I’m online right now. At 30,000 feet. Delta has free wi-fi for “the holidays” (the politically correct way to refer to Christmastime, I guess) and I’m on my computer taking advantage of it! Mostly because I just had to, to say I’d done it. I tried to find my husband online so I could Skype with him and the four kiddos he’s at home with, but he’s never online so I wasn’t surprised not to catch him.
Here is what Lachlan is doing right now:
Oh, I have much more to say, so I’ll blog more later (Like telling you the story of why my sister is not on this flight but is instead stuck in Seattle! Oh no!). But for now, I’m live chatting right here while I fly. Just to say I did it. Since I have no one to join the mile high club with and all.
I wasted $250 on a ticket for my daughter one time…..she wanted to sit on my lap the whole time and fell asleep in my arms not her carseat!!! it has nothing to do with safety, but more to do with your own Sanity and the Sanity of the people sitting around you as well.. if we are gonna crash I want to be holding my baby! So BOO to the nay-sayers!!
Now, if holidays only referred to Xmas, then you’d get free wifi on Dec. 25.
Hmmm…wonder if anyone remembers the little 4 year old Cecelia Cichan from Flight 255 in 1987 that crashed at Detroit Metro Airport under the I-94 expressway bridge…that little girl survived that plane crash (the ONLY survivor, and156 tragically lost their lives) because her mother had wrapped her in her arms and hugged her tight as she bent over to protect her against impact (I distinctly remember reading this in the Detroit Free Press a day or two after the crash, I was 17 and it made such an impression on me). Yes, she sustained many injuries, but she survived and she wasn’t in a car seat. Just saying that not always would a car seat protect someone in an airplane crash…obviously a mother’s arms protected this little one. I was at the airport that night and it was AWFUL seeing and hearing about it. I still think of her whenever I drive through that area and all I can say is that little girl had an angel watching over her. I realize it is a very rare case but she did survive. Here’s the link about an update on Cecelia: http://askville.amazon.com/happened-Cecelia-Cichan-sole-survivor-Flight-255/AnswerViewer.do?requestId=54777916.
So, Let me ask you all this question…if seat belts save lives, or car seats or whatever-then WHY is it okay for my children to ride the school bus without being belted in, or the city bus, or a taxi??
I totally agree! I think all school buses should have seat belts! But in some districts they have to put three to a seat, and you can’t buckle in 3!
I have often wondered the same thing. I know that if the school bus crashed, caught on fire, drove off into a body of water, etc, etc..for whatever reason, there is almost no way a bus driver (even along with an assistant) could go through and unbuckle every one of those children and get them to safety…so I’ve often thought maybe that was part of it. MOST school buses around here are never on a highway (I know it’s different everywhere) and so the speeds of the bus never get very high…if the bus is in a wreck with a car…the bus is going to win. I don’t think safety belts are always (though most of the time they are) the safest choice, but thankfully my children don’t ride buses and I don’t have to directly worry about weather they should be buckled on the bus or not…that’s a tough one!
what a precious bundle to have on a plane
so cool abt the wifi! ive never heard of that on a plane.
THANKSGIVING, CHRISTMAS, and NEW YEARS are reffered to as THE HOLIDAYS. That means there is MORE THAN ONE holiday to refer to.
It has nothing to do with taking Christ out of Christmas. It’s just easier than saying, “Have a happy thanksgiving, a merry Christmas, and a blessed new year!”
Get over it. Geeze.
Agreed. I bristle when someone takes offense to the phrase “Happy Holidays.”
Mckmama, you responded to my post and asked me a question, yet you disabled the reply feature so I cannot reply to you. Here are your words to me:
“You mentioned speaking up when parents put their children in potentially unsafe conditions. So do you also speak up when you see children on planes in carseats? For, by your own definition, those parents are putting their child in a possibly unsafe position just for the convenience of travel, right? Curious about the reasoning here.”
I don’t understand your question. The two posts I have made here detail that I am an advocate of using carseats on planes as that is the safest way for young ones to travel on a plane. I would love to respond back to your comment, but I need some clarification on exactly what you are asking. Maybe we are dealing with a typo situation or something and that’s where the issue is?? Thanks!
I did not “disable the reply feature,” Robyn. I don’t even know if that’s possible…and even if it is, I certainly don’t know how to do it!
My question is if you speak up to parents who travel on planes with children in carseats. Do you? I understand that you are an advocate of using carseats on planes. And you said that the reason you advocate for them is that it is safer that way. I just wondered why then you wouldn’t further advocate for children not to fly at all, since that would be infinitely more safe. If safety is the paramount issue, wouldn’t you advocate that way?
Okay, I see what your question is now. (And it appears that I made an incorrect assumption on the reply feature, sorry about that! I thought that the reply feature could be disabled, and didn’t know why else it wouldn’t appear after your comment.)
