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Original poster

How do you deal with rude passengers on a plane?

121 replies

gemmamay · 18/07/2005 14:26

Hi All

I must write and have a rant as I am so annoyed!

We have just flown back on from the US on a night flight - we have a 2 year old.

We did all we could to wear her out during the day, swimming, running about on the beach to make ure she would sleep - even had a some phenergan for emergencies!

When she started to cry (she sometimes does just before she konks out) the women in front turned around and started moaning to us, saying couldn't we jsut get her to go to sleep as she had been putting up with it for an hour (it was 5 mins max)!!!

I was so upset - dh tld her to sit back down and we were trying our best - I had to walk off as I was in tears.

The staff were great on the plane (BA flight) and talked to the woman and told her (she had been upgraded) if she wanted to sit child free she could do so back in economy!

But what would you do in that situation - flying with children is stressful enough but with passengers like that how are you supposed to cope?

PS - dd did sleep through in the end!

OP posts:

slim22 · 18/07/2005 16:23

Hi,
Nothing you can do about it.
hatstand, I could not put it better.
Most of us will obviously do our best to keep our kids quiet, but if the woman wants to moan let her moan.
Don't let it add to your own stress of dealing with baby.

fishfinger · 18/07/2005 16:25

no no reason at all to justify it but Id think that more monye = better flight adn that woudlnt include anyones kids

foxinsocks · 18/07/2005 16:26

When we were kids, my parents used to fly business class and leave us (there were 3 of us) together in our own row in economy. I'm sure it used to keep us very quiet - how I wished someone would whisk my kids away last time we flew and ds screamed non-stop for hours on end!

Ladymuck · 18/07/2005 16:29

BA Business class give out little bags which include ear plugs - I'd have handed them over!

Earlybird · 18/07/2005 16:30

I'm not looking to get into a debate here, as I'm simply giving my opinion based on my own experiences when I travelled alot for work.

Personally, I wouldn't take dd to theatre, ballet, opera etc because she's too young for it, and would disturb others who have paid good money to enjoy the show - not to be bothered by my dd. However,if I had money to burn , I would fly in the front of the plane with her, because it is more enjoyable, but also because I know she wouldn't disturb others. So, in one situation, she could handle it, in the other she couldn't. It's a question of judgement and consideration for others.

I think travelling first/business class raises the question of what people think they're getting when they pay alot of extra money for business or first class tickets. Most business people don't want to travel in a creche, IMO. Inflammatory? Perhaps, but have you ever travelled regularly on business? If you have, I bet you'd agree with me.

And, by the way, obviously, I had no problem if the children near me on the plane were well behaved, but there is no way to guarantee that, is there?

fishfinger · 18/07/2005 16:31

agree eb

hatstand · 18/07/2005 16:33

why does it raise the question of what you think you're getting? Have a look at the terms and conditions.

Caligula · 18/07/2005 16:34

But it's not a creche. It's just small noisy people. (Much like myself!)

Hulababy · 18/07/2005 16:36

My brother flew business class with work. Coming home one journey he had a man, obviously drunk, sat next to him. They had not set off before he was snoring heavily and loudly, invading my brother's space. They'd only been in the air a few moments before he was then sick everywhere, including on brother's clothes. My brother had complained before and then loder afterwards. After a while he was moved, but the drunk man was allowed to stay where he was and was cleaned up.

Beleive me, my brother would definite;ly prefer to be sat next to any child, than that man.

It isn't only children who bother others on planes!

foxinsocks · 18/07/2005 16:39

before I had kids when I travelled for work, I probably would have been v pissed off if I had howling/kicking kids near me in business class - especially as I often had to work on the flight or discuss work with a colleague (boring I know)

now that I have kids I would be a bit more tolerant but I have been told some airlines try to dissuade people from travelling business class with toddlers (saying either 1st or economy)

I think you get pissy people anywhere and you just have to grin and bear it (even though it's v v annoying especially in a small space!)

soapbox · 18/07/2005 16:46

I think allowing children to travel in 'business class' is why a lot of airlines have changed the name of the 'in between class' to club or upper class. Then the business travellers can't complain when they end up next to children.

