>> Children should be stretch-wrapped in the lobby before they are taken on board and stowed in the overhead compartments.
ROFL! ESPECIALLY on international flights!
Are you a fellow business traveler by chance?
We accumulated many frequent flier miles, mostly on United. They were great little travelers and the only incident we ever had with them was an airsickness bout on one turbulent flight.
I realize that some parents ignore or even reinforce bratty behavior in their kids. But others come prepared with sticker books, discipline and a number of other tools to ensure any disruptions from their children are minimal to nonexistent.
Not one of my kids have every kept a seat down in some body's lap, been obnoxious, put the arm rest up so they could spill over into the seat which I paid for or scores of other behaviors imposed on me by adult travelers.
On the contrary, they've been so cute, charming and courteous that strangers have asked us how we did it. It ain't rocket science, it is the right combination of love and discipline, from parents who care with the additional advantage of raising them in a polite society where it is reinforced.