Why is it so horrible to let a child fly?

Question

You know, sometimes people are in a situation where they need to fly with their kids. Yet, I asked a question about taking a long flight earlier and I got so mnay rude replies I wasn't bargaining for. People have kids. Yeah, I'd really not like to bother you during your flight either, and I'll make sure my kid wont kick your seat, throw a tantrum, be loud, to the best of my ability. But she is a person too. I guess its wrong for me to want to keep my family together, in order for that to happen, my child needs to travel by air.
Furthermore, this will be her first time flying, however, I live very far away from my whole family. I've made the trip by car once, but that was with my husband swapping driving shifts. I'm not about to drive alone with a child when I have the God given right to buy a plane ticket like everybody else.
What it comes down to, I guess, is some people just don't like kids.

People move for job purposes and have to taek their kids. People are in the military protecting this country and get stationed in safe areas, and yeah, they'd like to see their kids too. So kids have to fly. If you think its DANGEROUS for a kid to fly, provide PROOF. If not, and you're rude, I'll report.

My kid is 9 months old. And no, I haven't had the chance to take her on a flight and get dirty looks yet. What I based this question on is the way parents are treated when they ask a simple question about flying with a kid. Like me, earlier today. My child has been on a long car trip and she behaved wonderfully, but that's not the same as a plane trip. I was trying to better prepare myself. I got a lot of helpful answers and I got a lot of very disgusting ones, like what to do with my kid instead of flying with her. Ridiculous.
I have flown in front on children that kicked my seat before. With their dumb parents right next to them letting them do it. I'm not exactly a virgin to the flight experience. However, I wouldn't be so rude to someone who may just know how to handle their kids after watching a lifetime of bratty ones and their dumb parents.

Answer 1

Hon as long as you can afford the ticket your children can fly anytime. My daughter is now 36 and flew at 6 months old the first time. Of course she got an ear infection due to be being a teen mom and not knowing about having her suck a bottle or pacifier to help her ears deal with pressure.
There will always be grumpy people at the restaurant, on the plane ergo everywhere who once children themselves and/or who had children. Fly, I say Fly that child whenever wherever.

Answer 2

I'm a former Flight Attendant and honestly, the only time people complained about children was when the parents weren't doing anything about the crying. A lot of times, it's out of concern for the child, not because they don't like children.

I rarely saw that many hot and bothered passengers over children. Even once, when parents mistakenly gave their little girl medications to make her sleep, it went horribly wrong and the little girl was totally wired! Even the passengers sitting nearby were saying "kids will be kids" and "we have X of our own..." etc. I was amazed because these people were seriously inconvenienced by this little firecracker in their zone.

I fly alone with my three several times a year. We do an 11 1/2 hour transatlantic about every six months, plus a few shorter ones in between. I've been doing this since the oldest, my 8 year old was 4 months old. The only time anyone ever complained was once about *me*. They thought I was overdisaplining them! Talk about damned if you do, damned if you don't...

I do suggest buying a seat for her. I think that was key for our flights. A wiggly baby or toddler isn't fun to sit next to and she's really not safe loose in your lap. I definately had fewer complaints when I worked about children with their own seats. Plus, since you paid for her ticket too, she has even more of a right to be there.

Booking bulkheads is a good idea. These are the seats with the wall in front, not necessarily in the front of the plane. You can't sit in the emergency exit rows (no one under 15) but at least in the bulkheads, there will be no passengers in front to kick.

I also suggest flying early in the day. Don't get up at 4am if you don't have to but I have to say that the earlier the flight is, the less crowded and the less likely it is to be delayed. Every article on flying with children says schedule during nap times but if your daughter's nap is when all the buisnessmen, coming in after a long day in conferences are flying, your child is more likely to encounter the sourpusses.

For more information on carseats and flying with children in general, I have a totally non-commercial article on the subject. This might help make your flight smoother for everyone;
http://flyingwithchildren. blogspot. com

If you're prepared and organized, it'll all go a lot better for all concerned.

Have a good flight!

Answer 3

I didn't see your previous question but to answer this one... As a former airline employee, I have travelled by air numerous times and have no problem with children - IF their parents are parenting them. I have seen probably 90% of the time (and that's being conservative) that once families are in public or going on vacation or travelling that the parents tend to "forget" to tend to their children. I have been in a position where I had to say something to the children because the parents ignored the bad behavior and that's annoying for everyone. By bad behavior, I am talking about the jumping on the seats, kicking the seats, crawling under the seats, singing at the top of their lungs, NOT the things like them crying or talking or regular type events that happen to all people on airplanes...

