Wow, my 100th post, I am so proud (wiping eyes with hankie).

But I had to respond. I love children, 20% of my patients are children. I would not be a doctor if I could not take care of kids. That does not change the fact that flying on a plane with one can be hell. We all agree that infants and small children have the right to be on the airplane (although being in first class is a big debate that will never be solved, so let's not go there). I think most of us would agree that before a parent takes a 6 month old on a flight, they should use COMMON SENSE:
1. Ask your family doc or pediatrician on tips to keep the child busy and comfortable.
2. Bring along things the child will like to play with and eat.
3. Don't let the child use the aisle and/or other people's seats as play areas. You bought your seat for you and your kid, I bought mine for me. If your child kicks the seat in front or climbs all over it, do not get offended if the person in that seat says something. Would YOU like to have that done to YOUR seat??
4. Don't expect stangers to think vomiting, loud shrill sqeals every thirty seconds or screams of "no" are cute-they are not, they are annoying.
5. If you have a very active 1-2 year old that you KNOW will spend the vast majority of the flight running/kicking/screaming and basically making everyone, including yourself, miserable, consider a more private mode of transportation.
6. Try and book a bulkhead row (more room for the kid to play) and if at all possible, let the child have his or her own seat to give you a break and him or her some room to play in or on.
These do work and help. I have had great flights with kids next to me/one row up/etc, and all of them involved parents that took the time and energy to plan for the trip, and respected the needs of other people on the plane.

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What do you mean I can't charge my heart bypass to my Visa? I need the MILES!!!