airplane -- seats not together with 5 year olds

[Anonymous]

And we are all assuming that the kids just need help sitting by themselves and behaving, but Heaven forbid an emergency happen on the flight where someone needs to take care of the child, like an oxygen mask. I would not trust the other adults to help with that. Really. This is what the airline should be thinking about.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:And we are all assuming that the kids just need help sitting by themselves and behaving, but Heaven forbid an emergency happen on the flight where someone needs to take care of the child, like an oxygen mask. I would not trust the other adults to help with that. Really. This is what the airline should be thinking about.

A five year old is certainly able to put on an oxygen mask.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We booked our vacation flight to California about a month out -- but there were no seats available next to each other... and only middle seats available. Our twins are 5 yrs old. Have people generally had luck with people switching seats (even tho they have windows & aisles, probably don't want to sit next to needy, possibly crying 5 year olds??) or other options/suggestions for how to handle?

I would have had more sympathy for you - but you need to plan better. You are now asking people who have windows and aisle seats to accommodate you because you didn't get your act together or aren't willing to pay more.

Not the OP.

This is often not a question of planning better. This is the airlines trying to make money. If you book through a third party site, often you get whatever seats the third party site if authorized to give - and sometimes those are only crappy seats. Also, some airlines, like US Air, charge extra for the window and aisle seats, so this might actually be an affordability question. Most airlines do release some seats 24 hours in advance, so get on the website of your airline then and see if you can move your seats together. 24 hours in advance is also when most of the upgrades happen, so some seats may free up as passengers with status get moved around. I have also had help from the gate agent or the flight attendants, but don't count on it.

I agree, though, don't count on anyone switching with you if they had to pay for the aisle or window. Don't expect help from the flight attendants. I was on a United flight recently in economy plus window, with the middle seat open and the aisle occupied. The lady in the aisle was upgraded to first, and the poor guy in the middle seat in non economy row behind us was not allowed to move to the empty aisle seat, even after the plane took off, because "people pay for those seats" according to the flight attendant. Maybe the flight attendants will be nicer on your flight.

I find it reprehensible that the airline split families up on flights in the interest of extracting more money. How can a 5 year old sit by themselves?

Quite easily. What's wrong with everyone's 5 yr olds? That's the minimum age to fly alone on the airplane, nevermind having your parents on the same flight. It's not that big a deal. I've had to sit apart from my very young kids on flights of over 10 hrs. There are movies, food, etc to keep them entertained. They're not going anywhere.

I booked a seat for my then 6 month old DS, who the airline put 7 rows away from me. They refused to help, nobody wanted to switch, so I strapped him in his car seat, told the guy next to him to just nurse him when he woke up crying.

He switch pretty quickly after that.

We an all agree that the airlines often have issues with seating, but it's not the huge problem people always make it out to be.

I did that too with my 8 month old. We asked the people in all the rows to switch, everyone said no. Flight attendant would not help so I installed the seat, put the bottle in the car seat, told the people next to him that there was food, diapers/wipes, toys, extra clothing which they will need along with a burp cloth on the car seat and told them he had bad reflux so here is a burp cloth to catch it as it sometimes projects pretty far. We had to go to an medical appointment (and its easy to say do not fly, but often we are flying to out of state medical appointments).

On a recent flight, our son is 5 and my son was so excited two older women were entertained and offered to watch him when we were having trouble finding seats - luckily there were a few empty rows. (not sure if they were joking or serious - they seemed serious as they looked like the attentive grandma types).

People say what is the big deal even at 5, but not all strangers are going to help your child or come find you if your child needs help. I would move as I would want someone to do that for us. Or, I would take care of someone's child if there was no other way (i.e. mom/dad with a few kids). In all reality, people say they will not move, but are you prepared to help a child who is sitting next to you? Keep them entertained, help them eat, make sure they stay seated, take them to the bathroom or find the parent, etc. My child has some developmental delays and need a lot of support. Looking at him, he "looks" fine, but he has some minor special needs. Its no one's business and we don't share, but if you sat next to him, you'd have to help with everything (he'd behave but be confused as to where we were).

