Airline offers 'baby alert' on seats

Part of me thinks this is a good idea, if you're travelling for business and you need to get some shut eye, or work done before you land, you need the minimum of distractions. The other part of me (the Dad part) thinks it is entirely unfair. Whilst we take flying for granted, in small children the changes in pressure and a sense of the unknown can be very alarming for children, even physically uncomfortable. I recall flying with my two to Sydney 4 years ago, my kids were 5 and 2, and they were angels. Incredibly well behaved, but on the long Dubai to Sydney leg, towards the end they were getting restless and needed to move about the cabin - on the A-380, this wasn't an issue. Even still, there was still one broadsheet reading elderly gentleman who felt the need to sigh and tut every time my children walked by. Perhaps we forget we were kids once ourselves. Children are curious, inquisitive and full of energy. On a long flight and an enclosed space, it's inevitable that they'll get restless - ask any parent who has ever asked their child to "sit still, and be quiet for 5 minutes..." Thoughts? Would you actively select a seat, away from children if you could? #fcbt #flightcentre #Emirates #kidsonaplane #flyingwithkids https://lnkd.in/gF5dmpM

Now, can they do something about the people who rush the aisle on landing? #airtravel #business #etiquette

In some ways this is a good use of technology to improve customer satisfaction. It comes across, however, as a bit of a PR blunder. Small children and babies find the change in cabin pressure uncomfortable and will inevitably cry some of the time. As a traveller it is something we should just learn to tolerate. We were all babies once (a long time ago) :-) https://lnkd.in/dSMukR7 #airtravel

I am guessing other airlines will follow suit. https://lnkd.in/g_9HD8t #airlines #seating #babies

How about dealing with what get babies and their parents so uncomfortable in the first place? I can't imagine that pitting passengers against each other is going to help anything. Let's discuss the matter at the office and see how creative we can be.

“But some Twitter commentators urged him to be tolerant, while others said the problem could easily be solved with noise-cancelling headphones.” I don’t mind crying babies because I had one, too. However, one Twitterati’s comment about noise-canceling headphones was a great idea. Airlines should offer them to passengers around the baby. It would not cost much, and it would be a marketing ploy. It raises the following question, though: What does one do when adults cry?