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

[sweet angel]

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.

I didn't even know until November that animals were allowed in the cabin! I thought they had to be in cargo. This woman told me that Spirit allows 2 animals per flight. If they are in the cabin, they must be in a carrier and must have a ticket. She was in first class, so maybe I just assumed that it had to be first class.

 

[Chicago526]

First of all, I think all children should be required to have a seat for safety reasons. It is just not SAFE to have a child unrestrained on an aircraft. Heaven forbid, but if there is bad turbulance, and emergency landing, or even a crash, that kid doesn't stand a chance! The odds are low of that happening, but there is still a chance it could. On most (not all but most) airlines you can get a seat for a child under 2 for half the adult fare. So even though Mom and Dad used miles for their seats, they could have bought two seats for the price of one for the kids. Or they could have sat in coach and used miles for all four of them.

Or they could have done what MY parents did when they went to Hawaii, and leave the kids with Grandma and Grandpa for the week!

However, since they aren't required, while having two 22 month old lap babies on an 10+ hour flight isn't a great idea, it is their right. As a fellow passenger I wouldn't be happy, but what could I do about it?

Come to think of it, on all the flights I've been on to Orlando, I've never had a problem with fellow toddlers or babies on the flights. So either I'm lucky or oblivious!

 

[QT Pooh]

Personally, I would much prefer to be on a long flight next to 22 month old twins than some drunk who insists he'll make me a member of the mile high club before the flight's over.

 

[Bob Slydell]

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.

Do they travel with 22 month olds?

 

[DawnCt1]

Do they travel with 22 month olds?

No, but I think that there is a "message" there about the kind of atmosphere that that particular airline wants to maintain in first class.

 

[DawnCt1]

Or they could have done what MY parents did when they went to Hawaii, and leave the kids with Grandma and Grandpa for the week!

!

Actually for many families, that isn't an option. My children used to stay with my mother when they were younger but my dear MIL made it clear that she doesn't "babysit". ...but she is another thread.

 

[Bob Slydell]

No, but I think that there is a "message" there about the kind of atmosphere that that particular airline wants to maintain in first class.

...for people who either work for the airline, or represent the airline in some capacity, not all passengers.

Besides, what if the toddlers are dressed well?

 

[Maleficent13]

Okay, Bob...I was doing so well not responding to this thread until I read your responses. Then I spit pop on the monitor!

 

[Briarmom]

Personally, I would much prefer to be on a long flight next to 22 month old twins than some drunk who insists he'll make me a member of the mile high club before the flight's over.

Amen!
The only annoying travelers we encountered on our last flights (to and from WDW, so FULL of kids) were adults.
The men who suck their snot up their noses and make that 'throw up noise' afterwards (how do their wives put up with it?). The lady who asked if our son had enough sugar, while we were still inside the airport and she was taking up 4 seats the Sunday after Thanksgiving. This same lady got on the plane and put her feet up between the seats of the people in front of her and slammed back on the person behind her. There were others.
I don't know why people are so concerned about how other people are spending their vacation. My kids are going to see the Pyramids and cruise the Nile. Will they be too young to do so? DD will be, but we will be there, and I am not going to miss it. We will go to as many places as we can, because WE don't want to miss the experiences.
For all of you who wonder about the safety of a child flying without a seatbelt, do your kids ride the bus when they're at WDW? Buses don't have seatbelts, and, with the possible exception of severe turbulence, a seatbelt is not going to save you on an airplane. Not to mention that 2 year olds can climb right out of those loose belts.

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

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.

I think I know that airline as my BIL works for it and when Sis' comes to my house--she always has to have a "dress code" outfit handy, just in case.

 

[cardaway]

I'm mixed on this one at this point so I will ask a question.

Do some of the airlines have a no child rule in first class?

If no, then I would have to side with the parents. As a passenger however I would be hard pressed to understand what I have seen on every flight I have been on. Everything they do seems to be directed at creating a divide between 1st and coach. If all the rules are the same is sure makes that curtain seem more silly than ever.

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

No, but I think that there is a "message" there about the kind of atmosphere that that particular airline wants to maintain in first class.

If it is the same airline--it has nothing some much to do with the first class thing as they don't want a representative (or relative) of the airline looking like a slob. Basically--they wish to convey a certain message that on and off the clock, the employees (and families of the airline) are professional.

Come to think of it--I think my sister has to dress appropriately no matter which class of travel if she didn't pay for the ticket outright herself.

And I agree--this has nothing to do with the toddler.

