Vent - babies on longnhaul flights

Noctu

Sitting next to a baby screaming for most of a flight is very annoying for me. I don't think there's anyone here who can genuinely say it doesn't bother them at all (unless they're deaf or wear earplugs and headphones or something!)

However what makes me REALLY riled are parents who don't try and soothe their baby, and just let it scream and scream whilst they quite happily ignore it. There was one family in the aisle next to ours, baby sat on mum's lap. The poor thing was crying loudly for hours and somehow the mother managed to fall asleep (or pretended to!) whilst it was literally screaming in her face.

Earplugs and loud, noise cancelling headphones are my choice for these situations!

Herongull

I don't fly LH very often although I do fly SH quite often.

I've never encountered a major problem with babies or young children, but perhaps I've just been lucky?

In my experience babies do cry for bits of the flight, but then they quieten down and sleep for most of it.

If this is normal baby behaviour, then I can't see if being too much of a problem for the other passengers. Annoying groups of adults who've had too much to drink are far worse.

But I agree if a baby screams for 9 hours, it would be really annoying, but this is unusual - perhaps the baby is ill or something - and the parents wouldn't expect it to be like this.

On the other hand, if someone had a really cranky baby that they knew always cried their head off flights then they should reconsider taking it on planes until the child is a little older eg toddler, for the baby's sake, their own, and also other passengers.

But this is probably a rare situation.

CM66

I can see the arguement from both sides. parents should be able to take their children on long haul flights, and as long as they are prepared then 99% of the time there isnt an issue.

However, i onced endured a 26 hour flight to NZ with a couple who's way of pacifying their child was to put a blanket over its head (no joke!) and just leave it screaming. I nearly went a picked the poor baby up myself after an hour of constant screaming.......

battleborn

Cant they put the babies in the luggage hold?









Yes i am joking before you all pounce.

milliemonster

ILW wrote: »

Well don't take it on a LH flight then. It is unfair on the child as well as the other passengers. Show a little thought for other people.

And what about if people are visiting family in other parts of the world? They shouldn't be allowed to go then just because their child might upset you?

Perhaps everyone who has a baby should just stay indoors for 18 years, god forbid they might upset other people and annoy them.

Just to add, I never took mine on a long haul flight when they were younger anyway, but I'm not narrow minded and judgmental enough to think people shouldn't be allowed to just because they have youngsters who might make a fuss

gregg1

ILW wrote: »

Well don't take it on a LH flight then. It is unfair on the child as well as the other passengers. Show a little thought for other people.

"Show a little thought for other people"??? Why do you seem to think that you are exempt from your own advice?

bod1467

milliemonster wrote: »

Perhaps everyone who has a baby should just stay indoors for 18 years

Excellent idea! Would cure a lot of other problems too.

aileth

I've been on quite a few LH flights and not had a problem. In fact, the last time I was on one was to Tokyo, where a lad who was maybe 4 or so sat in his seat and watched how to tame your dragon on repeat for 13 hours.

What I have had problems with is business men who jump into their seat and instantly recline it all the way back whilst still on tarmac, and then snore like an elephant the whole way!!!! Or, even worse, getting absolutely s**tfaced and bantering across the plane with their colleagues.

Takeaway_Addict

I agree with the OP. Very unfair on people to have such a disturbance. I do think they should have some flights specifically without kids on them for those that want to travel in peace.

rustyboy21

I can partially see what the OP is on about, but perhaps not to the extremes they do.

When I was a child, we used to go away on holiday abroad. My mum and dad had 3 of us with them ages 3,7,9. We were not allowed to make trouble, a quick clout around the ear sorted anything out. We never went on a plane and had any trouble.

The problem I have is the parents who leave their children to wreak havoc on a plane. The ones who forget they have kids, once they are buckled in and would rather take more notice of the drinks service, than looking after their child who has ripped the blind away from the window ! ( true). The parents who think running up and down the aisle is the kids playground and don't worry about the person sitting behind you, when your child starts spitting at them ( also true).

YOU , as parents, have a responsibility to ensure that your children, behave in Public, they act impeccibly and are not a nuisance to any other traveller. Get loads of books, games, toys etc to keep them entertained. Spend the flight catching up on what your children have been doing whilst you are at work or away working. Just don't sit there and get Slaughtered on the free booze supplied.

Mind you Calpol or some Brandy in their milk never did us any harm !