MilesBuzz! - Kids in Coach, Parents in Business/First?

I am planning a trip with my family and am thinking about getting 2 award tickets for United First and buying one lowest availiable for my son (15). Thoughts on doing this? Any downsides?
We are flying to either Milan or BRU btw.

Thanks!!!
747-400

[This message has been edited by 747-400 (edited 07-14-2001).]

Your only downside is likely to be about how your son will feel flying in coach with Mom and Dad in first. I'd recommend a chat with him first, and get his buy-in as to why it is legitimate for Mom and Dad to have greater comfort.

I was on an int'l flight last weekend. A family onboard was distributed as follows. Dad was in first; Mom got a complimentary upgrade to biz, and the two teens were in coach. The Dad certainly thought it was all fine!

I've seen the parents in the front cabin with the teens in back quite a number of times; however, since you have one teen who will be in the back alone, I think it is important that he agree with this distribution.

I'm not sure how they would look at an award ticket, but I have been able to get a comp upgrade for my daughter when I was travelling in paid J and she was on a websaver weekend fare. It's always worth asking at the gate. Otherwise, I agree with SanDiego1K; be sure your son is comfortable with the idea that he is likely to be in the back. I guess he has to figure the trip is worth flyiing coach (and if he hasn't done any front cabin travelling, it's like to be less of a big deal).

Thanks for all the input so far SD1K and Academic. He is on a Q class fare, which I am going to try to u/g with my miles at the airport, but I am doubtful that will be sucessful. He has, in the past, always flown with us in F/J.

Thanks again,
747

Alternative 1
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Ask him if he does want to fly in business class.
If so, tell him that he should work for it (whatever you deem appropriate)
* Get two United business awards for your son and your wife
* Buying lowest upgradable coach fare for you and using the frequent flier miles. (And getting some status miles for yourself. http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/biggrin.gif )

If not, do as you please.

Alternative 2
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If you wish to fly in first class and you wish for your son to fly in economy, get your son to compromise. Maybe you can offer him something cool (sports, concert tickets, another trans-continental airline trip in coach ) in exchange for sitting in coach this time. Grill into him that the price of first/business class tickets are way more expensive compared to coach. Tell him to go to travelocity or call a travel agent to see for himself. http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif

- Pat

[This message has been edited by Wiirachay (edited 07-14-2001).]

I have heard that the FA's HATE this arrangement (at least with younger children) since the pax in back hate it and find countless reasons to come up front where there is no seat for them and make noise and congestion.

If there is an open seat up front and the FA allows the pax to sit there, the FA could get fired for allowing this (on UA, anyway).

I have selfishly and sometimes secretly wanted to do this many times and my wife has always straightened me out!

We had an instance where LexPassenger and I were offered the last 2 First class seats on a flight LGW-IAH when we checked in. No seat up front for our 14 year old son. After a quick consultation with him - to see what he thought, and we offered to trade seats around during the flight - we took the upgrade.

When I actually went back to see how he was doing, and if he'd like to go up front, he practically affected to have never set eyes on me in his life. No, he wasn't mad, he was just enamored of the illusion of being on his own! He had zero interest in trading seats with one of us. We spent the rest of the flight guilt-free, and still laugh about it.

Of course not all kids are alike, so talking it out with him first is important.

One option would be to put a son near a cute girl or a girl near a cute guy.. LOL! Keeps their attention.

Another option is to book His ticket in your name and your ticket in His Name and you get miles and get to sit up front..not sure if it is a good idea ... LOL! but I love more miles...

I have done about every version. I am lucky because my kids (now 8 and 13) enjoy flying, enjoy being together, enjoy reading. Last summer I had 2 business and 2 coach for LAX-JFK, JFK-LHR and LHR-LAX. Knowing how much the kids enjoy the upgrade, my wife actually sat in coach the entire time, and the kids actually alternated on taking the business class seat. Other times my wife and I sat up front while the kids sat in back. As I say, it is luck in having calm kids, but we only got compliments on their behavior from the crew.

747-400, I don't see a problem with it. Of course, you or other family members would know best if there are any special concerns or considerations unique to him. Fifteen is not a child, but rather an adolescent, and I assume he has the necessary coping skills to handle that situation as well as many others that come his way on a day-to-day basis.

Adulthood does have its privileges. http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/wink.gif

Best wishes and happy travels!

