While this woman’s (and I use the term loosely) actions were over the top, rude and just plain uncivilized, I can at least sympathize somewhat.
Last time I flew back from Europe, Paris to Atlanta, a 7-8 hour flight, there was a crying child on the flight that cried practically non-stop. I was two rows back and across the aisle from them and it was annoying to say the least..................
Remember that the ears of children are very sensitive to changes in air pressure and for some it is very painful. Too bad they have to endure a seven hour flight in pain. Would you?
The times I've been on a plane with a crying child, the person who I most sympathize with is the parent. No one feels worse about the situation. Besides being on the front lines of all the noise, the parent usually feels awful about everyone else's discomfort. The parent is probably the most miserable person on the plane.
Was on a 3-hour flight last year. Upon boarding I noted a woman with 3 children all under 3 in a 3-seat row with mom on the isle two rows in front of me. She was already looking stressed but the kids were behaving. Not a peep from them the whole flight. In fact I forgot about them until we landed and were delayed on the tarmac waiting for a gate. A flight attendant came on the loud speaker and announced, "Maam, the child has to be seated either in your lap or in a seat with a seat belt on." 15 seconds later, I heard the child puke, along with a very subtle murmur from the family's neighbors as folks started collecting things to begin the clean up effort. about 90 seconds after that, the smell had made it's way to my row. 3 minutes post vomit, gagging could be heard in front of me and behind me. A woman had moved to help the young mom and the flight attended again reminded everyone that they must remain seated during our delay. I started eyeballing the cockpit intently. This was about to get REALLY bad as the involuntary gagging was bound to escalate soon. I noticed the horror in another, younger flight attendants eyes in the front of the plane as it seemed she could now see how this was about to unfold. She tapped the other flight attendant, grabbed the phone and two flight attendants started toward the mother with napkins. It was too late. The carnage had begun. I don't know how many other people puked. But at least 3 more passengers unbuckled and jumped out of their seats. 30 seconds later, the plane engines roared to life and we were rolling toward a gate. There was no more talk of "keeping your seat belt buckled until we were safely at a gate and the Captain turns off the seat belt sign." I don't know how fast the plane was taxiing toward the gate in Dallas, but I think he may have been able to rotate if the flaps were in the right position. I have never seen a plane clear out so quickly either. The poor mom was still trying to clean up and sobbing. I felt so sorry for her. All I could do was say a prayer for her and her family.
I don’t converse with people on planes. I wear my headphones or earbuds whether I have anything playing or not just so people leave me alone. I also have had my experiences with kids on planes and really hate being seated anywhere near them.
I still wouldn’t act like this woman though.
It’s only 7 hours, and good thing you were never a baby and never had a child.