RANT: I don't care if you want to sit next to your kids on the airplane

[piccolopat]

Not to mention the "if appropriate" language in the law. The Secretary of Transportation may decide it's not "appropriate." The only thing REQUIRED in the law is that the policies are reviewed. In the current anti-regulation environment in DC, I'd not place much hope on this one seeing the light of day.

Moreover, it DOES NOT SAY that they have to give "free" seats to the kids. If an airline charges for ALL seating, then the kid pays too. They just can't "force" an "extra" fee on them. And, of course, the lovely language "to the extent practical." This is a pretty meaningless law, and leaves wide discretion to whoever is running that agency. When the law was passed, it was a different administration with different priorities. Don't hold your breath on anything happening.

I find it very irritating when people HAVE the option to choose (and pay) for seats together, and then complain when it doesn't happen. That's a risk that EVERY passenger takes when not purchasing a seat in advance. I place in an entirely different category people who DO pay for seats and then because of an equipment change (or whatever) they "lose" their seats. Those passengers should be accommodated. I have zero sympathy for people who are too cheap to pay for seat assignments.

If you read the quoted language literally, it says the airlines can't charge an extra fee to see the child adjacent to the family member. it doesn't say the airlines can't require the family member to purchase an assigned seat ticket if they are traveling with a child. So mom has to pay to buy the assigned seat ticket and then can choose the seat for the child at no additional fee.

 

[maxiesmom]

If you read the quoted language literally, it says the airlines can't charge an extra fee to see the child adjacent to the family member. it doesn't say the airlines can't require the family member to purchase an assigned seat ticket if they are traveling with a child. So mom has to pay to buy the assigned seat ticket and then can choose the seat for the child at no additional fee.

And I can see them not allowing parents to buy tickets if there are not adjacent seats available. Or, like a poster earlier in the thread, not allow you to buy tickets thru a TA who can't assign seats. They just will take away those options.

 

[fly girl]

Yeah I have to wonder like another poster mentioned what if you had been alone? Were you expected to bring both your son and daughter into the restroom with you?

There is no such rule for leaving any child alone, whether 2 weeks old or age 12!


The only rule is that a child cannot fly unaccompanied (without a parent/guardian onboard) under the age of 5.

It doesn't mean that a parent can't go to the bathroom alone. If you need to go, that's when you ask the FA to watch your kids while you go. Lots of people just ask other passengers around them. But if you didn't feel safe doing that, ask the FA.

 

[piccolopat]

I have a friend whose daughter is 13. She is terrified, not an exaggeration, to have her sit alone. I think she worries about sexual predators. My 13 yo is a more seasoned traveler than most adults and does fine on her own. I'd have no worries about my seven yos either.

I think your friend may need some therapy. If she is terrified about having her daughter sit alone now, how is she going to handle things when her daughter leaves home for college? Does she even let her daughter take a walk around the block by herself?

 

[quandrea]

I think your friend may need some therapy. If she is terrified about having her daughter sit alone now, how is she going to handle things when her daughter leaves home for college? Does she even let her daughter take a walk around the block by herself?

I agree. I don't think going away to school will be a choice that girl has. She can't take a walk around the block. When we are out, she isn't allowed to use the washroom alone.

 

[DaisyJ]

I agree. I don't think going away to school will be a choice that girl had. She can't take a walk around the block. When we are out, she isn't allowed to use the washroom alone.

Is this the same friend you're going to WDW with?

 

[quandrea]

Is this the same friend you're going to WDW with?

Yup. I know. I may need therapy too.

 

[piccolopat]

I agree. I don't think going away to school will be a choice that girl had. She can't take a walk around the block. When we are out, she isn't allowed to use the washroom alone.

So sad. It makes you wonder if your friend was a victim of abuse at one time. Her daughter needs to learn to be on her own and how to protect herself. Confining her to the house and not letting her out of sight is not helping her daughter. Is there anything you can do to help your friend see how this is a problem?

 

[piccolopat]

Yup. I know. I may need therapy too.

Maybe you can tell your friend before you go that the girls should be allowed to go off together and meet up with you later on.

