No More Lap Babies!

[lazer]

If kids need to be belted in a car then they should be belted/secured on a plane.

And a school bus...but that's not the law.

 

[Jennasis]

I am really confused as to what this story has to do with lap babies or the OP's "fear" of being struck by a flying baby. Unless the article that was posted by the OP changed, there is nothing about a lap baby in the story...not one being injured nor one injuring someone else. No connection between the original post/complaint and the article, so why was it cited?

A baby went flying during the turbulent flight and landed two rows back.

Wonder if those parents will continue to fly with their lap baby?

 

[Jennasis]

And a school bus...but that's not the law.

I agree...wish it was. Makes no sense to me.

 

[JanaDee]

I am really confused as to what this story has to do with lap babies or the OP's "fear" of being struck by a flying baby. Unless the article that was posted by the OP changed, there is nothing about a lap baby in the story...not one being injured nor one injuring someone else. No connection between the original post/complaint and the article, so why was it cited?

A lap baby was thrown from its mother's lap during the turbulence and landed 2 rows away.

 

[usnuzuloose]

I am really confused as to what this story has to do with lap babies or the OP's "fear" of being struck by a flying baby. Unless the article that was posted by the OP changed, there is nothing about a lap baby in the story...not one being injured nor one injuring someone else. No connection between the original post/complaint and the article, so why was it cited?

I thought the same thing, I am not getting a baby was thrown around nor injured. That would have been noted in the article. It was a woman who hit the panel above. Unless I am missing something myself. You can only do so much to protect your children.

 

[jenben8426]

And a school bus...but that's not the law.

The reason children do not have seat belts on a bus are because a bus is a completely different vehicle than a car. The inside of a bus is also extremely flammable. If a bus caught fire there would be absolutely no time to unbuckle and get all the kids to safety.

 

[LSmith]

Projectile babies! Just one more reason I prefer to drive

What about projectile flight attendants and people getting up to go to the bathroom?

 

[JVL1018]

I flew with my baby as a lap baby once. I was a new mom-she was 3 months old- and I was talking to the Delta CSR buying her a seat when he told me not to, no one does etc etc. I'm really not sure why I listened to him, but I did.
The flight to FL was fine. The flight home was VERY turbulent and we had to hold on to her tight.
I honestly feared for her safety. It was dangerous.

Never ever again. I can't believe I let the guy tell me what to do regarding lap babies but I was ignorant.

I flew probably 6 more times with my kids under 2, bought them a seat every time. $1200 well spent.

As for school buses and seat belts, I don't know if it's the law, but for the past 9 years since my kids have been in school, seat belts are installed in all seats and they are used.
We don't bus kids to school, but on field trips we walk up and down the aisle checking that every single kid is seat belted in before the bus moves.

 

[asta]

Many of you are missing the point - while I hope everyone takes care of their children, the main concern is that we don't want to be hurt when a small child is turned into a flying object. Then it is not just about injuries that you are willing to risk to your child but about the risk that poses to others.

In the event of turbulence, signs should come on in the piane telling you to buckle up. If you have a seat for your child you can then buckle them up. You have no choice with a lap baby.

It may not have been mentioned in the referenced article but an infant was thrown through the air in this incident.

 

[superdiz]

I am contemplating a quick trip in June, my daughter will be 8 months and if she's a cuddlebug I would consider doing lap baby. I have always traveled with my son in his carseat which I prefer to do since everyone is more comfortable and he always slept. I'm deciding whether or not I'll be cheap.

Let's be honest, if the plane is going down, those lap belts ain't saving no one

We take up the whole row so not sure how my lap baby would have the opportunity to puke, bump, poke, or otherwise annoy another passenger. Other than crying, which could happen, seat or no seat.

 

[sunshinehighway]

Many of you are missing the point - while I hope everyone takes care of their children, the main concern is that we don't want to be hurt when a small child is turned into a flying object. Then it is not just about injuries that you are willing to risk to your child but about the risk that poses to others.

In the event of turbulence, signs should come on in the piane telling you to buckle up. If you have a seat for your child you can then buckle them up. You have no choice with a lap baby.

