DVD players/headphones/plane

[Macduffy]

I found the answer I needed.

 

[ironz]

As a frequent flyer....I would actually prefer to hear a crying child than someone's music or DVD. Seriously. Are there other forms of entertainment that you can bring? Read a book to them quietly? Coloring? Some people suggest letting them play with pipe cleaners, twisting them to make shapes. A nap?

I was forced to listen to "The Incredibles" on my last flight. Not only did the family not bring earphones for their child (and it was on Frontier, so headphones were available), but I could hear it over my ipod, which I was unsuccessfully using to try to drown them out. And then they had the gall to keep the DVD player out and operating all the way through landing. The FA got a few words from me about that once we hit the ground.

Please keep in mind that not everyone on the plane is on vacation. And especially repetitive type children's music is quite irritating. Please subject others to that only as a LAST resort. Thanks.

 

[thepwa]

Give me Bear as long as you can guarantee that I wont hear Bear AND crying...

 

[Tara]

Please be considerate of your fellow travelers and have your chIld use headphones. The flight attendants will probably insist that you do so anyway.

 

[bavaria]

Seriously, wouldn't you rather listen to Bear in the Big Blue House over my crying toddler?

No. It is rude and inconsiderate, since the others said it in a nice fashion. Would you want to listen to someone else's movie for hours at a time - including adult content and language?

I can assure you that other passengers will say something, and the FA will tell you to turn it off. If your children are too young, then plan something else. There are headphones made for children, but if they won't wear them then there are many other unobtrusive things you can bring on the plane.

As someone else said, not everyone is on vacation and not everyone cares to listen to some children's program. Flying is stressful enough without imposing in such a negative fashion on your neighbours.

Please have some consideration for others, and review some of the other threads about how to entertain your children.

 

[crashbb]

Anytime I have complained about someone (a child) listening without headphones (and, as long as I cannot hear it over my earphones, I won't say anything), the FA have always backed me up and informed the parents that they can either turn it off or use headphones.

Actually, it only gets to the FAs if the parents make a scene. I only ever ask that they turn it down a bit more (to the point that my earphones drowned it out). Most comply (4 out of the 6 times I've asked). One set of parents started making a fuss, which drew the FAs attention and then she told them that turning it down was not acceptable - it was either off or with headphones. The sixth time, the FA merely forced them to turn it down.

 

[bookwormde]

Even many headphones put out lots of sound when played at above average levels (yes I have had to listen to lots of music or movies that I did not particularly care for). If we are in a situation where headphones cannot be tolerated we check with the people around and ask them if it is ok and to let us know if it becomes bothersome to play the player at a low setting, like all things a little courteously goes a long way. Quite honestly there is no real alternative for video input for many younger children if you want “extended periods without restlessness”.

So the simplest answer is no, but if it is disturbing someone or the FA request it be prepared to turn it off or run it at no volume (which can be a fun thing into itself if it is a familiar video).

bookwormde

 

[crashbb]

Even many headphones put out lots of sound when played at above average levels (yes I have had to listen to lots of music or movies that I did not particularly care for). If we are in a situation where headphones cannot be tolerated we check with the people around and ask them if it is ok and to let us know if it becomes bothersome to play the player at a low setting, like all things a little courteously goes a long way. Quite honestly there is no real alternative for video input for many younger children if you want “extended periods without restlessness”.

So the simplest answer is no, but if it is disturbing someone or the FA request it be prepared to turn it off or run it at no volume (which can be a fun thing into itself if it is a familiar video).

bookwormde

You know what? In the few situations where I have complained (given that I fly fairly frequently, 6 times is actually a very small number), if someone had done as you suggested and asked me ahead of time, I would have tolerated a higher volume. Funny how your tolerance can increase when you feel that you were offered some courtesy.

 

[DisneyWalker44]

Headphones, please. Always.

Alternatives are playing the DVD without sound, or finding another activity.

 

[tjmw2727]

My vote is to do everything in your power to have your children wear the headphones. You can get child size in most department stores- I recently saw fun colors at a reasonable price in Wallmart and a splitter so two can listen.

Practice before hand, my kids didn't even know the DVD player worked without headphones for quite a while <g>. If you want sound you wear the headphones, otherwise you can just watch without sound.

It may or may not bother those around you but why take the chance?

I am not sure the "its a video or crying" analogy works for me either. Lots of babies and toddlers fly every day without video and do fine. We brought books, coloring stuff, paper dolls onboard, we talked, read and played finger games and such.

 

[maxiesmom]

If I'm bringing our portable DVD players for the kids do they HAVE to wear headphones. My 3 year old might for a little bit but not too long and I doubt the 20 month old will AT ALL. Seriously, wouldn't you rather listen to Bear in the Big Blue House over my crying toddler?

I wouldn't want to hear Bear in the Big Blue House, and I'm sure many of my fellow flyers would not want to either. Please find something else to entertain your 20 month old. Honestly, how would you feel if I had my dvd player and played Halloween without earphones?

 

[Hannathy]

If I'm bringing our portable DVD players for the kids do they HAVE to wear headphones. My 3 year old might for a little bit but not too long and I doubt the 20 month old will AT ALL. Seriously, wouldn't you rather listen to Bear in the Big Blue House over my crying toddler?

