Flying with kids

[tjmw2727]

So OT but i want to thank you. My DS5 just got a hearing aid and we knew he could not use ear buds so we got him a pair that clips over the ears. He hates it...shame on me for never even thinking of the old school one! So thank you!

How about something like this :
http://www.amazon.com/Fisher-Price-...hones-Blue/dp/B001JQLJIQ/ref=pd_bxgy_t_text_b

Saw them at wallmart as well as princess and toy story themes.

 

[mommy2_3]

i just ordered the kids a princess and toy story headphones along with a spliter. we are going to have the kids wear them while in the car and such to get use to them. hoping they wear them!

 

[tjmw2727]

i just ordered the kids a princess and toy story headphones along with a spliter. we are going to have the kids wear them while in the car and such to get use to them. hoping they wear them!

Sonds like a plan, I think they will actually like them better once they get used to them!

My kids could hear the DVD much better with the headphones even in the car because you don't hear the outside noise. Starting in the car is a great idea and the bonus is that you can listen to a little "mommy" music on the radio.

 

[waltskids]

DS has been flying since he was 3 months old and as he got older (and into movies) he knew no headphones= no movie. We taught him how to use them at home (old style ones, no ear buds) and then used them on every flight since. We have heard some loud movies before because the volume needed to be turned all the way up for the child to hear the movie. In our experience 2 families have been told to use headphones or turn the movie off (Southwest and Airtran). For our family it's a choice we believe is considerate to other passengers....use headphones or don't watch tv. Just be aware a FA may tell you to turn it off if you choose to watch without headphones. DD will have to learn the same rules as DS so I'm looking forward to that lol!

 

[Julylady]

Don't wait until the trip to introduce the earphones. We started about 2 months prior to the trip having our oldest use the earphones everytime she used the portable DVD. At first when she balked at using the earphones, we told her that then she couldn't watch the movie then and needed to find something else to do. She pitched a fit at first, but then figured it out. I am glad we started early so that she didn't pitch a fit on the plane. With her sister, it was always the rule. I don't think the younger one even realizes that the portable DVD has sound without using the earphones!

We also expanded the rule so that you need to use earphones with the DVD in the car. It has made for blessedly quiet car trips!

I fly a lot for work and I hate hearing sounds from someone's DVD or computer. I always let the flight attendent know that it is bothering me.

 

[ilovepooh]

We always use a portable DVD player without headphones on the airplane. We've never had a problem. We keep the volume really low and the noise from the plane makes it hard to hear the movie that well anyway. DS won't wear headphones either.

We can hear other people's kids screaming in the BACK of the airplane! I think no one should complain if the volume can't be heard beyond your seat. I'm sorry, but I'd rather hear a movie playing in the row next to me than a screaming kid!

 

[brymolmom]

We always use a portable DVD player without headphones on the airplane. We've never had a problem. We keep the volume really low and the noise from the plane makes it hard to hear the movie that well anyway. DS won't wear headphones either.

We can hear other people's kids screaming in the BACK of the airplane! I think no one should complain if the volume can't be heard beyond your seat. I'm sorry, but I'd rather hear a movie playing in the row next to me than a screaming kid!

I agree about listening to a movie rather than a screaming kid - but in MOST cases, it really shouldn't be one or the other. In MOST cases, the parents should be able to keep their child entertained without a DVD if they won't listen with headphones. Now, if it was me - and the parents had tried absolutely EVERYTHING else (games, books, snacks, treats, drinks, etc.) - then I would understand the DVD - but here again, WITH headphones should be tried first. As the absolutely last alternative - then the DVD without headphones. And I too have heard the screaming in the back of the plane - but in most cases, this subsides within 15 minutes or so - and doesn't take an hour and a half like movies.

If a parent does it without trying everything else, then I think it is inconsiderate.

And the row in front of you can DEFINITELY hear it - you can hear every word behind you usually.

 

[tjmw2727]

We always use a portable DVD player without headphones on the airplane. We've never had a problem. We keep the volume really low and the noise from the plane makes it hard to hear the movie that well anyway. DS won't wear headphones either.

We can hear other people's kids screaming in the BACK of the airplane! I think no one should complain if the volume can't be heard beyond your seat. I'm sorry, but I'd rather hear a movie playing in the row next to me than a screaming kid!

You have been lucky in the past and may continue to be lucky but the fact is that most airlines require the use of headphones when using electronic devices. So if someone decides to ask you to turn the volume off or use headphones you should be prepared to do so.

Folks reading and preparing for trips should be aware that the FA's can and do require the use of headphones even for children.

IMHO if your child "won't wear headphones" then they shouldn't be watching a DVD on the airplane. What happened to rules? ??

 

[Nicolepa]

How loud do you think these movies are? I can hardly hear them myself and I am sitting right there. I hardly doubt that the noise from the movie will be that bothersome.

