Flight Woes: The Toddlers from Hell

[Ed Wetschler]

In the seats directly behind me on this morning's flight from JFK  to St. Maarten, there was a couple with two boys (I'd guess two and three years old) who howled and screamed and yelled the entire trip. I've sat in front of qvetchy kids before, but never this loud, insistent, and out of control. The plane was full, so I couldn't change seats. What would you have done?

[Allan Lynch]

I would have spoken to the flight attendant to ask her/him to speak to the parents. Sometimes with small children I think parents are so used to hearing the noise they no longer notice, like living next to a busy road - you stop hearing the traffic.

I know kids will be kids, but parents have to be prepared to also be considerate to others around them. 

Maybe the flight attendants have colouring books and crayons they could hand out to quiet the kids down.

[Candice Sabatini]

I agree with Allan,

Sure, kids will be be kids, but some parents just don't hear the noise in the same way as strangers do. Or are simply self-centered idiots, and the world should have to put up with their rude children.  I'm sure you're not the only one who had to suffer Ed, and I think some words to the FA would be a good idea.

It's a shame that teaching children manners - even the concept of indoor voice -  is the role of a FA, but sadly, it often comes to that.

[Susan Montgomery]

You will be doing the children's parents, the children, and those around you a favor by speaking to the FA, who will hopefully take some steps to intervene.  A little crying is expected from kids but not to this extent.   Most parents come prepared with toys and snacks to distract children or they should.  You didn't pay good money to be disturbed all the way to St. Maarten.  Earphones might help if nothing else works.