For all the noteworthy progress United Airlines had made over the last year, it just takes one bad story to sink the ship. We may have our story…
Imagine you are a young mother and step onto a 14-hour flight from Sydney, Australia to San Francisco and find your seat in business class. Your eight-month-old is crying and you do your best to calm him down. But he won’t stop. Naturally, he annoys other passengers who complain to the flight attendant.
Now imagine that the flight attendant approaches you and sees you doing everything in your power to soothe your child. But instead of offering a hand or gently asking if she can help, she angerly berates you.
She cites the “rule book” in defense of her position that a baby cannot cry for more than five minutes (seriously) and marches you back to economy class to further berate you, insisting that you leave your seat. When asked to produce the rule book, the FA condescendingly laughs and claims she cannot produce it due to the lack of internet…on a flight that has internet. She reminds you that that “many airlines” do not allow children in business class, insinuating that you do not belong there. Signaling to the rest of the cabin, the FA states that fellow passengers have been complaining. Other passengers sheepishly deny this. You re-take your seat in business class ashamed and humiliated. Paying $28 to access internet, you tell your story on Facebook.
Sadly, this is a true story. Thankfully, though, our story does not end here. Other FAs came to the aide of the passenger and the captain even came over to apologize. A team of United representatives met the woman and her son at San Francisco with profuse apologies and a full refund of her ticket.
Addressing the incident, United has empathically stated that children are welcome in business class:
Young families are welcome on our flights, including in business class. We are continuing to review the incident internally and the flight attendant is being held out of service pending the investigation.
United handled the aftermath well. Their action was swift and decisive and frankly praiseworthy.
But why was that flight attendant so nasty in the first place? Why did she make up those rules? Will there be any consequences for this?
I don’t want to turn this into a union-bashing piece, so let’s just assume she won’t lose her job. And perhaps she should not if this is her first incident (kudos to United, though, for pulling her from service). But we see a pattern with the “few bad apples” at United. So often, they’ve been doing the job so long and they are practically unchangeable. Good luck trying to bring about any improvements in behavior. One of the pillars of United’s core4 program is caring. What this FA did is the absolute opposite of caring.
The solution is not easy. FAs cannot be suddenly radically transformed, especially through HR programs and memos. I would love to see other factors besides seniority play a role in whether a FA is able to hold a line on a longhaul route, but that is unrealistic. Individual consequences for these types of customer service failures are sadly not likely to ever occur in the U.S. airline industry.
Thus, the only path forward I see is if FAs “counsel” fellow FAs. Other FAs—those who get it, those who care—must be the ones to quickly correct their fellow FAs, without fear of reprisal if their seniority is less.
Think how other FAs and the captain on this flight diffused the situation. The passenger shares, however, that the offending FA remained rude for the rest of the flight. Some FAs are incorrigible…they are only human. But sometimes we are rude when we don’t mean it. Sometimes we are tone deaf without malice intent. Encouraging FAs to speak up and correct their flying partner might reduce this sort of behavior. It’s worth a shot.
CONCLUSION
I’m glad United has made clear that children are welcome in business class. I’m also glad the passenger was refunded the price of her ticket, which is very generous compensation. But most of all, I’m happy that the captain and other FAs did not succumb to groupthink but stood up for the young mother trying to soothe her crying baby.
How else might United realistically root out the bad apples?
> Read More: Traveling with an Infant in International First Class
Almost unbelievable; I’ve been on dozens of flights in J with crying babies and never once complained to the FA, or even thought about it. Babies cry but rarely in my experience for a prolonged period…ie, 30 minutes maybe.
It’s the ‘luck of the draw’ and while it can be irritating, it’s nothing to get agitated about…and certainly not deserving of being kicked out of the cabin over. I find it less irritating than the shameless , thoughtless and notorious J class farters.
Shame on United, this is a disgrace.
Not shame on United.. shame on that flight attendant, United dealt with it appropriately
Unfortunately cabin crews reflect the brand 🙁
I pay for business class I don’t want a selfish parent with a crying baby sitting next to me, I work hard to enjoy business class with a piece of mind, and yes there is no shame sending that annoying parent with her annoying kid to economy, I won’t feel bad about it whatsoever
Really? You are entitled to your seat. She presumably paid for her seat and is entitled to it as well. Beyond that, if it was your kid, you would be embarrassed and dismayed, but wouldn’t expect to be treated like a pariah because your kid was in distress. Get a sack of empathy and learn to use it.
Clearly the folks that disagree with you haven’t had the pleasure of sitting next to or near a crying, screaming child for hours on end. Yes, I feel sorry for the parents but I didn’t ask them to talk their kid on a trip across the globe. Air travel has become at best a barely tolerable experience and now you add the stress of hearing a kid scream for hours. Too much.
‘ I agree wholeheartedly.
I agree with you 100%. We pay extra for business and first, so to not have to deal with things like that. Kids have no business in those classes or offer kid free classes on certain flights.
Could not agree more Yael, Chris, Bas and Marshall. I love kids, but we pay a premium to sit in the front of the plane and part of that premium involves not being disturbed. It is irresponsible parenting to take kids that young on flights that long. I have tons of empathy here (kids cry, it is reality), but empathy doesn’t relieve the parent of personal responsibility, respect for others and good judgement. Wait until the kids are older, then take them on long flights. I have many friends who made this decision when their kids were young: “We won’t travel until they are four.” It was a smart move for everyone.
I flew in business class with my twins from birth between Japan and North America…they are now 27. No parent wants to have crying children, and I had many strategies to keep them quiet, but invariably there were a few minutes of crying. Take off and landing are tough. From age 1 I bought them seats. From the airline’s point of view, they are still loyal to United and have flown hundreds of thousands of miles with them. Fortunately I only found very helpful flight attendants.
May I suggest that next time you save up for that premium ticket, you add the purchase of good quality noise cancelling head phones. I have a pair of Bose that, while a little pricey, have been worth every penny.
When my daughter was an infant, I flew with her to see my mother after my father’s death. Unbeknownst to me, she had the beginnings of an ear infection which didn’t show up until we took off. Then it was near non-stop crying for the 2-hour flight. Despite my attempts to soothe her, including nursing, a pacifier, rocking, walking up and down the aisle, she continued to cry until we landed. I was mortified, but there was literally nothing I could do.
In the 35 years since, I have flown with other people’s crying infants, and have offered my support when possible.
If you can afford biz class, you can afford a pair of noise cancelling head phones…perhaps you should get a pair, you arrogant turkey!
I couldn’t agree more. When you pay the big bucks for first or business class, you don’t deserve being exposed to crying babies.
I’ve said it before and I’ll say it here again, ‘ban babies from business class!’ It’s called BUSINESS CLASS for a reason and people pay four times as much for the privilege of having somewhere to work or relax in peace and quiet. Some airlines around the world have already said infants under a certain age cannot travel in premium cabins and more need to adopt this approach. This is another example of ‘entitlement’ where parents with kids think they can do whatever they want and it doesn’t matter how it affects people around them. Selfish behaviour.
Enid: Some of us can’t use noise canceling headphones, you entitled jerk. Do you also tell people in wheelchairs to take the stairs?
LOL a selfish parent with a crying baby?? whos being selfish here? she paid extra for business as well. and you are nothing special. you obviously have no class. no one need berate you for your commentary- you have said all we need to know. thank you.
Cannot believe the arrogance of the people that paid for business class and think they are better than the mother that paid for business class as well. I have empathy for both the mother and the passengers regarding the crying baby; but get your nose down as your money is no better than anyone else’s. Besides you will drown if it rains.
Now here is a genious comment. The only thing that minimizes the crying baby on a plane is earplugs does not matter in what section you plant your behind in. I have sat in all classes on all Airlines . The only thing I am guaranteed priority seating priority deboarding premiem drinks and snacks, but I also get to sit with obnoxious assets as well luck is on my side. I am always willing to let them know how unwelcome they are.
If United refunded the mothers fare they should also refund all the first class fares. I fly first class. It’s expensive. If an adult were talking as loud as a crying baby, they’d be removed. If an older child was screaming, the parents and child would be removed. And frankly, the biggest problem I have is that the attendant wanted to inflict this on economy class passengers. Those seats are uncomfortable enough without the added annoyance of a child that continually cries.
You are welcome to move yourself to economy.
First of all, i nver paid for business class or first class. Im usually ipgraded, or comapny paid for me or i used mileage. Probably 99% of business class seats. One time i was flying first class to asia, and this jew prick was on the phone non stop. Did i become a prick and call and complain. I just put earplugs in, and mind my own business. Unless this is your first flight in your life, i guaranee most people have a way of handling annoying situations. Lets not be dicks in air, please. We have enough dicks on ground.
You sound like the FA’s spouse. Another Ahole!!
I commend the FA. I applaud the people on this thread that are being honest.
“Compassion…Kindness”
Sure. I will have compassion and show kindness in helping you change seats or planes— Just get away from my flight.!!:)
Well said Jay.
Shame on United for having such a bad record of. “Customer service”. Not the first time similar things happen in this airline and trust me, not the last.
I know this may seem harsh, but if a parent or guardian cannot control their child, they should not be allowed to fly.
I had a 5-6 year old kicking the back of my seat for 14 hours between Hong Kong and LAX awhile ago. I confronted his guardian as well as the FA. Neither would do anything about him. He didn’t settle down and sleep until we were on final approach to Los Angeles.
Everyone has a right to their space and that should include being protected from uncontrollable kids. Sorry if you disagree. You’ve never been assaulted like I was.
Hello people it’s called noise cancelling earphones, if your airline doesn’t provide them its time to find a new one
Agree Agree Agree.
I often fly with Cathay Pacific between JFK & HKG, so I fly in First Class that has only 6 seats. Last year, on that long flight from JFK there was a couple with a 1-yo child who was screaming through out the entire flight non-stop. That was a nightmare. There were only 3 seats occupied, that couple with a baby and myself. Cathay Pacific did not reimburse me for that flight and did nothing to compensate me for that nightmare.
I would like to see airlines forbid children under 5 in 1st and Business class. There is no way to measure child’s behavior before the flight starts.
I agree with you. I had the same experience ones. The irony is not every one pay the same amount in any class on a plane. Some people could pay nothing and some could only pay 20% of the plane fair but I was paying $7,500 for my ticket! Setting with a screaming kid or a kid kicking my seat pulling my hair, or smelling some one’s stinky feet! I think the airline companies should take care of this problem. We should not be giving up our rights to a quiet and comfortable flight.
Please who cares!
Should everyone bring their babies to work?
How about to the bar were adults are drinking?
