Blue Jays' Anthony Bass slams United Airlines — and it's sparked a parenting debate

Should airline employees be responsible for cleaning up after kids' messes? Have your say.

Toronto Blue Jays player Anthony Bass sparked debate after calling out flight attendants who
Toronto Blue Jays player Anthony Bass sparked debate after calling out flight attendants who "made" his wife clean up after their kids on a plane. Images via Twitter/AnthonyBass52.

Airline travel is never easy — especially when flying with young children. However, Toronto Blue Jays player Anthony Bass is sparking debate online after calling out flight attendants who he said "made" his wife clean up after their kids on a plane.

On Sunday, Bass claimed that a United Airlines employee forced his wife, Sydney Rae Bass, to get "on her hands and knees" to pick up the mess that their toddler made.

"The [United] flight attendant just made my 22 week pregnant wife traveling with a 5 year old and 2 year old get on her hands and knees to pick up the popcorn mess by my youngest daughter. Are you kidding me?!?!" he tweeted.

The tweet quickly sparked debate online, with many people disagreeing with Bass, and noting that parents should be held responsible for cleaning up messes that children make in public spaces.

"Genuinely curious who should clean up the mess your 2 year old made? As a parent of three kids I am the one responsible for them," one person tweeted, to which Bass replied, "The cleaning crew they hire!"

"I have three kids, just flew coach 12 hours, and was able to clean up after them — for every mess. It’s called parenting. Do you expect park janitors to clean up after your pet? No; Your child, your responsibility," shared another.

"You are responsible for your children and shouldn’t expect a crew to pick up after you or your family’s mess. I would instantly pick up for my kids in that situation," added a third.

Others called out Bass's own "entitlement," noting that this incident "could’ve been a teaching moment," and suggesting the kids could have helped clean up after themselves.

In response to the barrage of criticism he received, Bass shared some additional context in further tweets, where he noted that "United provided the popcorn, not my wife."

Others got on board with him, and agreed that it should be the airline's responsibility to clean the mess up.

"If they’re going to supply popcorn on the airplane, be ready for messes to clean up," one person wrote.

"Some of the replies are just ridiculous," added another. "Ever gone to a movie and drop popcorn on the floor? Do you clean it up or does theatre staff do it when you leave."

However, some thought that "everyone involved is wrong in this situation."

Bass tweeted out one final message on Monday morning, thanking his followers for their support.

"Thank you everyone for the support. United Airlines is taking care of matters with the flight attendant internally," he noted.

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