 

[quandrea]

So sad. It makes you wonder if your friend was a victim of abuse at one time. Her daughter needs to learn to be on her own and how to protect herself. Confining her to the house and not letting her out of sight is not helping her daughter. Is there anything you can do to help your friend see how this is a problem?

I just try to model a more laid back style of parenting. When our kids are out together, I don't parent any differently and in some cases, she needs to follow that lead. Our girls are best friends--have been since age three--so I tread lightly.

 

[DaisyJ]

Maybe you can tell your friend before you go that the girls should be allowed to go off together and meet up with you later on.

A woman who won't allow her teen to use the bathroom alone in public isn't going to go for letting her roam the wilds of WDW alone.

 

[quandrea]

Maybe you can tell your friend before you go that the girls should be allowed to go off together and meet up with you later on.

That would be so fun for them. We shall see. I imagine that would rock her world. My dd goes off on her own at Disney. She is often our Mickey bar runner. She's been dozens of times. It's good for her confidence. Back to planes. Dd travels alone often for swimming. Our kids are more capable than we sometimes give them credit for.

 

[piccolopat]

A woman who won't allow her teen to use the bathroom alone in public isn't going to go for letting her roam the wilds of WDW alone.

I wasn't suggesting that she roam free alone. I suggested she be allowed to wander with her friend.

 

[DaisyJ]

I wasn't suggesting that she roam free alone. I suggested she be allowed to wander with her friend.

I know what you meant. Quandrea can confirm but I am fairly certain that will never, ever happen.

 

[sam_gordon]

A school bus does not lose cabin pressure and have oxygen masks deployed. And asking a parent to rely on a stranger in an emergency situation is asking a bit too much, in my opinion. Who knows how that stranger will react when such an emergency occurs. Then also ask that person to take care of someone else.

As mentioned, the odds are much higher for a school bus to be involved in an accident. While you don't have to worry about losing cabin pressure, you do have to worry if the other drivers on the road are under the influence, driving distracted, or have another issue. But presumably you send you kid on the school bus daily. Most airlines allow 5 year olds to fly unaccompanied. If it was that much of a safety issue, why do they allow that? Or do you think they shouldn't?

 

[GrnMtnMan]

I don't even know what this discussion is about anymore.

But presumably you send you kid on the school bus daily.

Presumed incorrectly. No public elementary school buses where I live. Kids walk or someone drives them.

As mentioned, the odds are much higher for a school bus to be involved in an accident. While you don't have to worry about losing cabin pressure, you do have to worry if the other drivers on the road are under the influence, driving distracted, or have another issue.

Of course there are other risks. But the risk of suffocation on an airplane is a specific one that flight attendants teach us to avoid/mitigate on EVERY SINGLE FLIGHT.

Most airlines allow 5 year olds to fly unaccompanied. If it was that much of a safety issue, why do they allow that? Or do you think they shouldn't?

I'm curious about policy for UMs. Wonder if the FA is responsible in event of emergency, or if the FAs ask adjacent passengers...kinda like the way they ask exit row passengers if they're willing to help in an emergency.

 

[quandrea]

I know what you meant. Quandrea can confirm but I am fairly certain that will never, ever happen.

Yeah. Not happening.

 

[sam_gordon]

But the risk of suffocation on an airplane is a specific one that flight attendants teach us to avoid/mitigate on EVERY SINGLE FLIGHT.

They also teach you how to snap a seat belt EVERY SINGLE FLIGHT.

As far as what we're discussing, it's whether a child MUST sit with an adult/travelling companion. I, and others, feel parents, if that's what they want, should take appropriate steps so they're sitting with their child and not rely on the airline/strangers to ensure that happens. There is also the possibility, even taking all appropriate precautions, a travelling party will be separated. IMO, families should prepare their children just in case it happens. If you find yourself sitting too far away from your child for you to feel good about it, be prepared to disembark and take a later flight.

 

[RedAngie]

In virtually any situation with a so-called normal child over 8 years old, any parent claiming "my child NEEDS to sit next to me" really means "<I> need to sit next to my child."

 

[quandrea]

In virtually any situation with a so-called normal child over 8 years old, any parent claiming "my child NEEDS to sit next to me" really means "<I> need to sit next to my child."

So well said.