Possibly not sitting with children on airplane

[ducklite]

Do you have children??

Yup! And I NEVER allowed him to behave like that--especially on purpose--to bother someone. That was incredibly rude, and I hope that karma pays her a visit sometime.

Anne

 

[ducklite]

Try not to worry too much. This has happened to us several times. Once when my DS was about 6 months ols they had DH, DS, and myself all separated. When it get right down to it, the airline really does not want your children to be unsupervised. If they can't help at the gate the you can easily ask another passenger to switch seats. If they don't respond, a flight attendant can ask the passenger to move. If all else fails leave the passenger tons of information/ instructions so that they can supervise your kids (like an overprotective parent leaving their child with a babysitter for the first time.) "Don't forget she allergic to milk so make sure to take the cheese off her sandwich. And DS isn't fully potty trained so you have to take him to the bath room every 30 minutes. Oh, you want to trade seats now? Great." OK, I'm kidding. Well sort of. My youngest son is a terrible traveler. More than once I've wanted to not sit with him on a plane.

If you said that to me I'd say "Fine, and my childcare fee is $50 an hour--payable upfront."

Anne

 

[Kailani6]

Yup! And I NEVER allowed him to behave like that--especially on purpose--to bother someone. That was incredibly rude, and I hope that karma pays her a visit sometime.

Anne

I never said I let my child do that...you are pretty presumptious. I think you should take a deep breath and stop attacking people. You are one of the reasons it took me so long to post on here-sometimes people are attacked on here for no reason-if you don't like what someone else posted (as long as it isn't an attack on you) than walk on by and go to different thread where you don't feel the need to attack someone....(Please and thank you )

 

[ducklite]

I never said I let my child do that...you are pretty presumptious. I think you should take a deep breath and stop attacking people. You are one of the reasons it took me so long to post on here-sometimes people are attacked on here for no reason-if you don't like what someone else posted (as long as it isn't an attack on you) than walk on by and go to different thread where you don't feel the need to attack someone....(Please and thank you )

Um, can you tell me where I said that you said that? I said "her" not "you."

I'm not attacking anyone. I'm giving truthful responses. People often have these grandiose ideas of what they will do to "protect" their kids on a plane that in reality will either get them tossed off, or just aren't going to work.

Anne

 

[latexscooter]

I've read all the threads going back and noticed there wasn't any real resolution. Because I am concerned of being in a similar situation in the future I went ahead and called Jet Blue directly and asked them about their policy and what they would do. The woman said when a flight is cancelled they assign seats according to availability. But, when you get to the airport and check-in and at gate check remind them of your situation. They said they will move passengers to ensure that the small children are not sitting without parental supervision. She told me that that most people will move willingly but if they do not do so they will just move them and then give them an incentive (future upgrade, free drinks at an airport lounge, etc.)

She said they have an unaccompanied minor policy for children under age 16 that travel. The airline is not going to have the ability to tend to the unaccompanied minor without previous reservation (and the fee associated to it) so it is their policy to ensure that rearranging of seats does not result in an unaccompanied minor situation.

This put me at ease and I hope that it helps the OP.

 

[Kailani6]

Um, can you tell me where I said that you said that? I said "her" not "you."

I'm not attacking anyone. I'm giving truthful responses. People often have these grandiose ideas of what they will do to "protect" their kids on a plane that in reality will either get them tossed off, or just aren't going to work.

Anne

Again...what are you talking about? Who are all these people that have graniose ideas of protecting their child on planes? I am not sure what you are refering to...however I take myself to be a average mother in regards to not being too overprotective but also not too naive as to think that nothing will happen and I can reasure you that I would NEVER allow my daughter to be in the care of complete strangers for 3 hours. Plain and simple.

Now in the hopes of further preventing this thread from being highjacked I will not post in this thread again so that hopefully only people that have something helpful to say to the OP (and not attacking others for trying to help the OP) may do so...(I don't want to feed the bear)

~Farley

(Again I want to say to the OP I know where you are coming from and please don't worry, I'm positive that you will either have a helpful attendant or some kind soul will empathize with you and change seats-I know I would-Have a great trip!

