American airlines refused myself with a baby, and my 7 month pregnant sister with her 2 year old, pre board. They stated that this is their new policy since a poll was taken, which passengers agreed that assisting women and their babies was unnecessary.
This is discrimination, and disgusting. I called AA customer service and they said it was not their policy. When flying back to SFO from Miami, again the agents refused pre - boarding to all the parents with babies (4) on this flight. When I told the agent that I had spoke with customer service and they said it was their policy, she looked nervous and said, " Yes it is, there was a poll taken, and we no longer can assist passengers with infants or small children.
Major reason for pre boarding is that a parent has to not only carry the baby down the aisle, but also a car seat and a bag. Standing in a long line of people taking their time to stow carry ons, and find their seat, leave the parent under extreme stressors.
I have heard that Delta has also tried this new policy, and that airlines are following suit to please their child-free passengers. There is no written policy stating this new discontinuation of assistance to those in need on AA's website.
There needs to be advocacy here, I was in extreme pain from standing there with a 14 month old crying in my arms, carrying a heavy car seat on my bag, and a bag full of baby supplies for 6 hour flight. No flight attendants offered to help either.
And to think I paid hundreds of dollars for this? If I had been informed of this new rule, I would have never of flown in the first place, at least not American Airlines or any airline so cruel and rude.
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