Delta "Family Seating"

[my2minnies]

I could just as easily make the argument that those saying that allowing an eight year old to sit away from a parent (as has been said here) or that it is unpardonable for people not to move for children are lashing out so that no one can call them a helicopter parent.

Again, it goes both ways.

That is my point as well. It is the people who are so proud of their independent children are the ones that are SO angry with the parents that simply want to sit with their children. This is what the original post is about. If one wants to assume that these parents are creating needy, emotionally backwards children, then on the other side of the debate is that those parents who don't care where their child sit are actually creating children that are uncared for. An eight year old is a child no matter what some may think.

If people can criticize others parenting styles, then they should be surprised when others are criticizing theirs.

 

[my2minnies]

Because you posted them without including the post that I was commenting on. The words by themselves mean absolutely nothing unless you understand 'why' they were being said. I'm talking 'full' context.

But of course you know that. You did it the way you did because you knew it made me 'look' bad. But anyone who has truly followed the thread knows how each of those comments came about.

And, no, I personally don't believe that replying rudely to someone who is known to throw snide rude comments around at others is out of line. 'They' get what they sow. Maybe if they start to see how it feels they'll knock it off and play nice. I try very hard never to come out swinging without what I believe to be a good reason. On occasion I do lose my head but when I do I generally end up apologizing in the end. Many posters here know that.


ETA: I once had people jump all over me becasue I decided to keep my son out of K until 6 instead of sending him at 5. This, a child who has a life threatening medical condition (we're a Make a Wish family...that's how I found the DIS). The cr* that was thrown my way. The accusations. It was disgusting. It was that experience that made me extremely sensitive to the holier than thou crowd.....the I parent so much better than you crowd....... I'm sorry, I can't just sit by and watch it happen to others. I just want people to allow others to make their own decisions for their families without being subject to the attitude. It's generally not necessary to jump into a thread that's discussing A so that you can tell everyone that you believe B. When people do it, unless they are very careful about how they do it, they are generally trying to make some sort of statement. And when the ship eventually sinks....they really have no one to blame but themselves.

I know exactly what you are saying and who you are referring too. I have been reading these boards daily for almost 10 years now and hardly ever post. I only post in response to those holier than thou people you refer to. In the 10 years I have been on here it has been the same people criticizing parents for their choices over and over again. It get extremely tiring. Any airplane seat problem or stroller question bring out an onslaught of vitriol against any parent that may want to make their child's (and their own) lives easier. Honestly who cares. I know why you are responding and I know why I am responding, but some people will never "figure" it out.

 

[crashbb]

That is my point as well. It is the people who are so proud of their independent children are the ones that are SO angry with the parents that simply want to sit with their children. This is what the original post is about. If one wants to assume that these parents are creating needy, emotionally backwards children, then on the other side of the debate is that those parents who don't care where their child sit are actually creating children that are uncared for. An eight year old is a child no matter what some may think.

If people can criticize others parenting styles, then they should be surprised when others are criticizing theirs.

I'm not sure why you quoted me, say "That is my point as well" and then proceed, yet again, to suggest that the only people in this thread who are criticizing others are the ones suggesting that not all children need to sit beside a parent. That is NOT my point at all.

My point is that BOTH sides in this thread/debate are just as guilty as the other in terms of being judgemental and rude.

And when you call parents who are okay with their child sitting away from them neglectful, then you shouldn't be surprised when your parenting choices are criticized.

And the original post wasn't just about wanting to sit next to your children. It was about moving other people so that one could do so - and it is that, that most people "on the other side" are against. The quoted is the bit to which people were responding.

She said that Delta has what they call “family seating” (in the rear of the aircraft, naturally) where they will rearrange other travelers to ensure that families are able to sit together. Personally, I’m not crazy about sitting in the back of the plane, but I’d rather be back there and sitting with both of my kids than up front with them in different rows!