 

[murcor]

I am so frustrated with Jet Blue right now that I could scream. I made my reservations in August knowing that this is a very busy time to fly (I did get great rates though). We are flying out of Buffalo so we have to drive there from Rochester. My frustration is that I picked out my seats when I bought the tickets for all my flights. Same seats same row for everything. The flight home was changed 2 times and I changed my seats both times. Being slightly obsessive complusion I went on the check last night (we leave on Saturday) and suddenly we did not have seats on the flight from Boston to Orlando and coming home from JFK to Buffalo. I call Jet Blue say I have my print out in front of me with my seat numbers - lady says nothing she can do and has to separate us 3 in one row with 2 rows separating the other 3. I pity the parties between us. This made me upset, but the kicker is on the return flight there are no seats together. She spent 15 minutes looking up the info and basically said that there was nothing she could do, but at check in they could try and put us together. This is completely not cool. I have 4 children - the oldest is 9 and the youngest is 4. My 6 year old has some sensory issues and there is not way that they can be everywhere on a plane. I don't really know what to say to Jet Blue. I am sorry that this got long - but I needed to vent

Thanks for any information.

kathe

Hi,

I can understand your feelings, this situation happened to me. (different airline, I even paid the extra for seat selection) My kids were 3 & 4 at the time. I was so upset, I cried on the phone with the airline and begged for a seat change. There was nothing they could do, they advised me to try again at check in and again at the gate and then if it didnt work out then ask a flight attendant upon boarding.

At the gate they look through the passenger list for potential singles or couples that may switch and page them to the counter. It is a very common practice and luckily worked out for us.

I hope it works out for you
Good Luck
Angela

 

[hollieplus2]

Yup! And I NEVER allowed him to behave like that--especially on purpose--to bother someone. That was incredibly rude, and I hope that karma pays her a visit sometime.

Anne

Maybe karma was paying him a visit...I begged him to trade places with me and he was VERY rude and negative. He ignored me the first couple times I asked him. My DS had just turned 4 and at that age they are not the best behaved kids, especially a hyper child early in the morning. Since he was behind me I couldn't keep a close eye on him and did go back a couple times to check on him and try to make him calm down. I said it was a bumpy ride and because of that the seatbelt sign was on and I couldn't get up for most of the flight. Any 4 year old will try to look out the window, especially if they have never flown before. All the magazines were in front of this persons chair so DS wanted to see them (having to reach over him to get them) and was asking him questions like any 4 year old would. I normally keep a very tight leash on him and had been sitting next to me would have said the usual SIT DOWN, HUSH, STOP MESSING WITH THINGS etc but since he was way behind me, the seatbelt sign was on there was nothing I could do. I asked the guy again if he would switch or accomodate me and he still said no. I tried my best and DS was excited to be on a plane. I can't control everything. The flight was bumpy and his OJ spilled. Open drinks on a bumpy flight just sitting on a tray is a recipe for disaster. I can't say if DS bumped him or not but I know he wouldn't spill it on purpose. He DOES have manners. Everyone got tired of me getting up and down, up and down. I shouldn't have to.

 

[mrs. magoo]

Okay, I did not mean to start this debate. I needed to vent. Thanks laxscooter for calling Jet Blue. The rep last night did not tell me that. Her advice was to ask at check in. I hope that is truly their policy and I know that all will be fine. Just for the record my children are very well behaved, but also love each other and like to talk to one another. It will be more difficult to do with aisles separating us.

Thank you once again

Kathe

 

[dsnymomof4]

I am only slightly concerned about this because on our return trip we are flying SW for the first time, so will not have assigned seats. However, all of my children but DD6 would be fine sitting by themselves. What bothers me about this type of situation is - what type of person, especially when asked nicely, would not give up their seat so that a mother could sit with a small child? That is very sad.

