So I’m on the way home, and will crashing quite shortly once I’m back at GhettoIFE towers (well.. there’s a tower… honest…), but I’ve been thinking about the recent flight I had.. and here is a point of view.
And it’s about Children on planes (so sorry MommyPoints… I’m on a roll this this afternoon)…
I know for children being on a plane is an exciting time – heck I still get excited every time when I go on a plane – be it a cute little regional jet right up to a big jumbo.
But, whilst it is an exciting time for those children, please remember on a plane – in any class (be it Economy, Business or First), there are other passengers on the plane, and that the plane is not a playground.
Little things for example like:
- Making sure your toddler doesn’t wander to the emergency exit and play with the emergency exit equipment
- Playing with the electronic dividers
- Playing throw/catch with a headrest
- Shouting every word…
- Not using the plane as a climbing frame
Whilst I accept shrieking is a thing that happens, there are ways to mitigate that (Decent noise isolation/noise cancelling headphones can do a lot of good), it can send you into sharp shock if you’re at that point where you’re trying to doze off.
So I’m not demanding that kids are stowed in overhead lockers or in the luggage bins below decks (although some would happily help doing that), I’m just asking parents to exercise a bit more control on the plane, and remember there are other passengers around.
Oh yes, and some adults could also do with lessons in manners on a plane too (I’ve seen my fair share of amount of grownups having paddies on a plane because of some small matter).
Remember – a plane is a shared environment for all to enjoy….
I never mind too much when I see little kids running around the airport (as long as they don’t step in front of me because I trip easily) because I hope that means they will be worn out on the plane.
I was the kid who kicked the seat growing up. I remember and I wish my current self could go back and tell my mom how to parent.
I too read Mommy Points at times, but I’m not a polite as is Ghetto IFE. I will allow that kids must be permitted in coach. (TSA just won’t allow them in checked baggage!) However, BC and FC should forever remain child-free. Above age ?12-14? the kid can understand and comply with a Firm Order to sit and shut up. This is mandatory behavior and should be explained to the kid in advance. Otherwise – OUT! Of course your kid is just a ‘cute’ as mime, but I have the courtesy to leave mine at home or make alternate plans, at least until they are old enough to behave properly in public. (They are now in their 30s and they DO know how to behave.) As for misbehaving adults, the law can and does deal with them. With apologies to Mommy Points, I do not want to see you in my cabin if you’ve got a kid in tow.
Cook, when I grow up I want to the father u r.
And Please next time there is room in YOUR cabin please invite, never been in a private jet/ jumbo.
Ah, the old kids in BC/FC argument. Last time I checked kids were allowed anywhere on a plane, yes? My kids have flown BC since they were babies, even overseas, and are often better behaved and quieter than many adults. Any parent that doesn’t travel with an iPad or tablet of some sort is crazy but to make a blanket statement that kids in general are bad travelers and shouldn’t be allowed in certain parts of the plane is unrealistic and crazy as well. There is nothing that says BC guarantees a quiet flight, it guarantees bigger seats and better food and service. Also, while it may be an ‘inconvenience’ for us to bring our kids on a plane I can assure you that their grandparents who live in another country appreciate us not keeping them home until they are older. We are also teaching them, from a young age, to be respectful travelers. I question the same of many entitled adults.
@Cook – actually, kids above the age of 4 or 5 can “understand and comply with a Firm Order”. It is just that a lot of parents are lazy and do not discipline. I have two 8 year olds and a 5 year old and am 100% confident that they would be still and quiet on any flight. Mainly because we have gone through this before and they know what will happen if they do not listen. Albeit we have not done this in FC or BC due to the need for 5 tickets. Anyway, it is definitely the parents you should be blaming in these cases. Babies and small toddlers are a different story – they are much more hard to control and don’t really listen :).
It’s never the kids fault – they are only doing what their parents continue to allow them to do uncorrected.
“Remember – a plane is a shared environment for all to enjoy….”
Everyone values enjoyment differently. By imposing your value of enjoyment on someone else, you are likely an equally guilty offender to the other party of the very same offense you originally hold the accused culpable to.