Is it appropriate to let your child kick the seat in front of them on an airplane?

post reply Forum Index » Infants, Toddlers, & Preschoolers
[Post New]07/15/2012 01:27
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Anonymous
I have back issues. It is incredibly uncomfortable for me to sit straight up for an hour or two, much less several hours. You would never guess I have back problems because I am much younger than the stereotypical person with these issues. Reclining the seat takes some of the pressure off.
Here's the thing: no one, except the person reclining in front you, knows why they are doing it. They may not be doing t to be a "jerk" or because they are "inconsiderate." There are many reasons that someone may need to recline or even sleep during the day.


Wow, what a completely unusual situation. I bet very few people could work a job that requires significant travel under the circumstances. Luckily, ADA provides for the significant disability you face and, as such, your condition is not at all germane to the conversation at hand.

Here's the thing. You are making excuses for being an inconsiderate jerk. Own it.
[Post New]07/15/2012 02:07
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Anonymous
Anonymous wrote:Was on a flight from DC to west coast last year and a child kept kicking. It was a work trip and I was stuck in coach. The parents were typical DC lassiez-faire parents who could care less after a few minutes i turned to the dad and sternly warned him that I would have this flight turned around if they didn't watch their child. Both parents shot me an incredulous look but that was the last time the child kicked. And no I don't recline. I so wanted to smack the smug look off the mother's face. Ugh.


Hm, maybe they shot you an incredulous look because you approached them in full-on attack mode with your "request"/demand/threat? Just consider.
[Post New]07/15/2012 07:07
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Anonymous
Anonymous wrote:Was on a flight from DC to west coast last year and a child kept kicking. It was a work trip and I was stuck in coach. The parents were typical DC lassiez-faire parents who could care less after a few minutes i turned to the dad and sternly warned him that I would have this flight turned around if they didn't watch their child. Both parents shot me an incredulous look but that was the last time the child kicked. And no I don't recline. I so wanted to smack the smug look off the mother's face. Ugh.


LOL they gave you a look like that because you're insane. You can't turn the plane around. You know it, they know it, so it just makes you look like an idiot to threaten it.
[Post New]07/15/2012 07:23
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Anonymous
Anonymous wrote:Realistically, with a tall but young toddler, the alternatives are some kicking or some crying. Take your pick.


No, but it does take creative, attentive parenting--quiet games, activities, books, etc. Some parents may not be used to that level of parenting, but we should do whatever is needed to be considerate of others on a flight.
[Post New]07/15/2012 08:09
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Anonymous
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:Realistically, with a tall but young toddler, the alternatives are some kicking or some crying. Take your pick.


Nope, most of us who've posted here have traveled with young toddlers. If you honestly think these are the only alternatives, I suggest you start a thread of your own next time you travel. We have lots of great tips for you to make the trip more pleasant for yourself, your toddler, and the people around you!
[Post New]07/15/2012 19:27
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Cloud
Member Offline
So back to the original question... kicking the seat in front is in no way acceptable for anyone. And I am a mom of a toddler and an infant who has flown over a dozen times with one or both children. And I would NEVER allow this unless the seat in front of them was EMPTY. And even then I would have to be seriously desperate to allow it.

And I recline when I want to sleep or like a PP said, to get some relief for low back pain. And that is my right, as it is YOUR right to recline YOUR seat.
[Post New]07/15/2012 19:35
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Anonymous
Cloud wrote:So back to the original question... kicking the seat in front is in no way acceptable for anyone. And I am a mom of a toddler and an infant who has flown over a dozen times with one or both children. And I would NEVER allow this unless the seat in front of them was EMPTY. And even then I would have to be seriously desperate to allow it.

And I recline when I want to sleep or like a PP said, to get some relief for low back pain. And that is my right, as it is YOUR right to recline YOUR seat.


This. I flew with my kids a lot when they were little. They never acted like that. I read to them, played with them, watched movies, sang, whatever it took. I would be really tired when we got there, but my kids did NOT act like animals on a plane. Not once.
[Post New]07/15/2012 19:43
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Anonymous
+1 for being THE MOST FOOLISH POST of the summer
[Post New]07/15/2012 19:58
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Anonymous
Anonymous wrote:Are there some ages where it is reasonable because of how old the child is, or should you physically be in control of your child at all times?


I haven't read any of the pages of replies, but I can't believe you even have the nerve (or are stupid enough) to ask this question. Seriously? No, it's not reasonable. You need to have control over your child or you have to not take them anywhere. Jesus, you people are unbelievable.
[Post New]07/30/2012 15:45
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Anonymous
Anonymous wrote:I'm 5'1. Recline your seat all you want. I got leg space for miiiiiiiiles.

Anytime I've flown with my daughter, I've called the airline immediately after booking and asked if there's bulkhead seats available. These are invaluable because there's nobody in front of them for them to kick!


You! You're 5'1" so there is no excuse for taking a bulkhead seat from those of us 6'+. Please stop!
[Post New]07/30/2012 16:01
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Anonymous
I do not let my kids kick seats or even use their trays (unless the are drinking) during flights so as not to bother other flyers.

But there is an age, around 3 1/2 to 4 years old, where if the kid is sitting properly in her seat with the seatbelt buckled, the legs stick straight out.

Because the airlines have the seats so close together, a child's feet will indeed touch the seat in front of them (if the child is sitting properly and buckled). To say seated, the kids will sometimes push off with their toes. It happens.

To all of those outraged posters, try sitting still for 3-6 hours with your legs strait in front of you, you seat hitting just below your knees, no support for your lower legs, and a verticle object touching your toes. Then tell me if you would be able to do this for 3-6 hours strait and never touch the seat in front of you. You wouldn't be able to do it, so why would you be angry with a 3 or 4 year old occassionally messing up?

I have had kids kick my seat and I have had a 6'4" guy behind me, and it is much less uncomfortable to have a kid occassionally kick the seat than to have a grown man's legs digging into my lower back the whole time.
[Post New]07/30/2012 19:06
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Anonymous
Anonymous wrote:

Ok, enough snarking. Honestly, I have no problem paying to fly what is essentially these days a bus with wings with not enough room for most people to be comfortable to fly for 4-6 hours (I'm often flying cross-country and I fly probably 10-15 times per year). I really just think they should not even allow the seats to recline. Have you seen the old Ellen Degeneres standup about it (hilarious, btw)? It's like 2 inches difference and you're still not that comfortable, but you're seriously encroaching on the space of the person behind you. I get that you might be a little more comfortable if you recline and want to sleep, but you have to be aware that the person behind you could be trying to work on a laptop or have a drink on their tray or otherwise use the 2 feet of space in front of their face. Yes, you paid for your seat, and yes, you are entitled to recline your seat if you so wish to give yourself that tiny bit of comfort, but if you don't realize you're probably making the person behind you more uncomfortable (let's not even get into the people in seats that don't recline), maybe you need to have a little more awareness of your surroundings.



For someone with back problems, reclining 2 inches can make a world of difference.
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