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RB TexLa

(17,003 posts)
Mon May 28, 2012, 01:03 PM May 2012

Senator Schumer, why should friends have to pay sit together? Families are just more equal, huh?


Talk about giving special rights. Having a family is a lifestyle choice, they should pay for their lifestyle choice. The novel concept of being treated equal.


By JULIA JACOBO

pix11.com | @JuliaTheWriter

8:35 p.m. EDT, May 27, 2012
Sen. Charles Schumer is urging airlines to eliminate fees plaguing families with young children wanting to sit together on flights.

Schumer's request is in reaction to the Associate Press' story last week stating how this summer families will find it dificult to sit together without paying fees that may add up to hundreds more than the original ticket price.

Schumer said in a statement:

"Children need access to their parents and parents need access to their children. Unnecessary airline fees shouldn't serve as a literal barrier between mother and child."

In the past year, American Airlines, Delta Airlines, Frontier Airlines and United Airlines have increased the percent of seats they set aside for frequent fliers or customers who pay extra. Fees for seats on the aisle, next to windows or more legroom typically cost about $25 each way.



http://www.wpix.com/wpix-chuck-schumer-requests-kids-airline-fees,0,225881.story
69 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
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Senator Schumer, why should friends have to pay sit together? Families are just more equal, huh? (Original Post) RB TexLa May 2012 OP
I fully agree with you , and hope you enjoy your flight this summer hedgehog May 2012 #1
Two related four year olds would probably be worse.. Fumesucker May 2012 #4
My older daughter has panic attacks HockeyMom May 2012 #2
So you think it is fine for 6 year olds pipoman May 2012 #3
Nothing like having a kid acting up in the seat next to you and their parent being where they can't appleannie1 May 2012 #5
Last time I flew, a family group mostly composed of infants and toddlers and small fry was spread kestrel91316 May 2012 #6
Did you offer to switch seats with a parent jberryhill May 2012 #15
of all the things to be outraged over demtenjeep May 2012 #7
No, having a family is not a lifestyle choice, it is a biological fact MadHound May 2012 #8
And if I chose to raise children I should have special rights over others? RB TexLa May 2012 #19
You're arguing the wrong position Mairead May 2012 #61
I do not support special rights for those who choose to live the family lifestyle bluestateguy May 2012 #9
"The family lifestyle" ProudToBeBlueInRhody May 2012 #11
No. I was using their rhetoric sarcastically bluestateguy May 2012 #12
Nice try; no cigar MorningGlow May 2012 #32
Did the child "choose to live the family lifestyle"? surrealAmerican May 2012 #34
The child does not have to pay RB TexLa May 2012 #53
Yes, ask that person who paid $25 extra or whose premium status landed him/her the seat Gormy Cuss May 2012 #55
Let's nationalize the airline industry and screw the extra fees. jp11 May 2012 #10
Yes please. GoneOffShore May 2012 #21
Sorry, I don't sit with you. Ikonoklast May 2012 #13
Those people made the choice to have and raise children, that is their lifestyle choice RB TexLa May 2012 #17
How does anyone else paying or not paying extra for a service have anything to do with what you pay? Ikonoklast May 2012 #23
No, my argument is they should pay the fees like everyone else that is equal to them. RB TexLa May 2012 #24
Do you use senior discounts? Ikonoklast May 2012 #25
Neither of those are given because of a lifestyle choice. RB TexLa May 2012 #33
Would you complain if they got a group discount? Ikonoklast May 2012 #35
A group discount is fine, unless family values dictates that it only go to families. RB TexLa May 2012 #43
children are part of society --if you don't like society, go buy Marlon Brando's island and get out CreekDog May 2012 #36
Doesn't mean they get special rights over others. Everyone IS still equal. RB TexLa May 2012 #42
children are not equal to adults --that's exactly why they need to be with their guardians CreekDog May 2012 #45
Dan Qualye would be so proud of you, you just "eat up wit da family values" RB TexLa May 2012 #48
No, Dan Quayle would not be proud of me, because I advocate anti poverty, European style CreekDog May 2012 #52
Well, one could argue that living into the senior years... Marengo May 2012 #68
This is stupid. It's not a fee for sitting together, it's a fee for a better seat. JVS May 2012 #14
There should not be a fee for booking seats on airplane abelenkpe May 2012 #16
Good point, why are they doing this treestar May 2012 #22
They're doing it because they can and because it adds privilege for business travelers Gormy Cuss May 2012 #58
+1000000 nt riderinthestorm May 2012 #47
Not flying American carriers, when possible, nadinbrzezinski May 2012 #18
not flying would also be a solution/option ThomThom May 2012 #26
Yeah but there are some places I can't avoid them nadinbrzezinski May 2012 #54
If they want to sit together they can take the bus or drive Angry Dragon May 2012 #20
Threads like this make me miss unrec proud2BlibKansan May 2012 #27
Unless they are willing to give me the fee for the small child sitting next to me, mythology May 2012 #28
then you can sit next to the crying kid, separated from their parent CreekDog May 2012 #29
Anyone who considers families a "lifestyle" choice makes my radar go off Marrah_G May 2012 #38
Good call. CreekDog May 2012 #40
I have to disagree with you here malaise May 2012 #30
I didn't say they don't, all they have to do is pay the fee like everyone else. RB TexLa May 2012 #49
I don't understand why you are not opposed to the fee in general TheKentuckian May 2012 #67
Oh please MorningGlow May 2012 #31
this is just the usual once a month child/family-bashing post CreekDog May 2012 #37
Yet another reason I hardly ever visit DU anymore (and post even less) MorningGlow May 2012 #44
Your post is amusing Marrah_G May 2012 #39
they are on the same page --perhaps you aren't arguing with a progressive. CreekDog May 2012 #46
What in thinking that people who are all equal to each other should pay the same fees as each other RB TexLa May 2012 #50
You have a nice night RB. Marrah_G May 2012 #51
(Greyhound is sounding better and better every day.) Buns_of_Fire May 2012 #41
well, i don't think you'll need to worry about paying anything extra. dionysus May 2012 #56
So how often does this affect you? JHB May 2012 #57
Can't remember the last time I had an assigned seat #. ceile May 2012 #59
Bitter hatred of children. Nice. Real nice. DisgustipatedinCA May 2012 #60
Thinking we should not give discounts based on a lifestyle choice equates to hatred of someone??? RB TexLa May 2012 #63
No. Wrong premise altogether. DisgustipatedinCA May 2012 #64
That is my premise, it was my post. RB TexLa May 2012 #65
I think airlines should require guardians to sit with their kids, make them do so. Bluenorthwest May 2012 #62
Pray tell: how is separating a young child from their parent the same as NYC Liberal May 2012 #66
Shit, what kind of assholes wouldn't give up his seat anyways. I don't care if I paid an extra 25 Evoman May 2012 #69

