Is there a more repeated grievance than that of travelers lamenting the presence of children on airplanes? I can’t think of one. In fact, I would argue that kids are far from being the most disruptive passengers on flights.
It baffles me how some individuals appear to believe that their plane ticket grants them an escape into tranquility. Let’s be clear: you didn’t purchase a pass to an adults-only paradise in the sky. Traveling by air is akin to using public transportation, which inherently comes with its own set of annoyances—many of which have nothing to do with small children.
Before becoming a parent, I traveled extensively, and I continue to do so with my children. While I may prefer the former for its ease, it’s not because my kids make for undesirable travel companions. Instead, the stress of flying with young ones often stems from the reactions of other passengers. A minor noise from your child can trigger passive-aggressive sighs, eye-rolls, and even outright complaints. It’s perplexing how some individuals feel entitled to loudly criticize the presence of children aboard a flight—this, in itself, is quite irritating.
In response to a recent article by the NY Post titled, “The 8 Worst Types Of Kids On A Flight,” I’d like to propose my own list: “The 8 Most Annoying Adults on a Flight.” Each flight tends to have at least one of these characters, yet there’s rarely any discussion about whether they should be allowed to fly among others.
- Mr. Oblivious: “I’m reclining into your personal space without a second thought. Yes, I can feel your discomfort, but that’s not my problem.”
- Mrs. Poor Dietary Choices: “I know this egg salad is pungent, but I’m going to ignore that fact because it’s all I crave today.”
- Rowdy Party-Goers: “We’re going to consume cocktails and loudly celebrate, all while slapping high-fives and calling each other ridiculous nicknames.”
- The Manspreader: “I need both armrests and my leg will be encroaching on your territory for the duration of the flight.”
- Loud Music Enthusiast: “I must crank up my music so loud that I can’t hear anyone else. What did you say?”
- The Nervous Talker: “I’m anxious about flying, so you must keep me entertained with conversation for hours—just ignore my nervous flatulence.”
- The Kid Complainer: “I’m going to continuously grumble about the baby on board, becoming exponentially more bothersome than the child itself.”
- The Constant Whiner: “I’m upset that the flight attendant served the back row first, it’s too cold, and I want to discuss how airlines are greedy for the next few hours.”
As I mentioned, children are not the primary source of annoyance on flights.
For more insights on navigating air travel with children, check out our related post on surviving flights with kids.
In summary, while flying can present challenges, it’s essential to recognize that children are not the main culprits of discomfort in the cabin. Instead, various adult behaviors can contribute significantly to a less-than-ideal travel experience.