From my perspective, I believe in keeping our kids as safe as possible in the situations that we put them in. If we take them in a car, then we should use seatbelts and carseats. If we choose to fly, we should take similar safety precautions. The subject that I thought was being dsicussed here (however tangentially) was the issue of whether to use carseats on planes or not. So I addressed that topic from my point of view. If we move on to the related topic of whether we should keep our kids off of planes entirely I would address that topic separately. Not flying at all would be safest. Not driving anywhere would probably be safest too. And sometimes I wish that I could erect a bubble around my family that would offer a permanent sort of cushion to protect them from serious harm and even minor scrapes. Of course full protection against harm is virutally impossible. And shielding our kids from ‘everything’ is probably not appropriate for many other reasons. For me, we fly and I have no issue with other parents flying. I would not speak up to parents on a plane and offer my opinion that kids should not fly on planes ever to completely eliminate their chance of injury or death from an accident on the plane or a plane crash, because I do not believe personally that ceasing to fly is necessary. Hoever, I bet some people do choose to eliminate flying in order to eliminate the risk that flying imposes. Those people might see me boarding a flight one day and want to share their opinion on their view that I am placing my kids in a dangerous situation. While I don’t share their opinion, as long as they express their opinion respectfully I would listen and be respectful in my response. I guess we each set our own boundaries. I think your boundary is that you are fine with not putting the kids in a carseats on the plane. My boundary calls for carseats. The next person down the road may have a boundary that calls for no flying at all. Open discussion like this that allows for different opinions to be expressed like this seems valuable to me as it exposes us to new viewpoints and I appreciate that. I pay attention to what I read because I know there is a very good chance I might learn something.
On the flight that I was on where I was in a tornado? I learned the painful lesson that babies can end up as projectiles and suffer devastating injuries during turbulence when they are not secured in a carseat. I talk about this experience and advocate for carseat use because perhaps more people will become educated on what can happen during a turbulent flight. Sometimes people make the choices they do simply because they do not know a better or safer way to do it. Watching this little innocent baby strike his head and then lose conciousness clearly left an indelible mark on me so I speak up and out. So I occasionally bust out my soap box and climb on.
I see the points you are trying to make, but I just wonder if you could clarify why, after your experience with the flight in the tornado, why you wouldn’t take things one step further and advocate for never flying again? An argument based solely on safety falls apart for me at that point, and I’m struggling to understand the logic here!
uhhhh a car seat on a plane. Seeing as ive flown a ton, with my 1st we flew over 19 times within 2 years … and had to lug that heavy seat into the air plane every time, obviously because we needed it for the car ride after the plane landed.. and im all for carseats.. my 6 year old still rides in a 5 point harness seat actually (his choice!), but to me to use a car seat on a plane sounds just kinda pointless… if a planes going to crash, a carseat isnt going to save anyone. I didnt read thru all the reasonings in the above comment, just the 1st few lines, but yea.. I think swaddling a baby and laying them beside you in a plane is perfectly ok! If my kid was playing on the plane on the floor and zonked out with his head in the lap of the chair, id leave him. Guess im just a bit to relaxed on an airplane. Then again, i hate flying.
I’ve not yet read all the comments, but I think the point that all of the carseat-on-planes advocates are trying to make is, “We can all agree that -heaven forbind- a plane crashes to earth and breaks into a million pieces, a carseat is arguably of little or no value. However, should a plane experience some moderate to heavy turbulence ie: a tornado or storm, said carseat would be of infinite value. The carseat would keep the infant in it’s seat and prevent it from being hurled about the plane, most likely doing a much better job than the well intended parent’s grasp would.” Am I right????
That may well be what some advocates are saying, but it is not there that I take issue. Rather, I find the assertion that a parent who chooses not to use a carseat on the plane is clearly not concerned for their child’s safety to be off the mark.
Surely this is all assuming that your carseat fits and is secured safely by the seatbelts on the plane?? And given the satellite technology we have the ATCO’s can look at where there are areas of severe weather and either ground the flight or plan around it. I’ve flown with my now 18 month old and yes he was on my lap. We were given no option of booking another seat and even if we did I’m pretty sure his carseat wouldn’t have been safely secured in the seat. In the UK at least the policy is for those travelling with infants under 2 to have a window seat and the child MUST be placed on that person’s lap….I’m assuming to eliminate the risk of the overhead lockers opening and the child being struck by a bag should turbulence occur.
Flurry looks like stellan all bundled up/
Doesn’t he, though!?
I, too, have had it with the “Happy Holidays” generic greeting. If someone who is of another faith – say Jewish – wishes me a “Happy Hannukah” I would never think to be offended by that. I would take it as it is meant – a wish for a “Happy Hannukah” whether I celebrate it or not. So when I say “Merry Christmas” that is exactly what I mean. I’m in no way trying to force it on someone (although according to an on-line search 96% of Americans celebrate Christmas. 96%!!! Although I’m sure someone will tell me that’s incorrect…). It’s sort of like saying “Happy Birthday” when it isn’t someone’s birthday. Would you be offended? I would hope not because the intent was good and kind (even if it’s “incorrect”).
Maybe the “holidays” for big corporations is a CYA type thing, and I’m OK with that but I have absolutely had it with a minority of people being able to delegate what the majority of us say. Really.
Merry Christmas, MckMama. Happy travels!
What I find amusing is that you are so upset by other people saying Happy Holidays instead of Merry Christmas!
Why does it bother you, or Mckmama or anyone else what Delta chooses to say? Perhaps they are just savvy business people who know that they are serving customers from all different backgrounds and from all over the world and want to be all-inclusive. What’s the problem with that? Why does it bother you? No one is telling you that you can’t wish everyone a Merry Christmas; you certainly aren’t going to be arrested for it, and I’d venture to guess that no one has ever corrected you on it if they weren’t actually celebrating Christmas.
Would I be offended if someone wished me a happy birthday on the wrong day? Well I guess that depends on who says it:) If it were someone close to me (like my husband), yeah I might be actually because it would mean they didn’t really know my birthday. A stranger? Well, no. Offended wouldn’t be the right word. I would probably laugh a little and tell them thanks, but it’s not actually my birthday! However I’m guessing that if someone laughed and replied to your Merry Christmas with, “well actually I’m jewish, but thank you” YOU might be offended! How dare they not just appreciate that you were being nice?
