dutyfree

Geez Everyone-chill out!!! This thread has turned into a nasty "like kids vs hate kids traveling' thread and it was only meant to have some BASICS on you when you travel(particularly in economy class).I only started it because so many people still think that the airlines are offering many ammenities in the economy section(which are long gone) and I wanted to let people know that certain things would make their travel life easier if they had "it" in their carryon.Could we all go back to the days when I originally started on Fodors that the concept was a board that you could share ideas and thoughts that would help you in your travels? One last thought-last week on a flight a man in business class was a pain the entire flight. Upon landing, the man who was seated across from him whispered in my ear something very poignantquot;The things that people fight about define their true personality!"

Robespierre

I think Richard can be forgiven for making an onyx mistake.

nytraveler

Kibawe -

You have taken that remark out of context. it was aimed at a comment that its up to the passenger being kicked to stop the misbehaving child from kicking their seat.

My point is that I'm not in charge of disciplining others' children. And if the parents are either unwilling or incapable of doing so its not my job to be pleasant and nicely convince the child to behave. If parents (through their negligence or laziness) insist on leaving their children to the mercies of others - they cannot complain about what they get. And I would never touch a child - it's completely counterproductive - but saying something truly unpleasant can sometimes shock the child out of misbehavior.

But really, the answer is simple - teach children to behave. But if you let them run wild at home - you'll get the same thing in public. And really you can;t expect others to be as tolerant as you are. (And I know all parents love their children and think thye're angels - but in my experience those that seriously misbehave in public are even more ghastly at home.)

richardab

Oh yes, I did get the onyx ring, right in the back of the head. That was better than what my sister got, she got the wooden spoon.

I have no issue with a parent giving the kid a good one now and then as long as it doesn't bruise or leave a mark.

spottiew

Hey Monica.... I am impressed that you say you want a stranger telling your kid to stop doing something- If I ever even LOOK at a kid who is kicking, running into me, etc., I get a very nasty look back from their parent... on a recent flight to Hawaii, the parent behind me brought DRUMSTICKS and encouraged the kid to beat the meal tray. Noone wanted to say anything, not knowing how she would take it. Usually I can make it through the flight and just wonder about parents who don't see how their kid may be a little much for otheres.... and parents who do try don't bother me a bit.

highledge

on one of our last transatlantic flights a young boy (5-ish I'd guess) was sitting behind my 8 year old son. The boy kept kicking my son's seat and just wouldn't shut up! My son finally turned to me and said wow that kid is so annoying! Why does he keep kicking my seat?
I just thought it was rather funny as I've spend many a flight grabbing my son's feet before he could make contact with the seat in front of him.

Yes there are pain in the neck bratty kids. But a pain in the neck adult........usua;;y more of a problem in my opinion

MonicaRichards

Spottiew: I figure I am raising my kids to take part in this world and that means that they are going to interact with others. I won't intervene unless my child needs protecting, and if she's in the wrong and someone calls her on it that's natural consequences in my opinion. Now, when a waitress shoved her out of a restaurant we were considering eating at in San Gimiagnano, that made me mad (and needless to say, we didn't eat there).

Jocelyn_P

I'm with you on this, Monica. I have a hard time believing that ANY emotionally healthy three year old, no matter how well-behaved they normally are, would be a perfect angel every minute of a new, scary, boring, and exhausting situation.

I travel with my kids (domestically) often. On one flight there was no one in the row ahead of us, so I allowed my almost 2 year old to put the tray table up and down, up and down, up and down. It was a quiet activity that kept him busy for a long time. What a mistake that was! Now he always thinks it's okay, and I'm trying to de-program him without causing a huge scene each time. Taking a small child on an airplane is no fun for the parent, either, believe me.

MonicaRichards

Jocelyn, I'm thinking requesting the bulkhead row is really the way to go. No seats to kick, traytables to play with and if they play on the floor (which the older did) there's more room to "spread out" (a laughable thought on a plane).

Jocelyn_P

Hi Monica,

I know this doesn't help when you're flying internationally, but whenever possible, we fly Southwest. Families get to board first, so when people like richardab board, they know where we are, and can avoid us if they wish. Almost invariably, I end up with a willing accomplice next to me. Playing peek-a-boo with someone new always takes up at least 20 minutes.

We had bulkhead seats on our last international flight (kids weren't with us, though). That would definitely be the way to go, if you can get them.

Ozarksbill

Well! This turned out to be a little dispute about kids flying. I'm grandparents age and don't appreciate kids screeming and kicking your seat. But let's face it, they do sometimes travel. And after all kids are kids which means sometimes quite active. Parents, please try your best to amuse your little darlings. BTW, the reason for ear plugs and eye shades is partly because of noise around you.
Bill in Missouri

richardab

Ok, lets all stop this nonsense. Can we all get along? Let change the subject and talk about something more civil. Let me name a topic, "lets talk about the french!".

Now there are some people whop actually are nice compared to flight attendants!

OaktownTraveler

This thread is hilarious!

When the economy picks up lets segregate the flights as follows:

If you fly with children or those who act like children then go to gate A.

If you are not flying with a child or one who acts like a child then go to gate B.

Now, if you are a self-important business person who is prone to treating the plane like it is your own personal conference room then you have to go to Gate A.

If your cell phone conversation is your life then board at Gate A.

If you are prone to fights or vigirous discussions with your spouse, girlfriend, boyfriend or the person with whom you are travelling then you too must board at Gate A.

If you drink like a sailor and subsequently talk loud then board at Gate A.

If you snore, fart, pick your nose, floss your teeth in your seat, remove your shoes from your funky feet...yes, you go to Gate A.

See, thread all fixed now!

jdraper

Does anyone know how to get an upgrade out of gate A? Perhaps if I dress a little better when I travel? Toooooooo funny. Take Care Jackie

johnthedorf

'scusi. Gate A Molvania?

coccinelle

Who knew?

Marko

We usually fly business class and put the kids in economy......what we can't see can't hurt us !! Now whats the keystroke for "tongue in cheek" ??