It is absolutly bothersome. It is annoying to 1) listen to a movie you can't see, 2) hear only parts of the movie 3) listen to the kid (or person) talking about a move you can't hear or see.

I have traveled from Seattle to Florida dozen's of times since my children were born. I would never let them listen to a movie, video game, ipod etc. w/o earphones.

At 1 & 2 the fact is a flight is going to be miserable, you are going to feel like a circus clown trying to entertain your kids. It's just a fact. It will get easier, but not for 4-5 more years. (Said from someone who has a 10, 8 and 2 year old.) Until they were about 5 I always had a kids suitcase (each) packed with stuff to entertain them. Now my older kids are good with their itouch & a couple of books but I will have an arsonal of things for the 2 year old.

 

[DeniseinNS]

I would defiantly use the headphones, not everyone wants to hear someone else's movie. For kids I would use the older style headphones that sit over the ears. Do the airlines not have individual tv screens???? I'v never flown without each of us having an individual screen that had to be used with headphones

 

[tink15823]

You won't be allowed to play it w/o headphones. I was setting up the DVD player for my son and didn't plug the headphones in fast enough (I was putting the case away and still getting it in the right position) when the steward came over and told me I needed headphones. A low volume on an airplane is actually pretty loud because it is so noisy anyways. I would just leave it at home if they refuse to wear headphones. Bring "new" toys, they don't have to be new, just something they have never played with before. Also books and snacks. Good luck, I don't know what I would do without my dvd player.

We flew on Air Tran with our dvd player for the kids with out head phones and had no trouble . In fact the little girl 3 rows back was having a hard time sitting and the steward asked if she could sit with my kids and watch. She was great the rest of the flight. Maybe it depends on the airline?

 

[ilovepooh]

I think some people need to lighten up about this issue. Our airline has NEVER said a word about us having to use headphones, and I would "follow the rules" if they were posted!

What do you uptight people do in noisy restaurants with young kids running around and crying. I never allow my child to have a tantrum in a restaurant, movie theater, etc. I remove my child if he is having a tough time! I just don't see the problem with letting him quietly watch a movie that WE can BARELY hear! We usually sit in the front seat so there's no one in front of us. I can hear the people's conversation behind me more than the movie playing right NEXT to me!

 

[brymolmom]

I think some people need to lighten up about this issue. Our airline has NEVER said a word about us having to use headphones, and I would "follow the rules" if they were posted!

What do you uptight people do in noisy restaurants with young kids running around and crying. I never allow my child to have a tantrum in a restaurant, movie theater, etc. I remove my child if he is having a tough time! I just don't see the problem with letting him quietly watch a movie that WE can BARELY hear! We usually sit in the front seat so there's no one in front of us. I can hear the people's conversation behind me more than the movie playing right NEXT to me!

Wow- I would think uptight is a bit harsh for those who are just trying to be considerate. Of course we would all remove a misbahaving child if we could. Many of us are just saying that you can have the DVD - go for it - but just be considerate by using headphones. I'm guessing if those people behind you that you can hear more than the movie playing had an ipod playing minus headphones with rock music or other that you wouldn't choose - that you might find that inconsiderate - especially if it makes it more difficult for your child to hear his/her movie. Yes there are some children who won't wear them - either very young or special needs, but most kids will if that's the rule that the parent enforces. And if you need to have them without headphones - just try everything else first - we CAN entertain our kids and keep them occupied in most cases, we just have gotten out of the habit with all the things that do it FOR us like DVD's, DS's, ipods, etc.

 

[tjmw2727]

I think some people need to lighten up about this issue. Our airline has NEVER said a word about us having to use headphones, and I would "follow the rules" if they were posted!

What do you uptight people do in noisy restaurants with young kids running around and crying. I never allow my child to have a tantrum in a restaurant, movie theater, etc. I remove my child if he is having a tough time! I just don't see the problem with letting him quietly watch a movie that WE can BARELY hear! We usually sit in the front seat so there's no one in front of us. I can hear the people's conversation behind me more than the movie playing right NEXT to me!

I am sorry you feel the need to call names, not agreeing with you doesn't make folks uptight. Kids flew on many flights without "screaming" for years before DVR's and Laptops for movies were common.

I also don't think advising people to follow the rules and or teaching my kids to follow them is uptight. Sure lots of folks have been able to use a DVR without headphones but that is the exception. Most people would rather hear the facts and be prepared than just hear what they want to hear and end up without being able to use the DVR.

I am pretty tolerant fwiw, you may think one kid watching a DVR on a flight is nothing to get upset about. But some of us fly often and when its not one kid on one flight but several kids on sevaral flights and it gets old fast. The restaurant comparison doesn't make any sense. If I am not in the mood for a family stlye restaurant then I won't go but if I have to be in another state tomorrow I have no choice but to take that flight.

As for the rules being posted, I posted a link upthread where AA clearly requires the use of headphones for electronic devices. I don't have the time or inclination to do more research but I can tell you I have seen FA's require headpones on two other airlines.