I just think that what’s missing in our society today is empathy. No one will take a minute to actually think about what it would be like to be in the minority. To be surrounded by people of a different race, a different culture, a different religion, etc. It would be difficult I’m sure. But instead of being sensitive to those differences, people get MAD when other people try to do just that.
Well said!
I completely agree. I’ve found that the people in my life who get upset if you don’t say “Merry Christmas” are often the ones who are the most intolerant of other cultures and faiths, and would just prefer it if everyone in the entire world believed exactly the same thing as them.
I actually HAVE had people correct me – when I worked retail we weren’t ALLOWED to say “Merry Christmas” – which may be why I get so irritated by “Happy Holidays” – and I said happy holidays to a very nice lady. She informed me that Hannukah was over (this was probably on Christmas Eve) and I simply wished her a happy belated holiday and we parted ways – amicably. No offense taken by either of us. And I DID use the PC greeting! Sometimes, you can’t win.
I have several Jewish friends (shocking, I know, since you seem to think I’m intolerant for my choice of greeting) and while Hannukah is, indeed, a holiday it’s not as big of a holiday as other Jewish celebrations (think Rosh Hashanah). Christians sort of force it into the spotlight because it coincides with one of our biggest and I don’t think that’s very fair, either. But you can’t please everyone. And I long ago gave up trying.
Why take CHRIST out of CHRISTmas??? It sickens me that no one says Merry CHRISTmas any more. When someone says happy holidays…I reply with Merry CHRISTmas and with a great big smile on my face!!!!
By the way…I really don’t care what other people celebrate. I am a christian…I believe Christ was born on this day and HE is the reason for the season…So Merry CHRISTmas all!
FYI, Christ was not born on December 25. Just so you know….
when was Jesus born?
Saying Happy Holidays in no way takes Christ out of Christmas. It merely acknowledges that there are other holidays being celebrated and that different people celebrate different holidays. At any rate, you can continue to say Merry CHRISTmas when you are told Happy Holidays; no one is stopping you. And I’m sure that you are really pleasing your CHRIST by acting so sincerely with sensitivity and inclusion. I’m sure that’s exactly how Jesus would respond to the situation. I’m sure people will pick up on your sarcasm and want nothing to do with your CHRIST–I hope that’s the message you are trying to convey.
He was born April 6th.
“The Holidays” is not the “politically correct way to refer to Christmastime”. “The Holidays” really means just what it sounds like. The Holidays. Because Christians do not own the Solstice season. There are many faiths with holy days and celebrations this time of year. But I guess you thought the free Wi-Fi was just for the Christians celebrating Christmas, and not for the Jewish individuals celebrating Hanukkah? Or any other person(s) celebrating any other holiday this time of year, for that matter.
Nice.
Oh I forgot, she probably doesn’t like “Happy Holidays” because that’s something Satan wants us to say, instead of “Merry Christmas.”
Or maybe Bill O’Reilly.
Same difference.
Ahem.
You’re welcome.
!!!!!
I would love to hear your explaination as to why there is a problem with “Happy Holidays”. My inlaws have a huge problem with this, too. In fact I was part of a conversation between a couple of them the other day and they were commenting that when wished “Happy Holidays” they respond “Merry Christmas” and wonder, “what? are they Jewish?” Huh?! I have friends of different faiths. And while I send Christmas cards saying Merry Christmas to my christian family/friends, I send Happy Holiday cards to my friends of other faiths. I feel it is respectful to them.
Last I checked, there are a lot of different holidays celebrated in a course of six weeks. And also last I checked, you do not have to be Christian to live here in the USA. So why is it considered “PC” to be respectful of folks of all religions? I am truly curious of your thoughts/reasoning behind this.
And just so you know, I am a strong in my faith Catholic.
But I wonder….is Happy Holidays being respectful? Grouping everyone together and adddin a generic greating on top of it….wouldn’t it be more respectful to say Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah, Happy Kwanza and so forth instead of a generalization?
I’m just thinking out loud here…
For me, I find “Happy Holidays” as respectful as “Merry Christmas”. If I am offering a greeting to someone I don’t know, I don’t want to stop and ask there religious beliefs and since I cannot tell by look at a person if they are Jewish, Christian or otherwise, “Happy Holidays” fits the bill. As for businesses, it would be very ridiculous to expect them to incorporate every individual holiday that occurs during this time period. So for me, I would much rather see/hear “Happy Holidays” than nothing at all (which I believe would be the appropiate alternative).
I have often said “Happy Holidays” just because of the Christmas season as well as New Year! I am not just thinking of it as the Christmas season, but am forever grateful to see another year come!!
it’s a drummed-up issue. My anti-everything a liberal might think-neighbors have jumped on this bandwagon as they invariably do whenever told to by their Fox friends. They go nuts over saying Christmas, yet few of them go to church, what does it matter to them?
Fear is a great motivator and to suggest to the suggestible that they are being persecuted is a great groundcover for more fear to pile on.
Knock yourself out with Merry Christmas, but allow me to say Happy Holidays if I like. We have Channukah and Kwanza and Solstice celebrators on our block, and Happy Holidays covers us all. I thought our right-wing friends belived in personal freedoms. Allow me the freedom to say Happy Holidays. I am more than willing to allow you to say Merry Christmas:)
I am SO glad that you posted this! I didn’t realize that Delta was doing the free WiFi thing and I’m flying with them on Wednesday! So you won’t be the only one in the blogging mile high club.
