PE - Upstairs or Downstairs with a 3 year old?

All,

I fly what looks to be G-VTOP on 5/10/12 on the VS073 in PE.

The seat map is available as of this morning and I'm attempting to choose mine subject to the system working!

Any thoughts on whether it is better to be upstairs or downstairs with my 3 year old son? Am thinking row 81 as there are 5 of us (4 adults) would give him more room to cause havoc.

Thanks, Nick

[Neil]

While for the adults the bubble would be a much nicer environment, I'm guessing with the little one it would allow better seating possibilities plus more space for the little one.

All,

give him more room to cause havoc.

Thanks, Nick

Or just keep on top of him with games and entertainment so he doesn't cause havoc for the rest of the fare paying passenger and spoil their flight? Then no need to worry about more space to let him cause havoc and misery (excuse the rant but I've had too many flights spoilt by noisy unruly children)

If your downstairs you don't have to worry about them running off suddenly and falling down the stairs......

If your downstairs you don't have to worry about them running off suddenly and falling down the stairs......

Never thought of that before. Very good point!

All,

give him more room to cause havoc.

Thanks, Nick

Or just keep on top of him with games and entertainment so he doesn't cause havoc for the rest of the fare paying passenger and spoil their flight? Then no need to worry about more space to let him cause havoc and misery (excuse the rant but I've had too many flights spoilt by noisy unruly children)

Actually I was thinking of arming him with a megaphone, numerous bags of E-number sweets and sticking my headphones in and leaving him to it!

FYI, neither I nor my son are idiots and will behave appropriately.

From your comment I know who I'd rather sit next to on a busy flight.

Thanks for feedback guys. I had thought about the stairs but am aware that PE upstairs is supposed to be a nicer experience.

Turns out, that despite the seating plan being available show no occupancy, I can't choose seats. Virgin CS tell me that no seats allocated yet so all up for grabs via OLCI.

Will probably go for row 81.

Cheers.

We were all kids once and we all have the right to travel and experience the world. It's a shame that a small majority of parents let their kids run wild, and hence the comments that PAX do not want to sit anywhere near children
I have been on flights where some of the grown ups have been just as disruptive

We have travelled with our son since he was about 10 months old including 3 trips to the US. 1 in EC and 2 in PE.
We travelled to ORD and were in PE (it was a 340 so no upstairs). He was very well behaved, we are always well prepared with several new toys, small pack of plasticine, snacks and some films on an ipod/ipad. Plus at that age they also will sleep for an hour or two fingers crossed.
A few of the other passengers in the cabin remarked on how well behaved he was The crew were really friendly and made us feel at ease too.

We did MCO in PE earlier this year, this time we were upstairs. It was great as the flight was not very busy. There is a lot more space up there, downstairs PE cabin seemed small and dark in comparison. Plus you get the storage bin under the window, our son loved stowing all his stuff in there and being to get it out when he wanted to.

I would choose upstairs if I had the choice, plus there is not so much chance of them wandering upto the bar in UC
It also meant that we could have a long walk down the stairs all the way to the back of EC and then back up again. Kept him happy for ages !!

Hope this helps ?

Yes that's really interesting. Thanks!

My son is very well behaved normally but this is his first flight. I don't anticipate any problems with him and my comment was clearly a joke. I wouldn't want a screaming child in my ear any more than the next paying passenger but I'd never blame the child - irresponsible parents are far worse. The insinuation was what I didn't like.

I digress.

I wondered if having the extra leg room space would give him somewhere to play on the floor as there is no way he (or I) will sit in a seat the whole journey.

I've got 24 hours before OLCI so I'll wait and canvas any more opinion.

Thanks.

Nick
whilst your comment may well have been in jest, sadly some parents just dont take responsibility for their kids and do let them cause havoc. so having paid the extra for PE people dont want the noise and agrovation.
my wife has been woken up (always a dangerous thing to do ) whilst in PE by a young uncontrolled child hitting her foot thinking it was a great game. it was only when she told the kid to clear off that Mummy came and looked after the little lovely who until that time had been allowed to run wild !! Oh and guess who got the dirty look -my wife !

Oh and BTW I travelled a lot with my two kids staring when they were 2 and 11 months and I also always made sure they behaved. its a common courtesy to fellow PAX

[preiffer]

You say it's the first time your child has flown...

So - you don't have any idea how they will react.


