Comments on: Kids on a plane! 5 fixes for unruly junior passengers http://www.elliott.org/the-travel-critic/kids-on-a-plane-5-fixes-for-unruly-junior-passengers/ Consumer advocate Christopher Elliott's site. Fri, 10 Feb 2012 05:25:00 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Charles Clarke http://www.elliott.org/the-travel-critic/kids-on-a-plane-5-fixes-for-unruly-junior-passengers/comment-page-1/#comment-63263 Charles Clarke Thu, 10 Feb 2011 16:55:36 +0000 http://www.elliott.org/?p=6727#comment-63263 My niece books her flights so they coincide with her son's nap schedule. Unfortunately, a couple of times the airlines have changed the schedule or been diverted for weather. Having something new and quiet for the kids to play with is a good idea. My niece books her flights so they coincide with her son’s nap schedule. Unfortunately, a couple of times the airlines have changed the schedule or been diverted for weather.

Having something new and quiet for the kids to play with is a good idea.

]]> By: Ronda http://www.elliott.org/the-travel-critic/kids-on-a-plane-5-fixes-for-unruly-junior-passengers/comment-page-1/#comment-25992 Ronda Sun, 25 Oct 2009 08:58:30 +0000 http://www.elliott.org/?p=6727#comment-25992 I think that parents need to enforce the same behaviour rules they would at a restaurant on a plane. You wouldnt let your child scream and run around a restaurant. why would you on a plane? however alot of non parents mistake a spoiled childs tantrum over candy with 2 year olds ear hurts from air pressure. Non parents need to learn a bit of tolerance for younger passengers. and parents need to enforce the same rules they would in any public place on a plane. I think that parents need to enforce the same behaviour rules they would at a restaurant on a plane. You wouldnt let your child scream and run around a restaurant. why would you on a plane?
however alot of non parents mistake a spoiled childs tantrum over candy with 2 year olds ear hurts from air pressure. Non parents need to learn a bit of tolerance for younger passengers. and parents need to enforce the same rules they would in any public place on a plane.

]]> By: tripso.com | Surprise! Screaming babies on planes isn’t your top annoyance, says survey http://www.elliott.org/the-travel-critic/kids-on-a-plane-5-fixes-for-unruly-junior-passengers/comment-page-1/#comment-21070 tripso.com | Surprise! Screaming babies on planes isn’t your top annoyance, says survey Mon, 13 Jul 2009 10:35:00 +0000 http://www.elliott.org/?p=6727#comment-21070 [...] asked the folks at Orajel if they had any thoughts on the low number for planes, which is a favorite topic of this blog’s readers. A spokeswoman had this to say: Hope you understand that I’m [...] [...] asked the folks at Orajel if they had any thoughts on the low number for planes, which is a favorite topic of this blog’s readers. A spokeswoman had this to say: Hope you understand that I’m [...]

]]> By: Dave http://www.elliott.org/the-travel-critic/kids-on-a-plane-5-fixes-for-unruly-junior-passengers/comment-page-1/#comment-20539 Dave Tue, 30 Jun 2009 00:25:47 +0000 http://www.elliott.org/?p=6727#comment-20539 I agree completely that bad parenting results in children misbehaving on flights. As a toddler I behaved on flights because my parents were prepared. I had toys (that didn't make any noise), books, and games to keep me occupied. They never had to drug me, either. However, some slack should be given to babies. A baby doesn't know whats going on or that crying agitates others. When I was 11 months old I cried non-stop from Frankfurt, Germany to Phoenix, Arizona. But I was a baby. That didn't happen past 2. I agree completely that bad parenting results in children misbehaving on flights. As a toddler I behaved on flights because my parents were prepared. I had toys (that didn’t make any noise), books, and games to keep me occupied. They never had to drug me, either.
However, some slack should be given to babies. A baby doesn’t know whats going on or that crying agitates others. When I was 11 months old I cried non-stop from Frankfurt, Germany to Phoenix, Arizona. But I was a baby. That didn’t happen past 2.

