Anyone read this about kids on planes?

[NYDisneyKid]

http://www.clickorlando.com/news/24765240/detail.html

 

[seashoreCM]

One difficulty with setting aside a children section is that others, including those who complain about children, would feel that their own choice of seating is excessively limited by such a section.

In addition it would be too hard to decide where the child section should be put.

Disney hints: http://www.cockam.com/disney.htm

 

[tjmw2727]

I have had many more annoying flights caused by adults than I have by children. BO, tipsy/drunk folks, groups talking to each other over me and just plain obnoxious behavior.

Most times a childs disruption is fairly breif and can be solved with a toy, snack or cuddle. In fact any time I have had an issue with a child it was the parent that acted poorly. Example, 5 year old kicking my seat back, me asking the mom nicely if she could help him stop and her freaking out on me.

Being in the public means dealing with the public and that inludes kids. I would be against this even though it dosen't affect me anymore.

 

[nytimez]

I've been irritated by kids on planes, and I've been irritated by adults on planes. Kids are just an easier target for people who like to grumble.

I don't think the airlines would be dumb enough to try this anyway, since most charge full or near-full fare for kids. The irritating kid is often part of a family of 4 or 5, while the annoyed adult nearby is often in a party of 1 or 2. Money is always the bottom line, and airlines don't want to lose all that extra money they earn by alienating traveling families.

On the other hand, they could set aside something like the last 5 rows of the plane as adults only, since they probably know that they will have at least that many child-free travelers per flight. They'd have to be careful how they market it though -- or not market it at all.

 

[piglet33]

I have had many more annoying flights caused by adults than I have by children. BO, tipsy/drunk folks, groups talking to each other over me and just plain obnoxious behavior.

Or what about the people that bring stinky food on planes. I was sitting across from someone who brought hard boiled eggs and tuna fish! What a stinky combo.

A lot of the times the kids are crying is because their ears are hurting from the altitude change, and the parents didn't think to bring something for them to suck on to help relieve the pressure in their ears. Or the ones that are bored so they get whiny, because they don't have anything to do like color, watching a movie or playing a game.

I have been very lucky that my daughter is so well behaved when flying.

 

[TandLMommy28]

Or what about the people that bring stinky food on planes. I was sitting across from someone who brought hard boiled eggs and tuna fish! What a stinky combo.

That reminds me of the scene in The Office when they go to Canada and Michael is freaking out about the stinky food on the plane.

 

[uva185]

As much as I would love a children or infant section on the plane, I realize it is logistically impossible / cost prohibitive for the airlines to do so....

 

[At World's End]

Airplanes are already set up so they could accommodate this. They just need to seat all of us families in the nice roomy seats in the front of the plane. We would be assured to have inflight entertainment, meals, and close proximity to the bathroom. The kids would be happy and so would everyone else. Those who want a peaceful flight can sit in the second section of the plane and pay extra for a child-free flight.

 

[jasko5990]

If this ever becomes a reality, how much will the airlines charge for the privilege of being in a "child free" plane or section?

 

[bleeps]

I have had many more annoying flights caused by adults than I have by children. BO, tipsy/drunk folks, groups talking to each other over me and just plain obnoxious behavior.

In fact any time I have had an issue with a child it was the parent that acted poorly.

Agree completely! I'm never troubled by the crying or initial behavior of a child -- it's all about how the adult handles it (or not). And many more flights have been ruined by adult passengers than kids!

 

[keishashadow]

Airplanes are already set up so they could accommodate this. They just need to seat all of us families in the nice roomy seats in the front of the plane. We would be assured to have inflight entertainment, meals, and close proximity to the bathroom. The kids would be happy and so would everyone else. Those who want a peaceful flight can sit in the second section of the plane and pay extra for a child-free flight.

or the very special seats in the back of the plane, they're the absolute best

jmho if an airline did initially price the back 1/3 of the plane @ a discount, im sure those seats would sell out very quickly to families looking for a bargin

 

[mickeymousepuppy]

Airplanes are already set up so they could accommodate this. They just need to seat all of us families in the nice roomy seats in the front of the plane. We would be assured to have inflight entertainment, meals, and close proximity to the bathroom. The kids would be happy and so would everyone else. Those who want a peaceful flight can sit in the second section of the plane and pay extra for a child-free flight.

I had a very similar thought. They already have a child free section - first class! But I like your idea a lot better. I'll be happy to make sure my children are not bothering anyone by sitting in our own section! Love it!

 

[goofy4tink]

When flying on Jetblue, home from MCO this month, I saw a ton of people who needed 'extra time' to get situated board early. Now, I can understand older folk who need to take their time getting down the jetway and then finding their seat and getting situated..as well as any true medical preoboards. But, this business of allowing families to preboard, because they feel they need the addtl time, is driving me nuts. One flight this happened and my dd, then 14, looked at me and asked why so many families, with no young kids, needed to board early. I had no good answer. Especially when overhearing one day, with a group of 5 or 6, telling his dd to shush....they could just board early and no one would stop them.
And then of course, those who have had to board early, are now taking up the aisle, standing around chatting, while those of us who are trying to get past them, to get to our seats, are held up.

