How would you feel if you were handed this note as you boarded a plane?
Hello!
We’re twin baby boys on our first flight and we’re only 14 months old. We’ll try to be on our best behavior, but we’d like to apologize in advance just in case we lose our cool, get scared or our ears hurt. Our mom and dad (AKA portable milk machine and diaper changer) have ear plugs available if you need them. We are sitting in 20E and 20F if you want to come by and get a pair.We hope you have a great flight!
Would you wonder “Why my flight?” Would you have sympathy for the parents? Or?
February 15, 2014
I think I’d smile or laugh. Unless I was very tired, in which case I’d groan.
It would be hard not to have mixed feelings if you were feeling miserable yourself.
I would go and sit with the twins and have a ball with them.
Or if they were crying because they were scared or their ears hurt, you could at least support the parents.
Yeah, well. Children are people too. And when young it’s their ears that give them severe pain. Luckily I knew how to prevent it. I have flown with the Angel many times. No problem. However – when he was little – I wouldn’t have dreamed to take him on a long haul flight. Not because of the other passengers but because it’s downright cruelty to the baby/toddler. Cramped space and all that. Three hours max – one is better. And if I had been sitting next to Ramana [what lovely comment of his] I am sure he and the Angel would have made each other very happy. Lifelong friends.
As to that notice. I think it sweet of the parents. Prevention being better than cure. Advance courtesy better than apologies later. Anyway, these days everyone appears to be plugged into some electronic device. Blending out real life sound around them.
I truly wish people would remember they too were children once. Come to think of it, slightly veering off the subject: The Angel and I Heathrow Airport, Departure Lounge, circa 1994. Right opposite us and quite close a woman. The Angel was tiny. And fascinated – as only a child can be: “Mama”, he said, pointing at her in wonderment, “that woman is BLACK.” Indeed. She smiled. At him. And gave me a knowing wink.
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We took Kaitlin across the country on planes when she was little — once a year to see her grandparents. On the whole she thrived on the trips — she was a charmer who liked smiling at the other travelers. They liked it too.
how creatively adorable. both for the babies and the fellow passengers.
and the parents.
nothing is worse than knowing your howling little child is causing distress to others and you can’t stop the distress your little howler is causing! LOL.
I agree — the parents were brilliant and considerate. Yay, them!
Yes, I love the note – the thoughtful parents who will give out earplugs – it would make almost anyone melt – maybe even usher in some other parents who drop by – say, want to take break – or sit with the “twins” for a time.
As someone pointed out ear plugs know as sound carriers in the modern world are all the rage – so probably everyone could drown out a noise of this type….
My ear plugs/headsets on planes used to be the sound blocking/noise canceling kind. We haven’t flown in years because of the way passengers are treated.
It would be nice if we knew how the trip went — well, I hope.