LongLiveRafiki
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- Feb 8, 2017
My DH works for Spirit so we can technically fly standby for free as long as there are available seats. Since we would be stuck in whatever seats happen to be available (which almost certainly would not be together), we chose to PAY $600 for 3 tickets, $60 of which was to to select our seats, so we could sit next to our daughter. It's her first flight since she was a baby and I want her to feel comfortable and get used to flying, so I paid to ensure we would be together. Sure, I could have saved myself $600 and taken what is FREE to us, but I don't think it's right to expect anyone else (who probably paid for their seat assignment) to move to accommodate us and for this particularly flight, we needed to be together. If after this time she feels comfortable enough flying to not need to be next to us (and I'm almost certain she will), then we will fly standby, take whatever seats are available, most likely not be together, and would not dream of asking anyone else to move to accommodate us.
I find it ridiculous that it seems like certain people are trying to intimidate others into giving up their seats so they can sit next to their kid. If your kid is a nervous flyer or sick, it should be the parent's responsibility to ensure their child is sitting next to them. If you are not together, it is still your responsibility to take care of your child, not that of whatever adult is nearby that chose not to forfeit their paid for seat. It is not a complete stranger's responsibility to clean up your child's puke, remind them to use the restroom, entertain them, or in any other way babysit them. Sure, it's nice if that stranger offers to help a child open their snack when they are having trouble or strikes up a conversation, and I'm sure many adults would be happy to do this, but even that should not be expected.
This has nothing to do with people being sadistic or thinking that children should be separated from their parents. This is about taking responsibility for yourself and your family and not expecting others to have to move and potentially be less comfortable/lose money they paid to reserve a seat in advance.
I find it ridiculous that it seems like certain people are trying to intimidate others into giving up their seats so they can sit next to their kid. If your kid is a nervous flyer or sick, it should be the parent's responsibility to ensure their child is sitting next to them. If you are not together, it is still your responsibility to take care of your child, not that of whatever adult is nearby that chose not to forfeit their paid for seat. It is not a complete stranger's responsibility to clean up your child's puke, remind them to use the restroom, entertain them, or in any other way babysit them. Sure, it's nice if that stranger offers to help a child open their snack when they are having trouble or strikes up a conversation, and I'm sure many adults would be happy to do this, but even that should not be expected.
This has nothing to do with people being sadistic or thinking that children should be separated from their parents. This is about taking responsibility for yourself and your family and not expecting others to have to move and potentially be less comfortable/lose money they paid to reserve a seat in advance.