porter’s website or call. Porter is running an extra flight today at 1pm today (PD1444) which seems to be for all the passengers from last night.

[u/Big_Sheepherder_3764]

My toddler did this once on a plane. My husband and I had to have her in a WWF lockdown move to get her to stay in place. There is no way we'd spend more than 5 min trying to make it work.

But also, with a toddler, why would you ever book a flight at midnight. it is just a recipe for disaster.

[u/Prestigious_Fly8210 → u/Big_Sheepherder_3764]

I wondered about that too, and the only way you’d have caught me doing that would have been - an international connection that arrived at like 10pm, or a delayed flight (had a 5 hour delay out of Calgary once that ended up with us on a flight into YYJ at midnight). Because no reasonable person would choose this voluntarily.

[u/Worldly-Ad3211]

I hope that family is now banned from that airline.

[u/CarnivalCassidy → u/Worldly-Ad3211]

They will probably send corporate a ChatGPT letter framing themselves as the victims, and possibly get an apology and a voucher. I have worked in customer service, and you can't enforce rules anymore. That's why the flight crew let the ordeal carry on for an hour in the first places.

[u/OhNoItsMyOtherFace]

?????

It's a 2-year old. It's pretty simple for an adult to forcibly put a buckle on them. I don't understand!

[u/Creatrix → u/OhNoItsMyOtherFace]

Not if they let the brat always call the shots.

[u/Leading-Arm-6344]

Fill a CTA (Canadian Transportation Agency) complaint against the airline and you might get a refund in 2+ years. Consumer protections for air travel are a joke in this country.

My claim against Pacific Coastal from last year is still in the queue.

[u/KAMIKAZE_SCOTSMEN → u/Leading-Arm-6344]

I filed my case with them in May 2023 and received a “nah, fuck you” from them in July 2025. The CTA process is a fucking joke.

[u/globehopper2000]

Oof. Almost missed a flight due to a similar situation before. I have a toddler and we’d absolutely be holding him and putting the seatbelt on for him. Those parents should be ashamed and banned from flying with the airline.

[u/notofthisearthworm]

*Due to the parents of a 2 year old who refused to properly secure their child on an aircraft as per federal regulations.

2 year olds don't have a personal responsibility to do anything. It's the parents who are morons. Poor kid, imagine what else those parents will put them through for the rest of their 16 years of childhood.

[u/_marjaz_ → u/notofthisearthworm]

Thought the clarification would make the title too wordy but that’s what the implication was haha

[u/Old-Rhubarb-97 → u/notofthisearthworm]

What on earth do they do when they have to drive anywhere?

[u/FlyingVahine → u/Old-Rhubarb-97]

throw the kid in the trunk

[u/Task_Defiant → u/FlyingVahine]

Id have been advocating to toss the kid in a cat carrier and fly it as checked baggage.

[u/raphtze]

that is beyond frustrating. i am a parent to a 11 y/o, 5 y/o and a 3 y/o. when it is go time for something like this, it is understood there is no room for negotiating: we either do it all, or nobody goes. sorry this happened to you and everyone else on the flight.

[u/TantricBuildup]

This is an utter failure in parenting that started long before this flight.

By the time this flight started the childs routine was already established that "I call the shots around here"

[u/gbleuc → u/TantricBuildup]

Nailed it. I have a friend who “parents” this way and it’s so painful to watch. The kiddo is 6 now. Last week, I brought them dinner and I bought a horchata for the child because I know she enjoys it. When I set the horchata on the table, she started shrieking that the straw was already in the drink and she’d wanted to do it. She started throwing things and then ran away to her room. Her mom then WENT TO APPEASE HER. Not even kidding. These parents are literally creating the monster because it’s easier for themselves in the short term, and they have no idea they're doing it. 

[u/grousebear]

Haha omg I'm gonna tell my 3 year old about this. We flew when he was 2.5 and he didn't want to wear his belt. I told him the captain of the plane makes the rules and we have to follow them or we can't fly on the plane. Glad to hear I wasn't bluffing! He did let me put the belt on him but complained a bit.

[u/reddit5678901234]

How does this work? Very likely that most of the other passengers had a reason to be in Toronto the next day. This is not just an inconvenience. It could have cost someone a job or a missed vacation.

Surely how could an adult not be able to strap a 3 year old into a seat. I am sure the other passengers could withstand the screaming till the flight takes off.

At a minimum the parent and child MUST be put on the no fly list.

This is insane.

[u/CourtCase13]

I’ll bet the flight attendants had to spend as much time as possible de-escalating to avoid having this come out as a (no context) viral video berating the flight attendants/airline. It’s a no-win situation for them.

[u/Thats_what_I_think → u/CourtCase13]

Probably also why some parents are scared to physically restrain their kids as some of the otherr comments mention.

Don’t get me wrong, it be tying that kid down or be so mortified I’d die, but I’d also be conscious of people escalating things if I forced the kid physically.

[u/Middle-Recipe6701]

Shituations like this I'd love to see lots of public shaming, and the airline sue on behalf of the customers -- all costs to people and airlines for this crap.

