New law, parents/kids sitting together

[quandrea]

To those who disagree. I think people have forgotten that the "courtesy" of sitting with one's party used to be extended to all. Now it is extended to no one. Why? Because the airlines price gouge. That is the only reason. It's been accepted instead of fought. It's wrong. I'm speaking as an idealist I suppose. It's an opportunity for them to make money. There is no other reasonable explanation for it. If no one accepted it as a reasonable business practice, perhaps the ensuing mayhem would force airlines in another direction. Mass protest is how change comes about. I know that will never happen. What happens instead is what happens here. People turning on each other rather than saying that this practice is supremely unreasonable.

 

[Nancyg56]

To those who disagree. I think people have forgotten that the "courtesy" of sitting with one's party used to be extended to all. Now it is extended to no one. Why? Because the airlines price gouge. That is the only reason. It's been accepted instead of fought. It's wrong. I'm speaking as an idealist I suppose. It's an opportunity for them to make money. There is no other reasonable explanation for it. If no one accepted it as a reasonable business practice, perhaps the ensuing mayhem would force airlines in another direction. Mass protest is how change comes about. I know that will never happen. What happens instead is what happens here. People turning on each other rather than saying that this practice is supremely unreasonable.

I have forgotten nothing. I have been flying for over 37 years and have chosen my flights based on what I need for my family. You seem to believe that since we do not agree with you, we have no idea how it "should" be. I simply do note agree that a business should subsidize my family, my choices, or my inability to plan ahead.

 

[quandrea]

I have forgotten nothing. I have been flying for over 37 years and have chosen my flights based on what I need for my family. You seem to believe that since we do not agree with you, we have no idea how it "should" be. I simply do note agree that a business should subsidize my family, my choices, or my inability to plan ahead.

Okay. Perhaps it's cultural. I come from a country with significantly different values than the US. Different way of seeing the world. No harm in that. Good day.

 

[Nancyg56]

Okay. Perhaps it's cultural. I come from a country with significantly different values than the US. Different way of seeing the world. No harm in that. Good day.

Seriously? Our American values are lacking because I feel that if you need to choose a more expensive seat in order to ensure your entire family is seated together when there are multiple workarounds that would have enabled you to avoid the additional costs? Somehow I doubt that.

 

[maxiesmom]

Okay. Perhaps it's cultural. I come from a country with significantly different values than the US. Different way of seeing the world. No harm in that. Good day.

Or maybe we view things in that you get what you pay for, and parents don't deserve freebies because they birthed a few kids. Expecting a hand out is not a great value, from where I stand.

Seriously, if they go to having seat assignments without an added fee, they will just jack up the base cost of tickets. No one is going to get seat assignments for free. The cost will go up, and those who can now save money because they don't care where they sit on an airplane will get hosed and have to pay for something they don't need.

 

[quandrea]

Seriously? Our American values are lacking because I feel that if you need to choose a more expensive seat in order to ensure your entire family is seated together when there are multiple workarounds that would have enabled you to avoid the additional costs? Somehow I doubt that.

Yes seriously. I'm not saying American values are lacking. They are different. My country is way more socialist and we as a country don't say things like "my family, my choices." I think the socialist mentality pervades most of what we do and how we think. There is a real team approach and regard for common good. I don't see why you are so angry. I find it kind of fascinating to see the differences at work. This airline seating discussion comes up often here at home and I can tell you that without exception people tend to think the airlines are behaving in a despicable manner and that families should be looked after. As I said, different culture.

 

[quandrea]

Or maybe we view things in that you get what you pay for, and parents don't deserve freebies because they birthed a few kids. Expecting a hand out is not a great value, from where I stand.

Seriously, if they go to having seat assignments without an added fee, they will just jack up the base cost of tickets. No one is going to get seat assignments for free. The cost will go up, and those who can now save money because they don't care where they sit on an airplane will get hosed and have to pay for something they don't need.

You see this is our different cultures at work. People in my country don't think this way. We look after each other without considering it a hand out. We call it the social safety net and it works for us. Again your values are not lacking just different.

 

[maxiesmom]

You see this is our different cultures at work. People in my country don't think this way. We look after each other without considering it a hand out. We call it the social safety net and it works for us. Again your values are not lacking just different.

The thing is, I don't think only parents and their kids need looking after. A person who is stressed out by flying is just as deserving of a seat next to their traveling companion as anyone else. As is an elderly person, or someone with a disability. Anyone can choose to buy seats (on the airlines that offer that service). Parents can choose to buy them as well as anyone else.

