So I am a firm believer that children should not be allowed out of the house before they hit double digits. In this day and age, I might even argue to push that back even further, perhaps until they themselves can be held legally accountable for their actions.

When my sisters and I were younger, you know what a friday night consisted of? Pizza and Full House. Maybe, for a very special treat, we got to rent a movie. Nicest restaurant at which we ever got to eat? Pizza Hut, perhaps an Eat ’N Park. When we took family vacations? We piled into the family station wagon and DROVE to our final destination. Why? Because my parents realized it was their own damn fault they had 4 children within 6 years, and the rest of the world should not have to suffer because of their mistakes.

This is a concept completely lost on the current generation. Taking your undisciplined child to a restaurant even my uberly successful parents could not afford? No big deal. I mean, they made a “Sex and the City” episode about it. Taking your screaming child on a plane? It’s as though it is your God given right. Newsflash: 2 year olds will never remember Disney World, so save your freakin money. Also, drastic changes in air pressure and eardrums of toddlers = bad news.

Finally someone has taken a stand. I was recently on a plane from Pittsburgh (it’s innate: GO STEELERS!!!) to New York City. I was luckily flying the airline where you get your own personal TV. (I am so pleased with AirTran at the moment, I am not quite ready to advertise for any competitors) However, there was a child (gag) who literally screamed the entire flight. Not only screamed, but was ENCOURAGED by her parents, as they continued to tickle her. NO ONE THINKS YOU’RE CUTE! It was at this moment that I became an advocate for child free flights. Don’t think I wouldn’t pay more money for the assurance that no one under the age of 18 would be on my flight. However, AirTran has apparently gone one step further, and amen to that. We wouldn’t stand for it from some drunk adult, why should we be forced to deal with it from someone who not only screams, but pees themselves. EW.