What were they thinking?

[NotUrsula]

My Tumi roll-on weighs under 3 lbs. and is VERY well made.

Well, of course it is. It wouldn't cost more than a ticket + a night's hotel room if it wasn't!

The first time we went to Mardi Gras DS insisted on bringing home his entire bead haul so he could show it to his friends. 38 lbs. of beads in a 12-in tote.

 

[tjmw2727]

Well, of course it is. It wouldn't cost more than a ticket + a night's hotel room if it wasn't!

The first time we went to Mardi Gras DS insisted on bringing home his entire bead haul so he could show it to his friends. 38 lbs. of beads in a 12-in tote.

Touché ....

and I bet your son was very proud !

TJ

 

[chasbos]

We are a family of 6 and travel 2-3 times a year.

And we have only been able to sit all together (3 & 3 across from each other) while travelling on SWA!

We flew to the Netherlands when our kids were 9, 7, 5, & 3. And they sat us 2 & 4 with 4 rows seperating us! Now this was a wide body plane that held 500 people, I was surprised that we could not be seated closer - but it worked out fine. If the kids are capable of vacationing with the family for a week or two - they can sit in a plane without Mom and Dad.

We also flew to St. Maarten and were seated 2, 2, & 2 with many rows seperating us. Now with that flight we were going to my brothers wedding, about 30 of us - all booked through the same TA and linked together. Not any of us were seated anywher near each other!

So I always figure, if I want to sit with my family - fly SWA! At least you know going in you may not be able to sit together.

 

[TDC Nala]

I'd probably have "helped" the mother by trying to get the FA or GA to gate check the bag. A bag that requires two adults to lift doesn't belong overhead.

I can lift my bag into the overhead.

But wouldn't you know it, usually some dude pops up and decides he's going to help me with it.

There's going to be posts about me and the big bag that I needed that huge man to lift for me, I know it.

 

[Uncleromulus]

Ah--the many joys of flying!!!

 

[Goobergal99]

Why should they have to move from their families to accomodate a latecomer? On flights to and from Orlando, 99.9% of the passengers are families with kids. Why does one family staying together become more important than another.

A child old enough to spend the day away from mommy and daddy at school is old enough to sit three rows away on a plane for two hours.

Anne

If it was me and my family that's one thing, however if it was just me and my hubby I would move to accomodate a parent and child so they wouldn't be seperated.

However, I will admit Anne.... that if my situation was different (aka I was not a parent myself) I may feel differently. Hey! I can be honest

 

[MushyMushy]

If it was me and my family that's one thing, however if it was just me and my hubby I would move to accomodate a parent and child so they wouldn't be seperated.

However, I will admit Anne.... that if my situation was different (aka I was not a parent myself) I may feel differently. Hey! I can be honest

It's one thing to be kind enough to make the offer to move, but people shouldn't get on a plane late and expect to be accomodated. In most circumstances, I would give up a seat to allow a parent to stay with a child, but not when flying. I'm terrified and my DH knows enough to keep me calm and distracted. Everyone has their own unique needs and shouldn't have to put up with attitude from those who don't plan well and expect others to accomodate them.

 

[ducklite]

If it was me and my family that's one thing, however if it was just me and my hubby I would move to accomodate a parent and child so they wouldn't be seperated.

However, I will admit Anne.... that if my situation was different (aka I was not a parent myself) I may feel differently. Hey! I can be honest

I am a parent, and I still feel that any kid old enough to spend a day at school or camp away from mommy and daddy can spend a couple hours a few rows away in a plane.

Anne

 

[jodifla]

I am a parent, and I still feel that any kid old enough to spend a day at school or camp away from mommy and daddy can spend a couple hours a few rows away in a plane.

Anne

I think that's a pretty blanket statement. I don't see how spending a day at school with teachers and a routine you've gotten to know is the same as sitting next to strangers on a plane.

I'd never coach my son to be bad or to bug people, but I think he'd just be panicked at sitting away from me in an unfamiliar place. And sitting next to a panicked 4 year old wouldn't be fun for anyone.

 

[ducklite]

I think that's a pretty blanket statement. I don't see how spending a day at school with teachers and a routine you've gotten to know is the same as sitting next to strangers on a plane.

I'd never coach my son to be bad or to bug people, but I think he'd just be panicked at sitting away from me in an unfamiliar place. And sitting next to a panicked 4 year old wouldn't be fun for anyone.

His first day of school was a new place with new people. Were mommy and daddy there to hold his hand all day?

Most parents are far more worried about things like this than thier kids are. And when I say "School age" I'm refering to six and up. I think far more people will be willing to help out people with preschoolers and younger. I've read people freaking out because their ten year olds can't sit next to them--give me a break! The only reason a ten year old is afraid to sit alone is because his nuerotic mother made him afraid of the bogey man.

Anne

 

[UrsulasShadow]

The only reason a ten year old is afraid to sit alone is because his nuerotic mother made him afraid of the bogey man.

Anne

Or possibly molested by a stranger on a previous flight.
Sorry, that was an overreaction. But I think it's in keeping with such a blanket statement about other people's situations. Take a deep breath, and admit you don't know everything about everyone, and sometimes people need a little kindness, and the benefit of a doubt.

 

[CapeCod53]

Maybe it wd help if US airlines adopted international carriers rules on carry-on luggage. Most allow only a small personal item like a purse & one carry-on bag & some require that it weighs under 15 lbs. When we flew to Europe last fall on multiple airlines, the airlines had a person standing at the beginning of the checkin line checking baggage. The carry-on had to be inspected(not the contents like security, just size) & given a tag to show that it was an approved carry-on. When you got to the checkin counter they took all other bags as checked luggage. Our flights were all full & I did not notice anyone having problems storing their approved carry-ons. The one thing I don't like about these in seat video systems is that they take up the under the seat space. I never used to use the overhead bin, but now I have to (and sometimes stand on my seat to reach it!)

