Kids in First Class

[Eden]

I happened to understand exactly what the PP was saying, that there is an expectation of better service and ammenities when paying a premium price.  I expect that while staying at the Hilton vs. Motel 6.  To me, it is the same for Economy vs. 1st.  It doesn't matter if one is rich or poor.  If one paid for the fare in first, it is normal to expect a premium experience.

Yes exactly. Better service and amenities. Not necessarily more pleasant neighbors. If you book a hotel that allows pets (regarless of how much or little you paid), you may end up next to a barking dog. If you don't want to run that risk, don't book a hotel that allows pets. The only major difference is that if you have the unfortunately luck of being in a room next to a barking dog, you may change rooms or ask that the dog change rooms. On a plane, you just have to deal with the unfortunate luck.

On a plane that allows children in first class you have the chance of being seated near one who may or may not be having a good day. You also have the chance of being seated near an obnoxious blowhard who spends the entire flight bragging about his three houses  and fabulous cars. Both incredibly annoying. But you're on a plane and there's nothing to be done about it other than try to go to your happy place in your mind.

[sparksals]

I did not see her comments as insulting.  A few of us understood as she intended.

When people don't understand as you intend, don't you change your approach instead of carrying on in exactly the same way so that they may understand better?

A few of us obviously didn't see as she apparently intended, but instead of trying to help us understand, she went along in the same vein which only compounded the problem.

OP--you're good.  You earned the upgrade, your child is part of your travel party, he/she can go in first class.

As for all the other commentary, my take on it is that people who can afford to travel in first class are not going to suddenly start buying coach tickets once they reproduce.  I sure that there are many, many kids who have only ever flown first class.  If I were rich, I would only fly first class and my kid would be coming along with me.

I missed this early, but I also agree with it.  I'm sure there are going to be places I won't take my children once I have them, but if I can afford first class then I won't suddenly fly coach just because I have a kid.

She did try to explain, but only got some more misunderstanding posts.  It appears she backed out of the thread b/c some of the posts to her, I felt, were quite rude and some bordering on mean questioning her character.   

Sometimes one must look at the intention.  I don't think she intended to be rude.  I understood exactly what she meant.  I think sometimes people look for offense when none is intended.   Just as she said, I expect there to be better behaviour in an expensive restaurant and I expect an experience to go along with the price.  I don't  expect to see young children at Chez Expensive and if I do, I certainly hope the parents take great care to ensure they are properly behaved and don't ruin it for others.  The same with Business class.  I have a greater expectation of a better experience than economy due to the premium price paid.   

[sparksals]

Should the guy who snores louder than a freight train be banned from first class too?  Paying for first class does entitle you better service...from the staff.  You never know the habits of other passingers, but that's life on public transportation. 

And what if the OP's family were the only people in first class?  She would have given up all the comforts for nothing.

Not disagreeing, but I have to ask... are planes public transportation?  I always thought of public transportation as being something funded by and for the public, like a city bus, or municipal trains, or whatever for the express purpose of the greater good of society.

But since planes are just about always private, profit driven companies I never considered them public transportation, but rather private.  I also consider cabs and private buses as private not public transportation who's purpose is a higher level of service then public transportation at a higher cost then public transportation.

In the US they are covered by US Civil Rights Laws, because they are interstate commerce. Not to mention that if we withdrew federal support for air traffic controllers, TSA, and Federal Air Marshels the entire industry would  collapse.

I don't think this qualifies them as public.  Banks are federally regulated and they are private. 

[sparksals]

I happened to understand exactly what the PP was saying, that there is an expectation of better service and ammenities when paying a premium price.  I expect that while staying at the Hilton vs. Motel 6.  To me, it is the same for Economy vs. 1st.  It doesn't matter if one is rich or poor.  If one paid for the fare in first, it is normal to expect a premium experience.

Yes exactly. Better service and amenities. Not necessarily more pleasant neighbors. If you book a hotel that allows pets (regarless of how much or little you paid), you may end up next to a barking dog. If you don't want to run that risk, don't book a hotel that allows pets. The only major difference is that if you have the unfortunately luck of being in a room next to a barking dog, you may change rooms or ask that the dog change rooms. On a plane, you just have to deal with the unfortunate luck.

