Are these the best parents inflight ever?

I came across an interesting idea the other day – one started by a parent with a cranky child. In order to calm the fears of others surrounded around her (and the baby), she’d distribute “baby survival kits” to those next to her.

Inside were chocolates, some minutes, some gum, as well as a pair of ear plugs, just in case the infant started to cry.

So, it brings up some interesting thoughts — is it appropriate to bring a less than 1 year old infant on a plane, pretty much knowing they are going to cry?

Parents will have to travel – and inevitably, at one point, it is going to be with their infant. It’s pretty much guaranteed that the infant is going to cry while onboard, and this is why some airlines have gone so far to contemplate adding a “no infants” section. While that doesn’t prevent you hearing a screaming child in the back, it does put a buffer zone between you and the craziness. I’ve been on plenty of First Class flights where there are infants and small children seated with parents, and the traditional notion that you’re “safe” in First Class, isn’t exactly true anymore.

I like the idea this one parent had. She recognizes the inevitable is going to happen, and decided to be proactive and try to make some humor out of the situation with her fellow passengers. That said, that still doesn’t mean I’d want to be on the receiving end of hearing the child cry, especially on a longer flight.

What do you think of these little goodie bags? Is this the “best parent ever” inflight?

For the record, the best thing you can buy your fellow passengers in a circumstance like this is a pair of Bose Noise Canceling headphones… 🙂