[This message has been edited by MRLIMO (edited 07-15-2001).]

I have had my boys (16&13) in coach for each of our last 3 trips to Europe. My husband and I have upgraded with miles. We explained to the boys that they will have more travel opportunities if we don't use the miles to upgrade them.

They sleep anywhere much more easily than we do. Sure, they would still love to sit in the front, but they are fine with the arrangement. It helps that they have each other and we always get good reports on their conduct. They don't come back and forth to the front and we try to minimize any disturbances. It works for us.

At the beginning of the year there was a lively/lengthy/heated discussion on this topic if you want to research further.

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by LAX 1K:
One option would be to put a son near a cute girl or a girl near a cute guy.. LOL! Keeps their attention.
</font>

Wow! I'd love to try that one for myself on my next flight. Next time the agent says "Do you have a seat preference sir?" I'll say "Yes, I'l like to sit in a row next to two gorgeous women, around my age, similar interests who find mileage accural a turn on please!"

http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/biggrin.gif



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RichardMEL, UA 1K
A Star Alliance Member.

I was was going to reply with a long note about all children between 6 and 16 should only be allowed to travel in the baggage hold http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/biggrin.gif but my satire isn't up to Jonathan Swift's "A Modest Proposal" http://authorsdirectory.com/c/mdprp10.htm

From years of travelling with children from 18 months to 22 years the only thing I can suggest give your son some input on the decision. IF he buys in, it will work.

Sounds selfish to me. Saying "It would cost too much to upgrade you as well" is sugar-coating what you're really trying to say, which is "We care about ourselves more than we care about you."

Even better, just leave him at home; save even more money/miles!

Please excuse me agreeing wholeheartedly with JS whose sentiments I echo, although I might have put it a little less bluntly.

You are taking what many would regard as a trip of a lifetime. It is a family holiday, and that means staying as a family. I know that it would be great to take the whole family in a premium cabin, but it just is not possible. I agree with the upgrading of the lowest possible fare using miles for everybody.

YOu obviously feel somewhat torn in your decision as you have aired it here. No, your heart is in the right place if you stay together. What sort of a message does this send otherwise? This is good enough for Mummy and Daddy, but not good enough for you. If you continue that argument do you book into a penthouse suite and leave the children on a lower floor in a basic room? Do you eat out at a decent restaurant and let the children eat at MacDonalds? One gets the faint and rather unpleasant sensation that the children are there under sufferance and any additonal expenditure on them is money wasted. I thought children were meant to be a blessing.

I think the combination of JS and Paul's comments are spot on.

I will admit, however, to not having kids yet.

My family traveled extensively when I was young as my father traveled for business. We (with one exception) always traveled together in Y. The one exception, 15 years ago or so, my father had a C seat and my younger sister and I worked out an arrangement where we sat up front and I got the first meal and she got the second.

My personal philosophy will not allow me to sit in a higher class of service than my family members on the same plane - last year, I received the coveted double upgrade from Europe to IAD, and promptly gave it to my wife, while I sat in C. Other people are different, though.

I enjoy premium class travel as much as anyone, but time together was so precious to my family when I was growing up, (given my wife's and my schedules now, I can't imagine it being different) I would relish the opportunity to sit with my kids and share the important time. How often do parents get to spend 18 solid hours with their teenage kids?

Even if it meant having to sit in economy.

Greg

Sorry, weird dupe.

[This message has been edited by greg99 (edited 07-16-2001).]

I don't think it will be a problem with the FAs as long as your son doesn't always come up to First to visit you.

In our family, the kids (i.e. my sister and I) have always traveled in economy while my parents travel in First (sometimes Business) on long-haul flights. Since we were used to this arrangement, we never complained. My dad used to say that when I make my own money, then I can use it to travel in luxury. However, since your son has been used to traveling in F/J, then he may or may not take it well. I know I wouldn't take it well, but then again my sister doesn't care about which class she travels so if it was she, she would not mind.

I believe in not spoiling childern when they are young unless you are going to support them throughout their life. I consider myself lucky enough to go on some many trips with my parents when I was young. Of course, now I fly F and J whenever I can! http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/biggrin.gif

I started flying by myself on long-haul international flights when I was 11 (for school abroad) so I think it won't be a problem for teenages to fly by themselves. I actually think they would prefer to fly by themselves as GG mentioned. ;p

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by bagold:
I don't think it will be a problem with the FAs as long as your son doesn't always come up to First to visit you.

