United Flight 1676: Parents, Your Arms Are Not Strong Enough To Hold A Child During Turbulence

News reports that a baby flew out of a parent’s arms during a patch of severe turbulence Monday on United Flight 1676, a Boeing 737, en route from Denver International Airport to Billings, Montana was a chilling reminder that the only safe place for a child during a flight is restrained in his or her own seat.  Fortunately, the media reports indicate that the child was not injured.  But every child may not be so lucky.  As I've written before, I have seen first hand the tragic results of a child flying unrestrained.

Until the FAA mandates proper restraints for all passengers, including those under the age of two, parents may think it’s safe to hold a lap child.  But it’s not.  The FAA even warns against it, stating on its Child Safety website, “the safest place for your child on an airplane is in a government-approved safety restraint system (CRS) or device, not on your lap.  Your arms aren’t capable of holding your child securely, especially during unexpected turbulence.”

And, yet, the FAA fails to require that children under the age of two have their own seats with an approved restraint.  And, it’s not just the child who is at risk.  The baby on United Flight 1676 reportedly flew into a nearby seat, fortunately not hitting another passenger.  But an unrestrained child flying through an aircraft cabin could cause significant injury to both the child and  another passenger.

I am not optimistic that the FAA will require child safety restraints any time soon or that an airline will step up and require all children to be in their own seats, regardless of how young they are.  But parents can take heed.  Don’t fly without a separate seat and proper restraints for your children.  Except when absolutely necessary, keep those restraints on throughout the flight.  And while you’re at it, keep your own seat belt buckled, too.