Debate? Should 22 month olds be "lap babies in First Class?

[DawnCt1]

Why on earth not? Children newborn and up live in Hawaii after all.

Because its a very expensive trip for a family of six and it takes a lot of sky miles to get there if one isn't purchasing the tickets. We thought, when we planned it, that it would be our only family trip to Hawaii and we wanted to do a lot of hiking, sightseeing and touring. The areas that we were very interested in wouldn't have been as accessible or as rigorous with a younger child. Its also a 13 hour trip. I don't think my opinion is "out there". I know a lot of families who won't go to WDW with a very young child because for many families, its a once in a life time opportunity.

 

[DawnCt1]

But it sounds like what you are trying to do is restrict who is or isn't first class material, based on your standards, and that's elitist.

No, not at all. The miles for two first class seats equal four coach seats. It makes much more sense to me, for safety reasons as well as the sanity of everyone involved to get those four coach seats. Do I want to sit next to 2 lap toddlers however for 13 hours, no matter where they sit? No way!

 

[DawnCt1]

For me, the important part of this thread is that the parents had enough FF points to get seats for their toddlers if they all sat in coach, but chose to sit in first class instead. I think something is wrong with their priorities if they would use all those points to get whatever perks they get in first class over a seat belt for their kids.

I absolutely agree.

 

[sweet angel]

How come dogs need their own seat, but babies don't? The lady I was talking to in the airport said that for her to fly with her dog, she has to fly 1st class, and the dog has to purchase a ticket for his own seat.

 

[swilphil]

Some people seem to think that First Class tickets entitle them to a flight free from the "common people," which apparently includes toddlers. It doesn't. You get all sorts of perks in First Class, but you don't get to choose who else flies in that section. All parents have the right to choose when they fly with their children, where they fly, and how they fly, as long as it meets the federal guidelines. If you want a flight without little kids, book a charter.

 

[safetymom]

I don't fly in first class to avoid the common folk. I expect no matter where I sit on a plane that people and children behave. It seems in first that most parents leave their parenting skills in the terminal.

First class on most flights anymore don't have many perks but I would expect that parents tend to their children.

 

[Toby'sFriend]

First class on most flights anymore don't have many perks but I would expect that parents tend to their children.

Well, the kid is going to be plopped right on their lap, chances are pretty good that if they are fussy the parents will notice. Hey, at least in First class it isn't like you are going to be sandwiched between them. They most likely will be sitting aisle and window right next to each other, with the kids on their laps.

I agree that I most likely would want the child in their own seat. When my oldest was a baby I flew from Colorado to Chicago with a baby on my lap and ended up with a huge bruise on my stomach from where he kicked at me the entire flight. At that point I swore, never again. But that is my choice, as long as they are following regulations, I don't have the right to dictate that they follow my choices.

And I certainly don't have the right to ditctate that people I don't like aren't allowed to be near me on airplanes. I don't like to spend my time fretting about problems that haven't even happened but that I think might ruin my vacation. Nothing will ruin a vacation more than going into it with a negative attitude.

 

[safetymom]

Trust me that I have seen too many clueless parents in first with lap children. The parents are too busy chatting with each other, drinking, watching the movie. Their children are hopping up and down on the seat, hanging over the seat, running down the aisle.

 

[Alicnwondrln]

i cant imagine flying my son on my lap
DH wanted to i said no and bought a ticket
if they can fly 1st class they should have bought there kids seats and all sat in coach cuz its the right thing to do
for your KIDS so there safe and happy and im nervous that the baby will be bad when we fly in 2 weeks and ill be saying sorry to everyone on the plane i would be embarrassed
if they had 4 seats in 1st class then good for them and there kids
but i think doinf it this was wrong

 

[yeartolate]

No, not at all. The miles for two first class seats equal four coach seats. It makes much more sense to me, for safety reasons as well as the sanity of everyone involved to get those four coach seats.

But the question you posed was not in consideration of safety issues. It had to do with do lap babies belong in first class. That is elitest in my book.

Now pose a different debate about whether lap babies should be allowed at all I would give a resounding "keep those little buggers properly restrained in a safety seat next to their parents." The turbulence can be rough at times

But do they belong in first class because someone saved their miles for a long time to earn that bit of luxury? Yup - just as much as they belong in coach.

Aside from that, I still say that I have been bothered more by whiny demanding adults on planes more than I have ever been disturbed by a baby,

 

[DawnCt1]

But the question you posed was not in consideration of safety issues. It had to do with do lap babies belong in first class. That is elitest in my book.

Now pose a different debate about whether lap babies should be allowed at all I would give a resounding "keep those little buggers properly restrained in a safety seat next to their parents." The turbulence can be rough at times

But do they belong in first class because someone saved their miles for a long time to earn that bit of luxury? Yup - just as much as they belong in coach.

Aside from that, I still say that I have been bothered more by whiny demanding adults on planes more than I have ever been disturbed by a baby,

Elitist? I don't think so. I just wouldn't want to sit near a family of four stuffed into two seats. First class or the cockpit! Well, maybe in the cockpit. I wouldn't have noticed the post on Fodors at all if the parents had said that they have four first class seats to accommodate their family.
I too have been bothered by adults on planes more often. More adults fly.
Pet peeve? Wider passengers who think that they can raise the arm between seats and ooze onto my seat. That's a big NO NO.

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

Because its a very expensive trip for a family of six and it takes a lot of sky miles to get there if one isn't purchasing the tickets. We thought, when we planned it, that it would be our only family trip to Hawaii and we wanted to do a lot of hiking, sightseeing and touring. The areas that we were very interested in wouldn't have been as accessible or as rigorous with a younger child. Its also a 13 hour trip. I don't think my opinion is "out there". I know a lot of families who won't go to WDW with a very young child because for many families, its a once in a life time opportunity.

