PremEx2000:
In addition to being borderline abuse (depends on your state), I doubt it'd work - if anything, you'd likely freak the child out more.

Of course every child is different. I'm thinking about taking Caitlin (5) with me on a trip to DFW later this year. Victoria (3) couldn't do it. Patrick (2) would LOVE it, however I suspect that every passenger within the sound of his voice wouldn't.

Parents should certainly exercise some discretion - we shouldn't fool ourselves into unrealistic expectations of our children.

However kids are still kids. And frankly, there are more than a few so-called adults I've encountered in FC who could out-do my kids for being thoroughly disruptive.

If you want to be a SOLUTION to the problem, bring along a snack. I always pack breakfast bars, and on a PVD-IAH flight, 3 or 4 of these kept the situation calm with a little one next to me. Cheap and easy solution - and the toddler's mom (as well as everyone within earshot) certainly appreciated it.

------------------
"I will not be pushed, filed, stamped, indexed, briefed, debriefed or numbered. My life is my own."