hedgehog

(36,286 posts)
1. I fully agree with you , and hope you enjoy your flight this summer
Mon May 28, 2012, 01:11 PM
May 2012

sitting between two unrelated four year olds!

 

HockeyMom

(14,337 posts)
2. My older daughter has panic attacks
Mon May 28, 2012, 01:32 PM
May 2012

Flying was one. I had to sit next to her to distract her for a 2 hour flight. I would have to pay for this privilege? I am sure some stranger would love sitting next to her watching her squirm and cry the entire flight. BTW, my daughter was 29 at the time.

 

pipoman

(16,038 posts)
3. So you think it is fine for 6 year olds
Mon May 28, 2012, 01:32 PM
May 2012

not to be able to sit by their parent without paying more? Do you need to calm your adult friend? Wipe their nose? Some claims of unfairness really are zany..

appleannie1

(5,053 posts)
5. Nothing like having a kid acting up in the seat next to you and their parent being where they can't
Mon May 28, 2012, 01:38 PM
May 2012

do anything about it. Sure makes for an enjoyable flight. Kids need to be with their parents. What if there is an air problem requiring masks to be worn? Should strangers be the ones responsible for getting the mask on an unattended child?

 

kestrel91316

(51,666 posts)
6. Last time I flew, a family group mostly composed of infants and toddlers and small fry was spread
Mon May 28, 2012, 01:41 PM
May 2012

throughout my part of the airplane. I was in the aisle seat, an infant in the middle, and a teenaged girl somehow involved with the group was in the window seat. Nobody bothered to affix the car seat to the airplane seat with the belt and the girl ignored the infant (shrieking) while texting on her phone. Right before takeoff the flight attendant came down the aisle for last minute checks and I had to point out to her that the seat was not attached in any way and posed a danger. It took attendants 10 minutes to secure the damned thing, and the girl was clueless the whole time. No parent ever got involved.