On a plane that allows children in first class you have the chance of being seated near one who may or may not be having a good day. You also have the chance of being seated near an obnoxious blowhard who spends the entire flight bragging about his three houses  and fabulous cars. Both incredibly annoying. But you're on a plane and there's nothing to be done about it other than try to go to your happy place in your mind.

Alas, in both these cases, there would be some forms of recourse.  In the hotel, I would ask to be moved for the inconvenience and expect more points as compensation.  On the flight, same thing, I would complain to the airline frequent flyer programme and more than likely, would receive compensatory points. 

[LeveeWoman]

Should the guy who snores louder than a freight train be banned from first class too?  Paying for first class does entitle you better service...from the staff.  You never know the habits of other passingers, but that's life on public transportation. 

And what if the OP's family were the only people in first class?  She would have given up all the comforts for nothing.

Not disagreeing, but I have to ask... are planes public transportation?  I always thought of public transportation as being something funded by and for the public, like a city bus, or municipal trains, or whatever for the express purpose of the greater good of society.

But since planes are just about always private, profit driven companies I never considered them public transportation, but rather private.  I also consider cabs and private buses as private not public transportation who's purpose is a higher level of service then public transportation at a higher cost then public transportation.

In the US they are covered by US Civil Rights Laws, because they are interstate commerce. Not to mention that if we withdrew federal support for air traffic controllers, TSA, and Federal Air Marshels the entire industry would  collapse.

I don't think this qualifies them as public.  Banks are federally regulated and they are private.

An airline is a common carrier and as such is subject to federal law, inlcuding the 14th Amendment.

[blueyzca01]

Of course you can buy your child a seat in first class!  I can't imagine why it would be rude.  If you're concerned about your child possibly disturbing other passengers in some way, what does it matter what class of seating they're in?  Disturbing people in economy class isn't any better than disturbing folks in first class.

I have to disagree with your last sentence.  People pay a lot more for first class.  They pay for the comfort, lack of distraction.  I believe the people in first expect a far more quiet and serene experience and they should get it based on the huge difference in cost.


While I see no problem with children in first class, I think the parents have a greater obligation to ensure passengers are not inconvenienced.  I would be mighty ticked if I paid for the trip of a lifetime, including paying the huge difference in cost for first class vs. Economy only to have a misbehaved child keep me from sleeping in the bed I paid for.   


As long as the parent tries to keep the child quiet and not disturb passengers, it is fine.  It is far more expected in Economy, but I think there is a different standard in First class simply b/c people pay for the privilege.   

OH THANK YOU!!  I've had the opportunity to fly first class a few times, and this last time, the entire experience was been ruined by children.   Sadly, the flight attendand was a wimp and refused to say or do anything. 

If you have any regards for other people at all, please stay in coach until your child is older.

[HelenB]

(snip)...
As far as general disruption to the surroundings--that depends on your airline.  British Airways and Virgin Atlantic have really nice business class and first class "pods" that REALLY cuts down on the disruption a neighbor can cause (there are even little screens you can raise so they can't see you).  I think several American carriers are beginning to install them on long distance flights as well -- I think it's part of the "lay flat bed" selling approach. 
(snip again...)

I was going to bring up the pods for a totally different reason.  OP, you might want to check to see what kinds of seats you'd have in first/business. The pods, on the flights I've been on, were staggered so that they weren't right next to each other, and the ones in the middle had separators. So, if you have two seats next to each other with those, they might not really be "next" to each other.  When I saw them, I wondered how they'd work for people with children.
 
(Like this)
http://www.seatguru.com/airlines/Thai_Airways/Thai_Airways_Boeing_777-300_J.php

[PeterM]

OH THANK YOU!!  I've had the opportunity to fly first class a few times, and this last time, the entire experience was been ruined by children.   Sadly, the flight attendand was a wimp and refused to say or do anything. 

If you have any regards for other people at all, please stay in coach until your child is older.

So it's more acceptable to ruin the experience of people in  Coach than in First Class? I think you're the first person to explicitly say so.

For that matter, how exactly is it that you don't include people in Coach in the broad term "other people" who you say deserve consideration?