 

[ducklite]

Maybe karma was paying him a visit...I begged him to trade places with me and he was VERY rude and negative. He ignored me the first couple times I asked him. My DS had just turned 4 and at that age they are not the best behaved kids, especially a hyper child early in the morning. Since he was behind me I couldn't keep a close eye on him and did go back a couple times to check on him and try to make him calm down. I said it was a bumpy ride and because of that the seatbelt sign was on and I couldn't get up for most of the flight. Any 4 year old will try to look out the window, especially if they have never flown before. All the magazines were in front of this persons chair so DS wanted to see them (having to reach over him to get them) and was asking him questions like any 4 year old would. I normally keep a very tight leash on him and had been sitting next to me would have said the usual SIT DOWN, HUSH, STOP MESSING WITH THINGS etc but since he was way behind me, the seatbelt sign was on there was nothing I could do. I asked the guy again if he would switch or accomodate me and he still said no. I tried my best and DS was excited to be on a plane. I can't control everything. The flight was bumpy and his OJ spilled. Open drinks on a bumpy flight just sitting on a tray is a recipe for disaster. I can't say if DS bumped him or not but I know he wouldn't spill it on purpose. He DOES have manners. Everyone got tired of me getting up and down, up and down. I shouldn't have to.

Sorry, I thought you were in aisle seats across from each other by the way you originally described it. Did you ask the person in the aisle seat across from either you or your son to switch so you were an arms length away across the aisle? I'll generally trade my aisle for aisle to accomodate someone in that situation. You also have to understand that maybe the man gets claustrophobic and needs to sit by a window to control his anxiety. There are a lot of reasons people sit where they do on planes.

I think I would have sat in the seat further back and put him in the seat you were in so it would be easier to keep an eye.

Anne

 

[tjmw2727]

I have been in this situation a few times when I felt my dd's were too young to sit alone. No matter how far in advance you book your seats can always be re-assigned for various reasons. When you book your flight you are guaranteed passage in that class of seats - actual seats are never guaranteed.

In my experience American Airlines was horrible at helping with getting seats back together while Jet Blue went above and beyond the one time we were split. When you check in calmly explain the situation and ask for what would help you the most. Be reasonable, they aren't going to be able to seat you all together so have a plan as to what you really need. IE - one adult with each of the younger two. If I were you I would prepare the older two for the possiblity of sitting alone. Make sure they have a carryon each with what they would need/want for the flight and reassure them that it will fine and that they can handle it.

Good luck - and remember your going to Disneyworld!

TJ

 

[BrerMom]

To the OP, honestly, don't worry about it. We had a very similar experience the very first time the kids flew. Someone did trade me so I could sit next to our 8 month old , but the other two were on their own. The older two, ages just turned five and 7 1/2, had their own backpacks full of entertainment and were fine. The dad sitting next to DS5 was kind enough to walk him back to me so I could take him to the bathroom. I wasn't terribly happy about the whole situation, but the kids ended up getting a lot of praise from the stewardesses for their good behavior. DD & DS were fine - and had new people to talk to.

You said your 6-year-old has sensory issues. If he's in special ed, mention that to the stewardesses when you board and they may view your request more in the line of a mom of a toddler that knows he needs help.

The "predator" remark really rubbed me the wrong way. If a parent assumes that every adult your child meets is secretly waiting to harm them, how is your child ever going to learn to trust anyone but family?

 

[hollieplus2]

Sorry, I thought you were in aisle seats across from each other by the way you originally described it. Did you ask the person in the aisle seat across from either you or your son to switch so you were an arms length away across the aisle? I'll generally trade my aisle for aisle to accomodate someone in that situation. You also have to understand that maybe the man gets claustrophobic and needs to sit by a window to control his anxiety. There are a lot of reasons people sit where they do on planes.

I think I would have sat in the seat further back and put him in the seat you were in so it would be easier to keep an eye.

Anne

I always try and get the last row possible and I always request seat A & B as I know A will always be a window and if there are only 2 seats together and not three then we will still be ok. The people next to us were families with kids so I didn't ask them. I was very nice, asked and begged and he was extremly rude so I just said fine. If you are so dead set on sitting next to my 4 year old then so be it.

