Again, for emergency exit rows their own website says, "Not have a responsibility, such as a child under 15 years old, unless a second parent or guardian is seated elsewhere with child”. So perhaps we can put to rest the argument that the gate agent was absolutely in the right. At least, until I hear back from Customer Care with a definitive answer.

Listen, I'm a pragmatist at heart, so I can appreciate sensible and middle of the road employees.

Like on Friday going down to Anchorage both myself (several days out) and my wife (I noticed at boarding) were upgraded to first class. That left our son alone in premium economy by himself. Leaving him alone would be neglecting a responsibility, which is why after checking with the FA both wife and son sat in first class and I took my sons seat in premium economy. I was then offered without even asking an entire emergency exit row by the same lead FA for more space.

Our other son who is almost three and has numerous complex medical conditions has to fly with an oxygen concentrator regularly for medical appointments. We also went through the last year of covid requesting mask exemptions each time he flew. Talk about a tedious process. So I consider myself a step above when it comes to being considerate and working with airline staff, and not against.

This entire experience in Chicago was just strange.