A parent's thoughts:
Taking a 19 month old on a morning news program is a bad idea. Why? Because the kid is 1000 miles from home, in a strange environment, surrounded by strangers and bright lights and very,
very out of his/her element. There's no way you can expect a kid of
19 months to be a perfect angel in a situation like that. I really think bringing the kid to the interview was just a bad idea to begin with.
They gave the kid a toy (the shuttle/airplane) and as the kid was playing with it, rolling it along the table (as a kid would do) it rolls off. Now the cool new toy is in sight, but out of reach. Of course he's going to cry! How about picking up the plane and giving it back? He was looking right at the plane on the floor as he was crawling on the table.
Keep in mind this kid is
19 months old, he's not a 5 year old with a 5 year old's ability to sit and listen and follow direction.
I think it was a bad idea to have the kid on the interview in the first place. 19 months is a hard age, they're not a "baby" anymore, but they don't have the full capacity and control of a older tot (say 3-ish).
As for what happened on the airplane, I'm still waiting to hear
both sides. I have no doubt the kid could have been a monster, and I also have no doubt the F/A could have been on a massive power trip.
I take my kids out in public, and they have good days and bad days. On the bad days, if they're causing a scene, we leave the situation. Age-appropriate measures are then taken to help them understand what behavior is and is not appropriate. I could see my 2 1/2 year old having a fit if put in a situation like being on an early-morning TV show (that's why I'd never take him on a morning TV show!). It's part of his personality, and yes, children's personalities differ

YOUR perfect little angel girl is NOT my acrobatic little boy! So, I treat him as such. I teach him how to behave, but know that at his age tantrums occur, and I have no problem removing him from the situation. He WILL learn, he IS learning, and as he grows and matures his ability to control himself will continue to grow too. As an example, my 4 year old I have no doubt
would be able to behave in that situation. Why? Because he's older, and we could explain to him what is going to happen and what is expected of him. He would have the control necessary to sit still for the few minutes for the segment to tape. He has learned (and yes, kids have to
learn) how to behave, and is old enough to apply those lessons.