As an airline pilot and a parent to a child with down syndrome, I can see both sides of the issue. I've worked with hundreds of these kids and can tell you these kids are some of the most well-behaved and loving kids you'll ever meet. I have also been shocked at the amount of discrimination these kids deal with on a daily basis from school officials to ignorant adults, because their disability is obvious. As a commuting airline pilot, I've been forced to listen to loud-mouth drunks to screaming kids, so I can relate. I also believe in captain's discretion, but that doesn't mean they have a right to be insensitive. I don't believe in a parents right to bring an uncontrollable child on an airplane, but I don't believe deny a child who might be a distraction based off a disability. I wasn't there and perhaps his choice was justified, but I'll put it this way I've seen more uncontrollable captains than uncontrollable kids with down syndrome. I guess if we are out to eliminate distractions from the cabin, than we should outlaw all children under age 3, because they all could be a potential distractions. As for some of the comments about the parents, obviously none of you have children with a disability and how much you'd defend them if you thought they were being discriminated.