 

[Schmeck]

Contrary to you assumption, I did buy my tickets and book my seats weeks ago with Expedia. However, for whatever reason, my seat reservations were not put into Delta’s system. Which meant Expedia and I thought I had seats assigned, but Delta did not.





Thanks for sharing your uninformed opinion with us, but neither of my children would be fine sitting with strangers. We don’t fly all the time. In fact, the 8 year old hasn’t flown since she was 3 and the 6 year old was 19 months old on her last flight. As far as they are concerned, this is a “first flight” for them since they don’t remember the earlier flights. Add that to the fact that both have separation/abandonment/anxiety issues and you can see why it is essential that I be able to sit with both children. (BTW, the available seats when I called were all in different rows, all middle seats, and none less than 3 rows away from each other.)

The point of my posting this message was not to warn others that if they choose seats in the family section that they may be moved (closer to the front) but to let other families know to 1) check with your airline to confirm your seating arrangements if you purchased through someone other than the airline and 2) ask about family seating if they tell you there are no seats together.

It would have helped if you had put that info in your initial post.

In some planes, there are four seats across, so one of your children would have to sit next to a stranger. Same as on a Disney bus - lots of strangers there, good luck!

While most of the posts talked about children getting seated rather far away from a parent, all I did was suggest a possible alternative to 3 in a row, which has worked quite well for us in the past.

I also pointed out how I would react to having been moved from the seats I made sure to book (knowing that the airline does have the right to reshuffle, due to plane changes, etc) so that another family could sit together, while mine was split apart. Wouldn't that make you angry? I'd be upset if I wasn't in an aisle seat too, due to anxiety issues I have while flying (although my meds are great, so that's less of an issue now).

I book through the airline, check frequently for changes, and I contact the airline to make sure they are aware that we need at least one aisle seat, for me. If Delta has a policy of moving people so older kids (those over the legal age to fly without a parent/guardian) can sit with parents, I will stay away from Delta. Especially on Orlando-bound flights, where almost everyone onboard is there with family.

 

[Spoonful of Sugar]

Well, the OP's post had eased my mind, but some of the responses have me worried! We're flying to Calgary with the kids for Christmas, and we didn't know whether to book specific seats or not (don't fly much, and this will be the first time since DD became old enough that she needs her own seat). So we called the airline and they said, don't worry, we'll move people around if need be to accomodate your family. So we didn't book specific seats. Now, I don't care if we're all together, just as long as DD3 is with either me, DH, or DMIL. So people are going to get annoyed if they have to move? Or is it just with older kids that they don't want to move? I guess now I know to book the seats together; I just had no idea people cared about getting moved around.

 

[carebee21]

Well, the OP's post had eased my mind, but some of the responses have me worried! We're flying to Calgary with the kids for Christmas, and we didn't know whether to book specific seats or not (don't fly much, and this will be the first time since DD became old enough that she needs her own seat). So we called the airline and they said, don't worry, we'll move people around if need be to accomodate your family. So we didn't book specific seats. Now, I don't care if we're all together, just as long as DD3 is with either me, DH, or DMIL. So people are going to get annoyed if they have to move? Or is it just with older kids that they don't want to move? I guess now I know to book the seats together; I just had no idea people cared about getting moved around.

I don't know why you think they wouldn't be annoyed. Regardless of whether I'm traveling alone, with just my DH or as a family with our "older" child, why should I/we have to move to accomodate you, when you decided not to make a seat selection? I always select seats for specific reasons; If I didn't care where I sat, why would I bothermaking a seat selection? If we got split up/moved from those seats because of your unwillingness to select your seats or buy your tix far enough in advance to be able to sit together, I would be very upset. I don't care that you have a 3 y/o or that you may be seperated from that child. Quite honestly, not my problem. You had the same opportunity as everyone else on the plane to get your tix and select seats!

