infants no longer allowed to preboard
Aug 29, 2013, 3:11 pm
#46
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Having flown with my children when they were infants, I certainly see the value in being able to fly with a child in lap. As long as the FAA considers this safe, it certainly is more cost effective than purchasing a seat for a child who will undoubtedly spend half the flight or more out of the seat and in a parent's lap eating, sleeping, etc.
On the other hand, I am ardently opposed to Gordon's Gin. Perhaps pilots could help us with that problem which I see as much worse than a lap child!
On the other hand, I am ardently opposed to Gordon's Gin. Perhaps pilots could help us with that problem which I see as much worse than a lap child!
The FAA doesn't consider it safe they consider it less risky. The NTSB has had it on their most wanted list for years that the FAA mandate child restraints in aircraft. For me the little bit of cost is worth it since even in a survivable crash a lap child most likely isn't going to make it.
Aug 29, 2013, 3:25 pm
#47
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IBTL.
As a parent of two young ones, I actually agree that infants w/o carsets do not need nearly as much time to board as ones with carseats. While it is true that boarding with kids takes longer than boarding w/o, it's not clear to me at what age that stops being true. Moreover, most times it's actually (IME) easier to board with an infant in arms than, say a 3-year old, especially if one is not also trying to carry the kitchen sink as carry on and/or has another traveling companion.
For parents traveling alone with an infant in arms, while no longer explicitly called out, I am sure almost any GA would gladly let you pre board with no more or less scrutiny than a retiree.
As a parent of two young ones, I actually agree that infants w/o carsets do not need nearly as much time to board as ones with carseats. While it is true that boarding with kids takes longer than boarding w/o, it's not clear to me at what age that stops being true. Moreover, most times it's actually (IME) easier to board with an infant in arms than, say a 3-year old, especially if one is not also trying to carry the kitchen sink as carry on and/or has another traveling companion.
For parents traveling alone with an infant in arms, while no longer explicitly called out, I am sure almost any GA would gladly let you pre board with no more or less scrutiny than a retiree.
Aug 29, 2013, 3:34 pm
#48
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Several years ago, I was seated next to a heavy, pregnant woman who had her two-year plus child on her lap. (FL flight, ATL-EWR) I was wearing a suit, white dress shirt and tie. The moron, who obviously did not care about the safety of her child, gave the child a Hershey's bar once we were in the air. Of course, the child reached out for my shirt as she was sliding off her mother for the tenth or so time, and left a giant, smelly smudge.
The FA could not have been any more awesome. I took off my shirt and she was able to get the stain out with soda water. When we landed, the station manager (I still remember her name) met us. I was given a r/t voucher. The woman with the child was told she would have to provide a birth certificate for the return trip, and even then, it would be up to the pilot to determine if the child was safe for the flight. She exploded, threatening to sue. At that point, I left, so I don't know how it was resolved.
The FA could not have been any more awesome. I took off my shirt and she was able to get the stain out with soda water. When we landed, the station manager (I still remember her name) met us. I was given a r/t voucher. The woman with the child was told she would have to provide a birth certificate for the return trip, and even then, it would be up to the pilot to determine if the child was safe for the flight. She exploded, threatening to sue. At that point, I left, so I don't know how it was resolved.
Aug 29, 2013, 3:40 pm
#49
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Aug 29, 2013, 3:42 pm
#50
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Several years ago, I was seated next to a heavy, pregnant woman who had her two-year plus child on her lap. (FL flight, ATL-EWR) I was wearing a suit, white dress shirt and tie. The moron, who obviously did not care about the safety of her child, gave the child a Hershey's bar once we were in the air. Of course, the child reached out for my shirt as she was sliding off her mother for the tenth or so time, and left a giant, smelly smudge.
The FA could not have been any more awesome. I took off my shirt and she was able to get the stain out with soda water. When we landed, the station manager (I still remember her name) met us. I was given a r/t voucher. The woman with the child was told she would have to provide a birth certificate for the return trip, and even then, it would be up to the pilot to determine if the child was safe for the flight. She exploded, threatening to sue. At that point, I left, so I don't know how it was resolved.
