CNN posted an article talking about babies flying on airplanes and how their crying affects other travelers. I would just like to utilize my own platform (you know since this is my blog) to voice my opinion on the subject. I actually feel like I am an expert on the subject because I have been on over 100 flights in the past two years and twenty flights with my newborn baby. So I have recently been on both sides of the equation.

I too have been annoyed by children on airplanes. But I see where they are coming from. Flying is not pleasant for 9 out of 10 travelers (the 10^th is flying first class) and it is a stressful situation. So of course the child starts out anxious, tired and grumpy. Most of the times the child has missed a nap, snack time, or has not had enough time to run around and play. However- parents need to be held responsible to keep children from kicking the seats in front of them, talking too loud, or throwing things at other passengers.

I was once on an airplane (oh my blood boils just thinking of this) where a little boy probably four or five (well at the age where he knew better) was climbing over and under seats, yelling, throwing drinks, snacks, and in flight magazines and just being a plain menace. At one point the little dear climbed under the seat (while we were making our final approach nonetheless) and started riffling through my purse, scattering the contents. I exclaimed loudly enough for the flight attendant to hear, “Hey get out of my purse!” after which the FA came to my rescue and scolded the parents for letting their child out of their seat during landing.  The parents got annoyed at me and later when waiting for my bags, I actually overheard them making fun of me for what I said to their little “angel.” I’m sorry but that is unacceptable.

On the other hand, I must mention children and babies are people too and have every right to travel-so to the comment that was incorporated in the article: “Babies should be banned from planes, movie theatres, restaurants, and any other public place for that matter. The rest of the world doesn’t think your kid is as cute as you do.” Are you kidding me??? Children and babies have just as much right to fly and travel as you do. Speaking as a new mother who flies often it is ten times more stressful to be the parent of a crying baby then it is to be a passenger hearing them cry. And babies communicate through crying so if their ears hurt, are tired, or are hungry that is what they are going to do. If a parent is sitting there trying to do nothing while their child is crying- then be angry at them. But if a mother is traveling alone and her baby is crying and trying to do everything she can to comfort her infant- keep your snotty comments to yourself, they do not help. I would say 80% of the time we fly, we don’t have any issues with crying fits but I can also say that 80% of the time I hear a comment or get the evil eye for bringing my baby on a plane.

Now that I’ve voiced off, it’s your turn! I’m dying to hear your thoughts!!!

Ps. Oh and everyone DOES think my baby is the cutest in the world! ; )

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This entry was posted on Tuesday, March 16th, 2010 at 10:16 pm and is filed under Travel News. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.