Sitting with kids on the plane

[Disneyadore]

Please do not assume that because I may not move for you and your family that I am being rude. I choose my seats based on my health issues. I am not supposed to sit anywhere but the aisle because I need to get up and walk frequently and this is the only way I can do it without disturbing a number of people. Yes, I generally do shell out money ahead of time to make sure that I get the accomodations I need. I do not expect the airlines to give it to me for free.

I think this is a lesson learned to the OP that sometimes you have to pony up the dough to make sure you don't get split up when you book your tickets. I think the best option now is to call the airline every day until they can find seats to accomodate you. People cancel every day. If they can't find you seats before the flight, keep asking customer service, even at the airport. Hopefully they can figure something out.

I hope you have a great vacation!

I'm in the same boat. Due to health problems we pay for XXL seats and no one in front of us.Its very important I can stretch my legs during a ten hour flight.
Costs are 150 Euro per flight.

Last May ,we just were seated, a dad cam up to us and asked if we could move . He thought the seats were ideal for his kids so they had space to play. I directed him to the FA and ofcourse he got a no no.

As he walked back to his seats passing us he yelled:"old people should stay at home,there ought to be a law that forbids them to fly".

Yea sure with that kind of entitlement you will get a real good seat.

 

[kw2kids]

I'm sorry I posted anything. I didn't think I was posting something that would get me insulted, but I guess I have to be even more careful about what I post from now on.

This is only our families second time flying anywhere, so we don't know all the ins and outs of flying like some of you. I was just hoping for some friendly advice or reassurance, not to cause such a heated discussion. I will refrain from posting anything so 'contraversial' in the future on this board.

 

[SnowandMittens]

I'm sorry I posted anything. I didn't think I was posting something that would get me insulted, but I guess I have to be even more careful about what I post from now on.

This is only our families second time flying anywhere, so we don't know all the ins and outs of flying like some of you. I was just hoping for some friendly advice or reassurance, not to cause such a heated discussion. I will refrain from posting anything so 'contraversial' in the future on this board.

Oh, try not to let it get to you... we DISers have a way of doing this.

I hope you have some luck in getting the seats you want. We're thinking of you .

 

[crashbb]

I'm sorry I posted anything. I didn't think I was posting something that would get me insulted, but I guess I have to be even more careful about what I post from now on.

This is only our families second time flying anywhere, so we don't know all the ins and outs of flying like some of you. I was just hoping for some friendly advice or reassurance, not to cause such a heated discussion. I will refrain from posting anything so 'contraversial' in the future on this board.

I apologise so much for spending my time writing you out a list of steps to help you get seated next to your children. I am so sorry.

I'm really, really struggling to see how that was insulting.

The fact that you didn't bother to acknowledge it (or any other helpful posts) on the other hand...

 

[NHdisneylover]

I'm sorry I posted anything. I didn't think I was posting something that would get me insulted, but I guess I have to be even more careful about what I post from now on.

This is only our families second time flying anywhere, so we don't know all the ins and outs of flying like some of you. I was just hoping for some friendly advice or reassurance, not to cause such a heated discussion. I will refrain from posting anything so 'contraversial' in the future on this board.

Gracious, I wasn't trying to insult you. I did jsut want to point out (from my real life experience flying with young children) that you cannot count on for sure working it out to sit with your child as I thought you would want to know to be prepared. Additionally, I thought you may want some ideas of how to prepare your kids for the possibilites. I saw many others give you good and helpful advice as well.

 

[princess momma]

Not everyone knows the ins and outs of air travel. Give the OP a break people!

The last time I flew with my family to Orlando the seats I had chosen (paying to guarantee seating wasn't an option with this airline) were given to frequent fliers, people using their miles, etc. All of us non-preferred customers were fair game to be bumped from our seats. The only option was to ask people to change seats. We were flying to Orlando, so obviously the flight was full of people scrambling to find seats together. It must have taken 20 minutes to sort out where everyone would sit.

I think it's ridiculous to expect small children to sit with strangers.

 

[RMulieri]

I think that some people on this thread need to cut the OP a break. Not everyone knows the ins and outs of flying.My first time traveling on Airtran with family, I didn't know either.Not everyone is seasoned fliers, or WDW veterans, or World travelers.This is WHY THE DISBOARDS EXIST...to ask for help ,or suggestions.No need to jump down someone's throat.A little kindness and understanding goes a long long way.

 

[kw2kids]

I apologise so much for spending my time writing you out a list of steps to help you get seated next to your children. I am so sorry.

I'm really, really struggling to see how that was insulting.

The fact that you didn't bother to acknowledge it (or any other helpful posts) on the other hand...

Actually, I did thank everyone for their suggestions - on page 2, after your detailed list. I was happy with the responses I got at that time. Then when I came back on this morning, I noticed many more posts in this thread - lots of them calling me cheap, and rude to expect others to move for me. I was upset that people were making those comments about me. As I stated in the original post, I am willing to pay for the seats. I agree, it was my mistake to not do it when we booked the tickets, but when we flew last time (2 years ago) we were seated together both ways, and I didn't think it would be an issue, until a friend mentioned that we should pre-book our seats.
And I do not EXPECT people to move to accomodate my family, but I do HOPE that whomever they sit beside will help them with their oxygen masks and seat belts in an emergency. I hate that I have to try to explain myself / defend my actions for asking a simple question.

 

[kaytieeldr]

I work for an airline- they're not going to seat the young child alone. 20% of the seats are reserved for airport handling, so they will have the flexibility to accomodate requets of people with young kids, and people with disabilites who are seated in restricted areas etc.