I don't want to hear either. It really isn't an acceptably either or question and rude to threaten it. I entertained my kids for thousands of miles before DVD players so I think you can find an alternative if they won't wear the headphones.

 

[Macduffy]

I don't want to hear either. It really isn't an acceptably either or question and rude to threaten it. I entertained my kids for thousands of miles before DVD players so I think you can find an alternative if they won't wear the headphones.

I wouldn't want to hear Bear in the Big Blue House, and I'm sure many of my fellow flyers would not want to either. Please find something else to entertain your 20 month old. Honestly, how would you feel if I had my dvd player and played Halloween without earphones?

No. It is rude and inconsiderate, since the others said it in a nice fashion. Would you want to listen to someone else's movie for hours at a time - including adult content and language?

I can assure you that other passengers will say something, and the FA will tell you to turn it off. If your children are too young, then plan something else. There are headphones made for children, but if they won't wear them then there are many other unobtrusive things you can bring on the plane.

As someone else said, not everyone is on vacation and not everyone cares to listen to some children's program. Flying is stressful enough without imposing in such a negative fashion on your neighbours.

Please have some consideration for others, and review some of the other threads about how to entertain your children.

Please be considerate of your fellow travelers and have your chIld use headphones. The flight attendants will probably insist that you do so anyway.

As a frequent flyer....I would actually prefer to hear a crying child than someone's music or DVD. Seriously. Are there other forms of entertainment that you can bring? Read a book to them quietly? Coloring? Some people suggest letting them play with pipe cleaners, twisting them to make shapes. A nap?

I was forced to listen to "The Incredibles" on my last flight. Not only did the family not bring earphones for their child (and it was on Frontier, so headphones were available), but I could hear it over my ipod, which I was unsuccessfully using to try to drown them out. And then they had the gall to keep the DVD player out and operating all the way through landing. The FA got a few words from me about that once we hit the ground.

Please keep in mind that not everyone on the plane is on vacation. And especially repetitive type children's music is quite irritating. Please subject others to that only as a LAST resort. Thanks.

I have to say I'm shocked at how rude some of these responses are!

I can't say I'd rather hear a screaming child over a cartoon but I guess that's the case. Go figure....

 

[Hannathy]

I have to say I'm shocked at how rude some of these responses are!

I can't say I'd rather hear a screaming child over a cartoon but I guess that's the case. Go figure....

Hmmmm so it is less rude to threaten fellow travelers with your kids crying if they don't get there way, I see.......

 

[bookwormde]

I found no threat in the OPs question; just what for some might be a practical reality. Courtesy on both sides is important. An airplane is a “social space” and anyone expecting to have it all his or her way on either side is not acceptable.




bookwormde

 

[maxiesmom]

I don't see how asking you to be considerate of your fellow traveler is rude. You did ask for opinions, but I'm gussing you are not getting the comments you thought you would.

I'm sure if you put your mind to it you can come up with other ways to entertain your children besides a dvd player.

 

[Macduffy]

I don't see how asking you to be considerate of your fellow traveler is rude. You did ask for opinions, but I'm gussing you are not getting the comments you thought you would.

I'm sure if you put your mind to it you can come up with other ways to entertain your children besides a dvd player.

I just think comparing BITBBH to Halloween, actually complaining to a FA about a child enjoying a low volume TV show on the way to Disney and now you insinuating that I can't entertain my kids for a 4 hour flight is rude.

I guess I'm just more considerate of children and families then other people. If it's within reason and helps both child and parent have a better flight (or what have you) I would not have an issue. I have never flown with my kids yet and I'm terrified of, well, people like these, who are so negative and inconsiderate to the littlest travelers.

 

[Hannathy]

The trouble is you can't have the volume on low on an airplane and hear it. There is a constant roar from the engines that makes you turn the volume up quite a bit to even hear it and then everyone around you can hear it. And since the player is usually sitting on the tray table the speakers are actually closer to the person IN FRONT of the player than the one watching it. if you want to hear it just get head phones, kids understand the wear them or don't use it much better than parents think they do. Practice it at home or in the car before you leave.

 

[crashbb]

I guess I'm just more considerate of children and families then other people. If it's within reason and helps both child and parent have a better flight (or what have you) I would not have an issue. I have never flown with my kids yet and I'm terrified of, well, people like these, who are so negative and inconsiderate to the littlest travelers.

I know you did not mean it this way, but you are right. You are more considerate of children and families than you are of other people. You don't seem to have a lot of consideration for other people on the the plane. I'm terrified of, well, people like you who show little consideration for people other than families and children.

 

[ironz]

No one said they dislike children. I've played peek a boo with kids on planes, smiled and cooed when appropriate, etc. I expect some degree of crying as well, usually on takeoff and landing.

I gave you SEVERAL suggestions for things to do to entertain your children that would not bother people in the 2 or so rows front, back, and side of you, and you called me rude? Is it not rude to force other people around you to listen to something they did not choose to listen? I think it is. It would be a different world if people could close their ears, much as we close our eyes. But we can't. And that is why listening to DVDs and music on planes requires headphones.

We're not being hateful to you...some of us just fly a lot and we know the reality of the situation. And yes, a FA may certainly tell you to turn off the sound, or the whole DVD player, if it becomes an issue, so you need to have another source or three of entertainment. Might also be a good chance for the little ones to nap, too.