Transport Minister urges airlines to stop separating parents, children
Oct 1, 2015, 10:22 am
#91
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Why do people who haven't paid for a preferred seat expect them for free just because they calved out a kid?
Oct 1, 2015, 10:29 am
#92
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Agree 100%. This is not about Preferred seats though is it? It's about the ability to be together when the airline is charging for any advance seat selection.
Oct 1, 2015, 10:35 am
#93
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However, the passive aggressive pseudo threatening behaviour exhibited by comments such as "they can express that view to me at the time if they have the nerve" provides more evidence to back up my "opinion" that some people seem to lack what used to be called common decency ( as in I'm prepared to help and be kind but only if there is no loss to me, or even better a gain).
Oct 1, 2015, 10:43 am
#94
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http://www.pco-bcp.gc.ca/index.asp?l...ention-eng.htm
Oct 1, 2015, 10:48 am
#95
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You may be surprised but I agree with 100% of what you say.
I do have some sympathy though for those families on a budget who are caught in a system resulting from the airline hiding the true cost of travel by not including seat selection ( in non preferred seats)in the ticket price. I also recognize that by doing so the airline has kept the costs lower for those for whom seat selection is a non issue. It's a balancing act but one that needs a nudge to fix perhaps.
I do have some sympathy though for those families on a budget who are caught in a system resulting from the airline hiding the true cost of travel by not including seat selection ( in non preferred seats)in the ticket price. I also recognize that by doing so the airline has kept the costs lower for those for whom seat selection is a non issue. It's a balancing act but one that needs a nudge to fix perhaps.
Oct 1, 2015, 12:01 pm
#96
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Folks a number of posts have been deleted as well off topic so let's please leave the meta-discussion about government policies toward children, having children or how many children for other forums and focus this thread to discussing the thread topic which is airlines seating children separately from their parents.
tcook052
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tcook052
AC forum moderator
Oct 1, 2015, 12:49 pm
#97
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To answer your first question:
On the LAX flight, I had no intention of giving up my then paid-for Preferred seat. Eventually after take-off, someone in front of me did.
On the SFO, baby was a few months old and crying rather loudly. The mom looked exasperated and I decided the farther away I was, the better (nope, no headphones for me on that trip).
IMHO, The MAIN issues here are:
1. AC sells Tango tickets that require the additional purchase of a selected seat. Fine, ŕ la carte it is. But there are consequences.....
2. Some families with children on limited budgets perhaps, refuse to pay for that menu option and whether it's AC IT or other reasons, are then separated when checking in as there just aren't always 4 seats together
3. The game of Onboard Musical Chairs ensues, annoying FAs, pax who paid extra for their Preferred seats and some family members who have become separated.
4. Someone then thinks this is worthy of government legislation because they won't make the right personal choices when they travel.
As for the issue of a child being seated completely separately from their parents, I agree with the posters upthread who wondered how bad IT can be when the ticket is specifically booked for a child and family is travelling together.
Oct 1, 2015, 12:54 pm
#98
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Oct 1, 2015, 12:59 pm
#99
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To answer your first question:
On the LAX flight, I had no intention of giving up my then paid-for Preferred seat. Eventually after take-off, someone in front of me did.
On the SFO, baby was a few months old and crying rather loudly. The mom looked exasperated and I decided the farther away I was, the better (nope, no headphones for me on that trip).
IMHO, The MAIN issues here are:
1. AC sells Tango tickets that require the additional purchase of a selected seat. Fine, ŕ la carte it is. But there are consequences.....
2. Some families with children on limited budgets perhaps, refuse to pay for that menu option and whether it's AC IT or other reasons, are then separated when checking in as there just aren't always 4 seats together
3. The game of Onboard Musical Chairs ensues, annoying FAs, pax who paid extra for their Preferred seats and some family members who have become separated.
4. Someone then thinks this is worthy of government legislation because they won't make the right personal choices when they travel.
As for the issue of a child being seated completely separately from their parents, I agree with the posters upthread who wondered how bad IT can be when the ticket is specifically booked for a child and family is travelling together.
On the LAX flight, I had no intention of giving up my then paid-for Preferred seat. Eventually after take-off, someone in front of me did.
On the SFO, baby was a few months old and crying rather loudly. The mom looked exasperated and I decided the farther away I was, the better (nope, no headphones for me on that trip).
IMHO, The MAIN issues here are:
1. AC sells Tango tickets that require the additional purchase of a selected seat. Fine, ŕ la carte it is. But there are consequences.....
2. Some families with children on limited budgets perhaps, refuse to pay for that menu option and whether it's AC IT or other reasons, are then separated when checking in as there just aren't always 4 seats together
3. The game of Onboard Musical Chairs ensues, annoying FAs, pax who paid extra for their Preferred seats and some family members who have become separated.
4. Someone then thinks this is worthy of government legislation because they won't make the right personal choices when they travel.
As for the issue of a child being seated completely separately from their parents, I agree with the posters upthread who wondered how bad IT can be when the ticket is specifically booked for a child and family is travelling together.
a) will be seated together at seats x,y, and here are your complimentary pre-assigned seats which can only be changed at the standard seat assignment fee
b) they will have to pay a reserved seating fee, which would be mandatory prior to check-in because -11s cannot fly alone
c) they would have to pay a UM fee and have a flight attendant be in charge of their child.
