Why is it parents believe their own children are absolute angels and see nothing wrong with inflicting them on the rest of the world?

Kudos to Mr. L. He didn't want to be seated beside someone else's offspring and did something about it to his satisfaction. Good for him.

And thes passive aggressive parents are the worst at controlling their kids because they don't like any kind of confrontation.

First of all, what a beautiful child! Tattoos aside;), she is more than welcome to sit next to me on any flight. Too bad she and mom had to be sat next to Grumpy Gus.

I find that the problem in these situations is never the children. It is uniformly the adults: the ones who grouse and complain about children next to them as if it's something infectious but as well the ones who see an airplane as free babysitting.

There are always two sides to a story. Wish 1K could post here so we can hear him out.

Interesting thread and another example of why so much of the time flying is a less than pleasant experience. - it seems these days everyone has the attitude that their wants should take precedence over everyone else's - which obviously leads to situations such as this. IMO both sides behaved poorly. First off, at that age, the child should have their own seat and I'm very surprised the airline allowed the child to sit on her mother's lap. The correct response, in her case, would have been to politely decline the upgrade unless both she and her child would have a seat and thus minimizing the inconvenience to the other passengers including the man seated next to her. In his case, he should have spoken quietly with the FA (although who knows, maybe he did) and requested a seat change instead of venting about the issue publicly. Neither party behaved well in this scenario including the OP.

Please don't bring common courtesy, mutual respect, and rational behavior into this discussion. There is clearly no place for it here.

I agree with most of the above and will add this comment - I really find it amusing when someone comes to FT, complains about something that happened whilst flying yet made no effort to confront the other party or fix the problem. :confused:

If you find yourself upgraded to a seat next to a child, you're free to move to another seat. I'm sure there are plenty of people in coach who wouldn't mind sitting next to a kid in F, while you enjoy a childless economy experience.

Agree with most of what you wrote, other than the fact that all US airlines that I know of allow lap children up to age 2, so it should be no surprise that the airline would allow the child to sit on the mother's lap. She merely took advantage of the benefits afforded to her. Whether you think having an older lap child is inappropriate is a matter completely separate from the airline allowing the practice.


Except that the OP wasn't traveling on that flight - his wife and child were. He had no opportunity " to confront the other party or fix the problem."

Let's put your money where your mouth is. We're travelling in F on 9/23, three of us.. Let me know if you have a negative experience on my flight with my child. Let's take a vote in the cabin.. if I win - you pay for our three flights and give me the credit I'm due for managing the needs of my child and providing the respect of the passengers around us.. AND you admit you were wrong. If you win - I'll pay for the flight and give you all these useless UA drink coupons I have so you can use them next time you are seated next to a child. I will win this bet - 100% sure of it.

And as far as Mr. L. - he never even gave them the opportunity. This is why it's offensive and out of line.

Oh.. Believe me... Had I been on that flight, and 1K started that crap sitting next to me - he most likely would have been removed. All I would have had to do was just hint that 1K had threatened under his breath to slap my child if she caused a scene - and I'm sure action would have been taken. I'm a multi year 1K, GS and I'm sure that counts for something. The way my wife reported he was behaving, I'm sure that the staff would have believed me.

Did he do that?

No.. Just sayin'.

Wow. Just wow.

I'm sorry. You've lost all credibility with this. Someone is rude to your family so you falsely accuse him of a crime? Really?

I no longer believe your version of what happened and I sincerely hope I never encounter your family on a flight. I think it's very clear what kind of passengers you are and would be. I also hope that, if you ever try this kind of a stupid, immature stunt, the subject of your incredibly damaging defamation sues you for everything you're worth. Hell, I'd handle his case pro bono.

Unbelievable.

people need to follow the advice of this girl

Your wife behaved with far more dignity than most people would have given the situation. 1K behaved appallingly, beyond oafishness. I'll leave it at that given that I don't wish to be subject to moderator action should I express my opinion of your comment.

(Edit - I see that someone else beat me to it).

Except - it sounds like 1K did NOT ask to be re-seated. He demanded that the mom and kid be moved. And he got his way, which is the part I find offensive.

I have no problem with anyone here who has expressed an aversion to being seated next to a young child. I have a serious problem with how 1K behaved.