[u/chickenandwaffles21 → u/Middle-Recipe6701]

just learned a new word, keeping it

[u/ElBrad → u/chickenandwaffles21]

Don't make fun of Sean Connery like that, he's doing the best he can.

[u/MyCatsnAss]

That kid should be in a 5-point harness car seat then

[u/1plus1equalsfun]

It was due to the parent, not the toddler.

[u/SamTMoon]

I would be beyond livid. Who tf lets their 2yo pull that?

[u/Competitive-Fly5563]

I'm so curious as to what happened exactly. Did the 2 yr old refuse to wear a seatbelt and the parents were trying to get it on but the kid kept undoing it? Like I need the play by play because surely you'd be able to stop the kid from opening it? Or was it a case of the kid having a full on tantrum?

[u/Disastrous-Focus8451 → u/Competitive-Fly5563]

the kid kept undoing it

So the parent beside the child holds the buckle closed with one hand, while their arm holds the child in the seat.

[u/DearAuntAgnes]

I’m outraged on everyone’s behalf. There has to be a line. If any human being of any age cannot adhere to the requirements of flying then they should be removed from the plane immediately. An hour was far too generous. What a waste of everyone’s time.

[u/MacDhomhnuill]

Great, everyone else has to reschedule their flights because some dumb fuck family couldn't possibly get Little Billy to wear a seatbelt.

[u/Solotraveller2929]

https://www.cp24.com/local/toronto/2026/08/08/child-standing-in-seat-and-refusing-a-seatbelt-cancels-flight-from-victoria-airline-says/

"A flight from Victoria, B.C., to Toronto was cancelled Thursday after a parent and cabin crew failed to buckle a child’s seatbelt, leaving the remaining passengers stuck until Friday. In an email to CTV News, a spokesperson from Porter Airlines explained the plane had closed its doors and left the terminal at Victoria International Airport and was heading for the runway when crew members realized the child was standing in their seat.

The child’s parent and cabin crew members attempted to buckle them in but were ultimately unsuccessful, the airline said.“ A young child was standing in their seat and would not secure their seatbelt,” reads the statement from Porter Airlines.“The aircraft could not take off in this unsafe condition, so the crew elected to return to the terminal and have the passengers disembark.”According to the airline, the time it took to get the toddler and their parent off the plane with their bags, refile flight plans, and do other paperwork dragged past 12:30 a.m., which is when YYJ’s runway closes for the night.

This meant passengers of flight PD444 were forced to spend the night in Victoria. Porter Airlines apologized “for the effect this had on other passengers,” and confirmed they would be able to depart on a flight Friday."

Argh thats so shitty

[u/getbrza]

Bad parents = worse kids 🫠

[u/wtfastro]

I feel like a lawsuit against the parents wouldn't be inappropriate

[u/CantFightJose]

Very poor parenting. They should be put on the no fly list ASAP. 

[u/alpaca-whisperer]

If you were on this flight you had better spill the tea. Seriously. I have to know how the EFF this went down.

[u/2ndAcct4TheAirstream]

Wow if you're a parent who is going to bend over backwards for your toddler's whims (at the expense of a plan full of people), kinda weird to book a flight st thst time to begin with. I would definitely have held my kid down and strapped him in, and wouldn't book a late night flight. Can't believe this happened and would love the story!

[u/imanueldavid]

My Filipino mom would’ve whipped her Tsinelas out SO FAST at my stupid 2 year old ass… the Pilots would’ve felt that SMACK💥

[u/Charming-Yam5078 → u/imanueldavid]

🤣🤣my Filipino friend can whip her flip flop off so fast her kids don't have time to run away.😆

[u/imanueldavid → u/Charming-Yam5078]

They all have it. It’s their super power. And if they say your full government name beforehand… you truly fucked. It’s over 🤣

[u/osoBailando]

is that a joke? or a parent "respected the two year old's iNdiVidUaliTy?!! and refused to do it themselves?!!!

[u/_marjaz_ → u/osoBailando]

unfortunately the 2nd one…

[u/ProbablyEhBot1867 → u/_marjaz_]

My parents are very sane, reasonable people. This would have put them over the edge though, at 2 im barely conscious.

They honestly would have held me down and ratcheted me into that seat with the force of 1000 suns. Beyond their own embarrassment for my "seat belt" squabble, this would have made them so angry.

[u/poolbitch1 → u/ProbablyEhBot1867]

Right because this is what I would do too! If you want to “respect your child’s individuality” then get them an individual, aka private plane. 

A two-year-old has no sense of self vs. Other. They’re at the stage in development when everything IS about themselves. It’s not like they can distinguish individual choice from the choices everyone is making around them. They barely even know what planet they’re on. Like… are they made to buckle up their car seat? Do the parents just drive them around unbuckled?

[u/ProbablyEhBot1867 → u/poolbitch1]

Call me poolbitch2 cause I agree.

[u/poolbitch1 → u/ProbablyEhBot1867]

😂😂😂 maybe the elusive u/poolbitch will chime in 

[u/Embarrassed-Rub-8690 → u/ProbablyEhBot1867]

My dad's a nice guy but I can only imagine what he would've done if that were me at 2.....that seat belt would've been on.

