Travel plan idea blog

AS A MOM WHO TRAVELS FREQUENTLY WITH HER 2 YEAR OLD, WAS APALLED WHEN I READ THAT ARTICLE. (IVE BEEN TRAVELING WITH MY DAUGHTER SINCE SHE WAS 2MONTHS OLD) AND I NEVER ENCOUNTED SUCH BEHAVIOR..SHE SHOULD DEFINIATLY BE FIRED OR SUSPENDED. AND TO SUGGEST DRUGGING A CHILD...MAYBE SHE SHOULD HAVE BEEN DRUGGED.. AND IF I WAS A PILOT I WOULD HAVE REMOVED THE FA INSTEAD OF THE PASSANGERS.

fire the stupid waitress
i'll try never to fly that airline

That is outrageous. I won't fly that airline nor the one which opposes a women's right to breastfeed her child. I disagree with your comments about breastfeeding. It is the most natural thing in the world. It especially should be permitted if one cannot bring bottles on board.

before everyone believes the mother's story we should check out the facts. you notice only she is heard from, all the other witnesses on the plane had flown off. why didn't the news follow up and get their story on what happened? and faa rules DO NOT allow a flight attendant to make the decision on returning to gate and kicking off a passenger. only the pilot has this right. why didn't the reporter know this and follow up on it?? there is something about this story that's missing. i'm not saying something bad might not have happened but the reporting was shoddy at best without facts to back it up. and has anyone seen any sort of follow up story to this?? i haven't which makes me wonder what really happened

If this story is true as written the FA should be suspended for 30 days no pay.

I also agree, this FA should be fired. Apparently, customer service is not her thing. I have 2 children who I have flown with on multiple occassions, and I give a BIG AMEN to the no breastfeeding!!! I am sorry, but I don't want to see your breasts, I CERTAINLY don't want my children to see your breasts and my husband doesn't want to either. Breastfeeding may be the most natural thing in the world, but so is passing gas, having a bowel movement and burping-and I certainly wouldn't tolerate this either in the public part of the plane!!! Go in the bathroom!

mommy of 2, burping, farting, bowel movements and the like may be natural, but can hardly compare with nuturing and feeding a child. While she could have covered up while breastfeeding, suggesting that one go to the bathroom for it, is, well, disgusting (to put it mildly)! Do you eat your meals in the bathroom? Gimme a break...

I actually did see a follow-up story on CBS news about this occurrence. First, the FA didn't make the decision to return to the gate and remove the child and mother from the flight. It was the pilot, basing his decision on the lies about being threatened that he was told by the FA. Second, other passengers were consulted. In fact it is when other passengers near the mother and child spoke-up on their behalf to the FA, that the FA became most annoyed.

If a mother and child are covered up what is the big deal? Have you seen the 1/2 naked woman that walk around with their boobs and fat rolls hanging out over their shirts and pants? That is totally nasty. Or how about the woman with the g string sticking out of the back of their pants? Breastfeeding your child is natural and if it is covered up then big deal. You don't want to look than don't.

While it's trendy to side with the mother of the 1.5 yr old child I do not. Over the years I've sat next to or near squalling, brattish, undisciplined children and their mindless, 'look-at-me' parents that I no longer fly. Neither do I take other forms of public transportation hosting such repulsive behavior. Cute is cute, but not when it interferes with the safety of the traveling public. In this case, the flight attendant had a strict duty, mandated by the FAA, to ensure the other passengers had the safety regulations imprinted in their minds for the trip. As for the breastfeeding. What kind of mother plops out her breast in public for all to see. There's something oedipal about that! At the very least it's voyeuristic and unsocietal/George

Why breastfeeding is very natural, there's ways to cover up without being offensive to anyone, and at the same time feeding your child. I have three children and I would rather cover up. If there's any truth to the story about the FA being able to kick someone off the plane for something that small the faa rules suck, and I wouldn't fly with that airline and I would tell everyone that come into my place of buisness not to fly them as well.

All these people are outraged, I have no problem with the flight attendant kicking the baby off the plane. It shouldnt be there in the first place.

Can a baby follow instruction in an emergency? no
Can a baby ruin a flight for surrounding passengers? yes

keep the babies off the planes. period

I do sympathize with people who say not to allow any babies on the plane. In fact, if there was a flight with no one under 18 allowed, that's where you'd probably find me.

But if you're allowing babies on the plane, let them stay there when they say "bye bye plane" - for the flight attendant to lie about the mother making threats is just stupid.

With the breast feeding thing, I have no problem with breast feeding but the mother should have accepted the blanket.

It's all getting out of hand, it's not just the flight attendent it's also the piolt the ceo's of these airlines the cops that show up to take these people off the plane it's all of them. now let's ask the question did they also have the bags removed if they didn't they proved there was no threat my advise is boycott these airlines the APA and any group that thinks everybody is a threat prior to september 11 we had ceos that defacated on food carts and was disresectful to the flight crews and they did nothing about it so lets ask the question whats the problem now ladies and gentlemen

What is wrong with breastfeeding? Men have their shirts off all the time and some look unsightly. Does anyone complain about that? Why is a woman's chest something that needs to be covered? Why can't women breastfeed? First of all, it was what nature intended. Second of all, there is nothing sexual about it. Doesn't everyone eat in public? Why can't an infant? Also, why has everyone become so intolerant of children? We should be intolerant about the ways the airlines treat us. Don't take out frustrations on women and children. Change the real problem.

to george and all others who think like him: you no longer fly, or use public transportation because of children? Maybe you should go live in a cave where no one & nothing could bother you? YOU George are not for society. Society has a wide veriety of people, and it looks like you are the one that does not fit in. And what makes you think that the children are not dicsiplined? Because they might be loud? Well if you knew anything at all (maybe you are uneducated or grew up with wolves & no famliy) kids can not communicate like adults and flying is tough and they ,might not be up to the task of just ignoring it. George it looks like you need some dicispline and manners.