And the baby shrieked for most of the 4 hour flight. I found myself trying to comfort it for most of that time.

When young children fly I though they were REQUIRED to have an adult attached to them and responsible for them. I guess the adults were too busy with the several other kids scattered around to bother noticing the baby. I'm surprised it didn't get left behind at deplaning.

 

jberryhill

(62,444 posts)
15. Did you offer to switch seats with a parent
Mon May 28, 2012, 02:28 PM
May 2012

I fly several times a month, and usually the passengers just sort this stuff out.

BTW, earplugs are really handy.
 

MadHound

(34,179 posts)
8. No, having a family is not a lifestyle choice, it is a biological fact
Mon May 28, 2012, 01:47 PM
May 2012

Even if you don't have a spouse or kids, you still have family. After all, you certainly have a mother and father, good chance you have siblings as well. Everybody has family, every single person on this planet, including you, comes from a family. That isn't lifestyle choice, that's reality.

 

RB TexLa

(17,003 posts)
19. And if I chose to raise children I should have special rights over others?
Mon May 28, 2012, 03:38 PM
May 2012

no, everyone is equal. Contray to what the republicans say, this country was not founded on family values.
 

Mairead

(9,557 posts)
61. You're arguing the wrong position
Tue May 29, 2012, 02:11 PM
May 2012

The objectionable bit is that anyone can pay to get a favored seating arrangement. That is the problem you should be arguing against: the primacy of money.

bluestateguy

(44,173 posts)
9. I do not support special rights for those who choose to live the family lifestyle
Mon May 28, 2012, 01:50 PM
May 2012

New laws are not needed and are cumbersome. You can simply ask someone nicely to change seats to be nearer to your family.

MorningGlow

(15,758 posts)
32. Nice try; no cigar
Mon May 28, 2012, 07:52 PM
May 2012

A few years ago, when my son was 4, the seats I chose for him, my 83 YO mother, and me in advance were not honored, and he was placed in a row far away from me. My mother was also placed in a different row. I appealed to the flight attendant, but she said the flight was full and all I could do was ask people to switch with us. When we asked people (individual travelers) to change seats, they flat-out refused.

Gormy Cuss

(30,884 posts)
55. Yes, ask that person who paid $25 extra or whose premium status landed him/her the seat
Tue May 29, 2012, 12:29 PM
May 2012

to switch with you. That'll go over well.

Ikonoklast

(23,973 posts)
13. Sorry, I don't sit with you.
Mon May 28, 2012, 02:22 PM
May 2012

Not having any children is also a 'lifestyle choice'.

Having friends is a 'lifestyle choice'.

Searching for random things to be upset about on the Intrawebs is a 'lifestyle choice'.

Bet you'd re-think your position after that airsick five-year-old whose Mom is three aisles back barfs in your lap.

 

RB TexLa

(17,003 posts)
17. Those people made the choice to have and raise children, that is their lifestyle choice
Mon May 28, 2012, 03:35 PM
May 2012

they chose it. They would be the ones who pay for it.

Ikonoklast

(23,973 posts)
23. How does anyone else paying or not paying extra for a service have anything to do with what you pay?
Mon May 28, 2012, 06:27 PM
May 2012

If your argument is that you also want the same discount, then start a family.

No one is stopping you from doing so.

Ikonoklast

(23,973 posts)
35. Would you complain if they got a group discount?
Mon May 28, 2012, 08:14 PM
May 2012

After all, they might have bought ten tickets to your one.

 

RB TexLa

(17,003 posts)
43. A group discount is fine, unless family values dictates that it only go to families.
Mon May 28, 2012, 08:41 PM
May 2012

but sounds like you would think that to be a fair reward for their lifestyle choice.

CreekDog

(46,192 posts)
36. children are part of society --if you don't like society, go buy Marlon Brando's island and get out
Mon May 28, 2012, 08:16 PM
May 2012

the world has children.

in your life, there will be children --you can choose not to have them --in fact, that's a damned good idea for some people...

but whether or not you have them, they will be around, and though they will be their parents responsibility, they will also be ours and yours.

because you're human --much as you are trying to hide that fact.

and someday one of these "lifestyle choices" as you seem to call them, is going to staff an ambulance that takes care of you, or pave a road that you drive down, perhaps paint a building that you live or work in --forecast a tornado in your neighborhood, or fight a war that you can't fight.

you know what? speaking of children --you need to grow up.

