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Approximately 36% of air travellers would complain to a flight attendant if there were noisy children on-board, according to a poll on Close Up .
The poll also found that 29% would choose to suffer in silence, 19% would speak to the parents and 16% would tell off the children personally.
The issue has come to light after Labour MP Charles Chauvel sparked a row on a flight to Wellington, when he told off some children, who he said were being noisy.
He also allegedly suggested they should be down the back of the plane.
The MP and his partner were sitting right behind the family in question on the flight.
The parents of the children took umbrage at the MP for "having a go" at their three pre-schoolers, saying the kids were well-behaved and that Chauvel is just not used to kids around him.
The children's mother, Stephanie Philips, says the MP repeatedly told her children to shut up on the 45-minute flight.
"He said shut up, which I don't think was appropriate. I don't talk to my children like that," Philips says.
Philips is married to surgeon Fred Philips, who is an Act Party supporter and right-wing blogger.
The incident with the MP was first published on the website of Clint Heine and friends, under Fred's blogging name boomtownprat.
But Chauvel says he merely expressed his sentiments to his partner only once and believes all this hype is just a beat-up by "an Act activist".
"I made what I thought was a discreet comment to the person I was travelling with. (Philips) has decided to blog about it, no doubt, for his own political reasons."
The MP also says he has no regrets over what he said.
"What I said as a private comment to the person I was travelling with was, I thought, perfectly within the bounds of propriety... I think I was perfectly justified given the circumstances."
Add a Comment:
Post new commentmrsubaru said on 2010-03-17 @ 15:26 NZDT: Report abusive post
I remember that when I was a child, children were "seen and not heard" that means you were quiet at all times when when around adults and only spoke when spoken to. If you played up, mum or dad would either repremand you or give you a clip round the ear. From memory I think this was called respect for elders. It is all down to the modern continental parenting where if it feels good do it and you don't repremand your kids because they may feel bad about themselves or get low self esteem.
p2012 said on 2010-03-17 @ 12:36 NZDT: Report abusive post
Why should the majority of people on a flight have to put up with noisey, screaming brats at all? Why do parents insist on travelling with newborns and toddlers: easy answer, because they're incapable of showing any concern about anyone other than themselvesand that incluses their children. Think jnr's enjoying the experience of poorly scrubbed air and air sickness?
Miller said on 2010-03-17 @ 12:19 NZDT: Report abusive post
Young children on flights are only a pain when the parents or carers in reality cannot control there children .I travel regularly and often have kids being noisy and disruptive,for no apparent reason, kicking the back of the seat is often an issue. In turn I politely give them a stern look in the eyes and word....which there parents have never done .... obviously . From then on the flight is a joy for all.
mish122 said on 2010-03-17 @ 11:52 NZDT: Report abusive post
Yes kids should be good on flights yes kids should sit down and play in there seats and yes the parents should look after them and make sure they are busy! But what's is worse then noise kids is rude adults, one who can see your kids are tired and still talk, keep there lights on and make noise, is it so hard 2 sit there with no light no noise 4 10mins why we settle our kids? No it means you get a quite trip, other wise you get over tired noise kids (don't need 2 be a smart to work that out
dmaclure said on 2010-03-17 @ 10:58 NZDT: Report abusive post
I find no proof for being political motivation behind between 2 MP over the inflight cabins noisy issues as as all airline need to act on as much as possible.