Swearing passenger ruined first F
Nov 2, 2018, 7:54 am
#151
Join Date: Jun 2009
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Could we declare this thread a draw and lock it now? We have had a number of these in the last couple of years, and no-one converts anyone else from their strongly held opinions.
For instance, other than at rugby/soccer games, I am generally a no-swear person. However, some of my younger friends - all with Russell Group degrees, swear rather a lot. I could not change them.
For instance, other than at rugby/soccer games, I am generally a no-swear person. However, some of my younger friends - all with Russell Group degrees, swear rather a lot. I could not change them.
Nov 2, 2018, 8:15 am
#152
Join Date: Mar 2012
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Why would you ever take a baby into a Premium Cabin in an enclosed space with no escape? Do you take junior to the theatre? The movies?
There's a good chance the little treasure will start screaming as his ears pop on the way up and down. As an adult that use to really hurt until I became a frequent flier, I imagine the little kid was in a whole world of pain. Never understood why you'd take an infant on a plane, it's an incredibly stressful experience for kids that age, is it really necessary much of the time?
There's a good chance the little treasure will start screaming as his ears pop on the way up and down. As an adult that use to really hurt until I became a frequent flier, I imagine the little kid was in a whole world of pain. Never understood why you'd take an infant on a plane, it's an incredibly stressful experience for kids that age, is it really necessary much of the time?
Nov 2, 2018, 8:27 am
#153
Join Date: May 2013
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Nov 2, 2018, 8:42 am
#154
Join Date: Feb 2009
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Have you also looked at ear protection for markets like target shooting? It's designed to protect against short, high intensity noise, as for example a 45 caliber handgun is about 160 dB when it fires. I know some shooters who have custom mounded earplugs designed to fit their ears that apparently work well. I use the foam earplugs and 3M Peltor muffs over top of that and it works well.
Nov 2, 2018, 9:00 am
#155
Join Date: Jul 2011
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Posts: 629
I've taken my kids on plenty of flights in J/F, from the ages of 3 months. I've been in J and F cabins on my own when other people have their children in the cabin.
Sometimes babies cry. Sometimes a 3yr old is simply so excited about going on holiday they just can't spend another second in their seat after the end of the second film. These things happen, and a bit of 'live and let live' goes a long way.
Now, if a child is being ignored by parents, or running wild, then I'm perfectly ok with asking parents to sort it out.
But when it's just kids being kids, then it boils down to this... YOU chose to book with an airline that chose to allow children to fly in premium cabins. As such, your opinion on whether they should be there or not is worth the square root of FA.
Sometimes babies cry. Sometimes a 3yr old is simply so excited about going on holiday they just can't spend another second in their seat after the end of the second film. These things happen, and a bit of 'live and let live' goes a long way.
Now, if a child is being ignored by parents, or running wild, then I'm perfectly ok with asking parents to sort it out.
But when it's just kids being kids, then it boils down to this... YOU chose to book with an airline that chose to allow children to fly in premium cabins. As such, your opinion on whether they should be there or not is worth the square root of FA.
Nov 2, 2018, 9:17 am
#156
Moderator: British Airways Executive Club
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Have you also looked at ear protection for markets like target shooting? It's designed to protect against short, high intensity noise, as for example a 45 caliber handgun is about 160 dB when it fires. I know some shooters who have custom mounded earplugs designed to fit their ears that apparently work well. I use the foam earplugs and 3M Peltor muffs over top of that and it works well.
I have the ear plugs version and earbuds version (with embedded audio components) and I usually try to drown out the noise with music where possible. It doesn't always work but it tends to help, at least with distracting my brain (the main issue being my brain rather than my hearing itself, although I do have well above average hearing for my age as well, which is rather unfortunate under the circumstance).
Nov 2, 2018, 2:27 pm
#157
Join Date: Jun 2018
Programs: BA Gold; Surrey CCC
Posts: 97
Quick comment - we often don't know what the circumstances are of the other person. While I don't condone swearing and using bad language in response to these types of situations, there may be a back-story to which we are often not aware.
I once witnessed a similar incident on an Emirates flight in F, where a young couple with a baby were travelling and there was an old couple in the row behind. The baby wasn't making a racket as such, but for the first 1 hour of the flight to Dubai (from London), there was a "settling in" period (but thereafter, quiet). The old man was cursing and swearing, loudly, using really aggressive industrial language but not looking or directing that language specifically to the couple (very similar to what I read here). This was an unpleasant flight for all and I very much thought that a fight would break out, despite the best efforts of the parents to pacify the baby and the crew.