However, leaving it as it is now is not acceptable.
Oct 1, 2015, 1:08 pm
#100
Join Date: Feb 2003
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This is yet another example of people's lack of self-advocacy when it comes to travel. Let's book the cheapest fare, not ready any of the fine print, and then cry at the last possible minute that the whole fam-damnly isn't sitting shoulder to shoulder. If it was so crucial that everyone was together why not make a point of calling after booking? asking at the counter? at the gate? No, let someone else worry about your affairs, assume the world revolves around your PNR, and just waltz through life without care.
Oct 1, 2015, 1:18 pm
#101
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I really don't know why this is such a controversial sore spot with some posters, and why parents shouldn't reasonably expect to be seated together with a child (or any other person) on the same PNR.
British Airways policy (and this should reasonably be expected of any airline)
If you don't pay to choose your seats, British Airways will allocate seats to passengers travelling with children (aged 2-11 years) approximately three days before departure. We aim to seat families together; however where this is not possible children will at least be seated with one adult in the same booking.
UK Civil Aviation Authority Guideline:
Families, children and infants
The seating of children close by their parents or guardians should be the aim of airline seat allocation procedures for family groups and large parties of children.
Young children and infants who are accompanied by adults, should ideally be seated in the same seat row as the adult. Children and accompanying adults should not be separated by more than one aisle. Where this is not possible, children should be separated by no more than one seat row from accompanying adults. This is because the speed of an emergency evacuation may be affected by adults trying to reach their children.
Whenever a number of infants and children are travelling together the airline should make every effort to ensure that they can be readily supervised by the responsible accompanying adults.
British Airways policy (and this should reasonably be expected of any airline)
If you don't pay to choose your seats, British Airways will allocate seats to passengers travelling with children (aged 2-11 years) approximately three days before departure. We aim to seat families together; however where this is not possible children will at least be seated with one adult in the same booking.
UK Civil Aviation Authority Guideline:
Families, children and infants
The seating of children close by their parents or guardians should be the aim of airline seat allocation procedures for family groups and large parties of children.
Young children and infants who are accompanied by adults, should ideally be seated in the same seat row as the adult. Children and accompanying adults should not be separated by more than one aisle. Where this is not possible, children should be separated by no more than one seat row from accompanying adults. This is because the speed of an emergency evacuation may be affected by adults trying to reach their children.
Whenever a number of infants and children are travelling together the airline should make every effort to ensure that they can be readily supervised by the responsible accompanying adults.
Oct 1, 2015, 1:26 pm
#102
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I really don't know why this is such a controversial sore spot with some posters, and why parents shouldn't reasonably expect to be seated together with a child (or any other person) on the same PNR.
British Airways policy (and this should reasonably be expected of any airline)
If you don't pay to choose your seats, British Airways will allocate seats to passengers travelling with children (aged 2-11 years) approximately three days before departure. We aim to seat families together; however where this is not possible children will at least be seated with one adult in the same booking.
UK Civil Aviation Authority Guideline:
Families, children and infants
The seating of children close by their parents or guardians should be the aim of airline seat allocation procedures for family groups and large parties of children.
Young children and infants who are accompanied by adults, should ideally be seated in the same seat row as the adult. Children and accompanying adults should not be separated by more than one aisle. Where this is not possible, children should be separated by no more than one seat row from accompanying adults. This is because the speed of an emergency evacuation may be affected by adults trying to reach their children.
Whenever a number of infants and children are travelling together the airline should make every effort to ensure that they can be readily supervised by the responsible accompanying adults.
British Airways policy (and this should reasonably be expected of any airline)
If you don't pay to choose your seats, British Airways will allocate seats to passengers travelling with children (aged 2-11 years) approximately three days before departure. We aim to seat families together; however where this is not possible children will at least be seated with one adult in the same booking.
UK Civil Aviation Authority Guideline:
Families, children and infants
The seating of children close by their parents or guardians should be the aim of airline seat allocation procedures for family groups and large parties of children.
Young children and infants who are accompanied by adults, should ideally be seated in the same seat row as the adult. Children and accompanying adults should not be separated by more than one aisle. Where this is not possible, children should be separated by no more than one seat row from accompanying adults. This is because the speed of an emergency evacuation may be affected by adults trying to reach their children.
Whenever a number of infants and children are travelling together the airline should make every effort to ensure that they can be readily supervised by the responsible accompanying adults.
As for BA, does AC have similar? In writing?
As for U.K. guidelines, is this what our bunch are trying to do?
Oct 1, 2015, 1:27 pm
#103
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Other airlines state they will attempt to seat families together at no fee. Ryanair offers 50% discount on ancillary service fees for families travelling together.
It's truly sad that a carrier purporting to be world class needs guidance on this type of issue.
Oct 1, 2015, 1:29 pm
#104
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That seems to be a perfect and logical solution really. It highlights that sitting with your family is after all a reasonable expectation and not an entitlement behaviour, identifies genuine safety concerns for all and has all the hallmarks of common sense. It just seems strange that airlines here seem unable or unwilling to consider something so simple.
