Eventually, Schear asked whether he could concede, move the toddler and get in the air, but an agent told him it was too late, saying his family would either have to exit the aircraft or the crew would have to deplane all of the passengers.

“So we’re getting off this plane no matter what now?” Schear asked.

“I told you guys at the beginning you had two options and now it’s come too far,” an agent replied.

“I have two infants,” he said, “and nowhere to stay. There’s no more flights. What are we supposed to do — sleep in the airport?”

“At this point, you guys are on your own,” she said.