Originally Posted by
trooper
Yet whenever "lap children" are discussed here we see a LOT of defence of the practice....because (I assume) the chance of ANYTHING happening is so very slim....even though I doubt ANYONE would actually suggest a child on a lap IS in any way "safe".
The FAA has declined to require that infants travel in their own seats, as they've calculated that the increased expense would cause enough families to drive instead of flying that it would be a net negative overall for child safety.
I'm not sure I've seen a ton of defense of the practice, so much as a deference to each family's own budgetary calculus.