I'd have called your bluff. When he starts crying as the plane takes off and I have my headphones on, you'll really feel like crap. If you have an 8-month old, keep him on your lap.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We booked our vacation flight to California about a month out -- but there were no seats available next to each other... and only middle seats available. Our twins are 5 yrs old. Have people generally had luck with people switching seats (even tho they have windows & aisles, probably don't want to sit next to needy, possibly crying 5 year olds??) or other options/suggestions for how to handle?

I would have had more sympathy for you - but you need to plan better. You are now asking people who have windows and aisle seats to accommodate you because you didn't get your act together or aren't willing to pay more.

Not the OP.

This is often not a question of planning better. This is the airlines trying to make money. If you book through a third party site, often you get whatever seats the third party site if authorized to give - and sometimes those are only crappy seats. Also, some airlines, like US Air, charge extra for the window and aisle seats, so this might actually be an affordability question. Most airlines do release some seats 24 hours in advance, so get on the website of your airline then and see if you can move your seats together. 24 hours in advance is also when most of the upgrades happen, so some seats may free up as passengers with status get moved around. I have also had help from the gate agent or the flight attendants, but don't count on it.

I agree, though, don't count on anyone switching with you if they had to pay for the aisle or window. Don't expect help from the flight attendants. I was on a United flight recently in economy plus window, with the middle seat open and the aisle occupied. The lady in the aisle was upgraded to first, and the poor guy in the middle seat in non economy row behind us was not allowed to move to the empty aisle seat, even after the plane took off, because "people pay for those seats" according to the flight attendant. Maybe the flight attendants will be nicer on your flight.

I find it reprehensible that the airline split families up on flights in the interest of extracting more money. How can a 5 year old sit by themselves?

Quite easily. What's wrong with everyone's 5 yr olds? That's the minimum age to fly alone on the airplane, nevermind having your parents on the same flight. It's not that big a deal. I've had to sit apart from my very young kids on flights of over 10 hrs. There are movies, food, etc to keep them entertained. They're not going anywhere.

I booked a seat for my then 6 month old DS, who the airline put 7 rows away from me. They refused to help, nobody wanted to switch, so I strapped him in his car seat, told the guy next to him to just nurse him when he woke up crying.

He switch pretty quickly after that.

We an all agree that the airlines often have issues with seating, but it's not the huge problem people always make it out to be.

I did that too with my 8 month old. We asked the people in all the rows to switch, everyone said no. Flight attendant would not help so I installed the seat, put the bottle in the car seat, told the people next to him that there was food, diapers/wipes, toys, extra clothing which they will need along with a burp cloth on the car seat and told them he had bad reflux so here is a burp cloth to catch it as it sometimes projects pretty far. We had to go to an medical appointment (and its easy to say do not fly, but often we are flying to out of state medical appointments).

On a recent flight, our son is 5 and my son was so excited two older women were entertained and offered to watch him when we were having trouble finding seats - luckily there were a few empty rows. (not sure if they were joking or serious - they seemed serious as they looked like the attentive grandma types).

People say what is the big deal even at 5, but not all strangers are going to help your child or come find you if your child needs help. I would move as I would want someone to do that for us. Or, I would take care of someone's child if there was no other way (i.e. mom/dad with a few kids). In all reality, people say they will not move, but are you prepared to help a child who is sitting next to you? Keep them entertained, help them eat, make sure they stay seated, take them to the bathroom or find the parent, etc. My child has some developmental delays and need a lot of support. Looking at him, he "looks" fine, but he has some minor special needs. Its no one's business and we don't share, but if you sat next to him, you'd have to help with everything (he'd behave but be confused as to where we were).

I'd have called your bluff. When he starts crying as the plane takes off and I have my headphones on, you'll really feel like crap. If you have an 8-month old, keep him on your lap.

I am shocked that both people surrounding the baby aren't happy to make a switch, given how much fun babies are to sit next to on a plane.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We booked our vacation flight to California about a month out -- but there were no seats available next to each other... and only middle seats available. Our twins are 5 yrs old. Have people generally had luck with people switching seats (even tho they have windows & aisles, probably don't want to sit next to needy, possibly crying 5 year olds??) or other options/suggestions for how to handle?