 

[momtoBrandon&Jacob]

I am sorry but if you sat there and watched your child purposefully misbehave and be rude to the person next to them then you were being TWICE as RUDE as the people you accused of being rude for not moving!
I would never teach my child that if was OK to be rude if you didn't get your way, what a lesson to learn. And please explain the long term damage to you and your child not sitting next to each other for a couple of hours?

I totally agree with you. I was going to post the same thing.

 

[jodifla]

I always try and get the last row possible and I always request seat A & B as I know A will always be a window and if there are only 2 seats together and not three then we will still be ok. The people next to us were families with kids so I didn't ask them. I was very nice, asked and begged and he was extremly rude so I just said fine. If you are so dead set on sitting next to my 4 year old then so be it.

I agree, this jerk got EXACTLY what he deserved by refusing to change seats. And it was probably karma kicking in, punishing him for previous bad behavior!

When I'm flying alone, I've changed seats a couple of times so little kids could be with their parents...and one was on a trans-Atlantic flight, where I switched from aisle to middle seat.

I have no respect for any adult who think their own selfish needs trump the needs of a small child to sit next to his/her parent. (The only exception is someone with a medical need to sit in a certain seat.)

 

[Angelgirl13202]

I am sorry some people would not move for you. To the op I hope everything works out.

If I flew anymore I would be more than happy to give up my seat so a child can sit with their parrent I have flown many times solo and would have moved if asked. Except I usually end up in the emergency row where children cant sit anyway.

If I had a child and we were flying i would hope someone would move for us...(will never happen as my Husband will not fly and says I shouldn't it would make him way to nervios) That would be the only time I wouldn't move is if I ever convinced DH to fly working really hard on his fear, I would never give up a seat next to him knowing how afraid he would be and how much he would need my support.

 

[crisi]

We had this happen. The plane was overbooked and there wasn't much Northwest could do. We had two seats together for six people - everyone else was scattered throughout the plane. They let me board early and take the third seat next to my kids. When the gentleman who was supposed to sit there came by I said "this is your seat, mine is right there. You can sit with my kids or you can take my seat." He was more than gracious in letting me stay with my kids (who were 4 and 5).

But the OP needs to have realistic expectations - a family of six is pretty likely to be split up. You might get lucky and get three and three, but its more likely that you'll have at least one child needing to sit independantly of the parents. Prepare your kids for this. We've seen cases where nothing can be done - with an Orlando flight EVERYONE has kids that they need to sit close to - and you are often split up. They give priority to fixing the issues with toddlers and preschoolers (which sometimes seems to be 30% of the plane on an Orlando flight) - and school aged kids are often left fending for themselves.

 

[ducklite]

I have no respect for any adult who think their own selfish needs trump the needs of a small child to sit next to his/her parent. (The only exception is someone with a medical need to sit in a certain seat.)

I don't think that parents should ever think it's OK to inconvenience others because of their kids.

We had a situation when our son was about six--long story but because of an airline screw up we couldn't be seated with our son--they had double booked about half a dozen seats on the plane, and when we got on there were already people in our seats. Rather than splitting up or inconveniencing others, we took the next flight.

It's a two-way street.

Anne

 

[parith1114]

I'm so sorry to hear that so many of you have had bad experiences when it comes to seating.

As a flight attendant(SWA), I try not to allow a plane to push back from a gate without parent and child seated together. As a mother I know how important it is to me, and therefore make it a must on my plane.

I simply make an announcement that unless you are "willing to babysit for the next __ minutes/hours" I suggest you volunteer and move. I have even forced the plane into oversell...once(don't ask, it was awful).

I say appeal to the mother onboard. Which ever FA looks like a mom, ask her, she'll take care of it.

I make it sound like I'm a tyrant, but really I joke around with it and give a few free cocktails, everyone is willing to move for a cocktail.

Do keep in mind however, children over 6 or 7 should be o.k.(unless a disability,etc.) on their own if you are traveling with more than one child. If this is the case pick the one that needs you the most. You would be surprised how well children do on their own, they even end up having quite a good time.

I'm sure the airline will help you out. Good luck and have a great time at WDW.