Kids and airlines create traveler turbulence

Here's the quickest way to tap a deep well of vitriol: Start up a conversation about kids and airplanes. You'll get an earful about privilege, discourtesy and selfishness.

Times reporter Bridget Hall Grumet's column about airlines stopping the practice of boarding families with kids first hit our Web site (tampabay.com) Monday and quickly attracted a torrent of online comments.

The volume alone was impressive — 214 comments by midday Tuesday. But what caught my eye was the anger aimed at her and between readers. Some examples:

Teri from St. Pete: My parents didn't have all the special treatment given to breeders now! I CHOOSE not to have kids ... but if you CHOOSE to, deal with them, they are yours, not my problem.

Joe from Palm Harbor: I enjoy letting my kid be as loud as she wants to be … and I hope one of you that are complaining about kids are sitting in front of me next time I'm on the plane so she can kick your seat, too!!!!

John from New Mexico: I have had enough of screaming, foul-smelling (kids) and parents who think this is cute. They should be put in baggage.

People bring their own baggage to the discussion. Think today's indulgent parents are raising a generation of spoiled youth? Or that DINKs (Double-Income, No Kids) are mired in their self-obsessed cocoon? Then, ill-behaving children in an aluminum tube at 35,000 feet — and how people react to them — reflect bigger problems with our world.

Airlines look at the issue of pre-boarding families with children more pragmatically.

Delta stopped because it helped speed up getting everyone on the plane. American says pre-boarding didn't make sense because in places like Orlando, families made up most passengers. Both carriers let families with special circumstances board early.

Southwest now offers a premium fare that allows customers to board first, a big perk because seating is first-come, first-served. Families with kids can board between the A and B groups of passengers.

An airline spokesman noted that in the blog comments, "anger seems to be directed at other people and fliers more than the airlines." Now there's something new.

Comments on this article

by Lisa	Aug 28, 2008 2:26 PM
OMG my point was that some people LIKE kids and should raise them and some people DON'T and should NOT, but now 2 strangers have insulted me who have obviously never been around TODDLERS (school aged can sit still), so go be unfulfilled elsewhere.

by TC	Aug 28, 2008 2:24 PM
Hey Solaris! I totally agree, I pay taxes so your kid can go to school, I don't have any kids, and since I pay taxes for yours how about I get peace and quiet on a flight!

by solaris	Aug 28, 2008 10:27 AM
Hey Betty, my contribution to the "village" is tax money for public schools and paying more in federal tax since I don't get the child tax credit or the deduction for dependents. I call it even; no one should have to put up with screaming on planes.

by Jocephus	Aug 28, 2008 10:05 AM
Lisa, I have friends and family with lots of great kids, and they're all perfectly capable of controlling their "energetic" nature when in public. If your kids are embarrassing people, perhaps the problem is your parenting skills (or lack of).

by Erika	Aug 28, 2008 10:05 AM
I'm a DINK but its not a choice. I have no problem with families boarding first if it helps calm the kids down. Otherwise what is the point. I have noticed a sense of entitlement on this subject though. Parents don't feel like you are entitled.

by Carrie	Aug 27, 2008 7:29 PM
All three of my boys (4,6 & 11) Have been flying since right after birth, never annoyed anyone because i control my children and come prepared, but i agreex to many monster brats on the airplanes these days. pre boarding doesnt change bad parenting

by Karel	Aug 27, 2008 4:25 PM
Last year I took a Southwest flight from TPA which allowed pre-boarding kids. What abuse! It wad mom/dad/kid(s, teenagers, grandparents, aunts/uncles, friends. No kidding there'd be 1 kid and 7 adults. It only takes a few to ruin for the rest.

by Teri	Aug 27, 2008 4:22 PM
I'm for the Adult-Only airlines..or at least the Adults-Only section, they can close off the kid section and put them and their parents together, I don't even mind them getting on first, they then can stop whining about not getting on first!

