1P

Surely it's not about how much the infant will consume, but how much noise it will make. Children have not learned to moderate their voices in hushed environments (and yes, I know some adults haven't either!).

sydneyracquelle

How is the child’s noise level any different if they paid $0 or $39 for admission????

LondonElite

These are published rules. Even a stroller takes up space.

pfreet

Rules exist in case the agents needs to turn away a rowdy family. To deny a sleeping 2 year old shows zero flexibility. A robot could have done that. That was wrong IMO.

Mr. Tickets

Rules are rules. If they let a 2 1/2 year old in, then the next person will say "what about my sleeping 3 year old". At least following the rules set up in advance, you have guideline to follow that (should be) consistent.

rsqrott

I think that MSPeconomist has summed it up. Rules and consistency. While I agree with the OP, I think that a 2 1/2 year old in a stroller shouldn't merit a cover charge I can understand the why behind it.

After a nightmare 9 hour delay at BNA last December this is what tipped me over the edge into getting a skymiles Amex. I have the option to pay for access during those times when I "need" it (no priority pass or lounge buddy options at BNA). And I have the option to pay that same $39 charge for every member of my family traveling with me...but at least I have the option.

cmd320

Space, yes. Space that's actually going to be occupied by a club member, unlikely.

LondonElite

Possibly, but how else do you draw the line? As was pointed out above, you then get people trying to sneak their 2.5, 2.75 year olds in. Then it becomes some long debate about whether the child is quiet or not, then you get people arguing that 'never in the 800 flights I've taken this year have I been refused access,' and so on. I understand that in this case it may have been a bit harsh, there are rules for a reason.

cmd320

I'd maybe draw the line at the child remaining in the stroller throughout the visit? If they're going to occupy an actual seat in the lounge they become a lounge patron, but if they're going to only occupy a stroller then they basically amount to a piece of rolling luggage as far as lounge capacity is concerned.

The child being quiet or not is another story, and like mentioned above, even if the parents pay the fee to bring the child in, that doesn't really guarantee they're going to be quiet the entire time.

Mr. Tickets

I think it might be a bit much to have to monitor to see if the child left their stroller. I'd rather they monitor people to make sure they was their hands when they leave the restroom.

1P

The point about charging a fee is that this would tend to discourage parents from even trying to bring their small children in.

GagaPilot

It's a tough call, and definitely a YMMV scenario. I can understand logic on both sides... a sleeping child doesn't really warrant a $39 fee, but then again it is a policy and the child's age could be verified.

My guess is that the agent was trying to enforce the rules as job security is paramount right now. AND not to mention DL needs every bit of cash they can get.

But, then again, the logic for a sleeping child could then be applied to those with pet carriers. I have taken my pet into SkyClubs twice (ATL and SEA) and while she is always well behaved, remains in the carrier the entire time, etc, we always find a quiet place out of the way of others. Would I pay extra to bring the pet in? Nope. I find the $125 fee at check-in to be hefty enough.

acrophobia

Having traveled extensively with my son (now 5), it very much depends on the agent who checks you in. Never had a problem under 2 (when they are complimentary); usually got comped from 2-3; since 3 it has been 50/50 at best whether we were asked for payment. Fortunately, we have a bunch of guest passes.

Hepsaint

Most airports nowadays strictly abide by local health department orders concerning capacities within airline lounges. No one here needs a reminder of what a "special" time that the current unhappiness is creating. You can go back and forth about common sense and by-the-book rule interpretations, but as it is, a 2 year old in a stroller is a person and a physical body and would be counted if a health or fire department inspector would come into the lounge.

I have yet to be turned away this year due to a capacity limit, but i wonder if the threat of being hit with a capacity violation might make the rule tightening by the lounge agents more of an issue.

sydneyracquelle

In my experience since March I have had a better chance of being mugged as the lone patron in a SC than a possible capacity violation. Just sayin.