My goodness, which of you was never an 18 month old child. which of you never passed gas or belched or accidentally did some less than proper behavior in public thinking no one would notice.
give the kid a break. Put nursing mom's and small children at the top of the list for receiving your most tolerant attitude.

I'm a bit curious about the story of the mother and baby being removed from the plane. Perhaps, as was suggested, the press didn't get it right. I have my doubts that they were forced to leave because the child said bye to an airplane 1,000 and one times!! It is possible that he or she was jumping up and down on the seat, as children do, and was being a real brat. I don't have small children, but raised 4, and am appalled at the lack of discipline exhibited in some cases. Kids are cute, but even cuter if well behaved. As far as breast feeding, I was under the impression that Moms can take breast milk in bottles for traveling purposes. I too, although a female, dislike public displays of feeding, changing, and all the above. It may be natural, but I personally find it distasteful. Some things should be kept private and personal, and this applies to lots of other questionable behavior, as well...just my opinion!

I normally really enjoy your site, but found this post to be completely offensive. I travel often with my baby and trust me, you would much prefer I breastfeed my child on a plane than not because you would be complaining about the screaming that would ensue. On takeoff and landing, the only option for a baby’s ears to pop is sucking, and in the case of a small baby, this means breastfeeding. In a perfect world, mothers would be able to cover up and do this discretely in all locations. However, until you’ve held a wriggly baby on and airplane attached to your chest and tried to manage full-cover the entire time, I’d prefer if you didn’t pass judgment on how easy that is. Second, on an airplane, think about how easy/difficult it actually is to see someone breastfeeding unless they are sitting right next to you- it is nearly impossible unless you are facing them which you won’t be. So if you aren’t gawking, you likely won’t see a thing. As I mentioned, I’ve traveled a lot with my daughter and I’ve heard lots of comments of “Great baby” or “Oh wow, there’s a baby on this plane? I didn’t know she was there.” That’s because she was happily eating for much of the flight and passed out sleeping afterward!! So if you want more peaceful flights with less screaming babies, stop being critical of the mothers who are trying to keep their babies HAPPY by breastfeeding! I won’t even get into all the logistics of bottles of breast milk and why that doesn’t work on an airplane/airport, but lets just say that suggestion is inane for most flights and situations. Saying its ok for this mother to be kicked off an airplane by performing an act that is legally protected in most states in this country is enough to make me not want to visit your site again.

That article seems very one sided to me. We assume the FA was mean and rude and inconsiderate to the mother. But we weren't there. Any person who makes any commotion on a plane nowadays almost should be expected to be pulled off- bad day or not. The travel public is so paranoid and there are so many incidents on planes nowadays that even the slightest commotion is grounds for removal.
I don't think I'd make a peep on any plane. I can see both sides of the coin. I sympathize with both sides. But hearing the comments on this article why are you all assuming it has to be the airlines fault? You weren't there. Maybe its a little bit of both faults and just a bad situation overall and hopefully everyone flying will be more cautious and careful flying nowadays in these strained times.

I agree with people who say keep young kids off the plane. 10 years old, or older, only. I was recently on a flight, and a child kept kicking the back of my seat. The mother just sat there and said nothing, I finally had to tell the flight attendent, and the women, became so angry, she stormed off the plane, before it took off. Take a train where kids are not so confined.

Whatever happened to the saying "children should be seen and not heard" or was that back in the day? It was more of an adults' world at that time and kids were definitely better behaved. I think everyone was better off. Parents actually hired a babysitter so they could go out to dinner alone on a Sat. night. WOW !!!
Now children have more rights than anyone and heavens----let's not correct them.

It seems that change is necessary. Perhaps a "family section" on the aeroplanes would solve some of these problems. Must we segregate the children from the adults now?

I think the whole world has gone nuts...........

To the author of the primary story.

You say you "don't want to see and breast feeding." Just exactly what is it that you do want to see the breast doing?

The whole point is why is it that men only want to understand "breast" as something sexual? If it isn't being used to incite lust, then having it in the path of your vision is "disgusting."

There has been a lot of ressearch done about "penis envy." ( I don't want one) Why is there all this envy about a breast feeding a baby?

For the sake of the world and for your own sake get energized about something more earth shattering like having an idiot as president for the last 8 years or about being a war, or about starvaton rates, etc. Stop sweating the small stuff!
Peace

Did any of you see the interview on GMA with this mom and brat? And yes--the kid is a brat. Most toddlers have that pre-disposition, but a good parent corrects that behavior before it annoys that crap out of everyone around them. This kid was squirming all over the place, throwing toys, etc. on GMA. I can only imagine what he was like on an airplane.

