Baby Ban On Airlines

[Carly_Roach]

No. Can't say that I've thought of suffocating someone. Honestly. Don't think that's ever crossed my mind.

Wait.

 

[ThreeBeans]

Making a joke out of threatening to smother a crying infant really has nothing to do with whether or not you are a parent. It speaks to something else entirely.

 

[Carly_Roach]

Making a joke out of threatening to smother a crying infant really has nothing to do with whether or not you are a parent. It speaks to something else entirely.

Being able to make a joke out of only threatening to smother an infant after listening to said infant screaming for 4+ hours (remember, an infant's scream is louder and more piercing than a car alarm) and not actually doing it is candidacy for sainthood in my book. As I said before: lighten up, Francis. You'll live longer.

 

[ols386]

Wait.

Why is that funny? Do you not believe me?

 

[beachcomber]

There is a way for anyone to fly without being bothered by babies and/or children that are willing to pay more. And thigh touchers, obnoxious business men who won't put away the phone until they're threatened, unwashed stinky people (that sure was a long flight to Paris....), people that give the ones with allergies dirty looks, and on and on. It's called a charter plane. If other people (of all ages, types, smells, etc.) bother you so much.....call one up. I've even seen Groupons for charter companies.

It's a win win. You even get to set the schedule. And no TSA.

As for my opinion? Free market. Airlines will do what the market will bear. And...I'd bet since so many are struggling financially, they're not going to risk making tons of potential passengers drive. I could be wrong....and I don't actually care.

 

[skater]

There is a way for anyone to fly without being bothered by babies and/or children that are willing to pay more. And thigh touchers, obnoxious business men who won't put away the phone until they're threatened, unwashed stinky people (that sure was a long flight to Paris....), people that give the ones with allergies dirty looks, and on and on. It's called a charter plane. If other people (of all ages, types, smells, etc.) bother you so much.....call one up. I've even seen Groupons for charter companies.

It's a win win. You even get to set the schedule. And no TSA.

As for my opinion? Free market. Airlines will do what the market will bear. And...I'd bet since so many are struggling financially, they're not going to risk making tons of potential passengers drive. I could be wrong....and I don't actually care.

Heck, if I had enough money, I'd fly on a charter plane just to avoid tsa. Some of the stories coming out of their department are what give me travel nightmares.

 

[sbell111]

Allow me to amend my post, then: I'd gladly pay more to be on a flight without children and their parents. Everyone wins:

Imzadi and I and everyone else like us can read or work in peace, drink our cocktails without having to worry about setting bad examples for children who aren't even ours, enjoy adult conversation without worry about offending someone else with our humor, and our parenting friends won't have to deal with us.

Regarding the underlined bit, I disagree. You would win because you could travel on any flight. The person with the baby loses because some flights are unavailable to him/her. Since people would be restricted to these 'Baby OK' flights, the airlines would quickly charge more for them.

 

[beachcomber]

Heck, if I had enough money, I'd fly on a charter plane just to avoid tsa. Some of the stories coming out of their department are what give me travel nightmares.

AMEN. And that's when I started looking at it as a real option. But, for now, other travelers will just have to put up with my kids. Who have been on planes since they were babies.

 

[mamacatnv]

No. Can't say that I've thought of suffocating someone. Honestly. Don't think that's ever crossed my mind.

The thought occurs to me often, especially when participating on some Dis threads

 

[paigemontgomery1]

I'm all for those who want a quiet flight, but to ban children from first class , is a little out of line... Families who can afford to should be allowed to have their children fly first class as long as those children behave... I mean, those who have business meetings or something should be offered an alternative flight from the companies.... But saying that children should not be allowed in first class is not right... What's next, banning people with health problems, like snoring or with disabilities who can't help themselves? think about it... Do you really think its that bad that you have to ban children? besides, most families can't afford the price for first class anyways... so I fail to see the big deal.

 

[mamacatnv]

I'm all for those who want a quiet flight, but to ban children from first class , is a little out of line... Families who can afford to should be allowed to have their children fly first class as long as those children behave... I mean, those who have business meetings or something should be offered an alternative flight from the companies.... But saying that children should not be allowed in first class is not right... What's next, banning people with health problems, like snoring or with disabilities who can't help themselves? think about it... Do you really think its that bad that you have to ban children? besides, most families can't afford the price for first class anyways... so I fail to see the big deal.

The problem I see is who gets to define behaved? Much easier to just say no kids under X whatever it is they determine and stick with it, then there is no room for argument or debate

 

[mdsoccermom]

I'm all for those who want a quiet flight, but to ban children from first class , is a little out of line... Families who can afford to should be allowed to have their children fly first class as long as those children behave... I mean, those who have business meetings or something should be offered an alternative flight from the companies.... But saying that children should not be allowed in first class is not right... What's next, banning people with health problems, like snoring or with disabilities who can't help themselves? think about it... Do you really think its that bad that you have to ban children? besides, most families can't afford the price for first class anyways... so I fail to see the big deal.

