Rant: To Mr. L - Seated in First Class
Sep 4, 2013 | 2:18 pm
#46
Original Poster
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: Houston, TX
Programs: UA 1K, MM, AMEX Plat, Hertz 1, SPG Plat
Posts: 153
Sep 4, 2013 | 2:20 pm
#47
Join Date: Jul 2011
Programs: AA Plat, UA 1K>Plat>moving to Silver
Posts: 2,279
Once I had kids, I never complained about them on airplanes again. Now that they are grown, when I hear some child crying on the plan, it just brings back nostalgic memories (seriously, though I also always fly with earplugs).
Sep 4, 2013 | 2:25 pm
#48
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: Long Beach, CA
Programs: AA PLTPRO, HH Diamond, IHG Plat, Marriott Plat, Hyatt Globalist
Posts: 3,655
What a jerk
I will freely admit I don't really like kids and I don't really like sitting near them on the plane. However, that said, I don't get to choose. I sit where I'm assigned and roll with it. Sometimes the kids are great sometimes they're not. Ive sat next to cute and funny kids and one time i had OJ spilled all over my suit on the way to work. But hey, it's the same with adults!
Your wife was immensely polite. I'm not sure I would have moved.
I will freely admit I don't really like kids and I don't really like sitting near them on the plane. However, that said, I don't get to choose. I sit where I'm assigned and roll with it. Sometimes the kids are great sometimes they're not. Ive sat next to cute and funny kids and one time i had OJ spilled all over my suit on the way to work. But hey, it's the same with adults!
Your wife was immensely polite. I'm not sure I would have moved.
Sep 4, 2013 | 2:28 pm
#49
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: YWG
Programs: Aeroplan, MileagePlus, Marriott Rewards
Posts: 2,208
I love all the no-kids-in-my-cabin posts that predictably follow on threads like this. I think many people misunderstand how common carriers work.
If any of those people find out a way to pick their seatmates, let me know where I can put in an order for long-legged Swedish blondes.
If any of those people find out a way to pick their seatmates, let me know where I can put in an order for long-legged Swedish blondes.
Sep 4, 2013 | 2:38 pm
#50
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: UK
Programs: Bonvoy Life Plat, IHG Plat, AA PlatPro, VS Silver, National EE, Hertz PC
Posts: 2,536
1K should have been moved, preferably back to y. Moving 1L before any trouble occurred is outrageous. Inconveniencing a parent busy trying to make life better for everyone on the plane is selfish and tactless.
1K and anyone else should read the conditions of carriage and note pax have no say on who they sit next to. If they do not like what they see they should rent a private jet. Shame on UA for not siding with the parent.
1K and anyone else should read the conditions of carriage and note pax have no say on who they sit next to. If they do not like what they see they should rent a private jet. Shame on UA for not siding with the parent.
Sep 4, 2013 | 3:01 pm
#51
Join Date: Feb 2013
Programs: Hilton Diamond, Delta Gold
Posts: 5,926
If only there were child-free airlines so these kind of confrontations don't have to happen.
And no, that doesn't mean I agree with the jerk from the OP. He didn't have the right to demand that your wife and child move.
I just prefer not to be around children (that's why I don't have any myself), especially in an enclosed environment where I don't have the option to move or leave.
And no, that doesn't mean I agree with the jerk from the OP. He didn't have the right to demand that your wife and child move.
I just prefer not to be around children (that's why I don't have any myself), especially in an enclosed environment where I don't have the option to move or leave.
Sep 4, 2013 | 3:12 pm
#52
Original Poster
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: Houston, TX
Programs: UA 1K, MM, AMEX Plat, Hertz 1, SPG Plat
Posts: 153
Frankly, this is my sentiment as well. I view one of the benefits of first class to be that it will most likely be childless. With current climate of the airlines seemingly deciding to charge for anything they can get away with, I have been wondering if eventually there would be child free flights with of course a big fat premium attached to the fare.
Today is not the day for such a cabin. This involves complimentary upgrades to both parties, audibly demanding a discount is classless, and inconveniencing someone because of your preconcieved notions is not acceptable. Our family flies just as much as others who earn the upgrade privilage from our loyalty to the carrier.
Sep 4, 2013 | 3:20 pm
#53
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: MCI
Programs: AA Gold 1MM, AS MVP, UA Silver, WN A-List, Marriott LT Titanium, HH Diamond
Posts: 53,012
If only there were child-free airlines so these kind of confrontations don't have to happen.
And no, that doesn't mean I agree with the jerk from the OP. He didn't have the right to demand that your wife and child move.
