Originally Posted by
WillCAD
That has always been my position. The very concept of lap children is outrageously dangerous.
Except that not allowing lap children would be far more dangerous. Safety cannot be considered in bits and pieces; a failure to look at the big picture can lead to deadly "safety" improvements (in this case banning lap children would make more parents drive, which is far more dangerous).
For example:
Originally Posted by
whitearrow
I've never heard the loose items part, nor have I ever seen anyone be told to put away a book, binder, or anything similarly non-electronic.
Perhaps the ban leads to more people read hardcover books during takeoff and landing (vs. using lighter devices like iPods), thus presenting a greater risk from projectiles. Perhaps the ban makes more people leave their seats after takeoff and before landing (to retrieve and store their electronic devices), thus increasing the risk of injuries to unbelted passengers from turbulence, bags falling from overhead bins, etc.
These may or may not be true, but they are the kind of side-effects that can result from failing to consider the big picture.