 

[crashbb]

As for the rules being posted, I posted a link upthread where AA clearly requires the use of headphones for electronic devices. I don't have the time or inclination to do more research but I can tell you I have seen FA's require headpones on two other airlines.

And I've seen them required on four separate airlines, as well. As I said above, only once did it occur before someone complained, but I've never seen FAs side with the parents if someone did complain.

Actually, I've only ever complained once. I was seated behind the child and I could hear it (it was Dora, for the record) over my own IPOD. I asked the father if he could please turn it down a bit. He got angry and said he couldn't believe that I had asked him that and that I should be grateful it was the DVD and not his kid screaming. He flagged down a passing FA to complain about my request. Which totally backfired, because the FA made him turn the DVD off entirely (he refused to give his daughter headphones), while I had just asked him to turn it down slightly.

I don't know if the kid had a fit. If she did, it was quieter than the DVD, since I couldn't hear it.

The point is that there is a chance that the OP would be told that the DVD could not be used without headphones. Better to have a plan in place before than happens.

 

[waltskids]

I think some people need to lighten up about this issue. Our airline has NEVER said a word about us having to use headphones, and I would "follow the rules" if they were posted!

What do you uptight people do in noisy restaurants with young kids running around and crying. I never allow my child to have a tantrum in a restaurant, movie theater, etc. I remove my child if he is having a tough time! I just don't see the problem with letting him quietly watch a movie that WE can BARELY hear! We usually sit in the front seat so there's no one in front of us. I can hear the people's conversation behind me more than the movie playing right NEXT to me!

It's not about being uptight....it's about following the rules. As I stated in a previous post, both Southwest and Airtran flights (both out of Philly) stated clearly to families that electronic devices must have headphones. To the OP, yes you may not get asked to use headphones...but then again you may (based on our experiences as well as the experiences of other posters). Just show your child how to use them before you travel and have a back up plan in case you can't use the DVD player. We fly often enough that it's worth having the headphones along with other activities. It's all about planning ahead when traveling

 

[ilovepooh]

Please understand that I am considerate of others around me by keeping my child in his seat, quiet, and occupied. I keep the volume so low that people around me cannot be bothered by it. If anyone felt it was too loud, I would definitely turn it lower!! I would think that others would do the same whether they have headphones or not. We should all keep our iPod, voices, movies, etc. low as to not disrupt others!

I'm sorry if others think I am name calling by saying people are uptight, but that's how I see it. I don't sweat the small stuff in life. If my airline stated headphones must be worn then I would follow the rules! There are so many other worse things to complain about!

 

[mommy2_3]

well i am going to use the headphone for the kids. they will start wearing them everytime they want to watch a dvd on the laptop. we got them a few dvds they have never seen before that they will watch on the plane, and hopefully that will keep them pretty entertained. but like i said i am bringing backup activites also. i made them a portable art station (a trapper keeper with coloring book, crayons in a 3 hole pencil case along with chalk, construction paper and a new disney book. i would add stickers but my kids like to put stickers EVERYWHERE!) i am also getting them each 2 new toys to play with when they dont want to watch their movie. now they question is how to keep my 1yr old entertained. hopefully she will sleep most of the way. im also hoping that my older 2 sleep at least on the first flight since we plan on leaving real early.

 

[maxiesmom]

Please understand that I am considerate of others around me by keeping my child in his seat, quiet, and occupied. I keep the volume so low that people around me cannot be bothered by it. If anyone felt it was too loud, I would definitely turn it lower!! I would think that others would do the same whether they have headphones or not. We should all keep our iPod, voices, movies, etc. low as to not disrupt others!

I'm sorry if others think I am name calling by saying people are uptight, but that's how I see it. I don't sweat the small stuff in life. If my airline stated headphones must be worn then I would follow the rules! There are so many other worse things to complain about!

All we are saying that the truly considerate thing to do is to use headphones. You may think your DVD player is not loud enough to bother others, but it may be. And if someone does complain you WILL be told to either use headphones or shut the DVD player off. And then where will you be?

I'm sure whatever airline you fly, they do have a rule about headphone use. I've seen it in the airline magazines on board the plane. Just because they do not go out of their way to let you know about it doesn't mean that rule doesn't exist.

 

[ilovepooh]

All we are saying that the truly considerate thing to do is to use headphones. You may think your DVD player is not loud enough to bother others, but it may be. And if someone does complain you WILL be told to either use headphones or shut the DVD player off. And then where will you be?

I'm sure whatever airline you fly, they do have a rule about headphone use. I've seen it in the airline magazines on board the plane. Just because they do not go out of their way to let you know about it doesn't mean that rule doesn't exist.

I actually went on their website and was not able to find any info. on it other than what you can't bring on the aircraft and size of baggage, etc. We don't fly out of Philly. We fly Spirit. If it was a rule I would certainly follow it, but I can tell you that people/kids laugh and talk louder (the entire flight) than my child's DVD player.