To put DC, aged 8 and 9, in Economy while I fly in Club with a 2yo and the nanny

[firemansamisnormansdad]

OK, so it wasn't actually me. But I boarded a flight from the USA yesterday and was shocked that this Mom did this to her own children. I have heard that people do this. Is there ever any real justification? My DH was sitting next to them and the little girl was getting quite scared at the turbulence. The Mom said that she would send the nanny down and swap places with DD during the flight, but she never did. I could never do this - I want my precious ones near me during a flight, especially an 8 hour one!

Ginny, they sit UMs together and the cabin crew supervise them.

Molly, I would add that your parents were completely crap that day and there is no way that was acceptable in Corsica or England or anywhere else in Europe.

OP, book three seats in Economy and have the nanny sit with the set kids most of the time, whilst you look after the toddler in club, and the swap with her now and again so you get to see your kids, and she gets to sit-in the nice big seat for a while. Otherwise you are potentially causing future employment issues with the nanny.

I have twice been on a budget flight where they wouldn't take off until there was a responsible accompanying adult in the same group of seats as their child. On the other hand I boarded an overnight flight with a 3 year old where despite checking in hours earlier, they had given us seats in seperate rows, and the stewardess couldn't see what the problem was! The passengers shuffled themselves around to give us seats together. We were very thankful to them, but equally I am sure no one wanted a tired 3 year old beside them for 8 hours.

I think the woman was an asshole and why did she bother cluttering the planet with kids.

But guys, seriously, sorry for 'businessmen' and everything - I mean 'business people' of course - but isn't it a bit thoughtless to take young children in the travel classes that people pay for in order to have peace and quiet? I don't sit with my two year old in the quiet carriages and I wouldn't take her in 1st either for the same reason (even if I could afford it!)

boffinmum it wasn't me and we've already flown (all of us in economy BTW) xx

And I don't even have a nanny.

No Weissbier, business and first are for everybody who pays the price (or is upgraded). Yes, if I have to go to a meeting straight from the night flight, I would not be exactly thrilled if there's a screaming baby next to me, but that's life and the baby has exactly as much right to be in business as I do.

Although I'd quite like one, especially now on a Sunday morning to take DS off our hands so that we can have a lie-in ;)

Weissbier - funny that. BA had no problem taking over 6 grand for my 12 month and 3 yr olds club class (business) seats - seems the airlines don't care as long as they get their money. They were probably better behaved and quieter than some folk that travel BC.

Boffinmum I am for real. Lots of people kill time drinking while flying and god only knows what conversations may be had by total random strangers to each other, seated inches from your children. I personally would not choose to leave kids unsupervised with the potential of being surrounded by drunk strangers.

The strangers don't have a responsiblity to the kids, the parents do.

wasn't there an issue a while back where airlines wouldn't sit lone children next to male passengers? Rings a bell.

Hazel I had that on a flight - 18 month old twins. Mum doing all she could to placate them, their father completely ignoring them. The stewardesses were walking around the carriage apologising. I was straight off the plane and into a series of meetings for a day non stop and then had a 12 hour flight back. I had the worst jet lag I have ever had and felt sick for several days with it. I now ask when I travel long haul whether there are children seated near by. I'm afraid I'm a bit nimby about children in business class. Most people flying that class are doing so because their employer expects them to be up and running as soon as they land (at least that is why I'm allowed to fly business on flights over 4 hours).

i had the same with my wedding, horrible children (and mums) keeping the whole plane awake with the screaming. I spent the whole week feeling sick with the jetlag, which was a big problem as I was only going to be there for a week.

I am more tolerant with children nowadays but I expect parents to show a bit of consideration to other passengers' needs in long haul flights.
I would be totally horrified to find out a misbehaving child in first or business class if I had paid hundreds or thousands of pounds more to arrive relaxed or have some time to work.

Parents should of course drug their children with extra doses of calpol to ensure other passenger's comfort is not disturbed.

(joke)

Weissbier, err no, I travel with my 1 and 3 year old business class, both short and long haul. It's just easier because of the baggage allowance, food and lounge. The cost of dc1 is I think (dh normally books hols!) the same as ours and dc 2 is free (though tax and fees have to be paid). Bottom line is that they have just as much right to be there as everyone else as we have either paid full fare or have used airmiles which is built up because we have flown a lott).