 

[DawnCt1]

Amen!

For all of you who wonder about the safety of a child flying without a seatbelt, do your kids ride the bus when they're at WDW? Buses don't have seatbelts, and, with the possible exception of severe turbulence, a seatbelt is not going to save you on an airplane. Not to mention that 2 year olds can climb right out of those loose belts.

Buses either crash....or they don't. Turbulance, even mild turbulance can drop an aircraft a couple of hundred feet in a second. A restraint will prevent you from hitting the ceiling. Two year olds can climb our of those loose belts but they can't can so easily climb out of their car seat. We always took our car seats on the plane and used it. This isn't just my "opinion". The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that all children of any age be restrained on all air craft.

 

[Briarmom]

If it is the same airline--it has nothing some much to do with the first class thing as they don't want a representative (or relative) of the airline looking like a slob. Basically--they wish to convey a certain message, should that message pop up during conversation.

Come to think of it--I think my sister has to dress appropriately no matter which class of travel if she didn't pay for the ticket outright herself.

And I agree--this has nothing to do with the toddler.

Yep, you have to 'dress' to fly no matter the class. My Grandparents always have to wear nice outfits and rarely do they get seated in first class.

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

Buses either crash....or they don't. Turbulance, even mild turbulance can drop an aircraft a couple of hundred feet in a second. A restraint will prevent you from hitting the ceiling. Two year olds can climb our of those loose belts but they can't can so easily climb out of their car seat. We always took our car seats on the plane and used it. This isn't just my "opinion". The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that all children of any age be restrained on all air craft.

You can use a tether in flight. We used it on British airways.

And as my mom said--a plane going down in the middle of the Atlantic, a car seat won't do diddly. I have to say that it put it into perspective when we opted to not carry the car seat on our trip just for the airplane.

 

[Briarmom]

Buses either crash....or they don't. Turbulance, even mild turbulance can drop an aircraft a couple of hundred feet in a second. A restraint will prevent you from hitting the ceiling. Two year olds can climb our of those loose belts but they can't can so easily climb out of their car seat. We always took our car seats on the plane and used it. This isn't just my "opinion". The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that all children of any age be restrained on all air craft.

That's all fine and good, but it is not the law. I have taken the carseat to restrain my dd and it is a pain. Running to catch a flight with a 20 pound carseat strapped to your back, pushing a stroller, and trying to drag your sleepy 6 year old by the arm is not great. But I brought it to make her more comfy. After this trip to WDW, I doubt I'll bring it again, as she was fine without it. Not to mention (as I said before) that when she is in the carseat, she can kick the back of the seat without effort, and then I'd have some 'DISlike' person ticked off at me.
Again, sometimes people can't afford another seat. We have never lived close to my family and we've had to fly to get home. Two tickets from Alaska weren't in the budget until they had to be.

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

And not to mention this--but on some airlines--car seats don't even fit in the plane seats at all and become basically useless weights to carry through the airport. this is mostly on puddle jumper flights--but sometimes when you must get to a destination--they don't exactly give you the widest choices of aircraft.

 

[DawnCt1]

Just checked in on the Fodor's thread. Seems like there are a few "elitists" there that wouldn't be happy with two toddlers. Actually, someone pointed out that 2 lap babies may not be allowed in the same row because there is only one extra oxygen mask per row. I don't know if that is true or not but if it is, it means that a parent and a toddler will be seated with another passenger.
Recommendations seem to be along the lines of: "settle for a condo with older decor and spend the $$ saved on seats, to redeposit the miles and get four coach seats. www.fodors.com Go to talk, search Hawaii. I can't get the actual thread to link.

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

Dawn that is a valid point. You are correct--only 1 lap baby is permitted per seat row b/c of only 1 oxygen mask. So the parents will not be able to sit together.

 

[mtemm]

Actually, someone pointed out that 2 lap babies may not be allowed in the same row because there is only one extra oxygen mask per row. I don't know if that is true or not but if it is, it means that a parent and a toddler will be seated with another passenger.

From what I understand that is true. Lots of parents on my twins board who choose to go the lap-baby route are separated because only one extra oxygen mask. We have yet to fly with our kids (20 month old twins and a 3 year old) but I think if we were to fly I'd definitely go for the seats, if only for the safety reasons. I can't even imagine trying to have my 20 month old twins on our laps right now. makes me both laugh and cringe just thinking about it.

I have no problem with babies in first class...we had one fly back from CA in our first class cabin a few months ago. I was just happy that any fussing had nothing to do with me, I could just relax.