kop84

I have sympathy for people separated from small children, but I also have sympathy for the other passengers who are going to be inconvenienced, and the gate agents and FA's that have to try to deal with it all.

I once saw a parent getting into it with a gate agent that she was not sitting next to her child. And she's going on and on, eventually the "child" shows up and he's got to be 15.

I wanted to tell her that he doesn't want to sit anywhere near you, not because you're making a scene but that can't help, but because he's 15!

valleygeek

Having a family split up isn't always a problem of lack of planning. I've traveled with the whole family on a few occasions, and one each trip, I've had to watch our seat assignments for random changes. I always book ahead... I always select E+, and I only book flights where there are enough seats for everyone to sit together. For some odd reason, there is at least one random change that ends up stranding a kid under 5, away from the rest of the family. And before people jump in and say that we should mark the kids ages in the profile during booking... This is always done in the hope it will make a difference. It doesn't.

joshwex90

I don't see why this is any different than the myriad of threads on the subject.
In this specific instance, how anyone can blame the parents is beyond me. Everyone has the right to fly - not only people without children. In fact, there should be a law regarding the matter. How one could legitimize an airline doing to allow a 20 month old sit without either his parents and say that the parents should be required to pay to rectify the issue is scary

PTravel

Very selective reading on your part, as you totally ignored that I wrote this in a previous post in this thread:

"I would make exceptions for legitimate emergencies, e.g. seeking medical care, funerals, etc., but otherwise I see no reason why for being inconvenienced because of someone else's problem."

Not only would I have switched so you could sit with your kids, I would have offered you whatever additional help I could. We should all help each out in emergencies. THAT is compassion.

However, I'm curious. Is that unfortunate emergency trip to the funeral the only time that you have asked strangers to change seats when you've traveled with your kids? I ask because you seem to think that it is not an imposition to evict a stranger from his or her chosen seat because you're traveling with children. And if you think it is not then I agree with you -- I would hope we do not cross paths.

PTravel

Sounds like you have a problem with the airline. How is that is a problem for some stranger whose seating assignment wasn't changed?

TravelinPhilly

If somebody asks for a favor they must be prepared for and accept without malice if the answer is NO.

Demanding a favor is a completely different thing and should not be confused with asking.

Me? It all depends on my current seat, flight, plane, etc. but it would make me a no lesser and less compassionate person if I deceive to decline your request.

You may feel that you are entitled to certain things. But you would also be wrong.

mduell

I think blocking the last couple rows for day-of assignment by phone/checkin/gate agents is the best approach. Also gets the pre-boarded families out of the way for GS/mil/group 1/2 while they settle themselves.

Anna Phor

If you think that asking you to move is an inconvenience, I'm happy to let you sit by my kid. I'll be two rows back with a magazine.

PTravel

If your kid doesn't need attention, it wouldn't bother me in the least. If, on the other hand, you think I'm going to babysit, you'll probably be surprised with the outcome when you and your child are escorted off the plane.

It is exactly this entitlement attitude that I find so objectionable. Your kid, your problem. Period.

travelinfoo

I'd be in favor of having a family section to the airplane.

Having had brats sitting behind me, kicking my seat, hitting me on the head, or throwing things into my row, I wouldn't mind having them else where. In both instances, at least one parent was with the brat. In both instances, they ignored the behavior. One parent even yelled at me for daring to speak to her child about the kicking/hitting. The FA spoke to them but afterwards the mom would push and bang my seat very hard whenever she got out of her seat.

travelinfoo

I often wonder if the bratty kids would do better AWAY from their parents. For the few examples I've seen (outlandish behavior), the parent was no better. The kids learn and mimic their parents' entitled/rude attitudes. But if this behavior is not encouraged/supported by those around the child, maybe he/she would behave better.

PTravel

I've found myself seated next to unaccompanied minors from time to time. Without exception, they were excellent travelers who created no problems, either for me, others seated around them, or cabin personnel. This would seem to support your theory that the obnoxious kids pick up on their obnoxious parents' ways.

rjque

I'm always amazed at the extreme points of view and anger toward people with kids in these threads. There are always lots of posts discussing what might justify needing to reseat someone who is not traveling with a child, as if there is any way to know if people are traveling for an emergency or simply to take their kids to Disney.

There is some good practical advice here, such as advising parents not to book a flight when appropriate seating is not available, and to use Southwest when possible. Airlines would also be well served to block out some seats until the gate to deal with last-minute seating issues (and I think some do). But those points tend to get lost in the vitriol.

TLBpassenger

I beg to differ on your booking advice.
My 3 kids & I are all GM & flying from LAX on "real" DL tickets on Jan 2 our EC seat bookings were somehow messed up.
Leaving a 9 year old assigned in a row by herself.

tubesoxs

Yes, that is the only time I've had to ask someone to move. I'll also add that in 135,000 BIS miles last year I was not asked once to move by a family so it's not like this is something affecting me every time I fly. Others may have worse luck and I sympathize with them.

Lastly, yes I realize it is an imposition to ask someone to move. I hate asking it as much as someone hates hearing it but sometimes extraordinary circumstances occur and I hope that someone would show a little compassion.

This is as tiresome subject as kids in restaurants so I'll leave it alone now.