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Original poster

any cabin crew around?

17 replies

ilovemydogandmrobama · 05/01/2010 18:10

Going to California on Friday with DD (3) and DS (22 months).

Have just been told there are no seats together.

Please tell me they won't make 3 year old sit in a different part of plane.

Anyone know the procedures?

TIA

OP posts:
mumoverseas · 05/01/2010 18:21

Not cabin crew but just wanted to say there was a thread a month or so ago about sitting separately and I'm pretty sure someone who said they were cabin crews said that under airline regulations they were not allowed to seat young families separately. They apparently (and sensibly!) have to be together in case of an emergency. Might be worth you doing a search on here.
Good luck, hope you sort it out and have a lovely holiday

GothDetective · 05/01/2010 18:23

I'm sure they will move someone on a long haul flight with a 3yo. Either that or if you dump a crying 3yo on a seat next to a stranger and instruct them to look after her for the next 8 hours then I'm sure they will offer to move.

Original poster
ilovemydogandmrobama · 05/01/2010 18:33

Thanks Mumoverseas!

Oh good point Goth! .

OP posts:
bran · 05/01/2010 18:49

They will quite often swap people around at the gate before you board the plane. Point out at check in that you need to be seated together, then point it out to the staff checking boarding cards and passports at the gate. It's happened to me a few times that I couldn't get seated with DS and it's always been sorted out before boarding.

mamakoukla · 05/01/2010 19:34

Just to add to what other posters are saying... we have had separate seats assigned in the past.

Ask at check-in, ask at the boarding gate, ask the flight attendants so that they can make arrangements to seat you together.

They have always managed to sort it out (and we are v. grateful!). On the whole, I have found flight attendants more pleasant and helpful since we've had DD, possibly because they realise how stressful this is for the parents.

Safe journey!

mumoverseas · 06/01/2010 08:33

oh and forgot to say, get to check in as soon as it opens then they can't come out with all that nonsense about not having seats together and not being able to change anything.
We had this when we flew in the summer. Even though we'd booked around six months in advance and had it confirmed on several occasions that we had the bulkhead row with the bassinet, when we got to check in as soon as it opened we were told we couldn't have seats together. Myself and DS (baby) and possibly DD (3) could sit together but DH couldn't. After about 15 minutes of arguing they miraculously managed to seat us together.

Am anticipating this on Friday night when we fly. Again all booked in advance confirmed etc but then DH made an amendment to the booking last week and no doubt that will have buggered it all up.

Original poster
ilovemydogandmrobama · 06/01/2010 08:37

We travel on friday too... Currently the local airport is closed, so wonder what they will do

Will get there early though as you suggest....

OP posts:
mumoverseas · 06/01/2010 09:46

oh no, which is your local airport? We are around 10 mins from LGW and it is very snowy here. Fingers crossed.
Am just onto phone to Bloody Emirates trying to explain that unless they sit us together (have just confirmed to DH they can't) a 3 year old will scream for the whole 7 hour flight!

oldraver · 06/01/2010 23:06

Yes it is against CAA regulations to have young children seated seperately. You could quote this if they are awkward but form what others have said they seem to accomodate. It seems to be the 'bus' type of flights that cause problems

We're supposed to be flying Tuesday.. I hope we can all go. My Mum was delayed and sat on the plne on the ground for 6 1/2 hours before Christmas. I'm worried we wont even m,ake it to the airport

AttilaTheMeerkat · 07/01/2010 07:51

Which airline is it you're flying with?.
Some airlines like BA let you check in with children 3 days prior to travel.

It is against regulations for young children to be seated separately.

Original poster
ilovemydogandmrobama · 07/01/2010 08:35

Continential from Bristol.

Hope the plane is somewhat empty as DS (22 months and very active) will be on my lap. Am starting to really regret not getting him a seat, but seemed like a good idea at the time....

OP posts:
cleanandclothed · 07/01/2010 11:24

Can anyone link to the regulations? Would love to have that printed out to keep with our travel docs when we need it.

laughalot · 07/01/2010 11:32

They cannot 100% split children from parents, they can split parents up but for safety regulations children need to be with at least one aprent or carer.

oldraver · 07/01/2010 23:50

caa guidlines

Scroll down to family groups

cleanandclothed · 08/01/2010 09:03

Thank you!

SueW · 08/01/2010 09:37

I used those CAA guidelines a couple of years ago to quote to a holiday company who wanted to charge me something ridiculous like £25-£35 for DD - then aged 9/10yo - and I to be guaranteed to sit together.

They relented. Of course.

Some airlines - like Virgin - have a family policy which means that no-one, even those who have pre-booked their seats, is guaranteed that seat because they may need to move you to accommodate other passengers. It tells you this when you choose your seat online.

mumoverseas · 08/01/2010 10:55

oldraver that is really useful, thank you for that. Will print and keep with passport.
We've had this issue so many times and already know we will have it tonight when/if we fly. Emirates have told DH and I twice on the phone that we will not be sitting together (one of us will have to have the baby and 3 year old and the other sitting separately) even though when we booked we had our seats (with bassinet) confirmed in writing. arses

Hope you manage to get your flight and seats sorted ok ilovemydog

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