I'm not sure how schools work in your country, but here it is fairly common to have very small children ride buses to schools without their parents every day. So sitting a few rows away on the same aircraft as their parents is really not that big of a deal.

You may think it great if all seats were automatically assigned. Fine. But be aware in that you will be paying the same, if not more, for those tickets than if you had simply paid for seat assignments. The airlines will not simply absorb that cost, no way.

 

[quandrea]

The thing is, I don't think only parents and their kids need looking after. A person who is stressed out by flying is just as deserving of a seat next to their traveling companion as anyone else. As is an elderly person, or someone with a disability. Anyone can choose to buy seats (on the airlines that offer that service). Parents can choose to buy them as well as anyone else.

I'm not sure how schools work in your country, but here it is fairly common to have very small children ride buses to schools without their parents every day. So sitting a few rows away on the same aircraft as their parents is really not that big of a deal.

You may think it great if all seats were automatically assigned. Fine. But be aware in that you will be paying the same, if not more, for those tickets than if you had simply paid for seat assignments. The airlines will not simply absorb that cost, no way.

Oh I completely agree. People should be seated with their party regardless of their need, be it families, those with anxiety, special needsWe don't do unassigned seating in my country. We know our seats once we check in. It is never a free for all. Perhaps we pay more with our flights. We do have seat selection fees, but they can sometimes be avoided with early online check in. We do not however see the anger and aggression surrounding this issue. Any anger is directed squarely at the airlines.

 

[rascooby]

Being separated from your children is not always the parent's fault. We booked our tickets for November with our 3 kids sitting by either myself or DH. We were in 2 rows. We didn't choose to pay for the upgraded seats, so we were in the middle of the plane. They have changed our seats twice. I think it's because they changed the plane. Anyway, at one point, they had each of us sitting separately in a middle row. That's not okay. If I hadn't seen it and been able to switch it before we flew, I would have been pretty upset.

Airlines give no discount for children, even though discounts are standard at most places (movies, amusement parks, trains, buses, etc). If we book together and choose seats together, it's not unreasonable to expect to be seated together. I would think that should be the case for any party sitting together, no matter what their situation. If you wait until the last minute, or book without choosing a seat, I wouldn't expect people to move to accommodate you.

 

[maxiesmom]

Being separated from your children is not always the parent's fault. We booked our tickets for November with our 3 kids sitting by either myself or DH. We were in 2 rows. We didn't choose to pay for the upgraded seats, so we were in the middle of the plane. They have changed our seats twice. I think it's because they changed the plane. Anyway, at one point, they had each of us sitting separately in a middle row. That's not okay. If I hadn't seen it and been able to switch it before we flew, I would have been pretty upset.

Airlines give no discount for children, even though discounts are standard at most places (movies, amusement parks, trains, buses, etc). If we book together and choose seats together, it's not unreasonable to expect to be seated together. I would think that should be the case for any party sitting together, no matter what their situation. If you wait until the last minute, or book without choosing a seat, I wouldn't expect people to move to accommodate you.

I agree. And I believe that is what the new bill is fixing, if you buy seats next to your child they have to make sure you stay seated next to your child.

 

[2009CAN]

I see what you are saying, but say you go to book a flight where there aren't enough seats available for your family to sit together, but there are enough available spread across the plane. Do you think that you shouldn't even be shown that flight, or the airline should rearrange everyone else so fit your family? Because that IS a planning problem. If you wait so long to buy tickets that there just aren't enough near each other then why should that flight be available to you? We have paid to sit together before when the kids were younger, now they are 8 and 11 and can handle short flights seated away from us.

I'm the OP, and I think you're missing my point.

I’ve flown with my three kids MANY times. And each time I book, I check if there are enough open seats for the kids to be sitting next to a parent. However, even though there are plenty of seats available, I have to pay upwards of $200 extra to ensure my kids are next to a parent. I think it stinks. If at booking there are enough seats to be able to keep my kids next to a parent, I think they should allow it w/o paying more.

It’s NOT safe for my kids to be near strangers, plus who would want the responsibility or bother of sitting next to a 2-7 year old who is not theirs? Not me!


So once again, I will pay the extra fees to ensure my kids are with ME or my DH. I just think it’s unfair.

And, I will say, that EVERY TIME I fly I see parents being separated from their kids and then the parents throw a FIT and the flight attendant has to BEG people to move seats. I think that’s utter BS, too. Clearly the parents know it’s going to be an issue but they don’t want to take the sure bet and pay for seats together. But it’s HIGHLY unfair to make another passenger who selected and paid for a specific seat to move. But it happens EVERY flight I’m on. And you can imagine how much worse it is when we fly to Orlando. It’s pretty much all families.

