Have you noticed kids at the airport lately?
Not so long ago, they could only be found in the terminal playground area or at the gate, where parents would watch over them. But no more.
“It's free,” says Lisamarie Monaco, an insurance saleswoman in Jacksonville, Florida. As the mother of her seven children, she knows a thing or two about traveling with her children. And she is surprised by what she has seen recently.
“Parents are letting their kids do whatever they want at the airport,” she says. “It drives me crazy.”
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Passengers have complained that children are left running around the airport without supervision. How bad did it get?Last year when I was living in Santiago, Chile, a young passenger I jumped on the luggage belt and had fun riding.. Airport personnel eventually recovered the child, who was unharmed.
An anything-goes attitude is often a harbinger of an upcoming flight. Who can forget that viral video of a toddler using a tray table as a step stool on an 8-hour flight? Or a frustrated United Airlines captain. wanted to change his flight Was it because there was a rowdy elementary school student in the back seat of the plane?
Air travelers object to children roaming freely
There is near consensus among passengers on this issue, with a recent survey by Kayak finding that 90% of travelers said parents should not let their children roam freely. After all, a passenger is not a babysitter.
“These encounters with kids are becoming a bigger problem,” said Howard Pratt, a psychiatrist who specializes in treating children at Community Health of South Florida. “Not all travelers are looking forward to interacting with children that aren't their own, so it's not just about protecting children from strangers, it's about making it easier for other passengers to interact with their children and improve their experience.” It's also important to protect them from the potential stress they may feel. It remains to be seen who they feel responsible for.
What should parents do? If you're flying with young children, you may be wondering if it's okay to let them run free anywhere in the airport. When are they old enough to disappear from your sight? What are parents' responsibilities when it comes to allowing their children to interact with passengers? And what do you do if you're receiving attention from someone's unsupervised child?
Should children be allowed to run freely around the airport?
Yes and no.
“In less populated areas where it's safe, like a terminal gate with a lot of empty seats,” said Ashanti Woods, a pediatrician at Mercy Medical Center in Baltimore. “Children need to play and expend energy, especially if you want them to sleep on the plane.”
However, there is a catch. Parents must keep one eye on their children and the other at the departure gate to make sure the plane doesn't leave without them.
So should you let your kids run free in the airport? No, experts say.
“This is what children should do.” do not have Pediatrician Bidisha Sarkar of the travel medical website Clinic Spots says, “They are allowed to run freely in the airport, but keeping them within reach at all times is essential for safety and courtesy.'' ” he said.
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What is the appropriate age for children to explore airports without adult supervision?
it depends. Timon van Basten, who organizes tours in Spain, said he has seen children as young as 8 years old have no trouble standing alone and being well-behaved inside airport terminals. However, it depends on the child and the airport.
“Crowded airports like London Heathrow may be too overwhelming for some children,” he says.
Mr Sarkar said parents should assess their child's maturity level and ensure they understand all airport procedures – not leaving the secure area and returning in time for boarding. .
“Parents should also ensure that their children do not cause trouble to others,” she said.
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What are parents' responsibilities when allowing their children to socialize with fellow passengers?
I can't believe I have to say this, but parents, you have a responsibility to protect your children at the airport.
“It's the parents' responsibility to make sure their child doesn't disturb other passengers,” said travel concierge Brandi Taylor, adding, “If your child is trying to strike up a conversation with a stranger, be sure to Please be careful of your reaction.'' If children are enjoying the interaction, there is no need to intervene. However, if the stranger clearly wants to be alone, it is better to direct the child. ”
Again, it's up to the child. When my kids were toddlers, they talked to everyone, but not everyone wanted to be talked to. I erred on the side of caution and avoided the issue of free-ranging children.
Etiquette expert Nick Layton says, “Parents should use this opportunity to remind themselves to be considerate of others, respect people's personal space, be polite and direct, and set boundaries.'' “They should demonstrate many of the basic etiquette skills that will be useful throughout their lives.” .
What do you do if you encounter an unsupervised child?
Do not panic. Her parents can't be far away. However, if the parents cannot be found, track down airport or airline employees to confirm that the loose child has escaped.
Etiquette experts say there's nothing to be gained by approaching free-range parents angrily, and I agree. They already know what they did and probably don't care.
A casual “Hey, who did you find?” might be the best approach. Yelling and wagging your finger only adds to the stress and doesn't change the parent's behavior.
Signs warning of child trafficking in restrooms are a good start. If that's not enough to instill the fear of God in parents, I don't know what is. Having more designated areas for children to play can also be helpful.
But ultimately, it is the parents' responsibility to teach their children good manners and responsible behavior.
Christopher Elliott is an author, consumer advocate, and journalist. He founded Elliott Advocacy, a nonprofit organization that helps solve consumer problems. He publishes Elliott Confidential, a travel newsletter, and Elliott Report, a customer service news site. If you need help with a consumer issue, you can contact him here or email chris@elliott.org.
