Originally Posted by PTravel

I guess we'll have to agree to disagree about this.

From my perspective, it's not the kid to whom the favor/kindness is extended, but the parent who brought the kid on board. There's nothing wrong with extending favors or kindness to strangers and, in fact, I do it all the time. The problem I have is with any expectation that it should be extended in this circumstance.

I understand your inclination to be sympathetic to parents traveling with small children. I do not, however, share it. I am sympathetic to people who find themselves in a difficult situation that is not of their making. I am considerably less sympathetic to people who expect strangers to accommodate, to their detriment, their specific and deliberate choices. As I indicated earlier, I am no fan of lap children -- I think, by definition, they result in an automatic imposition on other passengers, as well as a potential hazard in the event of severe turbulence. I understand that sometimes it is unavoidable -- families must travel in emergencies and sometimes seating is limited. However, for any other reason, my personal view is that flying with a lap child, particularly in coach, in and of itself constitutes discourtesy. I am not inclined to extend kindnesses or favors to those who have already shown discourtesy to me. In my view, "common decency" would preclude flying with a lap child, irrespective of the parents' finances unless it is an emergency and no alternative was available. In emergencies I am, of course, naturally inclined to assist anyone who needs help. Otherwise, it is simply a question of, "If I didn't take her as a lap child, I couldn't afford to fly and she wouldn't get to see Aunt Sarah who lives on the East Coast." I don't care whether she sees Aunt Sarah or not, and I'm not going to extend kindnesses or courtesies to someone who decides that their personal desires justify imposing on strangers. I would add, too, that neither would I be rude or cruel -- I just don't care, and certainly won't inconvenience myself in such a situation.

This is, of course, my own personal opinion and others will, no doubt, feel differently.