It may not have been mentioned in the referenced article but an infant was thrown through the air in this incident.

I think some people just don't think it's as big of a concern considering how few annual injuries there are due turbulence alone, nevermind projectile lap babies. People have their own minds and can be informed and way the options for themselves.

How many flights were there they day the linked event occurred? Two people went to the hospital according to the article. Two people out of the thousands flying that day? It's not like it happens everyday either.

 

[superdiz]

Exactly. What happens when these people who just can't afford to pay for a seat once the baby turns into a toddler and NEEDS a seat purchased. Do they just never fly again?



Most loving parents think this way

So people who don't buy a seat are unloving?

 

[jenben8426]

And if there are to be no more lap babies for fear of them flying and getting hurt or hurting someone else in the event of sudden and unexpected turbulence, then I would argue that the law would have to move forward to also include no more laptops, tablets, bags out, food, etc. for fear of it flying and hitting someone. In addition, no more getting out of seat belts AT ALL even if you have to go to the bathroom because what if there is a sudden bump that sends a person flying?? And as someone else mentioned just because you have a child in a car seat does not mean you will never take them out. What if that baby needs a diaper change and you hit that bump right as you take them out to change them?

Yes, there are risks in life that govern people. There are also laws that govern people. There is no law to have a child under two in a car seat on a plane. Therefore it comes to a judgement call on the parent. Just because someone chooses to put their baby in their lap doesn't mean they love their child any less. They are probably governed by the fact that statistics DO NOT show that a child is in danger by sitting on someone's lap in an airplane. I don't know about you, but I'm not hearing about the thousands of babies dying due to being in their parents' laps and then the plane hits some turbulence.

 

[DizBelle]

http://abcnews.go.com/US/baby-flying-hurt-plane-hit-turbulence/story?id=22559274

 

[sukhakuli]

I'll continue to travel with my children as lap children, thanks.

I saw the story on Good Morning America. It said 33 (somewhere around that number) people per year were injured from turbulence. 22 of those people were flight crew (makes sense as they are standing in the aisle.)

So, just over 10 passengers per year in the whole country are injured from turbulence....out of the countless people who travel by air each year. This isn't even a blip on my radar.

Babies are injured by so many other ways so much more commonly, I'm going to focus on real concerns...

So, 10 people per year are injured by turbulence. How many people fly each year? Yeah. So not worth all the pearl clutching.

 

[eliza61]

http://abcnews.go.com/US/baby-flying-hurt-plane-hit-turbulence/story?id=22559274

So what about the crew that was hurt? shouldn't we also ban crew members from getting up out of their seats since they are hurt more regularly than babies getting thrown out of their seats?

Dead serious?

If we are going to try and start mitagating against any and all possiblilities, ban every thing that could possibly move, fly or get hurt if we hit turbulance

 

[Gumbo4x4]

What about projectile flight attendants and people getting up to go to the bathroom?

Well, you're certainly not making it any better

 

[EMAW_KSU]

So what about the crew that was hurt? shouldn't we also ban crew members from getting up out of their seats since they are hurt more regularly than babies getting thrown out of their seats?

Dead serious?

If we are going to try and start mitagating against any and all possiblilities, ban every thing that could possibly move, fly or get hurt if we hit turbulance

The only way to do that is not to fly.

 

[pigletgirl]

The first time we flew with DD, she was a lap baby and did fine. The last we flew with her (at the holidays), we bought her a seat just so we could have more space under the seat! It had nothing to do with safety. It was nice to be able to set her down in a safe place but she still nurses, and DH played with her so over the 3 hour flight, she was out of her seat probably 40-50% of the time.

 

[TeresaNJ]

You might do what you think is common sense but someone else might look at something you do and think you are wrong.

Interesting post count and join date to start such a thread and give such a strong judgemental opinion.

Where did the little smiley head bobbing up and down agreeing go! Nevertheless, I agree 100%. Gotta give it to Eliza. If this OP's post were directed at me, I'd probably be having to get me some points!