Nightmare at 20,000 Feet

Greta Wed, Jun 11, 2008 at 02:04 AM EST

DRS, "The Bourne Supremacy [pushing] them over the edge" isn't the point. Yes, the typical 16-year-old, for instance, watching that movie shouldn't have a significantly bad reaction to it. I have a 2-year-old daughter however who is not allowed to see any violence or sexual behavior. Young children do not understand the movie is not real and that people are not actually being blown to pieces right in from of them. Even older kids suffer a detrimental effect, they become desensitized to sex and violence. In the first case, what is meant to be private and serious becomes public and frivolous. In the second, what is horrifying and sickening becomes commonplace and fun. It should go without saying that it should be a very long time before my daughter will encounter this material, and I have and will continue to protect her. I will not patronize an airline that subjects innocent children to these kinds of material. If you want to see it, bring your own video player! A better idea: read.

Delboy Mon, Sep 10, 2007 at 01:43 PM EST

The best in-flight entertainment solution I've seen was on a Virgin flight from Japan to the UK about 5 years ago - not just personal screens in the head-rests & multiple channels, but a library of about 50 movies that you could start & stop at any time - basically your own DVR at your seat. I was able to watch Confessions of a Dangerous Mind, Punch Drunk Love, Secretary, Chicago & Adaptation, all uncut... The investment on Virgin's part must have been extensive but it was worth it to have the choice of what to watch on a long-haul flight where the batteries on any portable device were unlikely to last the distance.

Not sure what content people are getting worked up about though - any recent flights I've been on have all involved dull Cameron Diaz/Sandra Bullock-type rom-com-dram things that tanked at the box office & Everybody Loves Raymond re-runs...

fredric Wed, Sep 5, 2007 at 11:13 AM EST

I wonder if some parents are in denial of how much is accessible to their children. Irregardless of how you raise a child, there will be inappropriate things that will fall into the hands (or eyes) of a child. My parents were rather strict, but I still had a worldly view of things anyway - video games, TV, playground chatter - even in kindergarten. If we all think about our childhoods, there are likely examples that could have shaped us in a negative way but didn't. It's easy to find a scapegoat to get out of bigger discussions. If it's not a movie, it's music, videogames, or the six o'clock news. Life has dark and light; there is no way to fully keep children in a bubble. (Even in Disney movies, there are some parents who object to certain things.) Kids are smarter and more curious than sometimes we give them credit, but the good thing is that we have the ability to use whatever happens in life as a springboard to take something we see as a negative and make it into a positive.

Dana Wed, Sep 5, 2007 at 10:00 AM EST

i'm in total agreement that something should change about in-flight films. normally when i fly, i watch dvds on my laptop, and i make a point of picking ones that aren't R-rated, not because kids don't see worse on the internet etc., but because i am violating someone's privacy and a parent's right to limit their kids viewing when i air a bloody or sexual film in front of their faces, making the choice for them to see such content. that's not my choice to make. i think that saying "oh parents should loosen up/kids see worse/you can't protect them forever/i'll watch what i want when i want" is a petty and selfish misinterpretation of the real issue.

Tygor1 Wed, Sep 5, 2007 at 09:10 AM EST

Maybe it would just be better if there were just adult-oriented flights. And I don't mean the porn kind, I'm talking about flights that didn't involve children under the age of 18, kinda like going to a club or watching a rated R movie. I', sympathetic to parents out there, but there are plenty of people who would like to board a plane, eat and watch movies/hear music without the sounds of screeching children echoing through the cabin. Sorry!

momof4 Wed, Sep 5, 2007 at 05:13 AM EST

I live abroad and fly frequently with my four young kids. Some international carriers have TVs in the headsets with multiple channels- a cartoon channel, a family friendly movie (of which there are plenty out there), a TV channel, and several movies for adults to watch. This keeps everyone entertained during some VERY long flights.

DRS Wed, Sep 5, 2007 at 03:08 AM EST

To the parents, I have to say "STOP IT"!!!

