Portable dvd player on plane??

[DMRick]

I am suggesting that those who think think playing a dvd without headphones is "like the worst thing ever a parent could do" are living in a fantasy land much less realistic than Disney itself.

I just don't understand..who thinks this is the worse thing a parent could do?
Of course there are worse. Read today's Albany Times Union..you'll see what a parent in our area could and would do to their poor baby. Broken bones, bleach in her eyes (because she wet her pants). No comparison.

The OP asked about it..many of us answered. Now some that didn't know it was agravating know. Hopefully it helps them plan their next trip.
Many people put up with lots on an airplane and don't complain at the time.(but they may still not be happy..just aren't saying anything)..and some of you mentioned some of those things. Knowing it bothers some, I'll make sure not to bring tuna on board again. Other's will try to find headphones their kids will use.

 

[taximomfor4]

Yep. a choice I am free to make , did make once, and can't say that I won't in the future (hopefully none of you are on my flight!!!). At that time I did not knowingly go with the knowledge my 24 mos and 2 week year old wouldn''t wear the headphones, so I did take the dvd player. As previously stated, she wore them for quite a while and liked having the headphones on at first, but the end of a long flight caused some problems which included a dvd player wihtout headphones and some crying--sobbing actually.

Funny thing is I didn't notice or hear any complaints or evil eyes that time. So it must have not been THAT disturbing to my fellow passengers or I must have been flying with excessively kind, tolerant people.

I am not suggesting that we should go and blare our dvd for entire flight, but I am suggesting that those who think think playing a dvd without headphones is "like the worst thing ever a parent could do" are living in a fantasy land much less realistic than Disney itself.

I secretly want to play the dvd player on our next flight just to watch peple's reactions (just for a few minutes...as an experiment) JUST KIDDING!!!

But see, your child did use the headphones for most of the time. I think that shows you were being courteous. That's really not terrible IMO. A little while at the end of the flight, the child was tired of the headphones. Not at all the same as going onto a flight with the knowledge that headphones are not going to be an option (or barely an option). I am perfectly aware that my kids DO misbehave and annoy people around them. Like you, I try to minimize that.

Really, I just got into this thread because the OP questioned whether people would be ok with her child(ren) using a portable DVD player on a plane without headphones. I think that it is not the "correct and courteous" thing to do since it may disturb other passengers. I don't think it is the "worst thing a parent can do." I just don't think it is a good plan for plane entertainment.

 

[kinntj]

Thought I'd add one more thing. The following is an article re: child-friendly earphones. Never even knew these existed but I guess it makes sense: http://www.gearlive.com/index.php/news/article/kidz-gear-headphones-09201144/

They can be ordered at: www.gearforkidz.com

Wow! Thanks Rick for posting that link.
I'll look into these, although my kids will be 3 and 5 when they travel on a plane next, so there shouldn't be any reason for them not to wear headphones of any kind.

 

[tarheelmjfan]

Funny thing is I didn't notice or hear any complaints or evil eyes that time. So it must have not been THAT disturbing to my fellow passengers or I must have been flying with excessively kind, tolerant people.

I've tolerated much worse on a plane, w/o saying anything. That doesn't mean I wasn't disturbed or feel it was extremely rude. Sometimes, we're forced to show tolerance. I never think it's appropriate for one to show anger in front of a child. When someone asked ahead of time if we would be bothered, shouldn't we be honest. The fact that I'm bothered by someone's actions doesn't mean I would voice that. Responding to rude behavior, w/ rude behavior isn't the answer. Most people realize that. That doesn't mean people aren't annoyed. It just means they are treating others with more respect than they're receiving.

 

[kaytieeldr]

We haven't used headphones the last two trips(I even had external speakers added one time) with our DVD player's and except for my daughter who was watching the movie, nobody else could hear a thing over the noise of the plane. She was in the middle seat and we also had the row behind us as well so we were certain of this.

