Sitting next to unattended kids CAN be a trip...I have met some well-behaved, intelligent kids out there. I did not mean to imply that sitting next to 'junior' was slow boat to hell. But I have noticed that many people who plan on working (or drinking) get a little bent out of shape over it.
As far as flight attendants only knowing the scope of their jobs, I would like to speak to that. Being a former FA who did take the time to learn policies and functions beyond the cabin, I was a hit with frequent and not-so-frequent Customers. However, when someone went out of their way to write a commindation latter, I was reminded by management that my duties were safety and service, period. In so many words I was advised "we dont pay you to think". One of the many embeded dysfunctions of the industry that have gotten them into the state they are in now.