Ban Kids On Flights

lady1964

I've travelled with my kids when they were little - not out of choice but rather because we lived abroad (Dubai) then and we needed to come back to the UK to see our families who couldn't afford to visit us. We also took them long haul from Dubai to Australia, Thailand and Hong Kong - these were holidays and they were very well behaved, even as babies/toddlers.
We then didn't fly with them until my youngest was about 8 and knew how to behave, but that was down to us teaching them it's wrong to kick seats, run around and generally try to cause havoc!
Now my youngest is 16, it's easy for us and at the risk of being contentious, if I've flown without them, other peoples' badly behaved kids are a pain in the rear end - well behaved ones aren't. We flew Club World on BA last summer and there was a family of 4 kids in the cabin who we didn't realise were there - granted they were aged from about 6-12 but they were extremely well behaved, but then the seats are bigger, more films and games selection so more to keep them entertained. On a flight to Egypt last November (5 hours), a handful of kids in economy where we were sitting, were not so well behaved, but hard for them to see films on drop down screen and much smaller seat.
I always thought 'adult only' cabins existed but they're called Club/Business or First Prices though are expensive and probably beyond many families.
I don't mind children on flights, provided their parents keep them entertained instead of tucking into the booze and watching the film/reading/ipod in and ignoring their badly behaved child.
I do though feel sorry for parents who have kids who have to sit on their laps, they don't understand why they can't run around, why their ears hurt and why they can't sit on their own seat....and I always try to bear in mind that they might be visiting family in places many of us are going to on holiday so can't not fly with them.
Lady1964

DKLS

My heart used to sink when I used to scan the departure lounge and spot a number of kids, then I discovered £300 worth of bose noise cancelling earphones, combine those with a large glass of red wine and a valium tab and flights are a joy.

Now its just the idiots who want to talk to me throughout the flight that get on my norks, You would have thought headphones on, head buried in book/ipad/laptop would indicate I am quite content in my bubble and have zero desire to converse.

dtaylor21184

Alcmene wrote: »

I've been sat near perfectly behaved children, and I have also been sat near children who have been allowed to run wild.

I agree that sections that would cater for adults only would be good, however, why should it be an optional extra? Maybe those with children are the ones that should be paying extra?

why should parents pay extra they have paid for their seat and their childs and aren't asking for special treatment they have to endure the journey like everyone else and it's not like the parents of well behavioured kids can sit in adults only they'll be made to seat in the section with screaming kids so if anything their seats should be cheaper

Tojo_Ralph

Norma_Desmond wrote: »

Then surely it *would* be good to have these 'adult only' defined areas?

No more than it would be a good idea to have Vegetarian rows, no pork served sections, Senior citizen zones, alcohol free zones, etc, etc.

Yes I understand the argument, but in reality, it's not really something that is going to fly given that there are limited bulk head seats and generally speaking seats are currently allocated front to back with FF's forward and bucket shop seats to the rear.

Murphy_The_Cat

any volunteers to look after my 2 at home whilst Mrs Cat & I enjoy our flights in May ?

heleng27

from the moment the seatbelt sign goes on for taxing my children scream!!!! They hate being restricted especially the smaller one who also has to sit on our lap.

However during the flight they are always good as gold.

Then for landing you get the added screaming of their ears hurting.

I feel sorry for those travelling without children that have to put up with my moany kids.

I think it would be great to keep families together not only for those travelling without children to have a bit of peace but then other children can keep each other entertained. I have been on flights where children have swapped DS games and shared colouring in. Much happier flights for kids and parents

CM66

Really depends on the parents, I was on a flight to NYC and instead of pacify their screaming child these ridiculous people just put a blanket over the poor baby's head!

Also had someone change their baby's nappy on the tray table - yes it was shi*ty one and i wasn't impressed....

Murphy_The_Cat

heleng27 wrote: »

from the moment the seatbelt sign goes on for taxing my children scream!!!! They hate being restricted especially the smaller one who also has to sit on our lap.

Have you considered paying for a seat and taking your childs car seat with you for the flight - it could be a real win-win-win solution.

Alcmene

dtaylor21184 wrote: »

why should parents pay extra they have paid for their seat and their childs and aren't asking for special treatment they have to endure the journey like everyone else and it's not like the parents of well behavioured kids can sit in adults only they'll be made to seat in the section with screaming kids so if anything their seats should be cheaper

I agree. Maybe the solution is to accumulate good behaviour points the more often you fly? The more points you have, the further you are placed from the cattlemarket!

fifeken

Tojo_Ralph wrote: »

No more than it would be a good idea to have Vegetarian rows, no pork served sections, Senior citizen zones, alcohol free zones, etc, etc.

Like Easyjet's kosher section in this report from a couple of weeks ago (not):

http://www.thejc.com/news/uk-news/45381/easyjets-kosher-flight-meal-bacon