I’ll have to do the same to kill some time on my 6 hour flight! Hope you had a great time in Seattle! The photos looked great!
Happy Holidays!!!!!
Hope nothing too terribly wrong with your sister.
I just wanted to say “Welcome to Texas!” Enjoy the warmer temperatures while you’re here, since we like to sometimes groan about how it’s still 75 degrees in December.
Ok I have been reading your blog for awhile now and never comment. I look at the comments usually to get a laugh at all the people that really have way too much time on their hands. I do not agree with somethings that you say and really do not get into your religious discussions but I love your photography and like getting some fun ideas from what you do with your kids.
All these comments about not having your child in a car seat on a plane just put me over the edge and I had to comment. I wonder if all these people that are trying to force their beliefs on you about putting your child in a car seat actually say those things to random strangers in person. Do you stop in each row of the plane that you are on and tell them all the reasons that they should be using a car seat? You probably would not do that to a stanger and since you probably do not know Mckmama personally let her make her own choices as a mom. Even if you do know her personally keep your parenting opinions to yourself. If it is something that should be mandatory the airlines will change it. Personally I never have traveled with my infant in a car seat on a plane and have never had a problem, not saying that something can’t happen. I also have propped my infant on the couch as was pictured in a recent post. Get over it people. Let her raise her kids and parent any way that she chooses. You guys are like the people that feel the need to tell you how to do things without being asked! I am sure that if anyone looked at your life they would be many comments they could make on what you are doing wrong!
I really truly don’t mean to be rude, but you say that this is a parenting opinion that people shouldn’t comment on – but is it really just an opinion if it’s what the FAA recommends? http://www.faa.gov/passengers/fly_children/crs/
Everything in the plane, including the coffee pots, is secured during take off, turbulence, and landing – that is, everything EXCEPT children under 2 flying as lap children. This is because these are the times at which it is most likely that a survivable incident would occur (although any one who has flown before knows that unexpected turbulence can happen at any time). Just like in the car, when an unexpected incident happens in a plane (turbulence, crash landing, aborted take off, etc…), no matter how well intentioned, a parent will NOT be able to hold on to their child and their child can become a projectile that beyond obviously hurting the child can hurt other passengers.
I know that there are a lot of rude people online, and that someone with a popular blog is often the target of hate. But I think there are also a lot of well-intentioned people simply sharing information they’ve been given with someone they think can use it. If it matters, I’m a child passenger safety technician, if you’re wondering about credibility.
I’ve always used car seats with my kids on airplanes and as my kids are teenagers, long before any movement to require them to be restrained and I agree with you, in theory and well I have a dh who traveled quite a bit and often sat next to babies on laps and always inisted that ours have their own seats.
However, the airline industry as well as the FAA is behind, way behind on this issue as they haven’t required carseats as they have in cars….so given that the experts are slow on this subject, you have to expect the general public to be slow hopping on board with their car seats.
Car seats and seat belts for children in cars have been required for awhile now and I still see kids unrestrained in automobiles on almost weekly basis.
I agree with you entirely!!!
My point is do you stop to tell eveyone that you see on a plane this? No I am sure that you do not. I do not think that I have ever seen a child under 2 in a car seat on a plane. And I travel alot!
I am sure it is more safe but it is not required so it is her choice as a parent to do it or not!
Amen. There are way too many people who feel ‘obligated to inform others’ of their perceived poor decisions or short comings.
i’d appreciate more people minding their OWN business and leaving the judgments to the Almighty.
Well said Lauren! Could not agree more!
i like this post.
I agree. If it is that paramount, why don’t they charge less for a child in a carseat? Or why don’t they let you use a sling during take off? We fly a lot to Germany and I thought it would be safest fro my son to be in a baby carrier/ergo/sling during take off/landing. But the flight attendants won’t let you. They actually threatened us to kick us off the plane if we’d use it anyway. If they really cared about the baby’s safety then why don’t they just let you do your thing? He will not fly through the plane if he is in a sling. I think the only reason for the FAA to recommend carseats is that they get to charge you for an additional ticket.
And I totally agree with the OP, I just don’t get why some people seem to get so much satisfaction out of criticizing McMama. Yeah I don’t agree 100% on everything she writes, but she has a beautiful blog, great photography and I enjoy reading it most of the time. I just don’t get why people have to pick on every little thing.
I guess they should have said “for Hanukkah” and then switched to “for Christmas.” It’s not about being “politically correct” it’s about being sensitive to those that aren’t Christians! I have no doubt you won’t print this but maybe you’ll read it.
You do realize that Christmas is not the only holiday in December? Hence, the free for the “holidays” wording. It’s not “politically correct”, but in fact just CORRECT.
It is correct, but people in large part do not use it because it is correct. They use it because it is politically correct.
I preferred your more generous perspective that you stated down below… when you concurred with your commenter “fern” in that people (companies, really, in this context) use the term because it’s more inclusive than just saying one holiday. Sure, you COULD look at it as people just not wanting to offend others (I’m assuming that’s what you mean by “politically correct”), or you COULD look at it as people wanting to include everyone who is celebrating a holiday in the month of December.
(And it’s true, I totally stand corrected in that Hanukkah ended last week… time flies!!)
what is wrong with not wanting to offend others?
Apparently there are a lot of people who see “others” as too easily offended – hence all this talk of being politically correct. Personally, I think it’s not a bad idea to pay attention when things I’ve said offend others, because it helps me to see things from a different point of view and often realize where I’m being me-centric.