In our family, the kids (i.e. my sister and I) have always traveled in economy while my parents travel in First (sometimes Business) on long-haul flights. Since we were used to this arrangement, we never complained. My dad used to say that when I make my own money, then I can use it to travel in luxury. However, since your son has been used to traveling in F/J, then he may or may not take it well. I know I wouldn't take it well, but then again my sister doesn't care about which class she travels so if it was she, she would not mind.

I believe in not spoiling childern when they are young unless you are going to support them throughout their life. I consider myself lucky enough to go on some many trips with my parents when I was young. Of course, now I fly F and J whenever I can! http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/biggrin.gif

I started flying by myself on long-haul international flights when I was 11 (for school abroad) so I think it won't be a problem for teenages to fly by themselves. I actually think they would prefer to fly by themselves as GG mentioned. http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/wink.gif</font>

For what its worth, my parents always flew in coach TOGETHER with me till I turned 10 and we have always flown up front TOGETHER ever since. I value those memories much more than I would sitting alone in a First Class seat.

Its not the seat or the class of service that counts. Its the company and the quality time. Shame on those who lose sight of that in the blind pursuit of upgrades.

I think I may be swimming upstream here.

Remember family holiday dinners when the kids sat at one table and the adults at another? I sure do. I realize that holiday dinner seating arrangements are a bit different from class of service issues on a trans-Atlantic flight, but ...

When I was a kid, even at 15, I had much more fun at the "kids" table than with the adults. Even if I had wanted to eat at the adult table, it was considered more of a privilege than anything else. At 15, I had already flown transcon and trans-Atlantic (by myself) and I really didn't care at all what class of service I flew in - I would have flown cargo I was so excited to be traveling.

While I never had the experience of flying with my parents in one class of service and me in another, we often stayed in hotels on family vacations and my parents' room was always much nicer than the kids' room. This didn't shock me or upset me in any way; it was vacation, we were having fun, who cared if our room was smaller and didn't have the same amenities as the folks' room? Vacation rentals were the same: I never expected to sleep in the master bedroom with my parents or take turns switching off our smaller bedrooms for their bigger one.

This discussion of how the 15 year old son is going to take the "bad news" that he's stuck in Economy while the parents are enjoying Business seems strange to me. I was born in 1961. Perhaps this is a generational thing? http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif

I say go for First, enjoy it immensely with your wife, and tell your son how lucky he is to be traveling to Europe at 15 in ANY class of service. Then have a great time together in Italy or wherever.

Also, I have seen UA and other FAs react very adversely to families traveling "together" in different classes of service conducting "to and fros" between Y and C or F (this can be disruptive for other pax as well).

I remember travelling with my father as a child, and for reasons I don't remember he had a business-class seat while I did not.
He gave me his seat so that I could fly business, as it was something new to me, but not to him. My parents wanted their kids to enjoy the best of everything, and would never have relegated us to coach while they were in business, regardless of age. Anyways, I quickly got bored of business and went back to coach. Class on a plane doen't really matter - the back gets there just as fast as the front. I fly paid J on nearly all my flights - and I really don't care about it anymore.

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by B747-437B:
For what its worth, my parents always flew in coach TOGETHER with me till I turned 10 and we have always flown up front TOGETHER ever since. I value those memories much more than I would sitting alone in a First Class seat.

Its not the seat or the class of service that counts. Its the company and the quality time. Shame on those who lose sight of that in the blind pursuit of upgrades.</font>

Amen to that.

I too grew up flying in coach with my family, until I, the youngest of 4 boys, was old enough to ride up front. I cannot remember once being seated in a different class of service from the rest of my family or from my parents, whether nonrevving or on a paid ticket.

I think it's pretty pathetic when parents fly in a premium cabin and leave their children behind.

However, I've seen something even worse: Dad upgrades, leaving Mom and kids in coach. Now that's downright despicable.

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by N866DA:
I think it's pretty pathetic when parents fly in a premium cabin and leave their children behind.
</font>

I think 'pathetic' is pretty harsh rhetoric.

Let's consider the context. Sounds like 747-400 may only have enough miles for two award tix with some left over for a possible mileage UG from coach. If so, give both father and son the benefit of the doubt regarding the economic reality in front of them.