I just prefer not to be around children (that's why I don't have any myself), especially in an enclosed environment where I don't have the option to move or leave.
And no, that doesn't mean I agree with the jerk from the OP. He didn't have the right to demand that your wife and child move.
I just prefer not to be around children (that's why I don't have any myself), especially in an enclosed environment where I don't have the option to move or leave.
Frankly, this is my sentiment as well. I view one of the benefits of first class to be that it will most likely be childless. With current climate of the airlines seemingly deciding to charge for anything they can get away with, I have been wondering if eventually there would be child free flights with of course a big fat premium attached to the fare.
Everybody cites Netjets as one option, but I'm sure you could phone your nearest private aviation airport and get a list of other operators as well. Outfits that will either fly one segment for you or sell you bigger blocks of time...What exactly is the issue here? You ride a city bus, you have to deal with other people who ride city buses. You hail a cab, you get private treatment. Some thing applies here...
Sep 4, 2013 | 3:24 pm
#54
Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: scotland/EDI
Programs: BAEC , M&M , VIRGIN FC , FLYING BLUE
Posts: 1,438
it was wrong wrong wrong that the OPs wife had to move seats and that upheaval alone could well have upset and already settled child
I do have a certain sympathy for people not wishing to be sat next to children but cannot condone the behaviour and attitude of 1K
IMO the CC on this occasion made the wrong move and I would certainly have words with the airline about it
I do have a certain sympathy for people not wishing to be sat next to children but cannot condone the behaviour and attitude of 1K
IMO the CC on this occasion made the wrong move and I would certainly have words with the airline about it
Sep 4, 2013 | 4:24 pm
#55
Join Date: Dec 2012
Location: YVR, HNL
Programs: AS MVPG, UA peon, BA Bronze, Marriott Plat, HH Diamond, Fairmont Plat (RIP)
Posts: 8,447
Sep 4, 2013 | 4:39 pm
#56
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: Newport Beach, California, USA
Posts: 36,062
Sep 4, 2013 | 4:55 pm
#57
Join Date: Aug 2008
Programs: united, Hilton, Amtrak
Posts: 1,236
Passive aggressive- saying nothing while you were on the plane
And then coming here to vent.
Sep 4, 2013 | 5:02 pm
#58
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: Danville, CA, USA;
Programs: UA 1MM, WN CP, Marriott LT Plat, Hilton Gold, IC Plat
Posts: 18,106
+1 ^ ^ ^ I still don't understand why they would not have reseated the passenger that is unhappy with his seat. I don't care if he was Plat Medalion, GS, whatever - he doesn't like his neighbors he can move.
My kids generally fly in F for long flights. It is more pleasant for all involved, and their behavior tends to be much better when they are separated. And if there is time before the flight we generally go to the lounge if we can as we prefer to have them sitting in a confined area where they cannot wander off. 
I will enjoy seeing the look on your face next time you pass my kids sipping their pre-flight apple juice on the way back to your economy class seat. 
Sep 4, 2013 | 5:57 pm
#59
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: SEA the REAL Washington; occasionally in the other Washington (DCA area)
Programs: AS MVPG 100K (Atmos Titanium) / 0.5MM; DL fallen PM (1.58MM = Complimentary Annual GM); AA Gold
Posts: 24,490
in my single days (and later in my living-with and married pre-parental days) I had three criteria for tolerating children under about age 8 on planes: they had to be quiet, they had to be at a reasonable -- at least one row in between them and me -- distance, and they had to belong to someone else
once the child in question was mine (i.e., once I was on the receiving end of glares and grumbles, even though my son was a very tolerant, patient, and well-behaved traveler in his early years) those criteria vanished
a little bit of respect for others, and a little bit of common courtesy, go a long way in situations like this
once the child in question was mine (i.e., once I was on the receiving end of glares and grumbles, even though my son was a very tolerant, patient, and well-behaved traveler in his early years) those criteria vanished
a little bit of respect for others, and a little bit of common courtesy, go a long way in situations like this
Sep 4, 2013 | 6:15 pm
#60
Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: MLB, SMF, and many points in between
Programs: Back to UA with a bit of Hyatt and some Marriott
Posts: 3,476
Unless/until the airline sets a policy that no lap children are allowed on a paid F ticket, you're just wrong.
At present I can buy an F ticket for a child or an F ticket with a lap child on UA so children clearly belong in F if their parents choose to pay for it.
And even if mom and child were on an award/upgrade, the fundamental fact that UA will sell F to a parent with a child means children are allowed.