Bad Parents and Children on my Flight...grrrr

[TLSnell1981]

OMG...trying to keep this rant short. We just flew back from Vienna via Amsterdam to Detroit. Have you ever had someone sit next to you and immediately, a feeling of dread washes over you? :yikes:

A very loud and rude father took the seat accross from us, along with a 6 yo & 2 yo (estimated age). The silent mother sat behind them with another child, who looked to be about 9 yo. He immediately announced, that the children wouldn't nap on the flight. He was very pleased, this configuration gave plenty of room for the kids to "run around". I had no idea, he meant that LITERALLY!

They were swinging on EVERY armrest, hitting passengers on the head with their elbows. The 2 yo was allowed to run in circles...all the way around the BC cabin. FA lit the seatbelt sign and made numerous announcements, but....they ignored the "requests"

We had been up almost 24 hours at this point, and were extremely tired. I walked toward the cockpit and complained to the FA. We discussed rude, entitled passengers, who refused to follow rules and/or respect boundaries. We blamed the parents, not the children. The parents actually encouraged the behavior! At that moment, she (FA) said, (and I swear this is the honest truth) "oh look, the dad is now on all fours and giving horseback rides) holy Batman & Robin!%#~> I've never experienced ANYONE, like this jerk. Next his shoved his 6'3" rear end in. DH's face. Oh yes, he actually did..

Too bad, I didn't have DH's seat. I promise, they would've swung on my seat ONCE! Dad's smelly butt in my face..just ONCE. If my evil eye didn't paralyze them with fear, my words would have left no room for an alternate interpretation. (UGH! Not something, I would normally do, but these people were &@#%€* ^!!)

The were numerous complaints, but they owned the cabin. Finally, the lights came on and food service began. At least, maybe they would sit down to eat. Sadly, they respite was just a few minutes. After they were finished, they "entertained" the cabin with "excerpts from "Airplane". Next, we were tortured with off key Christmas song. DH is sitting on me at this point, shoving chocolates down my throat.

As we "slam the tarmac", (according to dad and middle son), he announces his job is over. He "got them there. now, it was Mom's turn" upsidedow:

DH and I had a conversation, loud enough to be overheard. Hopefully, it might spare the cabin a little suffering, upon their return. Although, I have serious doubts. Maybe, we'll see them on the news? Maybe, they get tossed...or another passenger leaves the plane in handcuffs...

 

[DebbieB]

OMG...trying to keep this rant short. We just flew back from Vienna via Amsterdam to Detroit. Have you ever had someone sit next to you and immediately, a feeling of dread washes over you?

A very loud and rude father took the seat accross from us, along with a 6 yo & 2 yo (estimated age). The silent mother sat behind them with another child, who looked to be about 9 yo. He immediately announced, that the children wouldn't nap on the flight. He was very pleased, this configuration gave plenty of room for the kids to "run around". I had no idea, he meant that LITERALLY!

They were swinging on EVERY armrest, hitting passengers on the head with their elbows. The 2 yo was allowed to run in circles...all the way around the BC cabin. FA lit the seatbelt sign and made numerous announcements, but....they ignored the "requests"

We had been up almost 24 hours at this point, and were extremely tired. I walked toward the cockpit and complained to the FA. We discussed rude, entitled passengers, who refused to follow rules and/or respect boundaries. We blamed the parents, not the children. The parents actually encouraged the behavior! At that moment, she (FA) said, (and I swear this is the honest truth) "oh look, the dad is now on all fours and giving horseback rides) holy Batman & Robin!%#~> I've never experienced ANYONE, like this jerk. Next his shoved his 6'3" rear end in. DH's face. Oh yes, he actually did..

Too bad, I didn't have DH's seat. I promise, they would've swung on my seat ONCE! Dad's smelly butt in my face..just ONCE. If my evil eye didn't paralyze them with fear, my words would have left no room for an alternate interpretation. (UGH! Not something, I would normally do, but these people were &@#%€* ^!!)

The were numerous complaints, but they owned the cabin. Finally, the lights came on and food service began. At least, maybe they would sit down to eat. Sadly, they respite was just a few minutes. After they were finished, they "entertained" the cabin with "excerpts from "Airplane". Next, we were tortured with off key Christmas song. DH is sitting on me at this point, shoving chocolates down my throat. :roll eyes:

As we "slam the tarmac", (according to dad and middle son), he announces his job is over. He "got them there. now, it was Mom's turn" upsidedow:

DH and I had a conversation, loud enough to be overheard. Hopefully, it might spare the cabin a little suffering, upon their return. Although, I have serious doubts. Maybe, we'll see them on the news? Maybe, they get tossed...or another passenger leaves the plane in handcuffs...

That would be really aggravating, especially since you paid extra for business class. The crew should have done more since it was a safety concern that they were not in their seats. What if the plane hit an air pocket when they were playing "horsie"?

 

[networktek]

sorry you have a crappy flight. I probably would have lost it on the whole family.

 

[lost*in*cyberspace]

What airline was this?

Shame on the FAs, they should have shut this behavior down right away.

Personally, I would have pulled out my iPhone and recorded this behavior. Then I would be sending a copy to the airline asking for compensation and would also post on social media sites. There is no excuse for the airline not taking action

 

[goofy4tink]

What airline was this?

Shame on the FAs, they should have shut this behavior down right away.

