child over 2 in lap

[justhat]

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[Julia M]

I don't really know the answer to this one.......I do know, that when my husband flew with ds in July (who was 11), we were told to bring his birth certificate. However, they didn't look at it. This was Southwest Airlines.

I would call Southwest myself and ask for their policy, and what might happen.

I would NOT be happy to be the person who got stuck next to the adult holding a child who was that big!

Julia

 

[mrszrw]

I flew with my freind and her 1 1/2 year lap baby in Sept. on southwest.

THEY WILL ASK FOR PROOF OF AGE AT THE TICKET COUNTER FOR A LAP BABY.

If the child is over two they will have to buy a ticket that day or the 2 1/2 year can't go. so it will be cheeper to buy the ticket now.

if my friend had to do all over agian she would have gotten a seat. The child did not want to be held for two hours on a plane. I guess at that age they are learning about personal space and they want it.

good luck getting them to buy a seat.


ps. If it was me and my neice I would buy her a seat just for safey sake. I woulnd't care that my SIL was to cheap to proctect her. If I didn't have the money I would still find a way but like I said that just me

 

[jel0511]

Will they stop them from boarding and ask for proof of age?

Yes, most likely they will. Southwest is notorious for asking for proof of age for children under 2, which means they would have to produce a birth certificate. Which obviously would show she's over 2.

What would happen if they find out she's over 2, can they just buy a ticket there or whill they not be allowed to fly?

They would be required to purchase a ticket for their child, which most likely would be Southwest's highest fare. Now, there is also a problem, since most of Southwest's planes fly full, there is a posibility the flight will be full and they won't be able to get a ticket on that flight. Meaning, they'd either have to not fly, or try to get on a later flight that day.

You should let them know that this isn't some type of arbitrary rule, it's an FAA regulation that anyone over the age of 2 occupy their own seat. EVEN if they can possibly get past the check-in agent they still have to get past the flight attendent, and that most likely won't happen.

 

[Stimpy]

I don't know if anyone here has been watching the Airline show on A&E but they have already had that on twice! The show is about Southwest Airlines and they had two instances where they asked for proof of the child's age. They went so far as to call the hospital where the baby was born! Since they couldn't provide proof of age they were forced to purchase at ticket at the "walk-up" rate.

As some one who always purchased a seat for DS when he was under 2 and will do the same with our next baby, I thought this was really funny! (Since Southwest does make very clear that you will have to provide proof of age)

BTW, we have booked our own tickets online and called about the child fare for 2-11 yr olds and it was cheaper to get DS an adult promotional fare ticket. Just keep an on on the promotional fares, Southwest seems to offer them quite often.

 

[Bird-Mom]

In my days as a travel agent, I often had to deal with this...sigh. Is the child verbal? Does she know how old she is? Nothing like the jolt into reality that they parents will get if the ticket agent asks the girl how old she is and she answers 2! That happened to 2 sets of clients who booked at my office. They were forced to purchase a full coach fare or not go on the trip.

I always refused to book underhandedly like that if I knew the truth. There is no way a child that size will be mistaken for under 2. She is about the same size as my dd who is 22 months and is often mistaken for over 2.

 

[CEDmom]

If the child doesn't have a ticket her parents are in for a rude awakening when they arrive at the airport. It might be possible to pull this off if she was small for her age but not if she looks like a 4 yo. Also, my 4 yo is about the same size as this child and I can't imagine having her sit on my lap for a few hours even if it was allowed. Finally, the best way to have a 2 yo stay in an airplane seat is to bring her carseat on the plane.

 

[tw1nsmom]

Just another note on the Southwest show. The children who they made the parents buy a seat for didn't look like they were over two. They still required proof of age. I think the only way that they don't ask for a birth certificate is if you have purchased a seat or if the child is a small infant. There is no way that they will allow a child that size to be a lap baby. If you saw other larger children sitting on their parents laps during a flight, then they were either really large children with proof of age or the parents had bought a seat for them, but were holding them on their laps during flight for comfort. This could turn into a really ugly situation at check-in. With all the post 9-11 security procedures, I wouldn't be surpised if SW is allowed to deny boarding to the child and parents for lying to an airline official.

