Don't jump! Ways to fly without wanting to scream

Whether you tweet or post a gripe to an airline’s Facebook account, it’s considered a formal written complaint and the company is required to respond.

How in the world will tweeting help anything, unless the airline is actually following your account, or you have millions of followers that will make a public stink?

"There’s also a 21st century way to complain: Facebook and Twitter. Whether you tweet or post a gripe to an airline’s Facebook account, it’s considered a formal written complaint and the company is required to respond."

Really? I would like some more information on the legality of this statement.

"how to make your travel experience more Zen-like... Picking an airline"

Be sure not to pick Delta, United, American or Continental.

"the location of your seat"

Be sure your seat is not in economy class, unless you have an emergency exit row seat or a bulkhead row seat.

"If you have luggage that's... big enough to steal a lot of space in the overhead compartment..."

I can't understand why airlines allow people to take these big bags aboard. It would certainly make boarding and exiting the aircraft a lot easier if people would just bring one small bag onboard and wear a waist pouch, like I do.

Two Benidrile, a bottle of wine or two beers, and a bag of stale pretzels will make the trip shorter. Don't fall for the attendant's story. He is using the media for his 15 minutes of fame. Now, he can stand with the rest of us in the unemployed line.

I woulod add to the list don`t fly to the UK any time this October. You might be unlucky enough to get on a flight with me and my 3 kids aged 6 4 and 10 months!

kirakira25 - Thanks for the warning.

Sarge at 11:20 AM JST - 14th Augustl. "the location of your seat" Be sure your seat is not in economy class, unless you have an emergency exit row seat or a bulkhead row seat.

Sorry Sarge, Kirakira and her kids have taken the bulkheads already :D

"I can't understand why airlines allow people to take these big bags aboard. It would certainly make boarding and exiting the aircraft a lot easier if people would just bring one small bag onboard and wear a waist pouch, like I do."

The problem with this sarge is, if you are flying with children you require at least a diaper per hour per child, at least 2 clothing changes for each, and 1 for parent, wipes, entertainment (so they don't scream for the entire flight and anger the other passengers) snacks (no food provided for kids unless they are over 2) and toys. This (the bare minimum) doesn't fit in a bum bag.

Im also going to be travelling with my brood in September, I warn you all. Please try not to repeat the mantra "dont let them be sitting next to me" out loud when you see me walk onboard...

I get really stressed about flying with my children, You walk on the plane and you get looked at like you have walked on with " I HAVE THE PLAGUE" written on your forehead. I understand that people dont like children on aeroplanes, but anyone on that flight with me ... yoroshiku :)

"entertainment ( for kids ) so they don't scream for the entire flight"

That's what tranquilizers are for. Every kid under 10 should be required to take one upon boarding the flight.

Sarge: totally agree with you on this one. Go the French way! Feed the kids some red wine and voila! Problem solved. Kids in Land of Nod.

Children don't bother me, but rude people do. Like when they step on your feet, hit your head with their bag, or slurp their drinks like dogs.

At least the smokers can't smoke any more on aircraft, cripes, I'll never forget sitting several rows from the smoking section and breathing putrid cigarette smoke drifting over from the smoking section on the old NorthWorst Airlines.

theres nothing 'Zen-like' one can do about it. the quicker it is over, the better. gone are the days when air travel was supposed to be an 'experience'. now its just a necessary hassle. :(

Sarge at 08:49 PM JST - 14th August "entertainment ( for kids ) so they don't scream for the entire flight" That's what tranquilizers are for. Every kid under 10 should be required to take one upon boarding the flight.

And every man who consumes more than 10 units of alcohol, gets rude and obnoxious, proceeds to grab the female flight attendants arse, picks a fight with the male flight attendants, before falling asleep on the person next to them and snoring loudly for the next 6 hours.

gone are the days when air travel was supposed to be an 'experience'. now its just a necessary hassle.

Gone also are the days when air travel was only for the rich. In those days, people like you and me had words in their vocabulary such as "tramp steamer" and "steerage".

Air travel nowadays is more akin to mass transit. Get on the bus for 3 or 6 or 13 hours. If you want an "experience", spend more money and fly first class.

'"tramp steamer" and "steerage"'

totally lost me there XD

I've traveled first class fyi. Not that it matters, air travel is a pain - sorry.

Kirakira: You travel alone with 3 kids? That's tough.

Or you travel with your husband and 3 kids. Still exhausting.

We also have 3 kids: 5 years, 3 years, and 15 months. Our 5 year old usually does not make any trouble at all - he understands that flying is something special and it is fun for him. Our 3 year old girl needs some supervision, especially at meal-time. And, yes, our 15 month old might give some trouble by crying, not wanting to stay on the seat, pushing the tray with the food and drinks, climbing on the seat to pull other passengers hair and so on. So - picking the airline is important.

Last week on the return flight to Japan (with ANA, codeshare LH), the Lufthansa checkin had problems to handle a re-booking on an earlier connection flight (suggested by them) to Munich, so finally they gave me a business class seat for the long haul flight from Munich to Narita. Well, this was without children.

99% of the time, the bad guys are the passengers, not the flight attendants.

Don't believe me?

Next time you travel by plane, count the silly people who stand up and grab their luggage during parking, seconds after the crew kindly told them to remain seated.

That's right all the passengers stand up like stupids despite the fact that the doors remain closed.

This scene never ceases to be my "palm on the forehead" moment.

Always happen.

Kirakira: You travel alone with 3 kids? That's tough.

Yep, but no choice Im afraid. My Mum back in the UK is widowed, these are her only grandchildren, and of course my J hubby cant get enough time off of work to come with us.

What Shufu says is pretty much right - you take on board whatever it takes to get the little darlings through the ordeal. It is no time to start negotiating whether they can have candy or not - give them whatever it takes to keep them quiet. Luckily my 6 year old is getting easier now so she can help a little, but the 4 year old - oh boy, thats gonna be tough! And I was hoping the baby wouldnt be walking by the time we go, but he is showing signs that he will be, and as anyone with a 1 year old knows, once they discover the delights of walking they are off and don`t understand the need to be confined to a seat when the seatbelt light is on. This raises two issues - the screaming until the light goes off, and then a wobbly 1 year old tottering off down the aisle with associated elbows, bags, small items etc at head height.

Depending on the airline (and on the size of your one year old), you might still have the chance to get a bassinet for him. This Year in April, our youngest was 13 month, was able to stand a little and with 10kg it was a just fit to the bassinet.

a bottle of wine

Make it 2 for me. The only way I can deal with flying these days is by being drunk or doped out by sleeping pills. Flying in the 21st century is an absolute pain in the ....