I have no problem whatsoever with well-behaved children. Unfortunately, in our society today, there are very few well-behaved children left. They are all self-indulgent brats whose parents have never effectively disciplined them.

I am tired of trying to travel with kids kicking my seat or screaming bloody murder for three hours straight. I've actually had a kid repeatedly pull my hair from the seat behind me on a plane. The mother completely ignored her child's behavior.

If people would discipline their children, then the rest of us wouldn't have to complain about them all the time.

As for breastfeeding--I support a woman's right to breastfeed in public, as long as she is discreet.

Are children and breastfeeding mothers security risks? Are women and children a threat? Did we lose site of the true threats in this world? There are some unruly children in this world, but I think an aggressive adult is a much more threatening situation. Let's see, an aggressive out of their mind adult vs. a breastfeeding mother or a loud child. How much more loving and subdued can a women get than when she is feeding her child?? And comparing breastfeeding to having a bowl movement? Who are the real threats? Perhaps, no one should fly then. There are plenty more causes to get up in arms about. I agree with Sarah.

I agree, the whole world has gone crazy!!!!!!!!!

I think air travel stinks, all brands, i quit flying in 1990 and think there is enough good things to do in america, i flew all over the usa and saw nothing. now i see how nice this country is. leave flying to emergencys, and business only untill the airlines treat people like people again, i do not need to pay and have high blood pressure trying to have some fun.

I think the mother and her child should have got kicked off the plane. Because of the child saying "bye bye plane" he/she is a child that dont know they are saying and the consequences of it. I think the flight attendant need to do some customer satisfaction elevuation and take a chill pill. Because she wouldn't like it if it was her and her child being kicked off a plane for some unharmly words. I will keep this situation in mind when i need to take flight some where not to go to that airlines or refer any of my family members or friends to go there either.

Don't fly Continental Express and Express Jet Airlines!! The FA, george, bret and the rest of the bunch that hate children, should not be allowed to be near them. Mentally unbalance people like these, need psychoterapy.
Children are the future of humanity! They are the future and the future belongs to them
As for the pilot and the FA, they should be fired for stupid!!

Why don't they designate certain rows for travelers with children.

I haven't flown in years and seeing this article makes me never to want to fly ever again. I have children and if the FA did that to me--I'd a slapped her in the face! Shame on her for showing NO RESPECT! It's just a baby. As for breastfeeding--it don't bother me as long as I don't see it.

I CANT BELIEVE WHAT I JUST READ ABOUT THAT BABY BEING KICKED OFF A PLANE FOR SAYING BYE BYE PLANE...ITS NOT JUST AN ADULTS WORLD .. REMEMBER YOU HAVE TO BE A KID BEFORE YOU CAN BE AN ADULT,WEVE ALL BEEN THAT CRYING BABY OR UNRULY CHILD BEFORE , NO ONE IS EVER PERFECT..AND FOR THOSE SAYING CHILDREN SHOULD BE SEEN AND NOT HEARD, THEY NEED A GOOD SLAP IN THE FACE..

I think that the whole thing is ridiculous. The child was just diong something children at that age do, wave "bye-bye" at anything and everything. I am a mother of two. My children waved at any and everything. They even waved bye bye to thier poop as it went down the toliet when they were first being potty trained. This is too much. I'm all for the safety of the passengers, I myself am one of them, but to feel threatened by a small 19 month-old child.... I think it was an abuse of power by the FA. As far as the breastfeeding issue, I didn't breastfeed but I am not against it. It can be done discreetly. On a plane I agree unless you are sitting next to the mother and child you won't see. Unless you are LOOKING. I also think that a family section on the plane may be a good idea. But here comes a problem, are families in first class expected to sit with coach passengers because they have children and paid for the priveleges of first class? Just a few thoughts.

This is the first time I have ever read this site, and I don't think I will return.You can't leave your kids at home if your going on a family trip.If you don't like kids making noises then drive yourself wherever you need to go. We don't like ignorant people around our kids. As for disciplined children, it depends what there ages are on how calm you can keep them. if you can keep infants to toddlers quiet for a long amount of time good for you and your abilites to keep excitable children quiet. I understand breast feeding is offensive to some people and I do agree that mothers should use a blanket to cover while doing so,it is not for everyone to watch. But it shouldnt be band.George go blow. Tracy they need more than a slap.

After having spent many years in management dealing with upset customers I have found that in most (yes MOST) cases the customers tend to exaggerate greatly when upset about something they are reporting a complaint about, this is human nature. We want whomever we are registering the complaint with to be as upset as we are. As a result we leave out the bad stuff we did and over emphasize the bad behavior of the other person. I remember having customers telling me of the long train of abusive statements and actions made by an employee, only to review the security video tapes and see that the employee said all of 3 words to them, while the customer spent 10 minutes screaming and stomping around. Maybe I'm jaded, but I can guarantee you the lady with the baby is ABSOLUTELY NOT telling the whole truth, I'm sure she didn't just sit there politely nodding as the FA made those comments and verbally abused her. Think about it, in today’s customer service oriented world, when was the last time you saw someone being abused and berated in the manner described while they were just sitting around politely and passively doing nothing? Annoying child or not the FA would have no motivation to act like that without provoking comments and actions from the mother. There are 2 sides to every issue, somewhere in the middle is the truth. Also if she had really done nothing and it was all a problem with the FA's attitude I'm sure when they tried to ask her to get off the plane everyone sitting within 5 rows of her would have been telling the pilot and the airlines officials that she had done nothing at all, and that it was all the FA's problem, wouldn't you have?

