Would you upgrade and leave kids in coach?
Apr 28, 2009, 10:41 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Oct 2005
Programs: NW Gold, MR Silver, AA, UA
Posts: 36
Would you upgrade and leave kids in coach?
Kids are 9 (almost 10) and 11, very experienced fliers. I want to put myself on upgrade list, but have guilt. What would you do? It's a long flight and there is space in first class.
Apr 28, 2009, 10:43 am
#2
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: Bay Area, CA
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Posts: 35,067
I think technically they're unaccompanied minors if they're not in the same cabin as you.
As for upgrading, could you upgrade, companion upgrade one, and miles (or ask a favor) for the third?
As for upgrading, could you upgrade, companion upgrade one, and miles (or ask a favor) for the third?
Apr 28, 2009, 10:48 am
#3
Join Date: Jan 2006
Programs: Skyteam
Posts: 5,759
Guardian is required to accompany the minor in the same cabin.
Apr 28, 2009, 11:19 am
#4
Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: PHX
Programs: DL GM/SC/SkyBonus, UA (xCO), AS, AA, US, FL, Hilton Gold, Best Western Gold, Choice, Wyndham
Posts: 658
My boss does this all the time. He and the wife travel in F and the kids (14, 12, 8) travel in Y. Did it on many domestic flights, and I know he did it SLC-CDG and SLC-OGG.
As long as the parent/guardian is on the same flight, its all good.
As long as the parent/guardian is on the same flight, its all good.
Apr 28, 2009, 11:50 am
#5
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: MSY
Programs: DL, Hhonors Gold
Posts: 283
To answer your title question: no.
Apr 28, 2009, 11:55 am
#6
Join Date: Jan 2006
Programs: Skyteam
Posts: 5,759
Just because your boss has done it doesn't mean it's acceptable by the airline. For the sake of argument, If the kids were 8 months, 2,4, you think having a guardian on the same flight will fly?
Apr 28, 2009, 12:44 pm
#8
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: SF South Bay
Programs: DL DM MM; SPG Plat; MR Plat; Hertz Plat
Posts: 24
A little OT, but I once took the upgrade and left my wife and boys ages 5 and 7 in coach CVG to SLC. I had offered her the upgrade for which she thanked me but said I should take it since I am 6' 5" and need the leg room. I sat in FC as my wife and boys walked by to board in coach and the 2 words I read on her lips let me know I should have given her the seat anyway.
Apr 28, 2009, 12:47 pm
#9
Join Date: Jul 2008
Programs: *A
Posts: 1,390
A little OT, but I once took the upgrade and left my wife and boys ages 5 and 7 in coach CVG to SLC. I had offered her the upgrade for which she thanked me but said I should take it since I am 6' 5" and need the leg room. I sat in FC as my wife and boys walked by to board in coach and the 2 words I read on her lips let me know I should have given her the seat anyway.
Apr 28, 2009, 1:03 pm
#10
Join Date: Mar 2006
Posts: 591
(1) You never know when your kids will act up. Everyone has a bad day now and then;
(2) You never know when some nut will be seated next to or near them; and
(3) The kids are your responsibility, not that of the FAs or some strangers.
I understand your kids are well behaved, but a little supervision goes a long way.
Apr 28, 2009, 1:14 pm
#11
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2008
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Another "I'm entitled so I don't have to be responsible for my actions or for common sense" post.
Supported by another "but somebody else got away with it" post.
The questions the OP should be asking are:
1) If there is an emergency on take-off or landing, who is going to assume the responsibility that I shirked and help get my children off safely?
2) During that emergency, how hard am I going to try to impede the evacuation of those PAX rushing to the front door, while I try to go against the flow to reach my children in the back... now that I have suddenly remembered that I am responsible for them?
Is the lure of a FC seat really so compelling that it disables all sense of responsibility?
Since such emergencies are not common place, a more mundane question:
3) What if your children prove to pains in the butt outside of your oversight, and make the trip miserable for those around them?
Supported by another "but somebody else got away with it" post.
The questions the OP should be asking are:
1) If there is an emergency on take-off or landing, who is going to assume the responsibility that I shirked and help get my children off safely?
2) During that emergency, how hard am I going to try to impede the evacuation of those PAX rushing to the front door, while I try to go against the flow to reach my children in the back... now that I have suddenly remembered that I am responsible for them?
Is the lure of a FC seat really so compelling that it disables all sense of responsibility?
Since such emergencies are not common place, a more mundane question:
3) What if your children prove to pains in the butt outside of your oversight, and make the trip miserable for those around them?
Apr 28, 2009, 1:27 pm
#12
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: ORD
Programs: DL FO...ex-PM, GM...does it really even matter these days? LOL...
Posts: 1,248
Apr 28, 2009, 1:28 pm
#13
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: MA
Programs: DL
Posts: 1,559
My mom has gotten an upgrade before and let me take the upgraded seat while she is in Y. She let the FA know and she said it was fine. I don't know about the other way around though...
Edit: I've done it 4 times:
PVD-ATL
PHX-JFK
BOS-FLL
CVG-ANC
Edit: I've done it 4 times:
PVD-ATL
PHX-JFK
BOS-FLL
CVG-ANC
Apr 28, 2009, 1:30 pm
#14
Join Date: Jan 2005
Posts: 8,884
If I were the only parent/guardian traveling, I would not separate myself from the children, regardless of how experienced with flying they may be.
Apr 28, 2009, 1:41 pm
#15
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: ATL, BHM, DUB, County Wexford
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Posts: 4,855