 

[Spoonful of Sugar]

I don't know why you think they wouldn't be annoyed. Regardless of whether I'm traveling alone, with just my DH or as a family with our "older" child, why should I/we have to move to accomodate you, when you decided not to make a seat selection? I always select seats for specific reasons; If I didn't care where I sat, why would I bothermaking a seat selection? If we got split up/moved from those seats because of your unwillingness to select your seats or buy your tix far enough in advance to be able to sit together, I would be very upset. I don't care that you have a 3 y/o or that you may be seperated from that child. Quite honestly, not my problem. You had the same opportunity as everyone else on the plane to get your tix and select seats!

Well I don't think that just because someone is sitting on the plane means that they selected their seats. I've never selected seats before. So it honestly never occured to me that anyone cares where they sit on the plane. I'm sure they're not going to have to split people up that are sitting together just to accomodate two people. Like I said, as long as DD is sitting with one of the adults, it works. But if it's as big of a problem as some of the posters, such as yourself, are making it out to be, I'm really surprised that the airline doesn't see it that way. You'd think they'd be getting all sorts of nasty complaints from people that could care less about a three-year-old having to sit alone!

ETA: I certainly wasn't suggesting that your child should be moved to accomodate my child, if that's what you're thinking. I was merely wondering if the main reason that people on here were annoyed was the age of the child, as that's what some people were addressing, or if they were just so attached to their seats that they think children of any age should sit alone. Personally, I think that any child who doesn't feel comfortable sitting alone shouldn't have to. And since the airline tells people not to bother reserving seats, you'd have to save your complaints for them IMHO. That said, I would rather not annoy people, and if I had known that people care where they sit so much, I would have probably reserved.

 

[lan3]

Well, the OP's post had eased my mind, but some of the responses have me worried! We're flying to Calgary with the kids for Christmas, and we didn't know whether to book specific seats or not (don't fly much, and this will be the first time since DD became old enough that she needs her own seat). So we called the airline and they said, don't worry, we'll move people around if need be to accomodate your family. So we didn't book specific seats. Now, I don't care if we're all together, just as long as DD3 is with either me, DH, or DMIL. So people are going to get annoyed if they have to move? Or is it just with older kids that they don't want to move? I guess now I know to book the seats together; I just had no idea people cared about getting moved around.

I do not fly a lot but my cousin flies with her family 4-5 times per year and her husband is a CEO of a company that has several offices so he flies constantly. She just told me a story about a woman not moving so he could sit with his daughters who were 9 and 5. He was shocked that someone would want to sit with kids and not move. They were fine sitting alone because they are seasoned fliers. I only tell you that story because for them to be shocked considering how often they travel, it must be pretty rare that an adult traveling alone wouldn't move for a parent. I would be absolutely mortified to sit next to two kids while their father sat in the back. That is just the way I am but as I said earlier, I would move if I noticed two adult friends weren't sitting together and I was alone. I am pretty laid back and don't care about where I sit.

That being said, if you can book seats, you should so it won't be an issue. Especially and at Christmas which is a prime travel time. I think most people would gladly move and to be honest, many people on DIS have opinions on issues that I have never ever seen or dealt with in real life. Not that their opinions are less valid, but they don't seem to be the norm from my experience.

 

[maxiesmom]

ETA: I certainly wasn't suggesting that your child should be moved to accomodate my child, if that's what you're thinking. I was merely wondering if the main reason that people on here were annoyed was the age of the child, as that's what some people were addressing, or if they were just so attached to their seats that they think children of any age should sit alone. Personally, I think that any child who doesn't feel comfortable sitting alone shouldn't have to. And since the airline tells people not to bother reserving seats, you'd have to save your complaints for them IMHO. That said, I would rather not annoy people, and if I had known that people care where they sit so much, I would have probably reserved.

Many airlines charge for seat assignments. With seats towards the front of the plane being more costly than seats towards the back of the plane. Would you not be a bit put out if you paid for your seat, and then were expected to move? Most people are not thrilled with the idea of throwing money away.