Even better to a movie and expect everyone to deal with it?
It’s not the place for them!
Shame on that mother!
Self centered. She obviously didn’t care about anyone but herself and child. If she did she would have never bought a ticket for business/first class.
Plus I’m sure the child was flying for free as a lap baby. Making paying passengers angry.
The airlines make almost all of their money on first and business class. It has a large profit margin. Economy passengers are just along for the ride.
I’m sure airlines don’t want to piss off there most profitable customers who are business travelers not new mothers with babies that are flying for free.
It’s called business class lol.
People have no common sense or courtesy for anyone anymore strait selfish. She should have understood the situation and moved to economy and felt bad for disturbing everyone.
Instead she complains on social media and blamed everyone else for her problem and mistake?
The airline should give the FA a raise they only reacted this way because they don’t want to be thrashed on social media and loose money.
Whatever you sttoented in grammar is from out of this world. But I will say, I disagree with the minute words in could comprehend. Families sometimes do have children, those children do sometimes have to travel. If one can afford to carry the family “beyond economy”, deal with it. Put in your headphones and feel sympathy for a stressed out mother flying with a baby. Go….e…ff… yourself.
Take your own advice Hermany…and when you criticize someone for their writing, make sure yours is perfect. A person doesn’t put ‘in’ headphones or ‘sstoented in grammar’.
I couldn’t have agreed more!
Very very well said Chris!!
I spend most of the year saving every penny I can so that in the summer I can enjoy a peaceful flight on business class , and surely I wouldn’t want it to be spoiled by a crying baby for the entire flight! Simply it’s my right to claim so!! I should get what I paid for!! I paid for a luxury flight with lots of peace of mind, and not a crying baby all the way through!!
What makes you think you are immune from crying babies. obvious you do not have any children.
Wow! What an entitled troll you are! What does moving her to economy do? Keep her further away from the privileged pricks like you in business class (a seat she paid for and obviously is entitled to) and make the peasants in economy the ones to hear the baby cry instead? The assumption being that if your baby cries they have to put up with it while you don’t? She paid for a seat in first class to travel with a baby – which makes absolute sense. Her reasons probably the same as an asshole like you – more space, food served etc.
Make the woman buy a separate seat for the baby. Then she will run to economy.
There should be no child or baby option in business or first class.
Your take on this situation is disgusting. Shame on YOU.
So true. It’s totally annoying to finds babies on planes and worse still. Pay a fortune for business class ticket And the Last thing I want is some annoying kid and a useless parent, who got the kid along just because she didn’t have to pay for the baby’s ticket.
No one here is against having children but there is a limit to what each of us is willing to tolerate from the children of other parents.
We all love our own but not necessarily those whose parents allow them to disrupt a flight or restaurant. I have had to take my kid out of a restaurant when she become unruly. Get over yourself. It’s not about discrimination. It’s about the expectation of peace and quiet. The same action would be taken against an unruly adult. DUH!
Shame on you prick.
Disgusting son of a bitch. I know your mom wouldn’t have felt this way if she had you flying business class as a baby and you were crying. Or perhaps she would feel the same way and think she should have swallowed you as a sperm instead of birthing an entitled prick like yourself
United provides a service which is to transport passengers from one destination to another and have a finate amount of interior space for people to operate and get along in. Get over your entitlement and insistence for quiet space and things they way you like it. There are to many variables regarding people, conditions and weather,etc. Flexability and understanding is sometimes required. It keep one from acting like they have a personality problem.
How far should we take that? Is it OK to take a sick toddler aboard a light and have him puke on you? How about spilling his soda on your suit enroute to a business meeting when you don’t have time much less a spare suit to change into?
If a parent cannot control their kid, why do you blame that on your fellow passengers? I would love to know.
Hey Chis make a bit of time for and i will show who cares you piece of shit .
I will arrange your face you mother would not even reconize you.
When you were a baby bet any money you cryed most of the day . And now you have no children because you probably dont have the balls to have the best gift in life.
Really? It’s far more likely that she paid for that seat than did the others in business class who were flying on their company’s or client’s dime.
I’ve flown in business class on carriers a lot more respected than United, and people often fly with kids. And by and large, these kids are better behaved than a lot of adults I could mention.
We’ve flown business international with our 1-yr-old as a lap-infant. FYI, they aren’t free. You still have to pay 10% of the ticket face value, so it cost us $1,400 for her. And there’s no seat, no meal, etc., so think about that cost/value for a minute.
Regardless of whether we should pay full fare for an additional seat, it simply doesn’t make sense for a child this age who spent most of her time in her mom’s lap anyway. Plus in business class the seats come in groups of 2 that form their own little cabin, so it would make no sense to split the family up into separate rows.
And ditto to whomever made the point that parents with kids are usually paying the (hefty) fare themselves, unlike many others in business who ride on their company’s dime.
Well said Chris.
Bravo, Chris!!!
Bravo.
1/2 the people bashing you on here are lying to themselves because they would probably feel guilty around their children for speaking the truth…
Kidless Biz Class FOREVER!!
“When asked to produce the rule book, the FA condescendingly laughs and claims she cannot produce it due to the lack of internet…on a flight that has internet. She reminds you that that “many airlines” do not allow children in business class, insinuating that you do not belong there.”
I am sorry, but you consider this “appropriate”? Why should they even do this? As a mom I would not be humiliated, I would be IRATE! If I were the FA, I would definitely not chastised the mother, but try and help to find a way to calm the child, after all he/she cannot help their nature. For all we know, the child could be crying because they could be affraid; it could be THEIR very first trip on a plane. Can you honestly tell me you would condemn the child for fear? As a rule I do not fly inside the US anymore unless I absolutely have to. If I do have to; it will NEVER be on United again!
I agree, Jay. The FA was completely out of line and her team stepped up to make the situation right immediately. Horrible things happen in this world, it’s how they are handled that is important. Had the mother been an assertive type, she may have forced the FA to back down. But faced with the situation, I think you’d have to be a bigger witch than the FA. I’ve flown with crying babies up front several times and the only time anyone should be upset is if the parents are doing nothing to calm the child.
what you have to change is the airlines thinking that you a prisoners on their plane and that you the customer should act accordingly. The airlines need to treat the customer like a guest instead of treating you like they are doing you a favor by flying you somewhere. Post 9-11 flight attendants act like cops and bait you in to an aurgument and use their post 9-11 power to berate you, and throw you off of flights . Long gone are the days flight attendants treating you like a welcome guest. It is hurry get on board, take a seat and shut up. That flight attendant isn’t the exception she is the norm.
Really? You are their guest. They own the plane and crew. The set many of the rules. If you want to fly with them, you sign onto those rules when purchasing your ticket. Due to the fact that most passengers choose their flights based upon the lowest price, competition has forced them to find ways to increase their bottom line. That includes shrinking seats, taking away amenities we used to take for granted, and yes charging us for seat reservations, meals, checked luggage and so on.
They’re more profitable than ever. Don’t expect them to give that up. Now that they have the formula, they’ll continue to find more ways to boost profits. I think it was Ryan air that trial tested charging for access to the bathroom. Thank God they backed away from that.
Anyone who doesn’t like their rules (like those who want no one to use the recline allowed by the carrier) needs to either fly by private jet or some other means. No one is forcing anyone to fly a particular carrier but when you sign onto their Ts & Cs, you’ve agreed to their business model.
If i pay for business class i Will not accept sitting near a crying baby. Anyone with common sense would understand that. A baby doesn’t do business trips, and has no right to be there.
If your baby it’s too young to fly without crying, then you shouldn’t be flying with him.
I’ve seen adults cry plenty as well, do they also get removed?
Yes. Sorry. Was this a real question?
Easy to say, but sometimes it’s just a necessity of life. And the age doesn’t necessarily reflect whether they’ll be able to fly without crying. It frequently has more to do with whether they experience ear pain. That’s something a parent won’t know in advance.
Go hump a camel
We have that option in Business Class. Don’t ruin it!!
Life does not work that way in the free world. Prople need to travel for various reasons. We should treat dogs better than our children because they are not crying? Reality is, this is not a personal jet. It is public transportation.
Are you suggesting we put kids in the cargo hold? lol
So… baby(ies) cannot have rich parent who can afford them bussines class? Just because your parent were poor all parent have to drop down to your level….
Yes! Stay out of business class with yourcry babys we don’t want you there!!! You ruin the flight for everyone else you selfish ‘non poor’ parents! Stay home!
I would make YOU cry…Stay home or find another mode of transportation.
I thought I was the only one who was thinking this! The FA seems to have handled the situation poorly, but when I pay a lot to fly business class I shouldn’t be expected to tolerate constant crying…. from babies or otherwise.
Perhaps you could charter a plane next time? It’s the only way to ensure not sitting beside a young mother and her child.
You got this bass ackwards. It should be on the parent to control their own kids.
I witnesses a FA give a family of 3 about ten minutes to quiet their constantly screaming toddler while still at the gate. When the parents we not able to calm him down, they asked the family to leave the flight. This was in coach class and only a 5-hour flight.
I think the old adage applies here. Your right extend up to when the infringe on someone else’s. Most of us tolerate a little crying. That’s not the issue. What is at issue is uncontrollable kids.
You are cruel and abnormal. Babies cry – get used to it. I hope that I never get stuck in a seat next to a jerk like you.
Robert ,apparently you do not have children you piece of shit.
And i bet any money in the world your an arrogant American. Hopefully you sit next to me one day i wil put you in your place. I will ram the local newspaper down your throat.
Hi John, I am an arrogant American, and I have no issue with kids in business class…
Feel free to GFY,
John— You won’t get a newspaper to ram someone woth in Coach. Sorry buddy. Keep saving those miles Skippy!! You will get to Biz class one day!!
*with*
To those those who say they don’t want crying babies, in business class,,just stop crying about it,and take a private jet,
Buy ur own plane then.
Couldn’t agree more. I do not want to sit next to a crying baby. If you are unable to handle your baby, you should have used condom. They are much cheaper then business class ticket. Get out! Cudos to FA!
What is egregiously wrong is that it is not a mandatory requirement to buy a baby it’s own seat! Most babies who fuss, cry, squirm and are wretched are the babies that are for ed to stay on a parent’s lap for the duration of a flight. If these passengers are too cheap or cannot afford a dedicated seat for a child in business class then it’s a question of what they can afford. If they are looking to economize by not buying a seat for their child then they absolutely do not belong in business class!
On the other hand:
Business class is clearly not exclusively for business travelers. I’m not sure why the people in coach should have to tolerate crying babies but only if the babies have their own ticketed seats. I raised three children who never fussed on a plane or cried or kicked the back of a seat or disturbed anyone…not even once. Even in business class. It’s mostly about planning and knowing what your baby can tolerate.
