HoustonConsultant

Well, I think there certainly does seem to be a way to avoid having the random passenger not have to move to a middle seat. In those rare instances where I do split the reservation and get upgraded without the rest of the family, someone is going to get my upgraded seat rather than me, especially if people are having to move around to accommodate my family's mess.

We travel with our kids, and traveling with kids can be a bear, so I'm generally happy to help others, and I am willing to move (sometimes to a less desirable seat) to help a family sit together.

You (and others) seem to be blaming United for something that was not United's fault. There are four thousand things that we can blame on United, but this isn't one of them.

The expectation seems to be that United should have programmed in some mechanism (that I do not think any other US airline has) that denies its cheapest fares to families. I'm all for that, but I don't think United is alone in not having it.

HoustonConsultant

That is a very easy one. The family is asked to deplane because they cannot comply with the safety requirements of the airplane.

Kacee

Following up on this, you will see many threads on FT where members ask very detailed questions about travel with families, and receive lots of great advice. There are all kinds of resources out there for those who are responsible enough to plan ahead.

omaralt

and if you're two hours into a 5 hour flight?

EmailKid

Yup, a whole forum devoted to that right here on FT.

jsloan

Two hours into a five-hour flight, a two-year-old materializes in a middle seat, far away from his or her parents?

omaralt

the two year old was fine initially. two hours in he/she becomes upset. now she wants mommy. oh and that apple juice she got, she cant open it. oh and now there is turbulence and she needs to be buckled up; you want to assume that responsibility? or should the FA?

keep parents and kids together, it's better for EVERYONE

Error 601

That is a relatively recent development.

HoustonConsultant

All passengers are required to be able to follow crew members' instructions, and during boarding it will be apparent that an unaccompanied 2 year old cannot do that.

Some people want to fly from A to B as cheaply as they possibly can. United responded to that demand by offering hugely restricted (yet not wildly different that Southwest/Spirit/etc) fares.

United even puts up big pictures and graphics when you are trying to buy these very restricted fares.

However, none of that protects United from the stupidity/laziness/ineptness of us, the flying public, so now we are mad that they did not proactively program in restrictions that do not allow people to purchase a particular ticket if someone in their party is below some age at which we'll all disagree.

I know it shouldn't have gotten this far on this flight, and undoubtedly the kindness of strangers would have (and did) rule the day, but if United had this restriction, we already would have seen the "United is discriminating against families" post here.

omaralt

oh and hey the parents knew what they were doing. they simply wanted a free babysitter for the duration of the flight!

jsloan

The two-year-old never should have been boarded there in the first place, for the reasons already stated. I have to imagine even the most coldhearted, "free babysitter" parent would want to assist their toddler in an emergency.

Honestly, UA should block off seats at the back of the airplane for assignment at the gate, which would limit this sort of problem.

omaralt

what reason? UA is saying it's ok for parents and children to be apart, so there should be no problem boarding a 2 year separately from her parents. and she was fine initially, no reason not to board her

jsloan

Strawman arguments are fun.

omaralt

you think it becomes apparent during boarding that a two year old cant follow crew member instructions? i could have told you that way before boarding. so pretty much UA is saying they are ok with 2 year olds and parents being separated and you are agreeing with me that they shouldn't. So now it shouldn't even be an option. either force the parents (you cant count on peoples sensibilities to do the right thing) into regular economy or allow free seating assignments for families.

omaralt

UA said/says it was OK because they seated them that way.

are you saying you agree with me that it's not ok? in that case we are in agreement; UA shouldn't sell BE tickets to families with children under a certain age (say 10?) or allow free seat selection.