those.. darn... KIDS on that long-haul flight! What can you possibly do?

[chadz75]

Hi all

Firstly... thanks to the forum for answers to my earlier queries about the benefits of FF membership... shortly I'll be well on my way to free flights and more, thanks to the FF community.

Ok, the first time I flew international, a 12 hour haul from KL to Amsterdam I was trying to sleep... yet seated next to a mother and 2 kids around 8yo or 10yo. Needless to say, as Mum was seemingly very out to it (how?? 2 elephants in a china shop make less noise!!) and sleeping very nicely 3 seats away despite the tussling and wrestling, I got zero hours sleep on a 12 hour leg, kids fighting over headphones, over crayons, elbowing me, dropping chocolate on the floor, etc etc. A long flight turns into a very very, VERY long flight.

So my second round of long haul flights are fast approaching and I want to ask, what can we do if this happens? Are flight personell obligated to control the situation? Do we have to 'grin' and bear it, or can we poke the mother in the arm and say WAKE UP your kids are killing me here? Can we ask the flight attendants to intervene? Can we ask to be moved?

I'd love to hear everyone's experience here!

I'm also 6 foot 3 tall and found the seating in Economy pretty rough! is there a secret to obtaining those seats near the middle exit with more legroom? I asked my travel agent but she said I should see the airline...

 

[Evan]

If there is free seats in the economy section feel free to ask the crew if its ok to move after take-off. It almost always is ok to move.
As for the rest of the points i think it better i dont comment. As much as i hate it i am sure my children will be a pain one day to somebody and it wont be in my control.
E

 

[simongr]

If the kids were that bad I would ask the FA to wake the other up. If people don't have manners they need to be taught them.

 

[Therma]

I was on an SQ flight from Karachi to Singapore that has a brief stopover in Lahore last week. Probably my least favourite sector, exacerbated by lack of general anaesthetic in the lounge (no alcohol - which I sorely need to survive the airports in India and Pakistan) and a very strong offence on both auditory and olfactory senses. As they announced "flight attendants to your landing stations" a girl about 6 or 7 year old decided she wanted a drink and stood up. No amount of "sit down please sweety"s (I do sometimes wish SQ crew would get a little bit of QF attitude) worked. She stood there screaching " I want it now" and poking her finger at the stewardess as the plane was about one minute from landing. This was done in mother's presence and with absolute lack of intervention. Eventually the stewardess plonked down in the empty seat next to the mother, put on the seatbelt and dragged the little **** over the mother and onto her lap as the wheels hit the tarmac. I have never seen anything like that. As the plane was still moving, mother stood up, stepped over stewardess and started getting her hand luggage, as did everyone else, still ignoring the shrieks of "give me drink now and let go of me". Then without a word she grabbed the brat and dragged her to the front of the plane. As far as I could see they were allowed to leave unmolested. Personally I would have used the Tontine treatment on both of them.

I am now fairly vocal in defending my rights, which is fairly new for me. If "The Look of Death" and noise cancelling headphones do not work, after a reasonable time for the kids to settle down ( have a 2.5 year old who has flown 40,000 miles in the last year, so I do have sympathy) I press the call button and request resolution. Does not seem to work on the subcontinent though, despite the best efforts of the crew.

 

[Maca44]

First, never travel without good noise cancelling earphones (I have a pair of the old Shure brand E3c and they are great), but do ask the FA if you can change seats. Your size is a problem in Y class, but without status with an airline you don't have much chance of a bulkhead seat. I also believe that although kids might be a problem, but it is usually the parents fault for lack of parental control.

 

[Batesy]

I posted on here earlier this year about a hippy parents allowing their child to have a recorder (musical instrument) on a QF flight PER-SYD. It was a pain and I spoke to the FA's about it. You are more than within your rights with the FA's to seek a resolution with kids disturbing you (same with adults disturbing you). Just because other passengers are ignorant does not mean you have to put up with it. Ask for the parent to take control or the FA's to take control, or ask to be moved. Dont take no for an answer but always be polite and use common sense.

In regards to the exit rows and other roomier seats you need to plan ahead and having some status with the airline will help.

 

[chadz75]

thanks for the tips... wow some real horror stories there!

I've done 3 long hauls and slept a total of 2 hours... any tips on getting some good shut-eye?

 

[chadz75]

In regards to the exit rows and other roomier seats you need to plan ahead and having some status with the airline will help.

Status as in a FF membership? I'm a Qantas FF member... Or something more like ten years of flying history? WHo would I contact to seek this if I've booked through an agent, travelling Qantas , then BA, then Finnair?

 

[Batesy]

Status as in a FF membership? I'm a Qantas FF member... Or something more like ten years of flying history? WHo would I contact to seek this if I've booked through an agent, travelling Qantas , then BA, then Finnair?