As far as breast feeding goes, yes it is a natural function, so is using the restroom, or having sex, that doesn't mean I want to see you doing either of those right next to me in public, that's why we have bathrooms and bedrooms.

i really can't believe what i m reading - let's put it shis way the waitress(andthat is what she is) is single and frustated becuse she does not hve a life or a husband - girls like this should attend classes for angre management i was an air waitress many moons ago and we had respect for flying moms and the babies this girl should not fly she is lucky i wasn't on that flight. jackie simon

I am a mother of two girls and I am glad that these people above have stop flying because of children. The less moron's my children have to encounter the betterof the world is for them so thank you!

We forget that we all started as children, and yes I do understand there are some parents that do not discipline their children, please do not lump us all in together.

The lack of maturity from the above readers on not letting children fly is just plain dumb.

As for breastfeeding, you go eat your dinner in the restroom and then you won't have to deal with it =)!!!

I think everyone is missing the point here, just because you are a parent with small children (which I also am), doesn't mean you need to defend all parents with small children, and it definitely doesn't mean that all parents traveling with small children behave the way they should or tell the truth, just because you do. Defending someone without firsthand knowledge of the incident, or hearing both sides of the story, is nothing more than glib arm-waving. I think more questions need to be asked before passing judgement on the airline. First I find it very strange that none of the other passengers have come forward to defend the mother, and we haven't heard from the Flight Attendant or Pilot either, just the mother, very odd. Although the mother claims other passengers defended her at the time they removed her, we have yet to hear any of them confirm that in person, again this is very odd. So, with only the mothers account it is hard for anyone to say that this was not justified on the part of the FA or the airline. I guess you could say that "if" what she says is true there was a miscarriage of justice, but I am still rather doubtful we've heard the whole story yet.

Again with the breast-feeding, when I said in my earlier comments that is why we have bedrooms and bathrooms, I was referring to the sex and the bowel movements I had mentioned earlier in my post, I did not mean you have to go to the bathroom to breast feed (unless you really wanted to), the blanket that was offered by the attendant I feel would have been an acceptable compromise, and would have made others on the plane feel more comfortable. Not everyone views public breast-feeding in the same way, so being "discreet" as one poster put it, should satisfy everyone. Just because something doesn’t offend you doesn’t mean it doesn’t offend others, and no, not everyone has to agree that your opinion on the subject is right and everyone else’s are wrong, in other words compromising doesn’t mean you get to do it your way all the time, however in some cases this may explain why you’re traveling and/or living alone with the kids and there is no husband around.

my children were always well behaved when we flew. because i made sure they knew not to disturb others. people who allow those "cute" antics of their children annoy people are some of the most selfish people there are. screaming and crying is absolutely the worst noise there is. and it appears alot of parents think "you know how it is", no I don't know how it is. my kids would have never pulled that. ever. it is from my understanding that the passengers were so glad to see her go they all clapped. why people think others want to hear their yelling screaming spoiled brats is beyond me. if you have a ac/dc kid don't fly.

If I've read everything thoroughly, two people have said they won't be returning to this site because they don't like my opinions. Good riddance - if you can't handle reading someone else's opinion you shouldn't have bothered learning to read at all.

This site only welcomes people who are willing to hear my opinion - just as I welcome everyone to share their opinions by allowing these comments.

Sarah, your craziness about breast feeding baby envy is too insane to be insulting. Good try though.

To the mother who did her breast feeding without bothering anyone, kudos. Clearly the mother kicked off the plane in this story was seen.

To the person who said men can go topless so women should be able to also. Have you ever seen a topless man on a plane?

But don't think I blame the mother for this. Her husband was sitting next to her and that lazy bum should have taken the blanket and held it up so that the rest of the people on the plane couldn't possibly see what many of them don't want to see.

Breast feeding on an airplane! How unsettling it would be to see a baby having lunch from a woman's breast! Where was that woman's morals!

While I believe everyone is entitled to their opinion, as reactionary as it is, we have lost site of the real issue. The reason airline security has gotten so tight is to protect the people from dangerous terrorists. People should not be removed from planes unless they fall into this dangerous category. Breastfeeding may make some people uncomfortable, but is it a threat? A loud child may irritate someone, but is he or she a threat? As far as morals, what is immoral about feeding a hungry child besides airline security leaves mother's little choice. I recently flew and there was a 3 oz per person rule whether it was a bottle of milk or bottle of water. The rules are there for our protection against threatening people namely adults not for implementing "morals". Perhaps, the color of someone's hair makes someone uncomfortable. Should they be forced to cover it? Perhaps, someone is afraid of a man with a beard should he be forced to shave it? Where does it end? Rules are for safety not for preference.

James T,
I guess it was wonderful never to have been a child yourself?

There are worst things I can think of to kick someone off the plane, but this isn't one of them. The attendant should get over herself!

