Kevin McCallister’s experience in Home Alone 2: Lost in New York seems really terrifying. Imagine getting packed off on the wrong flight all by yourself during the Christmas holiday.
Sounds like a real nightmare that can only happen in films.
But a scene straight out of the Macaulay Culkin hit movie series just became a reality after a 6-year-old unaccompanied boy who was traveling to visit his grandmother for Christmas was put on the wrong plane and ended up miles away from his destination.
According to multiple reports, the young boy, who was a first-time flyer, was supposed to be traveling from Philadelphia International Airport to Southwest Florida Airport in Fort Myers.
However, the boy ended up landing in Orlando on his own after Spirit Airlines mistakenly placed him on the wrong plane.
His grandmother Maria Ramos, who was supposed to welcome him at the airport, said that she only found out that his grandson was in Orlando after the child called her.
In an interview with a news outlet, she described the mix-up as “one of the scariest things she’s ever experienced.” “I ran inside the plane to the flight attendant, and I asked her, ‘Where’s my grandson? He was handed over to you in Philadelphia?’ She said, ‘No, I had no kids with me,’” said Ramos after finding out that the boy was miles away from her while his bag made it to RSW.
She then shared that the airline had offered to reimburse her for the drive, but all she wanted was an explanation for the mix-up.
“I want them [Spirit Airlines] to call me. Let me know how my grandson ended up in Orlando. How did that happen? Did they get him off the plane? The flight attendant—after Mom handed him paperwork—did she let him go by himself? He jumped in the wrong plane by himself?” Ramos said.
On December 26, a representative of the airline released a statement that apologized for the incident. They added that the child has “always been under the care and supervision of a Spirit Team Member,” and they were conducting an investigation into the matter.
As of this writing, the family has received answers from the American airline after the latter completed an internal investigation.
“We take the safety and responsibility of transporting all our guests seriously, and we have policies and procedures in place to prevent this type of situation from happening,” the Spirit Airlines said in a statement.
Upon their investigation, it was revealed that a gate agent in Philadelphia escorted the young boy to the incorrect aircraft and said that they were no longer working with the airline after the incident.
“This agent is no longer working with Spirit, and any individual whose actions resulted in the incorrect boarding will be held accountable for failing to follow our procedures,” it added. “We are also reiterating our procedures to the team, and we are in communication with the child’s family about this matter.”
Ramos, on the other hand, said she was nervous about everything but happy after finding out the answers from the airlines. She also hoped that this may never happen again to anyone.
“They called and told me, ‘I’m sorry, it’s our mistake.’ I guess they looked at the camera,” the grandmother shared. “I want more, and I really want to see videos. I’m working with Spirit Airlines to get back with more answers.”
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