Anyone done a long haul flight with 2 y/o twins?

[cashmax]

I would have considered a flight like than with very young children completely out of the question. It's the longest trip you can do, most adults cry at the thought of it, let alone the kids.

MIne are now 8 & 10 and we have just started flying long haul again. For the last few years, we accepted that holidays and travel should not involve a single flight of more than 4-5 hours.

For me, that trip would be unthinkable with sub 2 yr olds and thats just the aggro with managing the kids, before you think of the effect on other passengers.

People still do it, of course, but perhaps out of necessity rather than choice. I do wonder why people would subject themselves, their kids and everyone else to that out of choice?

Edited to say did you even think of the DVT risks with 30 hours of sitting with kids on you

Edited by cashmax on Thursday 26th February 13:31

[Ari]

Ok, amazing that I have to explain social responsibility to (presumably) adults, but here we go, I'll see if I can do it in a style you can relate to.

I buy a big caravan and I hitch it up behind my tiny little car and head off along the highways and byways to the other end of the country because that's where I want to go.

I could:

Trundle along at 20mph in the middle of the day on busy main roads with a huge snake of cars behind me and whenever someone gets upset at being held up I can wave my little fist and bleat 'they're public roads you know, it's my RIGHT to be here, I pay my road tax, how self important of you all to object to being inconvenienced, buy a race track if you want to go faster!!!111'

OR

I could use a larger car so I don't go so slowly
I could travel at quiet times of the day or even at night
I could stop regularly and let people past
I could find a more local destination
I could buy a smaller caravan that my car can manage more easily


Unfortunately, in this MeMeMe world, every KNOWS THEIR RIGHTS yet less and less seem to know their responsibilities or is prepared to give a fk about anyone else, they'll just have to lump it.

When you make choices in life (like having kids, or buying a caravan) you need to accept that you have to make allowances for that. Our friend the OP isn't even prepared to spend a few quid on breaking up the journey because that will cost money. Sod everyone else, sod his wife, sod the two year old daughter.

So glad I'm not on that flight, what a nightmare.

[Ari]

cashmax said:

I would have considered a flight like than with very young children completely out of the question. It's the longest trip you can do, most adults cry at the thought of it, let alone the kids.

Mine are now 8 & 10 and we have just started flying long haul again. For the last few years, we accepted that holidays and travel should not involve a single flight of more than 4-5 hours.

For me, that trip would be unthinkable with sub 2 yr olds and thats just the aggro with managing the kids, before you think of the effect on other passengers.

People still do it, of course, but perhaps out of necessity rather than choice. I do wonder why people would subject themselves, their kids and everyone else to that out of choice?

Edited to say did you even think of the DVT risks with 30 hours of sitting with kids on you

Edited by cashmax on Thursday 26th February 13:31

Exactly! It's part of being a caring parent and a responsible individual.

Astonishing that the concept is so hard for people to grasp. (Or perhaps they just don't want to grasp it because no one is going to stop them doing whatever the hell they want to do).

[RobinOakapple]

Ari said:

Ok, amazing that I have to explain social responsibility to (presumably) adults, but here we go, I'll see if I can do it in a style you can relate to...

Very good points, very well made.

[Vaud]

People often mix up rights and responsibilities. They may have a right to be on that plane, but is it the responsible decision to cart 2 kids around the world for a wedding and set of events that they won't remember? Kids have no episodic memory before 3 - ish. Not fun for the parents. Not fun for the kids and what, 2-3 days on a plane/travelling? Sounds like hell for all.

Solution - Go to the wedding, leave wife and kids at home. Take the money saved and go somewhere really nice a short flight away in the summer - for that money a Gite with a pool, or a very high quality beach environment.

I would just about contemplate taking by 2yr old on a 3hr flight, or longer if in business class. But not around the world.

[carreauchompeur]

Bloody hell, sounds like an absolute nightmare.

Have you looked at flights with airlines who have a Far East hub? I've flown Cathay Pacific before and stopovers In HK are basically free, since all flights change there you just need to tweak the dates.

Having said that, part of me thinks you may as well get it over and done with in one shot!

[Ari]

RobinOakapple said:

Ari said:

Ok, amazing that I have to explain social responsibility to (presumably) adults, but here we go, I'll see if I can do it in a style you can relate to...

