Airlines in the News
Toddler Tantrum Gets Family Booted from JetBlue Flight. Is Flying Still Kid-friendly?
Hmmm seems like a provocative headline.. I just read this on yahoo news and found it quite interesting. Seems the toddler was quite horrid and would not remain in her seat. Now we all know FAA rules say that everyone over two needs to be belted in before a plane can take off.
How many of us have been on a flight with horrid children? I remember one red eye flight where the toddler ran up and down the aisle the entire flight making it impossible for anyone to relax and the parents just let them. They were excited you see..
I traveled frequently with my kids when they were little and believe me they didn't cry, they didn't run up and down the aisle and they remained in their seats. While in their seats, they didn't kick the seat in front of them and they didn't scream.. Did I have perfect toddlers and small children, no.. they were just raised to know that in some cases a child really was to be seen and not heard.. I know how incredibly old fashioned of me.
I am tired of hearing about poor kids who were expected to behave!! I do like the fact that while the parents were worn out and frazzled they didn't really blame the airlines. I didn't like that JetBlue didn't offer another flight.. The parents ended up forking out another 2grand in hotel and airline fees to get home. I am sure that poor little girl was exhausted and would have been fine on another flight..
I am torn on the offer another flight because why would you want to chance putting the horrid child back on one of your planes but a refund so they could buy tickets elsewhere works for me.
ReplyDeleteHave to agree with Vickieann. I don't blame the children either, I blame the parents. These are the same parents who let their kids get in and out of their chairs and run around in restaurants. Arggggh! My kids were like yours, Shauni, they weren't perfect, they had their moments but knew how to behave in public. My mom used to say that we are all angels in public and sprouted horns as soon as the front door closed. : )
ReplyDeleteOh Amy mine are still like that.. I was watching the Amazing Race and commented how I would never let my kids do it because if they argued I would have to kill them.. Word Girl looked at me, smiled and said.. "but mom, we don't fight in public." oh lucky me.. they just fight at home..
DeleteWe didn't travel on planes for YEARS when the kids were little. We also did not eat out at nicer restaurants, go to church, or go to movies because it was difficult for my children. The difference is, we didn't put them in the situation for the most part. There were times when we had no choice and we'd sit down with them and tell them expected behavior. Anything less and they were removed from the situation. Parents today don't want to sacrifice THEIR good time, so they ignore the kids.
ReplyDeleteI'm with you, my kids were good in public because WE didn't allow it. And if they were struggling, we'd ALL LEAVE.
Oh I took my kids to church, sat them riight smack in the front row.. when one acted up, I took him (sadly it was usually a him) by the arm and marched right down the aisle where everyone was looking at him. Totally embarrassed him.. People used to refer to me as that lady with all those young kids (ok, I had four 6 years apart) eventually, that area became the family area and there were several families with young children. And everyone of them did the same thing.. you act up.. you do the perp walk.. it only took once..
DeleteI can remember people telling me, "Oh, your kids are sooo well behaved. They are such a delight." I used to laugh and say, "Oh, don't worry, they make up for after they get home."
DeleteI used to tell them if they misbehaved in one particular place, I would never take them there again. They didn't believe me until I followed through. Then they bit their tongues and didn't bicker inside a store but waited till they got in the car. They're all grown up now and great adults and parents themselves. Guess what tricks they use on their kids! : )
LOL! Shauni, that's the kind of thing I did. I used to tell them I didn't have to punish them if they did something wrong and got hurt or in trouble because God punished them first. I would hear them jumping on beds which they knew they weren't supposed to do (btw, boy and girl 18 mos apart) and then I'd hear a thump. I'd check to make sure there were no broken bones or gashes that needed stitches. I come into the room and one of them would sniffling and wiping eyes. I'd ask what happened and the answer would be, "I was bad and God punished me." They always got a big hug because they understood. Good grief, I miss those days. : )
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