]]> By: s goldberg http://www.elliott.org/the-travel-critic/kids-on-a-plane-5-fixes-for-unruly-junior-passengers/comment-page-1/#comment-20393 s goldberg Fri, 26 Jun 2009 13:22:24 +0000 http://www.elliott.org/?p=6727#comment-20393 To Ian: Well, somehow my "kids", who started traveling as infants, have somehow made it into their 20's and never needed more than an age-appropriate dose because they truly only took the med 2 or 3 times a year as children. The key to this discussion is that you don't have kids. It's easy to be very high-minded and say something like, "if it were me..." or "I'd never do such and such..." . Being a parent means taking responsibility for your kids and trying to make their lives better in the process. My kids were a lot happier when they roused from their nap and found much of the trip was over. They got more enjoyment out of the vacation when it didn't mean a nightmare experience for them on a plane. They were happy, I was happy and the fellow passengers reaped those benefits too. I maintain that it was a win-win-win scenario that I will always wholeheartedly recommend. To Ian:
Well, somehow my “kids”, who started traveling as infants, have somehow made it into their 20′s and never needed more than an age-appropriate dose because they truly only took the med 2 or 3 times a year as children.
The key to this discussion is that you don’t have kids. It’s easy to be very high-minded and say something like, “if it were me…” or “I’d never do such and such…” . Being a parent means taking responsibility for your kids and trying to make their lives better in the process. My kids were a lot happier when they roused from their nap and found much of the trip was over. They got more enjoyment out of the vacation when it didn’t mean a nightmare experience for them on a plane. They were happy, I was happy and the fellow passengers reaped those benefits too.
I maintain that it was a win-win-win scenario that I will always wholeheartedly recommend.

]]> By: Ian http://www.elliott.org/the-travel-critic/kids-on-a-plane-5-fixes-for-unruly-junior-passengers/comment-page-1/#comment-20337 Ian Wed, 24 Jun 2009 14:40:12 +0000 http://www.elliott.org/?p=6727#comment-20337 @S Goldberg I still have problems with this strategy- as I've just typed out in the more recent flying kids post. Nobody enjoys being a policeman of their kids as far as I'm aware, but it's kind of part of the deal of being a parent. The biggest complaints in this post are about parents who don't police their kids in a small space. Although its only 2-3 times a year (and however many times they genuinely need the drug), eventually yours kids will develop a natural immunity to the drug. What will happen then? Up the dose? @S Goldberg

I still have problems with this strategy- as I’ve just typed out in the more recent flying kids post. Nobody enjoys being a policeman of their kids as far as I’m aware, but it’s kind of part of the deal of being a parent. The biggest complaints in this post are about parents who don’t police their kids in a small space.

Although its only 2-3 times a year (and however many times they genuinely need the drug), eventually yours kids will develop a natural immunity to the drug. What will happen then? Up the dose?

]]> By: mark http://www.elliott.org/the-travel-critic/kids-on-a-plane-5-fixes-for-unruly-junior-passengers/comment-page-1/#comment-20278 mark Mon, 22 Jun 2009 13:29:07 +0000 http://www.elliott.org/?p=6727#comment-20278 I have an experience on a flight from Paris to Miami i had 2 kids in the row behnd me and the boy that was behind me was kicking the back of my seat while wrestling with his brother sitting next to him. After about 30 minutes of this i turned around and told them they needed to behave . It stoped for a few minutes and then started up again. Then it just stoped after while i looked back to find the boys father had switced seats with him and he was with his mother in the other row. I said a quick prayer to the angel of good parents and fell asleep. I have an experience on a flight from Paris to Miami i had 2 kids in the row behnd me and the boy that was behind me was kicking the back of my seat while wrestling with his brother sitting next to him. After about 30 minutes of this i turned around and told them they needed to behave . It stoped for a few minutes and then started up again. Then it just stoped after while i looked back to find the boys father had switced seats with him and he was with his mother in the other row. I said a quick prayer to the angel of good parents and fell asleep.

