Let me guess - the kiddo was one of those lower class "special" children United now won't allow to board early. Jeffy doesn't think such children deserve any special treatment beyond that given to animals carried aboard.
I guess some of the passengers up front agree with Jeffy. Might be why I don't generally fly up front. Hey guys if you don't want kids on your plane take a Leerjet. They are nice and comfy and don't require you to moo like a cow when going through security.
Originally Posted by
JJSF
Hi there,
I know that this has been an ongoing issue but I would like some info on what my rights are flying with my child.
Last time me and my family flew, despite booking flights months in advance with seat selection, 24hr booking of boarding pass and arriving 2hr prior to out flight we were informed at the last minute that we would not be able to sit together. I asked them how my 3yr old child could sit alone and the response was “ you will have to find someone to switch with” I had to ask 3 passengers before one was willing to switch we me. The flight attendant witnessed this and offered no assistance.
Here are my specific safety concerns-
The airlines state that children under a certain age must be accompanied but an adult. My definition of being accompanied is to sit next to them.
If the airline refuses to seat me next to my child they are essentially saying that I would have to rely on a stranger sitting next to my child to place an oxygen mask on my child in an emergency.
That I would have to rely on a stranger to escort my child off a plane in an emergency.
That I would have to rely on a stranger to make sure my child’s seat is in the upright position, tray is locked, which is a safety requirement.
That it is up to a stranger to make sure my child behaves, does not cry, throw food, kick seat and endure the smell of a poopy diaper because I am seated 15 rows back. How likely is it for a stranger already annoyed with being assigned a babysitter to assist my child in an emergency? There have been isolated incidences where shildren have been molested by strangers sitting alone on plane.
I find it interesting that an airline reserves the right to throw me off a plane in an instant if I refuse to shut off my electronic device but is willing to jeopardize the safety of not only my child but the entire plane because they do not feel obligated to accommodate a child flying in the interest of safety. Aren’t there FAA rules about this?
The response I seem to get is
“oh the airline would never do that", but what says in FAA or TSA regulations say that they can or cannot do it? This has been going on FOREVER with the airlines. How come they choose to ignore it?
Any thoughts?