Very good points, very well made.

Thank you.

[Ari]

Vaud said:

People often mix up rights and responsibilities. They may have a right to be on that plane, but is it the responsible decision to cart 2 kids around the world for a wedding and set of events that they won't remember? Kids have no episodic memory before 3 - ish. Not fun for the parents. Not fun for the kids and what, 2-3 days on a plane/travelling? Sounds like hell for all.

Solution - Go to the wedding, leave wife and kids at home. Take the money saved and go somewhere really nice a short flight away in the summer - for that money a Gite with a pool, or a very high quality beach environment.

I would just about contemplate taking by 2yr old on a 3hr flight, or longer if in business class. But not around the world.

Precisely that! Life changed when you have children. You have to allow for them and their needs, that of your partner, and consider those around you.

Not stamp your foot and go MEMEME this is what I want to do so we're doing it and everyone will just have to shut up and lump it cos its my right innit!

I'm starting to wonder whether they need to begin teaching this sort of stuff at school.

[Vaud]

Ari said:

Precisely that! Life changed when you have children. You have to allow for them and their needs, that of your partner, and consider those around yo

Not stamp your foot and go MEMEME this is what I want to do so we're doing it and everyone will just have to shut up and lump it cos its my right innit!

Yes, that is roughly my view, and I'm quite a liberal parent. When she can follow instructions with reliability and isn't a toddler, and will remember the experience, I'll take her travelling properly. Until then life is a bunch of compromises for us as parents and for our family.

[Tony Starks]

Thank you to all those who've been helpful

If you're ever in New Zealand and in my neck of the woods I'll buy you a beer

Ari said:

. Our friend the OP isn't even prepared to spend a few quid on breaking up the journey because that will cost money. Sod everyone else, sod his wife, sod the two year old daughter.

So glad I'm not on that flight, what a nightmare.

I'd just like to take this opportunity to apologize to the professionally offend who joined the conversation.

Sorry I decided to move halfway round the world,
Sorry I decided to start a family,
Sorry my family decided to invite us to a major event in their lives and want to see their grandchildren.

Sorry I don't earn as much as you and can only afford what I can.

What I've decided to do is tell my 89 year old Nan she'll never see her only great grandchildren, then I'm going to lock the kids in the loft a'la Bart Simpsons twin and make sure they never see the light of day incase they may annoy someone on the internet.

This thread is really getting inline for an addition to the cringe worthy thread

Edited by Tony Starks on Thursday 26th February 23:58

Edited by Tony Starks on Thursday 26th February 23:59

[tom5678]

Ari said:

Vaud said:

People often mix up rights and responsibilities. They may have a right to be on that plane, but is it the responsible decision to cart 2 kids around the world for a wedding and set of events that they won't remember? Kids have no episodic memory before 3 - ish. Not fun for the parents. Not fun for the kids and what, 2-3 days on a plane/travelling? Sounds like hell for all.

Solution - Go to the wedding, leave wife and kids at home. Take the money saved and go somewhere really nice a short flight away in the summer - for that money a Gite with a pool, or a very high quality beach environment.

I would just about contemplate taking by 2yr old on a 3hr flight, or longer if in business class. But not around the world.

Precisely that! Life changed when you have children. You have to allow for them and their needs, that of your partner, and consider those around you.

Not stamp your foot and go MEMEME this is what I want to do so we're doing it and everyone will just have to shut up and lump it cos its my right innit!

I'm starting to wonder whether they need to begin teaching this sort of stuff at school.

If I may I'll politely disagree.

If the plane was full of silent travellers, and my being there with my kids was an obvious disturbance to the peace, then I'd perhaps feel I was intruding. However, planes are full of people (not just children) who are noisy, restless and at times rude. Flying is just another means of travelling, and I don't feel the slightest bit guilty taking my family on a long haul flight.

[tr7v8]

RobinOakapple said:

Ari said:

Stuff about parental arroagance

Strongly put points, but I agree with the sentiments expressed. It's a shame that numbers are on the side of people who have chosen for their own reasons to have children. If there weren't so many of them it might be a bit easier on others.

In agreement with this...

[RobinOakapple]

Tony Starks said:

I'm going to lock the kids in the loft a'la Bart Simpsons twin and make sure they never see the light of day incase they may annoy someone on the internet.