Exactly! I don’t understand all of the people getting upset at other people who are going out of their way to NOT upset people!! It makes no sense. The argument seems to be that they would not be offended if someone incorrectly told them Happy Hanukkah yet they are offended if people want to tell them Happy Holidays instead of Merry Christmas! Huh?
Hmmm, interesting perspective on people using “Happy Holidays” because it is PC, and not using it because it is just CORRECT…something to ponder….
Do we sensor ourselves/ watch what we say so that we stay within the confines of political correctness? Something to think about, I appreciate your response!
Greeting and salutations from terra firma! Kim
Don’t have you a car seat with you? You have to have one in a rental car, so I would assume you would use one on the plane. So not safe to lay the babe like that. My husband is in the air right now on the next leg of a trip and when he called an hour ago, he said they hit turbulance like no other. It rattled and shook the plane for a solid 30 minutes out of nowhere. PLEASE buckle that baby up.
I think you can rent seats from rental companies?
Girl – car seat ON the plane! Baby in said car seat. I have not done my job well at all, have I?
If your job has been raising awareness and helping to educate people, then you HAVE done your job! But I guess if you see your job and making sure everyone else makes the same decisions that you are understandably very passionate about, then I guess not.
I think you’ve done a brilliant job with addressing the issue. I am proud of the work you do! Of course, that doesn’t mean that you aren’t doing your “job” if other mothers draw their own safely line somewhere different from where you do, you know?
Well, at least your sister is getting to enjoy the clear, blue, sunny skies here in Seattle today. Hope everything is okay with her. Enjoy your flight!!
I think you’re going to enjoy the weather here for the next few days, it’s going to be 75 on Wednesday! I moved here from the Frozen Tundra 7 years ago and I don’t miss the cold winters much, but my little one sure wishes she could have snow every year!
Forget the blue sky and enjoy some ABOVE zero tepms for all of us stuck here…..
How fun for you! I’d love to do that one day. My husband is stuck in an airport for 4 hours instead of hopping on his connecting flight home since his arriving flight was an hour late coming in. Oh well – I guess a few extra hours to wait to see him isn’t too horrible – right?
I am always hoping to see you on one of my flights! (I am a flight attendant for Delta!). Hope they are treating you good! Safe travels!
I hope that Hilary won’t be stuck for long. I came down to check again how to make pumpkin puree and saw this post and thought I should comment. L looks so sweet. Your elbow looks fabulous, unless it’s your knee, then it looks kinda funny. That and how in the world would you be sitting for that to be your knee. So, yeah, enjoy your flight and TX!
Elbow. Thanks.
OOh are you flying straight into Texas or going home first?? We are headed to Dallas-Ft Worth at the beginning of January. I think you would rather be flying south than towards the blizzard of a mess that is MN now!!
Can I ask you why it is that you do not fly with any of your children in Car Seats?!?! They would be so much safer NOT flying as lap children or in a airplane seat simply buckled in? Why aren’t they buckled into a car seat on the plane? You wouldn’t drive down the road with them on your lap why would you do it at 35,000 feet? !
really? have YOU ever flown with children?
I have flown with children, in car seats. Don’t understand this question.
you crash in an airplane you die…carseat or no carseat. Hit turbulance and have a bag fall on your head, it gives you a bump. Carseat or no carseat. Really, if they were THAT much safer (or safer at all) they would be required.
(me – 6 years with Dealta Airlines before having kids)
The federal government is actually trying to pass a bill that would require children under the age of 2 to be in a a carseat on airplanes.
Interesting. Had to go read about that
I think the odds though, of surviving a plane crash in a car seat (while, obviously better than being unrestrained) are still so far out there I’m still not sure I see a big argument for it. To me it’s like “hey I’m going to wrist guards while I attempt to jump the grand canyon on my dirt bike” Sure they might help, but really?
If you have ever lugged those carseats on a plane…that will be your last time if it is a short flight. My sister uses them when flighing overseas (Missionary in SE Asia so her almost 2 year old has logged over 20 flights) only to help her daughter stay put. On short flights it is not worth the lugging of them. I did that one and only 1 time.
Oh and Under 2 as law really…I guess I will have to pay for that seat now as well! I thought that was the upside of flying with a small one…
its because your child can become a projectile and hurt other people, that may not otherwise be injured if your child was harnessed to something.
Pahaha! I’m sorry…maybe it isn’t that funny, but I just had to laugh out loud at the projectile baby comment. I wouldn’t dare laugh if that happened to someone’s child, but I agree that if you crash in an airplane you’re most likely going to to die anyway and a carseat isn’t going to make much difference. And if you have a baby strapped in your lap, they are just as safe as in a seat if you ask me…plus it’s 10 times easier with a small child who doesn’t like flying. Just saying…
Projectile children….hahah!
Honestly, there is ZERO risk of a child dying in an airplane crash if you just don’t fly at all. So if folks were truly “concerned about their children,” wouldn’t they just not bring them onto a plane ever? No, that’s a bit much. I would argue that parents who hold lap babies during flights instead of buying seats for them and bringing carseats on board are also very capable of being “concerned about their children” and their children’s safety. There is an inherent risk in living. It is up to each person and each parent how to handle that risk and what precautions to take. I guess what I’m saying is that I don’t buy the whole, “You don’t have your child in a carseat on an airplane? Aren’t you concerned about your baby’s safety?” thing unless the people saying that believe that one should never take a child on a plane in the first place, carseat or not, since they could die in a crash.
just another way for the airline to make more money. Not for the safety of children.
