germs continued :)
 

You are quite right. But no one has answered my *reasons* that I have
that opinion, namely that parents use the necessary precautions to
avoid the spread - specifically, no parent would change without a mat
and without washing his/her hands (at least with an antibacterial wipe)
afterwards. I must have observed thousands of diaper changes in my life
and this has been true. And, secondly, that other sources of germs are more
significant during air travel.

Also, I think that some of the "anti" people are thinking of some terribly
messy diarrhea-diaper change that they once imagined/saw...whereas the
parents are thinking (and the OP asked) about quickie urine-only changes.

(Someone said that diapers can switch quickly from urine to feces during
the change; I have found that to be true only in very early infancy, when
a healthy breastfed baby still has sterile feces, but I figure the "anti"'s
won't believe me on that score anyway.)

Of course not - and neither would I - and that is why I always use an
anti-bacterial wipe on the tray table before using it, as every person should
do on an airplane. If you think that babies are the only source of
contamination, you are quite mistaken. I happen to think that they are not
really a significant source at all, but there is a huge wiggle room in there
that both of us agree on: airplanes are obviously pretty germ-ridden,
and the wise traveller does not touch any surfaces without a wipe-down
first, if s/he is about to eat etc.

BTW all of those diseases you mention are probably not going to survive
on a dry surface...but there is a "cootie" factor. Again, not just/mainly
from diapers, but from whoever the heck sat there before you in the
airplane's life.

If you suddenly got your wish and no one ever changed a diaper in the
cabin of an airplane again, you would *still* have to do the same exact
germ precautions to be safe, for the rest of your flying life, because of
other sources of contamination. And that is why I don't buy the "germ"
argument against diaper changes at the seat.

--LG

lg10 you are not the norm.
Diaper change with no mat.
Diaper change without cleaning hands afterwards.
Diaper change on fold down table.
Diaper change of feces diaper.
Leaving diaper change remnants on floor.
Stuffing diaper in seat back pocket.

I suggest the following petition to the airlines:
All airlines must provide a handicapped accessible lavatory with a baby change table for every 80 paxs. On aircraft with two, one must be the furtherest forward and the other must be the furtherest backward. With each additional lavatory, the additional lavatory must be in different bank of lavatories in order to provide access to every passenger section. All such lavatories must have sufficient space in order to permit two paxs and a child simultaneous access to provide assistance as needed. Lavatories must be clearly marked on the door and on the safety brochure in the seat back pocket. Instructions as to the location of the specially equipped lavatory will be included on any in-flight safety video or pre-flight instructions along with a prohibition of diaper changing in the passenger cabin. This regulation will apply to all aircraft carrying passengers for hire, traveling within the United States, departing from or arriving in the United States.

Folks, it seems to me that enough has been said. Positions have been articulated. I don't see new posters engaging.

I'm going to lock this thread.

SanDiego1K
Senior Moderator