Controversial? Sedating Kids On Long Haul Flights

[bigbamboo]

Long haul travel is such a pain nowadays I'd be happy to be ko'd from take off until landing....!

[richard_smith237]

The use of the term 'sedative' in this case misguides the reader into an assumption of something terrible, however, in reality the 'sedative' most commonly used is an antihistamine such as Piroton (usually in a form or dose suitable for children). It does no harm to the child, much in the same way when we adults take an Antihistamine we are not supposed to operate machinery, drive etc.. as it makes us drowsy, the children in much the similar manner become drowsy and sleep more readily in an otherwise exciting / frightening / different / uncomfortable environment.

My Sister gave her 3 year old (at the time) children's Piriton and he slept well on the flight. Since then she has travelled with 3 and deemed it not necessary as they had their DS games consoles (4 year olds and a 7 year old) and they behaved well.

So, it comes down to decent parenting for the most part.

However, I have felt truly sorry for the parents of 6 month old who was clearly in discomfort. I don't believe dosing a child who cannot articulate their discomfort, this could be dangerous.

People have the right to travel and as disruptive as it is a crying child on a flight is something we simply have to deal with. I do so in sympathy with parents of babies.

However, I loose patience with Parent's who fail to control the children who by a certain age (i.e. 3 yrs +) who allow their children to act in a manner disturbing to other passengers.

Drunks etc.. this is not the topic of discussion here: Because they may behave badly doesn't add to or detract from the topic of 'Is it right to give a child mild medication which makes them drowsy'....

[stiggy]

Personally I would pay a premium to have a section that was kid free.I'd also pay for a quiet zone, trains have them why not planes.

Several times I have flown business expecting to get off other end straight to work, to then have a single travelling parent upgraded as they have kids including a newborn sat right next to us.

Good luck for them, not so good luck for me. I don't complain kids have to travel, but as I said I would pay a premium to ensure I have a quieter flight.

But end of the day, invest in a good pair of headphones worst case it's 12 hours. I am sure any adult can endure that.

Air travel in any case is normally shiite at best.

[apalink_thailand]

Nope, but do you enjoy the flight while the chavs and puss heads party for 12 hrs and not giving a monkeys about anyone else?

Also, do you think they all get an escort on arrival? They don't.

Plus, do the airlines actually ban them all? Nope.

Are they allowed to fly home or fly again? Yes.

So, for me they are worse than kids as they should know better and they have a choice.

Kids don't usually.

Chavs have passports?

[apalink_thailand]

For frequent flyers, I have three words: Noise Cancelling Headphones. However, they dont help much with the seat kickers. I once had a kid in the seat behind me that kept dumping water on me while I was asleep. As a tall person, sleep on a long hall is almost impossible without my own sedatives. A kid dumping drinks on me when I finally fall asleep is most irritating. Making it worse, when I glanced back at the parents, they just looked away and did nothing. I told myself at the time that if he does it again, the parent are getting an over the shoulder beer shower from me.

Edited May 13, 2013 by apalink_thailand

[WhizBang]

Disruptive passengers are arrested on arrival at their destination. Are you suggesting that the same rules should apply to the parents of disruptive children?

Actually, not a bad idea. It also might make some of these 'aren't the little darlings just wonderful' parents think twice about allowing their unruly offspring to run rampant annoying everyone within earshot.

So, yes, I do think they should be arrested, or fined, or even banned from flying.

[craigt3365]

I think we need to separate babies from young children. Babies can't be expected not to cry when they experience problems (ears, etc). Young children are another story and it's the parents fault for not controlling them. If they are hyper kids, like I was when I was young, a mild sedative is not a bad thing. IMHO.

I've had many young children kicking the back of my seat. The first time it happens, I contact the cabin staff. Normally, it gets sorted quickly. A few times I even got upgraded! A few times, they got moved to the back of the plane. Only one time it kept going and the cabin staff were really upset. Jerk parents who could care less what their kids were doing. Again, not the kids fault, but the parents fault.