When you throw in the noise of the captain every 10 minutes, people talking or walking by, flight attendants asking questions, phone conversations, etc., its impossible to have quiet on a plane, I'm amazed that so many can hear Elmo over the snoring of the guy behind you

Okay, let's see... did you check with the person in front of your daughter? Maybe they were just too polite to complain; maybe, sure, they had headphones or earplugs - but THAT would be the seat most affected by a DVD player used without headphones, NOT the row behind you - but the person separated from the DVD player by a few inches of seat-back.
I've never been on a flight where the captain is talking every ten minutes; even if he were, that's entirely different from a solid 80+ minutes of a movie. For the most part, passengers stay in their seats - except, sure, to use the restrooms, but again, that's not a constant occurrence. Ditto for the flight attendants - aside from the fact their primary purpose is passenger safety, even distributing food/drinks and answering call-buttons is, again, not a steady source of noise - they move down (or up) the aisle, 'disturbing' only a few rows at a time and for only a short period.
And, when did the "you can use your cell phone in the air" thing get approved? Now, granted, I haven't been on a plane in a little over three months, but even that recently, passengers could use cell phones ONLY on the ground.

Some facts from the other side:
1) My post was about 'just music' since I mentioned that the only video I would allow my kids without headphones would be Baby Mozart or Baby Bach - classical music - no annoying Elmo voice, etc.

But I don't want to listen to THAT, either.

You are right..no one should give an evil eye, just because kids are boarding.

Okay, well, I will admit now that I once did that - sorta. I was on a Midway flight from Raleigh-Durham to Boston, and a couple with an infant in a car seat sat in the row opposite me. Ordinarily, that's understandable - but this flight had SEVEN passengers on the entire plane (in case anybody wonders why Midway went out of business . I did NOT do the 'evil eye', but the flight attendant saw my look of apparent desperation and told them car seats weren't allowed within two rows of the exit row.

If I have to wear earplugs so as not to hear your child's movie, tantrums, your constant reminders to behave, etc... how will I hear my children who want to ask me quietly to read them a story or play a game with them?

Well, to get you to read to them, they could hold the book up in front of your face - but with earplugs in, how would you know how loudly you were reading?

I'm not your "darling" and I forgot our spelling was being graded. I'm not sure what anger you are talking about, but I find your attitude and sarcasm very condescending. Oh..I hope I spelled everything correctly Could one of the teachers check my spelling..because if I spell courtesy wrong , I'm told not to expect it!

I'm not a teacher but I play one on TV.... wait, no, wrong line. Anyway, both your spelling and your grammar in the above quote are perfect. Good job!

 

[kinntj]

I'm bored today....I hope this thread doesn't get closed

DITTO!!! Center row and getting better!

Anyone else going to sit and watch the drama?

 

[aka-mad4themouse]

I'm bored today....I hope this thread doesn't get closed

And I would hate to close it because I'm hoping that the OP can get some more constructive ideas as to how to entertain her little one or get her more accustommed to using headphones.

However, if this thread (or any other thread) begins to serve as a forum for an argument instead of civil discussion, then it will be closed. I'll remind everyone of the DISboard Posting Guidelines. I'm specifically referring to:

3. NO FIGHTING: Several Internet news groups are marred by the actions of a few selfish people who turn an otherwise positive forum into a soap box for their anger issues. Internet newsgroups are not moderated, and therefore, anything goes. These boards are moderated in an effort to keep the discussions appropriate to the topic at hand. Those who feel they can not abide by these rules are welcome to read the posts on the board, and respond via email to the person who posted the message. Messages that are argumentative or sarcastic in nature will be deleted without discussion.

Please, let's all remember to to think about others' feelings before we hit the reply button. Sometimes the delete key is a better choice.

 

[kinntj]

People tolerating rude behavior does not make the behavior LESS rude.

Unless you honestly don't know this is rude behavior? We didn't know this was distracting and rude until now. Being a first time parent and traveling for the 1st time, I really didn't know that it was that bad, but apparently it is.
Like DMRick has said, now we know and this won't happen again and will find alternatives...like staying home. Actually, that's why we're not going to Disney while our youngest is in her 2's. She's just a really wild child and there's no way my patience would hold up on a plane for 2 1/2 hours. Now if we had to fly with her for reasons of moving or such, then we would try to find a way to keep her quiet by some other means.

I would just hope that if someone does this in the future, that one of you would ask politely that the dvd player be turned down or off.

Another poster said that why respond rudely to a rude behavior or something along those lines. Then Don't! There is a tactful way of handling situations like this. I personally don't mind going up to people on the plane and ask them myself (politely)or go through the FA if you don't like confrontation.

Is my spelling ok? I'm paranoid now!

