As the parent of a 27 month old girl, this makes me nuts. I really think airlines should not allow lap children at all, period. Most parents I see barely hold their child, one good bit of unexpected turbulance and hello luggage bin!! Not sure why we are obsessed with strapping our kids in a 65 mph car, but a 555 mph rocket we allow them to sit, stand, walk and not be strapped in securely!

In a non-safety issue, I would feel horrible if I had a lap child who squirmed and kicked all over someone seated next to me.