by sarah	Aug 27, 2008 4:16 PM
I'm with Anton: until the airlines refuse my money, I'm flying with my two kids (well-behaved girls) and everyone else can deal with it.

by Anton	Aug 27, 2008 4:15 PM
To clarify, when I have flown with my son, at the end of the flight we are commended on how well behaved he is. (True story). I guess that makes up for the dirty looks we got when we were getting situated. It is as much my airplane as it is yours.

by Eric	Aug 27, 2008 4:02 PM
I would MUCH rather travel alongside a kid than share space with some wanna-be mogul who yaps on a bluetooth about projects and clients ad nasuem. If you were that important, you'd be in first class or on a private jet. Welcome to the cattle car.

by Vinny	Aug 27, 2008 2:31 PM
Hey, Joe from Palm Harbor (above) - If that's the way you and your brat daughter generally treat people on airplanes or otherwise then it's YOUR seat that needs kicking.

by Anton	Aug 27, 2008 1:54 PM
The airline seems to not mind my child being on board, or taking my money (mostly my money). So he and I have as much right to be there as the rest of you. Don't like it? Walk.

by Sara	Aug 27, 2008 1:53 PM
We've flown 5 times with our 2-1/2 yr old son w/o problems (1st @ 14months). Tips: pacifier-equalize ears, books, toys, DVD as a last resort, armrests up for squirming. He charms everyone & never kicks the seat/yells. Preboarding is key for set up!

by Bob	Aug 27, 2008 1:28 PM
Usually the good kids don't get noticed and a few bad kids are what everyone remembers. With good kids it isn't a problem. The parents of the little monsters and the little monsters are another story.

by yolanda	Aug 27, 2008 1:25 PM
I've had it with these arrogant young parents who cannot discipline their kids and allow them to run amok in public. Your rights end where mine begin and you do not have the right to make my flight miserable with your little barbarians.

by ft	Aug 27, 2008 1:19 PM
I'm not a DINK I only have one income so I guess that makes me a SINK, but I am proud to be "mired in my self absorbed cocoon!"

by CT	Aug 27, 2008 1:08 PM
Hey Vinny! I'd pay double for the adults only airline for sure! I'm with you!

by John	Aug 27, 2008 1:08 PM
It's not the kids that are the problem it's the parents. They are the ones responsible for controlling the behavior of their kids. They are self centered to think that the rest of the world wants to put up with ill-mannered children.

by Teri	Aug 27, 2008 1:01 PM
I don't dislike kids, I dislike their dislike the parents who let them run amok! I stick by my comment in THIS article, you have them YOU DEAL with them, they were your choice.

by Vinny	Aug 27, 2008 1:01 PM
Too bad there isn't an adults-only airline. That would be luxury worth paying for. There is nothing worse on a long flight than a shrieking, spoiled little anti-Christ who makes everyone on board miserable.

by Teri	Aug 27, 2008 1:01 PM
I still say, let them on the plane first, put them all togther in a "family" section, but I also think they should get off last!

by Betty	Aug 27, 2008 12:53 PM
One other thing, the "non-breeders" should realize it's in their own self interest to let a family get settled, get the kids a snack or a toy to distract them and keep them quiet. Do they get mad at handicapped parking? It takes a village, people.

by Betty	Aug 27, 2008 12:53 PM
I am constantly amazed at the hostility directed toward children and their "breeder" parents. It's understandable when the kids are disruptive and the parents are doing nothing about it, but their mere presense irks some people.

by Proud DINK	Aug 27, 2008 12:49 PM
Hey Lisa 12:14 - Given your rant here, it appears you are self centered. "Very energetic" is merely an excuse for wild uncontrollable heathens. Maybe your sister figured out that if she had a child, it wouldn't necessarily turn out as bad as yours.

by Lisa	Aug 27, 2008 12:14 PM
My sister has always been completely annoyed and embarrassed by my three very energetic kids, so when she decided she wanted to start "trying" we were all horrified. I feel sorry for the kids of these self centered whiny people who don't like kids.