Rant: To Mr. L - Seated in First Class
#61
Suspended
Join Date: Jun 2013
Location: Ontario, Canada
Programs: Aeroplan, IHG, Enterprise, Avios, Nexus
Posts: 8,355
Why is it parents believe their own children are absolute angels and see nothing wrong with inflicting them on the rest of the world?
Kudos to Mr. L. He didn't want to be seated beside someone else's offspring and did something about it to his satisfaction. Good for him.
Kudos to Mr. L. He didn't want to be seated beside someone else's offspring and did something about it to his satisfaction. Good for him.
#62
Join Date: Aug 2008
Programs: united, Hilton, Amtrak
Posts: 1,193
And thes passive aggressive parents are the worst at controlling their kids because they don't like any kind of confrontation.
#63
Join Date: Mar 2012
Location: IAD/LHR/NRT
Programs: UA GS, Hyatt Platinum, HHonors Gold
Posts: 87
First of all, what a beautiful child! Tattoos aside, she is more than welcome to sit next to me on any flight. Too bad she and mom had to be sat next to Grumpy Gus.
I find that the problem in these situations is never the children. It is uniformly the adults: the ones who grouse and complain about children next to them as if it's something infectious but as well the ones who see an airplane as free babysitting.
I find that the problem in these situations is never the children. It is uniformly the adults: the ones who grouse and complain about children next to them as if it's something infectious but as well the ones who see an airplane as free babysitting.
#64
fomerly known as LandingGear (not Landing Gear)
Join Date: Feb 2011
Posts: 833
There are always two sides to a story. Wish 1K could post here so we can hear him out.
#65
Join Date: May 2013
Posts: 23
Interesting thread and another example of why so much of the time flying is a less than pleasant experience. - it seems these days everyone has the attitude that their wants should take precedence over everyone else's - which obviously leads to situations such as this. IMO both sides behaved poorly. First off, at that age, the child should have their own seat and I'm very surprised the airline allowed the child to sit on her mother's lap. The correct response, in her case, would have been to politely decline the upgrade unless both she and her child would have a seat and thus minimizing the inconvenience to the other passengers including the man seated next to her. In his case, he should have spoken quietly with the FA (although who knows, maybe he did) and requested a seat change instead of venting about the issue publicly. Neither party behaved well in this scenario including the OP.
#66
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: Newport Beach, California, USA
Posts: 36,062
Interesting thread and another example of why so much of the time flying is a less than pleasant experience. - it seems these days everyone has the attitude that their wants should take precedence over everyone else's - which obviously leads to situations such as this. IMO both sides behaved poorly. First off, at that age, the child should have their own seat and I'm very surprised the airline allowed the child to sit on her mother's lap. The correct response, in her case, would have been to politely decline the upgrade unless both she and her child would have a seat and thus minimizing the inconvenience to the other passengers including the man seated next to her. In his case, he should have spoken quietly with the FA (although who knows, maybe he did) and requested a seat change instead of venting about the issue publicly. Neither party behaved well in this scenario including the OP.
#67
Join Date: Nov 2005
Location: on the path to perdition
Programs: Delta, United
Posts: 4,786
Interesting thread and another example of why so much of the time flying is a less than pleasant experience. - it seems these days everyone has the attitude that their wants should take precedence over everyone else's - which obviously leads to situations such as this. IMO both sides behaved poorly. First off, at that age, the child should have their own seat and I'm very surprised the airline allowed the child to sit on her mother's lap. The correct response, in her case, would have been to politely decline the upgrade unless both she and her child would have a seat and thus minimizing the inconvenience to the other passengers including the man seated next to her. In his case, he should have spoken quietly with the FA (although who knows, maybe he did) and requested a seat change instead of venting about the issue publicly. Neither party behaved well in this scenario including the OP.
I agree with most of the above and will add this comment - I really find it amusing when someone comes to FT, complains about something that happened whilst flying yet made no effort to confront the other party or fix the problem.
#68
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: gggrrrovvveee (ORD)
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Posts: 6,091
If only there were child-free airlines so these kind of confrontations don't have to happen.
And no, that doesn't mean I agree with the jerk from the OP. He didn't have the right to demand that your wife and child move.
I just prefer not to be around children (that's why I don't have any myself), especially in an enclosed environment where I don't have the option to move or leave.
And no, that doesn't mean I agree with the jerk from the OP. He didn't have the right to demand that your wife and child move.
I just prefer not to be around children (that's why I don't have any myself), especially in an enclosed environment where I don't have the option to move or leave.
Interesting thread and another example of why so much of the time flying is a less than pleasant experience. - it seems these days everyone has the attitude that their wants should take precedence over everyone else's - which obviously leads to situations such as this. IMO both sides behaved poorly. First off, at that age, the child should have their own seat and I'm very surprised the airline allowed the child to sit on her mother's lap. The correct response, in her case, would have been to politely decline the upgrade unless both she and her child would have a seat and thus minimizing the inconvenience to the other passengers including the man seated next to her. In his case, he should have spoken quietly with the FA (although who knows, maybe he did) and requested a seat change instead of venting about the issue publicly. Neither party behaved well in this scenario including the OP.
