Quote:
Originally Posted by jimworcs
The lack of human decency and kindness on these boards never ceases to amaze me...
No courtesy, no kindness, no compassion.. just me, me, me.. Some people have "earned" pre-boarding, but god forbid that some basic courtesy is shown to a mother with a baby.
IMHO, ignorant neanderthals should not be able to fly, they're not civilized enough
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Jetliner
To gromit and PHX - you two are idiots on this. Both of you are taking the stance of the business traveler - "Oh forbid they get to go in front because they have kids."
Think about this for a moment. If I have a young child (under 2) in my arms, what am I carrying in the other arm? A CARSEAT on top of a diaper bag, on top of my own carry on. I'm going to try my best to get down the aisle of that plane in a slim line, but if my child gets squirmy, then there's a chance that you are going to whacked in the head with that car seat. And trust me, even with the best parents in the world, kids that young are like kitty cats - they do whatever the hell they want. Sure the parents can deal with them, as good parents will do, but kids will surprise you too.
Also, think about this. Once I get on the plane, I have to get situated. Strap down a car seat. Stash the diaper bag. Stash my bag. Damn it, he/she just cut the contents of a 747 lavatory loose in their diaper. Got to change it. etc, etc, etc. Trust me, it's not easy traveling with the kids, especially when they are that young. And as for the screaming - you just can't convince them that if they would just shut up and suck on the bottle, their ears would stop hurting. Even my 4 year old can't understand to shut up and sip your apple juice.
Also, normally it's both parents with the child, which means 2 against 1. In this case both of them have their hands full with a 1 year old. I would say the only thing that would have kept me from shooting myself on the spot would have been the security checkpoint. That and the fact that air marshals don't give up their guns easily.
And let me point this out to you. Does it really and truly matter if I board first or in the middle? (The end would be a problem) If I go on ahead of time, or in the middle, the plane is still going to leave when it leaves.
The bottom line is there is a lot more involved to traveling with kids than you realize.
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I think you're missing the point. The OP's gripe was that s/he wasn't allowed to pre-board simply because s/he had kids in tow. I really don't care where they sit once they're on the plane. If they're sitting in first class then they get to board with first class before coach. I've traveled with some very delightful kids in first class. If they're sitting in coach and the parent(s) don't have status then they'll board when their row or group is called. Hell I'll even give them a hand getting settled in if need be. But early boarding is for those who have disabilities and those who've earned status.
Problem with pre-boarding was that too many people abused it. Continental used to announce pre-boarding for those traveling with children under 5 years old. Guess how many people with "tweens" and teens got in line to pre-board as well. They selectively heard "traveling with children" and suddenly became deaf when the "under 5 years old" part was announced. All the while here I am a platinum elite who has to wait until these throngs of parents with kids of all ages clog up the jetway.
Oh and parents...take heed. If your traveling with older
and younger children, why not insist that your older children actually help out? I've seen moms with a infant, a 3-4 year old and a 12ish child (probably from the first marriage) where the older child is so engrossed in her iPod and GameBoy she's too busy to give a flying frak about mom who's schlepping the stroller, diaper bag, carryon and sleepy pre-schooler. Tell your kids to turn off the electronic zombie devices and help out or threaten to ground them for the entire vacation! And grounding means NO iPod and NO GameBoy!