I agree that’s probably the impetus behind that push!
Thats exactly what I thought also!
I’m sure that’s just so we’ll have to pay for their seat, also.
Are they going to add shoulder strap seat belts as well?
Seriously?
To all on this subject. Having the carseat in use on the plane may not keep a child from dying in a crash, but it will keep a child safe from injury during turbulence. I flew constantly with many small children and I always used carseats. The few extra minutes it took me to drag the seats on and get them properly installed into the plane seats was certainly well worth my children’s safety. Erring on the side of caution has always worked well for me and I will continue to operate this way.
Another nice thing about flying and using carseats on the plane is that the kids are used to traveling with them and cope better in a new traveling environment because they are comfortable in their seat. Sometimes trying to keep a toddler in their seat is difficult as they can easily get loose from the too big seatbelt, but they tend to have no problem staying still as they are snug in their usual carseat.
I was personally on a plane that was in tornado force winds. I saw a child bounce out of his mother’s arms and hit his head on the roof of the plane. I saw the tight hold his scared mom had on him as we fought the severe and dramatic ‘turbulence’ (and that term doesn’t aptly describe the experience at all.) I saw the mom’s terror when her baby suddenly became a projectile. And I also unfortunately saw him remain unconcious for the remainder of the flight (we were diverted and bits of the plane were actually flying off in pieces.) I saw the baby get wheeled out by waiting paramedics too.
Buy an extra seat. Too expensive? Take less trips. In a car or on a plane? Use your carseat. Your babies are worth it.
I have a friend who is a pilot and I once asked her why it is that they turn the seat belt warning light on and off throughout the flight… using the same reasoning of “if we crash we’re all going to die anyway” and she said it is for exactly this reason. Strong turbulence can cause people to be jolted upward and hit their heads on the ceiling. People have died this way. That baby you saw might have died.
I’m not in the business of giving unsolicited advice to MckMama- she can do whatever she wants with her own children. But it bothered me to think that some people would laugh at the idea of a baby projectile.
If carrying the car seat on board is a hassle, they make these flight harnesses that prevent the baby from being injured in this manner. They are lightweight and take up hardly any room in your carry-on.
I wonder why, then, when I’ve had my baby securely in a sling on my chest (as I often do on airplanes), I am asked to take my baby out and hold onto him/her with my hands during takeoff and landing? If I’m allowed to hold a baby on my lap on a plane, wouldn’t the risk of the baby flying up and hitting their head during turbulence be much greater if I was just holding my baby versus wearing him or her in a sling? I’ve often wondered why on earth that they have that “rule” of no babies in wraps during takeoff and landing. Makes little sense to me!
none of it makes sense. we flew to Australia. we were required (by United, it was a rule) to buy a seat for our 22 month old for the over seas leg of the flight but not for over land flights. it was a good idea of course because for the 14+ hour flight, Ian slept in the seat and was more comfortable in it. but i just don’t understand the logistics. i had Ian on my front in a sling as well for one over land leg and was, like you, asked to take him out and hold him. in Australia they have child buckles that attach to the parents lap belt. these were required to be in use during the entire flight.
another option, if you can not afford/do not want to buy a seat for your kid, when you arrive, before you check the car seat you can ask how full the flight is, and ask if you can be next to a few open seats, bring your car seat to the gate and they will almost always allow you to use your car seat in an open seat. if the flight fills up, you can gate check your car seat just like you do with a stroller.
all this from a mom who is flying with my baby in my lap next month.
The baby flight ‘harnesses’ are not accepted on some planes and sling use is not accepted on some planes either. I don’t recall the exact reason why. The baby harnesses are generally accepted on foreign planes for example, but are not commonly used in the states. I would suggest that moms do the research on this before they fly.
There are many things that we can control in life and many things that we cannot. For me, I cannot control whether or not the plane crashes. But I can control (to a certain extent) the safetly of my baby while we are in flight. And why would I not do this?? Parents are entitled to parent the way the choose and make the decisions that are best for them. However, when parents make choices that place their children in un-safe conditions or are potentially harmful I will always speak up. I fully accept that people may be offended and take my words ‘personally. I fully accept that some may call me a ‘busy-body.’ But in most cases, the issues of how to keep our babies as safe as possible are fact-based issues and not opinions. It is my opinion that my kid looks best in the color blue, it is not my opinion that my kid is safest when traveling in a carset–it is a fact.
I agree, the issues of keeping our babies safe are fact-based…and the facts are that no baby can be injured or killed in a plane crash if they don’t fly in the first place. You cannot control whether the plane crashes or not. More likely than not, if the plane crashes, whether or not a baby was in a carseat will have little bearing on if they live or not. It has to do with the severity of the crash. I agree that parents are entitled to make decisions that are best for their children. You mentioned speaking up when parents put their children in potentially unsafe conditions. So do you also speak up when you see children on planes in carseats? For, by your own definition, those parents are putting their child in a possibly unsafe position just for the convenience of travel, right? Curious about the reasoning here.
I agree that the airline rules don’t make sense and I’m really not sure myself what is the safest option for babies when flying. I was just commenting that the “baby projectile” is a legitimate concern.
We all take calculated risks every day. Not flying would be safer than flying. But we weigh the options and if we feel the risk is minimal and is outweighed by the benefit, then we choose to accept the risk. It’s up to each mom to decide what she feels comfortable with. My only point was that it is possible for children to be injured on a flight, even one that doesn’t crash. I would hate to see this dismissed as a silly or laughable idea.
