'Feeling guilty in BF, IAH-FRA! Uhm..., with kids!
Nov 12, 2009, 5:10 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: Houston, TX
Programs: Continental, American
Posts: 288
'Feeling guilty in BF, IAH-FRA! Uhm... with kids!
Yes... another thread about kids in BF... leave now, you've heard it before I am sure.
So, while booking our Christmas Market vacation this year, I happened to see that all the "good" flights were taken. On the dates that did work, the ones with reward seats, CO happened to have BF seats open. There were coach seats too, but for 2500 extra miles per ticket, I could get BF.
We have four children, 6,4,2 and an infant who will be four months on the day of the trip. I'm not worried about the infant, she will sleep the whole trip. It's not the six year old, she's well mannered and disciplined. The 2 year old is also well behaved, does not cause problems.... it's the 4 year old, my son whom I fear... when his sisters call him a knucklehead sometimes, well you know. In all seriousness though, he is wel behaved, but he does get excited and talks loud sometimes until he is reminded to use his "inner voice".
We plan on keeping up the kids late the day before the trip, and the whole day of the trip (no naps), so it should help put them out after about 3 hours in flight.
It's only the IAH-FRA segment, so I guess some will appreciate that. But the question I have for you is, what would you have done? Would you pass up the opportunity?
So, while booking our Christmas Market vacation this year, I happened to see that all the "good" flights were taken. On the dates that did work, the ones with reward seats, CO happened to have BF seats open. There were coach seats too, but for 2500 extra miles per ticket, I could get BF.
We have four children, 6,4,2 and an infant who will be four months on the day of the trip. I'm not worried about the infant, she will sleep the whole trip. It's not the six year old, she's well mannered and disciplined. The 2 year old is also well behaved, does not cause problems.... it's the 4 year old, my son whom I fear... when his sisters call him a knucklehead sometimes, well you know. In all seriousness though, he is wel behaved, but he does get excited and talks loud sometimes until he is reminded to use his "inner voice".
We plan on keeping up the kids late the day before the trip, and the whole day of the trip (no naps), so it should help put them out after about 3 hours in flight.
It's only the IAH-FRA segment, so I guess some will appreciate that. But the question I have for you is, what would you have done? Would you pass up the opportunity?
Last edited by HookTheBrotherUp; Nov 12, 2009 at 5:21 pm
Nov 12, 2009, 5:16 pm
#2
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: Bay Area, CA
Programs: UA Plat 2MM; AS MVP Gold 75K
Posts: 35,068
You have every right to buy whatever ticket you want, and you're being prudent as a parent by trying to minimize disruption to others.
I say kudos to you. Not all parents are that considerate. ^
I say kudos to you. Not all parents are that considerate. ^
Nov 12, 2009, 5:18 pm
#3
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: EWR-N.Haledon NJ
Programs: CO Platinum
Posts: 1,134
Nov 12, 2009, 5:26 pm
#4
Original Poster
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: Houston, TX
Programs: Continental, American
Posts: 288
Seat selection helps...
I've gone so far as to select seats so that my son is behind my wife in case he touches the seat in front... it will be my wife's. 
The other is too short, and it won't be a problem. The six year old is like an adult, she is a good traveler and knows to sit and enjoy herself.
It is hard to stay all in one row due to the seating arrangement, 2-1-2, so I got two rows of 2, and I will sit in the middle... a hall monitor if you will.
The other is too short, and it won't be a problem. The six year old is like an adult, she is a good traveler and knows to sit and enjoy herself.It is hard to stay all in one row due to the seating arrangement, 2-1-2, so I got two rows of 2, and I will sit in the middle... a hall monitor if you will.
Nov 12, 2009, 5:30 pm
#5
Join Date: Aug 2004
Location: CLE
Posts: 9,816
I've gone so far as to select seats so that my son is behind my wife in case he touches the seat in front... it will be my wife's. The other is too short, and it won't be a problem. The six year old is like an adult, she is a good traveler and knows to sit and enjoy herself.
