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In August 2005, the FAA said, "Analyses showed that if forced to purchase an extra airline ticket, families might choose to drive, a statistically more dangerous way to travel." At that time, FAA administrator Marion Blakely said, "Statistics show that families are safer traveling in the sky than on the road."
I might be in the minority here but that's okay. A plane seat is a plane seat is a plane seat. It doesn't matter what age of a person is in it. The airline still has to pay the same gas prices, the same wages to all of the flight attendants and pilots, etc. I understand price cuts for children at restaurants: they eat less food (most of the time), at amusement parks: they ride less rides. But on an airplane, they are filling the same seat as you or I. The price one thing to keep in mind when deciding where/ when/ how to go on vacation. It's all about priorities. If it's a priority to you that your child is in a safety seat on an airplane, you would scrimp and save to be able to buy your child that extra seat. If it's not a top priority, then you won't buy the child that seat.
Airlines are having a really tough time staying afloat with the economy the way it is and plane rides are expensive. That's becoming a fact of life. Especially at this point, if airlines continue to offer free and reduced seats to infants and toddlers, then they will continue to think of ways to charge us more money in other ways. Actually, they'll charge that money anyways but maybe they wouldn't have to charge as much. My point is that we will be paying for the seat no matter what. Either the parent will be paying for it or the other passengers will be paying for it. :twocents:
Our instructors told us that without a doubt a car seat should be used on the plane, pointed out that not all scenerios are fatal and that the seat can be helpful in turbulence, etc, but then mentioned that they weren't required because statistically a lap child is still safer than driving. I thought that was interesting to hear... and knowing that my own kids will still be in seats on the plane!
I might be in the minority here but that's okay. A plane seat is a plane seat is a plane seat. It doesn't matter what age of a person is in it. The airline still has to pay the same gas prices, the same wages to all of the flight attendants and pilots, etc. I understand price cuts for children at restaurants: they eat less food (most of the time), at amusement parks: they ride less rides. But on an airplane, they are filling the same seat as you or I. The price one thing to keep in mind when deciding where/ when/ how to go on vacation. It's all about priorities. If it's a priority to you that your child is in a safety seat on an airplane, you would scrimp and save to be able to buy your child that extra seat. If it's not a top priority, then you won't buy the child that seat.
Airlines are having a really tough time staying afloat with the economy the way it is and plane rides are expensive. That's becoming a fact of life. Especially at this point, if airlines continue to offer free and reduced seats to infants and toddlers, then they will continue to think of ways to charge us more money in other ways. Actually, they'll charge that money anyways but maybe they wouldn't have to charge as much. My point is that we will be paying for the seat no matter what. Either the parent will be paying for it or the other passengers will be paying for it. :twocents:
I agree completely. I think ticketed seats should be mandatory for all and I don't think children's tickets should cost less. My daughter's well over two. If we can't afford to buy her a plane ticket, we can't go on a plane. That's just the way it is.
I wish arilines would care more about the young children traveling but they dont, they care about money and not safety for wee ones.
I might be in the minority here but that's okay. A plane seat is a plane seat is a plane seat. It doesn't matter what age of a person is in it. The airline still has to pay the same gas prices, the same wages to all of the flight attendants and pilots, etc.
In the 12 or so times that I flew with DS before he turned two I never once paid for a seat for him and never once did I not end up with an extra seat for him. I got really good at figuring out when to fly to find flights that weren't sold out. It's not that hard to fly at off peak times.
That's great! (If you are willing to take that chance). It doesn't always work out though.
I fly standby 100% of the time. I haven't bought a ticket for myself or my children in over 5 years. I also have ways of figuring out what flights may be "more open" but there's always that time where they just canceled the same flight before yours, moved everyone to your flight, and now it's sold out. Or they've downgraded to a smaller plane. Can it happen? yes. But I wouldn't tell people it's something they can almost depend on happening with certain planning if they really want a seat for their child. Remember "off peak" times are now becoming more popular as well, because they are priced lower.
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