Then they have the option to fly an airline that does allow kids in first class. Or fly business class.

 

[mamacatnv]

One of the beauties to flying SouthWest, if I see a kidlet coming my way I can get up and move!

 

[Sydnie]

Yeah but there is the assumption that kids are inherently more disruptive than other groups of passengers and I just don't think that's the case! Why are kids any less deserving of a place on a plane than any other "class" of people?

I hate when people give me "The Glare" as I walk down the aisle with my kids because I can guarantee you you will have no idea they are even on board. They are well behaved and I am well prepared

 

[mamacatnv]

Yeah but there is the assumption that kids are inherently more disruptive than other groups of passengers and I just don't think that's the case! Why are kids any less deserving of a place on a plane than any other "class" of people?

I hate when people give me "The Glare" as I walk down the aisle with my kids because I can guarantee you you will have no idea they are even on board. They are well behaved and I am well prepared

Unfortunately your children IMO are in the minority and thus the reasons for the glares. I don't glare or humph or snarl, I just get up and move.

I also think that sometimes adults ie flight attendants can and will chastise other adult passengers for poor behavior but when it comes to kids they won't because the parent is there and it would be stepping over the line. Also, crying, or squirming, wiggling, talking loudly/shrill etc is not poor behavior for a baby or a toddler its just the way they are.

Sure, maybe kids get a bad wrap, but I'm heading out to dinner tonight and the first thing I will tell the hostess when she goes to seat us is don't put me near small children.

 

[ols386]

Yeah but there is the assumption that kids are inherently more disruptive than other groups of passengers and I just don't think that's the case! Why are kids any less deserving of a place on a plane than any other "class" of people?

I hate when people give me "The Glare" as I walk down the aisle with my kids because I can guarantee you you will have no idea they are even on board. They are well behaved and I am well prepared

Maybe they're not glaring at you. Maybe they just have that look on their face because they don't like to fly period. Or it's early, and they are tired or in a bad mood.

 

[lost*in*cyberspace]

Kids are people too! I'll stand up for their right to be on a plane or an eatery or a store.

You need to read the article more carefully. Babies are not banned from the plane, they are merely prohibited from sitting in first class.

 

[TLSnell1981]

Full disclosure: I am the mother of three perfectly well-behaved angelic precious snowflakes, who were told they would be sold to the nearest caravan of traveling Republicans if they put a toe out of line between Hartford and Orlando.

Hmmm...they would be happy and fine, traveling with us.

No one deserves that.

Hmm.I can think of many WORSE alternatives...just saying'.

BTW..my entire family flew to Europe in Business Elite..the American version of First. Yes, even the children, including the one year old. No crying or behavior issues. I would be ticked, if they were treated like second class citizens and banned. Does a crying child, really bother anyone less, if they are in Coach?

.

 

[Imzadi]

Maybe I am losing my sense of humor. This doesn't seem funny to me.

THAT is why I'm on the airline watch lists.

Add DH and I to the list of people who will gladly pay more for adult-only flights. Lighten up, Francis. Who hasn't had the thought of using a pillow to suffocate SOMEONE in their lifetime whether it was their spouse, coworker or snotty teenager? I declare myself GUILTY of Imzadi's thought too, only mine involve drink boxes and seconal. Just because a thought occurs to people doesn't mean they'll actually carry it out.

Allow me to amend my post, then: I'd gladly pay more to be on a flight without children and their parents. Everyone wins:

Imzadi and I and everyone else like us can read or work in peace, drink our cocktails without having to worry about setting bad examples for children who aren't even ours, enjoy adult conversation without worry about offending someone else with our humor, and our parenting friends won't have to deal with us.

Making a joke out of threatening to smother a crying infant really has nothing to do with whether or not you are a parent. It speaks to something else entirely.

Being able to make a joke out of only threatening to smother an infant after listening to said infant screaming for 4+ hours (remember, an infant's scream is louder and more piercing than a car alarm) and not actually doing it is candidacy for sainthood in my book. As I said before: lighten up, Francis. You'll live longer.

The thought occurs to me often, especially when participating on some Dis threads

It only speaks to something else entirely, if YOU perhaps are one of the parents of a (or three) screaming children for 6 hours, that we think about stuffing a pillow over.

I've often noticed the Disers who get offended the most on certain threads are the ones who have or are doing the exact thing that they are getting so offended & defensive about.

 

[skater]

I've often noticed the Disers who get offended the most on certain threads are the ones who have or are doing the exact thing that they are getting so offended & defensive about.

How would you know that ?