There is always bound to be some ####### moron who wants to spout off about the fact that there are small children on the plane. In most cases, those idiots either never had kids, or forgot what it was like. In either case, that's not your problem.
Ugh.
Gopher. As someone who has to travel on a regular basis for work. I probably hate you and your ilk. Inconsiderate clods.
Well, based on this response, I was about to simply say that the feeling is pretty much mutual, and leave it at that.
There is always bound to be some ####### moron who wants to spout off about the fact that there are small children on the plane. In most cases, those idiots either never had kids, or forgot what it was like. In either case, that's not your problem.
Ugh.
Gopher. As someone who has to travel on a regular basis for work. I probably hate you and your ilk.
I should probably edit this and say, that although the vast majority of the flights I've been on have been good, and there have been multiple good kids on every flight... there are those occasions where there is a mix of bad parenting/fussy/angry/sick/miserable children that it turns some flights into torture. UNFORTUNATELY, it happens enough to turn the entire flying event into a crapshoot, which is only made worse being in those smaller planes and tighter general seating.
If you have other options... take them, if not, don't hold it against the guy that worked a full shift, had to fly 8 hours with three separate connections while still having to report the day after he gets off; when he hates you for bringing your small children aboard knowing you couldn't control them for the duration of whatever leg of the flight you are on.
But, given that you took the time to explain yourself a bit, I'll add this. I get what you're saying. I've been there. Prior to having kids, I can remember being annoyed, from time to time, by crying/screaming babies on flights. I didn't enjoy it, but I also didn't go out of my way to make sure the parents knew that I didn't enjoy it, either. Because, as much as I (and the other passengers) weren't having any fun listening to that crying/screaming child, I was pretty sure that their parents were enjoying it even less than the rest of us. It sucks, and now that I've been in that position myself, I sympathize for people in that position even more.
That said, I agree that, occasionally, you see parents who don't seem to be able to do anything about their crying kid, and they don't seem to care, either. Or, the parent who is oblivious to the fact that their kid is messing with the tray table for the entire flight, or worse yet, kicking the seat in front of them, reaching up and grabbing the person sitting in front of them, etc. Whether it's that they truly don't care what other people think (or care that they're making other people miserable), or that they are simply clueless when it comes to how they might be able to control/improve the situation, I have no idea. But, even when a parent is doing absolutely nothing to soothe their screaming baby, or misbehaving toddler, I'm probably going to be more likely to either ignore the situation (or offer to help in some way) than to find a way to make them feel worse. Because (and this is the key to this whole discussion, in my opinion), I have no idea what exactly they might be going through.
It's easy for people on both sides of this discussion to say that the other side should find another way to travel. But, for most of us (again, on both sides), that's not a feasible option. Trust me... My family doesn't fly unless we have no other option. If driving is possible, that's what we'll do. It's less expensive, and less stressful, if for no other reason than that we can pull over, pretty much any time, if needed. If we're flying, it's to see family (from MN to CA), or it's short enough trip (time-wise) that we can't make it work driving. Likewise, people who travel regularly for business can't possibly drive to/from their destinations, given the time expectations (so they're pretty much stuck flying), and I get that.
So, I have no problem with people who are slightly annoyed by my child's (or anybody else's child's) crying. To the contrary, that's expected, and I'm guessing 95% of the people on the plane are annoyed in that situation (myself and my wife included). Even if you're not "annoyed" by it, it's likely to raise a person's level of stress. After all, it's not a pleasant thing to listen to, for anybody. I just don't think there's any reason for someone to go out of their way to make sure the parent knows they're annoyed. Or, even worse, the guy who acts all exasperated that there is a child on the plane, even when that child is very well-behaved. Those are the people (and, to be fair, they are few and far between) who can go #### themselves, as far as I'm concerned.