That being said I think it’s far worse and highly unfair to inflict an out of control screaming baby on business or First passengers when the fare is up to ten times more than a coach passenger’s ticket. I always fly business or first for the ancillary comforts such as much shorter TSA lines, check in, boarding order, water available at all times, and to greatly diminish the odds of sitting near a lap baby. Nightmare.
Shockingly elitist. Let the beggars in coach deal with the babies. That’s their job after all!
YES Robert!!
Agreed!
Kidless Biz Class Forever!
why should I have to sffer from anybody’s baby problems???
So I’m assuming you were a perfect baby and never cried.. correct? Babies, children, old people etc are a part of life. If you do t accept that you may want to hire your own aircraft and pilot….
Very stupid Robert very stupid
They pay for business class my friend. You hire your private jet so you will be very comfortable
I would make YOU cry…Stay home or find another mode of transportation.
You don’t…stay dafuq home
As an Avid Farter, I find your comment as offensive as my intestinal gases
What a hero you are Paolo, babies shouldn’t be allowed to fly in any class especially first or business.
Damn right I’d complain.
Absolutely, I paid for business class I don’t want a selfish parent with a crying baby sitting next to me, I work hard to enjoy business class with a piece of mind, and yes there is no shame sending that annoying parent with her annoying kid to economy, I won’t feel bad about it whatsoever.
Tough tinkerbell. You are certainly welcome to go move to economy yourself.
Then again, you pay for a movie ticket, attend a wedding or a funeral or go out for dinner at a wonderful restaurant and have the common sense not to place a baby in those settings.
Obviously, I know she has to bring her child along, but business class?
As is true with eternal conundrum of seat reclining— just because we have the right to slam back our seats doesn’t mean we SHOULD!
I fly business regularly. Babies that cry are annoying and I just put my headset on and turn the music loud. The passengers that complain must really be miserable in their life. I have witnessed those stuffy business class that thinks they are above others. I love United and cannot judge them by passengers that complain and a flight attendant that attended to make the majority happy. Keep up the good work, United…
Unfortunately people are filled with self-importance. The reality is if they were that important they would be paying someone to fly them by themselves. Guess no one has informed them yet YOUR not that important get over yourself welcome to the real world where you really do not matter.
Shame on United? I give that FA credit. Here is a real shocker to some…..
Not everybody likes babies or kids in general. MOST people can’t stand a crying baby on a plane (although they may never admit it)
I know— About to be BASHED here right?
(yawn)
Shrieking babies in a confined space woth all of those people packed tightly together with no escape miles up in the air are a security threat. They should not be allowed to fly period. If I were the pilot I would have kicked them off of my plane. Parents have to be less selfish and put their children’s needs first. Very small children do not need to travel that far.
About fifteen years ago I heard a story told by someone on a flight originating in California and traveling east. Three adults holding five babies sat in the row in front of him. All five babies were crying after take-off and continued to cry. Eventually, someone in the back of the plane yelled, “Can’t you shut those babies up?”
A man stood up and apologized for the crying babies. He said, “These babies have been traveling for 36 hours and are stressed and exhausted. They are on their way to Chicago (I think) to meet their adoptive parents,” The other passengers could see that the man was pretty stressed and exhausted, too, and hands went up from people volunteering to hold the babies. The babies were passed back into the plane and soon snuggled into the fresh arms of loving people. They all quieted down and fell asleep.
When the plane landed in the city where the babies were to meet their adoptive families, everyone got off the plane to witness the introductions. There was not a dry eye among any of the passengers.
Instead of paying all that money for first class or business tickets for traveling with your small children, how about leaving them at home and paying a really good babysitter and enjoying your trip by your self or with your partner? Seriously, on a vacation really small kids do not even know what is going on. Get over traveling EVERYWHERE with the kids.
I’m sure the FA has a decent tenure and will continue to bid on long haul flights. Nothing against Unions, but this is the process we put on our selves. Something needs to be fixed to not allow this.
Since you are offended by my farts I will continue to hold them for the duration of the eight hour flight thank you.
Signed, no class in first class
In my experience, a lot of the FAs in Long haul the to be old and tired people, just getting their hours in before retirement. Some of the rudest FAs on United have been the ones in business class long haul.
United love hiring mean flight attendant. They are ripping what they sow.
I hope they are not sowing any broccoli, beans or garlic cause I do not want to be there while the “ripping” occurs.
I had a negative experience very recently with my 1 year old in AA domestic F – but from a passenger, not the FA (they were pleasant enough). I’m usually a lover and not a fighter, but I had to say to the passenger “you were a baby too at some point”. (I didn’t, but want to say something a bit ruder along the lines of “When you were 90 air travel wasn’t nearly so popular”).
Realistically the only thing they can do is to evaluate each and every flight attendant and their “record”, and for those whose “record” shows antipathy to passengers, they must be removed from the line and made to attend more Core4 training or other such training as is appropriate. The FA’s would NOT loose money/salary or seniority on this. Termination is not an option, especially on the front end of this program. Clearly you’d have to have buy in from the Union to make this successful. I do believe that some people who get this special attention can change and be better or even good. Some may ultimately not be successful, and the Union and United have to work through this.
There’s always 2 sides to a story. We’ve only heard the mother’s version. I would like to hear the flight attendant’s version. United never said there’s not a rule book regarding baby crying. May be there is really a rule which the flight attendant is following ?
Exactly. Pretty tired of people reading these articles and judging based on that alone. FAs have a difficult job and have to deal with all sorts of nasty and petulant people. Few understand the actual strict airline and FAA rules as well, and the industry is having to apologise for pretty much any complaint these days even when not at fault. Articles like this just add fuel to the fire and increase people’s sense of self-entitlement and increase whining. I fly a lot. If I’m asked to do something, I do it. I follow the rules, I’m polite, and I’m understanding of the tough job the FAs have. Never ever had a problem. But I certainly witness plenty of they passengers who make it tough on the FAs.
Both your comments belie that you might not be parents (if you are… Phew).
Rule or not, it’s a bad way to handle the situation. Having recently flown with my toddler, I might personally choose to minimize flying with her, but sometimes still need to. How else was this mom supposed to get from AU to the US, swim?! Most parent don’t *want* their kids to cry, and clearly this mom has been trying to calm her toddler down.
Regarding “business class,” the airlines have basically said that if you want better service, pay up, which this mom did. How can you (attempt) to take her money then treat her like that? Glad they refunded her, because she did *not* get what she paid for.
Additionally, airlines know that children are flying there because they have to be in reservations to board. They obviously aren’t stupid enough to prevent families from flying altogether. I can understand rules that say I shouldn’t let my child run in the aisle, but crying is kind of a stupid rule.
Yes, I am parents myself. I’ve flown with children.
A judge ALWAYS listen to both sides of the story. We dont know if “this mother” EXAGGERATED.
Again, need 2 sides of the story, period !!!!
I’m a mother. I would stop paying the high fees for business class if I had to listen to a baby cry or have a child kick my seat. I’m still keeping my fingers crossed for the adults only flights..
I just didn’t fly with my child (or take her to the theater) until I knew she was old enough not to disturb others. If the flight attendant was rude, that is a different matter and should be dealt with accordingly.
Very stupid Robert very stupid
No way to NOT make this a Union issue. On pretty much all my flights on United, the more senior the flight attendant, the worse the attitude and service. I’ll take less experienced flight attendants on short hauls over veteran long haul ones any day. If you can’t weed out the bad apples, it’s a nonstarter.
I wish it were that simple, but some of the best FAs I have had on United have been the most senior — like Sammy in my report below.
https://liveandletsfly.boardingarea.com/2017/11/13/united-airlines-747-farewell-flight-review/
And sadly, many of the new hires, like the young FAs I had from LA to London last week, simply provided bad service.
It always makes me wonder why the other passengers tolerate this kind of behavior as well? If even a couple of people told that flight attendant to stop behaving that way wouldn’t that help her change her behavior? I would hope so! I don’t like to fly United because they’ve always been rude since the 70s!
Hi Matthew, I wanted to thank you for the beautiful article you wrote about the last flight on Uniteds 747. Recently retired from United after 6 months short of a full 44 years of flying, this article brought tears to my eyes. The 747 was one of my favorite planes to work. I was on the 747 on September 11 coming from Frankfurt, Germany into Chicago. Of course we ended up in Canada instead. I am, was one of those older Flight Attendants you write about and always prided myself on giving the most gracious service, having a positive attitude towards the very people, my customers who paid my salary and always tried to make sure my appearance was as perfect as possible. It was rare to almost never in my career with United that I worked with rude or belligerent co workers. On those rare occasions it truly was the more junior of my fellow co workers. That is not my main point, I just wanted to thank you for writing about your positive experiences and standing up for those of us who were and are more senior on United. I was so blessed to have more pleasant, gracious and overall happy customers in my career and so happy that those customers still resonate in my life after retirement. I feel so lucky and blessed to be able to say I worked for a great company, United Airlines. Again thank you for your positive comments and safe travels to you young man.
Dear Ms. Evans, Thanks so much for your wonderful comment. I truly appreciate it. Perhaps we flew together and did not know it? I wish you all the best in your retirement.
Problem: in most US flights, FA believed they exist to ensure safety of passenger, more often than believe of religious person. Ensuring safety is IMPORTANT job, which normally, any important such comes with authority and perks. Authority implies sense of entitlement.
Imagine if the FA consider themselves as workers in service industry, where smile, caring, attentiveness and helpful attitude is the core of how they present themselves. The result: most of asian airlines’ FAs.
You’re confusing ethnic culture with service culture…
Oh please, Business class is expensive and a non-stop crying baby can be excruciating to others who pay a higher price for comfort. I’ve always thought there should be a section for parents with babies and they can all wail together.
Tell the airlines that please
Tell the airlines please
Agree with you 100% on this; if you are paying for a premium seat why should you be subjected to having to listen to screaming kids.
I agree w that, I dont think kids should be in business class… they should have a section just for parents and kids all the way in the back… but also I think kids should get off the plane first, so they wont be trapped there screaming waiting for everyone else get off the plane. (Yes, I do have 2 small kids, I know how it is)…
Love that idea.As someone who abandoned business class seat and ran to the cheap seats because of screaming child, I could totally get behind a baby/child area.
People are so cruel these days and selfish. Before judging anyone sometimes no all the time you should put yourself in people shoes. You never know what predicament you can be in or in fact you may just end up needing someone’s help in some kind of way. Be kind, have patience and a heart. It will take you a long way. Stop wasting energy being so angry and negative. It doesn’t matter what kind or how much a ticket was, In her time of need assistance would have been helpful.