Upon landing and overhearing the conversation that the old man was having with ground staff for luggage assistance, it transpired that his wife had recently been diagnosed with cancer, and he was essentially spending all of their savings on a once-in-a-lifetime trip to the UAE. They wouldn't be able to repeat it and he simply wanted an amazing experience, every single minute, for his wife and let his emotions get the better of him when confronted with the situation he did.
Of course, just one perspective and there are (many) exceptions to this!
I once witnessed a similar incident on an Emirates flight in F, where a young couple with a baby were travelling and there was an old couple in the row behind. The baby wasn't making a racket as such, but for the first 1 hour of the flight to Dubai (from London), there was a "settling in" period (but thereafter, quiet). The old man was cursing and swearing, loudly, using really aggressive industrial language but not looking or directing that language specifically to the couple (very similar to what I read here). This was an unpleasant flight for all and I very much thought that a fight would break out, despite the best efforts of the parents to pacify the baby and the crew.
Upon landing and overhearing the conversation that the old man was having with ground staff for luggage assistance, it transpired that his wife had recently been diagnosed with cancer, and he was essentially spending all of their savings on a once-in-a-lifetime trip to the UAE. They wouldn't be able to repeat it and he simply wanted an amazing experience, every single minute, for his wife and let his emotions get the better of him when confronted with the situation he did.
Of course, just one perspective and there are (many) exceptions to this!
Nov 2, 2018, 2:44 pm
#158
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Join Date: Jun 2013
Posts: 17,454
Quick comment - we often don't know what the circumstances are of the other person. While I don't condone swearing and using bad language in response to these types of situations, there may be a back-story to which we are often not aware.
I once witnessed a similar incident on an Emirates flight in F, where a young couple with a baby were travelling and there was an old couple in the row behind. The baby wasn't making a racket as such, but for the first 1 hour of the flight to Dubai (from London), there was a "settling in" period (but thereafter, quiet). The old man was cursing and swearing, loudly, using really aggressive industrial language but not looking or directing that language specifically to the couple (very similar to what I read here). This was an unpleasant flight for all and I very much thought that a fight would break out, despite the best efforts of the parents to pacify the baby and the crew.
Upon landing and overhearing the conversation that the old man was having with ground staff for luggage assistance, it transpired that his wife had recently been diagnosed with cancer, and he was essentially spending all of their savings on a once-in-a-lifetime trip to the UAE. They wouldn't be able to repeat it and he simply wanted an amazing experience, every single minute, for his wife and let his emotions get the better of him when confronted with the situation he did.
Of course, just one perspective and there are (many) exceptions to this!
I once witnessed a similar incident on an Emirates flight in F, where a young couple with a baby were travelling and there was an old couple in the row behind. The baby wasn't making a racket as such, but for the first 1 hour of the flight to Dubai (from London), there was a "settling in" period (but thereafter, quiet). The old man was cursing and swearing, loudly, using really aggressive industrial language but not looking or directing that language specifically to the couple (very similar to what I read here). This was an unpleasant flight for all and I very much thought that a fight would break out, despite the best efforts of the parents to pacify the baby and the crew.
Upon landing and overhearing the conversation that the old man was having with ground staff for luggage assistance, it transpired that his wife had recently been diagnosed with cancer, and he was essentially spending all of their savings on a once-in-a-lifetime trip to the UAE. They wouldn't be able to repeat it and he simply wanted an amazing experience, every single minute, for his wife and let his emotions get the better of him when confronted with the situation he did.
Of course, just one perspective and there are (many) exceptions to this!
Like the OP, are we talking about a babbling, happy baby? A baby that complained about ear pressure during take off? A baby that let Mom know she needed to be changed or fed?
I wonder how he thought his actions made that flight, or would make any experience, more "amazing" for his wife.
Nov 2, 2018, 2:49 pm
#159
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This made me smile. Thank you 
Pretty much. He cried for about a total of 20 minutes throughout the 14 hour trip. He was asleep in total for around 9 hours of the 14 hour flight.
I'm still a little taken back anyone would defend his actions or even justify them. Just to be clear, I'm not saying he shouldn't of been upset about the baby or annoyed. But I still can't get over the fact he swore indirectly about him being on the flight. This was only around 3 hours (21:30 time of the destination and 00:30 UK time) into the flight of which is was asleep for about 2 of them.
