General Discussion

RB TexLa

(17,003 posts) Mon May 28, 2012, 01:03 PM May 2012

Senator Schumer, why should friends have to pay sit together? Families are just more equal, huh? [View all]

Talk about giving special rights. Having a family is a lifestyle choice, they should pay for their lifestyle choice. The novel concept of being treated equal.

By JULIA JACOBO

pix11.com | @JuliaTheWriter

8:35 p.m. EDT, May 27, 2012
Sen. Charles Schumer is urging airlines to eliminate fees plaguing families with young children wanting to sit together on flights.

Schumer's request is in reaction to the Associate Press' story last week stating how this summer families will find it dificult to sit together without paying fees that may add up to hundreds more than the original ticket price.

Schumer said in a statement:

"Children need access to their parents and parents need access to their children. Unnecessary airline fees shouldn't serve as a literal barrier between mother and child."

In the past year, American Airlines, Delta Airlines, Frontier Airlines and United Airlines have increased the percent of seats they set aside for frequent fliers or customers who pay extra. Fees for seats on the aisle, next to windows or more legroom typically cost about $25 each way.

http://www.wpix.com/wpix-chuck-schumer-requests-kids-airline-fees,0,225881.story

69 replies

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Highlight:

Senator Schumer, why should friends have to pay sit together? Families are just more equal, huh? [View all] RB TexLa May 2012 OP

I fully agree with you , and hope you enjoy your flight this summer hedgehog May 2012 #1

Two related four year olds would probably be worse.. Fumesucker May 2012 #4

My older daughter has panic attacks HockeyMom May 2012 #2

So you think it is fine for 6 year olds pipoman May 2012 #3

Nothing like having a kid acting up in the seat next to you and their parent being where they can't appleannie1 May 2012 #5

Last time I flew, a family group mostly composed of infants and toddlers and small fry was spread kestrel91316 May 2012 #6

Did you offer to switch seats with a parent jberryhill May 2012 #15

of all the things to be outraged over demtenjeep May 2012 #7

No, having a family is not a lifestyle choice, it is a biological fact MadHound May 2012 #8

And if I chose to raise children I should have special rights over others? RB TexLa May 2012 #19

You're arguing the wrong position Mairead May 2012 #61

I do not support special rights for those who choose to live the family lifestyle bluestateguy May 2012 #9

"The family lifestyle" ProudToBeBlueInRhody May 2012 #11

No. I was using their rhetoric sarcastically bluestateguy May 2012 #12

Nice try; no cigar MorningGlow May 2012 #32

Did the child "choose to live the family lifestyle"? surrealAmerican May 2012 #34

The child does not have to pay RB TexLa May 2012 #53

Yes, ask that person who paid $25 extra or whose premium status landed him/her the seat Gormy Cuss May 2012 #55

Let's nationalize the airline industry and screw the extra fees. jp11 May 2012 #10

Yes please. GoneOffShore May 2012 #21

Sorry, I don't sit with you. Ikonoklast May 2012 #13

Those people made the choice to have and raise children, that is their lifestyle choice RB TexLa May 2012 #17

How does anyone else paying or not paying extra for a service have anything to do with what you pay? Ikonoklast May 2012 #23

No, my argument is they should pay the fees like everyone else that is equal to them. RB TexLa May 2012 #24

Do you use senior discounts? Ikonoklast May 2012 #25

Neither of those are given because of a lifestyle choice. RB TexLa May 2012 #33

Would you complain if they got a group discount? Ikonoklast May 2012 #35

A group discount is fine, unless family values dictates that it only go to families. RB TexLa May 2012 #43

children are part of society --if you don't like society, go buy Marlon Brando's island and get out CreekDog May 2012 #36

Doesn't mean they get special rights over others. Everyone IS still equal. RB TexLa May 2012 #42

children are not equal to adults --that's exactly why they need to be with their guardians CreekDog May 2012 #45

Dan Qualye would be so proud of you, you just "eat up wit da family values" RB TexLa May 2012 #48

No, Dan Quayle would not be proud of me, because I advocate anti poverty, European style CreekDog May 2012 #52

Well, one could argue that living into the senior years... Marengo May 2012 #68

This is stupid. It's not a fee for sitting together, it's a fee for a better seat. JVS May 2012 #14

There should not be a fee for booking seats on airplane abelenkpe May 2012 #16

Good point, why are they doing this treestar May 2012 #22

They're doing it because they can and because it adds privilege for business travelers Gormy Cuss May 2012 #58

+1000000 nt riderinthestorm May 2012 #47

Not flying American carriers, when possible, nadinbrzezinski May 2012 #18

not flying would also be a solution/option ThomThom May 2012 #26

Yeah but there are some places I can't avoid them nadinbrzezinski May 2012 #54

If they want to sit together they can take the bus or drive Angry Dragon May 2012 #20

Threads like this make me miss unrec proud2BlibKansan May 2012 #27

Unless they are willing to give me the fee for the small child sitting next to me, mythology May 2012 #28

then you can sit next to the crying kid, separated from their parent CreekDog May 2012 #29

Anyone who considers families a "lifestyle" choice makes my radar go off Marrah_G May 2012 #38

Good call. CreekDog May 2012 #40

I have to disagree with you here malaise May 2012 #30

I didn't say they don't, all they have to do is pay the fee like everyone else. RB TexLa May 2012 #49

I don't understand why you are not opposed to the fee in general TheKentuckian May 2012 #67

Oh please MorningGlow May 2012 #31

this is just the usual once a month child/family-bashing post CreekDog May 2012 #37

Yet another reason I hardly ever visit DU anymore (and post even less) MorningGlow May 2012 #44

Your post is amusing Marrah_G May 2012 #39

they are on the same page --perhaps you aren't arguing with a progressive. CreekDog May 2012 #46

What in thinking that people who are all equal to each other should pay the same fees as each other RB TexLa May 2012 #50

You have a nice night RB. Marrah_G May 2012 #51

(Greyhound is sounding better and better every day.) Buns_of_Fire May 2012 #41

well, i don't think you'll need to worry about paying anything extra. dionysus May 2012 #56

So how often does this affect you? JHB May 2012 #57

Can't remember the last time I had an assigned seat #. ceile May 2012 #59

Bitter hatred of children. Nice. Real nice. DisgustipatedinCA May 2012 #60

Thinking we should not give discounts based on a lifestyle choice equates to hatred of someone??? RB TexLa May 2012 #63

No. Wrong premise altogether. DisgustipatedinCA May 2012 #64

That is my premise, it was my post. RB TexLa May 2012 #65

I think airlines should require guardians to sit with their kids, make them do so. Bluenorthwest May 2012 #62

Pray tell: how is separating a young child from their parent the same as NYC Liberal May 2012 #66

Shit, what kind of assholes wouldn't give up his seat anyways. I don't care if I paid an extra 25 Evoman May 2012 #69