If you are going to need to board first, then I say you have to head to the rear of the plane...those are the seats you are given. If you don't choose one of those seats when you book, you don't get to preboard, unless you have a truly legitimate reason. Flights would take off much more quickly this way. Not trying to be judgemental here, but really...how long does it take to stow your bag in the overhead and sit down??? My dd has been flying since she was 3...even at that age we never preboarded, she took care of her own stuff, and sat down quickly. It's all about expectations I suppose.

SW does make it easy. If you have a valid reason to preboard, then you are allowed to do so..but you do have to have a valid reason..not just that you may need more time to get situated.

 

[Missytara]

Last year, it seemed to take an extraordinarily long time to board on an Airtran flight going back to BWI at about 6:45 at night. We couldn't understand why. When we got towards our seats, there are an elderly man (the grandfather, we assumed) traveling with his two daugthers and six grandchildren. They had two seats together in various parts of the plane. He was polling everyone in the family trying to decide who preferred to seat with whom. Luckily, the flight attendant at the door called the flight attendant at the back of the plane to see what the hold-up was on the boarding. She realized it and kindly told them to sit their seats. He kindly told the Flight attendant he WAS trying to get them seated, but he need to determine which seats they were going to sit in and would be done in a couple of minutes.

She addressed the entire group and said, "Please be seated in the seat you were assigned, and when the flight has taken off and the seat belt sign is off, you may feel free to move around the cabin. For now, please sit DOWN."

Then the pilot came on and announced that it had just started snowing in Baltimore and if it was okay with us, he was going to put pedal to the metal to get us back early before it got bad, so we could all get home.

I have never seen a family sit down so fast.

And he got us there twenty minutes early, just as it was starting to pick up really snowing.

 

[bleeps]

When flying on Jetblue, home from MCO this month, I saw a ton of people who needed 'extra time' to get situated board early.

I'm actually surprised to hear that JB (1) made an announcement inviting people who need extra time to board and that (2) the attendant at the door let people through before their section was called. We've noticed in the past few years that the *those needing a little extra time* announcements have disappeared and that people do get turned away if they try to board before their section is called. On the rare occasion that an airline makes an announcement about *those travelling with small children,* we've noticed that they'll specify an age: *those travelling with small children under the age of 3 who may need a little extra time....*

I agree that it's frustrating to see people take advantage -- and even more frustrating to see the airline allow it. I do think flights with a lot of kids (any flight in and out of MCO!) get off the ground faster if those who really do have little ones, under age 3, can get on and get situated, but it all breaks down when people abuse the system.

 

[Vivianne]

Airplanes are already set up so they could accommodate this. They just need to seat all of us families in the nice roomy seats in the front of the plane. We would be assured to have inflight entertainment, meals, and close proximity to the bathroom. The kids would be happy and so would everyone else. Those who want a peaceful flight can sit in the second section of the plane and pay extra for a child-free flight.

2 adults here. As long as we give you a peaceful flight, accommodate the children and pay extra for the privilege all will be good....

 

[sam_gordon]

Airplanes are already set up so they could accommodate this. They just need to seat all of us families in the nice roomy seats in the front of the plane. We would be assured to have inflight entertainment, meals, and close proximity to the bathroom. The kids would be happy and so would everyone else. Those who want a peaceful flight can sit in the second section of the plane and pay extra for a child-free flight.

GREAT Idea! lol

Think about a "child" section for a moment... one of the complaints about kids is their crying/whining. Let's be honest, the planes aren't that small. As long as you are in the same section of the plane, you're going to hear the kid.

As far as seating to avoid kids kicking the seat... pick a seat in the back, or JUST IN FRONT OF AN EXIT ROW! Kids can't sit in the exit row. Problem solved.

 

[goofy4tink]

I'm actually surprised to hear that JB (1) made an announcement inviting people who need extra time to board and that (2) the attendant at the door let people through before their section was called. We've noticed in the past few years that the *those needing a little extra time* announcements have disappeared and that people do get turned away if they try to board before their section is called. On the rare occasion that an airline makes an announcement about *those travelling with small children,* we've noticed that they'll specify an age: *those travelling with small children under the age of 3 who may need a little extra time....*

I agree that it's frustrating to see people take advantage -- and even more frustrating to see the airline allow it. I do think flights with a lot of kids (any flight in and out of MCO!) get off the ground faster if those who really do have little ones, under age 3, can get on and get situated, but it all breaks down when people abuse the system.

Yep, I hear ya. I don't hear that announcement all that often. But it always amazes me when I see families with older kids running up to board early. Ah well....this is why I try to get exit row seats. Nothing I hate more than to have to deal with a flight of 3+ hrs and having to deal with the youngster in front of me, or behind me, poking fingers through the seats, or standing up and peeking at me, trying to play games. I have kids, I like kids. But sometimes I just don't want to entertain someone else's kid. I just want to relax and read my book..in peace.

 

[Vivianne]

GREAT Idea! lol

Think about a "child" section for a moment... one of the complaints about kids is their crying/whining. Let's be honest, the planes aren't that small. As long as you are in the same section of the plane, you're going to hear the kid.

As far as seating to avoid kids kicking the seat... pick a seat in the back, or JUST IN FRONT OF AN EXIT ROW! Kids can't sit in the exit row. Problem solved.

Uh...not so fast. Exit row and row in front all taken. While we were waiting
for families to board.

Sat in back, just one row in before the last one. 2 kids with auntie sat at the very last row and kicked my seat. Yeah...I get the precious ones. Special

 

[15isto2]

I think the child only section is called the hold