Traveler's worst nightmare: .....
Jul 27th, 2010, 07:14 PM
#61
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"Think smart FAs should carry pacifiers anyway - if not for miserable babies, then for whiny passengers."
Somebody call the Whaaaaammmmmbulance!
Well, no matter what bothers you the only solution is to quit flying. I feel sorry for crying babies on planes too, they can't help it. I'm much harder on people who don't take care of their older children. It's just bad parenting.
Somebody call the Whaaaaammmmmbulance!
Well, no matter what bothers you the only solution is to quit flying. I feel sorry for crying babies on planes too, they can't help it. I'm much harder on people who don't take care of their older children. It's just bad parenting.
Jul 27th, 2010, 07:32 PM
#65
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karens - "he shouldn't have to do that"
Exactly - the mindset of the modern entitlement age. No adaptation need be applied on behalf of those around you, but plenty expected.
Now that I think of it, I used to work with a older man - a real nice guy - in a factory that was very noisy. We had large saws cutting extruded metal stock nearby and operated them ourselves. As I recall, he simply turned his hearing aid down to protect his hearing. He also did it when he didn't want to listen to the chit chat gossip at the next work station.
Maybe it's just too dangerous to allow hearing aid wearers near potential sources of sudden loud noises. Say, like airplanes. Airports. Busy city streets.... (no, I'm not serious, but it's the same thing really as what's been suggested, just from the other perspective)
Exactly - the mindset of the modern entitlement age. No adaptation need be applied on behalf of those around you, but plenty expected.
Now that I think of it, I used to work with a older man - a real nice guy - in a factory that was very noisy. We had large saws cutting extruded metal stock nearby and operated them ourselves. As I recall, he simply turned his hearing aid down to protect his hearing. He also did it when he didn't want to listen to the chit chat gossip at the next work station.
Maybe it's just too dangerous to allow hearing aid wearers near potential sources of sudden loud noises. Say, like airplanes. Airports. Busy city streets.... (no, I'm not serious, but it's the same thing really as what's been suggested, just from the other perspective)
Jul 27th, 2010, 09:37 PM
#67
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A friend once described me as having the maternal instincts of Myra Hindley - so that about sums up my attitude to children.
Having saif that, I'm with the poster who said they have more tollerance to parents who are tryig to placate their child. I (a confirmed child hater) know that giving babies and young children something to suck helps them not get ear ache and that children will get bored having to sit still for hours.
I have to say that parents who fly seem more considerate than a lot of parents who take their children out to eat and think their noise or bad behavoir is 'cute'.
And I did once spend an entire flight having flight magazines and emergency instruction cards being passed to me by a three year old who seemed facinated that the only spanish I knew was 'gracias'.
It was a small price to pay for having a quiet child next to me for the flight.
Having saif that, I'm with the poster who said they have more tollerance to parents who are tryig to placate their child. I (a confirmed child hater) know that giving babies and young children something to suck helps them not get ear ache and that children will get bored having to sit still for hours.
I have to say that parents who fly seem more considerate than a lot of parents who take their children out to eat and think their noise or bad behavoir is 'cute'.
And I did once spend an entire flight having flight magazines and emergency instruction cards being passed to me by a three year old who seemed facinated that the only spanish I knew was 'gracias'.
It was a small price to pay for having a quiet child next to me for the flight.
Jul 27th, 2010, 11:25 PM
#68
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Ear plugs would have saved her hearing. I sometimes have to work in industrial areas and I make sure I (and the workers under me) always wear them. However, I doubt the airline could have FORCED her to wear earplugs against her will. I think the decision to not wear ear plugs, knowing that airplane seats are very close to each other and that there was a possibility a screaming child could be within earshot, was HER decision. She should be suing herself for not planning betterw.
I'm not a parent, but I hate frivolous lawsuits. They should have steep penalties who people who file this type of crap in our courts.
I'm not a parent, but I hate frivolous lawsuits. They should have steep penalties who people who file this type of crap in our courts.
Jul 27th, 2010, 11:52 PM
#69
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If she had hearing aids why not just turn them off?
Where would the kids section be on a plane? Would it be sound proofed? If not pity the poor passengers who are in the rows ahead or behind it - one screaming kid tends to set the rest off after all when they are in close proximity.
What if there are only two kids on the plane and the section has room for 15? Do others then sit in there and still have to put up with the kids, or do the lucky parents and kids get to spread out?
A kids section just isn't practical.
My husband flies business class a lot, and increasingly has to put up with kids in that section - and he says they are worse than those in cattle class as they are privileged and spoiled and their parent just don't control them at all.
So even business class is not exempt from this.
Where would the kids section be on a plane? Would it be sound proofed? If not pity the poor passengers who are in the rows ahead or behind it - one screaming kid tends to set the rest off after all when they are in close proximity.
What if there are only two kids on the plane and the section has room for 15? Do others then sit in there and still have to put up with the kids, or do the lucky parents and kids get to spread out?
A kids section just isn't practical.