I have had my children fly with me and they were well behaved..I have flown alone and had children kick my seat etc..You can blame the parents and time out thing for that...Start teaching your Children respect and acceptable behavior when they are small...I have seen people tune out childrens bad behavior...but they don't tune it out for the people who want some peace...How sad...It is hard enough to fly these days without people bringing their children and thinking the airlines are their babysitters....For the breastfeeding issue...use common sence....bring a baby blanket and cover up..it is a natural thing but not everyone thinks so or wants to see it...

Where did all these child haters come from? Is this not the USA. Public breastfeeding and airlines are both protected by federal law. Children and women have rights, and are not threats to our nations security. As far as my above statements regarding a mans ability to go topless without question, my point was that women's bodies make people uncomfortable as opposed to a man's body. I was not suggesting everyone have the freedom to be topless on a plane. Although, perhaps if we were, it would speed up the long security lines.

Child-haters? I'm not a child hater. If anyone in these scenarios warrants hate, it's the lazy parents who refuse to discipline their children.

Obviously, if you don't care to discipline your children at home, that's your business. But DO NOT inflict them on the rest of us.

Unless a child has a mental condition (autism, turret's, etc., the is no excuse for the behavior I see in public on a regular basis. All these terms--high-energy, just a boy, hyper, etc are just excuses for bad behavior that could be changed with proper discipline.

And I am a mother, and have raised a lovely daughter. She threw a little fit in public ONE time when she was two. I promptly removed her from the restaurant and gave her an attitude adjustment. That was the end of her public (and private) fits.

I am sick and tired of people thinking that everyone else wants to listen to their kids' melt-downs, temper tantrums, etc., or deal with them throwing things and running wild. And people, if you can't get a baby sitter, then you have no business dining out in a busy restaurant at 9 PM on a week night. Your kids should be home in bed, not terrorizing strangers. Same goes for an airplane. Control your kids, or don't force the rest of us to deal with them. Since when did air travel become someone's right instead of privilege? They can throw a drunk off an airplane when he becomes disruptive, so why not a bratty toddler?

flying is a pain today, the airport problems, getting baggage done, getting yourself done and inspected, the problems to get on a plane, the problems to get where you are going when the plane get there, I think a baby who is still smiling and saying by by plane is a happy baby, I wish that waitress, and boss of the plane should be as happy also, they could take lesson from the baby, I do not fly for I do not like the problems and the bad things from the people who are suppose to be my helpers, not added problems to the bad way to travel period. the planes need to have a lot more vacant seats, then they might have more respect for their jobs. we need a new way of fast travel like the high speed trains.

Yes, the situation with the FA is ridiculous, but what is almost as ridiculous is the people posting comments about children not being on planes at all. May I remind all of you. Adults can be just as obnoxious as kids. Try flying a four hour flight with two very loud,obnoxious and drunk passengers right in front of you. Try sitting next to a passenger who won't stop talking even when your trying to sleep. I'd take a baby over them anytime. Sorry to all of you out there that don't seem to be in the real world. Families have every right to fly and you have every right to get a good set of headphones.

I would like to add to my earlier post. I said families have a right to fly, but they also have a responsibiliy to keep their children from being loud and unruly. As an earlier post stated, if you can't discipline them at home don't fly with them. I have two girls with whom I have traveled with since they were small. I've never had a problem. Bring a lot of (quiet) things to keep them in their seats and occupied. Before your board the plane make it clear that they need to behave or suffer the consequences and stick to it.

There have been a couple of people post comments asking how neither of these issues effect security, and they shouldn't be an issue as a result. I know we all have security on the brain, but there are issues in this world that have nothing to do with security that still need to be addressed, and no, not every policy put in place by an airline is for security reasons. So yes, disruptive, abusive, trouble making fit throwers that won't settle down should be removed from planes, regardless of their age, young or old. The whole point is to make something as uncomfortable as air travel as comfortable as possible for your fellow travelers, it's just plain old courtesy and respect. So do everything you can to teach your children to respect others when traveling, rather than letting them run amuck and ignoring the effect it is having on others. And if you need to fart, burp, have sex, have a bowel movement, take off your shirt, pick your nose, or breast feed, try to be as discreet as possible about it because not everyone finds those acceptable behaviors to "flaunt" in public, and you don't need to use your plane trip to make a "social statement" to the rest of us, we're all well aware that you feel you are more important than we are. Basically just stop and ask if what you are doing may be offensive to others and act accordingly.

I agree that maybe we don't have the full story.
It would be interesting to see a video of the whole incident.

As a mother and grandmother, I find it difficult to understand how people can think that you can make an 18 month old child behave perfectly. My children had different temperaments. Two were very active and one was quiet and easy.

I just wonder what "an attitude adjustment" for a two year old entailed.

I've come to the conclusion that some children are more of a challenge to raise and to not judge parents rashly. I also think some things work with some children and do not work with others. Even our infants. Mine displayed differences even in the womb. I have found that
confidence, consistancy, love, and patience are the necessary ingredients to successfully raising well adjusted children and a society that is supportive would be a great asset.