Yes, Jessica, actually i fly with my 3 and 1 year olds about 5 or 6 times a year beginning when they were7 weeks old. And each and every single time I have spent the extra money, bought them a ticket and flown with their car seats. In fact, lugging the extra gear or not, I recently flew with my 2 boys by myself with both car seats! So it is in fact doable and it is in fact safer and that’s why they are trying to bring the laws up to date so every passenger, not those over 2 years old, are safe.
Robyn thank you for the oh so well stated reasons and explanations, i completely agree. There are things we can not control and things we can, protecting and ensuring the safety of my children is a top priority as a mom… Thus im going to do that each and every day of my life and theirs. Why not buy the seat? they are safer and happier travelers who know that this familiar seat is theirs and are already used to being strapped, buckled and constrained in any vehicle flying or driving. Plus when you get to your destination you’ll more likely than not need a car seat anyways so might as well bring it along in your care, not stow it with the baggage to be tossed and dropped, or rent one you have no idea where it’s been.
May I ask why you take the risk of flying with your children at all if their safety is your top priority? If they don’t fly, there is no way they could ever be harmed in a plane crash. But by getting into an airplane with them, doesn’t it open them up to possible injury?
Those fancy leather-like seats look sorta first class! Did you get bumped?
Nope…we’re just in coach!
I’m guessing it’s a regional aircraft…..
Mile high club?! From someone who doesn’t even swear?! Made me LAUGH OUT LOUD…I’m cooking cheesy rice and listening to my 3 year old and 20 month old color and talk about crayons. I hate to fly, so I am not envious! If I were you, I might snuggle up and nap with that baby!
Glad you got a laugh!!!
It made me laugh out loud too!!!!!
Lachlan is just so cute! Hope everything is ok with your sister!
Too fun! Congrats on the blogging high!
You made me laugh out loud at the mile high club!
I think you need to plan a photo op in the San Francisco Area. I’d for sure sign up my family!
I heard on the radio the other day that the word “Holiday” originates from “holy Day”….so no need for people to get upset when companies say Happy Holidays instead of Merry Christmas because it is still in reference to the Holy Day! I thought that was a fun fact…which I haven’t researched for myself yet. What free drink will you take on the plane. I almost always get ginger-ale.
It is holy day…..but it refers to ANY holy day. We took in a family from Somolia when I was in high school, they refered to all holidays as a ‘holy day’. Hanukkah,Quanza, Christmas, so it’s still politically correct.
I love Delta too. I had a great flying experience with them this summer. I can’t wait to board another plane in just 5 months. Have safe travels home,McMama and Lachlan.
Thanks! We’re heading to Texas today, though…not home!
I LOVE TEXAS! HOPE TO GET TO MEET YOU.
Texas? I live in the DFW area. How awesome.
My throat is the sorest it’s been in a long time and my skin hurts…I would take turbulence right now.:)
And Lachlan is just a sweetie.
And call it what they like, JESUS is still the reason for MY season…let me correct that…seasonS!
adorable picture!! i just want to kiss him and squeeze him! and please do share about your sister so I don’t have to worry!
Merry Christmas and safe travels!
oh…I just love Delta….they are so friendly! Love the sleeping baby picture. It still amazes me…technology!
What precious cargo you have. Adorable baby. Makes me long for days gone by. And what’s with this political correctness. Wishing cheer and goodwill transcends everything. So Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah, Joyous Kwanzaa and if I’ve omitted one … please ‘insert here’ and know that the sentiments are the same! Safe journey home to momma and baby dude.!
Let’s all say what we’re doing RIGHT now. I’m sitting in my recliner in my gown watching Special Agent Oso with my 1 year old craving chips and salsa but settling or gold fish
I am trying to get 500 things done before my twins get home from school!
im listening to the breathing treatment going on my 5 year old while cleaning, doing laundry and blogging!
Wowzers! Lachlan looks identical to Stellan in that picture!!!!
I’ve also been meaning to e-mail you again to let you know that I still very much want to at some point in the very near future journey to the frozen tundra for another photo shoot, With our favorite photographer! We have been so busy with health issues the last few months. Hope we can still get a date set!
YES Samantha I thought the EXACT same thing about the Stellan resemblance!
What a treat to be connected in the air! Enjoy, and safe travels!
-Shelley
P.S. Sent you the code this morning, let me know if you didn’t get it.
I wish I could bundle up and sleep like that while I’m flying!
how fun! hope hilary is ok! like your joke~ ha! christmas time not holiday!
much love and blessings~ erin
Wait — why is that a politically correct way of saying Christmastime when it actually IS Hanukkah right now?
Cute pic, btw. Delta is my favorite airline!
I don’t know why…I’m not the one who invented the saying.
I like Delta, too! Happy Hanukkah to those celebrating it!!
Hanukkah actually finished a couple of days ago.
Yup! I stand corrected… I lost track of time in the middle of finals, which makes me sad
Happy Holidays is NOT a “politically correct” way to say Christmastime. It is a term used to include all holidays occurring this time of year. I find it small minded that you think this is about PR or politics. This is what gives Christians a bad name and it is unfortunate.
Thank you. I did want to be the only one who thought this… because it IS the holiday season. In just over six weeks, we have Hanukkah, Christmas, and New Years (and Kwanzaa, but that is an entirely different post) — so technically, it is “the holidays” right now, not Christmas alone. I know it’s really all just semantics, but it drives me crazy sometimes, this argument of “political correctedness.”
(Although I do see the point you’re making — people get all bend out of shape if you wish them a Merry Christmas. I celebrate Christmas but if someone wished me a Happy Hanukkah, I’d say thank you!