 

[wilkeliza]

I'm the OP, and I think you're missing my point.

I’ve flown with my three kids MANY times. And each time I book, I check if there are enough open seats for the kids to be sitting next to a parent. However, even though there are plenty of seats available, I have to pay upwards of $200 extra to ensure my kids are next to a parent. I think it stinks. If at booking there are enough seats to be able to keep my kids next to a parent, I think they should allow it w/o paying more.

It’s NOT safe for my kids to be near strangers, plus who would want the responsibility or bother of sitting next to a 2-7 year old who is not theirs? Not me!


So once again, I will pay the extra fees to ensure my kids are with ME or my DH. I just think it’s unfair.

And, I will say, that EVERY TIME I fly I see parents being separated from their kids and then the parents throw a FIT and the flight attendant has to BEG people to move seats. I think that’s utter BS, too. Clearly the parents know it’s going to be an issue but they don’t want to take the sure bet and pay for seats together. But it’s HIGHLY unfair to make another passenger who selected and paid for a specific seat to move. But it happens EVERY flight I’m on. And you can imagine how much worse it is when we fly to Orlando. It’s pretty much all families.

I think this is what the bill is trying to prevent. In your original situation there are two options take the seat the airline gives you or pay to select a seat. When you pay to select a seat you see that there are say 10 rows with all 3 seats open 5 rows with 2 of three open the 20 "exit row/extra leg" seats and then the rest only have 1 seat left open. I'm counting rows as 3 seats physically connected together i.e. 15 ABC is a row and 15 DEF is another row. Since you were able to book the flight for your family of 5 (can't remember if that is how many you have) and provide birthdays at time of booking the new law should meant that yoru family gets 2 rows either from a mix of the 10 rows of 3 and/or 5 rows of 2 so that one adult is in the same physical row as the children so perhaps you get 9ABC and 15 DE. Not the best since the whole family isn't together but at least 1 adult is with each minor child. You shouldn't have to pay to guarentee that. Now if you want to guarantee all 5 sit in row 1 ABC and 1DE then you have to pay like everyone else or if there is honestly only extra leg available then you have to pay just like someone else would. In either case you shouldn't have to have an anxiety attack that your 3 year old may end up between 2 grown adults that you've never emt in your entire life for several hours of a flight.

A school bus is incredibly different than a commercial airline flight. A school bus is full of kids who are of similar age. I would not want a 3 year old sitting next to a complete adult stranger and as of now would pay to ensure that doesn't happen but heck sometimes you do pay extra and end up bumped to different places!

(not sure if what I was saying makes sense)

 

[Barbara76]

I'm the OP, and I think you're missing my point.

I’ve flown with my three kids MANY times. And each time I book, I check if there are enough open seats for the kids to be sitting next to a parent. However, even though there are plenty of seats available, I have to pay upwards of $200 extra to ensure my kids are next to a parent. I think it stinks. If at booking there are enough seats to be able to keep my kids next to a parent, I think they should allow it w/o paying more.

It’s NOT safe for my kids to be near strangers, plus who would want the responsibility or bother of sitting next to a 2-7 year old who is not theirs? Not me!


So once again, I will pay the extra fees to ensure my kids are with ME or my DH. I just think it’s unfair.

And, I will say, that EVERY TIME I fly I see parents being separated from their kids and then the parents throw a FIT and the flight attendant has to BEG people to move seats. I think that’s utter BS, too. Clearly the parents know it’s going to be an issue but they don’t want to take the sure bet and pay for seats together. But it’s HIGHLY unfair to make another passenger who selected and paid for a specific seat to move. But it happens EVERY flight I’m on. And you can imagine how much worse it is when we fly to Orlando. It’s pretty much all families.

I was actually talking to the person I quoted. I understand 100% what you are saying, I agree that it is unfair to ask people to move, which is why as many people have pointed out we have the option to go with a carrier where choosing your seat is built into the cost or to say for the ability to do so on the budget airlines. So I think you and I are on the same page

 

[Nancyg56]

I'm the OP, and I think you're missing my point.

I’ve flown with my three kids MANY times. And each time I book, I check if there are enough open seats for the kids to be sitting next to a parent. However, even though there are plenty of seats available, I have to pay upwards of $200 extra to ensure my kids are next to a parent. I think it stinks. If at booking there are enough seats to be able to keep my kids next to a parent, I think they should allow it w/o paying more.

It’s NOT safe for my kids to be near strangers, plus who would want the responsibility or bother of sitting next to a 2-7 year old who is not theirs? Not me!