It is hard to stay all in one row due to the seating arrangement, 2-1-2, so I got two rows of 2, and I will sit in the middle... a hall monitor if you will.
The other is too short, and it won't be a problem. The six year old is like an adult, she is a good traveler and knows to sit and enjoy herself.It is hard to stay all in one row due to the seating arrangement, 2-1-2, so I got two rows of 2, and I will sit in the middle... a hall monitor if you will.
Nov 12, 2009, 5:33 pm
#6
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: CLE
Programs: CO Gold - 1MM, IC Plat, Hertz PC
Posts: 1,644
I have to chuckle at that comment....but as others said you have every right to the seats. I find it very respectable to know that you are considering others that are traveling and planning ahead. I hope you and your family enjoy the xmas holiday!
Nov 12, 2009, 5:34 pm
#7
Join Date: Nov 2000
Location: The World! Home Base = DCA/IAD
Programs: HHonors, Hyatt GP, Marriott, Varying Levels w/ UA /AF /DL /SQ /AA
Posts: 2,665
I would do the same thing, and bully for you for booking it! No way I want to be on your flight, HookTheBrotherUp 
, but good catch and I hope you and your family enjoy the flight, seriously.
Will
, but good catch and I hope you and your family enjoy the flight, seriously.Will
Nov 12, 2009, 5:45 pm
#8
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: Louisville, KY, USA
Posts: 2,583
Enjoy. Sounds like you are going out of your way to ensure that others do as well.
Nov 12, 2009, 5:49 pm
#9
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: New Egypt NJ
Programs: UA 1K, Hilton Diamond, SPG Plat
Posts: 2,922
Why feel guilty? You have obviously have spent enough butt in seat time to earn the miles. You deserve to enjoy a vacation with your family. You seem to be the kind of parent that has consideration for others and tries your best, so don't sweat it, and have a good time.
Nov 12, 2009, 5:52 pm
#10
Suspended
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: 10 months VLC, 2 months everywhere else
Programs: *A
Posts: 3,770
You deserve it, you earned it, now get those seats up front. Just get ready for some assh*t to shoot you a dirty look. When 2 year old Jasmine has her own seat with me up front, I just smile.
Nov 12, 2009, 6:17 pm
#11
Join Date: Mar 2003
Location: Los Angeles, CA
Programs: UA 1K 1MMer & LT UC (when flying UA); Hyatt Credit Cardist; HHonors Diamond; Marriott Gold via UA 1K
Posts: 6,956
Trust me when I say that a C cabin full of Flyertalkers on their way to the *A Mega DO last week was far more disruptive to other C pax than three well-behaved children and a sleeping baby. 
Nov 12, 2009, 6:38 pm
#12
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: New York NY
Programs: UA Gold, CO Plat, CO Million Miler
Posts: 2,617
I have 3 children and 4 grandchildren between 12 and 18. Never once would I have thought twice about bringing any of them into a BF cabin except for the expense in miles. We've taken them to fancy restaurants from infancy on. They've never caused a problem. They've had great experiences. Go for it and I'm sure you'll see more smiles than grimaces when you enter the cabin.
Nov 12, 2009, 6:43 pm
#13
Join Date: Jul 2008
Location: San Antonio TX
Programs: CO Plat, US Air Silver, SPG Gold
Posts: 79
2500 extra miles per ticket?
So, while booking our Christmas Market vacation this year, I happened to see that all the "good" flights were taken. On the dates that did work, the ones with reward seats, CO happened to have BF seats open. There were coach seats too, but for 2500 extra miles per ticket, I could get BF.
Nov 12, 2009, 8:38 pm
#14
Original Poster
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: Houston, TX
Programs: Continental, American
Posts: 288
Nothing special/new... for a Plat...
I am not sure of the reward rules, but for what it's worth, I am a CO Plat and each ticket is a SaverPass reward for 52,500 points.
Last edited by HookTheBrotherUp; Nov 12, 2009 at 8:43 pm
Nov 12, 2009, 8:46 pm
#15
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: New York NY
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