 

[Jordan's MOM]

I agree with mrszrw, if it were my niece, I would just go ahead and buy her a seat. I have bought bunches of stuff for my now 18 year old niece, because she NEEDED those things. I would also try really hard to try to make them understand how dangerous this can be. We were buying tickets to fly across country almost 10 years ago when nobody encouraged parents to buy seats for under two babies. My DS was not quite two and the airlines assured us there was no reason to buy him a seat. A few months before the trip, there was a emergancy landing with a plane. The only person seriously hurt and the child did not end up surviving, was a lap baby. The anouncer said there was no way an adult could have held onto the child during that landing. A car seat on the plane would have saved her life. After that there was no way we were getting on a plane with out a seat for my son. Rules aside, it's a safety issue . Besides, I would not want to be embarrassed by the confrontation they will get at the airport.

Good luck.

Jordan's mom

 

[4greatboys]

We normally fly SWA. Its been our experience flying with 2 small kiddos the dont normally ask for the birth certificate when the baby is small--like under a year. But once they kids start getting a little bigger they do ask for the birth certificate. On our last flight my youngest was 19 months, and he doenst look 2, they did ask to see it. These people are just setting themselves up for some bad times. The odds are they are going to be ask and then they will have to buy a seat. They should buy it now while they can get it cheaper.

 

[NotUrsula]

Once, during a weather delay (carseat and DS' ticket in hand), I conversationally asked a SWA gate agent about how they decide when to "card" lap babies. She told me that most agents use a "standing" rule. If a child is able to stand, they will always ask; if he is obviously not able to walk yet, they *might* not bother.

These folks are just begging to experience an expensive and humiliating scene at the airport. Get the extra ticket at the best price you can, ahead of time.

(PS: it is true that they don't ask for ID for older children, but that's because those kids have a purchased seat. The TSA photo ID rule applies to passengers age 16 and above on domestic flights, younger kids are not thought to be a threat. If had an old-looking preteen, I'd bring some sort of ID along just to avoid and possible hassles.)

 

[gary4jenn]

I would call and ask again about a child's fare. If it's listed on their web site then it should be available.

I've never flown on SW air but in Minneapolis, on Northwest i paid for a ticket for my 17 mo old son for 1/2 the adult ticket price.

Also, be sure to bring a FAA approved car seat! Look for a sticker on the car seat as they may check at the gate as well.

 

[justhat]

I discussed your experiences with my fiancé and we decided to call SW again to try to get the child fare, but again we got the same rate as the adult fare. The only difference is that it is fully refundable, which won't matter much to them. We'd love to buy her a ticket since they don't want to, but right now that's not really an option for us since our first baby is due in March and with all the expenses associated with babies and their gear, plus paying for our own tickets, my mother's, and the baby's for May and June, we don't really have an extra money right now. We're hoping that telling them your stories about people getting asked for proof of age will convince them that it's not an option, but any other ideas are welcome!

Oh yeah, the kids I have seen who were well over 2 without a seat were not on SW, which could be the explanation. I, unfortunately, was in the row with a 4-5 year old lap baby and on another flight my mom got stuck sitting next to one. So I can empathize with whoever would have to sit in their row, another good reason to get a seat!

 

[bjakmom]

Perhaps it would help if they knew the procedure for lap babies in emergency landing situations!! When DS was 5 mos old (14.5 yrs ago) and travelling as a lap baby we had an emergency landing (landing gear was stuck) coming into Chicago from LA (Disneyland trip). Those of us with lap babies were forced ! (the stewardesses are not inclined to argue their point with you under these circumstances!) to place our babies/children on the floor between our feet while we assumed crash position of placing our arms against the seat in front of us and our heads in our hands. Quick reality check - this is how lap babies end up being found in the luggage compartments, etc., after a crash or rough landing!! There is no way that you can hold an infant safely in this position - and using our baby sling was absolutely prohibited! We were fortunate on that landing, but once you've been through it, you realize that the risk is NEVER worth the possible consequence - especially to save $$ - if I can't afford a seat for an infant or child, I will drive, not fly!