So once again, I will pay the extra fees to ensure my kids are with ME or my DH. I just think it’s unfair.

And, I will say, that EVERY TIME I fly I see parents being separated from their kids and then the parents throw a FIT and the flight attendant has to BEG people to move seats. I think that’s utter BS, too. Clearly the parents know it’s going to be an issue but they don’t want to take the sure bet and pay for seats together. But it’s HIGHLY unfair to make another passenger who selected and paid for a specific seat to move. But it happens EVERY flight I’m on. And you can imagine how much worse it is when we fly to Orlando. It’s pretty much all families.

I have seen this as well. I always book airlines that I can pick my seat if I need to be absolutely sure I have the children near me. I have always offered to move if parents need help, but I have to say, if I fly an airline like SOuthwest, I make sure I am ready to check in 24 hours in advance and unless there is some huge malfunction, anyone who does has a good choice of seats.

 

[2009CAN]

I think this is what the bill is trying to prevent. In your original situation there are two options take the seat the airline gives you or pay to select a seat. When you pay to select a seat you see that there are say 10 rows with all 3 seats open 5 rows with 2 of three open the 20 "exit row/extra leg" seats and then the rest only have 1 seat left open. I'm counting rows as 3 seats physically connected together i.e. 15 ABC is a row and 15 DEF is another row. Since you were able to book the flight for your family of 5 (can't remember if that is how many you have) and provide birthdays at time of booking the new law should meant that yoru family gets 2 rows either from a mix of the 10 rows of 3 and/or 5 rows of 2 so that one adult is in the same physical row as the children so perhaps you get 9ABC and 15 DE. Not the best since the whole family isn't together but at least 1 adult is with each minor child. You shouldn't have to pay to guarentee that. Now if you want to guarantee all 5 sit in row 1 ABC and 1DE then you have to pay like everyone else or if there is honestly only extra leg available then you have to pay just like someone else would. In either case you shouldn't have to have an anxiety attack that your 3 year old may end up between 2 grown adults that you've never emt in your entire life for several hours of a flight.

A school bus is incredibly different than a commercial airline flight. A school bus is full of kids who are of similar age. I would not want a 3 year old sitting next to a complete adult stranger and as of now would pay to ensure that doesn't happen but heck sometimes you do pay extra and end up bumped to different places!

(not sure if what I was saying makes sense)

EXACTLY! That's how I understood it to be, or maybe hoping it was how it would be. I truly do not care if DH and one child are separated from me and the other two kids. I just want a parent to be by an adult they know

 

[Aliceacc]

I think it's entirely possible to disagree without "forgetting" anything or "turning on" anyone. And I don't think that any one culture has ownership of a "team approach."

In my mind, it's as simple as this:

I want my family to sit together-- either in 2 adjacent rows or in both ends of the same row.

So I book a flight that allows us to choose those seats.

If the airline were to change our seats, and my kids were young enough for the law to apply to them, then I would fully expect them to make arrangements for my kids to be seated near one or the other of us, since those are the seats I booked and paid for.

But it's why I've never flown Southwest, even though they're cheaper and very convenient to my Long Island home: because I can't choose the seats.

It's more of a part of the flight decision than the date, the time, the airport (we have a choice of 3 nearby) or even the price. If they don't have enough seats open that we can book them together, then the flight can't accommodate my family. It's simply not an option for us, any more than a standard room at the Values, which only sleep 4, is an option for my family of 5.

 

[BLAZEY]

Seat assignment should be included in the price of the seat, done time the seat is purchased. Not doing so lets the airline over book the flight. People in the same reservation should be seated together or in smaller groups.

 

[AussieDisneyMum]

If you book on line it will tell you if seats are for purchase, and what will happen if you don't purchase them. Not all airlines are the same.

Thank you for the information. I will be doing the bookings myself online and now I can relax knowing I won't get unknowingly caught out. For the record, my biggest concern about being separated from my children on a plane is that they will be too timid to let other passengers know they need to get out to go to the restroom if the other passengers are sleeping - and the inconvenience to said passengers. I am the parent - I get to play Jill-in-the-box.

 

[Hikergirl]

I don't see it as lack of planning on a parent's part. I see it as blatant gouging by the airlines. I have a legal responsibility to care for my children. The airlines are despicable in that they exploit that responsibility in order to make money. They don't realistically want parents seated away from young children so they trap you into paying that ridiculous fee. It's disgusting. Instead of laying blame at the feet of the airlines, people turn on one another. Sad really.

If your own children who you have a legal responsibility to care for aren't enough for YOU to pay the money to make sure you sit next to them that has nothing to do with the airlines.