Except that the OP wasn't traveling on that flight - his wife and child were. He had no opportunity " to confront the other party or fix the problem."
#69
Original Poster
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: Houston, TX
Programs: UA 1K, MM, AMEX Plat, Hertz 1, SPG Plat
Posts: 153
Why is it parents believe their own children are absolute angels and see nothing wrong with inflicting them on the rest of the world?
Kudos to Mr. L. He didn't want to be seated beside someone else's offspring and did something about it to his satisfaction. Good for him.
Kudos to Mr. L. He didn't want to be seated beside someone else's offspring and did something about it to his satisfaction. Good for him.
And as far as Mr. L. - he never even gave them the opportunity. This is why it's offensive and out of line.
Oh.. Believe me... Had I been on that flight, and 1K started that crap sitting next to me - he most likely would have been removed. All I would have had to do was just hint that 1K had threatened under his breath to slap my child if she caused a scene - and I'm sure action would have been taken. I'm a multi year 1K, GS and I'm sure that counts for something. The way my wife reported he was behaving, I'm sure that the staff would have believed me.
#70
Join Date: Mar 2007
Programs: QFF Gold, Flying Blue, Enrich
Posts: 5,366
...
Oh.. Believe me... Had I been on that flight, and 1K started that crap sitting next to me - he most likely would have been removed. All I would have had to do was just hint that 1K had threatened under his breath to slap my child if she caused a scene - and I'm sure action would have been taken. I'm a multi year 1K, GS and I'm sure that counts for something. The way my wife reported he was behaving, I'm sure that the staff would have believed me.
Oh.. Believe me... Had I been on that flight, and 1K started that crap sitting next to me - he most likely would have been removed. All I would have had to do was just hint that 1K had threatened under his breath to slap my child if she caused a scene - and I'm sure action would have been taken. I'm a multi year 1K, GS and I'm sure that counts for something. The way my wife reported he was behaving, I'm sure that the staff would have believed me.
#71
Original Poster
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: Houston, TX
Programs: UA 1K, MM, AMEX Plat, Hertz 1, SPG Plat
Posts: 153
#72
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: Newport Beach, California, USA
Posts: 36,062
Oh.. Believe me... Had I been on that flight, and 1K started that crap sitting next to me - he most likely would have been removed. All I would have had to do was just hint that 1K had threatened under his breath to slap my child if she caused a scene - and I'm sure action would have been taken. I'm a multi year 1K, GS and I'm sure that counts for something. The way my wife reported he was behaving, I'm sure that the staff would have believed me.
I'm sorry. You've lost all credibility with this. Someone is rude to your family so you falsely accuse him of a crime? Really?
I no longer believe your version of what happened and I sincerely hope I never encounter your family on a flight. I think it's very clear what kind of passengers you are and would be. I also hope that, if you ever try this kind of a stupid, immature stunt, the subject of your incredibly damaging defamation sues you for everything you're worth. Hell, I'd handle his case pro bono.
Unbelievable.
#74
Join Date: Mar 2007
Programs: QFF Gold, Flying Blue, Enrich
Posts: 5,366
Your wife behaved with far more dignity than most people would have given the situation. 1K behaved appallingly, beyond oafishness. I'll leave it at that given that I don't wish to be subject to moderator action should I express my opinion of your comment.
(Edit - I see that someone else beat me to it).
(Edit - I see that someone else beat me to it).
Last edited by BadgerBoi; Sep 4, 2013 at 8:46 pm Reason: Wow. Just wow.
#75
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: New York
Programs: Marriott Bonvoy Lifetime Titanium, Delta Skymiles Platinum
Posts: 650
Understood, thank you.
I agree with squeakr -- though 1K was incredibly, inexcusably and unacceptably rude, I would, too, have asked, discretely, to have been re-seated. Even in F, as I've learned from experience, the likelihood of encroachment by a lap-toddler is simply too high. Your daughter looks very sweet, and I understand that a number of posters would enjoy the opportunity to interact with her. I probably would under other circumstances, but when I fly I only want to be left alone with my Bose, my iPad and my drink.
I agree with squeakr -- though 1K was incredibly, inexcusably and unacceptably rude, I would, too, have asked, discretely, to have been re-seated. Even in F, as I've learned from experience, the likelihood of encroachment by a lap-toddler is simply too high. Your daughter looks very sweet, and I understand that a number of posters would enjoy the opportunity to interact with her. I probably would under other circumstances, but when I fly I only want to be left alone with my Bose, my iPad and my drink.
I have no problem with anyone here who has expressed an aversion to being seated next to a young child. I have a serious problem with how 1K behaved.