As for drunk and rowdy adult passengers, I've seen quite a few taken off in handcuffs.

[BlackPuddingBertha]

Personally I would pay a premium to have a section that was kid free.I'd also pay for a quiet zone, trains have them why not planes.

The idea is good but you got it the wrong way around. I dont see why I should pay extra not to have to suffer from other people's inability to comport themselves correctly.

People with children should pay a large supplement to be in an obligatory section of their own because of the inconvenience that they cause others. This may discourage them from travelling altogether which would suit me fine. The same system could be applied to any nuisance passenger.

[Baerboxer]

IMHO children under the age of 6 should not be allowed on planes with normal people. Ever.

And neither should grumpy old gits!

[Baerboxer]

Personally I would pay a premium to have a section that was kid free.I'd also pay for a quiet zone, trains have them why not planes.

The idea is good but you got it the wrong way around. I dont see why I should pay extra not to have to suffer from other people's inability to comport themselves correctly.

People with children should pay a large supplement to be in an obligatory section of their own because of the inconvenience that they cause others. This may discourage them from travelling altogether which would suit me fine. The same system could be applied to any nuisance passenger.

And so should the idiots who stand around near the toilets and exit doors talking loudly; or the young lads boozing as much as they can get; or the grossly overweight who can't get out of the seats when you need to go to the toilet; or the courting couple who keep petting; or the old and disabled who take time on and off; and especially those who moan about everyone else but are too mean to buy a business class ticket!

Get real. Public transport is exactly that - public.

[lee b]

Heres one, why not do a smelly test, anyone that stinks forced to shower, or put them in the cargo hold !

[Baerboxer]

I think we need to separate babies from young children. Babies can't be expected not to cry when they experience problems (ears, etc). Young children are another story and it's the parents fault for not controlling them. If they are hyper kids, like I was when I was young, a mild sedative is not a bad thing. IMHO.

I've had many young children kicking the back of my seat. The first time it happens, I contact the cabin staff. Normally, it gets sorted quickly. A few times I even got upgraded! A few times, they got moved to the back of the plane. Only one time it kept going and the cabin staff were really upset. Jerk parents who could care less what their kids were doing. Again, not the kids fault, but the parents fault.

As for drunk and rowdy adult passengers, I've seen quite a few taken off in handcuffs.

Agree - it's very difficult to stop babies and young infants crying when they have a problem. On an 11 hour EVA flight the cabin crew supervisor said someone was complaining that one of babies was crying. I asked what would she suggest and she never came back! Thai on the other hand suggested we take them into the business class galley, where they loaded them with chocolates and played with them for a while - worked a treat! (Surprising I know).

I would never let my children kick seats or mess with other passengers. That is the responsibility of the parents

I've seen some poor behaviour in adults - including an arab teenage girl who was trying to use my laptop as a pillow bolster, drunk tourists being kicked off connecting flights (and having to wait while their luggage gets offloaded), people getting agressive with flight crews and being arrested on landing, arabs spending ages trying to rearrange the seating (seems a strange trait of theirs) and groups of lads misbehaving because they're off on a "lads' holiday".

Maybe all of these are candidates for doping? Actually, in many years of probably flying too much, I can't remember any really bad issue with children. Maybe a few minutes inconvenience, but that's all.

[rhino533]

I have an 8 month old and we are going on a long haul flight to Calgary, Canada in July. This will be his first flight. He's a really good boy and never really causes us any problems but likes to be happily vocal. He's not meaning to disturb anyone he's just happy. I do worry he's going to bother people on the plane. People who say control your children I agree but when he's being happily vocal what do you do. Make him feel he's done something wrong when he hasn't. I agree with a lot of people on here. Before I had children I hated kids on planes but since I've been a parent I understand what parents have to go through now and my opinion has changed a bit. Things like kicking the seats etc I absolutely hate and I’ll let my kids know not to do it but making my child feel he's done something wrong for being happy I don't agree with much. I've talked to my doctor about medication that will calm my child on the plane and she said it was fine for him to take. I'll defiantly bring it with me and use it if needed. I'll see how he is before giving it to him but if he starts bothering people I'll defiantly give him it. Last thing I want is to fight with someone on a plane. I'll stick up for my child every time and I'm sure all parents will. I think they should actually have children’s and parents sections on planes. Maybe at the back of planes and make that area more sound proof.

