this post was submitted on 17 Aug 2023
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I don't think hours of noise canceling headphones are a realistic solution for everyone, like people with autism or sensitive ears.
What we should have is a "children's section" in the back of the plane. If your party only contains adults, then you can only book in the adult section until it's filled, and same with parties that have kids. Parents don't want to disrupt everyone, but imagine this on a longer bus or train ride!
When I bring my whole family somewhere I almost always book the farthest back on the plane I can. There doesn't have to be specific sections... just people with common courtesy.
but one thing I'm noticing as a common theme in these threads is that there's an innate blame on the children/parents. Kids oftentimes CANNOT pop their ears due to how narrow their Eustachian tubes are. https://kidshealth.org/en/parents/flying-ears.html There can be cases where the baby's ears actually tear if the Eustachian tubes are blocked due to a cold or something of that nature.
The better answer is to just educate them in a friendly manner. If you do it tactfully then maybe junior will simmer down and everyone can move on without this passive aggressiveness we see in the photo. Giving the kid a bottle (if they're that young) is often all that needs to happen to work the tubes open a little bit to relieve the pain.
Now... if you're a parent... and have a colicky little one... skip the plane if you can. You know your kid. If they're not going to take to the plane well, then you're just being a dick to everyone around you.
So in other words: putting a sick young child on a plane is a health and safety risk for the child
Anecdotally my spouse and I know this; our kids are just extremely energetic. We aren't simply uneducated on how ears work, and getting unsolicited tips from childless people while already busy with our kids is just another stressor.
Call me a dick if you want, but sometimes flying noisily is the only practical option. No we're not going to drive cross country to grandma's funeral.
Well... considering I have 2 kids. You can put your bullshit "tips from childless people" garbage argument away. The source of the information is irrelevant if the information is true regardless.
Regardless that doesn't negate the overall "common courtesy" theme of my post.
I apologize if my reply came across as an attack against you personally. I thought you were suggesting that anyone reading your post (not just you) should go up to stressed out parents and explain how ears work.
While other parents do sometimes chime in with unsolicited tips during stressful situations, they seem to (usually) be more aware of whether or not their actual information is relevant, and not just a distraction.
Ok, then replace "funeral" with any family function you need to attend. Should your kids miss school on Friday and Monday to drive to and from a weekend wedding?
It's already parents vs childfree in this thread, and I have to admit it's a bit entertaining, but do we really want to bring the fuckcars people into this as well?
I don't think you'll find many parents willing to make that sacrifice for courtesy.
Yeah, I don't care either way on this "kids vs no kids" on a plane, but I used to love road trips SO much. It let me see many new cool things that I wouldn't have otherwise.
Kids exist in the world. Get over it. You're the adult in the situation.
You missed the point on purpose, right?
I DROVE across Canada rather than dare take a plane with a possibility of screaming and kicking children. Sensory issues are a bitch.
Sometimes plane travel can't be helped, and little children can be loud and obnoxious. I feel for those around me, but as a parent we have to endure this far longer than anyone else. It's not like we like the noise either.
"Conflating the two is ableist and insulting."
I think the auto-reply should be an audible sigh and a "just shut the fuck up". But hey, you tell me how you thought this would go?
"Why won't anyone think of the paaaaareeeents? Nobody suffers more than me from the problem that I created!"
So now I need to conform to some dead-end 20 something because they can't be bothered to bring headphones on a plane?
Like I wasn't an adult without kids at some point who had to fly with crying babies on board.
Not our fault you/she got creampied. They're your responsibility.
True, and it's my right to fly with them. I'm glad we've had this chat. I now feel a lot less pressure to please little dead-enders who just want silence. Life is noisy. I'm personally not in any rush for an eternity of silence, but you do you.
I've had to use canceling headphones for several hours a day for months due to asshole neighbours. Doing that provokes and exacerbates migraines. Using common sense and separating noise emitters from noise sufferers should always be the first step.
My understanding is that it generates waves that cancel out the sound waves so your ear drums are actually receiving more sound pressure than without the noise canceling headphones even though you don’t hear the sound.
oh my god it’s so relieving to hear that i’m not the only one
Imagine being a childless person in a children' section. No one should have this kind of pain for hours
Ok, I'm imagining I'm a person who doesn't care and just needs to get on the next flight. I would have a choice that I don't have right now.
I see your point, maybe the first company creates your idea should also have a red colored pop up with big puntos that says every time a seat is selected if that one is in a children's section and leave the judgement to the person who pays for the flight.
Yep, during booking they should only show the back rows available if you're traveling with children of certain age. It should be simple, I think.