Flying with kids

[mommy2_3]

we are planning on flying to WDW. we are bringing our laptop so they can watch their movies while inflight. they wont wear headphone though. would it br wrong of me to just play the laptop with the volume on low? or should i just not bother and give them their other activites and hope they will be decent? i made them a portable art startion, my DS has a 25 piece puzzle, and they will have new toys to play with.

 

[aidtrismommy]

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.

 

[LoriABil]

Have you tried the "old fashioned" headphones that don't fit down into the ear?

Also, Barnes and Noble has some cool magnetic puzzles and small games, with metal cases.

 

[mommy2_3]

well i guess i can try and get them used to the headphones. we are bring our laptop anyway for hubby. he loves this thing lol!

 

[funkychunkymonkey]

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 to calafornia last year and we (me and bff, 23) had out our laptop with no headphones. The steward came by numerious times and even paused to comment on the fact it was a good movie

 

[woodkins]

We have also used a portable dvd player with no headphones. DD has Sensory Integration issues and would not tolerate anything in or over her ears at all, in fact a neighboring passenger said that since they were wearing their headphones they couldn't hear it anyway, and when he wasn't he would much rather hear the slight din of the player rather than the loud screaming of an unhappy kid

 

[annacali]

I have also used a portable DVD player and a leapster without headphones in the past. We take up the whole row, and I think most people would rather hear a movie on low---if they can hear it at all because planes are SO loud, than a fussy kid. I don't think it is much different than overhearing the conversation of the people sitting behind me all the way home last night

Now my kids are older we do movies on the Ipod with traditional headphones---the earbuds still don't stay in!

 

[brymolmom]

This tends to become somewhat of a heated topic. Just FYI...

As a parent, I think it is our responsibility to keep our kids as considerate of other passengers as possible. That means that even though I would NEVER do it at home - if I see/hear a tantrum coming on - I will use M&M's to avoid it if at all possible. This, too, means no DVD without headphones. I know, I know - the 'would they rather listen to crying' argument is a strong one. However, IMO what DVD's really do is give us, the parents, a break (in many, many cases - in some, especially special needs kids - this MIGHT be the ONLY recourse to avoid crying). And really, if they won't use headphones, then I don't think we GET a break. Then we need to bring out the books, the goldfish, the M&M's (slowly, one at a time to make them LAST awhile), the crayons, the silly faces, the stickers, the stuffed animals, the milk or juice, reading MORE stories...you get the picture - way more exhausting for us, but that's our job.

When my kids were that age - I did it this way - ONLY let them hear the volume if they had the headphones ON. So they could watch it with no volume (Baby Einstein videos, etc would still keep their attention even with no sound) OR they could put them on. We got the old fashioned kind and it worked OK. But I had a bag full of alternatives just in case...

Good luck.

 

[crashbb]

For the most part:

If no one complains, you will be fine.

If someone complains, you will be told to either turn the sound off or use headphones.

In some cases, the flight attendants will tell you to turn the volume off/use headphones even if no one complains (in my experience, quite rare).

 

[soonerfan2008]

I personally would not use a DVD player on a plane or train without headphones as I think it is inconsiderate. If my kids did not want the headphones, then they wouldn't watch the movie. But, I am seen among some of my parenting friends as a "strict" parent.

I also remove my kids from restaurants if they act up, leave parks early if they are melting down, and have been known to threaten to get out of line for a ride if they don't listen (and they know I will follow through).

My girls are 4 and almost 2, and I use the same approach with my stepsons, ages 8 and almost 6.

 

[r&kmommy]

My dd refused headphones until I got myself a new pair of the "old school" ones that go over the ear (ear muff style lol!) and now she uses my headphones whenever she's playing my ipod! I got them at Walmart for $9.99...

 

[miprender]

We have used a mini DVD player on two flights and never used headphones nor were told to use them by the flight attendants.

It is quite loud on a plane as it is and I am sure no one is going to give you a hard time about it unless you have it blasting.

And I don't really see it as inconsiderate as it isn't any louder than a conversation between two people.

 

[Maggie'sMom]

I too think it's inconsiderate to not use headphones. DD has sensory issues and hates the earbuds, but will wear the old style headphones with no problems.