Jackie- We pay the higher flight cost so that we can pretty much feel how we want to feel. I don’t have patience and/or heart. I didn’t pay for business class to assist anyone.
You make it sound like it is our duty to have compassion for a parent with a crying child. Not my concern. My concern is my comfort.
That is the reality.
A crying baby can make traveling torturous for everyone. The parent need to know that the cabin pressure changes affects the ears. Try a bottle to the mouth so child can swallow. That helps the pressure and makes it difficult to scream. I had a memorable experience on an international flight sitting next to young five year old girl who repeated, over a dozen times kicked me with her filthy shoe bottom on my clothing during flight and the mother did nothing. I placed inflight magazine to protect my garment from further germs and glared at the mother. Some people are totally clueless when they don’t take the nanny. If an adult did that, it would be an assault. The flight was full so no chance to move.
I had a similar case of young child kicking back of my seat regularly on 12-hour flight Israel to Canada a couple of years ago. My wife and I were sitting in next to last row in middle section on plane (I was in middle seat). Don’t know the ethnicity of mother behind but not white, but she apparently didn’t discipline the child. Fortunately passive person that I am, I had an easy solution on that trip. The seat next to me was empty so when child kicked I just moved over one seat until child eventually went to sleep. Not a frequent flyer but only time I had a problem with another passenger. Never had an issue with any flight attendant either, always found service satisfactory. In one case a few years ago – same airline, El Al, Canada to Israel – I was flying on my birthday. Midway through the flight when everything was quiet, attendant came back wishing me happy birthday with complimentary wine and pastries for me and my wife. Obviously my birthdate was in their system from my passport as it had also printed Happy Birthday on my boarding pass. A little thing but a nice gesture for customer service.
Elle for President!!
Elle is my hero. I hope to travel with Elle one day.
🙂
Bravo!
I hate crying babies on flights. Yes, its a baby and they cry. But your one baby is disturbing EVERYONE. Is that fair? Lets all suffer for one baby?!
And in first class? No thanks. Bad enough in Economy. But in First on a long International Flight?? No Thanks!
+1. This was handled rather poorly, but children do not belong in premium cabins until they can speak and exhibit self-control. The entire premise of paying a lot more for your ticket, whether in miles or money, is to have comfort and peace.
You pompous people think buying a first class ticket makes you better than everyone else. If that parent bought a first class ticket under your thinking then she or he shouldn’t have to sit next to such pompous wholes. Don’t want a baby on your flight because you think you have money and makes you better than everyone else? Buy a plane you Tollop , yes tollop.
Um we are, there are reason people are rich, they are smarter than the rest and get better jobs…. Truth hurts
Robert, there are plenty of rich people who are leeching off the success of their ancestors. Permanent liabilities who are not incredibly intelligent, or grammatically adequate.
It was business class, not first class. I could maybe understand if some airlines ban young children/babies from first class, but I would not understand if they banned them from business class. Business class ain’t exactly luxury or a rarefied space. I travel more than most, less than some, and usually travel business class for long-haul trans-continental flights. It does not surprise me to find a baby in business class… you’re flying on an airplane, it’s not a suite at an Aman.
That’s torture right there…. reason why I get business class
Who cares
Thank you. Because I don’t CARE
I commend the flight attendant for looking out for the majority of passengers instead of just the little family. People are tired of screaming kicking kids on flights. It makes things extremely unpleasant and unsafe for everyone else. This was BUSINESS CLASS and since people pay more for that and first class they may need to work or sleep and should be able to without some crying kid. Air Asia has quiet zones and Malaysia bans kids from first class and some flights. People have commented on YouTube videos they would pay more for peaceful flights. Restaurants have banned kids and their business has increased exponentially. Airlines need to do the same or at least let adults have first class to escape children
I would not want to be flying for 14 hours in Business Class listening to a crying child for the entire flight. I feel that the FA could have used more tact. However, after about twenty minutes of enduring listening to a crying child, I would have certainly complained to the FA.
Your hyperbole of a kid crying for an entire 14-hour flight is a straw man. Yes, it’s frustrating to others it was clearly frustrating to the mom too who was trying to calm her kid anyway. Shaming her in a tough moment doesn’t really help anyone. She paid for her ticket just like everyone else.
“Encouraging FAs to speak up and correct their flying partner might reduce this sort of behavior”
This could be said for quite a few professions but cops come to mind. Hmmmm.
I agree crying babies suck but let’s be realistic, cops won’t even hold each other accountable so what makes you think an FA is going to do it to a fellow FA (likely a friend) in a closed space environment you can’t escape for 10+ hours. Be realistic. People act this way because they’ve been shown they can get away with it. It’s not hard to look at our president and be able to incorrectly justify treating other people like shit and think you’ll get away with it.
I applaud the flight attendant for looking out for the majority instead of just the little family especially since it was BUSINESS CLASS. Just bc people have kids doesn’t mean everyone should be forced to listen to them. People need to work or sleep so they pay a lot more for premium seats. Air Asia has quiet zones and Malaysia bans kids from first class and some flights. We need to do the same. I have read on YouTube videos where people would pay more for peaceful flights. The airlines would make more money too. Restaurants ban kids and their business has increased exponentially. People are tired of screaming kicking kids on flights and hopefully they will join me in suggesting to the airlines childfree flights and or sections
I agree with you. I do not want to be stuck on a plane in any seat with crying baby on board. Especially in business class. What are these parents thinking–that they are so special people will give them a pass. I would complain and I have complained. Don’t fly if your kid is crying –and you certainly know if that kid is going to cry.
I am a parent of a 7 month year old. Who is no stranger to flying with young kids. The comments against babies flying in premium cabins is unnerving. I will be damned if someone tells me where I can or cannot be, because I am traveling with a baby. Especially since I paid the extra expense just like everyone else for comfort and accessibility. Who is anybody to tell someone what they should be allowed to do or exclude a group from enjoying luxury that they can afford to enjoy as well. Technology is well advance to the point you can put on some headphones and drown out the noise.
You keep your screaming babies far away from business class, actually don’t travel until they are older. It is just common sense
What if she didn’t have a choice? Hubby got a job in Los Angeles and they are moving there so she is meeting him there. I mean really people???
I am betting the mother actually paid for her seat, and also paid the surcharge for the baby. You one the other hand, are probably in Business Class because your employer paid or you used upgrade.
In over 3million miles of flying, i have only ONCE been near a child that has cried the entire flight. It is very very rare that the child cries for much longer than the take off or the landing.
What is more disruptive, is the drunks, who view business class like a free open bar and then proceed to keep everyone awake. Or like my flight last night, in first on LH where the guy in the seat behind me (and there are only 8 seats in the small F section), reeked of garlic. Absolutely reeked to the point of nearly making the other 7 passengers barf.
If kids bother you so much, buy a pair of noise cancelling headphones for $300. Oh wait, you are too cheap, unlike the mother who actually paid for her b seat.
Who needs to hear a crying baby on a 14 hour flight are you looking for money lady.
Good for the FA.
Shame on the parent travelling with an 8 month old.
Children under 3 should be banned from airlines.
So people with 8 month olds can’t travel? I pay for business class, I still have to look at your ugly, loser face. I still have to smell your smelly body and put up with you, so why shouldn’t you put up with some crying?
You get noise cancelling headphones. I suggest you use them.
Your life traveling might be lonely, but don’t take your sad pathetic life out those of us with happy families.
Man, way to bash someone you don’t know just because you don’t agree with his/her opinion. Truth is, “smelly” and “ugly” are a matter of opinion…….screaming is not. Grow up…
Proper hygiene is not a matter of opinion… Whether a child is “Loud” is a matter of opinion. Someone with noise cancelling headphones wouldn’t be complaining about a crying child.
Please say that to the airlines
I hope you stub your toe today.
Children under 30 actually!!!
Business class passengers usually get ear plugs in their amenity kits. If a crying baby is bothering you, use them. I view a crying baby as an unavoidable risk in a closed environment like an aircraft. For all those saying that they would have complained to an FA – assuming the parent is doing what they can to calm the baby – what do they expect the FA to do? We should all just chill out and learn to live with fact that sometimes we can’t control every bit of the environment. A crying baby is one of those things that just happens from time to time. Again, use those ear plugs, you’d be surprised at how much noise they block out.
I have been on flights where the children have been holy terrors and the parents don’t do a thing. I’m on the FA side even though it not the popular one.
the other passengers are doing her favor in humanity if her keeps disturbing other pax. its not her rights just because she bought a ticket but other’s kindness to allow her to stay in.
Upper leadership don’t care about the employees !
Anyone who can news coverage how they treat their injured employees is just shameless .
I have email trying to get help and they say your injury never happened at work ok then tell me where.
They will ruin your life and spend thousands on a lawyer instead of helping an injured employee.
Spent over thousands on medical care for me and then when surgeon requested surgery at point of injection they say oh wait it’s not related to work so since 2010 get ESI injections and a 5 percent impairment. And then the state TDI sides with them since money can buy justice.
Very corrupt and then they say if you have an attorney please meet our attorney.
Talk about corporate corruption…Where is corporate security to handle everyone down from CEO to Risk management directors. No one would reply the blanket email.
I am not upset just wonder how a company gets away with this mis handling which their third party insurance company got sued in Newark and Chicago.
They know the dirty
Sheila is mad because she’s barren and cannot reproduce. Don’t let your anger about your dead womb make your a miserable bitch.
Oops. Too late.
I am just telling it like it is. The people who are selfish and stupid enough to fly with kids are finally being called out for it. Kevin you are an ignorant idiot who doesn’t know what its talking about. Keep your beats at home
Sheila, I disagree with Kevin’s tact, but agree with his point. Wow, all of us parents who travel with kids are automatically selfish and stupid?That’s a pretty broad generalization there.
Beautifully said!
Probably a disgruntled legacy CO FA…UA FA’s have more sensitivity.
So why should a crying baby be in economy? They have rights too.
While it would certainly be an inconvenience, I wouldn’t complain. No one wants to be in that situation (parent/child/other passengers/FA), so knowing that you’ve gotta have some compassion. It would be great if an airline had an insulated empty bathroom with a chair that a parent/guardian could use…honestly I could see plenty of parents choosing a plane that offered that. I’m not a parent myself, but I would be a wreck leading up to a flight with my infant. But, I’m sorry, not one of you people saying “I paid blah blah for comfort and quiet” is so important that you deserve to make another human feel bad because their infant can’t be silenced. Tough shit…move on and invest in some good noise cancelling headphones.