If you are travelling with a child under the age of 1 year old, I would recommend speaking to their doctor to see if there is any special thing they can give to keep the ear poppin to a minimum (gum probably wouldn't be best if they are that young!) If they are old enough to keep attention to things, perhaps make a backpack full of fun supplies. New crayons, coloring books, those travel games. I remember that was what my parents did when I went on my first flight :)

Answer 4

I think you answered your own question when you said, ", I'd really not like to bother you during your flight either, and I'll make sure my kid wont kick your seat, throw a tantrum, be loud....."

Truth is, many parents do not correct their children while they are flying. I fly about 5 days out of the week, and I've seen every type of child imaginable. Why I've even had one parent let their kids play tag on the airplane, and then a game of hide and go seek. Yeah, horrible right? They were crawling on the floor and inbetween people's feet.

That's the main reason why many people don't like to sit around kids. But not every situation is like that. I sat next to an unaccompanied minor from London to New York once. She was 6. She was very quiet and polite. She didn't quite understand the concept of personal space when she wanted to see out of the window. But other than that, it was not a bad experience.

Bottom line, you shouldn't care what other people think. You are right, you are able to purchase tickets for your kids. It sounds like you're respectful of others around you. Based on that alone, I'm sure I wouldn't mind you and your kids sitting behind me on a plane.

Answer 5

I am totally with you. I don't have any children but I do find it rude that people have little or no patience for children under a situation like this. I don't think that parents enjoy having their baby being upset in a plane and sometimes there is nothing that can be done about it. You are in all your right to get on a plane with your child! As long as you are a responsible parent and are looking after your child there is no problem regardless of what other people say and to all those that can't stand to hear a baby cry on a plane... be more patient and try and understand the situation, or... save up for a private jet.

Answer 6

People like kids, just not the obnoxious ones, which we all were when we were kids. I mean who wasn't? Some people are just completely paranoid after 9/11 and think that'd it'd be awful to put a kid on a plane. I was 7 when I first flew by myself. The flight attendents take care of you really well so there's no worry there. The only thing that'd I'd be sure to do before I sent my kid off is lay down the rules and lay down the consequences if they're broken and be sure the person retrieving the child after the flight knows too.

Answer 7

Because a child in a plane is such a pain- all the screaming, bored rants, kicking, and the vast majority of parents tune their kids out so they won't do anything to stop the kids rants and tantrums.

My suggestions-
- The kid needs a good night sleep
- No Sweets three days before the flight, and no processed foods either (reduce the ADD problems (even if no exist, kids are hyper)
- Have a sit down with the little one, explain what the trip is going to be like, and that you expect best behavior
- Have lots to do with the little one
- Take snacks (not candy), and water (no soda and no juice)

Good luck

Answer 8

The sad answer is that people today are too self absorbed and at the same time too put upon. You and your child have EVERY right to travel by air. The fact is is that many people anymore only think about themselves. You are battling against bad parents that let their child cause scenes on airplanes. These parents that have no control over their children are to blame for the bad comments about children on planes. At the same time there are adults out there that get pissed at the slightest discomfort. The addition of security waits and airline indifference hasn't helped.

In the end, take your child with you. You are correct, it is your right as a consumer to purchase a ticket for your child. Do not let anyone tell you different or try to give you a hard time.

Answer 9

I'm not sure really what your point is here. I can only assume its about the attention your kids have got from other people in the past. MMMM..... You say its your bad experience?

Okay! Are your children well behaved on the plane?
Well you've most likely answered your own question because you've had numerous complaints.

Now the balls back in your court.
Why don't you teach your kids better habits when traveling like keeping them doing things quietly in their seat and not bothering other people.

I don't think anyone would complain if your kids are well behaved.

If I were on a flight, bus, train or anywhere I wouldn't want others people's brats annoying me either.
Its nothing to do with the like of kids at all. Its about common decency and other peoples feelings.
Its not like the people have a choice and can just step off in mid air is it? They're forced to stay in their seated area.

Answer 10

I'm surprised that people came down on you so hard. It's annoying when a kid is making a ruckus on the plane and the parents do nothing to keep the peace, but you can't be blamed just for bringing your child along, especially if it's the simplest solution.