Teeny weeny little bit of exaggeration going on there, I think

[Tony Starks]

It seems Air NZ do a Sky Couch, where the 3 window seats have pop out foot rests that turn into beds and at a not too unreasonable price.

Despite really liking the Business class seat/bed idea $26k was a little bit much.

RobinOakapple said:

Teeny weeny little bit of exaggeration going on there, I think

As long as I get the evil and good twins round the right way all is good

[Ari]

Tony Starks said:

I'd just like to take this opportunity to apologize to the professionally offend who joined the conversation.

Sorry I decided to move halfway round the world,
Sorry I decided to start a family,
Sorry my family decided to invite us to a major event in their lives and want to see their grandchildren.

Sorry I don't earn as much as you and can only afford what I can.

What I've decided to do is tell my 89 year old Nan she'll never see her only great grandchildren, then I'm going to lock the kids in the loft a'la Bart Simpsons twin and make sure they never see the light of day incase they may annoy someone on the internet.

This thread is really getting inline for an addition to the cringe worthy thread

Edited by Tony Starks on Thursday 26th February 23:58

Edited by Tony Starks on Thursday 26th February 23:59

I should save your apologies, I suspect you'll be needing them for your wife, your kids and your fellow travellers, probably at about six hours in after your two year olds have woken up grouchy to find themselves stuck on a plane. Still, only another 24 hours to go...

As to the cringe thread, yup, I'd say your passive aggressive whine about people daring to disagree with you and your plea of poverty for your ten grand plane ride qualifies, well done.

Have a super flight!

[Tony Starks]

Ari said:

I should save your apologies, I suspect you'll be needing them for your wife, your kids and your fellow travellers, probably at about six hours in after your two year olds have woken up grouchy to find themselves stuck on a plane. Still, only another 24 hours to go...

As to the cringe thread, yup, I'd say your passive aggressive whine about people daring to disagree with you and your plea of poverty for your ten grand plane ride qualifies, well done.

Have a super flight!

As my flight will have no baring on you, I really don't understand your anger towards someone taking kids on a flight you wont be on?
But I see it's ok for you to aggressive disagree with people, but get all butt hurt if they disagree with you.

I remember when trolling meant something

[Bluebarge]

LordGrover said:

You mate, are odd.

Nope. What is odd is piling onto a thread on which you can offer no useful advice in order to expound your frankly peculiar views on how the World should be run for your convenience. That my friend is batst odd.

[Bluebarge]

RobinOakapple said:

Ari said:

Ok, amazing that I have to explain social responsibility to (presumably) adults, but here we go, I'll see if I can do it in a style you can relate to...

Very good points, very well made.

st points, badly made.

There is no correlation at all between your scenario and the OPs where he is simply asking for advice on how best to manage a long flight for his family. There is no reason at all to believe that his children will make the flight uncomfortable for others, or that they will be any more problematic than any other category of passenger (snorers, drinkers, fidgeters, the overweight, people who are constantly getting st out of overhead lockers or fiddling with the seat recliner etc, etc). I have done many long-haul flights with kids (mine and other people's) who were good as gold, and adults who were a pain in the arse.

Since you have no useful contribution to make to this thread - why the fk are you here?

[RobinOakapple]

Bluebarge said:

RobinOakapple said:

Ari said:

Ok, amazing that I have to explain social responsibility to (presumably) adults, but here we go, I'll see if I can do it in a style you can relate to...

Very good points, very well made.

st points, badly made.

There is no correlation at all between your scenario and the OPs where he is simply asking for advice on how best to manage a long flight for his family. There is no reason at all to believe that his children will make the flight uncomfortable for others, or that they will be any more problematic than any other category of passenger (snorers, drinkers, fidgeters, the overweight, people who are constantly getting st out of overhead lockers or fiddling with the seat recliner etc, etc). I have done many long-haul flights with kids (mine and other people's) who were good as gold, and adults who were a pain in the arse.

Since you have no useful contribution to make to this thread - why the fk are you here?

I dunno if you are asking me, or asking the person who made the points (and very good points they were, too) that I agreed with.

But I'm here to put forth my opinions on the subject. Anything else I can help you with?

[LordGrover]

I think someone maybe a little overtired.