When flying with my 4 1/2 mos old granddaughter last week, Spirit thoroughly checked our car seat to make sure it was acceptable and the check in, security, and gate person each insisted on taking a long look at her, too, while they were checking our ID's (with enhanced security comes increased scrutiny!) Hope you can convince your family - but we all know that some people will only learn by experience - so if you can't, be sure you're not in a position to be penalized by their actions and decisions - Good Luck (and have a great trip) !!

 

[disneymom3]

I have never flown on Southwest but have flown several times with all of my kids and whenever we get the under two fare--they ALWAYS have their own seat--we are asked for proof of age. This has happened on Northwest, Continental, Delta and something or other that flies into Pittsburgh--can't remember who they were. Anyway, I agree with the poster who said they don't "card" them when they have a regular seat because they don't care how old they are then, but even on the under two half price type deals, they want the proof. No way are they going to get that kid on the plane as a lap baby.

In my opinion it would serve them right to have an uncomfortable confrontation at the airport. They are being selfish and putting their child in danger. If they can't afford the ticket for a child who is legally required to have one, they shouldn't go. That's understandable, we all have budgets to consider, but it's going to cost a lot more to try to sneak her on!

 

[jodifla]

I do think a lot of people try to not buy a seat for a 2 to 3 year old, though. I have co-worker who flies a lot and they are still flying with their 2 year old on their laps, to save the money. When it's hundreds of dollars of savings, people are tempted to make those kinds of decision. It would be good if there were reduced-price fairs for children.

 

[lovesdumbo]

Just want to say that it was worth my call to Delta when I bought my tickets for our trip earlier this month. I thought all airlines were like SW-just a discount off full rate fare but I got the same rates as on the internet for all the rest of us- $215 out of Logan and paid $116 for my 1 year old. (I could have gotten cheaper flights but these were the exact times we wanted and no connections.)

I can't imagine flying with the baby on my lap or flying without a car seat for her or her 3 year old brother.

 

[NotUrsula]

I got a child's fare on Delta

Actually, that's technically an infant fare; it only applies for children under age 2. Delta does not offer a "child's fare" on domestic flights for children 2 and older (they do on some overseas flights, though.)

SWA also has a discounted infant fare for children under 2. They also mention a "child's fare" on the website, but it's not clear if that's just another name for an infant fare. Various spots on their website mention an "infant fare" for under-2's, a "child's fare", and a "youth fare" for ages 11-22, but there is no clear explanation of the age group that defines a "child's fare." (Note that all those fares are discounted off the fully-refundable ticket price, aka, the "walkup price", which is the highest in their fare structure.) I've never had occasion to purchase any of the special-class fares on SWA, as their internet specials are always the cheapest fares available, and those are what I buy when I'm the one buying. However, my curiousity has been piqued now, so I sent SWA a letter to ask for clarification. I'll post an update when I get an answer.

 

[castlegazer]

Originally posted by bjakmom
Those of us with lap babies were forced ! (the stewardesses are not inclined to argue their point with you under these circumstances!) to place our babies/children on the floor between our feet while we assumed crash position of placing our arms against the seat in front of us and our heads in our hands. Quick reality check - this is how lap babies end up being found in the luggage compartments, etc., after a crash or rough landing!!

OH MY GOD - wait, I can't stress that enough - OH MY GOD

I have always bought a seat for my DS due to safety but I had not put two and two together to think through emergency landings, only turbulance - this thread and your SIL are really making me mad I just don't get people

 

[justhat]

NotUrsula, I found this on the SW website:

Accompanied children ages two through 11 will be charged the applicable Child's Fare for the flight (does not apply to unaccompanied children ages five through 11).

We called and asked about this fare, hoping it would be cheap enough that they would buy it or at least if they won't if it were cheap enough we could buy it for them. The agents we spoke with (we called twice) had never heard of this fare, but gave us the rate for the infant fare, which is the same price as the adult internet fare, not that she qualifies for that anyway since she's over 2. We even offered to pay for half of it last night, but they say it's just the principal that she won't even use the seat so why get it (and really, they can afford the seat, they're not poverty stricken).

Disneymom3, thanks, I didn't know that they 'carded' under 2s who purchased a seat as well. I don't think it will be an issue for us yet since our daughter will only be 2 and 3 months old on our May and June trips so I doubt they'd ask, but we are planning for next April, when she'll be 13 months so I guess we'll need proof of age then for her under 2 fare.