The flight had 6 people in first (3 of them being us). So, it wasn't a busy cabin at all so was quieter then it could of been. His wife seemed friendly enough and smiled/waved at the little man in the morning just before landing.
Pretty much. He cried for about a total of 20 minutes throughout the 14 hour trip. He was asleep in total for around 9 hours of the 14 hour flight.
I'm still a little taken back anyone would defend his actions or even justify them. Just to be clear, I'm not saying he shouldn't of been upset about the baby or annoyed. But I still can't get over the fact he swore indirectly about him being on the flight. This was only around 3 hours (21:30 time of the destination and 00:30 UK time) into the flight of which is was asleep for about 2 of them.
The flight had 6 people in first (3 of them being us). So, it wasn't a busy cabin at all so was quieter then it could of been. His wife seemed friendly enough and smiled/waved at the little man in the morning just before landing.
if it was on the ground the foul mouthed individual should have been offloaded.
In the air the crew should have intervened decisively making it clear his behaviour was not acceptable and his language even less so. If it did not stop then the captain should intervene and make it clear that failure to comply with his instruction to stop would result in the police attending on arrival and potentially a diversion.
someone being foul mouthed may be the precursor to violence and on board an aircraft that is not acceptable.
my kids have flown F/J since 8 weeks old. I would not tolerate such behaviour even if my kids cried for hours ( actually one did on SIN LHR such that I almost requested a medical diversion) no one said a word and the crew were outstanding. It wasn’t BA.
so those who advocate child free premium cabins. Get over yourselves. It’s public transport. Simples. In 35 years of flying the drunks, the weird and body odour challenged have all outnumbered disruptive kids by a factor of a 100.
Nov 2, 2018, 2:54 pm
#160
Original Poster
Join Date: Sep 2016
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Posts: 174
Well the sad thing is after reading several posts on this thread in support and against the little man verbally abused in First class it doesn’t surprise me it happened.
Will I fly first again with the little guy? Yes I will be booking first class flights for Christmas.
Will I fly first again with the little guy? Yes I will be booking first class flights for Christmas.
Nov 2, 2018, 3:16 pm
#161
Join Date: Jun 2014
Posts: 756
That's great! Good for you! And - despite the many opinions offered here - I'm pretty sure most, if not all, posters in this thread are going to be on your side in hoping that your next with-infant F trip is less stressful than the one you describe. I certainly wish you the very best.
Nov 2, 2018, 3:32 pm
#162
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: West Coast USA
Programs: BAEC
Posts: 559
Well the sad thing is after reading several posts on this thread in support and against the little man verbally abused in First class it doesn’t surprise me it happened.
Will I fly first again with the little guy? Yes I will be booking first class flights for Christmas.
Will I fly first again with the little guy? Yes I will be booking first class flights for Christmas.
Nov 2, 2018, 3:51 pm
#163
Join Date: Jul 2018
Posts: 16
i havnt read all the posts but I assume this all happened in flight and not on the ground.
if it was on the ground the foul mouthed individual should have been offloaded.
In the air the crew should have intervened decisively making it clear his behaviour was not acceptable and his language even less so. If it did not stop then the captain should intervene and make it clear that failure to comply with his instruction to stop would result in the police attending on arrival and potentially a diversion.
someone being foul mouthed may be the precursor to violence and on board an aircraft that is not acceptable.
my kids have flown F/J since 8 weeks old. I would not tolerate such behaviour even if my kids cried for hours ( actually one did on SIN LHR such that I almost requested a medical diversion) no one said a word and the crew were outstanding. It wasn’t BA.
so those who advocate child free premium cabins. Get over yourselves. It’s public transport. Simples. In 35 years of flying the drunks, the weird and body odour challenged have all outnumbered disruptive kids by a factor of a 100.
Nov 2, 2018, 4:03 pm
#164
Join Date: Nov 2004
Programs: BA GGL, LH FTL
Posts: 3,578
Let's not kid ourselves. Screaming and unruly children are one of the nuisances of public transport. When they happen they are as annoying as the guy opposite me talking to his wife on facetime without a headset just now. Or someone swearing. Or someone snoring. Or any of the other annoying things people do - whether intentionally or not.
.... happens - no need to get all worked up over it.
Nov 2, 2018, 4:11 pm
#165
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Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: Argentina
Posts: 40,210
I don't recall ever being on a flight which was spoilt by a screaming child. If I'm honest I've not been bothered by any of my fellow passengers no matter what age. Even the Yorkshire terrier who was only three feet away from us on one CDG-EZE flight didn't bother us.