]]> By: S Goldberg http://www.elliott.org/the-travel-critic/kids-on-a-plane-5-fixes-for-unruly-junior-passengers/comment-page-1/#comment-20275 S Goldberg Mon, 22 Jun 2009 05:24:59 +0000 http://www.elliott.org/?p=6727#comment-20275 On June 15th, 2009 at 10:22 am Ian said @S Goldberg. Wow. Do you drug your kids whenever they may get bored and restless? No, Ian, as I said in the letter, only 2 or 3 times a year when they stood to be bored AND trapped in a small space for several hours. My kids weren't the "annoying, always right, isn't that noise cute" types, but they also didn't enjoy having to be little angels from NY to LA. And I didn't enjoy having to police their every move. They were real kids and having a nice nap for more than half the flight made their trip and mine a very pleasant start to a family vacation. On June 15th, 2009 at 10:22 am Ian said

@S Goldberg. Wow. Do you drug your kids whenever they may get bored and restless?

No, Ian, as I said in the letter, only 2 or 3 times a year when they stood to be bored AND trapped in a small space for several hours. My kids weren’t the “annoying, always right, isn’t that noise cute” types, but they also didn’t enjoy having to be little angels from NY to LA. And I didn’t enjoy having to police their every move. They were real kids and having a nice nap for more than half the flight made their trip and mine a very pleasant start to a family vacation.

]]> By: Travel-Writers-Exchange.com http://www.elliott.org/the-travel-critic/kids-on-a-plane-5-fixes-for-unruly-junior-passengers/comment-page-1/#comment-20240 Travel-Writers-Exchange.com Fri, 19 Jun 2009 14:21:44 +0000 http://www.elliott.org/?p=6727#comment-20240 What a funny story! Yes, traveling on a plane with a bunch of kids is an experience. It makes for a great travel writing article! However, it's the parents responsibility to make sure their kids behave. Allowing a child to scream is a No-No. You'd think parents would be video games, music, snacks, or whatever will keep the child "entertained" throughout the flight. I do like the idea of a KIDS ONLY section. Maybe someone will create another airline just for kids! It could happen. I believe there is an airline that caters to pets. I definitely will be checking that one out! What a funny story! Yes, traveling on a plane with a bunch of kids is an experience. It makes for a great travel writing article! However, it’s the parents responsibility to make sure their kids behave. Allowing a child to scream is a No-No. You’d think parents would be video games, music, snacks, or whatever will keep the child “entertained” throughout the flight. I do like the idea of a KIDS ONLY section. Maybe someone will create another airline just for kids! It could happen. I believe there is an airline that caters to pets. I definitely will be checking that one out!

]]> By: Steve Rabin http://www.elliott.org/the-travel-critic/kids-on-a-plane-5-fixes-for-unruly-junior-passengers/comment-page-1/#comment-20235 Steve Rabin Fri, 19 Jun 2009 01:33:30 +0000 http://www.elliott.org/?p=6727#comment-20235 Another simple solution: CARGO HOLD Another simple solution: CARGO HOLD

]]> By: Bela Fleck http://www.elliott.org/the-travel-critic/kids-on-a-plane-5-fixes-for-unruly-junior-passengers/comment-page-1/#comment-20209 Bela Fleck Wed, 17 Jun 2009 21:31:44 +0000 http://www.elliott.org/?p=6727#comment-20209 Thanks Carver! If coughing and blowing your nose were grounds for getting banned from flying, I'd NEVER get to go anywhere. I've had a runny nose and a cough to go with it for about 10 years. Doctors are powerless to find anything remotely helpful. After 10 years, I'd have to say it's NOT the swine flu. Thanks Carver! If coughing and blowing your nose were grounds for getting banned from flying, I’d NEVER get to go anywhere. I’ve had a runny nose and a cough to go with it for about 10 years. Doctors are powerless to find anything remotely helpful. After 10 years, I’d have to say it’s NOT the swine flu.