)
You forgot Thanksgiving!
I did — whoops! I was thinking of it, too, when I commented. Clearly I have holiday brain!
I agree, but there ARE times when people say it specifically to avoid stepping on anyones toes…..heaven forbid we offend anyone. I guess it depends on your motives whether or not it’s ‘politically correct’.
True, true. I think you’re right, sometimes it’s done as not as to offend people, and that’s annoying. But I think in some cases (and this is probably it with Delta) it’s done simply because November to January has a ton of holidays.
There most definitely are times that the expression is used (and was perhaps created?) to not step on any toes (to be politically correct). It is with those times in mind, when people are meaning Christmas but say Happy Holidays just in case, that I was referring to!
I am with you on the times when it’s used solely not to be offensive, Krista.
I wonder how you can tell the difference between someone who is saying “Happy Holidays” solely not to be offensive (bad) versus simply because you are speaking generally to all the holidays during this time (ok)?
Not trying to get into an argument (I swear! I just like these kinds of conversations), but I don’t see what’s so bad about saying “Happy Holidays” for the sole purpose of not offending a group of strangers (say, a plane full of customers) who may or may not celebrate Christmas or another holiday like Hanukkah or Kwanzaa or Solstice. Why is that annoying? I genuinely just don’t understand the “political correctness is annoying” thing here.
I wonder though, does saying Happy Holidays offend the person celebrating a specific holiday? It’s a more generic term, for lack of better word.
I can only answer for myself: No, it doesn’t offend me if someone wishes me “Happy holiday” because they didn’t state the specific holiday I am celebrating instead of the more generic greeting. Why would I expect a stranger to know whether or not I celebrate Christmas or something else? Besides, even if I AM celebrating Christmas, maybe the person greeting me isn’t. And they want to commiserate in the fact that we’re both enjoying the holiday season. When it comes down to it, no matter what they say, it’s the sentiment that counts. These are days for appreciating being with family and friends and coming together as a community to remember what truly matters – for Christians, Jews, Muslims, people celebrating their African heritage and others who just revel in the spirit of this time of years.
Does it offend you to be greeted with “happy holidays”?
I say Merry Christmas all the time! (That’s the holiday I celebrate after all…) It did get awkward the other day when I was coordinating with a co-worker on a time-sensitive issue and kept talking about how we had to work around our Christmas schedules, until she finally reminded me she was going to be available during Christmas because she’s Jewish. Duh!
The PC (no not prince charming! Haha) thing for most companies is to say “Happy Holiday’s” as to not offend any potential customer.
I don’t see why it has to just be an issue of not offending someone. I think it’s an issue of respect. I don’t see the problem with acknowledging the fact that there are many people (including but not limited to Christians) celebrating right now. “Happy Holidays” includes everyone.
@ Random Chick – I agree. But the more cynical side of me says that when it comes to companies like Delta and every other company celebrating the holidays, it’s all about including as many potential paying customers as possible anyway…
@ random chick – I could not reply to yup directly but I agree 100 percent. It is about respect for everyones beliefs.
Trying to reply to your other comment, je, but it won’t let me!!! Anyhow, I think what irritates me about the PC happy holidays is that people have become so afraid of offending others. It’s not necessarily said simply to be inclusive to others, it’s said because some people get so. dang. upset if someone wishes then a “Merry Christmas” and they’re not Christians/don’t celebrate Christmas. That’s big difference. “People” (and I use quotes ’cause it’s like the proverbial “they”) so often don’t say Happy Holidays as a sign of welcome, they say it because they don’t want to get sued. If someone wishes me a happy Kwanzaa, that might be sort of weird, but I wouldn’t sue someone. That’s the difference to me, if it makes sense!
Sorry to spark a debate on here!
Thanks for your response, Krista.. I found it!
If you see it from that perspective, I understand. I too get irritated when people are so quick to squirm at language that doesn’t fit with their liberal mindset. I say this as a progressive (liberal?) who has no patience for people who are good at “talking the talk” and not “walking the walk.” On the other hand, I have to keep myself in check about getting so comfortable with not worrying about being PC around my liberal friend that I start saying things that truly do show my ignorance about others’ experiences.
If someone wasn’t Christian or didn’t celebrate Christmas (as of course many non-Christians do) but they DID celebrate something else around the same time, I would probably understand if they got annoyed for constantly being greeted with a completely irrelevant holiday greeting. But truthfully, I’ve never heard anyone personally get all that upset about it. Maybe I’m lucky I just don’t know those people. I’ve never heard of anyone suing for being wished the wrong holiday, although I would definitely roll my eyes (or worse) if I heard of someone suing over something like that.
Anyway, not sure if this even made sense. It’s late!
Thanks for your thoughts!!
Actually, Hanukkah is over (not that I have cleaned up all the melted wax around here). Personally, as one who celebrates Hanukkah and not Christmas, it does not offend me at all if someone says Merry Christmas. I prefer Happy Holidays because I think it is all inclusive–including the new year, but really–it is all fine with me. If someone wants to take the time to wish me happy anything, I am not going to complain.
What a sweet way to look at it!!!
I’m with you. Anyone can wish me anything they want, too! 
Or maybe not:) You seem to have been bothered by the fact that Delta was wishing you a happy holiday instead of a merry Christmas! Do you see the irony here?
so cute! just had to comment since i was first!
I wanna check the ‘mile high club’ off my ‘to do list’ but unfortunately my husband doesn’t share the same feelings!