Ach, I've probably just got sour grapes as we're always at the back by the toilets anyway :) (DD likes to shout 'Poo!' every time someone which enhances everyone's travel experience no end ...)

every time someone comes out of the loo, I mean!

'I had to suffer two horrible, rude, nasty boys sat behind me when their parents were along in business. They were about 10 and 13. Old enough to look after themselves but sadly seemed to have been taught no manners at all. I think they seriously offended everyone who could hear them.
To be honest I was furious with their parents. So inconsiderate.'

I'd have complained to the crew about them. Over and over.

Ultimately it's a form of public transport and as such you run the risk of sitting near people you don't like or who annoy you. The only way to ensure control of your environment is to charter you own plane. Otherwise use ear plugs

GOOD LORD !!!!!

I was on this very flight!!

I was going to post on AIBU too!!!!

I could not believe my eyes. The woman was soooo entitled. "These good people will look after you" she was going to the open-mouthed passengers sitting around her kids. Well, I'd be the first to help a child who was separated from her mother/parent by dint of seating problems, but I'd be more than put out if the mother had chosen to sit in 1st class away from her responsibilities.

A woman offered to swap with the woman, not realising that she was purposely sitting separately, and the woman said "Oh, you are sweet!" and laughed at the notion that she would sit in coach. And she was also saying to the children, "Mommy needs her sleep". God, she was awful.

On this flight I was separated from dh and the dcs. Dd was badly sick and a very kind woman helped dh mop up dd. It must have been awful for her! Can you imagine if this had happened to one of the dcs in this post while the Mom had been snoozing up in 1st class?

Hi Letty welcome aboard! I hope you weren't sitting on the GHK side as my son didn't go to sleep until midnight (US time) and was shouting at the top of his voice as he had his earplugs on full. it was his second only flight. Did you hear the Mom say that she'd asked other people in club to swap with her daughter but they wouldn't? My DH and the man behind me also were tempted to nobly offer up their seats and swap for her club seat! It's a shame really, because the woman is obviously charming and if I met her at a function we'd probably get on very well. But I would NEVER separate my family on a plane like she did. Also, did you see them in the immigration line? The nanny was giving filthy looks to the girl which makes me think she's only employed to look after the 2yo. Poor kids. They were very sweet. Maybe this is how we should be bringing up our kids to make sure they turn out right. Can't see them looking after us in our old age if we did, though...

I don't think I'd get on very well with her at a function! I know the type: I worked for one once. She was acting as if all us economy passengers were serfs who would be only too thrilled to look after her dcs. She was a real piece of work.

Lol at the notion that anyone who was just stretching out in a Club bed would nobly trot off down to economy to sit with the rabble.

Jings, I think I was on that flight too, amazing! Was sitting beside a dad and his little girl who threw up. The dad tried his best but I had to clear the little mite up as the mum sat off on her tod somewhere happily watching a movie, lucky her. Couldn't get a wink as another mum let her little darling shout at the top of his voice until midnight, she sheepishly looked round giving loads of faces so that helped of course. Tell ya some folk are so entitled.

I work for a large, international airline. Won't say who as I might out myself. However, I'd be very interested to know which airline allowed this as mine certainly wouldn't.

Here's what would happen in this scenario with my company:

At check in, children of this age would be identified as travelling in economy on their own and their parents would be given the option of paying to upgrade them so they'd be sitting together, the parents downgrading to economy so the children weren't alone or the children travelling as UMs - but only if resources allowed at this late stage. Under no circumstances would children be left to sit in economy on their own for a number of reasons - primarily air travel safety but there have been cases of children and adults being assaulted on flights, especially overnight routes (not common but it does happen, I've met victims at the gate before with the police). No airline wants this to happen. Additionally, airlines don't as a general rule allow passengers to flit back and forth between cabins as the mom in this scenario appeared to want to do...

Over the years, I've seen a number of entitled parents turn up to check in to first or business class with little Tilly and Tommy all ready for their economy journey - and to demand a free upgrade for them upon the rules being reiterated to them. It is amazing to see! And also quite interesting to see their reactions when we offer a free downgrade for them to economy. Oh no, they couldn't possibly travel like that. Really? But you'd make your kids...