My husband flies business class a lot, and increasingly has to put up with kids in that section - and he says they are worse than those in cattle class as they are privileged and spoiled and their parent just don't control them at all.
So even business class is not exempt from this.
Jul 28th, 2010, 12:56 AM
#70
When I hear babies cry, I'm just glad they aren't mine. As someone said above, I can tune out other people's babies pretty easily, but when I had babies myself, their own cries were much louder to me.
Jul 28th, 2010, 02:21 AM
#71
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"To be completely contrary, parents trying to keep their children amused can be more irritating than the children!!"
I agree totally. The most annoying person sat across from me on a flight to Edinburgh. The little boy was good and kept himself amused but the mother had to compliment him every 15 seconds with "YAASS Joshua Darling" I was ready to give her one!
I agree totally. The most annoying person sat across from me on a flight to Edinburgh. The little boy was good and kept himself amused but the mother had to compliment him every 15 seconds with "YAASS Joshua Darling" I was ready to give her one!
Jul 28th, 2010, 02:23 AM
#72
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My kids are three and have flown several times. The 1st was when they were 20 days old. They slept through that flight but we got a bunch of dirty looks and one nasty comment from an older gentleman about us being selfish to fly with babies so small. He shut right up after I told them we had just adopted our children and were bringing them home. We flew again when the girls were 6mo. and they were great on that trip but two years ago we were *that* family. OMG! It was truly horrible.
Though our twins were only 18mo and could both be on our laps, my DH and I bought 3 seats figuring that would allow at least on of us to have our hands free at all times. We had carseats to keep the kids safe and contained. We carried on new little, quiet toys for the trip, their favorite loveys, a portable DVD player and videos, sippy cups, snacks galore and even lollipops (which they had never had til that point) to encourage them to suck during take off and landing. Oh and we had Benedryl but didn't break it out because they were great through security and at the gate. Turns out that was a big mistake. Once we got on the plane and and we buckled them into their carseats, one of my daughters began to scream and shortly after her twin joined in. We desperately tried to passify them. We offered drinks, snacks, toys, turned on the DVD player, sang stupid songs, made silly faces and slipped them both Benedryl. One FA was very nice and tried to help us but another one told us to stick a bottle in their mouths or we would be asked to deplane. (We had already tried the sippys several times and the kids tried to fling them each time.) We took them out of their carseats and the cries became slightly less piercing but continued. We were flustered and apologetic to everyone and wondered if we should buy the plane a round of drinks. Fortunately it wasn't a full flight so the FA's were able to move those sitting near us to other seats--embarrassing but at the same time a relief to everyone....Eventually the Benedryl kicked in (longest 20 min. of my life!) and peace was restored. The girls were out til almost the end of the flight and were ok during landing. Upon deplaning, we apologized to everyone and nearly everybody was pretty gracious, especially considering we had put them through hell at the beginning of the flight.
I wonder how many of you would've kicked us off the flight...
Though our twins were only 18mo and could both be on our laps, my DH and I bought 3 seats figuring that would allow at least on of us to have our hands free at all times. We had carseats to keep the kids safe and contained. We carried on new little, quiet toys for the trip, their favorite loveys, a portable DVD player and videos, sippy cups, snacks galore and even lollipops (which they had never had til that point) to encourage them to suck during take off and landing. Oh and we had Benedryl but didn't break it out because they were great through security and at the gate. Turns out that was a big mistake. Once we got on the plane and and we buckled them into their carseats, one of my daughters began to scream and shortly after her twin joined in. We desperately tried to passify them. We offered drinks, snacks, toys, turned on the DVD player, sang stupid songs, made silly faces and slipped them both Benedryl. One FA was very nice and tried to help us but another one told us to stick a bottle in their mouths or we would be asked to deplane. (We had already tried the sippys several times and the kids tried to fling them each time.) We took them out of their carseats and the cries became slightly less piercing but continued. We were flustered and apologetic to everyone and wondered if we should buy the plane a round of drinks. Fortunately it wasn't a full flight so the FA's were able to move those sitting near us to other seats--embarrassing but at the same time a relief to everyone....Eventually the Benedryl kicked in (longest 20 min. of my life!) and peace was restored. The girls were out til almost the end of the flight and were ok during landing. Upon deplaning, we apologized to everyone and nearly everybody was pretty gracious, especially considering we had put them through hell at the beginning of the flight.
I wonder how many of you would've kicked us off the flight...
Jul 28th, 2010, 04:58 AM
#73
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OWJ, that must have been awful for you. I didn't have that experience on a plane but have been in public place when my son threw a "terrible twos" meltdown and the feeling of all eyes on you and "that awful" child was not a good one.
I would not have kicked you off the flight! It is one thing to be angry with parents who are oblivious to their children but most people try to settle their kids down and it is amazing how many people lack the sympathy gene.
I would not have kicked you off the flight! It is one thing to be angry with parents who are oblivious to their children but most people try to settle their kids down and it is amazing how many people lack the sympathy gene.
Jul 28th, 2010, 04:58 AM
#74
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I always fly with earplugs.
