Say what again???

I read the headline in absolute disbelief: "Holidaying parents in Israel leave daughter, 3, at airport." After the initial cringe, I knew I had to click to read more.

Appears that an unnamed Israeli family leaving Tel Aviv for a holiday in Europe - with 18 bags (yes, imagine the fees!) - forgot their 3 year old daughter at the airport. They were in a mad rush to catch the flight and little girl just didn't make it. She was found in the Duty Free Shop asking where her family is. And, yes, just like that lovable flick Home Alone, the family's plane was off and on it's way before they realized it:

The couple and their five children were late for a charter flight to Paris on Sunday and made a dash to the gate. In the confusion, their daughter got lost.

Israel police spokesman Micky Rosenfeld said a policeman found her wandering in the duty-free area at Ben-Gurion airport, Israel's main international air portal. He said the officer alerted airline staff, but the flight had already taken off. Rosenfeld said the parents, who were sitting separately, were unaware they had boarded the aircraft with only four children instead of five until they were informed by cabin staff after 40 minutes in the air.

So, let's get this right...unlike Home Alone the parents didn't realize on their own that their 3-year-old wasn't onboard the plane. They didn't realize it until they were notified by the inflight cabin crew. Nice...huh? Parents of the year nominees!

But the part of the story I especially like is that the outcome was that the child traveled - accompanied - on the very next flight to Paris and was reunited with careless Mom and Dad. I can't help but imagine what would have happened in the US. They would have hauled their asses off to Family Services for grilling and possibly a bit of jail time (yes, I know, this didn't happen in Home Alone...but that's a movie and this is real life!). While I'm all for a child being reunited with her family, these parents need a bit of a slap...

Now I know kids can be trouble to manage. I know that five kids is a lot. I know that airports can be hectic. But, I'm sorry. If you don't even know your 3-year-old child didn't make the flight until you are told by the crew you are one helluva bad parent. There, I said it.

Also, what about kiddie's four brothers? Surely she was supposed to be sitting next to one of them who would have noticed her absence, right? A 3-year-old doesn't sit all alone... Also, while the article doesn't say it, you know the kids were in coach and the parents were in first or business class. Nice... actually that happened in Home Alone too.

I just scratch my head - and I'm glad all turned out okay. I mean, thank God she didn't run across Joe Pesci in a wool cap robbing houses. But, damn kid...you really deserve better!

Holidaying parents in Israel leave daughter, 3, at airport [Guardian]
Home Alone [Amazon.com]