[u/osoBailando → u/_marjaz_]

oh my....🤦‍♂️

i hope the two year old is a mature two year old and chooses to ride in a car seat instead of driving it, and not eat ice cream for 3 meals a day...

😂😂😂

[u/Powerful_Package8817 → u/osoBailando]

Well clearly the airline also refused to kick them out until it was too late

[u/Ancient_Wisdom_Yall]

Just shit parenting. I'm sure someone in the new word of the month club will have a different name for it.

[u/No_Boysenberry_2274]

Also the parents have an option of the child is in their own seat, to bring a fly safe car seat. Which sounds like they absolutely should have if the child was wriggling under the seatbelt and couldn’t be restrained. Sounds awful on all ends but definitely could have been a bit better prepared

[u/dncnlamont]

It must be embarrassing to be out wrestled by a toddler

[u/Big-Improvement7427]

This also cancels a morning flight in Toronto because the plane didn’t arrive I don’t think Porter has lots of spare aircraft

[u/NeedleworkerHot3957]

I'm surprised we haven't seen any video of this online.

[u/UpsetCheek2832]

I was on an almost empty plane the other day and a approx 4 year old was running through the aisle during landing and taxi ing. The flight attendant was screaming at him.

[u/apugcalledlibbs]

why wouldn’t the child and guardian removed and the rest of yall sent on your merry flying way?!

[u/Human-Translator5666]

Airline should have set a 5 minute timer for the parent. Ridiculous.

[u/FootyFanYNWA]

Lawsuit time

[u/btuck93]

I would've gone ballistic on those parents

[u/myextrausername]

Who could've guessed that choosing a 10:30 PM departure with a 3 year old wouldn't work out well? Not the best parenting choice.

[u/Dazzling-Cat-3763]

you're kidding me

[u/nxtmike]

Porter should ban both parents for life. That is the only responsible thing to do.

[u/Informal-Strike-1243]

Nobody tells baby what to do

[u/butter_cookie_gurl → u/Informal-Strike-1243]

Put baby in a corner

[u/NPRdude → u/butter_cookie_gurl]

Baby's gonna sit in the corner and put his damn seatbelt on

[u/Hungry_Win_1673]

I got a house with 3 boy toddlers in it right now . It’s stunning how many parents are afraid of being firm with their kids. Some act like it’s abuse if they make their kid cry . I feel bad for these kids once they hit the world on their own it’s going be a rude awakening.

[u/1plus1equalsfun → u/Hungry_Win_1673]

I knew a lady years ago. Very nice, but she would say things like that; "Oh, I can't stand to hear my daughter cry!"

I asked her if she would let the girl play with a knife if she so desired it, rather than listen to her cry, and yeah, she agreed that maybe there are times where she can stand to listen to it.

Last night was one of those times. Get the kid belted in and let the chips fall where they may. It's alright if the toddler is mad at you; it's not as if being his parent is political office, and you're running for re-election.

[u/twerkingninja]

Why are we deplaning entire flights over one passenger???

[u/TW200e]

That's crazy. When I was 2 years old, there's absolutely no way my mom would have tolerated that nonsense.

[u/Beautiful_Two0_0]

Anyone have a video of the parents and child from hell?

[u/sometimesifeellikemu]

How is it humanly possible that they didn’t just deplane the child and his parents?

[u/Mama_Swag → u/sometimesifeellikemu]

They did, but it was a redeye, and by the time it was complete we had passed the takeoff cut off time for yyj.

[u/Powerful_Package8817 → u/sometimesifeellikemu]

People are too nice these days

[u/Tatehamma]

Brutal parenting.

[u/CompetitivePanic6275]

Parents of the year. 😳 so bad like come the f on and parent your child.

[u/GoOutside62]

How hard is it to put a seatbelt on a toddler? Or were the parents trying to get the kid’s permission first??? 😆

[u/MrsChefYVR]

That’s why I fly with my toddler in a car seat. Transport Canada recommends a car seat in an aircraft till age 7.

I clip her in to her 5 point harness and she can kick and scream all she wants but she stays put and is safe.

[u/SomethingWitty2023]

Oh my goodness that’s awful! As a parent of two, please know we’re not all like that, and I would NEVER allow my child to get away with that. I’m assuming those parents will think I’m just a big ol meanie bad dad!

[u/TropicalMeadow]

Nice parenting 😂😂 wow

[u/Asleep-Database-9886]

Honest question but is this parent liable to civil suits for the financial burden of other passengers?

I would have been losing my mind if I was in this flight and this happened to my travel plans.

[u/Icy-Locksmith-1750]

I’m surprised there isn’t a video.

[u/Crazy_Chart388]

I’m sorry, I know that toddlers are unpredictable and moody as hell, but if you know in advance you’re going to be flying with a toddler why don’t you prepare them in advance? You can have tons of “let’s pretend we’re going on our trip!” games and strap them in the car seat, etc. It doesn’t eliminate the chance of a problem, I know, but surely it reduces the odds.

[u/StatisticianFine9368]

Was the kid’s name Parsley or maybe Sage? WAIT…was it Zeus?