 

RB TexLa

(17,003 posts)
42. Doesn't mean they get special rights over others. Everyone IS still equal.
Mon May 28, 2012, 08:40 PM
May 2012

or does equality not work with your adherence to family values.

CreekDog

(46,192 posts)
45. children are not equal to adults --that's exactly why they need to be with their guardians
Mon May 28, 2012, 08:50 PM
May 2012

and it's very craven of you to use the "equality" argument not to support equal rights, but for your own selfish and self-centered purposes.

and by the way, it's not your country alone, it's mine too, and i want children protected.

my vote to treat children better cancels out your vote to treat them like crap.

so there's no reason someone should listen to you in a democratic society --because your vote is now offset by mine.

CreekDog

(46,192 posts)
52. No, Dan Quayle would not be proud of me, because I advocate anti poverty, European style
Mon May 28, 2012, 09:36 PM
May 2012

he would be proud of you, because you advocate against such programs, generally speaking.

 

Marengo

(3,477 posts)
68. Well, one could argue that living into the senior years...
Tue May 29, 2012, 10:12 PM
May 2012

is a "lifestyle choice". Don't know how effectively, but one could try.

Won't be me though

JVS

(61,935 posts)
14. This is stupid. It's not a fee for sitting together, it's a fee for a better seat.
Mon May 28, 2012, 02:25 PM
May 2012

The fact that sitting next to one another necessitates use of a better seat does not make charging for it anti-family any more than the fact that a bigger car to fit a family of 6 is more expensive than smaller cars.

abelenkpe

(9,933 posts)
16. There should not be a fee for booking seats on airplane
Mon May 28, 2012, 02:32 PM
May 2012

For any group of travelers ever. Couples should sit together. Friends travlling together should sit together. Families with small children should sit together. We should not be fighting over who gets charged. We should be united in rejecting this idiotic charge for anyone.

And get rid of TSA.

treestar

(82,383 posts)
22. Good point, why are they doing this
Mon May 28, 2012, 04:15 PM
May 2012

when people travel together they sell more tickets. Shouldn't they figure that in? Maybe they are just being stupid or think the public is stupid.

Gormy Cuss

(30,884 posts)
58. They're doing it because they can and because it adds privilege for business travelers
Tue May 29, 2012, 12:37 PM
May 2012

who on average pay more per ticket to sit in those seats.

Apparently the carriers have increased the number of window and aisle seats reserved for so-called premium travelers in the past year and it may be that they've reserved so many that it's disrupting the ability of persons traveling together to find seats together. Summer is high season for family groups flying and I hope that this nasty expansion of the set-asides fails miserably.

 

nadinbrzezinski

(154,021 posts)
18. Not flying American carriers, when possible,
Mon May 28, 2012, 03:37 PM
May 2012

Is effective too.

By the way, these fees apply to all...

ThomThom

(1,486 posts)
26. not flying would also be a solution/option
Mon May 28, 2012, 07:11 PM
May 2012

I personally will not ever fly again for many reasons, this just reinforces my decision.

 

nadinbrzezinski

(154,021 posts)
54. Yeah but there are some places I can't avoid them
Tue May 29, 2012, 12:25 PM
May 2012

Mexico City (I recommend Volaris) and Hawaii come to mind.

If I had all the time in the world, the latter, take a ship, alas I don't.

 

mythology

(9,527 posts)
28. Unless they are willing to give me the fee for the small child sitting next to me,
Mon May 28, 2012, 07:23 PM
May 2012

this fee is utterly ridiculous and should be blocked. I'm not a babysitter for some random person's kid. As much as possible, groups should be able to sit together and this is a crappy decision on the part of airline companies.

CreekDog

(46,192 posts)
29. then you can sit next to the crying kid, separated from their parent
Mon May 28, 2012, 07:32 PM
May 2012

but then you'll probably post about how unfair your life is because that happened to you.



you complain about poor people, complain about Democratic policies on the economy (the liberal ones that is) and you complain about helping children or looking out for them.

has it ever occurred to you why you agree with so few of us on so many issues?

