A heated debate has erupted online after a pregnant mother was reportedly compelled to clean up her child’s spilled food on a flight, causing widespread indignation.
Traveling can be nerve-wracking, from packing essentials to catching flights on time, often escalating anxiety to peak levels.
Flight staff usually provide support and assistance, making it all the more shocking when conflicts arise with them.
This was the unfortunate reality for one expectant mother.
This incident, which has captured the attention of social media users, involves the spouse of famed baseball player Anthony Bass, known for his stints with major teams like the Toronto Blue Jays and Houston Astros.
Anthony Bass tied the knot with Sydney Rae James, a sister of country music artist Jessie James Decker, in January 2017. The couple welcomed their first child, Brooklyn, in September of the same year, according to Us Weekly.
By October 2020, they had adopted a baby girl named Blaire. Their family grew again with the birth of their son, Sonny Edward, in July 2023.
A troubling incident occurred in April 2023 during a flight with American Airlines when Sydney, 22 weeks pregnant at the time, was allegedly asked to clean up a mess made by her child.
Anthony Bass expressed his dismay on social media.
In a now-removed post on X, previously known as Twitter, he shared: “The flight attendant @united just made my 22-week pregnant wife travelling with a 5-year-old and 2-year-old get on her hands and knees to pick up the popcorn mess by my youngest daughter. Are you kidding me?!?!”
Jessie James Decker also chimed in on Instagram, revealing her sister felt ‘humiliated’ by the experience.
“As you know, she is five months pregnant, high risk, and also travelling alone with her two small children,” she noted in a story reported by Us Weekly.
“Blaire accidentally spilt some popcorn in the aisle on the plane and the flight attendant came up to Sydney with a trash bag, and a wet wipe, telling her the captain wants Syd to clean up every drop.
“My poor sister is on her hands and knees, crying in the aisle completely humiliated and exhausted, with her children while everyone else watched. Way to go united.”
Jessie further intensified the situation by posting another story, captioned: “Grabbed my sis and the popcorn hazard.
“Yes, that’s what the flight attendant told my sister, that popcorn in the aisle is a safety hazard.”
While the family’s frustration was palpable, some online commentators sided with the flight attendant.
One user argued: “I am amazed she had to be told. She should have done it without being asked. It is common courtesy to clean up what you can if your child makes a mess.”
Another added: “It would have been the right thing to pick it up yourselves the cabin staff have enough to do without cleaning up after kids or adults.”
A third questioned: “Genuinely curious who should clean up the mess your 2-year-old made?”
Bass addressed the backlash, emphasizing his concern for his wife’s well-being.
Eventually, the situation seemed to resolve as Bass later confirmed on social media that United Airlines was addressing the issue internally with the flight attendant.
“Thank you everyone for the support, United Airlines is taking care of matters with the flight attendant internally,” he updated.