WOW!!!! I've read every post here and can't believe how far off the subject everyone has gotten with their opinions. I've just come back from a long trip out of the country, where we did by the way, fly with our 2 young children and all I would like to know is what the real story is all about.
As far as flying with children, yes, children can be unruly but they do need to be disciplined. I've flown all over the world with my children since they were tiny infants and I would not allow my kids to behave in a way that would be so obnoxious that we would be asked to get off the plane. I've done my fair share of swatting a bottom here and there in my travels with the kids and would never choose to "ignore" their behavior. My kids are 8 & 5 now and they have been on flights as long as 12 hours and believe me they definitely have learned that they will have consequences if they behave in a manner that is offensive, agitating, irritating, etc... whether it affects the family or other passengers. As for the mother and child that were kicked off of a plane because the child was repeatedly saying bye bye airplane, well...if that was the only reason then Continental has serious issues they need to address. However, since I don't know the whole story and apparently nobody does either, then I don't have the right to make a judgment call on who was in the right in this situation.

As for breastfeeding on a plane... I did it all the time when my kids were infants. However, cramped space or not, although I was not ashamed or embarrassed in any way, I always had the common courtesy to cover up. Yes, breastfeeding Moms, it may take an extra effort to do it on a plane but it can be done even in coach class seating. There are nursing blankets, baby blankets, and even special nursing clothing that is made so that you can breast feed in public without offending those people that apparently find something as natural as breastfeeding offensive and revolting. Covering up when breastfeeding in public is not about morals and values. It's just about being considerate.

Come on people!!! There are much more serious issues in this world that need to be addressed and I don't think public breastfeeding or traveling with children on public transportation are among them.

I am so sick of parents. Your kids aren't cute. They are annoying. Leave them at home and stop expecting the world to fall in love with your little one. I don't care if you breast feed in public- hell, I don't care if you breast feed twins, naked, while playing a banjo on national television. In fact, I'll watch. But please just shut the kid up, stop letting it push the grocery store carriage, and if you can't control him or her on a plane then stay the hell home (and bring zip lock bags for it's shitty diapers while you are at it).

Like a few other commenters, I find it funny that this blog entry has gotten way more comments than any previous entry on this blog. I would have thought we had more important things to discuss but I've certainly been wrong before...

Anyway, to address the ridiculous "argument" that goes somthing like "we were all kids once so let mothers breastfeed their kids on planes", I just don't get it. I'm all for breast feeding but that lazy husband could hold a blanket up or something, no?

I love when women breastfeed near me. I pleasure myself thinking about it.

I agree with Mr Trotta... We are all entitled to our own opinions. I read this blog a few times a month and enjoy reading users comments wether pleasant or not and that's not going to keep me away from this website.

if u don't like a woman breastfeeding a baby....look away...you bunch of fu^&ing idiots!!
just look away!!
the idiot FA should be grounded for 30 days..no pay!!

I was apalled when I first heard of the story.... I also caught the follow up stories too ...There was a passernger on the plane that gave an interview and the attested to the flight attendant being rude and short & w/ this mother & child and actually asked to her to drug her child ,That alone is against the law first of all and i just think people dont have the common sense god blessed us with , to say that breast feeding is disgusting or to say a woman should cover up is ridiculous... my body was not only made for a mans pleasure ... give me a break ... the only reason we should cover up because "other people r not in thier right minds"... god has blessed us with the tools to nurture and care for our children... fact did you know breast feed children r smarter ,, sound like someone didnt breast feed you!

When my husband and I drop a grand to fly somewhere, we prefer not to be kicked, or to have our eardrums blown out and we really don't want to watch a public and UNNECESSARY display of breast feeding. I've seen many kids behave on planes. If yours don't or won't; DON'T BRING THEM! They deserve to get booted off with no refund.

I personally don't like to be stared at while I am eating so I would like to reserve that same right for my child so putting myself in that babys position i would say "mom...cover us up"!!!

Let the Taliban run the airlines. They can provide women with nifty cover-ups and we won't have to worry about them blowing up their own planes. Would the service be any worse than that offered by this flight attendent?

To SARAH...you are the IDIOT,not the president..got it?

If breastfeeding in public offends you, please free to cover your head with a blanket.

I agree that the ne'er-do-well (husband) should have assumed some sort of responsibility. It seems doubtful, however, that the question...to cover or not to cover...will ever be resolved. However, I've thoroughly enjoyed reading the comments in this ongoing saga!

airline staff no longer any pride in thier job witch is to serve the passager.we have out of fear given power to people who have no skill in enforcing flight safty rules,and now act as if they are there to controll us,not just to safty rules but also to thier own personal rules witch are usally outragaous.the airlines needs to place a trained customer serves person on each plane to monitor both passanger and flight staff.

Wow - what a variety of comments, so let me put my 2 cents in. I am a grandmother of two great kids who were taught my my children to behave in public. I also am a frequent flier, and have experienced badly behaved children and their parents who are afraid to ruin their personalities by a swat on the behind once in a while. I wear headphones when I fly, so after a 3 hr flight of hearing screaming and crying, I can be at ease. Im one of those people who would like to see 3 different sections in restaurants, non-smoking, smoking and child-free. I love kids, but when I go out and spend a good deal of cash for a nice dinner, I dont want to hear screaming and crying. Not the kids fault - but the parent who hasnt a clue on parenting. No kid comes with a training guide. But come on people, use your common sense.

In regards to blanca's statement "...There was a passernger on the plane that gave an interview and the attested to the flight attendant being rude and short & w/ this mother & child and actually asked to her to drug her child"

Uh, Nope. A "passenger" on the plane? No name, date, news source? nothing? I've searched every news source and find no such interview, only the lady's statements referencing the support of other passengers, or comments like yours where someone says a passenger made a comment to that effect. Who is this "passenger" and to whom, and when, did they give the interview? You can't make statements like that unless you can support them with evidence. Post a link to the interview, something, if there is such an interview I would be more than glad to read and consider it.

