Originally Posted by
jefrank
Hmmm. So, you suggest that the parent, maybe, tie their little ones legs down? Beat them into submission (then we get the crying child threads ramped up)?
I didn't suggest anything of the kind. I said that it is not the problem of the passenger seated in front. It is the problem of the parent.
Now, don't get me wrong, I've been known to hold my daughter's legs down, but sometimes "stuff" happens and contact is made. Can't exactly send her to the timeout chair (or her room or wherever) while in flight. If the kicking is more than occassional and the parent(s) aren't actually trying to do something about, I can see PAX getting angry, but when the parents are trying to correct the bad behavior being a sarcastic twit at the end of the flight doesn't accomplish anything, but make the parent angry at your insufferable it's-all-about-me attitude, especially after acknowledging that the parent was attempting to correct the situation.
Well, that's your view (and, apparently a view that encompasses seeing other people as "sarcastic twits" because they don't like having their seat kicked on a "longish" flight). My view is that it's up to you to remedy problems for which you are responsible. Imposition isn't an entitlement, and having a kid along doesn't vest you with a special right to make strangers unwilling participants in your parenting. I've sat in front of many a young person (in fact, almost all of them -- I can remember only 2 instances when this was not true) without having my seat kicked so, apparently, it can be done.
The DOT could certify booster seats for flight use so that the ergonomic issues could be better dealt with (but that would require shoulder harnesses and the airlines aren't going to spend any bucks for those), or the airlines could add some additional seat pitch, or, maybe, the parents could by business or first class seats (thereby starting up the kids in first class threads).
Then take it up with the DOT. Not my problem. Your problem.
Kids have a right to travel as much as adults.
Of course they do. Who suggested otherwise? However, no one has the right to project their problems onto strangers, nor does anyone get to impose as a matter of entitlement. As I said, that's just common courtesy.
Parents need to do their best - short of child abuse - to keep those little legs under control. Other PAX need to recognize when the parent is attempting to correct the situation and not be PITAs because things didn't go their way.
Wrong. Other PAX don't need to do anything other than not make their own problems the problems of strangers, nor impose on other passengers.
In a flying tin can there's no opportunity to remove the child from the situation, unlike in restaurants, while shopping or visiting friends.
I'm glad you realize that, which is what makes an imposition like seat-kicking so much more unpleasant on a long-haul.
Now, could someone do something about the adult jerk behind me on my last flight that thought my seat back was his personal hand rail?
That adult jerk is rude and inconsiderate and imposed on you. Do you think that somehow justifies you in being rude and inconsiderate to other passengers?