Now, consider that MOST passengers requesting seats upstairs have done so because they believe that will result in a more peaceful and relaxing experience.

...and you're going to elect to fly with a child who you have no idea how they'll react specifically IN that environment?


For the record, I think kids SHOULD fly. I've seen worse behaved adults (including some I've been travelling with ! ) than kids on some flights. I also think there are very GOOD parents and very BAD parents when it comes to looking after a child onboard - I don't know you, so honestly have no idea which of those you are....

But what I DO know is that many times with kids, it's about "damage limitation" and consideration for other passengers. What IF your child (unexpectedly) does cause "havoc"? Downstairs, there's a lot going on to distract the other passengers and absorb the chaos. Upstairs, you have X number of passengers who specifically booked their seats to enjoy a relaxed and quiet cabin.


Personally, I'd stick to downstairs until the "unknown" is definitely known. Not only for your sake, but for others.

I agree entirely about parental responsibility which is partly why I even started this thread! To assess what would be best for both us a family and so that we/others don't end up suffering for the whole journey.

As is usual the glass is always half empty and constructive advice is not forthcoming from several replies. The assumptions are that firstly I am an irresponsible parent and that secondly my son is an unruly child don't help!

That's what I don't like.

[Decker]

On a semantic point no one has the right to fly and experience the world. They have the privilege .

a11p0rt
Don't worry about it is all i can say,you've paid the same money as everyone else and are entitled to sit in any seat you want!

[preiffer]

a11p0rt
Don't worry about it is all i can say,you've paid the same money as everyone else and are entitled to sit in any seat you want!

While I agree with the essence of this sentiment, your statement isn't strictly true.
Infants and children fly for much reduced fares.

a11p0rt
Don't worry about it is all i can say,you've paid the same money as everyone else and are entitled to sit in any seat you want!

Finally! Some sense!

[Decker]

But infants don't get guaranteed seats

I think you should pick the seats that suit you as a family best, that way you are more likely to have a settled child for the flight. I flew with my family to Florida when my daughter was 10 months old it didn't cause us or any other passengers a problem and I'm sure you'll be fine too.

Have a great holiday.

I have been on flights where some of the grown ups have been just as disruptive

Like me wandering the plane with a mug of tea?

Had the curiousity of a kid and I wanted to see all the A330-300 on my last flight. Was quite interesting actually - will try to put a TR together.

Come on people, let's be friends here. The OP is just looking for a bit of guidance upper or lower deck to keep a kid entertained... I would say lower deck as there will be more people walking past and around, that is always entertaining. As for the extra legroom seats to get space to play on the floor... I am fairly certain the crew won't allow that for H&S reasons. Also there are no extra legroom seats in PE unless you are counting exit rows... they won't allow kids to sit in those rows for sure, as they need adults to pop the doors and slides in case the cabin crew faint from fear or run around screaming a la Airplane! (movie).

Make sure you pack a good supply of toys and other diversions, the IFE should also keep you guys distracted for ages with the amount of material there so I wouldn't worry too much.

Trying for SEQ1 a11p0rt?

@joeyc thanks for that info. I didn't think that kids wouldn't be allowed in exit rows. And yes, plenty of pre-planned entertainment.

Will do my best for SEQ1!

Have been allocated seats in the bubble since this morning so let's hope the PAX up there don't mind the VERY LOUD MUSICAL TOYS I plan on taking! ii)

( In case we are unclear, that is a joke too! )

the VERY LOUD MUSICAL TOYS I plan on taking! ii)

Don't forget the megaphone and smarties...

Come on people, let's be friends here. The OP is just looking for a bit of guidance upper or lower deck to keep a kid entertained...

Hoey I don't think the OP helped himself when he used the phrase

...would give him more room to cause havoc.

Have a great flight and holiday,don't let the worry ruin your flight.
Being in the bubble is a great experience that I recently achieved for the first time so enjoy every minute

Come on people, let's be friends here. The OP is just looking for a bit of guidance upper or lower deck to keep a kid entertained...

Hoey I don't think the OP helped himself when he used the phrase

...would give him more room to cause havoc.

Because as a father trying to do the best for my family I'd deliberately go on a very respected forum and ask for advice on the best way to enable my 'unruly' toddler to cause the most disruption...

Have a great flight and holiday,don't let the worry ruin your flight.
Being in the bubble is a great experience that I recently achieved for the first time so enjoy every minute