If 747-400 Jr. gets all jacked about not sitting up front with Mom and Dad for 10 or so hours in exchange for being taken to Milan then, well, it sounds like the whole concept of this vacation is lost on him. He probably wouldn't enjoy it regardless.


But something tells me 747-400 has a pretty cool kid on his hands ... http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/wink.gif

I traveled occasionally with Law Lord Sr. when I was a child, and he would sometimes ride in F while I was in Y. His view was that I didn't have to come on the trip if I didn't want to. I also eventually figured out that when we were in the same cabin he got the aisle or window and I got the middle seat -- flying in the Y cabin by myself at least I usually got my preferred window seat.

It's a mild annoyance, but IMHO (even when I was a child myself) in the list of rotten things to do to kids, Dad flying first class when Junior is in coach, both on their way to London or Paris or Rome at Dad's expense, doesn't even make the list.

Heres a twist on this subject,

In November, I am flying to Orlando with my parents and younger sibling. The twist is that I am flying Upper Class and the others are flying Economy. Virgin thought it was quite amusing when I booked the flights, my parents would love to fly Upper with me but they can't justify the cost of an Upper Class ticket. I know my father is going to be unamused when he sees my seat, right next to the on-board bar!

Oh well, they better behaves themselves in Economy.

Thanks,
Richard

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by essxjay:
I think 'pathetic' is pretty harsh rhetoric.</font>

Personally, I think pathetic doesn't even begin to describe it. By your logic, the CHILD needs to be subservient to his parents "in exchange for being taken to Milan".

Maybe N866DA and myself were raised in different kinds of families than you or 747-400 were, but I sure as hell am glad that I was never made to feel like an outsider by my own parents.

My husband and I did this to our kids once when they were 15 and 11. The 15 yr did not appreciate it - he pointed out that he was bigger ( physically) than Mom and could have used the extra legroom more than me - this before MRTC

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by essxjay:
I think 'pathetic' is pretty harsh rhetoric.

Let's consider the context. Sounds like 747-400 may only have enough miles for two award tix with some left over for a possible mileage UG from coach. If so, give both father and son the benefit of the doubt regarding the economic reality in front of them.

If 747-400 Jr. gets all jacked about not sitting up front with Mom and Dad for 10 or so hours in exchange for being taken to Milan then, well, it sounds like the whole concept of this vacation is lost on him. He probably wouldn't enjoy it regardless.


But something tells me 747-400 has a pretty cool kid on his hands ... http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/wink.gif</font>


Thanks for the comments everyone!
Our plans worked out to none of us flying First, but getting three economy tickets and upgrading to business (how the mighty have fallen http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif) Now for some irony: when we presented this plan to my son, he suggested (his idea), that we get 2 upgradeable tixs, buy him the lowest availiable (1234 vs 640) and split the difference (he wanted all the difference, but we bargained http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif). I am planning to try at the airport to upgrade his Q fare with miles as well (chances? he and his mom are Premier and i am PremEx) So, after all our discussion, we are probably going to be flying in different classes anyway (unless we get a great GA willing to u/g him)!!

Thanks again for the input,
747-400

Ah that old chesnut...

I'll have the difference in money instead.

I offered my other sibling an companion seat with my parents to Orlando as a joint birthday/christmas present using miles. He said he would rather have the money! Maybe had something to do with the fact that my father said he would take the companion seat with me in business and he (sibling) could have his economy seat http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by 747-400:

Now for some irony: when we presented this plan to my son, he suggested (his idea), that we get 2 upgradeable tixs, buy him the lowest availiable (1234 vs 640) and split the difference
</font>

After all the postings from all the seasoned frequent travellers, the kid outsmarted us all!! He suggested what made sense to him. He doesnt see the value of paying so much more for a bigger seat and free alcohol (hey! after all he is of not legal age to drink), and would probably prefer to use the money to buy new Nikes.

Maybe this should serve as a reminder to all of us of how absurd and wrong it is to assume that one set of values (ours) is absolute and the right one for everybody else. Well, this would bring me into the topic of the new way of present forms of western colonialism, ...but that would really mean going off topic.



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The trouble with resisting temptation is...that you may not get another chance :-)

Hmmm . . . so B747-437B Jr. gets the free trip, earns miles, and has $300 to spend in Milan.

