Babies on Airplanes

Ok, Let me just say first off that I love children and while I am not a parent yet - I understand that the love that parents have for their children is an unconditional one. With that said, children are children and as such should not be exposed to places like bars, strip clubs, dance clubs .... and as far as I am concerned - AIRPLANES.

I fly internationally several times a year and as soon as I see a baby boarding the plane - I am filled with dread. For whatever reason, there is always one or two very small children on my plane screaming and crying bloody murder during the entire take off and landing, and sometimes during the flight. If I am really lucky - then I get to sit infront of the kid while it kicks the back of my seat.

I am not crazy about flying, I cant help but become more and more afraid with each flight, even though I know the chances of a plane crashing are rare - it just doesn't seem natural to be flying in the air in a monstrous piece of metal. Anyhow, flying with a crying baby on board is unbearable! It should be used to torture hostages because it is so awful and upsetting.

What I don't understand is why airlines allow children under 5 years old to fly internationally - or at all for that matter. I get why the babies are crying - its because flying is painful for adults, it must be excruciating for a small child! Your ears are in pain from the pressure, your legs and feet swell from lack of circulation, the air is being recycled, its cramped, the plane is making loud noises and your surrounded by tons of strangers.

I can even understand why its difficult for parents to stop their children from crying, you cant stand up or go anywhere for take off and landing - theres no way out and limited ways to calm down the child. But then why do parents insist on bringing small children on these flights. Its painful for the kid, they have no idea whats going on in the first place and its completely inconsiderate for the hundred or so other people who are being tortured by the parents screaming out of control baby.

Parents who take really small children on flights are selfish and clearly lack good judgment. I think that airlines should make a law requiring that children be 5 years old and older to fly. Its for the well being of the child and in consideration for everyone else on the flight who is paying thousands of dollars to fly and should not be forced to listen to a child crying the entire time.

Airlines have laws in place that prohibit intoxicated adults from boarding a plane due to possible disorderly conduct - well, I think babies conduct can be disorderly and should therefore be prohibited.