If a kid is well bahaved, or moderately well behaved, then I have no problem with it. But if some dumb ass moron of a parent decides that having their child running up and down the aisle(which is a serious danger to the child and the other passengers) is okay, and that the juice fight they decide to start over my $5000 laptop is funny, then I have no problem making their child cower in mute fear. Hell maybe the spoiled brat will realise for the first time that the world doesn’t resolve around them, and that destructive conduct will result in consequences.
Christ, now I feel guilty. Our kid has flown a lot, and as far as babies go, he was a pretty good one. Also a good flyer. At our own expense, we always buy the little nipper a seat. It gives us more space, plus it ensures that our family will have the row and no one will have to sit by him. I understand that some people don’t like kids period, and many others don’t like kids on airplanes because of the, well, all the stuff listed here.
Lately my little pride and joy has reached true toddlerhood. We’ve been avoiding restaurants and other public places because he’s at an age–perfectly normal, by the way–where he gets big ideas and its hard to dissuade him from them. He expresses his displeasure in the only way someone with his limited syntax can: he hollers.
Well, we are going to be traveling for the holidays. We’re flying. And I know that we’re probably “inflicting” the little nipper on other passengers. I hope he’ll be good, and we’re going to plan naptime, feeding time, etc around the trip. We bought him a seat and chose a direct flight, all to help with this. And I’ll be packing a goddamn arsenal of cool toys and stuff he doesn’t normally get (like lollipops) as insurance.
Even so, there is a chance he’ll have a meltdown. And some people will hate us, think we’ve raised a brat, will wish we were sterilized at birth, and will vow to never fly again if they can help it. I understand, to a point, where they are coming from. But hey, this little human won’t always be like this. It’s one bad flight, just a few hours out of your day. If you get a modicum of holiday cheer in ya, could you reduce the laser-red glare of hatred a notch? Mucho thanks! 
And flag down the flight attendant–I need a DRINK!
What age are you all talking about, really? under 10? under 7? under 5? I ask because my parents allowed me to fly by myself beginning when i was 8. I had a bag of books and stuff to keep me amused. most of the time i didn’t get through everything in my bag by the time the plane landed. I wasn’t the perfect child, far from it; but i think i somehow knew better than to act up in a small stuffy confined space where i was in the distinct minority.
Hey, Anthracite, I’m sorry if you felt like you were being ganged up on. I was only responding to your statement that, “It is very uncommon to see a child act up, who is brought under control by his parents.” I think a lot of people, esp. those without children, believe in this sort of good kid/bad kid dichotomy. They don’t seem to realize that every child has good and bad days. Even the best behaved child can have a meltdown when the conditions are right. And even the most difficult child can surprise you. (For instance, towards the end of the last flight of our vacation my 7 year old’s ears suddenly closed up. He was in a lot of pain, tears in his eyes, rocking back and forth in his seat. He is not a kid who tends to be quiet when he is in pain, but he understood that he was in close quarters and was able to keep himself under control. I think it may have been a close thing, though.) Any child who has remained well behaved on a long, boring flight was probably about to act up on several occasions and was diverted by his caregiver. That’s the only point I wanted to make to you.
Anyone who wants to complain about the specific behavior of specific children and specific parents is certainly welcome. I may have a story or two myself. But generalized statements about parents and their “spawn” tend to get my dander up. My “fuck you” was to people like the OP who seem to believe that children, and the people who raise them, are less deserving of airline travel and should, at the very least, be confined to the back or, better yet, simply not allowed on the plane. Children are not unaware of the glares and hostile voices that their mere presence can incite in some people. I don’t doubt that those who expect an unpleasant experience must often have just that.
BTW, I forgot to mention this before, but if the child is over the age where he/she can sit in the parent’s lap for the flight, the fare is the same as an adult. Therefore, the child has the same economic right to fart, vomit, recline, kick, and get in your face as the average salesperson.
CrankyAsAnOldMan said:
Two words: overhead compartment.
And, hey! It’s cheaper than buying a separate seat!
I felt reasonably sure that when all was said and done, we would. Since I know from reading your posts that you’re basically a reasonable, intelligent person and no ogre, I decided it was worth investing the effort to hash through all this and come out in agreement at the end – with many, perhaps most, other people I’d have let it pass or launched a counteroffensive.
Fair enough.
Then I’ll have to echo stofsky, and say that I would be beating you like a Chinese gong. After I made you eat the $5,000 laptop.
I have frustrations, complains etc just like everyone else on this topic. It tends to be very sensitive because people assume that when we vent about kids misbehaving on flights or nonstop crying babies, that we want all children/babies banned or some other overreaction. The situations that are aggravating are those that parents do nothing about. It’s when we ask the parents to keep an eye on their child to stop kicking, throwing toys, talking, etc. and they do nothing about it or give glaring looks or nasty retorts about “kids will be kids”. It’s the parents who do nothing about their crying, colicky baby. I understand that sometimes nothing works, but at least try - for the sake of what hearing the rest of the passengers have left. Remember, if a child misbehaves and a parent cannot get that child under control, it’s usually a broader problem than just a restless young person who doesn’t like to fly on planes.
So, I thank Danalan for the tips, I know I will be putting them to use.
Also, Sue Duhnym for being aware of her child and doing what she can to prevent problems from beginning and stopping them if they do start up. Thanks. There are a lot of us who appreciate that. btw, I love your nick
In fact, a big thank you to all parents who do their part to keep a misbehaivng child in line. A big thank you to the parents who try to stop their upset child from crying and screaming instead of just letting him/her continue on the entire flight. A big thank you to the parents who help occupy their children so as to keep problems arising from restless young travelers. We appreciate your efforts greatly.
Oh and Anthracite, Cheers to you, I empathize completely. Have a drink ~ raises a glass of Whiskey
Yes, it’s me, Bagkitty, the OP.
Perhaps I should have gone with Plan B – sedating the parents and their little mini-mes the as soon as they enter the terminal.
Well, plan B could be giving the kiddos candy laced with acid. The colors will keep 'em quiet all the way through!
Actually, this week’s Dave Barry deals extremely well with this whole issue:
http://www.herald.com/content/archive/living/barry/1999/docs/dec17.htm
and it’s as funny as hell, to boot.
One more tip for parents:
a decongestant 45 minutes before touchdown will do wonders for little ears that won’t pop.
Medicating kids unnecessarily is not a good idea. A better idea is to ensure that infants can nurse or have a bottle to suck on during ascent and descent to relieve ear pressure. Older kids can drink from a sippy cup to achieve the same relief.
Medicate kids before a flight only if they have a cold and stuffy sinuses.