That makes sense--but you wrote it off as it was an inappropriate trip--period. I don't think any destination is ever inappropriate if you want to take kids along--just have to modify. I can see your point though as for most it is a once in a lifetime experience and you want to knock out as much as you can while there and if your "things to do interest" cannot be modified, then small children could certainly be a hinderance to the trip.

We are going in October for 2 weeks and at present the budget is $3500 inclusive (courtesy of Hilton Honors Points, Skymiles, and whatever car rental place my hubby has membership (I think Hertz)--up to 2 weeks free rental car ).

 

[DawnCt1]

And I certainly don't have the right to ditctate that people I don't like aren't allowed to be near me on airplanes. I don't like to spend my time fretting about problems that haven't even happened but that I think might ruin my vacation. Nothing will ruin a vacation more than going into it with a negative attitude.

I checked. They aren't booked on my flight. No "fretting here".

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

How come dogs need their own seat, but babies don't? The lady I was talking to in the airport said that for her to fly with her dog, she has to fly 1st class, and the dog has to purchase a ticket for his own seat.

I have never heard of any airline requiring first class travel for pets. Maybe it is just the airlines I fly--but pets must fit in a small carrier and stow under the seat.

The only large pets allowed would be service dogs--and it would make sense they purchase a seat as a reasonable accomodation--b/c puppy isn't going to fit on the lap and can't hang out in the aisle.

 

[TnKrBeLlA012]

I agree they should have had their own seats. I'm sure they probably would have ended up on the parents lap anyway. They were probably thinking that having the first class seats would give them more room so they didn't need to purchase extra seats. They were thinking more about their costs and their comfort. They probably didn't even consider what anyone in first class was going to think. They probably didn't even care. I going to be real honest. If I had a first class seat given to me and I had my two year old I would have sat there with her on my lap. The difference being I would have not taken her on a plane for thirteen hours and I would not let her get out of control. I'm the kind of parent who does not like to make a scene. I do care what people think. I don't let my kids scream and act up in public. I leave the area if it does happen. I don't become oblivious to what is happening. Not everyone is like that. So your only hope is when you board the plane for a long flight, cross your fingers your not sitting close to small children. I know I always did. Don't you also love when the person in front of you puts their seat back in the coach section? You have such little space as it is and then you have to have them on your lap. The only good part is hopefully your going to a great destination. You soon will forget. Until you have to board the plane home.

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

Trust me that I have seen too many clueless parents in first with lap children. The parents are too busy chatting with each other, drinking, watching the movie. Their children are hopping up and down on the seat, hanging over the seat, running down the aisle.

Then in their best "Disney style" speak--the flight attendant should be saying something to the parents.


"I'm sorry sir/ma'am..but junior cannot run around the aisles as he is disturbing other passengers. We have some wonderful activities for him to enjoy if you just request that he returns to his seat. We have the Wall Street Journal, childrens edition as well as an assortment of juice boxes. If you are unwilling to comply--we do have a special seating area on the wing for him if that would be more to you liking."

 

[DawnCt1]

That makes sense--but you wrote it off as it was an inappropriate trip--period. I don't think any destination is ever inappropriate if you want to take kids along--just have to modify. I can see your point though as for most it is a once in a lifetime experience and you want to knock out as much as you can while there and if your "things to do interest" cannot be modified, then small children could certainly be a hinderance to the trip.

We are going in October for 2 weeks and at present the budget is $3500 inclusive (courtesy of Hilton Honors Points, Skymiles, and whatever car rental place my hubby has membership (I think Hertz)--up to 2 weeks free rental car ).

No, I just didn't elaborate. I have seen lots of small children in Hawaii and most of the hotels and resorts do a wonderful job offering activities for keikis. Hawaii is definately "kid friendly". Many of the hotel pools have slides and play areas that rival Disney's. Of course, if one is flying from the west coast, the demands of the trip are a lot less. There are things however that children are restricted from due to age. The mule ride to Kaulapapa on Molokai, the trip to the observatory on Mauna Kea require participants be over the age of 16. Hiking across the lava fields would be extremely hazardous with a very young child.

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

No, I just didn't elaborate. I have seen lots of small children in Hawaii and most of the hotels and resorts do a wonderful job offering activities for keikis. Hawaii is definately "kid friendly". Many of the hotel pools have slides and play areas that rival Disney's. Of course, if one is flying from the west coast, the demands of the trip are a lot less. There are things however that children are restricted from due to age. The mule ride to Kaulapapa on Molokai, the trip to the observatory on Mauna Kea require participants be over the age of 16. Hiking across the lava fields would be extremely hazardous with a very young child.

We're going to Oahu--so no worries about that .

 

[scubamouse]

when we adopted DS we flew business class from JFk to moscow. we used miles we'd earned traveling. on the way back he was with us and a 12 mos old lap baby. we had bulkhead seats and were able to keep DS in our space.

while we were flying back (5 hours into our flight), the attacks at WTC and pentagon occured and we spent the next 5 days in Dublin trying to get back to the US and wondering what happened to family and friends working at ground zero. DS was with us in first class for each of the 3 flights, train ride and taxi it took us to get home in those days.

fortunately he got more ooohs and ahhs from people than indignation about where he was sitting.

kids don't bother me on flights. people spilling over into my seats and snorers bother me.

 

[DawnCt1]

My 16 year old niece goes to Hawaii annually with one of her friends. Her friend's father works for "the airline". They pay the appropriate taxes and fly free always with the option of first class seats when available. The airline is very specific about the dress code however. She must "dress up" for the flight. I know that she wears a skirt, or a pants suit, etc. If they aren't dressed within the dress code, they will not be upgraded.