The FA could not have been any more awesome. I took off my shirt and she was able to get the stain out with soda water. When we landed, the station manager (I still remember her name) met us. I was given a r/t voucher. The woman with the child was told she would have to provide a birth certificate for the return trip, and even then, it would be up to the pilot to determine if the child was safe for the flight. She exploded, threatening to sue. At that point, I left, so I don't know how it was resolved.
Aug 29, 2013, 3:43 pm
#51
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Aug 29, 2013, 4:09 pm
#52
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Aug 29, 2013, 4:19 pm
#53
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Aug 29, 2013, 6:49 pm
#54
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As of last Sunday, they still preboarded families with small kids. On one of the two flights I took, they enforced the rule that the child has to be less than two years old and sent back a couple of families with older children. Well done in my opinion. On flights with many families, preboarding for elites looses its sense if you have dozens of families boarding first, especially as these families will use a lot of overhead space, the only reason I appreciate to be able to board early.
Aug 29, 2013, 7:07 pm
#55
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Wife on a flight from SLC to SFO today in F PAID, with 18 month old who has his own PAID F seat gate agent would not allow preboard.
Wife had to negotiate all the freaking DM upgrade whores who were pushing past her to get to their seat first, stuff their oversided bags and breifcases in the overheads, real gentleman like behavior and then seeing she was in F with a child she had to endure all the mumers about a child in F... Screw all of them, he was as quiet as a mouse.
Wife had to negotiate all the freaking DM upgrade whores who were pushing past her to get to their seat first, stuff their oversided bags and breifcases in the overheads, real gentleman like behavior and then seeing she was in F with a child she had to endure all the mumers about a child in F... Screw all of them, he was as quiet as a mouse.
Aug 29, 2013, 7:24 pm
#56
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How about enforcing it instead of inconveniencing people who actually need it (and the other passengers too)?
Aug 29, 2013, 7:26 pm
#57
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This is the new policy, only those who need time to install a car seat in a seat. Also, those who require assistance are to be boarded before those with a car seat and there should be a gap between the two. The DOT mandated the new boarding gap so not to rush those who need assistance.
I didn't want to start a new thread on the many issues of flying with children and crying kids, blah, blah, blah......I just wanted to bring attention to this (and apparently unanounnced) Delta policy so new parents can be informed when flying with Delta
Aug 29, 2013, 7:26 pm
#58
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I think allowing parents with infants to pre-board is the right thing to do. Instead of eliminating this step, they should enforce the age restriction. As far as I know parents have to carry a birth certificate for their children anyway while traveling so checking the date should not be too difficult in cases of suspected abuse.
Aug 29, 2013, 7:28 pm
#59
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Quote:
Originally Posted by FlyingBeanCounter
Do parents even feel bad when their kids are so disruptive? When they have to fly is it embarrassing to them when their children make such a scene?
You must remember we are in a different time now. Different caliber and class of people populate the sky's and lounges these days. Have you been in a SC recently? Remember, those people eventually make their way to the Jetway lol.
Originally Posted by FlyingBeanCounter
Do parents even feel bad when their kids are so disruptive? When they have to fly is it embarrassing to them when their children make such a scene?
You must remember we are in a different time now. Different caliber and class of people populate the sky's and lounges these days. Have you been in a SC recently? Remember, those people eventually make their way to the Jetway lol.
Aug 29, 2013, 7:32 pm
#60
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Wife on a flight from SLC to SFO today in F PAID, with 18 month old who has his own PAID F seat gate agent would not allow preboard.
Wife had to negotiate all the freaking DM upgrade whores who were pushing past her to get to their seat first, stuff their oversided bags and breifcases in the overheads, real gentleman like behavior and then seeing she was in F with a child she had to endure all the mumers about a child in F... Screw all of them, he was as quiet as a mouse.
Wife had to negotiate all the freaking DM upgrade whores who were pushing past her to get to their seat first, stuff their oversided bags and breifcases in the overheads, real gentleman like behavior and then seeing she was in F with a child she had to endure all the mumers about a child in F... Screw all of them, he was as quiet as a mouse.
Screw all of them even if he cried a little. DL allows children in F/J. Anyone who doesn't like it should ask DL to change their policy or take a private jet.