Marrah_G

(28,581 posts)
38. Anyone who considers families a "lifestyle" choice makes my radar go off
Mon May 28, 2012, 08:23 PM
May 2012

Liberals, lefties, socialist, progressives are generally focused on improving society and acknowledge how incredibly important children are to our societies.

malaise

(268,296 posts)
30. I have to disagree with you here
Mon May 28, 2012, 07:43 PM
May 2012

Last edited Tue May 29, 2012, 06:23 AM - Edit history (1)

Parents have a right to sit with their children - as annoying as it is I could sit apart from hubby but no parent wants to be separated from his/her kids, particularly the young ones

TheKentuckian

(25,002 posts)
67. I don't understand why you are not opposed to the fee in general
Tue May 29, 2012, 08:22 PM
May 2012

Rather than being upset at the "special privilege" of a parent accompanying their child.

Logically, you either want families to pay an extra fee on default because they need to be together or you insist on random paying travelers to have to deal with a kid separated from their parent.

It seems like a nearly insane and deeply ideologically driven point fueled by some form of resentment rather than practical application.

The airlines instead ought to be forced to give a discount or a future upgrade if they "need" to break up your seating in small groups.

We should equally not be stuck with this bullshit fee for two and three people wanting to sit together. Kid, friend, spouse, traveling companion...who cares?

MorningGlow

(15,758 posts)
31. Oh please
Mon May 28, 2012, 07:47 PM
May 2012

On my last flight, I watched two friends, sitting NEXT TO one another, text EACH OTHER the entire trip. If they don't want to pay for the privilege to text while side by side, they can text one another from a few rows away.

In the meantime, hope you enjoy cleaning up my kid's vomit in your lap.

CreekDog

(46,192 posts)
37. this is just the usual once a month child/family-bashing post
Mon May 28, 2012, 08:19 PM
May 2012

some people need to do this regularly because they feel wronged by the presence of children.

we were due for the monthly episode of the usual selfish/self-centered missive.

MorningGlow

(15,758 posts)
44. Yet another reason I hardly ever visit DU anymore (and post even less)
Mon May 28, 2012, 08:43 PM
May 2012

I say we get rid of children altogether, those germ-riddled drains on society. Oh wait...

In case this is necessary for anyone: I love my kid.

Marrah_G

(28,581 posts)
39. Your post is amusing
Mon May 28, 2012, 08:25 PM
May 2012

Children are important to our future and our communities. Progressives, liberals, lefties, socialists, etc are usually all on the same page in regards to this.

 

RB TexLa

(17,003 posts)
50. What in thinking that people who are all equal to each other should pay the same fees as each other
Mon May 28, 2012, 09:21 PM
May 2012

for the same service is not on that page?

JHB

(37,141 posts)
57. So how often does this affect you?
Tue May 29, 2012, 12:34 PM
May 2012

How big a hit are you taking per year due to the additional fees related to you sitting next to your friends?

ceile

(8,692 posts)
59. Can't remember the last time I had an assigned seat #.
Tue May 29, 2012, 01:51 PM
May 2012

I fly mostly SW which is first come first served.

 

RB TexLa

(17,003 posts)
63. Thinking we should not give discounts based on a lifestyle choice equates to hatred of someone???
Tue May 29, 2012, 06:48 PM
May 2012

How do you get that.
 

Bluenorthwest

(45,319 posts)
62. I think airlines should require guardians to sit with their kids, make them do so.
Tue May 29, 2012, 02:29 PM
May 2012

The trend I see is 'we sit up front and put the kids next to strangers'. I do not care for that. Now if I am seated next to parent or guardian and a child, I'm the best seat mate ever as I flew a lot as a kid, so I empathize. Adults traveling with kids should not have the option of separate seating. No choice, no fees, the family sits together.

NYC Liberal

(20,134 posts)
66. Pray tell: how is separating a young child from their parent the same as
Tue May 29, 2012, 08:04 PM
May 2012

separating two grown adults?

Answer: it's not.

Evoman

(8,040 posts)
69. Shit, what kind of assholes wouldn't give up his seat anyways. I don't care if I paid an extra 25
Tue May 29, 2012, 10:20 PM
May 2012

bucks for a window seat. Some kid is sitting beside me and wants his dad, then his dad gets my seat no questions asked. Fuck the money....its just the right thing to do. Why don't we ever just do the right thing anymore?

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