 

[taximomfor4]

Unless you honestly don't know this is rude behavior? We didn't know this was distracting and rude until now. Being a first time parent and traveling for the 1st time, I really didn't know that it was that bad, but apparently it is.
Like DMRick has said, now we know and this won't happen again and will find alternatives...like staying home. Actually, that's why we're not going to Disney while our youngest is in her 2's. She's just a really wild child and there's no way my patience would hold up on a plane for 2 1/2 hours. Now if we had to fly with her for reasons of moving or such, then we would try to find a way to keep her quiet by some other means.

I would just hope that if someone does this in the future, that one of you would ask politely that the dvd player be turned down or off.

Another poster said that why respond rudely to a rude behavior or something along those lines. Then Don't! There is a tactful way of handling situations like this. I personally don't mind going up to people on the plane and ask them myself (politely)or go through the FA if you don't like confrontation.

Is my spelling ok? I'm paranoid now!

lol your spelling is fine. And I applaud you for reading opinions and taking them into consideration. The great thing about message boards is hearing all sides of a debate.

BTW, as far as reacting rudely, I sincerely hope most of us would be tactful! I don't think posters on here would be here if they did not want to understand the other side, or didn't want to help educate. And yes, education goes both ways. One of the things I am learning is that I need to mention when someone is bothering me. I have previously just sat and stewed (I am quite stoic, most of the time) as my head pounded to the bass of hiphop on a cd walkman or my somewhat touchy tummy jumped as the back of my seat was thumped...thumped...thumped...thumped. Somehow, the longer an annoying stimulus exists, the faster exponentially it increases its annoyance factor. 3 minutes of being thumped would not make me nutso, but 3 hours certainly does. I can say that from experience. Now I just have to be more assertive and speak to the parents. So thanks to this thread, I hope to learn to do just that,.

I can only speak for myself, but I would not get rude or snarky if someone's child was watching a dvd player without headphones. I would think it seemed rude but I would not respond rudely.

A brand new coloring book and brand new crayons has been quite popular on flights with dd when she was 2. Especially if it was a coloring book about her current favorites.

 

[brandylouwho]

Okay, let's see... did you check with the person in front of your daughter? Maybe they were just too polite to complain; maybe, sure, they had headphones or earplugs - but THAT would be the seat most affected by a DVD player used without headphones, NOT the row behind] you - but the person separated from the DVD player by a few inches of seat-back.

Actually, on my dvd player the sound is directed forwards, at the watcher so the sound should travel at my kid, not forward. I think someone else told me on a different post that thought the noise of kids was worse behind them, not in front of them.

Maybe they were too polite to complain? Aha, there must be people out there who do take things like this with a grain of salt! Or maybe they didn't hear it and/or weren't annoyed with it at all!

Just another one of those differences in opinion I suppose. I will have to test this out on our next flight (hopefully those around us are willing). I will report back in September.

I think that many people are just less uptight about this stuff in the real world, but the hypothetical world we are in right now sure makes for some interesting debate.

 

[kinntj]

Hi!
We go to Disneyworld alot but we drive and this year we are flying and we haven't flown in years. I am hoping someone can answer a few questions for me. Can my daughter bring her portable dvd player in her backpack on the plane and her dvd's all on her backpack as her carry on bag? Also, we went to the Disney Store this evening, thanks to a great tip here on the sale and my daughter got one of those lighted spinning toys for the dark in the parks for the parade, is it ok to have that in her carry-on bag on the plane?
Thanks,
PammyPoppins

Yep, these things can be put into a backpack as well as the light up thingy. I don't think that would be a problem. You might want to bring a tavel magnadoodle pad (my kids love them in the car), they have great magnet books out there that my kids like. You can dress up characters with different outfits that magnetize on. of course coloring books and washable crayons or better yet those Crayola wonder coloring things with no mess! Although, my 2 year old would throw them on the floor of the plane and they would roll away.

Have a great trip! One thing we can all agree on is having fun at the Kingdom!

 

[shades]

DITTO!!! Center row and getting better!

Anyone else going to sit and watch the drama?