 

[ImarriedGrumpy]

We have used a portable DVD player on a 5 hr flight (add in the time at the airport, time waiting for the flight to take off, and waiting for disembarking, and waiting for baggage it's at least 9 hours of travel time - an eternity with a toddler). Even with the volume all the way up, no one could hear it - including DS. For our next trip, we've bought some headphones especially designed for kids that limit the max volume and fit over the ear, not in it. DS sometimes is okay with them and sometimes not during our trial period at home.

For our excessively active 2 year old, it's very difficult to sit still for so long, and we've found that the treat of watching a video helps during his forced confinement. As an added bonus, he also sits still and doesn't kick the seat in front of him, which is pretty much what he does non-stop if he's not engrossed in a video. On our last flight, I went through an entire bag of entertainment options (coloring, stories, new toys, snacks, etc.) in about an hour and we had 3.5 hrs left to go. I was so thankful for the DVD player! After a video, the new toys and stories were interesting again for a little while.

This flight we'll also have my iPod Touch, and I'm loading it up with games and stories for DS and I to do together. Hopefully that will help stretch out our entertainment time so he can hang in there until we get to our destination. He's a lot more prone to meltdowns now, especially when he can't burn off all that energy.

 

[Evi]

I think its inconsiderate to not use headphones. Honestly imagine that you were trying to sleep or had a headache and person next to, behind, infront is watching a movie. You wouldn't be happy. I don't think its a big deal you can prep them for it ahead and let them know its headphones or no movie. Even when a airline offers a movie its with headphones they just don't play the movie forcing everyone to listen to it. I'd also bring things like coloring books, park maps, audio books, you can bring craft items like gimp. I think there are many in-flight options that don't require you to impose upon others.

 

[tjmw2727]

I would highly reccomend finding some headphones for your kids and a splitter if more than one person wants to watch. Why risk it?

Younger kids do better with the old style heaphones and they can be purchased in fun kids sizes and designs at most major departments stores. I just saw princess and toy story at the wallmart. I find that with all the other noise on the aircraft I need the headphones to hear, so keeping the volume low isn't really an option.

I have seen FA's ask folks to use headphones or turn the volume off many times so it can and does happen. Most recently it was a teen with a DS type game. Why risk a meltdown when it can be avoided?

 

[maxiesmom]

If you really want to bring your DVD player, I think you should try to get your children used to headphones. It would be horrible to bring the thing along, get your kids all excited, and then be told they couldn't use it as they wouldn't wear headphones. I know one of the last flights I was on the air magazine stated it was the polciy of the airline (Delta or Air Tran) that headphones had to be worn with anything that made sound.

I don't buy the whole 'Well, wouldn't you rather hear a movie than my kid scream?" argument. It isn't an either or thing. Chidren do not have to have a movie to keep them happy on an airplane. Find something that keeps your child occupied but is respectful of the other pasangers. Coloring books and dot to dots are great for younger children. I have played many games of hang man on airplanes too. Or the game where you draw lines and try not to make a box. I beleive there is still a stickey on the Disboards for printable games.

 

[miprender]

I think its inconsiderate to not use headphones. Honestly imagine that you were trying to sleep or had a headache and person next to, behind, infront is watching a movie. You wouldn't be happy. I don't think its a big deal you can prep them for it ahead and let them know its headphones or no movie. Even when a airline offers a movie its with headphones they just don't play the movie forcing everyone to listen to it. I'd also bring things like coloring books, park maps, audio books, you can bring craft items like gimp. I think there are many in-flight options that don't require you to impose upon others.

I too think it's inconsiderate to not use headphones. DD has sensory issues and hates the earbuds, but will wear the old style headphones with no problems.

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.

 

[tjmw2727]

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.

I definately think it would be bothersome! I would not enjoy having to listen to a childrens movie onboard - espeically something like Dora

That said, I wouldn't watch an R rated movie in consideration of others or eat a stinky cheese sandwich onboard either.

IMHO its just common courtesy but it doesn't matter really because most airlines won't allow it anyway:

From AA.com:

http://www.aa.com/i18n/travelInform...oardTechnology.jsp?anchorEvent=false&from=Nav

Last paragraph starts:
You may use audio and video devices only with a headset.

I don't have time to look at other airlines but as I said earlier I have seen FA's on SWA and US Air ask for headphones to be used.

 

[Duckyiam71]

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!