I would have had more sympathy for you - but you need to plan better. You are now asking people who have windows and aisle seats to accommodate you because you didn't get your act together or aren't willing to pay more.

Not the OP.

This is often not a question of planning better. This is the airlines trying to make money. If you book through a third party site, often you get whatever seats the third party site if authorized to give - and sometimes those are only crappy seats. Also, some airlines, like US Air, charge extra for the window and aisle seats, so this might actually be an affordability question. Most airlines do release some seats 24 hours in advance, so get on the website of your airline then and see if you can move your seats together. 24 hours in advance is also when most of the upgrades happen, so some seats may free up as passengers with status get moved around. I have also had help from the gate agent or the flight attendants, but don't count on it.

I agree, though, don't count on anyone switching with you if they had to pay for the aisle or window. Don't expect help from the flight attendants. I was on a United flight recently in economy plus window, with the middle seat open and the aisle occupied. The lady in the aisle was upgraded to first, and the poor guy in the middle seat in non economy row behind us was not allowed to move to the empty aisle seat, even after the plane took off, because "people pay for those seats" according to the flight attendant. Maybe the flight attendants will be nicer on your flight.

I find it reprehensible that the airline split families up on flights in the interest of extracting more money. How can a 5 year old sit by themselves?

Quite easily. What's wrong with everyone's 5 yr olds? That's the minimum age to fly alone on the airplane, nevermind having your parents on the same flight. It's not that big a deal. I've had to sit apart from my very young kids on flights of over 10 hrs. There are movies, food, etc to keep them entertained. They're not going anywhere.

I booked a seat for my then 6 month old DS, who the airline put 7 rows away from me. They refused to help, nobody wanted to switch, so I strapped him in his car seat, told the guy next to him to just nurse him when he woke up crying.

He switch pretty quickly after that.

We an all agree that the airlines often have issues with seating, but it's not the huge problem people always make it out to be.

I did that too with my 8 month old. We asked the people in all the rows to switch, everyone said no. Flight attendant would not help so I installed the seat, put the bottle in the car seat, told the people next to him that there was food, diapers/wipes, toys, extra clothing which they will need along with a burp cloth on the car seat and told them he had bad reflux so here is a burp cloth to catch it as it sometimes projects pretty far. We had to go to an medical appointment (and its easy to say do not fly, but often we are flying to out of state medical appointments).

On a recent flight, our son is 5 and my son was so excited two older women were entertained and offered to watch him when we were having trouble finding seats - luckily there were a few empty rows. (not sure if they were joking or serious - they seemed serious as they looked like the attentive grandma types).

People say what is the big deal even at 5, but not all strangers are going to help your child or come find you if your child needs help. I would move as I would want someone to do that for us. Or, I would take care of someone's child if there was no other way (i.e. mom/dad with a few kids). In all reality, people say they will not move, but are you prepared to help a child who is sitting next to you? Keep them entertained, help them eat, make sure they stay seated, take them to the bathroom or find the parent, etc. My child has some developmental delays and need a lot of support. Looking at him, he "looks" fine, but he has some minor special needs. Its no one's business and we don't share, but if you sat next to him, you'd have to help with everything (he'd behave but be confused as to where we were).

That you can't see the disconnect in the bolded section is inconceivable.

[Anonymous]

Bring a few $50 bills and then ask people to switch.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We booked our vacation flight to California about a month out -- but there were no seats available next to each other... and only middle seats available. Our twins are 5 yrs old. Have people generally had luck with people switching seats (even tho they have windows & aisles, probably don't want to sit next to needy, possibly crying 5 year olds??) or other options/suggestions for how to handle?

I would have had more sympathy for you - but you need to plan better. You are now asking people who have windows and aisle seats to accommodate you because you didn't get your act together or aren't willing to pay more.

Not the OP.

This is often not a question of planning better. This is the airlines trying to make money. If you book through a third party site, often you get whatever seats the third party site if authorized to give - and sometimes those are only crappy seats. Also, some airlines, like US Air, charge extra for the window and aisle seats, so this might actually be an affordability question. Most airlines do release some seats 24 hours in advance, so get on the website of your airline then and see if you can move your seats together. 24 hours in advance is also when most of the upgrades happen, so some seats may free up as passengers with status get moved around. I have also had help from the gate agent or the flight attendants, but don't count on it.