Next your lovely statement;

"... god has blessed us with the tools to nurture and care for our children... fact did you know breast feed children r smarter ,, sound like someone didnt breast feed you!"

So what does Breast-fead children being smarter have to do with politely covering up so as not to offend someone, really, that was a silly argument. Just grasping at straws now are we?

I think some people believe a free country means they are free to do whatever they want whenever they want, regardless of how it effects anyone else, in other words they are free to say, believe, and act however they want, and the rest of us are only free to agree with them and allow them to behave that way. You know we don't have to agree that your opinion is correct, we can agree that you are allowed to your opinion, but we don't have to agree with it, and no, your not always right! You know, it was your CHOICE, to have the children, it was your CHOICE to take the plane flight, It was your CHOICE breast-feed your child, no one FORCED you to do any of those things, so you seriously find it so offensive that you are politely asked to put a blanket over your shoulder so you don't offend someone while exercising your freedom of choice, What a bunch of scmucks!

So, everytime I perform something that is well within my rights, I have to ask if it offends someone? That would be a terrible world to live in. As we can see by these comments, there are many varying opinions. If I ask someone that is from a particular walk of life about my rights, they may say that I must cover my hair and face so as not to offend them. Should I go around pleasing everyone or just follow the law? I think I should follow the safety and federal laws first.
I do agree that some children are unruly but you will find them in any point in history and the older generations always complains about "kids today". As far as the child in the article, if the article is accurate, the women and child should not have been taken from the plane. That child was not unruly or bratty. Even if she were, is it the end of the world? Must such a drastic action have taken place?

"I have much less sympathy for the mother who was kicked off a Freedom Airlines / Delta flight for not covering up her breastfeeding with a blanket. I don't care if you're in the second to last row, I don't want to see any breast feeding."

You DO realize that breast milk is how babies get their nutrients to grow up healthy and that breast milk comes from breasts, right? And that babies need to eat every three hours or so, and most flights are that long? I'm not even a mom, but at least I know that expecting mothers to "cover up" a perfectly healthy, biologically natural process is ignorant, misogynistic, and extremely irritating. Grow up. They're breasts. You drank from them, too.

well, great opinions and comments everyone!! im glad that when i flight w my 3yr old she behaves or she will be discipline, i agree with having our children nicely discipline as much as we can without exageration! As well as the adults, because there are some people that dont have consideration w others. As for the baby in the plane that said bye bye plane, I think that it is right to try to keep the best security possible for everyone but dont exagerrate that was only a baby, now if that was the mother saying that, then obviously there is gonna be action taken because everyone is paranoid w the whole 911 situation and im sure all of us in this page would not want to have any more terrorist attacks!!! Now if we want a better world we should stop worrying about little things and start acting toguether not arguing like enemies, to make a peaceful place. Also, about the breast feeding, lets just have common sense and try to RESPECT everyone and that means starting w covering ourselfs when breast feeding in public even though sometimes is hard cause i did it too, but we have to think that we all have different opinions and that every person is a different world, but if we start to learn to listen more to each other and understanding us and respecting us, well my goodness we would all then be more happy when we go out in public. I agree w alot of your comments because all you have a point somewhere but lets try not to offend anyone, this way we can read them and learn something good about everyone, without offending each other, let's just try to read and get the best thing out of it. Smile God loves you, life is too short to live it arguing about small things, that we could all fix TOGUETHER! let's have more fun!!

Seriously, who was acting like a 1 and half year old. "The little baby wouldn't let me do my safety talk, (while grunting), i was talking first." At least that is I think how it went. Ok, c'mon grow up, kids are going to be kids. At least the baby was saying that and paying attention somewhere else, and not kicking and screaming.

Yeah, breastfeeding may be a natural thing, however, not many people enjoy looking at a baby sucking on a boob, just a little too much TMI.

Seriously, who was acting like a 1 and half year old. "The little baby wouldn't let me do my safety talk, (while grunting), i was talking first." At least that is I think how it went. Ok, c'mon grow up, kids are going to be kids. At least the baby was saying that and paying attention somewhere else, and not kicking and screaming.

Yeah, breastfeeding may be a natural thing, however, not many people enjoy looking at a baby sucking on a boob, just a little too much TMI.

Not so fast on condemning the stewardess. What if the 19 month toddler was not really what she appeared and was a cleverly disguised terrorist with WMD's ??!
We should have Bush's experts investigate first and create a new department on baby counter terrorism.

I was onced kicked off a flight for following the inside FA suggestions for asking a passenger to switch seats with me, so my husband, me and our 18 month old could all sit across the row from each other. The psycho FA onboard snapped at me for doing this before the whole plane was full (we were blocking no one) and when I called her on her RUDE comments, we were de-boarded even when the nice inside FAs vouched for telling me to ask the guy to switch seats-he happily agreed-and I was told that the FA has the final call!!! The pilot stood there like a neutered dog! The airline was Midwest Express by the way!

In reply to idun's comment;

"So, everytime I perform something that is well within my rights, I have to ask if it offends someone?"

