Originally Posted by
craezie
Wow, I didn't realize I would ignite such a firestorm. I took it as a given that most people would understand that a 2 and 4 year old would absolutely NEED to sit together, but apparently not. I assure you that the result was entirely the screw-up of the airline and not at all the result of some kind of entitlement attitude or desire to get out of paying fees on our part. We actually phoned in the reservation for bereavement fares, the one and only time I have made reservations by phone. I am guessing that some lack on the part of the agent caused the screw up that allowed preschoolers to be seated alone in the first place.
Either way, I am slightly shocked at how hostile some people can be about children. Yes they are inconvenient, can be unruly, and even downright unpleasant at times. But we were all children once before, and someone sacrificed to get us where we are today. I just wish that everyone could have a little more tolerance and compassion for others, especially the very young and old.
You provided two situations: in one, you were flying with your children in an emergency -- you had to go to a funeral. Speaking for myself, I always try to help out people in an emergency, and would have switched with you if asked . . . AND the circumstances were explained to me.
In the other, however, you were engaging in discretionary travel. You chose to fly with your kids and take the risk that previously allocated seats would not be available. You're right -- parents should not be separated from their children. That, however, is not my problem. It's yours to resolve with the airline. I wouldn't have switched seats with you. You had another option -- wait for another flight, or don't engage in discretionary travel with your young children. Thinking that you have a right to someone else's seat because you're traveling with your children is the very definition of entitlement and it cuts no ice with me.
No one owes you special consideration because you're flying with children.