I agree, though, don't count on anyone switching with you if they had to pay for the aisle or window. Don't expect help from the flight attendants. I was on a United flight recently in economy plus window, with the middle seat open and the aisle occupied. The lady in the aisle was upgraded to first, and the poor guy in the middle seat in non economy row behind us was not allowed to move to the empty aisle seat, even after the plane took off, because "people pay for those seats" according to the flight attendant. Maybe the flight attendants will be nicer on your flight.

I find it reprehensible that the airline split families up on flights in the interest of extracting more money. How can a 5 year old sit by themselves?

Quite easily. What's wrong with everyone's 5 yr olds? That's the minimum age to fly alone on the airplane, nevermind having your parents on the same flight. It's not that big a deal. I've had to sit apart from my very young kids on flights of over 10 hrs. There are movies, food, etc to keep them entertained. They're not going anywhere.

I booked a seat for my then 6 month old DS, who the airline put 7 rows away from me. They refused to help, nobody wanted to switch, so I strapped him in his car seat, told the guy next to him to just nurse him when he woke up crying.

He switch pretty quickly after that.

We an all agree that the airlines often have issues with seating, but it's not the huge problem people always make it out to be.

I did that too with my 8 month old. We asked the people in all the rows to switch, everyone said no. Flight attendant would not help so I installed the seat, put the bottle in the car seat, told the people next to him that there was food, diapers/wipes, toys, extra clothing which they will need along with a burp cloth on the car seat and told them he had bad reflux so here is a burp cloth to catch it as it sometimes projects pretty far. We had to go to an medical appointment (and its easy to say do not fly, but often we are flying to out of state medical appointments).

On a recent flight, our son is 5 and my son was so excited two older women were entertained and offered to watch him when we were having trouble finding seats - luckily there were a few empty rows. (not sure if they were joking or serious - they seemed serious as they looked like the attentive grandma types).

People say what is the big deal even at 5, but not all strangers are going to help your child or come find you if your child needs help. I would move as I would want someone to do that for us. Or, I would take care of someone's child if there was no other way (i.e. mom/dad with a few kids). In all reality, people say they will not move, but are you prepared to help a child who is sitting next to you? Keep them entertained, help them eat, make sure they stay seated, take them to the bathroom or find the parent, etc. My child has some developmental delays and need a lot of support. Looking at him, he "looks" fine, but he has some minor special needs. Its no one's business and we don't share, but if you sat next to him, you'd have to help with everything (he'd behave but be confused as to where we were).

I'd have called your bluff. When he starts crying as the plane takes off and I have my headphones on, you'll really feel like crap. If you have an 8-month old, keep him on your lap.

I am shocked that both people surrounding the baby aren't happy to make a switch, given how much fun babies are to sit next to on a plane.

I'm well over 6 feet tall, and mildly claustrophobic. I take care to book aisle seats well in advance, and/or pay for a premium seat. I'm not going to sit and be miserable in a middle seat for 5+ hours so someone else can avoid having their baby as a lap child. Plus, I can say with absolute confidence that no parent is really going to leave their 8-month old strapped in a car seat on a plane without sitting next to them.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Most of you are ridiculous. No, everyone can't just pay more or take another airline. Those options aren't always available. One month isn't last minute, and sometimes work schedules, family emergencies, etc make it difficult or impossible to plan further ahead. And yet, little kids should not have to sit alone. Airlines created this problem by holding out SO many seats for which passengers must pay extra, greatly limiting the availability of "regular" seats. Guess what? Almost no one wants those seats, so they sit unreserved, until the day of the flight when they are given to whoever doesn't have a seat, without having paid extra. Meanwhile, families can't book seats (either at all or without paying a lot more) together because of the airlines' BS attempts to mickle and dime us for every damn thing. It's the airlines' fault, but it doesn't kill people to be nice and trade seats. With a family of four like OP's, just 2 of 8 possible people need to change seats. It's unlikely they all have some condition making this difficult. DCUMers love to wag their tongues about "entitled" parents who should have just done this or that, but fortunately, most people in real life are nicer and more helpful.