I had to take a break for an appointment, but I'm back now and ready for some more action. Nine pages about kids wearing headphones on an airplane...who would thought the discussion would be so "extensive" I just love this little guy-->



Headphones, anybody??? (I'm bored again, so I'm instigating some more "discussion" LOL!!-->

 

[tarheelmjfan]

I had to take a break for an appointment, but I'm back now and ready for some more action. Nine pages about kids wearing headphones on an airplane...who would thought the discussion would be so "extensive" I just love this little guy-->



Headphones, anybody??? (I'm bored again, so I'm instigating some more "discussion" LOL!!-->

You really need to get a life. Oh wait, we all do!

I'll share my diet pepsi , if you'll share your popcorn.

 

[shades]

You really need to get a life. Oh wait, we all do!

I'll share my diet pepsi , if you'll share your popcorn.

LOL! This IS my life From sun up to sundown. There are posts on here that are better than reality tv because they are unedited. Heck yea...I could go for some diet pepsi - but, I have to warn ya...I put lots of extra butter on my popcorn! I buy Odell's real clarified butter and it is soooooooo gooooooooooood!! Nobody else in my house likes popcorn so I don't even have to share.
Ok..so, I'd better throw a tip in for how to entertain small children on flights 'cause I've gone wayyy off topic. How about bringing along some kind of goopy playdoh type stuff. Lots of finger foods to keep mouths and hands busy. I always shopped for new foods that I knew my dd would like and would save them for the airplane. Airplane rides always get special food to this day. Ohhh, I just remembered, we have poptarts!

Hey, I found my dd---> she plays the viola. I wonder if the people around us on the airplane would mind if she practiced on our next trip to Orlando.

Back to the action:

 

[DMRick]

I'll share my diet pepsi , if you'll share your popcorn.

I suppose your share your diet pepsi with your children? Do you know what that fake sugar does to them...oh, wait, this is the wrong thread LOL.
Seriously, it sounds like most of the people here, as someone just posted, are just learning that some things bother some people on some airplanes..and are planning on doing what they can to not have it happen. For that, I thank you. We can continue this discussion at the POP, starting Sept 28th..I think most of the Dis will be there then

Playdough? OMG I can hear the FA now. I gave some to a two year old when camping last month..but I did ask first. She was camping with her grandma..and she let her play with it inside their new motor home!!! That would certainly keep them busy..I think I'd have to lay down a throwaway tablecloth first!

 

[MyZoeJane]

Maybe they were too polite to complain? Aha, there must be people out there who do take things like this with a grain of salt! Or maybe they didn't hear it and/or weren't annoyed with it at all!

Just another one of those differences in opinion I suppose. I will have to test this out on our next flight (hopefully those around us are willing). I will report back in September.

I think that many people are just less uptight about this stuff in the real world, but the hypothetical world we are in right now sure makes for some interesting debate.

Indeed, there ARE people out there who take small noises with a grain of salt. And there are people who will swear up and down that some quiet background noise is incredibly rude, even if it's only being used as a last resort, and even then at a reasonable volume. (Because I think we all agree that blaring movies and music are egregious and unthoughtful!) The question is, is either side of the argument any MORE right than the other? If there are people who think something is just fine and there are people who think it is not, how can we please everyone all the time?

What's that addage? "You can please some of the people all of the time, all of the people some of the time, but you can't please all of the people all of the time."

I'm not asking anyone to tolerate an excessive amount from me or my child. At the beginning of this argument, I believed that MOST people would rather hear some low volume sound from a DVD over the hollers and whining of a toddler... and I still believe that. My apologies to those of you who feel otherwise... but I feel good knowing that I bring a WHOLE LOT more GOOD into this world than the small little things I do that might get me labeled as "rude" by some people.

As I've stated previously, and will state again, I will do everything in my power to assure that the people on a plane with my daughter will have as little interruption to their flight as I can... and I will continue do my best to acclimate her to headphones but those seonsory issues are tough!

But the next time I fly with her, I will do as I did last time. I will bring a slew of toys. I will read her books (which is still noise, so it confuses me why the noise of my voice is acceptable when the noise of an actor's voice is not!) we will sing our songs (again, noise!) and when all that fails to make her sit still, I will smile nicely at the people around me... offer up a stick of gum... crack a joke about "being stuck next to the kid", and then hope that I'm not sitting anywhere near a person who thinks I'm horrible.

