Former American Airlines attendant Estes Carter Thompson III faces accusations of secretly filming young girls in airplane bathrooms during flights in 2023.
Allegations and Arrest
Court documents detail Thompson allegedly filming four girls, aged 7 to 14. A 14-year-old reported Thompson directing her to a specific restroom on a Charlotte-to-Boston flight. The girl found it occupied, and Thompson reportedly claimed he needed to wash his hands and mentioned a broken toilet seat.
An investigation revealed Thompson allegedly used his phone to record the girls, possibly storing the videos on his iCloud. He was arrested in January 2024 on federal charges of attempted child exploitation and possessing child sexual abuse material.
Lawsuit Controversy
Families of the victims filed lawsuits against Thompson and American Airlines, claiming the airline’s negligence enabled the crimes. Initially, American Airlines defended itself by arguing Thompson wasn’t acting within his job duties and even blamed a 9-year-old victim for “not knowing” a phone was filming her. Public backlash forced the airline to apologize and remove the victim-blaming language.
Legal Process and Safety Concerns
Thompson pleaded not guilty. The criminal case and civil lawsuits are ongoing. This incident has shaken many air travelers, especially parents. Here’s how to stay safe:
- Always accompany young children to the restroom.
- Be cautious if a flight attendant directs you to a different restroom. Ask another attendant for confirmation.
- Report suspicious behavior immediately.
What specific actions did American Airlines take to backtrack on their initial filing?
Airlines are considering additional restroom security measures, like installing locking doors. This developing story may see further revelations.
American Airlines faces a firestorm after initially defending itself in a lawsuit linked to a former flight attendant accused of filming young girls in airplane bathrooms.
Blaming the Victim
Families sued the airline for negligence, claiming it allowed the alleged crimes. American Airlines’ response? They argued the attendant wasn’t acting as an employee and even blamed a 9-year-old victim for “not knowing” a phone was filming her.
Public Outrage
The backlash was immediate. Media slammed the airline for victim-blaming. Passengers expressed fear and disgust, questioning child safety on American Airlines flights.
Damage Control
Facing a PR disaster, American Airlines scrambled to apologize:
- Public Apology: A formal statement expressed “deepest apologies” for the “insensitive and wrong” language. They emphasized their commitment to passenger safety, especially children.
- Victim-Blaming Removed: All victim-blaming was removed from the lawsuits. They acknowledged the importance of protecting children and stated a zero-tolerance policy.
- Internal Review: A comprehensive internal review was launched to identify any gaps that may have contributed to the situation. They vowed to implement changes to prevent future incidents.
- Meeting with Families: Representatives met with victims’ families to apologize and discuss improved safety measures.
Questions Remain
While the airline attempts damage control, questions remain:
- Discipline: Will any employees face disciplinary action for the initial response?
- Safety Improvements: Details on the internal review and safety improvements are unclear.
Passengers await concrete actions beyond apologies. American Airlines faces an uphill battle to regain public trust and demonstrate a commitment to creating a safe flying experience for everyone.