First, this is a vacation, not a family emergency. Second, this isn't just as simple as "be nice and trade seats." OP knowingly booked 4 separate middle seats--which are universally considered the least desirable--for a 5 hour flight across the country. Most people are "nice" and are willing to trade seats for a comparable seat (aisle for aisle, window for window, middle for middle).

But stop trying to make it so black and white. If someone asks you to trade your window/aisle seat for a middle seat on a long flight across the country, I think the person has every right to turn down that request without being deemed mean or unhelpful.

[Anonymous]

Southwesr.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We booked our vacation flight to California about a month out -- but there were no seats available next to each other... and only middle seats available. Our twins are 5 yrs old. Have people generally had luck with people switching seats (even tho they have windows & aisles, probably don't want to sit next to needy, possibly crying 5 year olds??) or other options/suggestions for how to handle?

I would have had more sympathy for you - but you need to plan better. You are now asking people who have windows and aisle seats to accommodate you because you didn't get your act together or aren't willing to pay more.

Not the OP.

This is often not a question of planning better. This is the airlines trying to make money. If you book through a third party site, often you get whatever seats the third party site if authorized to give - and sometimes those are only crappy seats. Also, some airlines, like US Air, charge extra for the window and aisle seats, so this might actually be an affordability question. Most airlines do release some seats 24 hours in advance, so get on the website of your airline then and see if you can move your seats together. 24 hours in advance is also when most of the upgrades happen, so some seats may free up as passengers with status get moved around. I have also had help from the gate agent or the flight attendants, but don't count on it.

I agree, though, don't count on anyone switching with you if they had to pay for the aisle or window. Don't expect help from the flight attendants. I was on a United flight recently in economy plus window, with the middle seat open and the aisle occupied. The lady in the aisle was upgraded to first, and the poor guy in the middle seat in non economy row behind us was not allowed to move to the empty aisle seat, even after the plane took off, because "people pay for those seats" according to the flight attendant. Maybe the flight attendants will be nicer on your flight.

I find it reprehensible that the airline split families up on flights in the interest of extracting more money. How can a 5 year old sit by themselves?

Quite easily. What's wrong with everyone's 5 yr olds? That's the minimum age to fly alone on the airplane, nevermind having your parents on the same flight. It's not that big a deal. I've had to sit apart from my very young kids on flights of over 10 hrs. There are movies, food, etc to keep them entertained. They're not going anywhere.

I booked a seat for my then 6 month old DS, who the airline put 7 rows away from me. They refused to help, nobody wanted to switch, so I strapped him in his car seat, told the guy next to him to just nurse him when he woke up crying.

He switch pretty quickly after that.

We an all agree that the airlines often have issues with seating, but it's not the huge problem people always make it out to be.

I did that too with my 8 month old. We asked the people in all the rows to switch, everyone said no. Flight attendant would not help so I installed the seat, put the bottle in the car seat, told the people next to him that there was food, diapers/wipes, toys, extra clothing which they will need along with a burp cloth on the car seat and told them he had bad reflux so here is a burp cloth to catch it as it sometimes projects pretty far. We had to go to an medical appointment (and its easy to say do not fly, but often we are flying to out of state medical appointments).

On a recent flight, our son is 5 and my son was so excited two older women were entertained and offered to watch him when we were having trouble finding seats - luckily there were a few empty rows. (not sure if they were joking or serious - they seemed serious as they looked like the attentive grandma types).

People say what is the big deal even at 5, but not all strangers are going to help your child or come find you if your child needs help. I would move as I would want someone to do that for us. Or, I would take care of someone's child if there was no other way (i.e. mom/dad with a few kids). In all reality, people say they will not move, but are you prepared to help a child who is sitting next to you? Keep them entertained, help them eat, make sure they stay seated, take them to the bathroom or find the parent, etc. My child has some developmental delays and need a lot of support. Looking at him, he "looks" fine, but he has some minor special needs. Its no one's business and we don't share, but if you sat next to him, you'd have to help with everything (he'd behave but be confused as to where we were).