I know I always choose an aisle seat, because it keeps me from being clausterphobic and having a panic attack. If I had to sit squashed between 2 people I didn't know, or stuck by the window, it would be hell for me. Some people do have reasons for choosing certain seats, it is not always just a whim.

I'm not sure who from which airline told you they would move people around to accomodate your family, but they were very wrong. They can ask people to move, and sometimes they can shuffle seats around a bit at the gate. But they cannot force people to move so that your family can sit together.

 

[deegack]

Well I don't think that just because someone is sitting on the plane means that they selected their seats. I've never selected seats before. So it honestly never occured to me that anyone cares where they sit on the plane. I'm sure they're not going to have to split people up that are sitting together just to accomodate two people. Like I said, as long as DD is sitting with one of the adults, it works. But if it's as big of a problem as some of the posters, such as yourself, are making it out to be, I'm really surprised that the airline doesn't see it that way. You'd think they'd be getting all sorts of nasty complaints from people that could care less about a three-year-old having to sit alone!

ETA: I certainly wasn't suggesting that your child should be moved to accomodate my child, if that's what you're thinking. I was merely wondering if the main reason that people on here were annoyed was the age of the child, as that's what some people were addressing, or if they were just so attached to their seats that they think children of any age should sit alone. Personally, I think that any child who doesn't feel comfortable sitting alone shouldn't have to. And since the airline tells people not to bother reserving seats, you'd have to save your complaints for them IMHO. That said, I would rather not annoy people, and if I had known that people care where they sit so much, I would have probably reserved.

A lot of people care where they sit. Dh Is 6'7" so if we fly regular coach, which we only do if we simu can't afford first class or the premium seating is taken he has to have an aisle. It is downright painful for him not to be in an aisle. I sit next to him so he can encroach in my space a bit if needed. So if you wanted either of our seats the answer would be no unless you were trading a first class aisle seat. Pay the money for seat assignments. It's silly to think that just because you don't care where you sit others don't care. If you really don't care do everyone a favor and choose seats near the bathroom

 

[crashbb]

You are flying from Victoria to Calgary, so I'm assuming that you are either flying Air Canada or West Jet.

If AC:
Only Tango fares charge separately for seat selection, the other fares have the charge built into their fares. So, you'd be moving someone who paid for the ability to select their seat (some people, like me, will pay for Tango Plus, rather than Tango, in part to be able to select my seat). I've seen children separated from their parents on AC flights, so I have no idea why the phone agent told you otherwise. They will not move people from their seats to accommodate you. Now, at the 24 hour check in mark, they will give you two (or three) seats together if they exist but they will not move be from seats that they've already selected.

If WJ:
Everyone who pre-selected a seat paid for it. Again, I've seen families split up and the gate agent wouldn't move people from seats. However, it seems (to me) that fewer people pay for pre-selection (since they all have to pay "extra").

For both airlines, I'd be sure to be doing online check at exactly the 24 mark to get seats together. Especially when flying over Christmas with a lot of families. Actually, if it was me, I'd be going online today and paying for seats for two people (with both AC and WJ, you can do so after making your reservations), rather than relying on the kindness of others.

Having said all that, I've actually always found that the "kindness of others" is there and that most people will move themselves - my point is that the airlines won't do it.

A quote from your post:

You'd think they'd be getting all sorts of nasty complaints from people that could care less about a three-year-old having to sit alone!

Obviously you don't care all that much about a three-year-old having to sit alone, or you'd pay to select your seat and make sure it doesn't happen. In this case, it is about a airline moving your seats or a change in the plane being flown. You have the ability to avoid the problem very easily.

