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Airline Fees That Split Up Families Just Suck

Even Sen. Charles Schumer threw a hat in this fight

By Neal Colgrass,  Newser Staff

Posted Jun 3, 2012 3:21 PM CDT

(Newser) – From a business point of view, it makes sense to impose extra fees on airline passengers who want an aisle or window seat, admits Brad Tuttle at Time. But consider that the onerous money-making scheme is all but forcing parents to sit apart from their children during flights. "The scheme is hated by families—and is likely to be hated even more by passengers who wind up sitting next to nervous, whiny kids who are rows away from their parents," writes Tuttle. "That’s not good for business at all."

Tuttle reviews the recent fallout over the airline plan, including an AP story and an angry reaction from New York Senator Charles Schumer, who wonders whether airlines will "assume liability for the safety of a child who isn't seated next to their parent because of these onerous fees." A travelers' rights group has called for an all-out ban on the practice, and Tuttle seems to agree: "What the airlines seem to not realize is that while their policies may be increasing revenue, they are also making people hate flying." Click for the full article.

This family may have paid extra to sit together.
This family may have paid extra to sit together.   (Shutterstock)
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COMMENTS
Showing 3 of 29 comments
apocalypso
Jun 4, 2012 5:28 PM CDT
And they aren't being "forced" to do anything; if they can't afford to sit together (waaahhhhh!),  THEY CAN KEEP THEIR BRATS AT HOME and let the other passengers have a peaceful flight end of story. Childless adults shouldn't be "forced" to spend time in confined spaces with breeders' brats.
apocalypso
Jun 4, 2012 5:25 PM CDT
lol, given how often families expect other passengers to tolerate having their flight ruined by a shitty, brat-ass obnoxious kid, they should just be grateful they're even allowed to fly AT ALL, and STFU!!! Asshole breeders and their stupid asshole kids think the whole world should revolve around them. If they deserve special seating prices, then other passengers deserve the right to throw their monstrous brats out the window when they act up. 
OuttaHere
Jun 4, 2012 10:49 AM CDT
No seat should be more expensive than another and that goes for window exit seats. That being said, the airlines know where their bread and butter is and it ain't with the family that makes one vacation trip a year. 
 

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