For years Flight Attendant Jan Brown has spoken out about the dangerous option to hold children under the age of 2 on a parent’s lap in flight instead of offering them protection even a laptop is given during take-off, landing, and turbulence. (see Jan’s story here) I interviewed Jan when writing Jet With Kids, and you can read more about her here in the free chapter I posted online on this very topic.
I am delighted that finally this issue is being brought to the attention of the public as the NTSB has issued a special alert prior to the summer travel season. It’s just too bad the FAA isn’t doing their job by mandating every passenger is restrained for safety.
I have been educating parents for years on the importance of purchasing a seat for every passenger regardless of age. My experience has been that most parents state they “never thought about it” and just “sssumed it wouldn’t be an option if it wasn’t safe.”
Then there are some parents who are determined to argue about why holding their infant is the best option. When I listen to their reasons, it becomes clear that what they are really saying is that it is the most convenient option and their priority was convenience over safety. Because really – if that seat was offered for free- those same parents agreed they would use it. Many often end by saying, “Actually it would be more convenient NOT holding them for hours on my lap!”
True, budget is an issue for many. But let’s not confuse the issue. Safety is safety.
I have addressed many of the “reasons” (breast-feeding to budget) parents offer when arguing why holding an infant in flight is the preferred option in a blog post I will be publishing later today. I believe an infant deserves to be offered the same protection all other passengers are given on airplanes. Let’s talk safety.
CBS Early Show: Perils of Carrying Kids in Your Lap on Planes
Watch CBS Early Show Video Here
Thank you to NTSB for focusing on this SAFETY issue!
Here are some additional posts on this topic:
Lap Child Option: http://www.jetwithkids.com/blog/holding-an-infant-on-your-lap-in-flight-consider-this
Dangers of the Lap Child: http://www.jetwithkids.com/blog/infant-air-travel-danger-of-the-lap-child
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