 

[Kat&Dom]

Well, the OP's post had eased my mind, but some of the responses have me worried! We're flying to Calgary with the kids for Christmas, and we didn't know whether to book specific seats or not (don't fly much, and this will be the first time since DD became old enough that she needs her own seat). So we called the airline and they said, don't worry, we'll move people around if need be to accomodate your family. So we didn't book specific seats. Now, I don't care if we're all together, just as long as DD3 is with either me, DH, or DMIL. So people are going to get annoyed if they have to move? Or is it just with older kids that they don't want to move? I guess now I know to book the seats together; I just had no idea people cared about getting moved around.

Flying within Canada should not be an issue especially flying out of Victoria. Do you have a direct flight to Calgary? I find with most of the Canadian carriers that when you do the on-line check in 24 hours in advance of your flights that you are able to chose your seats then. Just make sure to do the on-line check in and you should have no issues whatsoever.

I travel quite a bit and I have never found an issues with people switching seats. Things happen and most people are quite adaptable.

I had one flight where 2 rows of the plane were not there. I think it was row 12 and 13 so there was 12 of us with seats booked but no rows to sit in. I felt bad for the flight attendents trying to juggle seats for everyone.

On another flight, a lady was throwing a major tantrum because she wanted to sit with her husband - she was nasty. My friend and I offered our seats to the flight attendant as we were sitting together. I just felt so bad for the abuse the flight attendent was taking - she was so nice - she said to us "You don't have to give up your seats" but I could see the gratitude in her eyes so I said - "no problem". The lady was not grateful or polite at all but her husband was. He thanked us for switching seats.

I have also had the rude people that as soon as they see you have a child, they want to move seats. This one flight, the lady next to me was complaining so loudly to the flight attendant that she didn't want to sit next to a crying baby. (My son was 9 months old, sound asleep and not crying at all) - the flight attendant told her she would see if there were other seats - they were no other seats so I had this woman next to me. At the end of the flight (after my son had been a complete angel - did not cry once or fuss at all), she tried to be all social and nice as we were landing. "Your son is so cute and what a good baby".

 

[Spoonful of Sugar]

Yes, we're flying West Jet direct. (I can just see the relief in some of the PPs eyes that they will not be encountering us on their flights )

But really, I had no idea so many people care where they sit. Not saying it's wrong, just saying I didn't know. I also used to take the Greyhound bus often, where you can reserve seats, but I never had a problem with people switching for me to sit with DD, and I often switched to let others sit with their kids. (That's a 4 hour trip, compared to my 1.5 hour flight). I figure I'm an adult and the needs of a child trump mine, but that's just me. I know now that there's some who have serious reasons for needing to sit in a certain spot, but that can't be the whole plane full of people, right? I mean, I doubt people who have reserved seats will be asked to move, when there must be a lot of people who don't reserve. But I'm just guessing, I admit I don't know how many people reserve.

 

[carebee21]

Yes, we're flying West Jet direct. (I can just see the relief in some of the PPs eyes that they will not be encountering us on their flights )

But really, I had no idea so many people care where they sit. Not saying it's wrong, just saying I didn't know. I also used to take the Greyhound bus often, where you can reserve seats, but I never had a problem with people switching for me to sit with DD, and I often switched to let others sit with their kids. (That's a 4 hour trip, compared to my 1.5 hour flight). I figure I'm an adult and the needs of a child trump mine, but that's just me. I know now that there's some who have serious reasons for needing to sit in a certain spot, but that can't be the whole plane full of people, right? I mean, I doubt people who have reserved seats will be asked to move, when there must be a lot of people who don't reserve. But I'm just guessing, I admit I don't know how many people reserve.

Even if I don't reserve a seat, and I'm at the airport first and get a lower boarding number than you, why do you feel that you have the right to bump me from my seat because you feel your want is more important than mine? If it's important to you and you feel it's a need, then you need to be proactive and book seats together. (And no, I'm not judging you for thinking it's a need. My son is almost 8 and I still pay extra to book seats together as I still want to make sure we can sit together. And I also booked a last minute flight last year at a much more inconvienant time, solely because there were no seats together on the more convienant flight.) So really, it's up to you as the parent to make sure you sit with your child, not the people on the flights responsibility, regardless of the age and/or needs of your child.