Babies should not be allowed in business class. It’s pretty simple. Babies should not be allowed on a plane at all, unless it’s necessary in terms of getting somewhere for a medical procedure. I’d say there should be an age limit, just like an obese person or extra wide person should have to buy two seats or a larger seat.
Mark that’s genius. Say that to the airlines
I hope your parents followed your own advice.
The title suggests she was kicked out of business class completely, when…she wasn’t. A bit misleading.
Didn’t mean it to be misleading – but she was removed from business class to discuss this. I thought that was a key piece of this story.
True, but the title doesn’t reflect that. Maybe more accurate to have “United Flight Attendant Temporarily Removes Woman From Business Class…”. Otherwise, to the casual reader, it could even be interpreted as her being kicked out of business completely. Which, to be fair, with the way some FAs act these days, wouldn’t be a completely impossible scenario…
So wait till the baby is older and it should be the other way around. Tough shit your infant can’t be silenced. That’s why there should be childfree flights and or sections. An age limit would work wonders too instead of making all the passengers suffer just bc parents think they and their spawn should be allowed to make everyone miserable bc they don’t care about anyone except their screaming and or kicking kid
The world will be a better place when we all show a little more compassion for one another.
Amen!
Being a frequent flyer, I obviously have been exposed to several instances where a baby has been crying. In some instances the parent was knowledgeable and well prepared to handle the situation to make the baby feel more comfortable and therefore minimized the crying. One simple method is to give the baby a bottle during altitude changes which helps alleviate inner ear pressure change effects. In other cases I have observed parents who are totally helpless in their attempts to reduce the crying. Two things that may help would be for parents to do a little research about potential problems when flying with a baby and look for suggestions for handling the situation. In addition, the airlines could provide some helpful info that parents could print out with their tickets.
to all you VIPS who can’t stand crying babies and were born as adults. FLY PRIVATE!
The easiest way for United to deal with rouge FA’s is going not give them the best routes. I am sure if I’m FA does a long haul flight longer than 8 hrs automatically get the next day off plus 4 hrs of time and a half. So don’t give her long flights. Make her work on a small 55 passenger plane where she has to do multiple flights a day.
+1 Doc Vin.
Somebody get Sheila a Snickers bar. I think she might be hangry.
To those of you that feel your money entitles you to more than someone else, why don’t you go buy your own private jets so you don’t have to deal with us parents?
Why do you believe the fact that you had a kid entitles you to more than someone else? Why don’t YOU go buy your own private jet?
Bottom line, why am I _or anyone else on the plane_ being forced to suffer for your poor life choices in getting pregnant? I didn’t impregnate you, likely neither did any of them. Yet your one bad decision now is negatively impacting all of us. If you can’t handle the added responsibility of being a parent, you shoulda used a condom.
I have offered to help single monthers traveling with young children and babies, because I know how difficult it can be. A little kindness goes a long way.
FYI – typo in ” A team of Untied representatives met the woman and her son at San Francisco with profuse apologies and a full refund of her ticket.” I snickered at the image of tied up airline reps.
As long as you pay it shouldnt be a problem. Or they should tell you of you book a flight.
If i fly then every time i walk out the plane its a gigantic mess in bussines class. Newspapers over the floor and so on. If those people are high standard they have to start cleaning up before they leave.
Yes, I’ve seen the mess some people leave in planes but why should anyone be surprised at that. Look at the litter mess on streets and highways. Often fast food garbage. Attitudes today seem to be, if you’re finished with it just throw it anywhere. I was brought up better than that, but I’m a senior now. Has parenting changed that much?
A crying baby can make traveling torturous for everyone. The parent need to know that the cabin pressure changes affects the ears. Try a bottle to the mouth so child can swallow. That helps the pressure and makes it difficult to scream. I had a memorable experience on an international flight sitting next to young five year old girl who repeated, over a dozen times kicked me with her filthy shoe bottom on my clothing during flight and the mother did nothing. I placed inflight magazine to protect my garment from further germs and glared at the mother. Some people are totally clueless when they don’t take the nanny. If an adult did that, it would be an assault. Full flight so no chance to move.
It doesn’t take training to be a human being. The flight attendant was clearly a surly, sad excuse of a customer facing employee. While listening to a crying baby isn’t fun, when the parent(s), are honestly doing their best, you either offer to assist, or grin and bear it. Don’t be a jerk and complain, and if you’re the flight attendant, you certainly don’t do what this one did. I am glad to see UA made it right, but people especially those in customer facing roles need to sometimes take a step back and say to themselves “what possible good could come out of what I am about to do”? If there is no foreseeable positive result, keep your mouth shut and don’t make things worse. Sadly, the few bad apples really do so much more damage than the good, hard working ones.
Why can’t I complain? I will complain on the flight and after. And apparently the parent gets very stressed with the glaring eyes and sighs of fellow passengers. Good!
This “reporter” is irresponsible and sensationalist. He admits to approving of how United dealt with the situation, yet chooses the headline to drum up passion and hatred. How about a positive headline, like United crew comes together to right a wrong.
Too boring I guess. The media hate-affair with United drags on.
Unfair. The headline is accurate but I certainly applaud the way United corporate quickly handled it.
Hate affair? Try love affair:
https://liveandletsfly.boardingarea.com/2016/12/13/love-affair-united-airlines/
The FAA and the American Academy of Pediatrics strongly recommend the use of an FAA-approved child restraint device (car seat), and I know many parents that value that advise and choose to sit in Econ with a seat for everyone in their family instead of first with no seat for their child. Until the FAA mandates the restraint devices and that every passenger must have their own seat, the airlines could simply not allow lap children in biz and first cabins; I’ve rarely seen a baby in a paid seat in biz/first.
We flew many times long haul in business class and first with our daughter before she turned three without a seat for her and once paid in business on a great fare deal. If she got upset we would walk her to the lavatory, up to the snack bar, whatever it may be. This usually satiated the child and she now is a great flyer. But on safety grounds, I agree. Even though our daughter (now four) no longer requires a full harness (we use the CARES harness) we still put her in one for takeoff and landing as those are the times she is most at risk and a standard seatbelt for the rest of the flight. If it gets bumpy, the just clasps the top of the harness and is back in, if turbulence is unexpected she still has her lap belt on anyway. But after years of actually doing it, I agree, full seats should be required, lap infants shouldn’t be a possibility. Perhaps the seat is refundable if the flight is not sold out (like Southwest does now for passengers of size).
Those who complained of baby(ies) crying disturb their comfort are actually peasant who never even fly in bussines class. In truth, bussines class passenger were provided better HEADPHONES than economy. Babies are the least of their attention
Business class is the place to escape screaming babies and unruly children. Why would I pay the upgraded price to be in business class to only be disturbed durung the flight?
I applaud that flight attendant for ensuring the remainder of the cabin were comfortable. She looked out for the needs of the many.
Absolutely. It’s only the poor who get progeny. The rich buy their babies. And the true rich fly private.
Imagine paying $2k for a ticket, for business class, for an eight to ten hour flight, listening to domeone’s rugrat cry, the entire trip?
The reason why I fly in first or business class, is to avoid noisy children, crying babies, emotional support ponies and the like.
The mother was clearly an inconsiderate be-ach and could not give a damn about other passengers. I hope she never flies UAL again!
Why is there always so much United bashing. It’s like someone has a platform for their own gain to get even with United. It appears this reporter loves hate stories on or about United. It’s a shame that this platform afford you the opportunity to be a voice but clearly a one sided United bashing individual. I’ve had my fill, all airlines have bad situations. All companies have their pitfalls, its lifr.
some people never flew with irritating baby(ies) and their parents doing COMPLETELY NOTHING to keep them quiet! is not about them crying I’ve seen way too many times little children taking aircraft as a theme park and their lovely parents having earplugs or reading a book and giving not a f….!! honestly I’d ban those people from flying so at least they would reconsider their way of naturally care about their baby!
The flight attendant did right. I dont want a baby crying in the business class cabin. Good call United and good call by the FA.
So get up and move to back…or better yet…jump out.
Was this a lap baby or a second seat full paid ticket? I don’ think they should let lap babies in Business class. I recently flew next to mother of a lap baby who had no clue how to get her baby to stop crying. It was so CLEAR the the child was bored. She had no toys….I finally asked if I could hold her and I entertained her for two hours with various songs, etc. She started crying again when I went to the bathroom. It’s not rocket science – babies are simple. They are either bored, tired or hungry. And on the descent, their ears pop and they get scared or have a little discomfort. That’s it. Some parents are just clueless…
And you knew everything about babies as soon as yours were born. You’re a genius.
I have flown over 4 million miles but very rarely on US carriers for the same reason. I usually fly Cathay Pacific, Singapore Airlines and Emirates Airlines. You will never find this kind of stupidity on those carriers
I would make YOU cry…Stay home or find another mode of transportation.
I love crying babies. Before I had kids, the sound would drive me up a wall. Then………after three of my own, I miss those days so much that the sound of a crying baby floods me with memories.
Wow. Hey parents— Travel with boogen. He loves it!!
Why wasn’t the child put in cargo?
While I do not have children and do not enjoy the sound of crying babies, I think basic compassion and decency are missing from so many of the comments. To those who think babies should not be allowed, do you get that our military families have to travel with babies all the time due to military orders to a new location (and often without the military parent on the trip to help?) Not to mention people move for other jobs or need to visit a sick or dying relative. Parents have the right to travel like anyone else, even just for a vacation, but how about remembering a lot of them didn’t want to travel with a baby, but had to. Personally, I find Bose headphones and tunes block it out fine.
The parent should buy me and everyone else on board, the noise cancelling headphones. Why does it seem that a majority of the answers defending a crying baby are for the “complainers” to buy noise cancelling headphones??? How about “don’t bring a baby” headphones??
Personally, I try to mind my business. The point of flying biz for me, is the extra space and the opportunity to not have to speak to anybody except the FA. I don’t socialize, smile or respond to questions from people near me. Life is good in the front!!
As hard as it might be, a person should not let a crying baby effect them. We all were once crying babies and as we grow older, we should stop being crying babies. I have wondered if there could ever be a section designed for families with infants? That could be a win win situation for all of us.
Business class is not the place for people with crying babies. Those who are think otherwise are pretentious.
I agree with the flight attendant.
There really should be a ‘family’ only or ‘daycare’ section on the plane where these little screaming runts can be stored.
And yes, I like kids. I just don’t like being forced to listen to yours.
