Passenger assaults seat kicking child.

[Nottingham Nick]

Without wishing to re-ignite the children on planes debate, yet again - these actions would probably be considered too extreme by all but a very small minority on here. ):

Link to USA Today story.

Nick

I completely sympathise with the pax and hate it when it happens to me, but a three year old doesn't have long enough legs to touch the floor? Children move around a lot and every time he/she moves they will hit the seat in front. Maybe every child under a certain heigh must be accompanied by 2 adults and one has to book the seat in front?

Gosh - extreme action indeed v( , I mean extreme that the mother is taking charges againt the lady who was assaulted first by the unruly child :0

Did the "woman" take up the issue with CC, first?- doesn't appear so..?
Did she take it on her self to manhandle someone else's 3 year old and

"slam back into their seat"

She was

"drunk"

and then proceeded to throw stuff/ rubbish at lady with child throughout the flight?

No excuse for seat kicking, but sounds like said lady was fairly unhinged and the likely "problem passenger" in all this.

Intoxicated, stressed out passenger fairs better in popularity stakes than restless child...??

Eeek...controversial...

[Pete]

"she shook him and then slammed him back on the seat, the mother told police"

I can't help but think, given the language used (and the subsequent events) there's a little exaggeration in that statement. Sounds like a clear case of road rage. Little Johnny is kicking the seat, the old broad isn't having any of it so tells the kid to quit it, and so ensues spat between mother and other passenger which escalated out of proportion.

It would have been so much easier if mum would have spotted the seat kicking and nipped it in the bud, or quickly admonished dear Johnny as soon as it was obvious the old broad wasn't appreciating it (I'm pretty sure there would have been at least a few disapproving looks before any physical contact came to play).

Let's just hope LSoM has a good solicitor...

Let's just hope LSoM has a good solicitor...

Mmm, March, wasn't a certain LSoM somewhere in the US :w .

I'm too jaded to believe a press report using such emotive language like 'slammed'. The woman undoubtedly reacted - how badly is probably somewhere lower than the new article.

The truth is that there is far to much ill will to children behaving out of control on aeroplanes, much in the minority, but all the same. Poor parenting is usually the cause, recently I had to ask CC to intervene when two groups of children used UC as a playground while their respective parents sat, watched TV and ordered more drinks - just ignoring their children and fellow passengers. I'm fed up with it, but also because it gives the majority of well mannered children and their parents a bad name.

[HighFlyer]

Ahem, like you'd ever find me on a Southwest flight!

[Darren Wheeler]

The comments on the article aren't exactly sympathetic to mother/child either.

This sort of story is rarely accurate however the scenario of child upsetting pax in front is all too frequent. It is very difficult given the space and length of time involved to ensure at all times that a small child doesn't accidentally hit the seat in front. If it is deliberate and repeated or the parents are not acting responsibly then I would initiate a polite word with the parent or failing that ask CC to intervene. Anything else is inappropriate.

[RichardMannion]

Another reason why duct tape should be loaded for all flights....

Another reason why duct tape should be loaded for all flights....

:0 Not such a moderate stance for a moderator :0

[Pete]

Another reason why duct tape should be loaded for all flights....

:0 Not such a moderate stance for a moderator :0

But quite restrained for Richard.

Another reason why duct tape should be loaded for all flights....

:0 Not such a moderate stance for a moderator :0

But quite restrained for Richard.

Richard needs restraining? What he and LSOM get up to in their own private estate should remain there ! lol

Anyway, I am not a fan of children in general (even a pressurised hold to too good for them etc) but this does seam a tad excessive. BUT the parent needs a good slap for not controlling their child but no doubt some nut lawyer would argue that seat kicking is an enshrined 1st amendment right

[RichardMannion]

Who said the duct tape was for the child?

Who said the duct tape was for the child?

Oh dear, don't do a Michael Hutchence on us!

(sigh)

bad behaviour on planes from ANYBODY chaps my arse!!! people should make sure children can behave themselves not only on planes but everywhere.

Also grown people need to exercise restraint and respect for others everywhere.

I flown for years now. my first flight was in 1987 when i was 18 months and just weaned off my mothers bosom, It has to do with loving disciplin (not the kind that makes folk call the nspca). This is just an unfortunate micro- vision of where some people are taking society.

Lets all be nicer and well hopefully life will be better...

join with me and sing kumbya ... (joke)

(sigh)

bad behaviour on planes from ANYBODY chaps my arse!!!

Chaps my arse!
Apparently a liberal application of duct tape can help with that.

Fair point regrading the rest. I would rather have a child sitting behind me than a drunken expletor (excuse the neologism) or someone who grabs my seat at the headrest with two hands to lever their beer belly out of their seat.

(sigh)

bad behaviour on planes from ANYBODY chaps my arse!!!

Fair point regrading the rest. I would rather have a child sitting behind me than a drunken expletor (excuse the neologism) or someone who grabs my seat at the headrest with two hands to lever their beer belly out of their seat.

y) Groups travelling together having in-aisle parties next to your head..(Ooops ignoring the "party Bus" of course :w ). Especially in UC- there's a bar for god's sake..(CC reacted firmly to this on our last trip y) )
DYKWIA's..demanding left-right-centre, Flight likely funded by company cash or worse still on other peoples well earned money, why is it these individuals complain louder than others..
There's no excuse for unruly kids of any age, and if sub 16 it is the parents responsibility to sort it out. I think DocRo has hit the nail on the head..

Note bitter tone...I've just lost on the National... ii)

(sigh)

bad behaviour on planes from ANYBODY chaps my arse!!!

Chaps my arse!
Apparently a liberal application of duct tape can help with that.

Fair point regrading the rest. I would rather have a child sitting behind me than a drunken expletor (excuse the neologism) or someone who grabs my seat at the headrest with two hands to lever their beer belly out of their seat.

DUCT TAPE????

the mind boggles!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :0

Chaps me arse. I am so slipping that into the first argument I have today.

This has been discussed scores of times on here over the years, and usually boils down to the everyone-should-behave-themselves-on-a-plane-despite-their-age conclusion (or, in LRoM's case the everyone-should-behave-themselves-on-a-plane-despite-their-age-or-they'll-have-their-heads-duct-taped-to-the-toilet-seat conclusion). I guess courtesy to one's fellow man shouldn't have a 15 certificate on it.

[Bazz]

From the piece in USA Today the pax suffering the attentions of the child seems to have gone OTT, however I am sure we don't have the full story.

There have been occasions when I have felt like doing precisely what the lady is accused of however common sense and self restraint have prevailed, thank goodness.

When I have had the misfortune to have had a child pushing their feet into or constantly kicking the back of my seat and I have spoken (politely, I hasten to add) to the parent/guardian, I have never received any sympathy or seen any vigorous attempt to get the child to refrain from said activities. Little Johnny is always bored or tired or restless or ... - WTF, control your child please!

More latterly a quite word with the cabin crew has produced better results but not cured the problem completely. Fortunately this is not a problem in the pointy bit. :w