The collective heart rate of a full transatlantic flight rises in time with the blood curdling squeals of a 3-4 year old child in full hysterics. The lungs on that kid! And the stamina… She has been going full steam like this for a solid hour now, showing no signs of letting up.
The lady across the isle from me peers judgingly back at the helpless Asian family a few rows back. “Something’s wrong there,” she mouths to her husband. “Something’s very, very wrong.” The girl seated directly in front of the family looks especially pleased.
“Whaaaahhh! Whaaahhh! Daddy! Daddyhhh! Let me down! Let me down! Please let me DOWN!” Upon which Daddy proceeds to walk her down the aisle towards us. Lovely. “Daddyhhh! Daddyhhh! Let me down! Let me down!” He lets her down and she does a classic belly flop, kicking and screaming on the floor. So he picks her back up. Another lady hands her a lollipop, to which she responds by screaming even louder (if that were possible) and kicking some more. The lady with the judgmental eyes cringes and backs away in disdain from the flailing feet on Daddy’s hip.
Later, when she returns from the restroom, I overhear the lady tell her husband the stewardess has never seen anything like it. “In her 15 years of service, this is the worst she has seen.”
The jarring noise tapers off. Finally! I take a deep breath of relief, grateful for the moment of silence. Did she finally tire out and fall asleep, I wonder, hopefully. But no, we’re not that lucky. The restroom door opens, and the horrendous sound returns at full blast.
Half way through the meal, she finally does appear to fall asleep, and silence returns, only interrupted by the occasional outcries of the several other young children on board. But they all are angels compared with this monster child. I can almost hear their mothers thinking how their little Bobby really is perfect, after all. A cumulative sigh is felt as peace returns to earth and my fellow passengers and I snooze for a couple of hours.
Eventually, breakfast is served and the monster awakes and bellows with renewed energy while we circle London in a holding pattern. Fortunately, the torture is almost over and our flight lands without incident, though some nerve endings arrive a little more fried than when they took off.
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7 comments:
Ooh, that's a rough flight! We scored a flight with no kids at all the last time.
Tough down was a different piece of heaven for you after that one.
Wonder if the little one had an ear infection intensified by the flight.
Yes, it was a rough one! I felt so sorry for the little girl, and her parents and two brothers, but no one seemed to know what to do. I caught a glimpse of them at Heathrow, though, and she seemed completely OK, walking along holding her Mother's hand like nothing had happened. Somehow, the flight might have been extremely unnerving to her. My sister's children did seem especially well behaved after that one... :)
Guess it's all relative. :)
Hard to say what will spook any given child at any given time.
Merry Christmas!
Merry Christmas, Pearl! :)
hehe, sounds like a nice flight
saw this today and thought of you....
Family kicked off plane for child's tantrum.
http://www.suntimes.com/news/nation/226396,CST-NWS-flight24.article
Wow... that's crazy! I feel bad for them; certainly wouldn't want to be in the same situation, but after my experience, I can understand the airline as well.
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