I have to confess that before I see it , I thought that business class was only for business trip no kids , but the airline would specifie if was , and the FA was wrong moving her after she was in the seat that she booked for sure she notified that she was traveling with a baby , maybe the FA was thinking about who was traveling for work not a vocation , their were trying to rest as it was a long trip , But also the baby crying never bothers me the mom should worry why her baby is crying not try to stop the baby crying because others complain if hes crying that long because he has something it’s the babies communication.
To the Indian mother, Krupa Patel Bala:
You kept saying that the flight attendant “did not apologize” , but I have NOT heard of you apologizing to your fellow passengers for the inconvenience caused by your baby’s crying. Why???
Even no fellow passenger goes on record to ask you for an apology. But dont you feel bad for your baby making that much noise?
Angrily, not angerly. Aid, not aide. Otherwise, an interesting story with a positive outcome.
I feel for people who have to travel with infants, and I understand how stressful that might be. Sometimes infants get cranky, and thoughtful parents step in immediately to resolve it. They also normally have back-up toys, bottles and other things to keep the infant busy and quiet.
But when an infant gets cranky and starts crying his/her lungs out, and parents do nothing and feel like that is okay – now that is entitled behavior that should be banned.
I believe that in the event anyone’s behavior is disruptive to the other passengers – be it a drunk rowdy passenger, loud unruly one playing music with no headphones, the one with non-stop crying child they could not care less about, etc etc – they should be refused transportation. Any continuous disruption is just that – disruption, that other passengers, economy or business, do not have to tolerate. If a parent isn’t an entitled brat (“kids cry, get used to it”), they would never let a situation like that transpire.
This is hilarious. The infant travels for free and ruins everybody else’s trip, yet it’s the flight attendant who gets booted. I fly business class because I want to sit back and relax/work on my way to the destination and I don’t see any reason why a crying child should be allowed in the BUSINESS CABIN.
I fly twice a week and unfortunately this kind of people are everywhere, it’s disgusting. I too have children, but since I can afford business/first, I can very well afford a baby sitter for the trip duration.
They had their hands tied at United because the inevitable bad PR, but I wish there were more FAs like that one.
I cannot believe some people actually defending the woman with the baby, how would you like to be paying 2 to $3,000 for a first class airline ticket ,expect some peace and quiet and have a screaming kid yelling and carrying on for 14 hours in your ear ,I do not blame the flight attended I would have thrown the woman out of First Class to
The discussion is clearly polarized (since it is UA “Polarisised?”) based upon the stage of life in which you are.
Those of us with small children believe it is unfair to be deprived of the opportunity to travel with (possibly crying) children. Suck it up we say.
Those of us who are past (or never wanted to be in) that stage of our lives believe it is an unreasonable intrusion and disruption when you might be expected to be at a business meeting shortly after our arrival, or we simply expect to be able to rest during our flight.
I can see people cringe when they see small children in a flight, praying under their breath that they will be as far away as possible.
Many of the problems may relate to being in a confined space, unable to get away from whatever might distress us.
Some nonchildren can also be a problem, not any less disruptive, especially if Alcohol is poured into the mix.
Paying for business class fare does not give you dominion or control over other passengers.
I’m shocked that almost all of the comments here seem to think that if you paid more than someone else on the plane that you suddenly gain control of other people in the cabins behavior, and you don’t.
Planes are public areas, and business class is just a more expensive public area, just like a bar with a cover fee. Just cuz you paid more doesn’t gain you the rights of ownership to the rest of the area.
Although less than preferable to have a noticeable interruption from an upset baby, if the lady with child had a business class ticket. She’s and her child are entitled to be there just as much as you. I’m 6’8″ so I fly business because it’s the only way I fit in a seat for long haul, and if I bring my kid with me unless you’re in my seat or in causing a safety issue, mind your own business.
Agreed, paying a business class fare does nto give you domain or control over your fellow passengers. So, why are you claiming that you, with the child, have the right to negatively impact every other passenger?
You’re even worse than those who you are “shocked” by. At least they are looking out for the majority of the passangers. You, apparently, feel it is YOUR ENTITLED RIGHT to harm every other passenger rather than beign a responsable parent.
I’m sorry folks…People that choose (its their choice) to bring young babies under a few years old on long duration flights need to understand CLEARLY that making that choice should limit where you can sit on the airplane. The airline should have a row or two reserved in the back (near the bathrooms and galley) for mothers/families with young children. Simply put its not fair, reasonable, or considerate to inflict crying kids (that the parents have no control over) on the rest of us paying passengers..especially in business or first class. I disagree with the way this FA handled the situation for sure…but the airline should not have put her in that situation in the first place by having a policy that keeps these crying babies in the most suitable area for them…in the back. Crying babies become my business when you bring one on board and I am forced to listen to it yell. Stay on the ground until the child is old enough to travel…or go pay for a private jet.
Great idea ! Have “CRY ROWS” and include that women who choose to breastfeed, need to be in that area . Passengers who pay hundreds of dollars for a comfortable seat to fly somewhere, have rights too ya know. Nobody, in their right mind wants to sit next to a screaming, crying baby, whose mother doesn’t have the understanding to have fed, changed and have something to entertain a small child on an airplane. You’re a captive audience when you’re 38,000 feet in the air. You can’t get away from it. Churches have “CRY ROOMS”…Why can’t airplanes have a separate section in the back of the plane for women who insist on travelling with an infant. I’d be doggone if I’d travel with one unless it was an emergency. Babies don’t understand. They can’t help it but mothers can prevent this type of prejudice by realizing they aren’t in some exclusive club and entitled just because they have a baby. We wonder why people are pushed to the limit these days ?
On a similar subject with a very different outcome:
https://www.timeslive.co.za/news/south-africa/2018-04-26-saa-cabin-attendant-to-the-rescue/
I got tired of reading a big quantity of comments. I travelled once with my son when he was 5 month old. I was superwell threated. My baby did not cry but before I took the plane I looked for tricks to my baby not suffer during the fly cause the pressure. I think parents should look for help before traveling that’s all. However the FA should be trainned to help everybody not to insulte them even in those cases when a mother doesn’t know his baby needs to be breastfeeding. By the way it’s the only thing it helps babies’s ears pain during fly and it’s only when the airplane starts flying and when it descends. For the rest of us “gomme à macher” is enough.
… I noticed someone commented ‘go hump a camel’.
As this is not presently on my Bucket List… does anyone have input on this experience as it sounds like maybe I should add it??!!
I dont believe there is a clear cut to accommodate both compassionate grounds (tolerate crying baby) and business interests. Might be the litmus test is to ask yourself whether you, a self paying fare passenger, would like to sit next to a crying baby for a 13-hour flight? Business class or economy.
Airlines must prohibit little babies from being accommodated in J&K classes, so that nobody can feel they wasted their money.
Wow. Such mean spirited people … have you never heard of karma? I certainly wouldn’t want to be on the receiving end of what’s coming to you ….
Perhaps we would all be better off if you spent more time on your grammar, spelling, syntax and punctuation.
As a FA with 40 years of service, I enjoy my job and my service shows this. That being said, I concur that some of my coworkers are well past their expiration date. If you don’t enjoy your job — whatever it is that you do — do everyone a favor, and quit.
Rick….
I applaud the FA in this story!
And thank you for 40 years of putting up with people in any capacitu.
*capacity*
I just flew United on Monday with my infant on a red eye from LAX to Newark. My baby went right to sleep at take off. He only became upset for a minute when an older child got on the plane screaming! During the flight, I put my sleeping baby to lay down on the empty middle seat next to me and the flight attendant told me that I had to hold my child while the seat belt sign was on. There is nothing harder than being a young mother on a flight with a baby. There is no one more uncomfortable than the mother! Before you call me selfish for taking my baby on a flight across the country you should know that my grandmother passed away and the flight was absolutely necessary! Not that it is anyone’s business! I have never felt so unwelcome on a flight before. That will be my baby’s sixth flight and no one has ever given me a hard time about using an empty seat for the baby! I didn’t even have a crying baby but this FA was trying to make me wake my sleeping baby, probably so she could throw me out of the economy plus seat I had paid for also!
The FA didn’t care about the baby sleeping, what they cared about was the fasten seat belts sign was illuminated which means you have your seat belt on, and your infant in arms so that you can hold them securely. I am sure your story would be the reverse if there had been turbulence and your infant went flying onto the floor, or into the overhead. If you as a parent have to be told to keep your child safe, that’s a larger issue than waking a sleeping child.
So, move the problem to Tourist Class. Thanks!
Well, I agree with the policy of not crying babies in business/first class. A ticket for these cabins are expensive, and people footing its cost do it because is a way to warrant a more comfortable/restful flight than flying coach. I don’t understand why, as soon as a child-related issue comes up, it’s all pro-kid and lets burn at the stake those who beg to differ. I frequently travel overseas with one of my dogs, and sadly it is not allowed to carry her but in coach, and were I able to fly with her in business, and were she barking or missbehaving, I sure would move back until the situation is controlled. That is called CIVILITY, the awareness that a public space is not mine to impose my own.
It pains me to say it, but this is one more example of why I would never, ever fly a United, American or Delta on a long-haul flight when I could take Emirates, Qatar Airways or one of several fine Far East carriers.
I’ve skimmed the 150+ comments and I didn’t see *ANYONE* address the root cause of the problem.
How do we stop the baby from crying?
Here is my solution:
Ever since United stopped carrying chamomile tea on its flights (maybe they brought it back finally?), I always carry a few sachets of chamomile tea with me in my carry-on. If a baby cries and cannot be comforted (and this happens far more often than — I think it was — Robert claimed above — in fact, I can recall it happening on United, Swiss, Lufthansa, and Turkish Airlines flights offhand), I summon the flight attendant and explain that if s/he can confirm that the baby has no allergies to chamomile (which I don’t think is possible — but it is polite to go through the motion), the F/A should make some (hot) chamomile tea — and then pour it over ice to chill it — and then put in the baby’s bottle. Baby will fall asleep fast. Works every time.
Noise cancelling headphones….mandatory travel gear. There fixed it.
A note to United Airlines or any listening. Sometimes offering the child a small toy like a stuff teddy bear with Airlines logo or something like that will distract the child and stop crying. The mother was trying to do what she could
I don’t think this FA has a place in this industry. No amount of training will keep her from snapping again like she did.
How many of you all are flying Business Class on YOUR COMPANY?? If she paid for her ticket, and NOT her Company, then she deserves the seat more than any of you freeloaders. Most of you all are getting the free ride. That is why it is called Business Class….Your Company…or your company’s frequent flyer miles are paying for your ticket. Shame on YOU and Shame on the FA and United.
