Flight Attendant Shuts Boy in Overhead Bin

In today's news of the weird, a Virgin Blue flight attendant has been fired after allegedly shutting a child inside an overhead bin. 17-month-old Riley was playing peek-a-boo with his father when the flight attendant, set on joining in the fun, hoisted him up into the bin and shut the door. Other passengers laughed in their seats for about ten seconds before Riley’s mom demanded he be released. Now the boy's mother says he's suffering from anxiety and withdrawal, and that she is too devastated to redeem the three free flights Virgin Blue has offered her as compensation. Plus: 51 Mini-Vacations in Every State

Putting a kid in a overhead bin is a terrible idea, especially since unexpected turbulence can happen any time. But kids usually only get upset about things and make a big deal out of them if we do. There no indication that Riley was crying or screaming to get out up there, and really, is this that much different than hiding in a dark closet? I wonder if Riley's mother isn't just devastated Virgin Blue didn't offer her a more hefty (monetary) compensation. Also, of note: the parents are now estranged. Plus: The Smartest Travel Tips Ever

What do you think? Would something like this traumatize your kids, or do you think the mom is overreacting? Plus: Best Single Parent Travel Tips