Think about it- if you're in 5a and she's in 10c, she's basically an unaccompanied minor. They're not going to allow that . But Drusilla is right- we can override premium seats you can't access online, so try calling. You may be happy you did.

Respectfully, given the closed secure environment, ten feet doesn't equal unaccompanied.

 

[kaytieeldr]

I also REALLY can't believe people are actually so inconsiderate as to refuse to switch seats to help a family with kids separated from parents. That just boggles my mind. Who would want to sit next to a scared, crying 4 year old rather than simply sitting in a different seat?

Well, it's likely I have a specific reason for choosing that seat, and paying for it if the airline requires. No, I am not going to change seats.

 

[kaytieeldr]

I think it's incredibly self-centered and inconsiderate & host of other words I won't use here to feel like your seat on an airplane is more important than the security and well-being of a young child.

Security? Is the child less safe in one seat than in another? Same for well-being. In an emergency, I - having paid full attention to the safety instructions - know to, and how/when to, assist any persons seated adjacent to me who need assistance.

 

[kaytieeldr]

We've had good luck getting the passengers on the plane to switch with us for an equally desirable seat. We have a 2 year old and fly relatively often. We always check in right at the 24 hour mark online. We fly Northwest (now Delta) and are always told when we call ahead as well as the gate agents that they won't help us

Do you mind if I ask why you didn't just select your seats at the 90 day mark, i.e. Northwest's window for doing so? This would have avoided annoying any passengers once on board. And Delta lets the passenger select seats at the time of booking.

but I think 2 together should be guaranteed.

Respectfully, I don't see why. That would give certain passengers a distinct advantage over other passengers.

 

[kaytieeldr]

Like it or not, though, the bottom line is the airlines are getting ridiculous. People are paying significantly more to fly these days and getting significantly less in return. It used to be that flying was the best way to go and you were treated well...whether in first class or coach. Now I have seen better treatment on a bus!

While that may be your perception, note too that there is no safety announcement on board a bus, and no attendants aboard for the passengers' safety. But, respectfully, if that's your assessment you may want to consider traveling by bus.

When I made flight arrangements this summer on Airtran and found out that my family could not be seated together unless I paid MORE????

ANY - repeat, ANY passenger on AirTran who wants to select their seat/s in advance is required to pay for that seat selection. AirTran is a low-cost airline; while their fares are usually lower than the legacy airlines, they charge for more a la carte items than the big airlines. Passengers who wish to not pay for seat selection on an airline that charges for this always have the option of choosing a different airline.

 

[kaytieeldr]

How do I know that person isn't the biggest pedophile this side of the Pacific and they are by my kid and I can't see anything? that is crazy

MOST child abusers/assaulters/pedophiles/"dangerous" people are NOT strangers. Something like 90% are known to the child/family.

 

[kaytieeldr]

I'm not sure why you would assume that I hadn't started by simply asking

Respectfully - because that's the route many parents do take, or at least the intent they seem to display on a public forum

 

[kaytieeldr]

Well....it may just be the airline or where one is flying from...or to, but my flights have gone up...say for my holiday travel, by more than $600 for my family. That is the same place we have always gone and same time of year. in the past eight years

Airlines are charging prices that are more reasonably expected to allow them to perhaps maybe someday operate at a profit. Their costs go up - fuel, operating, rent, payroll - and it only makes sense that any business pass on such costs to the customer.

 

[kaytieeldr]

I think it's ridiculous to expect small children to sit with strangers.

While I think it's ridiculous to delay a flight twenty minutes so the passengers can all sit with their kids. Especially given there were apparently so many families in the same situation, why not just keep an eye on the kids seated near you?
A twenty minute delay ripples through the ENTIRE flight system on a given day; perhaps even longer if the plane flies overnight. It also affects OTHER flights scheduled to take off at a given time.

 

[kaytieeldr]

Take the exit row seats if the website will let you reserve them. That's a WONDERFUL location to be able to offer in a switch request!

 

[NHdisneylover]

Actually, I did thank everyone for their suggestions - on page 2, after your detailed list. I was happy with the responses I got at that time. Then when I came back on this morning, I noticed many more posts in this thread - lots of them calling me cheap, and rude to expect others to move for me. I was upset that people were making those comments about me. As I stated in the original post, I am willing to pay for the seats. I agree, it was my mistake to not do it when we booked the tickets, but when we flew last time (2 years ago) we were seated together both ways, and I didn't think it would be an issue, until a friend mentioned that we should pre-book our seats.
And I do not EXPECT people to move to accomodate my family, but I do HOPE that whomever they sit beside will help them with their oxygen masks and seat belts in an emergency. I hate that I have to try to explain myself / defend my actions for asking a simple question.

There were a few people who directed their comments at you. Others quickly pointed out to them that you said you had tried to pay for seats. The majority of the negative comments on this thread are aimed at the comments made by other posters who DID post that they expect others sto move, or that it is rude not to, etc.

I think it's ridiculous to expect small children to sit with strangers.

Respectfully, why? You are essentially in the same room as the child.

Take the exit row seats if the website will let you reserve them. That's a WONDERFUL location to be able to offer in a switch request!

Great idea

 

[bdiddy]

Wow! Just stumbled across this thread. Our family has never flown together and DH and I haven't flown in a LONG time so I had no idea about any of this and we are due to fly on Airtran with our 5 and 3 yr old in a few weeks.

All I have to say is "good luck" to whomever gets stuck next to our 3 yr old. I guarantee you they'll be begging to trade seats with us....