However, I can live with babies crying, even screaming, because they're just...babies. I do wish parents would think long and hard before taking very small children on long-haul flights. Sometimes it is best to stay home and let others visit you; sometimes the trip is worth it.
What I don't have any patience for is parents who ignore the havoc their kids are creating or who travel with older children who are loud, obnoxious and very badly behaved (this applies to children who are old enough and mentally developed enough to know better - on a recent flight, parents had with them a 12 year old with severe mental and physical limitations - he did scream occasionally on the flight, but people were understanding and sympathetic to the family's situation).
I also have no patience with families who leave their row looking like a pigpen at the end of the flight. Bringing Aladdin's chest along to keep your kids distracted for a few hours doesn't give you the right to leave garbage strewn all over the plane.
However, I can live with babies crying, even screaming, because they're just...babies. I do wish parents would think long and hard before taking very small children on long-haul flights. Sometimes it is best to stay home and let others visit you; sometimes the trip is worth it.
What I don't have any patience for is parents who ignore the havoc their kids are creating or who travel with older children who are loud, obnoxious and very badly behaved (this applies to children who are old enough and mentally developed enough to know better - on a recent flight, parents had with them a 12 year old with severe mental and physical limitations - he did scream occasionally on the flight, but people were understanding and sympathetic to the family's situation).
I also have no patience with families who leave their row looking like a pigpen at the end of the flight. Bringing Aladdin's chest along to keep your kids distracted for a few hours doesn't give you the right to leave garbage strewn all over the plane.
Jul 28th, 2010, 05:41 AM
#75
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OWJ, oh wow. I feel for you, even now, reading that story. But the guy that made the comment on the first trip. And they weren't even kicking up a fuss? I don't know about him. I think I'd have had an opinion of my own to share if someone like him had offered that kind of opinion when we brought L home.
MLF611 - I agree about the mess. People have to learn to take up less space (trash and just being a nuisance) and teach their kids the same IMO. The truth is though, after repeated trips, I have never, ever seen a bigger mess on a plane than when walking through business class after a ultra long-haul flight.
MLF611 - I agree about the mess. People have to learn to take up less space (trash and just being a nuisance) and teach their kids the same IMO. The truth is though, after repeated trips, I have never, ever seen a bigger mess on a plane than when walking through business class after a ultra long-haul flight.
Jul 28th, 2010, 05:57 AM
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OWJ I can sympathise with you totally. It sounds like you handled the situation very well.
I flew with my eldest son once. he was just two, and I was pregnant with son #2 and at the limit of being allowed to fly. We were flying home from the Netherlands after our first bout of living here. My husband had to stay on longer and he supervised the rest of the move, thinking me going home ot Mum was a good idea.
Well my eldest was never the easiest child, and he had a full on terrible twos on the flight over. Thank goodness it was only an hour flight.
I struggled off the plane, bump to the fore, screaming two year old under one arm and carry-on under the other. I made it through passport control somehow, and luggage reclaim, and can honestly say I have never been so glad to see my Mum as I was that day!
That boy knew how to throw a tantrum!
I flew with my eldest son once. he was just two, and I was pregnant with son #2 and at the limit of being allowed to fly. We were flying home from the Netherlands after our first bout of living here. My husband had to stay on longer and he supervised the rest of the move, thinking me going home ot Mum was a good idea.
Well my eldest was never the easiest child, and he had a full on terrible twos on the flight over. Thank goodness it was only an hour flight.
I struggled off the plane, bump to the fore, screaming two year old under one arm and carry-on under the other. I made it through passport control somehow, and luggage reclaim, and can honestly say I have never been so glad to see my Mum as I was that day!
That boy knew how to throw a tantrum!
Jul 28th, 2010, 08:46 AM
#78
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I think all husband's should be banned from flights too. Once time I had to sit in front of a couple and the husband was drunk and disrupted my freedom of quietness that I expect in all public places.
sicilyan:
BTW, I thought when you said "Traveler's Worst Nightmare..."
you might be talking about someone dying, being raped, murdered, the plane crashing, etc.
Those examples would be a worst nightmare. Crying babies are extremely unpleasant but not a worst case scenario.
sicilyan:
BTW, I thought when you said "Traveler's Worst Nightmare..."
you might be talking about someone dying, being raped, murdered, the plane crashing, etc.
Those examples would be a worst nightmare. Crying babies are extremely unpleasant but not a worst case scenario.
Jul 28th, 2010, 09:31 AM
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...nor hearing the wake up call at a hotel in Papeete on the morning we were due to fly up to the Marquesas - 2 times/weel scheduled filghts.
As we always pack our things the night before except the bathroom amenities we need the next morning - which came in "handy" on this particular occasion.
Within 15 mins were ready and hopped on to the bus to the airport - did our teeth brushing there.
Even now when travelling I always have a bad feeling when we fly out next day.
As we always pack our things the night before except the bathroom amenities we need the next morning - which came in "handy" on this particular occasion.
Within 15 mins were ready and hopped on to the bus to the airport - did our teeth brushing there.
Even now when travelling I always have a bad feeling when we fly out next day.
