I don't know if you will even read this post after all of the other babble, but here goes. We have flown with our daughter nearly once a month since she was 3 months old (she is almost 4 years now) and did not buy her a seat until the required 24 months and she was always fine. Bring them things to do to keep them occupied, snacks and lots of beverages. If you attempt to use a free seat (we have gotten so lucky before) make sure that your car seat is FAA approved (it will have a sticker stating so) other wise you can't use it anyway. Do ask when you check in about empty seats, they always accomodated us when they were available, and if it doesn't work out, gate check the seat (at least you know that it will arrive with you and will be in much better shape!!) And don't worry there will always be crabby people aboard that will be less than thrilled to see a baby, just remember you never have to see them again. Just worry about your self, your baby and relax!!

The post of changing seats reminds me of an incident that occurred when I was traveling with my children. As my two daughters and I arrived at our assigned seats there was a man sitting in one of our seats. I simply asked him were his seat was so that I could go and sit it in it while he entertained my children. (I would NEVER actually letting my children sit next to stanger.) You never saw a man move so fast out of a seat as he did that day. Everyone around us enjoyed the humor. Sometimes a little humor can go a long way in trying to resolving a situation.

The reason we like the bulkhead seat was that our son could move around a little bit, he had room to stand, he could sit on the floor with his toys during the flight. It was a lot more important to us than being able to store our gear under seats in front of us. And he appreciated it, let me tell you.

This HAS to be a troll post!

However, I will add my 2 cents worth. Why would anyone fly without placing their child in their own reserved seat with an airline approved car seat? If you can't afford it, then don't do it!

>>>>>>: Knoel, the reference to giving up a seat so that a parent could sit w/ a child wasn't really about situations where the parent hasn't purchased a seat for the child. I posted the original reference to that topic in this thread, and I was speaking of the airlines' tendency to re-assign seats without regard to the ages of the persons involved.<<<<<<<<


To clarify my point.....I am referring only to any parent who would NOT buy a seat in the hopes of an empty seat being available....and then expecting someone to move to accomodate them....I'm sure this happens. My main point is BUY A SEAT for every passanger including your babies and always bring a carseat for children too small for the seatbelt.

I do not even know where to begin in responding to Bugswife, so I won't. I hope this thread ends soon. I think everyone's points have been made and we should all move on.

I will guess that bugswife travels on business and that reneeinva does not.

People who travel a lot for business tend to view air travel very differently from leisure fliers. Flying becomes a huge annoyance and things that seem minor to casual fliers (seat location and such) can make a big difference in level of stress for the business traveller (whether psychological, physical or both).

Reneeinva would never understand a business traveller's perspective, and most road warriors have long forgotten what it's like to wander onto a plane without any expectations, stresses or burdens.

reneeinva-you don't have to reply to my post. you have your opinion and i have mine. you can move to accomodate anyone you want to, and that is very nice of you. just don't judge people who choose not to move. like another person said, you have no idea why another person may refuse to change seats. i have terrible sciatica on my left side. i need a window seat on the left side of the plane so i can stretch out that leg and not endure horrible, blinding, cramping pain for the whole trip (an aisle seat on the right side of the plane would have me tripping the stewards). My point is that the airlines have created the situation, now let them deal with it, just as i deal with issues in my business. I don't make one customer miserable to make another customer happy. I would be out of business.

Bugswife and Travelis - You have both made very good points. I am a leisure traveler and a parent of two small children. I never intended to judge anyone who wouldn't give up a seat...I am sure that there are plenty of good reasons for people to not give up a seat, I would just hope that someone would. That's all.

It concerns me greatly that the airlines think that it would be OK for one of my children to have to sit by themselves on the plane.

travleis, you make excellent points. As a frequent business traveler, I prefer NOT to fly at all for leisure.

Not that I am afraid to fly, it is just such a pain in my ass.

I am one of those frequent fliers that likes to keep to myself, reads or listens to music, sleeps and doesn't like small talk, etc. I don't ususally "engage" in conversations, etc. I was mortified one day on a quick 1 hour flight to see a large family get on board at the last minute and the empty seat next to me was taken by a gentleman and his daughter. She was 2 or almost as she barely fit on his lap. I was thinking to myself "Great, here we go". I was on the aisle and they were in the middle seat on a full plane. My attitude and assumptions were changed by this passenger. He and his child were extremely polite and quiet and he would profusely apologize if her foot accidentally touched anyone around him, etc. They were aware of who was around them etc. They were so nice, I didn't mind getting up for them when they had to go, handing things over from the family, answering questions about the airport we were going to, etc. After we landed he thanked me for "everything". I now truly believe that the key lies with the parents and the children themselves and how they both handle the situation. I was lucky and I know kids will cry, etc. but some parents bring loud bells and toys for their kids to play with that everyone can hear which is in my opnion rude as is makes it difficult to sleep, etc. Some parents are saavy enough to bring appropriate items and be prepared. It's the people, not the situation I realize now.

And wouldn't the world be a wonderful place if all people were so thoughtful and polite.