You left your 8 month old alone?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I'm well over 6 feet tall, and mildly claustrophobic. I take care to book aisle seats well in advance, and/or pay for a premium seat. I'm not going to sit and be miserable in a middle seat for 5+ hours so someone else can avoid having their baby as a lap child. Plus, I can say with absolute confidence that no parent is really going to leave their 8-month old strapped in a car seat on a plane without sitting next to them.

Probably true.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Most of you are ridiculous. No, everyone can't just pay more or take another airline. Those options aren't always available. One month isn't last minute, and sometimes work schedules, family emergencies, etc make it difficult or impossible to plan further ahead. And yet, little kids should not have to sit alone. Airlines created this problem by holding out SO many seats for which passengers must pay extra, greatly limiting the availability of "regular" seats. Guess what? Almost no one wants those seats, so they sit unreserved, until the day of the flight when they are given to whoever doesn't have a seat, without having paid extra. Meanwhile, families can't book seats (either at all or without paying a lot more) together because of the airlines' BS attempts to mickle and dime us for every damn thing. It's the airlines' fault, but it doesn't kill people to be nice and trade seats. With a family of four like OP's, just 2 of 8 possible people need to change seats. It's unlikely they all have some condition making this difficult. DCUMers love to wag their tongues about "entitled" parents who should have just done this or that, but fortunately, most people in real life are nicer and more helpful.

I agree with this. This thread is crazy.

I do like the idea of offering money. Heck, there was a time in my life I would have switched for $20.

[Anonymous]

I really don't understand why you booked a flight where the seats were not available to you. This is really YOUR fault. You are a freaking MONTH out. You should have booked the flight so that you had the seats you needed, taken another flight, whatever.

Typical of DC parents expecting people to switch for them.

I had to pay extra to take a flight because I needed a seat with my child next to me, I would never assume that someone would switch for me. You are just an asshole.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Most of you are ridiculous. No, everyone can't just pay more or take another airline. Those options aren't always available. One month isn't last minute, and sometimes work schedules, family emergencies, etc make it difficult or impossible to plan further ahead. And yet, little kids should not have to sit alone. Airlines created this problem by holding out SO many seats for which passengers must pay extra, greatly limiting the availability of "regular" seats. Guess what? Almost no one wants those seats, so they sit unreserved, until the day of the flight when they are given to whoever doesn't have a seat, without having paid extra. Meanwhile, families can't book seats (either at all or without paying a lot more) together because of the airlines' BS attempts to mickle and dime us for every damn thing. It's the airlines' fault, but it doesn't kill people to be nice and trade seats. With a family of four like OP's, just 2 of 8 possible people need to change seats. It's unlikely they all have some condition making this difficult. DCUMers love to wag their tongues about "entitled" parents who should have just done this or that, but fortunately, most people in real life are nicer and more helpful.

First, this is a vacation, not a family emergency. Second, this isn't just as simple as "be nice and trade seats." OP knowingly booked 4 separate middle seats--which are universally considered the least desirable--for a 5 hour flight across the country. Most people are "nice" and are willing to trade seats for a comparable seat (aisle for aisle, window for window, middle for middle).

But stop trying to make it so black and white. If someone asks you to trade your window/aisle seat for a middle seat on a long flight across the country, I think the person has every right to turn down that request without being deemed mean or unhelpful.

Exactly. She picked the cheapest seats on the cheapest flight and expects people to switch. She's a total and complete jerk for doing this.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:At five, both of our kids sat alone on direct flights to California. No problem. I'm guessing it won't be a big deal for the kids or other passengers if your kids wind up seated separately (though I'm guessing someone will offer to switch seats). The OP's kids are five, not three, so I don't think there's much to worry about, especially if she prepares them beforehand. They may see if as a big kid adventure!

Good for your kids. You're lucky. My kids are exceptionally shy, with one having a diagnosed anxiety disorder, and would have been terrified to fly at age 5 seated next to strangers with mommy/daddy far away.

We always fly Southwest whenever we can to try to avoid these situations.