I understand we all think our little darlings are precious innocents but in truth they are not. Through the internet, interaction with other kids at school and home television they are already exposed to way too much. Don't think that a plane showing The Bourne Supremacy is going to push them over the edge. It all comes down to parenting. Whether we like it or not our kids are going to be exposed to something negative everyday they leave the comforts of our homes and most of the time even while at home. Just teach them the right and wrongs or what they are seeing. That is the solution..not hiding them from it. Because if on my next flight all I can watch is High School Musical, Beauty and the Beast and Cinderella I am throwing a bag of peanuts at the head of a parent. But don't worry because after I do it I will then teach my child the right and wrongs of my action.

t3hdow Wed, Sep 5, 2007 at 01:35 AM EST

I haven't been on a flight since October 2000. Man, it feels like ages ago from you guys' descriptions. Getting back on an airplane after a seven year hiatus sounds very fun at the moment (taking a trip next month). Back when I went on flights, I ignored the in-flight movies and favored reading a book or playing my Game Boy. Guess times have changed...
Although I agree that the outrage is kind of ridiculous, the in-flight films do need to be neutral movies for everybody if you ask me. Nothing too violent but nothing that'll bore the average viewer either.
Also, while this is a bit off topic, I find it amusing half of you guys' ultra-violent/depraved film of choice for debates like this is Saw. I know the torture porn subgenre has a bad rep but damn. There's a lot of ultra violent films out there that's just as disturbing (along with stuff on the internet I wish I never laid eyes on) as that film. Why is Saw the scapegoat? I know it's a silly question but I can't help but notice that.

Stephen (again) Tue, Sep 4, 2007 at 10:23 PM EST

I agree w/ BJohnson. Aren't flights nerve wracking enough w/o blow-up movies?

BJohnson Tue, Sep 4, 2007 at 08:56 PM EST

I don't have kids but I've flown with my then 8 year old niece. RJ those kids were not anything else but a product of bad parenting. They would have been the same ones in the grocery store running wild while the mom tries to love them not punish them. Most kids behave. As far as the movies go....Hey even I don't see the purpose of watching a bunch of high thriller blow crap up high in the air. Give me some Disney anytime or some decent family stuff like The Parent Trap (more Disney, but the Haley Mills version), slapstick comedy not raunchy. I can get all the sex, violence and rock & roll when I get home. While I'm on the plane, keep showing March of the Penguins.

GT Tue, Sep 4, 2007 at 06:43 PM EST

I understand what you are saying, the Ring is a little ridiculous for an airline, but my point was that Raiders had people getting shot, a guy getting killed by an airplane prop and people with their faces being melted (Nazi's no less).

I really think though there comes a point where a parent can't control everything their kids see and hear and at some point it comes down to whether or not they have been raised by good parents and know that even if you see or hear something bad in a movie doesn't mean you should do or say it.

And what about alcohol on a plane. If they can only show G or PG rated movies on a plane should they be serving booze? Adults usually only have access to alcohol in a bar (when not with food). If we don't want kids exposed to bad movies should they be exposed to drunk people?

Stephen Tue, Sep 4, 2007 at 05:51 PM EST

My question is this: Haven't there been really good movies for all ages recently? "Ratatouille" "Shrek" "Finding Nemo"? And there's nothing wrong with classic Disney. "Cinderella" "Pinocchio" "Snow White" would be good so kids know who they're making fun of in the "Shrek" films.

R. J. Tue, Sep 4, 2007 at 05:16 PM EST

I agree with Markc from New York. Maybe not an adults only airline, but have the airlines offer adults only flights. The last time I flew (June, 2001), there were parents with small kids and they let the kids run around the cabin and sleep in the aisle. WTF? When I flew with my parents as a child, I stayed in my seat unless I had to use the bathroom. This was back in the 1960's and '70's, with no DVDs, iPods or satellite TV. Books, magazines and crossword puzzles. I remember when we flew home from Europe in 1970, you could either listen to the recorded stuff on the headphones (it repeated every few hours) or read a book. There was an in-flight movie, ("Jenny" I think), I heard it sucked, even in it's unedited form, but no one griped about a movie with adult subject matter even though it was a full plane with kids on board. I think today that movie would merit a PG-13 or barely an R. It was tame by today's standards.