Personally, I would have pulled out my iPhone and recorded this behavior. Then I would be sending a copy to the airline asking for compensation and would also post on social media sites. There is no excuse for the airline not taking action

Have to agree. One person doesn't have the right to negatively impact so many others. What a jerk.

 

[Shelly F - Ohio]

You should have recorded his behavior and then filled a complaint with the airline and showed them the proof.

 

[maxiesmom]

It is people like that that make you kind of wish the pilot could do a tilt to the left or a small dive.

 

[goofy4tink]

It is people like that that make you kind of wish the pilot could do a tilt to the left or a small dive.

OH they do! They could have made that tilt and explained that it was a course change due to 'weather'! I know that when we changed course, due to an airport change, a few weeks ago, that turn to the right was somewhat horrifying! Glad I knew the reason why and sort of expected it. Others didn't..you should have heard some of the other passengers!!!!

 

[kathie859]

I can sympathize with the OP and am horrified that the flight crew didn't do more to end the raucous behavior.

We had the exact opposite occur on 12/15 on a Delta flight from Amsterdam to Detroit (the 2nd leg of a 3 leg trip) and after DH and I took our seats, a family of Mom, Dad and kids (3ish, 5ish, 7ish) boarded and Dad sat behind us with 2of the younger kids. They were fascinated by their tray tables and opened and shut them several times roughly. I turned to the Dad and said, "Sir?" And he immediately corralled the kids and he explained their inappropriate behavior and the consequences of not behaving. I almost hugged him. The entire flight was quiet, pleasant considering our level of exhaustion. Now would he have controlled them if I hadn't said anything? I would guess so--but by me addressing the problem early, it became a non-issue. I wonder if the OP would have had a better flight experience if she had directly explained and asked the Parents to calm the children. At the very least I would email a complaint to the airline for the flight attendants' unwillingness to become "involved". At the very least, I would have requested to speak to the senior FA and would have gotten the airline's employees names.

 

[hsmamato2]

Op, I feel for you....I think I would complain to the airline itself about the FA's lack of controlling the situation..... I sympathize,a few weeks ago, there was a group on a bus at WDW that sounds....just like this bunch. After a 20 minute ride with them, I couldn't get away fast enough!

 

[CNYDisneyFan]

Ugh. Sorry to hear that.

 

[siskaren]

I wonder if the OP would have had a better flight experience if she had directly explained and asked the Parents to calm the children.

Doubtful. The kind of parents who would let their children act like that are also most likely the kind who would not take kindly to someone else telling them to control their children.

 

[alaska8]

What airline was this?

Shame on the FAs, they should have shut this behavior down right away.

Personally, I would have pulled out my iPhone and recorded this behavior. Then I would be sending a copy to the airline asking for compensation and would also post on social media sites. There is no excuse for the airline not taking action

You say "shame on the FAs" With respect what do you expect them to do 40 plus thousand feet in the air if the parents have been spoken to and they refuse to follow any requests. Options are limited..move the other passengers? (what if its a full flight) have police meet the flight? (sounds like these passengers wouldn't have stopped even with that threat)

 

[lost*in*cyberspace]

You say "shame on the FAs" With respect what do you expect them to do 40 plus thousand feet in the air if the parents have been spoken to and they refuse to follow any requests. Options are limited..move the other passengers? (what if its a full flight) have police meet the flight? (sounds like these passengers wouldn't have stopped even with that threat)

Seriously? They have plenty of options, from actually speaking to the unruly passengers, to having a pilot intervene, diverting the flight, physically restraining passengers, having law enforcement meet them at arrival, etc. If what the OP posted is true, nothing was done.

 

[alaska8]

Seriously? They have plenty of options, from actually speaking to the unruly passengers, to having a pilot intervene, diverting the flight, physically restraining passengers, having law enforcement meet them at arrival, etc. If what the OP posted is true, nothing was done.

Actually no we dont have many options....yes we can speak to a passenger, no pilots cannot intervene (not allowed to leave the flight deck for that anymore), no to diverting the flight (unless its medical, mechanical or deemed a terrorist threat...unscheduled heavy landings have their own safety issues) If its a threat to crew and other passengers (not just an annoyance) then we do have a last resort of restraining a passenger but its a last resort. Yes we can have law enforcement meet the flight but there are jurisdiction issues and to be honest what are you going to say to them......yes these passengers were annoying other passengers but there were no physical threats etc

 

[JQuest]

I'm not a drinker since they tend to put me to sleep and this is why i always take the complimentary drink they offer on flights. Wake me when it's over svp.

 

[TLSnell1981]

I'm not a drinker since they tend to put me to sleep and this is why i always take the complimentary drink they offer on flights. Wake me when it's over svp.

We put on headsets and fell asleep. Unfortunately, DH was awakened, after being smacked on the head...twice. I think, my "mother sensor" woke me up....toddler roaming the aisles.

I will send a complaint, but I doubt the airline cares. The screwed up flight changes (with no good way to contact the airlines from Europe) doesn't bother them. I could have called, but my cell charges a $1 a minute, plus Delta has a per minute fee...ugh.

 

[seashoreCM]

We put on headsets and fell asleep. Unfortunately, DH was awakened, after being smacked on the head...twice. I think, my "mother sensor" woke me up....toddler roaming the aisles.

I will send a complaint, but I doubt the airline cares. The screwed up flight changes (with no good way to contact the airlines from Europe) doesn't bother them....

1. This is one where you could have tried to file assault charges.
2. When you write your complaint letter, include a request for some compensation. The primary reason for that is to make heads upstairs roll.