Are there different boarding rules for people with special needs? Such as the elderly lady using a walker, or a person in a wheelchair or on crutches? What about a mentally handicapped adult? Are these people given help or priority boarding, and if they have a caretaker or attendant with them, are they seated together? If so, why should it be different for a young child or baby? By nature they have mobility and cognitive issues, and so should be allowed the same accommodations as any adult with the same limitations. Separating a young child from his or her caregiver should be against all airline policies. The main question should be, what constitutes "young". Well, I will be flying with my 14 year old soon, and if she isn't seated next to me, I hope the person who is will be willing to hold her hand and comfort her during take off and landing. She has only flown a few times and is still VERY nervous. I think that for a child between 10 and 18 it should be their choice to be separated from their caregiver. If they aren't comfortable with it, then the airline should be responsible to make sure they can stay together. Are there really people out there who really want to sit next to a crying 2 year old or chatty 6 year old that doesn't belong to them? As for me, having a "good' seat definitely comes after being able to sit with my kids.
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