Airplanes and kids

[GoneOffShore]

"Kids, every time you kick the back on an airplane seat a kitten dies".

I wish I'd known that on Saturday when I was flying back from Europe.

[Skittles]

1. that's why, when I fly, I take a couple of small kid toys

wonderful thing about kids is how easily distracted they are

*earplugs too* :D

[GoneOffShore]

3. The one kicking my seat also had a terrible cold.

His mom tried to make him stop, but he was really restless. I got him to stop grabbing the back of my seat by turning my shoulder sharply onto his hand.

I'd love to take kid toys, but I'm already carrying enough crap what with the photo gear, computer and our lunch - airplane food being what it is.

And I had the earplugs in. They help a lot.

[Chan790]

8. Was he worst right after takeoff?

(or landing for that matter?)

Also, approximate age?

Might not have been a cold, airplanes and the altitude change can be brutally painful for small children as the different position of the Eustachian tubes (they start out nearly horizontal in infants and slowly shift towards a final ~50-degree angle at age 15 or so) can cause ear inflammation and pressure-sickness during take-off and landing.

A pack of bubble gum has improved the quality of many a flight for me and parents and children and other passengers. Chewing gum helps the pressure equalize better and faster, otherwise it tend to build to painful, then "pop!"

[GoneOffShore]

12. He was worst about an hour and a half after takeoff.

And then for the next 4 hours. His parents had given him some cold medication prior to boarding and he slept through takeoff.

Eventually he went back to sleep - but the interim was not fun for me, his parents or the people behind and to either side.

Personally, I think that gin should be freely available to children on aeroplanes.

[Deep13]

2. Airplanes?

Surely you can't be serious.

[GoneOffShore]

4. Can't swim or drive to Europe.

[lukasahero]

5. He is

And don't call him Shirley.

(Sorry, couldn't resist.)

[kentauros]

17. This thread is a totally different kind of flying, altogether!

[charlie and algernon]

6. I just wanna tell you, good luck. We're all counting on you.

[Deep13]

9. I hope they're not flying on instruments. nt

[charlie and algernon]

10. well looks like I picked the wrong week to quit sniffing glue!

[Deep13]

11. I had the lasagna. nt

[GoneOffShore]

13. On US Scareways.

you ate the lasagna?

Was it still frozen?

[kentauros]

14. Joey, have you ever been in a Turkish prison?

No, the white phone.

[charlie and algernon]

15. Have you ever seen a grown man naked?

[kentauros]

16. Joey, do you like movies about gladiators?

[woo me with science]

7. They should design the seats

so that when they are kicked from the back, it releases a spray of something vile onto the seat behind you.

[Capn Sunshine]

18. Joey, you like gladiator movies?