Parents have a quiet trip in business class, save $300, and use miles to upgrade two tickets instead of three.

Nice outcome!



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"If you want to win the game, write the rules."

I am a firm believer that all children should be eternally grateful for all FREE trips abroad that their parent give them, no matter what seat they get. I know I would have been, would still be grateful for a FREE trip anywhere.

Actually my oldest is a confirmed "Greener" (please 'splain TravelWeary) who "refuses" to sit in first if there is any available seat in coach, so when we fly with both kids, they both prefer coach, alone, together. Go figure.

When my husband and I fly with our son, we all take our best shot and whoever gets upgraded, gets upgraded. On our last trip back from Europe, I got upgraded early (I have the lucky dice) and hubby and son were still in coach (17 A & B) at check in. At the last second, hubby got upgraded, leaving son with both seats 17 A & B. He loved it. Had lots of room, an aisle and a window both, got lots of sleep and the FA's spoiled him because he was stuck in coach when mommy and daddy were in BIZ. He said he slept better there than in BIZ on the way over.

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by Anagnorisis:
He doesnt see the value of paying so much more for a bigger seat and free alcohol (hey! after all he is of not legal age to drink), and would probably prefer to use the money to buy new Nikes.
</font>

Remember that on intl, the alcohol is free in coach too. And at 15 without his parents near by, is not outside the realm of possibility. Which brings up a question to which I am not aware of the answer: On a US Flag carrier outside the US, what is the drinking age? Is it 18? I believe that the federal drinking ag is 18, which is why members of the military can drink on base and purchase alcohol at the PX. In fact, wouldn't this make potentially make the drinking age on any planing engaged in interstate travel 18?

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by 747-400:
I am planning to try at the airport to upgrade his Q fare with miles as well (chances? he and his mom are Premier and i am PremEx)
</font>


Um, officially speaking, no can do 744. Int'l Q fares are only upgradable with SWUs if you're talking about UA, which I think you are. Of course, you have nothing to lose by trying at the gate. If the Vaunted Double Upgrade can happen, anything can ... &lt;g&gt;

BTW, you definitely do have one http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/cool.gif kid.


[This message has been edited by essxjay (edited 07-16-2001).]

First off let me commend you on coming to a mutually agreeable solution with your son. Economics and mileage accural aside, I have always felt that a vacation is only as good as the people you spend it with ; and if they are not happy, chances are you will not be happy.
My own experiances with these issues dates back my entire life. I am only 25 years old and was fortunate enough to grow up in a time and evironment that allowed me to become a freqeunt traveller. Since my parents frequently commuted across the Atlantic I joined them in about 3 roundtrips a year for my first 4 years. Then with the advent of frequent flier programs I was signed on around 5 years of age and have been hooked ever since. During my childhood of 5-12 it was decided that I would travel with my parents who had fullfare C class tickets paid for by their work. I was eligble for discounted tickets because of my age and my parents thought the investment was worthwhile at this stage of my development. After 12 when I had to pay full fares, I became more adept at playing the game of upgrades and so forth.
I became more and more invovled in planning trips with our T/A. To the extent that many of our Christmas Vacations were totally planned by me. This added responsibility came with added rewards as my parents dipped into their FF accounts to always upgrade me. By this point I had been to most of the major cities in Europe, to Hawaii on a yearly basis and to Asia many times so travel was becoming less of a thrill for me. From then on; I had the maturity to decide whether I should go on the trip; what class should be paid and whether an upgrade would be necessary. I wrote countless memos to my Dad giving my point of view on the topic and sometimes and from these transactions it was deemed necessary for me to provide my own upgrades on flights and if I didnt want to go I did not have too. In the end, my parents are really to blame for me being on FT, they got me addicted to playing the status game and more importantly got me addicted to travelling around the globe, experinacing different cultures and histories, and for that I am very grateful to my parents.

P.S. I am also grateful for the 2 systemwides my Dad gave me for X-mas last year.