And FYI, my words are not designed to have some seedy underhanded mission as has been suggested. I choose my words carefully but that's just the English teacher in me. Maybe it's my teacher voice that's coming through? You can chastise me for sounding "condescending" and you can allow yourself to feel slighted or put down by what I have to say, but my feelings about tolerance are SINCERE. I really don't have any ill intentions.

I truly believe that we live in a world where too many people find too darn much to complain about!!!

I'm sorry about my snarky spelling comment, too. Again, the English teacher in me sometimes forgets that just because people don't make spelling a priority, it doesn't make them any less respectable. That was wrong for me to post. And FWIW, I WILL take your comments regarding the DVD noise to heart the next time I fly. Hopefully, we wont even have to break out the VideoNow!

 

[shades]

I suppose your share your diet pepsi with your children? Do you know what that fake sugar does to them...oh, wait, this is the wrong thread LOL.
Seriously, it sounds like most of the people here, as someone just posted, are just learning that some things bother some people on some airplanes..and are planning on doing what they can to not have it happen. For that, I thank you. We can continue this discussion at the POP, starting Sept 28th..I think most of the Dis will be there then

Playdough? OMG I can hear the FA now. I gave some to a two year old when camping last month..but I did ask first. She was camping with her grandma..and she let her play with it inside their new motor home!!! That would certainly keep them busy..I think I'd have to lay down a throwaway tablecloth first!

Yea - playdoh - ohhhhhhhhh, yea...I remember that stuff crumbles apart like crazy and gets stuck to everything. Well, maybe some reasonably clean silly putty and a few coins to press into it.

I think Diet Pepsi is on the new and improved food pyramid, right?? Actually, I feed my teens regular, "real" sugar sodas - only the best for them My true (and, only) vice is Diet Coke. I have to have 2 cans everymorning (I'm not a coffee drinker). Then, to get through my busy, retiree day I'll have a diet dr p or diet vanilla pepsi. Ahhh...life is good! Well, I'd meet you all at Pop in Sept if I could - but, it's after our next trip and before our holiday trip. So, you all take notes and them come back and post 'em for us, ok??

 

[MyZoeJane]

Ok..so, I'd better throw a tip in for how to entertain small children on flights 'cause I've gone wayyy off topic. How about bringing along some kind of goopy playdoh type stuff.

GASP!! You CAN'T be serious?!?! Now talk about RUDE! At least when my daughter and her DVD player get off the plane when don't leave a big sticky mess behind! Talk about starting an argument!

KIDDING!!!

 

[shades]

GASP!! You CAN'T be serious?!?! Now talk about RUDE! At least when my daughter and her DVD player get off the plane when don't leave a big sticky mess behind! Talk about starting an argument!

KIDDING!!!

Yep, I was kidding about the goopy stuff! Hey, I don't want to sit in any goop left behind. But, I'm one of the few on this thread who doesn't mind listening to a child's video. Heck, I think it's cute how little ones are so mesmerized by their favorite movie of the month. We watched Little Mermaid & Mulan about a 1000 times each when my dd was little.

Anyway, I'm sure all will work out fine and you guys will have a great trip!

 

[ducklite]

as my head pounded to the bass of hiphop on a cd walkman

Maybe it wasn't this thread, although I thought it was, but I'll repeat because you obviously didn't see it.

It's pretty much accousitcally impossible for the bass sounds of an IPod or Walkman to travel past the ears of the listener.

Headphones and ear buds are unidirectional. They thrust sound in one direction, and one direction only--into your ears. They lack sound pressure substantial enough to force sound into an omnidirectional pattern. They also lack subwoofers, the system of electrical impulses (analogue or digital) that handle the lowest frequencies, 20-100Hz range. These sub sounds require air pressure to move through the atmosphere, and these devices son't produce air pressure. (This is why when you hear a car with a loud BOOM-BOOM-BOOM coming from it's sounds system you can feel the vibrations, it's actually the air pressure needed to carry those sounds which is literally physically produced.)

Your ears act to interfere with the sound spectrum, and block some frequencies from traveling further.

High end frequencies travel with minimal physical air pressure and can reflect off solid surfaces. These would be the 15-20kHz frequencies.

What you hear from someone's headphones or ear buds are the upper range frequencies, and depending on the volume and quality of the apparatus, some of the upper end mid-range frequencies, not the low end or bass frequencies.

It's physics. Nothing more, nothing less.

Anne