Kids on a Plane

(Rocco learns that it really isn't butter)

Heading out tomorrow for some fun and sun with our East Coast peeps, which forces me to face that which I dread: Flying with Kids. It's not so much the hassle of it all (though it is an incredible one), rather it's another thing I dread: People who Hate Flying with Kids. It's a touchy subject, from both the annoyed (non parental) traveler to the harried, frantic parent. Here's an example from Salon's Ask the Pilot:

[H]ow about a list of the best and worst ideas in airline marketing history? I'll leave the latter to you, and there are plenty to choose from. As for the best, I'll tell you my own pick: Northwest's decision, 20 years ago, to become the globe's first major carrier to impose a systemwide in-flight smoking ban. That'd be a hard one to beat, but here's a challenge to any airline daring enough: a rule that requires the medicating, muzzling or sequestering of all children under 4 years old -- below deck would be nice, or out on the wing.

(emphasis mine) A throwaway comment at the end of an article mainly about American's $15 checked bag fee that ends jokingly (I hope) suggesting kids ride steerage or wingside generates a storm of comments from both sides of the argument. I mean, really? I have no constructive solutions for an already shitty situation, vis-a-vis air travel, but from my perspective, to think that there is a population of people who, upon seeing me and my family arrive at the gate, silently (or maybe not so silently) curse us out for having the gall to leave our house once in awhile, well, I take it personally. Actually, I do have some solutions:

1. ipod + a good set of noise-canceling headphones (I have the Etymotic ER-6i)
2. Fuck You, You Fucking Fuck.

As parents, we are perhaps a bit hypersensitive about the way Roc behaves around others, though in reality there's nothing we can do about it except to distract and redirect. Not like you can argue/reason with a 1 year old. All I ask is for a little understanding and patience; if Roc is upset or acting up, you can be sure Jala2 and I are on it, dealing with it as best we can. We're not one of those parents who sit/sleep idly by and let their spawn wreak havoc with everyone's fun.

As frustrating as flying is, doesn't it make you want to cry sometimes?