Aviation world gone nutty

[Andz]

Sometime policy makers need to stay out of logic. No safety issue when using it on a window seat....!

Qantas, Jetstar ban kids’ sleeping devices including JetKids BedBox, Fly LegsUp, Plane Pals

 

[Boris spatsky]

I agree that in a window seat it seems ok, but they have to draw a line somewhere. Then people would say they have one just to get a window seat!

 

[MEL_Traveller]

It's an amazing choice to focus on. Gate to gate IFE where passengers are distracted and can't hear emergency commands* is fine, but a jetbox in a window seat raises concerns? Airlines talk of the *potential* for a jetbox to affect safety, well I'd argue that there's much greater *potential* with the IFE.

I think this is partially a revenue issue... airlines don't want their economy passengers getting too comfortable.


*unplanned emergency situations where instant commands might be issued without the tannoy.

 

[ozbeachbabe]

Two out of the four photos of small children used the bed boxes do not have seatbelts on. Some parents may think that buckling up may get in the way of a good nights sleep in which case it's probably as safe as sleeping on the floor.

 

[trippin_the_rift]

I'm going with...

- Mostly revenue issue (ensuring kids get a good sleep tends to be priority, and if kids can get better sleep in ECONOMY, it means parents won't buy PE/J etc.)
- Partially safety issue (skycouch ala NZ, CI etc is similar, and has undergone extensive testing for fire/safety before being allowed to be part of the seat)
- Partially mass market where if they are given a green light, everyone with a toddler will bring one onboard

I agree with MEL_Traveller it's an amazing choice to focus on. Walk through an empty economy class cabin after a long haul flight - loose headphones and wires everywhere. I often trip over them - my toddler certainly does!

 

[bwhouse]

I am a little less cynical on this one (which is unlike me) I actually suspect it may well have been becoming a safety issue for airlines. I really doubt it was a revenue issue.

I agree if used in the window seat and if common sense is applied and a seat belt is fastened correctly they are probably ok (and I believe one is even certified by CASA) but unfortunately 'common' sense really isn't common and I can see many parents doing silly things that would either put the child's safety in jeopardy or fellow passengers.

But who knows.

 

[Denali]

I think its a matter of when does it stop so put the breaks on now and if a parent tries and the flight crew ignore, then you get away with it.

What next, parents bring in home made blow up pool furniture because its fits the space and basically does similar to the $100++ marketed product. Dont laugh but I once read something about a pool inflatable being used by NZ PE pax for space saver seats foot rest.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

I think its a matter of when does it stop so put the breaks on now and if a parent tries and the flight crew ignore, then you get away with it.

What next, parents bring in home made blow up pool furniture because its fits the space and basically does similar to the $100++ marketed product. Dont laugh but I once read something about a pool inflatable being used by NZ PE pax for space saver seats foot rest.

No laughing from me! I must have gone through 101 combinations of trying to work out how to get feet level on angled lie flats... including using cabin bags and inflatable things like cubes and beach balls. Perhaps inflatable devices could take time to deflate in an emergency situation.

Airlines could perhaps allow things like a kids jet pack provided the passenger booked (pay or via status) a window seat. No different to making pax select bulkheads if they want a bassinet.

As for putting on the breaks... not really sure if this is a #1 safety priority. Plenty of others out there which would potentially rank much higher.

 

[andmiz]

My initial thought for its ban was how it could modify cabin airflow patterns and smoke dispersal by blocking vents typically located along the footwell (if you had a cabin full of them; but where do you draw the line?). Without quickly nipping products like this in the bud, a whole stream of crazy products can enter the market (such as the knee defender).

 

[oz_mark]

I'd wager that there has been some sort of incident on a flight, and these came from a review of the incident.