What we’re reading: screaming kids and airplanes, ANA, CO, UAL merge routes, AA, TPG offer $1.1 billion to JAL

by Stephanus Surjaputra on December 4, 2009

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Screaming kids and airplanes: Mayday! Mayday!

Pamela Root got a free flight, a voucher, an apology, and compensation for a crib from Southwest Airlines. All because she was asked to leave the plane when her son wouldn’t stop screaming “Go, plane, go!” and “I want Daddy! I want Daddy!” from the gate to the runway.

Los Angeles Times columnist Amy Alkon shares her thoughts on the matter.

Disclaimer: Alkon’s opinion is hers alone. It does not necessarily reflect the opinions of this blogger or the staff and columnists at Consumer Traveler.

There is a notion, reflected in numerous blog comments about the incident, that other passengers should “just deal” and “give a kid a break.” This notion is wrong. Parents like Root and others who selfishly force the rest of us to pay the cost of their choices in life aren’t just bothering us; they’re stealing from us. Most people don’t see it this way, because what they’re stealing isn’t a thing we can grab on to, like a wallet. They’re stealing our attention, our time and our peace of mind.


ANA, Continental, United to merge key routes: report

All Nippon Airways “plans to integrate its Japan-US passenger operations with those of United Airlines and Continental Airlines.”

The three Star Alliance partners expected the move, which could come into effect next autumn, to raise efficiency, reduce costs and boost earnings, the Nikkei newspaper’s evening edition said without citing sources.

The carriers plan to establish sections within each others’ companies that would work together like a single company, to strengthen and broaden the existing ANA-United code sharing pact, the report said.

American, TPG offer $1.1 billion To JAL To block Delta

Hoping to prevent JAL from leaving oneworld for SkyTeam, American Airlines and private equity fund TPG are willing to invest $1.1 billion in Japan Airlines.

Delta has said that it and other SkyTeam members are ready to offer JAL a total financial aid package of about USD$1 billion, including a USD$500 million equity investment. Delta said Thursday it may also team with a fund to sweeten its proposal.

Both US airlines are keen to gain access to Japan Airlines’ network in Asia even as the former national carrier seeks a state bailout to avoid bankruptcy, hit by sliding demand and saddled with some USD$15 billion in debt.

(Photo: caribb/Flickr Creative Commons)

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  • Paulette Baker

    I’m with Amy! As a parent, I deeply resent having to put up with behavior from other people’s children that I didn’t accept from my own. I’ve seen too many parents tune out or simply ignore their children’t bad behavior, but considering the parents, what can we expect? Your screaming, kicking, bratty child is NOT cute and entertaining. Most people are just too polite to tell you that your kid’s a brat!

  • janet

    If you cannot control your child before the plane takes off, what happens next? I was on a flight where a mother let her child run up and down an aisle the entire flight without supervision. This was an accident waiting to happen if there was any turbulence. The poor flight attendants were besides themselves as the mother had no control over the child. When it was time to land, this child refused to sit in it’s seat – age approx 3. The landing was delayed as the mother would not take a more assertive stance in getting the child seated. The poor passengers with connections were getting frantic. Finally I yelled to the mother to pick up the child and seat him. The other passengers got on board and pressured the mom enough to get the child in the seat finally. Bottom line: the airline spent additional fuel, the flight landed late, and passengers missed connections.

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