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">buy him the lowest availiable (1234 vs 640) and split the difference</font>

Now this, I respect. . .

http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/biggrin.gif

Greg

As a kid, I'd turn cartwheels, wash the dishes and mow the lawn for any opportunity to tag along with the parents on an international adventure. Usually, Mom and I were tagging along on a last minute biz trip of dad's but it was always clear to me that the opportunity to go was the important thing - not the class of service. Anyone who could get upgraded did so - never me, no status. I knew that my dad spent WAY too many hours up in the air and that my mom made a lot of sacrifices to take good care of the kids - both great reasons why they deserved a first/biz experience. I never begrudged them.

Once, when old PanAm was biting the dust, dad had to burn his miles or lose them. Luckily, I was headed over to Italy for a college study term abroad. He offered to wrap a biz trip around it and fly us over in first! What a treat.

And that's the point - unless you're richer than you know what to do with and can afford to buy all those biz/first seats - upgrades are a treat. I try to keep this in mind every time they read the list of names to stay in the boarding area and BingoSF isn't one of them.

Enough of my soapbox...

BTW, that was one smart kid - if I had been that savvy as a child I'd probably be retired by now!

May I congratulate you on something which I respect totally. This matter was discussed, obviously rationally in your family, and the outcome is the one favoured by all parties.

I wish you a wonderful trip


Paul

Congrats on working it all out with your son; it's downright amusing how money talks to teenagers, isn't it? I haven't flown without my two daughters (ages 11 and 13) in years, and usually up in F when we can. They are both CO Elites in their own right, with mileage balances over 300,000 each, which they use for their own upgrades. The funniest thing is, my youngest frets and frets until upgrades come through, but my oldest groans when they do.. For some reason, she prefers (always has) the seats and food in coach! LOL Since she is only 5'3" and 70 lbs, I guess the seat seems to fit her better..lol She often asks the F FA if there are leftover Subway sandwiches from coach, instead of her hot meal on a real plate, and I find it endlessly amusing.

And to throw in my own two cents: while I find it horrendous for Dad to be up in F while wife and kids are in coach (not by their choice), I have often booted my own DH up there myself.. He often gets grumpy on flts with the kids, and I would MUCH rather have him happy upon arrival then already frazzled.. Since he flies more than 125,000 miles a year anyway, I guess he deserves the F seat more than us little 50,000 milers anyway...

[This message has been edited by Fishbait (edited 07-18-2001).]

Is this travel on UA, 747-400?

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by supposable:

Is this travel on UA, 747-400? </font>

yep!

Essxjay: http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif

[This message has been edited by 747-400 (edited 07-18-2001).]

This is a nice win win result.

Have fun and good luck with the operational uG!

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by 747-400:
yep!

Essxjay: http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif

[This message has been edited by 747-400 (edited 07-18-2001).]</font>

Good. Random-act-of-kindness time. Activate the email adrress in your profile and I will contact you.



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UA 1K since 1997, hitting MM &lt; 9-30-01.

[QUOTE]Originally posted by Punki:
[B]I am a firm believer that all children should be eternally grateful for all FREE trips abroad that their parent give them, no matter what seat they get. I know I would have been, would still be grateful for a FREE trip anywhere.

I am with you, Punki, here. It is a privelege for children to travel. My boys have been to most of the states(including Alaska and Hawaii) the Caribean, and 3 times to Europe. They would agree that they would rather sit in coach with parents up front than not see this great world.

This topic seems to (now and in the past) inspire strong opinions from both sides. We should all just agree that there is no one right way for all families. What works for your's or mine doesn't for some of the others represented here. In my opinion, that doesn't make any of us wrong on this topic. The ones to rush to judgement should perhaps sit back and consider all options with an open mind.

<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by paradocs:


This topic seems to (now and in the past) inspire strong opinions from both sides. We should all just agree that there is no one right way for all families. What works for your's or mine doesn't for some of the others represented here. In my opinion, that doesn't make any of us wrong on this topic. The ones to rush to judgement should perhaps sit back and consider all options with an open mind.[/B]</font>


A truly excellent point.

One subject that I did not see mentioned in this long post is inventory limitations and their effects.

Earlier this month, I flew 9 people to Hawaii for a 2-week vacation. The airline simply did not offer 9 free first-class seats for my entire group, even if I had been inclined to use my miles in that way. Instead, I got 3 first-class seats for the adults and 6 coach seats for the kids (ages 7-17). We took the last row of first and put the kids in the first two rows of coach. That way we could travel "together" without bothering anyone else. Everybody seemed to be quite pleased with the arrangement.

Bruce