If your so rich get a private plane to fly you around … but you can’t afford that can you , PS I fly first class
Know the rules before purchasing your ticket
Without children there is no future
Being in business you should know one bad person that makes issues with core values is removed .
United captain apologize, he know the core values of business and life …
With all that’s been said, I would rather fly with mothers with crying babies on both sides that have any of the crybabies who have used vulgar and hateful language in this column like Elson, Chris#2, John, Tony, Larry and especially Canktm25.
My son had reached Platinum on AA and *A Gold before he went to pre-K. Recently, he only cried once because we walked past business class and were in Premium Economy.
While the above is actually true, babies on occasion cry and on occasion there is little parents can do. Most the time a walk back and forth, a little song, something calms them down. But the pressure change may hurt, time zone changes may affect sleep etc. We are all people, so far, we all were babies once, we all did some unwise things growing up – and probably also as adults. We are mankind – the planet and everything else is here for all of us. While there was a time when I felt happy if I heard a baby cry in J or F just because it wasn’t mine – in general I find crying babies annoying, mine or others. But it’s part of who we are and society shouldn’t fight each other but support each other. On flight I got quite annoyed with a mother who was simply ignoring her crying baby – I asked if I could walk with it – I did and 5 minutes later the baby was asleep. Couldn’t blame the baby.
I was in F with the Osborne family once where Sharon was actively encouraging one of the kids to kick the person in front of them because that lady had complained about he kids performing carols in the cabin for quite some time. Now here is something legit to complain about. I also don’t like it when dogs are near my seat. I just happen to really not like dogs, but I am happy to see how amazingly helpful a well trained dog can help a blind person. And if that means the dog has to be right on my feet, so be it.
When I was 19 I slept in a home-less shelter, now am fortunate enough to usually fly J and sometimes F and very sometimes GA – was I less of a human when I was 19? Would I be less of a human if some of my ventures failed and I’d be back in coach (which BTW I usually book on short flights).
Life is not always perfect, but the vast majority of our problems are our own making. If we all tried a little harder to be nice and help fellow man – this all would be so so so much easier
I think a decision needs to be made on this by leadership. Let’s face it, generations of people bring both good and bad. I don’t think I am stepping out of line to say that people are less tolerant of others, less polite, and less empathetic than those of past generations. Both flight attendants and passengers. It is inevitable that from time to time this issue will arise more readily than in the past you just can’t get to zero with a bell curve of employees and social media and today’s 30 second news cycle will take you down every time. So what is the solution for everyone. I know space is an issue on aircraft in terms of revenue right? Perhaps we treat infants like VIP’s (and their parents too). Walk with me on this…Let’s carve out space (luxury type space: think emirates type) for infants and a parent. Make a space where being human is OK. We can use sound proofing and give the parent a place to trouble shoot, pass the time, and not stress out over the fact that their infant is just not consolable. For the airline offering this value to all the winners, the cost of that space = advertising, brand building, and customers on the whole plane saying “thank God Almighty that I am on this United Flight so I didn’t have to deal with that” and “I am so glad I chose United so I could bail out in the Infant section while my husband stayed with the other three kids (read 6 tickets for this flight x the number of flights taken in the next 10 – 15 years while everyone is still living at home). Put enough of these cabin modifications into service for longer flights and the investment will be well worth it. I am a firm believer in making lemonade out of lemons and creating win/wins.
There is no child who will cry for 14 hrs without calm down even if the crying is due to illness. Now, on the other hand, and this is not the case, some parents leave their children to behave like spoiled brads or going uncontrolled while traveling. Recently, my wife and I, a pediatrician and pediatric dentist, were roughly treated by a young mother of a 3-year old, who let her child ran wild around the waiting area, putting her child and other passengers at risk of injury.
There is nothing worse than a crying baby on board… especially when the child is upset the majority of the flight. I can empathize with those flying in upper class, especially if said child is sitting on the lap of a parent. I also empathize with the parent… it’s not the child’s fault. This happens on domestic trips as well. This happens in economy as well as business/first. What would be nice is if there was a section on the aircraft, easily separated by a bulkhead, that could seat little children. No.1 it would be safer. On a recent flight dad kept lifting up “little johnny” over his head to keep the baby quiet. I cringed as we were about to touch down… picturing little johnny flying toward the front of the aircraft should anything have gone wrong with the landing. No.2 it would be easier for loading/unloading of passengers if the babies weren’t sprinkled throughout the airplane. No.3 it would be easier on the parents, less stressful, knowing they weren’t “that person.” … and probably a slew of other reasons. I’m not saying every airplane flying, but maybe outfit a “child friendly” flight to some major destinations. How much can a bulkhead cost?
Smh………I don’t have any children but I have 5 other siblings, 4 of which I looked after. Reading most of the comments here, just saddens me. It. Is everything that is wrong with the human race. Whether we like it or not, each and everyone of us was a child at one point. Sadly, from some of the comments here, some of us are still stuck at that stage. Every parent dreads travelling with children. So, this mother did not intentionally plan to inconvenience anyone. She most likely booked the
business class ticket for the child in the hopes that the increased leg room and better Service would help in soothing the baby during the flight. But sometimes that just doesn’t work out. As fellow passengers and fellow human beings, we can at least put on headphones or put in ear plugs to drown out the babies cries if we are not willing to help the situation. In my opinion, anyone who complains about the excessive noise without having explored the afore-mentioned options and cites he/she paid for privileged service is a ‘Jack ass’ and should go one step further to rent their own private jet. It’s similar to a fellow passenger complaining that a nursing mother shouldn’t breast feed her child on the plane because it’s making him stare at her breast hence making him uncomfortable. The world is a very small place and what goes around comes around. One day, it might be your turn to travel with an infant and I’d like to see how you would feel if you were treated this way. United Airlines did right by this mother. As for the FA, she abused her power and bullied this poor mother when she needed help most. If United Airlines still plans to keep her around, then I suggest she completes 6 months active flight duty just attending to parents with accompanying children on board. If not, she should be let go.
Let’s all try to remember, it’s only a flight! The most important thing is for everyone to arrive safely at their final destination. If this flight had crashed, Trust Me, the noise disturbance would be the least of your problems.
So, Dr., basically many of us are JACKASSES and, instead, we should all hold hands and sing “I’d Like To Teach The World To Sing” as we cradle the crying baby and wrap him in swaddling clothes…..right before meal service….
That is a bunch of Fantasyland, Happy pill BS!!
Kidless Biz Class Forever!!
I don’t have a problem with this. In fact, they need a baby section in the back of the plane. I don’t care if it has business seats but that is where you should put them since they obviously enjoy being around children so they will have a lot more mutual support. Problem solved. This article is so biased claiming the mother did “everything she could to calm the child.” That would be a first. If she was then the kid would do just fine in the back and if she wasn’t which is much more often the case, she will still be better off. I’m flying United out of Sydney from now on.
I don’t blame the FA for the annoying kid; it’s a 14 hours flight and having a baby crying for over 5 minuets is enough. The mother should have put herself in the passengers position and give the kid a sleeping medicine or not travel so many hours in 1 flight, her and the kid will be more comfortable with shorter flightss
Babies cry during the periods of take-off ascent and landing descent when there is a rapid change, although minor to adults, of air pressure. We know how to “pop” our ears back open by swallowing, yawning, etc. but babies don’t know how to do that. The best treatment would be to give the infant a bottle of water to suck on and swallow during these periods, which might help to open their eustachian tubes to allow higher pressure out during ascent for re-equalization with the pressure in the cabin, and to allow higher pressure air back in on descent. These pressure differences are quite painful in infants because their middle ear is much smaller than in adults, and a small increase or decrease in pressure puts tremendous pull or push on the tympanic membrane (ear drum) causing pain. In situations where such negative pressure persists, it actually sucks fluid into the middle ear to fill that vacuum created by persistent eustachian tube blockage or dysfunction.
Just because you can breed doesn’t mean every citizen of the world has to put up with your child!!! If I had a dog on the flight and it barked the whole time people would be annoyed! Congrats to the United FA! As someone who files more than 200k a years I wish there were more like here. This entitlement that parents feel everyone has to put up with their children is ridiculous! Especially to the other passengers who paid a business class fare. They desired rest and comfort that is why they paid the extra fare. If I had been a passenger I would have screamed at the mother!
Without having been on the flight, but just from the articles on this, it appears that the Flight Attendant did the correct thing, albeit with less compassion than I would have liked. Based on the unthinking comments above, I’m sure I’ll get all the parents with their knee-jerk outraged cries piling on me without actually stopping to think. Oh well… For those of you willing to read through this, here’s why I believe the FA did the right thing:
From all the articles, it seems pretty clear that what happened was that Bala was flying Business Class with a lap child/infant. The kid proceeded to scream for upwards of 5 minutes straight. Bala chose not to temporarially more the child to a more appropriate area of the aircraft where she’d be impacting less people. One or more passangers complained. FA had Bala move, apparently rudely. Bala gets in argument with FA and eventually returns to her initial seat.
Here are all the things wrong with this:
1. Bala was flying with a lap infant. Both the American Academy of Pediatrics and the FAA DO NOT recommend this. It is incredibly dangerous for the child as parents reflexes during severe turbulance can injure the clild and the child is more likely to be killed in the event of a crash. Given that she had the resources to afford aBusiness Class fare, she should have made the safest choice for the child and used that for two seats + a car seat. I’m assuming the reason she did not purchase two business class seats was because she couldn’t afford it… otherwise, why wouldn’t you dothat to keep your child safe? So, she’s already a bad parent in my mind as she is selfishly putting her personal comfort (a seat in Business Class) or saving money (only buying one Business Class seat instead of two) over the safety of her child.
2. The child screamed/cried for over 5 minutes straight. Bala should have quieted the child. Maybe by playing with it, giving it a bottle (like so many parents on here ahve suggested), entertained it (quietly) or relocated it to one of the galleys or by the lavs where it’s noise would be less impactful for anyone else. The fact that she didn’t quiet/control her child againpoints to her beign a bad parent.
3. She did not reocate the child as mentioned above in #2. Kids rarely scream for an extended period, the simple solution would have been to take the child back to the aft galley which is seperated from Economy by the Lavs and has a curtain… both of which woudl have muffled the noise for everyone else. There the child could have cried itself out, quieted down, possibly fallen asleep and then been brought back to Balas seat for the remainder of the flight. She did not do this. Instad of temporarially sacraficing HER comfort byt standing up and temporarially relocatign her kid, she chose to make everyone else in Business Class sacrafice their comfort by forcing them to hear the child scream. Basicaly, she assumed that her comfort was more important that that of everone else.