In my option drunks are way worse on planes and I have always thought this even before I had children. I totally agree with SantiSuk Some people need to practice a bit more patience and tolerance.

I do find Asian parents are way too lenient with their children and let them do what ever they want. They never discipline them! Not all but most!

[gerry1011]

Personally I would pay a premium to have a section that was kid free.I'd also pay for a quiet zone, trains have them why not planes.

The idea is good but you got it the wrong way around. I dont see why I should pay extra not to have to suffer from other people's inability to comport themselves correctly.

People with children should pay a large supplement to be in an obligatory section of their own because of the inconvenience that they cause others. This may discourage them from travelling altogether which would suit me fine. The same system could be applied to any nuisance passenger.

I also agree. I already pay a big premium to fly at the (very) front of the aircraft. Not sure I want to pay even more just to be sure that no kids are around. Would prefer the parents to pay..

Last long haul (Thai) flight I took was horrible. A (french) father on one seat with his two (!) young kids on 1 seat (!!!) ... In first class.

The father should have been sedated too, since he was speaking so loudly to his turbulent kids, like if they were alone in an empty house. The kids were not watching a movie quietly, of course, they were jumping around...

They disturbed the entire cabin till the crew (after i complained i could not sleep) sent one of the kids back to the mother... who had a seat in the back on the plane (!).

Even so the father and the remaining kid were still as loud and disturbing everyone, till I went (very diplomatically) to make him understand that it would be nice for other passengers if they could keep their voice down and let everyone sleep.

I don't know what these kinds of people are thinking. It's a question of education I guess.

On top of that I heard from the crew that they were transferred and upgraded from another flight. What a nice present for the rest of the paying passengers.

Sedate would avoid anyone to strangle them.

[Arkady]

A Thai Vet sedated my dog for some stitches and the poor thing was out for 24 hours, peeing and vomiting over hersel. So we had to take turns to watch her. She slept for most of the two days as well. Obviously she was nearly killed by the dose given by a careless vet. Same could happen to your kids, if you anesthetize them on flights. Maybe better to leave them at home or not travel.

Edited May 13, 2013 by Arkady

[krisb]

It's quite amazing at some of these responses. Quite awful attempts at being funny.

Have you all forgotten you once to were children?

I suggest if crying children on planes is such a problem you go sit in the toilets.

[farangme]

Airlines should have child-free seating. Put the kids and parents together in one section. They can enjoy the noise together. Until then, sedate them.

Sent from my PC36100 using Thaivisa Connect Thailand mobile app

[richard_smith237]

A Thai Vet sedated my dog for some stitches and the poor thing was out for 24 hours, peeing and vomiting over hersel. So we had to take turns to watch her. She slept for most of the two days as well. Obviously she was nearly killed by the dose given by a careless vet. Same could happen to your kids, if you anesthetize them on flights. Maybe better to leave them at home or not travel.

Re-read the article and draw more realistic analogy than your dog going under anaesthesia.... The article refers to an Antihistamine which makes kids slightly drowsy.

I doubt anyone but the most insensitive of people would condone a full force drugging of any child on a flight.

Thus, when a sensible perspective is applied all the hoo-haa about drugging a child really is just a few incendiary words to dramatise a fairly simple event of giving a kid a harmless dose of something which they might otherwise take to combat an allergy.

[richard_smith237]

Airlines should have child-free seating. Put the kids and parents together in one section. They can enjoy the noise together. Until then, sedate them.

Sent from my PC36100 using Thaivisa Connect Thailand mobile app

That could be a simple thing to do: Put the families in the back of the plane together, let them board first etc...

As I recall - KLM used have a 'quiet area' on their 747 where they seated their frequent flyers (I've not flown with KLM for a number of years now).