Frankly, given that you had paid for your tickets and said lady had been upgraded I think that she had a bl**dy cheek. The ungrateful cow should have been carted back to cattle class tout suite!

If you can pay the price then I think it is quite acceptable for children to be in club or first class. Afterall travelling with children is far more stressful than business travel and if upgrading to a better class makes it more bearable for the parents then all good and well!

I have actually been upgraded to business class when flying BA along with the children

I have also been upgraded from business to first

I would love to say that I turned it down because I wanted to save the ears of my fellow passengers, however...

Janh · 18/07/2005 16:48

I always loved the bit in Home Alone where the kids went into cattle class and the parents into Business/First - what a top idea!

milge · 18/07/2005 16:53

I think whereever you are sitting, however much you or your plc have paid, other people's children are always annoying on a plane. Not as annoying as other adults though, who, unlike kids, have no excuse for rudeness.

katierocket · 18/07/2005 16:54

you paid for your flights then did you earlybird? not your company?
in actual fact parents with children have more of a right to be there than you have a right to grumble if they have paid personally for their ticket. 18 hour workday HA, do you not think the parents of young children have had a long long day too?

Earlybird · 18/07/2005 16:59

N, I didn't personally pay for the tickets. My company did. But, their justification for the additional expense (and they were very clear about it) was that I needed to arrive at my destination refreshed and ready to do business ater a long flight.

katierocket · 18/07/2005 17:01

sorry I just don't have any sympathy on that front. IMO they have just as much right to be there as you.

hunkermunker · 18/07/2005 17:26

Can't believe anyone takes a child on a plane. We holidayed in Wales (car journey, oh what fun) and France (ferry crossing, more actual fun) till we were ancient.

Hulababy · 18/07/2005 17:30

Ferry = more fun What? You really believe that? I hate ferries so much. Never again, if I can help it.

hunkermunker · 18/07/2005 17:33

More fun than a car journey with two siblings and the inevitable squabbles that close proximity create. We had things like leg room and space (well, more for run-ups to hit each other, but added variety ).

I do quite like ferry crossings though - lots of room to walk around, the sea to see - duty free on board that's not a small trolley loaded with watches - am I odd in this?

Hulababy · 18/07/2005 17:40

More fun than long car journey, possibly (maybe? just?) but I really hate ferries - I feel queasy the whole time. And we always go in October time and the weather means a rough crossing. And twice now we have been delayed and stuck on the ferry, just outside Dover, waiting and waiting and feeling sicker and sicker.

hunkermunker · 18/07/2005 17:41

Picture being stuck to your brother and sister with leg sweat for five hours, then tell me a ferry crossing is less fun

Hulababy · 18/07/2005 17:42

Did that bit too as a child! Used to have to endure the journey down to Cornwall. Took hours and hours. Remember stopping in lay bys for a picnic and for my dad to have a rest and snooze. Yes, hated that too!

See, flying is so much better

vickiyumyum · 18/07/2005 17:42

i've got 2 children and wouldn't dream of travelling in buisness class with them, because i know that they would at some point in the flight play up, be whingy etc and to be honest they annoy me enough without inflicting it on people who have had stressful business days and are looking forward to a peaceful and relaxing journey, whenever i have travelled without the children i love the peace and space that you get in business or first and most of the luxury of that is not having the children or any one elses children with me.

hunkermunker · 18/07/2005 17:44

I suppose it depends how long the flight is. I loathe sitting still for long and find anything more than a couple of hours torture. Went to Thailand and were lucky enough to have three seats both ways - I'd have gone postal without that extra room!

chicagomum · 18/07/2005 17:50

i have to say i'm rather surprised by the comments about children shouldn't be allowed in business class, they are people like the rest of us fgs. when we travelled over here we flew business class with dd (3) and ds (4months) and fellow passengers and crew commented on how well behaved they both were when we landed so it isn't a given that your in for a bad journey if in close proximity to a child. what rights do adults flying alone have over those flying with children?

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