4. The FA tells Bala to relocate to Economy. IF the FA told her she had to relocate for the whole flight, that was wrong. It is much more likely (based on the Cabin Crews that I know) that Bala was told she had to relocate to more appropriate area of the aircraft (back of economy where there are likely less people immediately adjacent) UNTIL the kid quieted down.
True Story: I was recently on a flight and a person attempted to get up and use the lav durign landing. The FA yelled at them, quite hurridly, to sit back down util we were at the gate. The FA had to yell because they were already strapped in for landing, the plane was flaring for the touchdown, and the person was many rows further down the aisle. The passanger yelled back “racist b*tch” and stat down. (the passenger appeared African Americana and the FA appeared Caucasian) After the flight, I saw the passenger beign very upset at the Gate Agent about how the “racist” FA wouldn’t let her use the lav for the whole flight. (I did step in and mention what I had seen.)
I’m willing to bet that the FA only asked her to move temporarially, and that Bala took offense at that and had to post abotu “TEH HORRIBLE FA WHO MADEME MOVE TO ECONOMY”. I could, however, be wrong here. I wasn’t on that flight–thank goodness.
5. The FA was rude/mocking. Again, like in #4, people typically paint the other person in the worst possible light when whining on social media. We have only heard Bala’s sideof the story. In absense of the other side, I’m willing to believe that the FA had probably been quite firm about having Bala move, and that Bala was upset and took this as rude. Or the FA was rude–which is not apropriate. Again, wasn’t there.
Bottom line in all of this, aparently Bala thought because SHE had paid for a business class seat, she (or her child, who she had NOT paid for aseat for) had the right to make everyone else misearble. The problem is that having a kid does NOT give you more rights than anyone else. Given that it is impossible to relocate all of Business Class until the child calms down, the FAappearsto have taken the correct/least disruptive action and tried to relocate the child. Add in fact that Bala’s choices in 1, 2 and 3 show that she is a very bad parent. I can’t understand how any of you can defend her given she apparently put her comfort above the safety of her child.
A couple of final thoughts:
A. Unless I participated in your decision to not use protection/to havea child, you having a child does not give you rights over me. If you cannot control you child, than it is your responsibility to take action to minimize it’s impact on innocent third parties.
B. For all of you saying “just use noise canceling headphones” or “if you can afford a business class ticket than you can afford noise canceling headphones”, two thoughts: First, re-read A. Why should I be expected to spend extra money because you chose to have offspring? This is no different than telling me that I must cut down a tree on my property because you havekids andyou dont’ want them climbing it. Ridiculous, right? Seondly, I’m one of the unfortuante few who can’t use ANC. It gives me a massive headache. So, now you’re telling me that because you chose to havea kid, I must chose between a splitting headache due to ANC headphones or no sleep because your child is creaming andyou aren’t willign to control it? How is that in any way fair? Or do you again believe that because you are a parent, you are better than everyone else?
C. Assuming for a minute that the FA was rude and was tryign to permanantly relocate Bala, then yes… the FAshould be reprimanded and retrained. But the FAs actions (god or bad) in no way absolve Bala. She is very much in the wrong on this and rewarding Bala’s bad behavior, selfishness, anddangerous parenting is a bad choice on the part of United.
The bottom line is that there are other passengers in either first or business class that have paid a premium for those seats and it is not fair to the other passengers in those sections to be disturbed by your child! So start considering these other passengers in first or business class seats. I believe that airlines should make it a rule that small children (five or under) should not be allowed in business or first class. Yes, I understand that you cannot predict what mood or feeling that children will have, especially when traveling, so parents stop being selfish and remember that you and your child are not the only people on that flight!!!! Fly alone until your child is older and can be taught the correct manners for traveling.
Bob C.
Houston, Texas
What ever happened to parents having a dose of “Baby Benadryl” at the ready for occasions when a baby cannot be consoled? It’s harmless and it makes them drowsy/knocks them out. Problem solved.
Secondly, for all of the sanctimonious preachers here who think that those who cannot stand extended crying fits from babies on long haul flights are the scum of the earth, I would bet you any amount of money that if airlines created a seating area on long hauls called “Seating for parents with children under age 2” you would find that NOBODY would choose seats near that area….including you! And if you would choose those seats, all the better for the rest of us.
Heck, maybe the airlines could go further with the basic economy/cattle class idea and make those seats near that area basic economy. It would be an excellent way to make more money selling the “anywhere but there” seats.
But back in the land of reality, Baby Benadryl would eliminate this issue in 95% of cases. In about 5% of cases, Benadryl has a paradoxical (opposite) effect and keeps them awake. I think most logical people would accept that a 95% probability of success is a good thing.
oh the self entitled douchbaggery is at an all time high in the replies.
a mother, that has the money to purchase a business class ticket for her and her child
it wholeheartedly entitled (just like you) to sit in business class – no question about it. it should, can and will happen no matter what you say – you absolutely have no right to state otherwise.
if that baby cries, which they do from time to time – its ok, you will get over it its not going to be for the majority of your 12 hour flight so all you business no – class ticket holders that are complaining about a momentary lapse in your comfort can take a phucking pill and have some empathy for the mother going through this situation. I fly business class regularly, I have sat next to crying children as well. It does not last long and its no big deal so get off your high horses you sound like complete aholes.
The asshole is you! I’m a grand mother. I am done with baby setting and listening to crying babies, including your kind of foulmouthed kid!
As a proud, self entitled douche, I say…
Yeah…OK (yawn)
United’s service is like a govt run bus service in a third world country, I have long stopped flying with them!
When you sign up for a business class ticket, it usually doesn’t include a screaming kid. We can all tolerate (and I mean tolerate, not like) a screaming disruptive child for a while, but if it persisted beyond 5-10 min, I would be complaining bitterly as I like to sleep on long flights and count on doing that when I book business. I think that the flight attendant made what sounds like a reasonable suggestion. The people who should have their money refunded are the ones that had to put up with screaming. They should ban young babies from business class on long hauls.
If a person has the funds for a business or first class ticket and has a child with them that the pressure in the plane is killing its little ears you don’t kick them out, you don’t say they don’t belong there just because you have had a hard week and deserve quiet. Have compassion and see if you can help in some small way to help that mother and child. Don’t be an a.. And say they should not be in that section. You are being really judgemental. Now a drunk in that same seat might need to be removed but this is a child that is hurting. Really some unfriendly people out there!!
With VERY few examples (adopted child to an overseas home, life-saving surgery, etc.), no child NEEDS to fly ANYWHERE. Civilization survived for millennia without children traveling long distances by any means on a regular basis.
Parents CHOOSE to bring children on planes. They should make RESPONSIBLE choices about whether those children can behave well enough for long enough not to impose chaos on people who need to fly for their jobs or who choose to fly but without disturbing fellow passengers.
Yes you paid extra for that business class seat and you expect nothing but a smooth ride. So what would you do if there are turbulences? Fire the captain? Complaint to the FA? Ask for your money back? What is someone fart and it stinks? I fly business as well as first and if a baby cries so be it. Babies don’t stop crying on demand. And sending the mother and her baby to economy is like saying passengers in economy didn’t pay enough to deserve a quiet time.
Sorry, but Business and First Class people PAY good money for those seats. If I pay $5,500 for that seat and the person with the crying baby got a free ticket, I would be PISSED.
Just like a movie theater, remove the baby to a different area, until quiet. Better yet, KNOW you child and have the skills to calm the baby. If you cannot, then seriously stay at home until you get this parenting skill figured out.
Did this parent do short flights first to ensure the baby was ready? Sadly some parents do not do the prep work for these kind of trips. Did the parent ask the Dr for something to help calm the baby in the event of this issue. This is STRESS on the child as well.
I know crap happens, but we do not all need to be subjected to it. I do not get why parents will haul babies on 13 hour flights, let the relatives come to the baby. That is the practical reality. Besides babies immune systems are not strong enough. Traveling is hard on adults with the recycled air.
Again, when we were kids we stayed at home with Grand Mom and Grand Pa when our parents went on vacations. It is this entitlement attitude that child need to go everywhere all the time. Honestly our parents could NOT AFFORD these kind of trips.
We need to put the consideration of OTHERS before ourselves again. This idea that we can cause all kinds of disruptions in life and others just need to deal with it is a silly idea from the ME generation of the 1980’s that continues today. Put OTHERS before you self-serving desires.
Let the flaming begin, yet these truths must be spoken. Enough with the politically correct BS and back to the reality that is life.
I’d actually look positively at UA if they stated “we do not encourage or allow babies in business class”. That would be a reason to actually fly them and I gladly would take that long haul flight knowing it would be screaming-baby-free. The treatment of the mother could have been better, but if that were to be the rule then so be it. Follow the rule or find other arrangements.
Quite frankly anyone that brings an infant on a plane is likely an unfit parent to begin with. And having zero decency to bring an infant into business class?? ‘That’ is the horrendous part of this story. Flight attendants are often snarly across all airlines. Deal. Babies scream and shout. Parents should know better.
Not all babies travel in the same way:
https://liveandletsfly.boardingarea.com/2017/04/24/review-los-angeles-london-united-787-9-polaris-business/
We have 6 young children and have flown with all six when they were very young. So I know about flying with children. I think the flight attendant did the right thing. If I had been with a crying baby in business class I would have moved out of hearing range until the baby quietened down so the flight attendant wouldn’t have had to have asked me to have moved. The only thing she did wrong was not to try to help the parents to calm down the baby. We once traveled on Concorde with a 4-month old baby on the return trip (using points) from a year overseas. We didn’t have the baby when we booked the trip so I can’t say we always intended to take our baby on such a luxurious plane however I will say that when the flight ended, the people in front of us couldn’t believe there was a baby in the row behind, that’s how quiet she was and that’s because my wife did everything she could to ensure the baby was happy. Yesterday I flew back from London in coach and one couple had a toddler that they kept entertained using a personal video system that blared out sound so loudly that people 20 feet away could hear it, above the noise of the aircraft. Some parents are just oblivious to other people.
Folks, the issue isn’t Business class! At some point, 5 – 10 minutes of crying, the baby should not be on the flight. Their “right” to travel is not greater than everyones “right” to a reasonably peaceful flight. 14 or 15 hours longhaul – people need to be especially considerate. All babies are different, possibly some can handle air travel, most can’t. I frequently fly to Asia and am shocked at how many younger parents bring unruly and crying children on “vacation”. It’s inconsiderate to everyone else. I once watched a couple with a baby and a toddler, 8 hand carries and a large diaper bag and 2 strollers subject a 12 hour flight to hell on earth – please don’t – at some point the FA is right.