Slightly off Topic: Is it acceptable to bring babies (3 months old) into Business Class. People pay a lot more for their tickets, often to avoid the noise children or crying babies.

However, when my Wife and I have a child, we will continue to fly up front in comfort and hope the child travels well.

[Morakot]

I have observed that many passengers travel highly "sedated". Mostly self-administered, especially once the on-board bar has opened.

[Chicken George]

Ear plugs and a blind fold are provided on most long haul flights so use them.. Light sleepers can also chose to take some thing to help them sleep. I found ear plugs are great. Noisy kids normally tire and sleep.

[irishken]

unruly children are one thing but a new born that knows no difference is another. since when did drugging people become legal. when a bar girl does it to some old timer and steals all his cash, he cries to the police next day. maybe that's karma for complaining about a crying baby

[Paul888]

Almost everybody you encounter on a long haul flight is annoying, not just the children.

The drunks who breathe alcohol on you, and then first talk your ass off and then snore their asses off. The smokers who couldn't resist that last drag before getting on the plane and bring the smell with them on their clothes.

The people who sweat profusely and smell so bad that you feel sick. The people who think that some horrible perfume or non working deodorant smells are any less offensive when over applied.

The people that sit in a window seat and then need to go to the toilet every 2 hrs. The people that sit on the aisle and then spend the whole journey asleep and giving dirty looks when they need to be woken up so somebody can go to the toilet.

The people who kick and push the seat from behind. The people who squash the legs of the people behind by reclining their seat as far back as it will go

The cabin crew that wake you up to feed you offer you drink etc when you are having a nice nap. The cabin crew who don't wake you up for meals when you are desperately hungry and just resting your eyes.

The baby crying that the parents can't shut up. The fidgety man tutting, tsking, ruffling his paper and glaring at a poor little child that is clearly in some distress.

Bottom line, it's a short term inconvenience. Unless you can afford to travel in a better cabin, far away from these annoyances, suck it up and remember that millions suffer worse hardships every single day of their lives.

[Payboy]

Sedating Kids On Long Haul Flights

The fun begins when you need to evacuate the aircraft in an emergency. Same-same for the adults who've drunk themselves into oblivion.

[manarak]

Sedating Kids On Long Haul Flights

The fun begins when you need to evacuate the aircraft in an emergency. Same-same for the adults who've drunk themselves into oblivion.

better to stay sober and awake, to not miss anything from own death...

[Payboy]

Sedating Kids On Long Haul Flights

The fun begins when you need to evacuate the aircraft in an emergency. Same-same for the adults who've drunk themselves into oblivion.

better to stay sober and awake, to not miss anything from own death...

Yeah, get drunk then and miss the chance of survival.

[thaigold]

Well, why not dogs, cats, chickens, and feeble minded schizoids? In fact, how about no standards at all?

[BrianCR]

I thunk that all modern aircraft ought to have a large soundproof cupboard down at the back of the plane.

I agree and a complete ban on Internet! .... We are talking about moaning TV posters aren't we? LOL

[BlackPuddingBertha]

And so should the idiots who stand around near the toilets and exit doors talking loudly; or the young lads boozing as much as they can get; or the grossly overweight who can't get out of the seats when you need to go to the toilet; or the courting couple who keep petting; or the old and disabled who take time on and off; and especially those who moan about everyone else but are too mean to buy a business class ticket!

Of those groups the only ones who would annoy me would be the ones making a noise and they should indeed be dealt with severely also. As far as I know the flight crew have the authority to deal with noisy or drunken passengers, not that I have ever come across any of these.

[BlackPuddingBertha]

Have you all forgotten you once to were children?

I suggest if crying children on planes is such a problem you go sit in the toilets.

Having paid full price for my ticket I think I am entitled to sit in my seat in peace without being disturbed by other passengers, especially ones that havent even paid full price.

Children rarely went on planes when I was young and I think that is an excellent way to arrange things. Babies and toddlers in particular should just be kept off public transport altogether. They should no more be allowed to travel in planes than dogs are.