MSE News: 'Family tax': Dad's outrage as Ryanair tries to seat 3yo away from family

zagfles

Pollycat wrote: »

Truly shocking parenting.

I would be ashamed to admit to this publicly.

I think it's brilliant. Feel free to tut and shake your head slowly.

scottylx

We had exactly this discussion with the TUI cabin crew on a flight earlier this year. It's their understanding that seating juniors (under 12s I think) is a breach of Civil Aviation Authority rules, meaning it should never happen, and the auto seat allocation computer shouldn't be able to do it. I've also been on countless flights where, not just to do the right thing, but because they cannot take off, there has been a request for someone to move to reseat children.

markybrum

mumoftwoandapig wrote: »

How can anyone claim to be a responsible or caring parent if they choose to save themselves a few pounds rather than ensure they have their child siting next to them?
It never ceases to amaze me how people with children would even consider not having them sat next to them on a flight. My children are 17 and 16 now and I would pay every time to ensure we are all sat together.
The policy is clear to anyone booking with Ryanair - if your too tight to pay for an allocated seat then tough luck if you don't get to sit where you want or with your child.
We are off on holiday next week and there is no way I would move from the seats I have booked and paid for.
As a Solicitor and Policeman you would have thought they'd have more sense and let's face it enough money to pay for allocated seating. They must either be mean or arrogant enough to think that everything revolves around them and their children. Makes me so cross:mad:

Obviously, if you know in advance that your fare does not guarantee to sit with your child, then you choose a different fare. (Well, we do, anyway.) With Germanwings even ground staff was surprised to find they cannot change our seating.

Since then we stayed clear from that fare / airline (delete as appropriate). For the record we are not talking about a "few pounds" or teenage children, just a shy 7-year-old and Mom.

mumoftwoandapig

zagfles wrote: »

If a 16 and 17 year old still need to sit with Mummy and Daddy I think that says a lot

How rude :
Of course they don't need to - but we are a family going on a holiday together and actually like each other's company and quite frankly I would rather have them sitting next to me rather than some judgemental internet troll or a "professional " parent who expects me to move because they are too mean to pay for their child's seat.

mumoftwoandapig

markybrum wrote: »

Obviously, if you know in advance that your fare does not guarantee to sit with your child, then you choose a different fare. (Well, we do, anyway.) With Germanwings even ground staff was surprised to find they cannot change our seating.

Since then we stayed clear from that fare / airline (delete as appropriate). For the record we are not talking about a "few pounds" or teenage children, just a shy 7-year-old and Mom.

Sorry I am missing your point?
Are you saying the terms and conditions don't tell you that you may be separated if you don't pay for allocated seating ? If that's the case then yes you have a right to complain. But if you select a fare that doesn't guarantee you seats next to each other then don't complain.
If I had a shy 7 year old I would pay to sit next to them and not select an airline/ fare if this wasn't guaranteed.
My children have flown since they were babies with a variety of airlines and I have always checked they are sat with either me or my husband, it's a non brainer for any responsible parent.
Don't like the airlines policy's - don't use them, simple as .

melanzana

He he.... All airlines should have Family Only Flights in the Summertime. You know, when all the sprogs and their loving (tightwad) parents can prance around the airline making sure they are all sitting together without paying for the privilege. I'm sure all families would want to sit together, so everyone will be happy!

Then on alternate dates there should be a NO CHILD ALLOWED flight, for those of us who actually pay to sit in an exit row, up the front or in a window seat. Or indeed randomer adults who don't care where they sit and don't pay.

I think I shall forward this suggestion to Ryanair.

I might get a free flight for my wonderful suggestion...lol

Pollycat

scottylx wrote: »

We had exactly this discussion with the TUI cabin crew on a flight earlier this year. It's their understanding that seating juniors (under 12s I think) is a breach of Civil Aviation Authority rules, meaning it should never happen, and the auto seat allocation computer shouldn't be able to do it. I've also been on countless flights where, not just to do the right thing, but because they cannot take off, there has been a request for someone to move to reseat children.

I may be wrong but I understood it was a recommendation rather than a rule.

From the CAA website:

Families, children and infants


The seating of children close by their parents or guardians should be the aim of airline seat allocation procedures for family groups and large parties of children.
Young children and infants who are accompanied by adults, should ideally be seated in the same seat row as the adult. Children and accompanying adults should not be separated by more than one aisle. Where this is not possible, children should be separated by no more than one seat row from accompanying adults. This is because the speed of an emergency evacuation may be affected by adults trying to reach their children.
Whenever a number of infants and children are travelling together the airline should make every effort to ensure that they can be readily supervised by the responsible accompanying adults.

The above talks of 'aims' and 'ideally' and 'make every effort' and 'should be' (as opposed to 'must be').

Lewie

What is all this banter about 'guaranteed' seats together?
ALL airlines state that they can change pre paid allocated seating.
All they have to do is issue a refund if you have paid to sit together.
They can change your seat numbers and seperate you if they need to for any reason.
There is NO guarantee no matter what you pay.

zagfles

mumoftwoandapig wrote: »

How rude :
Of course they don't need to - but we are a family going on a holiday together and actually like each other's company and quite frankly I would rather have them sitting next to me rather than some judgemental internet troll or a "professional " parent who expects me to move because they are too mean to pay for their child's seat.

Yeah, you wouldn't want some judgemental troll who says things like

How can anyone claim to be a responsible or caring parent if they choose to save themselves a few pounds blah blah..

That would be most unpleasant.

zagfles

Lewie wrote: »

What is all this banter about 'guaranteed' seats together?
ALL airlines state that they can change pre paid allocated seating.
All they have to do is issue a refund if you have paid to sit together.
They can change your seat numbers and seperate you if they need to for any reason.
There is NO guarantee no matter what you pay.

Indeed, as this person found when they were shifted from their paid-for, pre-booked seat so a family could sit together:
http://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/ShowTopic-g1-i10702-k5820751-Jet_2_Ejected_from_a_pre_booked_seat-Air_Travel.html