American Airlines has responded to allegations by musician David Ryan Harris that the airline accused him of trafficking its own children.
After flying from Atlanta to Los Angeles on September 15, the singer-songwriter announced on Instagram on September 23 that he and his two sons, Truman and Hendrix, were met on top of the plane by an American Airlines employee and four police officers after disembarking.
In a statement to PEOPLE, the airline said, “At American, the safety and security of our customers and team members are our top priorities. We strive to create a positive, welcoming environment for all who travel with us and apologize for any misunderstanding that may have arisen. A member of our team contacted the customer to learn more about their experience and address their concerns.”
Following the initial social media posts, the John Mayer and Dave Matthews frontman, 55, shared the airline’s response to his public allegations on Tuesday afternoon via Instagram.
Harris posted a screenshot of the airline’s direct response to his complaint. “To summarize our investigation … we and our flight attendant realized that our policies regarding suspected human trafficking were not being followed, through education and counseling,” the statement said.
The statement continued, “Our flight attendant understands that their interaction and observations did NOT meet the criteria for human trafficking to have occurred.”
“Our flight attendant in question wanted to make sure you are aware that they sincerely apologize to you and your family for their actions and the results their actions produced,” the airline concluded.
Harris also provided his response in the headline and additional text next to the airline’s comments. “All I asked for was an apology and/or an explanation of the rules. From the beginning, I didn’t think (and still don’t) that a seven-year-old’s slow or tentative response on an early morning flight should be sufficient criteria for calling the authorities. I never resented the red flag, I always resented the obvious lack of diligence on the part of the flight attendant,” he wrote.
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“I still think the airline’s lack of response smacks of corporate arrogance at worst, and gross underestimation of customers at best.” That I had to embarrass the airlines to even get a response speaks to the general lack of a meaningful customer service apparatus.”
He added that he “congratulates” the airline for reaching out and conducting an investigation. Harris said he “told higher ups at American” to tell the flight attendant in question that he “wholeheartedly accepts[s] and appreciate[s] her apology.”
Harris concluded, “This was a teachable moment for everyone involved.” He also informed his followers that he has started a petition to introduce mandatory ID checks for children traveling with their parents.
In the initial series of Instagram videos, the musician explained, “Apparently the flight attendant called ahead of time with some kind of concern that maybe my mixed kids weren’t my kids, because they weren’t responding when interacting with her.”
In another series of videos released later that day, Harris added: “I feel like you should have a little more time before you can call the police on somebody.”
“My word against her word, and she’s not even there,” he recounted, referring to the flight attendant. “She didn’t even come to the top of the jetway to collect her hero award, so I was left to defend myself, based on something that I thought at the time: ‘I have no idea what you’re talking about. My child is not talking to anyone. ‘ ”
The next day, he said, he was contacted by an airline agent. After their conversation, Harris explained that he was simply asking for an apology from the airline. The agent then apologized and offered him 10,000 frequent flyer miles as consolation.
On September 26, Harris made an additional update and called on airlines and airports to work together with federal agents to suspect and stop child trafficking. “The line of defense shouldn’t be on the plane,” Harris said.
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Source: HIS Education