Are We There Yet? When Families Fly - Travel
But when John and Mary Rose Lin Jersey City ran out of milk for their 18 month old twins on a recent Continental flight from Newark to Maui, the flight attendant on board refused to give them more. That particular drink, the Lins remember saying was for coffee, not children. "I was not asking for a bottle, just a cup," said Lin, noting that she even offered to pay for milk.
It was the weak point of an otherwise arduous journey. Her children are active, and efforts to enable them to travel in the cabin were not welcomed by the staff of the aircraft. They were told to return to their seats when they lingered near the kitchen at the back, let the kids stretch their legs in the driveway was not an option. "Not many people sympathize with your situation," said Ms. Lin of the event 12 hours. "If you feel like someone who will help you, chances are no one will."
The misery of air travel is not a surprise to anyone who took a domestic flight over the past five years. As airlines have cut capacity and maximized services, passengers have learned to prepare for planes packed, stuffed bins general flight attendants harassed and fees for everything from pillows to pretzels. In addition, delays and cancellations are in place.
For families, however, the costs and disadvantages are compounded. At a time when resorts, cruise lines and tour operators are wooing guests as if they were juniors celebrity VIP flying with children has become increasingly expensive, "Survivor"-like event. Baggage fees? Begin to multiply. Boarding childhood? Probably not. Hoping to sit together? Do not count on it (unless you paid extra). A few empty seats where a child can spread out and nap? Good luck with that!
It was not always like that, of course. In the golden age of flying in the 1960s and 70s - it now so lovingly burnished ABC "Pan Am" - families could expect to be first on the plan. They would then be greeted by smiling flight attendant with pilot wings in miniature for children who would be invited to visit the cockpit before settling into their seats. Even as recently as a few years ago, families could count on a few common courtesies such as boarding before other passengers, landing a spacious seat in the front row of coach, leading some strollers on board, and even be able to get milk on board.
"We used to make five to six cartons of milk on each flight for the coach," said Elaine Sweeney, 58, a flight attendant for American for more than 30 years. But it was five or six years. Now, she says, after nine hours there is no milk in coach on flights - only two pint-sized cartons in first class, where the cookies are served. "So do we give a child in a coach and first-class passenger who paid full price? "she asked." All the puzzle. "(American, by the way, he said stocks of food and drinks based on individual markets. )
For families who travel, the erosion of such subtleties is just an indirect way to suggest they take the bus.
No, against airlines is a question of resources. American carriers lost about $ 55 billion over the past decade, according to the Air Transport Association, as operational costs such as fuel and benefits of employees, revenues exceeded. Making these losses meant a reduction in benefits and adding costs for everyone. (This year, airlines are in the innermost track to earn a modest profit for the fourth year since 2000.)
And while we miss the golden days of air travel, flights are cheaper today than it did then. Adjusting for inflation, the average round-trip domestic rate in 1979 was $ 559.31, last year it was $ 316.31. For families in particular is a significant difference. More than anything else, said Michael Boyd, president of Boyd Group International, a consulting firm Aviation ", families generally make based on the price."
Given the current economic climate and the desire of families for cheap flights, Mr. Boyd does not expect things to improve soon. At best, he said, airlines "treat everyone like family."
"If you get a good flight attendant that they could help warm up the bottle," he said. "Otherwise, you're on your own."
So for anyone planning to brave the indifferent sky with the kids this season, here are some of the sticking points and tips on how to navigate.
It was the weak point of an otherwise arduous journey. Her children are active, and efforts to enable them to travel in the cabin were not welcomed by the staff of the aircraft. They were told to return to their seats when they lingered near the kitchen at the back, let the kids stretch their legs in the driveway was not an option. "Not many people sympathize with your situation," said Ms. Lin of the event 12 hours. "If you feel like someone who will help you, chances are no one will."
The misery of air travel is not a surprise to anyone who took a domestic flight over the past five years. As airlines have cut capacity and maximized services, passengers have learned to prepare for planes packed, stuffed bins general flight attendants harassed and fees for everything from pillows to pretzels. In addition, delays and cancellations are in place.
For families, however, the costs and disadvantages are compounded. At a time when resorts, cruise lines and tour operators are wooing guests as if they were juniors celebrity VIP flying with children has become increasingly expensive, "Survivor"-like event. Baggage fees? Begin to multiply. Boarding childhood? Probably not. Hoping to sit together? Do not count on it (unless you paid extra). A few empty seats where a child can spread out and nap? Good luck with that!
It was not always like that, of course. In the golden age of flying in the 1960s and 70s - it now so lovingly burnished ABC "Pan Am" - families could expect to be first on the plan. They would then be greeted by smiling flight attendant with pilot wings in miniature for children who would be invited to visit the cockpit before settling into their seats. Even as recently as a few years ago, families could count on a few common courtesies such as boarding before other passengers, landing a spacious seat in the front row of coach, leading some strollers on board, and even be able to get milk on board.
"We used to make five to six cartons of milk on each flight for the coach," said Elaine Sweeney, 58, a flight attendant for American for more than 30 years. But it was five or six years. Now, she says, after nine hours there is no milk in coach on flights - only two pint-sized cartons in first class, where the cookies are served. "So do we give a child in a coach and first-class passenger who paid full price? "she asked." All the puzzle. "(American, by the way, he said stocks of food and drinks based on individual markets. )
For families who travel, the erosion of such subtleties is just an indirect way to suggest they take the bus.
No, against airlines is a question of resources. American carriers lost about $ 55 billion over the past decade, according to the Air Transport Association, as operational costs such as fuel and benefits of employees, revenues exceeded. Making these losses meant a reduction in benefits and adding costs for everyone. (This year, airlines are in the innermost track to earn a modest profit for the fourth year since 2000.)
And while we miss the golden days of air travel, flights are cheaper today than it did then. Adjusting for inflation, the average round-trip domestic rate in 1979 was $ 559.31, last year it was $ 316.31. For families in particular is a significant difference. More than anything else, said Michael Boyd, president of Boyd Group International, a consulting firm Aviation ", families generally make based on the price."
Given the current economic climate and the desire of families for cheap flights, Mr. Boyd does not expect things to improve soon. At best, he said, airlines "treat everyone like family."
"If you get a good flight attendant that they could help warm up the bottle," he said. "Otherwise, you're on your own."
So for anyone planning to brave the indifferent sky with the kids this season, here are some of the sticking points and tips on how to navigate.
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