For QF international you can contact them and ask for an exit row in advance, it depends on your status. I am platinum so I can do this. For domestic ask at check in and get there early to do so.

 

[maninblack]

Noise canceling headphones will change your life and you don't have to spend a fortune. My wife grabbed a pair of Skullcandy over-ear NC headphones at the airport recently for just over $100. I would say 90% as good as my very expensive Bose and better than my old Sony's. Do it :!:

 

[browski]

A few years back on LAN Chile flight between Auckland and Santiago I was seated next to a young guy who had a stench that would outlast religion (thank you Kenny).

I tried my best to put up with it but eventually I called the FA and asked to change seats. She asked "why", so I told her (and my neighbour).

The FA was more than helpful.

 

[International Lady]

Whatever you do, don't approach the mother/father and tell them that they lack discipline or parenting skills - a rather quick way to totally offend someone and start a major arguement! Let the crew know, ask to be moved, or else take something to help you sleep through it! Also try to avoid being seated next to, or near bulkheads, where the bassinets are.

 

[simongr]

Problem is that these kids were 7/10 so avoiding bassinets is no help.

 

[Timtammi]

I can see both sides of this. As a frequent flyer I usually travel for business - so sans kids. However, when we take a family holiday we have my now 4 year old daughter in tow. She is not a naughty child but she is a very active one and she finds sitting still for long period difficult. However, I'm very mindful as to how her behaviour effects others and do everything in my power to keep her seated and entertained, no matter how long the flight.

Some people are just plain rude and inconsiderate and I think you should have no hesitation in complaining to the FA and asking to be moved.

I would!

Cheers

 

[straitman]

I've done 3 long hauls and slept a total of 2 hours... any tips on getting some good shut-eye?

chadz75,

Talk to your doctor about a good low level sleeping tablet.

 

[Timtammi]

Re sleeping tablets - Stilnox (Ambien in the USA) does the trick for me. some report sleep walking etc however so YMMV. I've never had any problems.

 

[simongr]

Re sleeping tablets - Stilnox (Ambien in the USA) does the trick for me. some report sleep walking etc however so YMMV. I've never had any problems.

Seat belts are there for a reason

 

[Therma]

I have developed a 2 cognac habit before my India/Pakistan flights. Helps me to handle the brats, hollering and BO. Top it off with headphones and it is almost tolerable. Nice floaty feeling. Funny thing is that I do not drink at home, but economy grade cognac does the trick. Of course not an option on short flights inside India

 

[serfty]

I Assume the OP was in DEFG seating with two adults (Mother and OP) each end.

Simple solution would have been for the mother to take the seat beside the OP leaving the other two for the kids.

 

[bambbbam2]

From
85 Percent of Flying Public Wants to See Children in Separate Section of Plane - Examiner.com


BOSTON (Map) - BOSTON, Aug. 14 /PRNewswire/ -- A new airfarewatchdog.com(TM) poll reveals the frustration that most passengers feel when seated next to an active child or crying baby while flying.


When asked "Should airlines have a section of the plane reserved for parents with babies and smaller children?" 10,170 or 58% of respondents answered, "Yes, they should have done this long ago," while 27% answered, "Yes, but they never will and it'll never work." Only 15% answered, "No, this is a bad idea."


In comments posted on airfarewatchdog.com message boards, some parents with small children said that they would be in a more understanding and supportive environment were they to sit with other families rather than next to business travellers and adults travelling without children

Asked to comment, David Castelveter, spokesman for the Air Transport Association, said that children-only sections would be "logistically difficult" to implement, such as in cases where a passenger requested and paid for a seat in an adults-only section of the plane but was forced to sit in the children's section due to an oversold flight or the substitution of a larger plane for a smaller one.

Although airfarewatchdog.com remains neutral on this issue, the site's creator, George Hobica, notes that "even a kids-only section would not prevent truly unruly kids and their parents from being booted off a flight, as happened on a recent Southwest Airlines flight to Phoenix when a mother traveling with her four children was unable to keep them in their seats."


Airfarewatchdog recommends the following steps to mitigate the effects of active babies and children while traveling by air:


-- Never travel without noise canceling or blocking headphones, such as those offered by Bose, Sony and Shure.


-- Try to sit in the first exit row of planes that offer two exit rows. Little ones can't sit in exit rows, so you'll be sure that no tiny feet will be pummeling your seat back.


-- Take very early morning flights (5 a.m. or 6 a.m., if they're available). Parents can rarely manage to dress, feed, wash, and otherwise organize infants and toddlers in time to catch flights that early in the day.


-- Speak up. Talk to the guardian of the offending child, politely but firmly. Admittedly, this doesn't always work. Ask a flight attendant to speak with the parent, or to reseat you. If the situation is really horrendous and only business or first class is available, ask to be upgraded if seats are available.


If all else fails, Hobica says, "Just grin and bear it. Or start wailing, kicking and screaming yourself."