Calif. musician petitions TSA to close travel loophole

A California musician is petitioning the government to require identification from children on planes after he was stopped by an airline on suspicion of child trafficking.

On September 15, singer-songwriter David Ryan Harris boarded an early morning American Airlines flight from Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta Airport to Los Angeles with his two mixed-race children. But the family was in for a surprise when they were met at the top of the jetway by an American Airlines employee and four police officers.

“My kids are saying, ‘I never want to fly on that airline again.’ [My son] Hendrix was like, “Did I do something wrong?” I feel like he may have put his family at risk,” Harris said. instagram video. “American Airlines is completely out of luck. Again, if a stewardess misbehaves, the airline is still going to come back and say, ‘This is not our policy,’ or whatever their policy is.” You should explain to me what is going on and take some kind of remedy.”

After filing a complaint with American Airlines, Harris waited a week before documenting her experience in a social media post. He said her family was questioned after one of her children was “unresponsive” to a flight attendant. Harris said the interaction was embarrassing and he just wants American to explain and apologize.

“We strive to create a positive and welcoming environment for our travelers and apologize for any misunderstanding that may have occurred,” an American Airlines spokesperson told SFGATE in an Oct. 5 statement. Ta. So that we can learn more about your customers’ experiences and address their concerns. ”

of American Airlines website It said its employees are trained to “recognize the signs of human trafficking and take action if human trafficking is suspected.”

The airline later apologized to Harris for the incident.

“We and our flight attendants became aware that our policies regarding suspected human trafficking were not being followed, and through coaching and counseling…our flight attendants recognized that their interactions and observations were not consistent with human trafficking. “We recognized that we did not meet the criteria for being in the community,” Harris said.Excerpt from airline response Instagram post October 3.

After Mr. Harris’ experience, he Petition to TSA To combat child trafficking, minors will be required to show identification at security checks when traveling domestically.in recent videosHarris said he would submit the petition to “local representatives” to seek national legislation.

In just over a week, the petition has gathered nearly 1,500 signatures. A TSA spokesperson said the agency’s policies are already consistent with state and federal requirements.

“[TSA representatives] Typical ones, i.e. restrictions on movement, when individuals are not in control of their travel documents, when there is excessive security or vigilance around certain individuals, which can appear intimidating or coercive. Look for things. ” a TSA spokesperson told SFGATE. “So, just like the flight attendants on that flight, we are another set of eyes at the airport. Our goal is to make our employees aware of the signs of human trafficking.”