In my work persona as someone who travelled about 180000 miles and 70 flights in Economy last year, I completely understand the frustration of those people who are complaining.
I admit that I have also had similar thoughts on occasion, usually coinciding with me getting on the plane tired after a big day myself "Why doesn't that parent give the baby a bottle" or "Why won't they pick the child up" etc.
Then, it dawns on me, hey, I'm a parent too. One who has 2 very active young, well travelled boys.
2 things occur to me:
1. Just because I might be a frequent flyer who spends half his life thinking about travel, and having had the luxury of access to fantastic information sources like AFF, who well drilled before ever taking my kids on a plane about the tips & tricks, DOES NOT MEAN EVERYONE ELSE IS!
2. As harvyk said in not so many words, despite best efforts, research, planning, time, effort, love, care, discipline and everything else we parents might try before, during and after taking our kids on a plane, sometimes no matter what you try, kids will be kids. What works today, may not work tomorrow, and that is all part of the joys of parenthood.
Unfortunately, as far as finding the cure for stopping all kids crying on a plane, or even finding the ultimate pair of noise cancelling earphones like the OP is chasing, these are unfortunately, all part of the joys of air travel.
