Originally Posted by
chococat
The rule is not that both parents need to sit with a minor, it's that one of the parents can't be seated in the exit row.
The official text for the exclusion is: “The person has a condition or responsibilities, such as caring for small children, that might prevent the person from performing one or more of the applicable functions or a condition that might cause the person harm if he or she performs one or more of the applicable functions.”
I get that your child is not really small, but there's no legal guidance on the definition of "small" so most airlines just define it as a minor child. If you had boarded separately, you probably would not have experienced this. I don't think the airline did anything wrong here (annoying, for sure), but they certainly should have explained the situation more clearly.
Thanks for point this out. Believe me, it’s helpful.
But whytoday and not any other day? It’s gate agent discretion on what constitutes responsibilities? My wife looks too weak minded? I look too dumb? How about if we had a teenagers instead of a 7 year old? Or married couples with no kids, they must love each other passionately too! They clearly shouldn’t sit apart. Maybe single people couldn’t perform their duties because they’re too selfish?? There are literally an endless combustion of scenarios that could qualify.
If I say it won’t be a problem. And the reservations aren’t linked. Who are they to judge?