No you don't, not at all, but we do live in a civilized world where we should be considerate of others, and there are certain things that are commonly accepted as possibly being offensive to others. For example, using foul language in public, especially around small children would be considered inapropriate, and most responsible polite people wouldn't do it. No you don't have to cover your face if it's too ugly, that would be unrealistic, but it is known by just about everyone, that just like cursing in public, a vast number of people are uncomfortable watching public breast-feeding, whether you agree with them or not. No, you are right, you are free to do it, but just because you can do something doesn't mean you have to. It's not like we are asking you to stop flying, or leave the kid home, or hide in the bathroom, it's just a simple little blanket to make the flight happy for everyone. Sheesh.

Yes, I would like to hear the other side of the story. If, this is a true story, then the flight attendant and the pilot should both be fired. How can you tell a person to drug their child. The flight attendant sounds like she might have been on drug for suggesting it. Please find out the real story or the other side and let us hear it also.

Don't judge parents by what you see in their child's behavior. Not all children can be as perfect as yours. Not all children behave normally in a new and strange situation such as riding in an airplane. A well behaved child can turn into a horrid little monster when they are tired, nervous or excited. Airplanes are exciting to children (and many adults, look at the attendance at air shows, model airplane events).

We don't have the facts in this situation. We will never get facts, only the spin the media puts on the report and the spin the company puts on its press release.

As for breastfeeding, generally it's the right wing righteous who judge women because they breastfeed. Correct breastfeeding doesn't expose any more breast than a swimsuit, or some fashion clothing. Smart moms are usually wearing a nursing bra to keep them comfortable and support their breasts. Babies cry when hungry, and breastfeeding is the fastest and most efficient method of feeding. Also, the security restrictions can't stop a mom from bringing her breasts with her aboard the airplane. They can stop bottles. A breastfeed baby is a happy and healthy baby.

We may not think of using babies to cover up weapons or other terrorist tools, but a terrorist is who willing to die for his or her cause, is willing to sacrifice a baby for their own purposes.

If the story is true, I would agree that the FA should be fired for his/her misjudgment on this case. I doubt that a 1 1/2 yr old would find a demonstration of safety rules interesting. In a child's eye, seeing an airplane to land or take off would be much more exhiliarating, especially when he/she can see upclose. When a young toddler is in this excited state, it would be hard for a parent to control their behavior, even if they are normally a well-behaved child. Saying "bye-bye" to an airplane is perfectly normal for a young toddler. They are still learning the cause and effect. The toddler saw the airplane leaves, he just say "bye bye, airplane". He just got a little bit excited and say " bye bye" a couple more times. How is that intolerable? There is no way that he meant any harm to the plane or passengers. Suggesting to drug the child is plainly wrong. That just prove that the FA is just annoyed that the child interrupted her Safety talk and wanted the child to quiet down. It has nothing to do with prevention against with Terrorist attack. It may be just her excuse. The FA's intolerance to such a small thing has caused all the passengers 11 hours of delay and gave the company a bad reputation for poor customer service. Many people may have missed their meeting, family reunion, honeymoon cruise, a wedding, or whatever their purpose of the flight. That caused much more harm than an innocent "bye bye, plane" comment. I hope the company will be smart enough to fire her as she will cause more harm to the company than the benefit that he/she will bring. Those who are still not parents may not know much about raising a child and their behaviors, and hence make some ruthless comments. That may be acceptable, but in general more tolerance to things/people around you would make this world a more harmonious place to live in. I think it will make you a happier person too.

Same thing goes to breastfeeding, I hope there will be more tolerance from those people who are against breastfeeding in an airplane. If you don't like to see a mother breastfeeding a baby, just don't look; look somewhere else where you find more interesting. Also, a breastfeeding mother may not be able to cover up when she needs to latch the child on as she needs to see in order to do that. From my experiences of breastfeeding three children, my coverup sometimes fell down while I was latching the baby on. It is hard to get it back on with a child in your hands, who is very hungry. However, I agree that if someone is nice enough to give me the coverup, I would be very grateful, as I don't want to show myself to strangers too. I felt embarrassed whenever that happens but I have to accept that kind of discomfort for the good of my child. What I'm saying is that a breastfeeding mother might have their own difficulties, they might not meant to offend you in anyway. So a bit of understanding from you would be extremely helpful.

Anyway, after reading all these posts, I'm extremely grateful to those FAs who were so kind and accommodating to our needs during our past flights. I'm also grateful to those kind strangers who played peek-a-boo with my children and made it a more interesting ride for them. It is comforting that most people who posted have a good and understanding heart toward children. For those few extremists who wanted to ban children from airplane, I hope you will change your mind after reading all these posts and understand our side of the story.

I work with breast feeding mothers. Breast feeding can take up to 30 - 45 minutes. I would like any person to try to sit on the toilet for that long with an infant attached to them. Also those bathrooms are very SMALL and not always the most sanitary. Not condusive to breast feeding. Think about this, how many bathrooms does a plane have? 2-4 usually. Would you like to have 1 or 2 of them tied up for the whole trip with breast feeding moms. A women should be able to breast feed in public. Breast feeding can be done descretely with or with out a blanket. The FA might have told the woman nicely that someone had complained and would she please just cover up when someone comes up the aisle. The mother should comply with this out of respect for the other passengers.