 

[crashbb]

Even if I don't reserve a seat, and I'm at the airport first and get a lower boarding number than you, why do you feel that you have the right to bump me from my seat because you feel your want is more important than mine? If it's important to you and you feel it's a need, then you need to be proactive and book seats together. (And no, I'm not judging you for thinking it's a need. My son is almost 8 and I still pay extra to book seats together as I still want to make sure we can sit together. And I also booked a last minute flight last year at a much more inconvienant time, solely because there were no seats together on the more convienant flight.) So really, it's up to you as the parent to make sure you sit with your child, not the people on the flights responsibility, regardless of the age and/or needs of your child.

With West Jet it isn't a boarding number issue. If you don't pay to pre-select your seat, you can choose one when you check in. If you check in on-line, you can do this 24 hours before your flight. Otherwise, it will be at the airport. Once a seat is chosen by someone (i.e. they check in before you), it is no longer available for anyone else to choose.

I agree with the theme of your post, just wanted to point out the boarding number thing.

 

[disfan07]

I have back and knee issues. Unless it is a very short flight (like no more than an hour) I also have a few other medical conditions that require me to have access to some medical things just in case that have to be placed in an overhead bin. I cannot sit anywhere BUT an aisle seat. I am lucky because I preboard on SW because of my peanut allergy but when we fly Jetblue and VA I pick my seats for a reason. I ALWAYS select my seats. I don't select a flight where I CANNOT get an aisle seat. I have never been approached about switching seats but I have seen other people asked and if I was asked I would say no unless it was another aisle seat (which of course you now NEVER happens....its always someone wanted to switch you from an aisle to middle or window).

Sorry...I choose my seats for a reason. If you are that concerned about your kids sitting with you, you need to make sure to select your seats or for SW buy EBCI or check in right at 24 hours.

I would be extremely pissed if I went to check my seats or check in for the flight and found myself in a different seat.

 

[ccgirl]

Perhaps, but that is because...in this thread....it all started very innocently until more than a few posters took out their holier than thou hats and talked about how ANY and ALL children should be able to sit by themselves yadayadayada. It starts as just a little comment and builds and builds. If I'm remembering correctly the most outrageous posts from the other side simply came as a means of defense. When you throw the first punch, what do you expect? (not YOU specifically).

This isn't about helicopter parents. It's about wanting to be able to sit next to your kids.

Again, I don't think those of us that admitted to willingly sit away from our 8 year olds said ANY and ALL. I realize all children are different. I ahve no qualms with that whatsoever. I don't think I was being holier than thou at all. I often used the terms "for me" and "I know all children are different.". Perhaps it's not me you are referring to?

That is my point as well. It is the people who are so proud of their independent children are the ones that are SO angry with the parents that simply want to sit with their children. This is what the original post is about. If one wants to assume that these parents are creating needy, emotionally backwards children, then on the other side of the debate is that those parents who don't care where their child sit are actually creating children that are uncared for. An eight year old is a child no matter what some may think.

If people can criticize others parenting styles, then they should be surprised when others are criticizing theirs.

I'm not angry iwth the parents that simply want to sit with their children at all. I'm saying if you want to sit with your children; pick the seats up front. I have read many posts on the Dis of mom's admitting to not paying for seat assignments because they want to save money. I am not the one assuming anything.

I'm sure I'm going to get flamed for this but I'm willing to risk it.........

My husband and I were discussing the petrie dish known as the DIS last night and we came up with an interesting theory. Perhaps all these parents with these wildly mature and independent children feel the need to ridicule others in an effort to protect themelves. I mean if little Johnny, at the age of 3, is sent solo to fly around the world some might accuse his parents of being rather neglectful. But if they can lash out at the more attentive parent and say Johnny 'should' be able to do that, and in fact did so without a problem, than you can't call them neglectful.

