When flying with an infant, many parents hold their little ones close so they can comfortably snuggle and fall asleep during the flight.
But if flight attendants get their way – babies will no longer be allowed to fly on mom or dad’s lap.
And once you hear what the largest flight attendant union is up to now – you’re bound to be outraged.
Traveling with an infant is stressful – and is not for the faint of heart.
First you have to make sure you pack enough diapers, wipes, extra clothes, and toys to keep them entertained…
… along with a stroller, car seat, bassinet, blankets, and all the other things they’ll need for the trip.
And of course, you’ll need pacifiers and other soothing items to calm them during a long cramped flight.
But things get even more complicated!
If you aren’t breastfeeding (and have to deal with flight attendants trying to shame you for it) – you’ll be forced to pack formula and keep it cold – and get it through TSA.
Many parents find flying with an infant is so stressful they opt out completely and wait until their little one is older.
But now – flight attendants are trying to make things even more difficult for parents by lobbying to eliminate a baby being comforted on their parent’s lap – and instead making parents buy their little one their own seat.
That’s right – of all the things broken in the aviation industry – flight attendants are focused on pushing for an infant lap ban.
The Association of Flight Attendants-CWA is leading the charge to ban lap-babies – stating that turbulence “G-forces” are unsafe for babies who aren’t secured in their own seat.
Good Morning America reported:
“Sara Nelson is the international president of the Association of Flight Attendants-CWA, the largest union of flight attendants in the U.S., which represents nearly 50,000 flight attendants across 19 airlines. Nelson told the Washington Post the union has been advocating for a change in lap baby rules for the last three decades.
“The G-forces are not something even the most loving mother or father can guard against and hold their child. It’s just physically impossible,” Nelson told the Post.
The union has in the past called for every passenger on an airplane to be seated in their own seat and with a restraint, like a seat belt, and continues to do so.
“The current practice of merely recommending that infants and small children under the age of 2 be in child restraint seats during critical phases of flight is inadequate to protect our most vulnerable passengers,” Nelson said previously in 2019.”
Of course, not only does this create an extra financial burden for parents – but it can be scary for a little one who just wants to be held by mom or dad while flying.
Flying can be stressful for an adult – but babies are especially prone to anxiety with their little ears popping due to the changes in altitude.
If you plan to travel with an infant in the upcoming year – make sure to follow this story so you can see if the flight attendants will get their way and force this new regulation through.
Do you think infants should be allowed to still fly with their parents?
Why do you think the flight attendant lobby is pushing for this new regulation?
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