Airplane etiquette is a heavily debated topic. That's probably because it's not always cut and dried, especially where children are concern. One passenger is stirring up yet another debate around kids on planes.
The passenger wrote to The New York Times "Social Q's" advice column to ask whether or not she was in the wrong for refusing to switch seats so a child could sit with their parent.
Apparently, it wasn't the first time the writer, whom the columnist calls "Lissa," had been asked to move for a kid.
The writer explained that the request came with added frustration because she is a very responsible person who values choosing her seat. "I am an organized person," the post began. "When I travel, I book my flights well in advance."
Lissa continued, "This usually lets me claim my preferred seat: on the aisle in the bulkhead row. I have long legs, and those seats tend to provide more legroom — not that I have to justify myself."
But apparently, she does.
Lissa explained that not once, but twice she's been asked to move for a less-prepared person: "This brings me to my problem: The last two times I’ve flown, a steward asked me to change seats to accommodate a parent flying alone with small children."
Lissa noted that the kind gesture would allow the parent and child to sit together. But she also questioned why the parent didn't book in advance if it was of importance. "So, I politely refused," Lissa continued. But it was not without consequence.
"Several passengers made nasty comments," she wrote, concluding her post by asking if she was in the wrong.
Columnist Philip Galanes wrote back that, of course, no passenger is obligated to change their seat. But he also pointed out that flying with children is tough. "I wouldn’t be doing my job, though, if I didn’t encourage you to empathize with the parents," he replied.
Since the posting, the debate has been continuing online. So, what do you think? Is it OK to decline moving seats for a child? Or is it totally heartless?