Yes, that was an extreme example but I don't want anyone thinking I'm talking about 'them'. But let's face it, in this world of dual income households and divorced parents....many kids HAVE to be more independent whether they are ready or not. I suppose many of those parents couldn't dare face the suggestion that they could be doing their kids a disservice.

It's only a theory but it would explain the rather bizarre behavior on many of these controversial threads.

OK....donning flamesuit now

Again, I am not ridiculing anyone.

I don't know where someone stated that those who chose not to sit with their children should be reported to DSS. You must have come up with that one by yourself--maybe a bit of guilt. Just another example of where people twist around what others say in order to stand on their soapbox. I just think it is poor parenting to let your eight year old sit with strangers. Whether they need help or not, it is not very considerate to your fellow passengers.

My kids could and have had to sit next to strangers when an airline messed up. The kids were fine, but my kids have lots of friends and classmates that would not be fine.

First of all, I did not stoop to name calling. I can assure you, there is no guilt here, nor am I a poor parent. Someone did post they should be reported to DSS but have since edited that out of their post.

This is where DSS was mentioned ....

Thanks for joining late but it was mentioned much earlier and edited out of the post. My post was in response to that. Again, I am not the one attacking parents who don't wish to let their children sit alone. Completely their right. Why others need to stoop to saying I am a poor parent (and by saying it is poor parenting that is exactly what they are saying) I have no idea. Again, I have said "for me" and "all children are different". No need to feel contempt because my DD8 is perfectly fine sitting alone.

 

[pacrosby]

Again, I don't think those of us that admitted to willingly sit away from our 8 year olds said ANY and ALL. I realize all children are different. I ahve no qualms with that whatsoever. I don't think I was being holier than thou at all. I often used the terms "for me" and "I know all children are different.". Perhaps it's not me you are referring to?

No I wasn't talking about you and I am sorry if you thought that I was. Certainly not everyone who feels comfortable sitting apart from their child displayed that attitude....it's the few bad apples that spoil it for the whole bunch

Just like my supposed 'theory' wasn't meant to be applied to all parents whose children happen to be more independent. Just perhaps to some of the very vocal minority who like to create drama and make life difficult for those who choose to live differently. I'm sure you know who they are (some have since moved on to another thread). And, no, you do not live among them

Clarifying statements do make all the difference. While you may use the phrases "for me" and "my children are different", many on here do not. Of course I do realize that sometimes it's assumed others will know what is meant (like when some have said "people will move" I'm willing to bet they meant that some people on the plane would be nice enough to move rather than everyone will have to move whether they like it or not). Unfortunately other times it's quite clear that it's meant to be read exactly as it is written.

ETA: I think you might find that many of those who started to equate allowing one's child to sit apart with poor parenting did so more to prove a point than because they actually believed it to be true. Sort of like..."if I'm a bad parent because I am babying my kid than you are a bad parent because you are neglecting yours" (not you specifically, you in the collective). It's kind of that knee jerk reaction. Maybe not 100% of the time, but I'm betting the majority (maybe wishful thinking on my part ).

 

[Jenny3]

I haven't read every page of this debate, so my apologies if this has been covered. I just have a question on my personal arrangements with Air Tran.

I booked through Air Tran and paid the extra fees so my family of 5 could sit together both ways. Is this guaranteed or no?

TIA

 

[ccgirl]

I haven't read every page of this debate, so my apologies if this has been covered. I just have a question on my personal arrangements with Air Tran.

I booked through Air Tran and paid the extra fees so my family of 5 could sit together both ways. Is this guaranteed or no?

TIA

Unfortunately, a specific seat is never guaranteed. Sometimes Air Tran does decrease the plane size so the seating gets messed up. For that reason, I just always book on the side with the 2 seats. However, I have found even when the plane is decreased they will do everything in their power to sit people together. In my flights with AirTran, I have never had a problem sitting next to my small son. Have a great flight.