]]> By: Jane http://www.elliott.org/the-travel-critic/kids-on-a-plane-5-fixes-for-unruly-junior-passengers/comment-page-1/#comment-20200 Jane Wed, 17 Jun 2009 14:12:01 +0000 http://www.elliott.org/?p=6727#comment-20200 Parents with spoiled, unruly, and disrespectful children are the people who unfortunately could have children but shouldn't have (you know the saying, just because you can have children doesn't mean you should). Their children are reflections of themselves...self-centred, rude, disrespectful, and irresponsible. Parents with spoiled, unruly, and disrespectful children are the people who unfortunately could have children but shouldn’t have (you know the saying, just because you can have children doesn’t mean you should). Their children are reflections of themselves…self-centred, rude, disrespectful, and irresponsible.

]]> By: Justin http://www.elliott.org/the-travel-critic/kids-on-a-plane-5-fixes-for-unruly-junior-passengers/comment-page-1/#comment-20195 Justin Wed, 17 Jun 2009 09:58:34 +0000 http://www.elliott.org/?p=6727#comment-20195 @Jeanne Always you, never the parents. Welcome to 2009 where Kids are NEVER at fault and mom and dad have an excuse for everything. I work around children, too. Nothing is EVER their little darlings fault, even if it plain sight. Parenting for many seems to be a luxury versus necessity....And we wonder why so many children grow up and get in trouble. Hint: They have never been told "No" or Punished for their actions growing up. Justin @Jeanne

Always you, never the parents. Welcome to 2009 where Kids are NEVER at fault and mom and dad have an excuse for everything. I work around children, too. Nothing is EVER their little darlings fault, even if it plain sight. Parenting for many seems to be a luxury versus necessity….And we wonder why so many children grow up and get in trouble. Hint: They have never been told “No” or Punished for their actions growing up.

Justin

]]> By: Justin http://www.elliott.org/the-travel-critic/kids-on-a-plane-5-fixes-for-unruly-junior-passengers/comment-page-1/#comment-20188 Justin Wed, 17 Jun 2009 01:09:50 +0000 http://www.elliott.org/?p=6727#comment-20188 Here's an idea? How about parents take the time to be proper parents. It's the same courtesy that goes into seeing a movie. I can't understand what goes through their mind when they take a screaming child to a fully packed show. The same for a flight. If your child is restless, colicky, or misbehaving, then it needs to be dealt with in the same manner. While you cannot just get up and walk off of a plane (Like in a movie), you can certainly take your child to the restroom for a few minutes to calm down "Away" from people. Not to mention, as Elliot pointed out, most (but certainly not all) problems could be avoided if parents took the time to plan ahead. In the event that such planning fails, see recommendation above. My 2 cents. Here’s an idea? How about parents take the time to be proper parents. It’s the same courtesy that goes into seeing a movie. I can’t understand what goes through their mind when they take a screaming child to a fully packed show. The same for a flight. If your child is restless, colicky, or misbehaving, then it needs to be dealt with in the same manner. While you cannot just get up and walk off of a plane (Like in a movie), you can certainly take your child to the restroom for a few minutes to calm down “Away” from people. Not to mention, as Elliot pointed out, most (but certainly not all) problems could be avoided if parents took the time to plan ahead. In the event that such planning fails, see recommendation above.

My 2 cents.

]]> By: Carver http://www.elliott.org/the-travel-critic/kids-on-a-plane-5-fixes-for-unruly-junior-passengers/comment-page-1/#comment-20181 Carver Tue, 16 Jun 2009 18:17:36 +0000 http://www.elliott.org/?p=6727#comment-20181 @Tom every sniffle, caugh and sneeze isn't swine flu or bird flue, or even TB. Quarantining people on such scant evidence is fortunately not going to happen. @Tom

every sniffle, caugh and sneeze isn’t swine flu or bird flue, or even TB. Quarantining people on such scant evidence is fortunately not going to happen.

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