 

[jodifla]

Maybe it wd help if US airlines adopted international carriers rules on carry-on luggage. Most allow only a small personal item like a purse & one carry-on bag & some require that it weighs under 15 lbs. When we flew to Europe last fall on multiple airlines, the airlines had a person standing at the beginning of the checkin line checking baggage. The carry-on had to be inspected(not the contents like security, just size) & given a tag to show that it was an approved carry-on. When you got to the checkin counter they took all other bags as checked luggage. Our flights were all full & I did not notice anyone having problems storing their approved carry-ons. The one thing I don't like about these in seat video systems is that they take up the under the seat space. I never used to use the overhead bin, but now I have to (and sometimes stand on my seat to reach it!)

What airline did you fly? I flew to Sweden last summer on British airways, and didn't have any of that.

I don't see those stringent requirements working in the US, frankly.

 

[ducklite]

Or possibly molested by a stranger on a previous flight.
Sorry, that was an overreaction.

Oh please. Kids are far more likely to be abused by someone than they know than a stranger, and the liklihood of them being abused in such a public place is beyond miniscule.

But I think it's in keeping with such a blanket statement about other people's situations. Take a deep breath, and admit you don't know everything about everyone, and sometimes people need a little kindness, and the benefit of a doubt.

I never said I know everything about everyone. But I also think that people need to take greater responsibility for themselves and not always expect to be entitled to inconvenience someone else.

Anne

 

[MushyMushy]

His first day of school was a new place with new people. Were mommy and daddy there to hold his hand all day?

Most parents are far more worried about things like this than thier kids are. And when I say "School age" I'm refering to six and up. I think far more people will be willing to help out people with preschoolers and younger. I've read people freaking out because their ten year olds can't sit next to them--give me a break! The only reason a ten year old is afraid to sit alone is because his nuerotic mother made him afraid of the bogey man.

Anne

I agree with you in theory, but unless the kid is going to Sky High (ever see that movie?), then the kid's school is safely on the ground and they don't have to worry about plummeting to the ground. There's also the fact that a lot of kids are fine when mom and dad aren't around, but will freak out a little when they are there.

Rhiannon was scared to fly, but once she got on the plane, she was a pro at it. She and her friend did end up sitting next to a stranger because of the 3 seats to a row in the SW planes. She was MUCH, much better off sitting next to a stranger than I would have been. She's far better equipped to handle strange situations than her neurotic mother.

Your son and mine are very similar. How did he react in situations like that as a child? I'm just glad we never had a reason to be put in that situation. But then again, I'm not one to sit back and hope the world will accomodate me either -- I always took responsibility for our needs when it came to him.

 

[ducklite]

Maybe it wd help if US airlines adopted international carriers rules on carry-on luggage. Most allow only a small personal item like a purse & one carry-on bag & some require that it weighs under 15 lbs. When we flew to Europe last fall on multiple airlines, the airlines had a person standing at the beginning of the checkin line checking baggage. The carry-on had to be inspected(not the contents like security, just size) & given a tag to show that it was an approved carry-on. When you got to the checkin counter they took all other bags as checked luggage. Our flights were all full & I did not notice anyone having problems storing their approved carry-ons. The one thing I don't like about these in seat video systems is that they take up the under the seat space. I never used to use the overhead bin, but now I have to (and sometimes stand on my seat to reach it!)

Hey, works for me. I'm already doing that.

Anne

 

[Lewisc]

What airline did you fly? I flew to Sweden last summer on British airways, and didn't have any of that.

I don't see those stringent requirements working in the US, frankly.

Some of the European LCC airlines have very low limits for checked bags. Ryanair now charges for all checked bags. This is now a big revenue stream for them. They don't want passengers to bypass that by carrying on heavy bags.

Those kinds of limits may not work in the US but at least checking bags with the sizing template and possibly limiting weight to something reasonable would help speed the boarding process.

 

[ducklite]

Your son and mine are very similar. How did he react in situations like that as a child? I'm just glad we never had a reason to be put in that situation. But then again, I'm not one to sit back and hope the world will accomodate me either -- I always took responsibility for our needs when it came to him.

He never had a problem with it--he'd shrug his shoulders, and off he went into his seat. He has always fallen asleep when flying anyhow, and the few times he didn't he would just read or draw, or look out the window into the clouds. I never made a big deal about it, and I think that made him feel it wasn't a big deal as well.

Anne

 

[Minnie]

Why should they have to move from their families to accomodate a latecomer? On flights to and from Orlando, 99.9% of the passengers are families with kids. Why does one family staying together become more important than another.

A child old enough to spend the day away from mommy and daddy at school is old enough to sit three rows away on a plane for two hours.

Anne

Anne - Many times I fully agree with your comments as I think they are well thought out and said to help posts not to inflame them. However in this instance I am sorry but I have to disagree with this post.

Attending a day at school is a completely different issue from flying on an airplane especially for a first time flyer. I'm a frequent traveler and still say a quick prayer on take off and landing

 

[ducklite]

Anne - Many times I fully agree with your comments as I think they are well thought out and said to help posts not to inflame them. However in this instance I am sorry but I have to disagree with this post.

Attending a day at school is a completely different issue from flying on an airplane especially for a first time flyer. I'm a frequent traveler and still say a quick prayer on take off and landing

Like I said, where do you draw the line? Why does one family being together then become more important than another? When 95%+ of travelers on an airline are families, why would those passengers be expected to break up to accomodate another family?

Anne