Angela Tue, Sep 4, 2007 at 05:08 PM EST

A comment not about children! I believe that the way movies are license to airlines allows them to make their edits, which is not the same license when a movie is released to DVD or videotapes. That's why everyone but Qantas edited "Rain Man" to remove the references to safety records, and they could, but a Utah video store can't edit the movie.

Mike Tue, Sep 4, 2007 at 04:53 PM EST

What fascinates me most about all the comments is how impassioned everyone gets. Saw this with the whole Kid Nation brouhaha too. Seems many people (parents or not) believe their way of parenting is not only the best way, but maybe even the ONLY acceptable way.

LisaMama Tue, Sep 4, 2007 at 04:46 PM EST

GT-
To answer your point, Raiders of the Lost Ark is like fluffy cotton candy compared to The Ring, don't you think?

LisaMama Tue, Sep 4, 2007 at 04:44 PM EST

I'm not complaining about violence or sex in entertainment. I watch adult stuff all the time. I also let my 8 year old watch stuff that I don't let my 4 year old see.
I never said I won't let my kids hear a swear word or see a naked person. But it's my kid, and my choice, as to when and where my kids see age-appropriate things. It is not the airlines choice!

Screw Kids Redux Tue, Sep 4, 2007 at 04:31 PM EST

Whoops. Double negative. Nobody opted to watch the movie.

GT Tue, Sep 4, 2007 at 04:28 PM EST

Lisamama, is it really the end of the world if your child hears a swear word or sees two people fighting. personally I think something like that can damage a kid that severly that also says something about the parents. The first movie I saw was Raiders of the Lost Ark when I was 3-1/2 and it didn't mess me up for life. Also if any airline played Gilligan's Island for 5 hours while I was on a cross country flight I would never fly that airline again.

Screw Kids Tue, Sep 4, 2007 at 04:27 PM EST

More people would most definitely NOT want to see old classic movies on their flights. I had a cross country flight earlier this year that showed "Love Story" and almost nobody opted not to watch the movie. I heard a few people ask the flight staff whether they forgot to book a movie.

They simply need more flights with tv screens in the back of the headrests so everyone has a choice what to watch.

Ames Tue, Sep 4, 2007 at 04:22 PM EST

Parents are complaining about the media being harmful to children? Hmmm... must be Tuesday.

LisaMama Tue, Sep 4, 2007 at 04:21 PM EST

One more thing about traveling with kids -- I am sick of people complaining about kids on planes. They are human beings just like you, except they tend to say things out loud that we're ALL thinking, like "when will we be there?"
I fly with my kids all the time and spend the entire trip discipling, monitoring, and occupying my kids so they don't kick your seat or spill juice on you or cry because their ears hurt during take off and landing.
Look, we're all stuck on that plane together. I think a little patience and grace from the child-less passengers would be most welcome.
I promise to control my kids if you promise to show some patience.

LisaMama Tue, Sep 4, 2007 at 04:13 PM EST

We are not whiny parents. We are parents who are taking responsibility for our own children's behavior, morals, and general upbringing. We do not let our kids run wild in the aisles. We do not let our kids watch, read, or listen to garbage. Public places such as airplanes, malls, outdoor advertisements, TV ads on during sporting events, etc., should respect that. Every one is trying to be so provocative and take it to next level that we as a society have let them go too far!
I love the idea of showing old movies or TV shows -- I'm talking about fluffy stuff like Gilligan's Island that appeals to kids and adults. I don't think it's too much to ask for "child-less" adults to make this "sacrifice" -- like other posters have said, if you want to watch something for adults, bring your laptop and some headphones.
It's called common courtesy and respect, people! Have we all forgotten how to be polite?

GT Tue, Sep 4, 2007 at 03:47 PM EST

I am with the people who are tired of having things sanitized for some kid’s protection. You pretty much have to pay to see really good tv and quality R rated movies are few and far between, especially in the summer. All this because some kid might learn a swear word that his dad probably already uses on a regular basis anyways. The last few flights I have been on with movies have been awful PG movies, usually involving some kid and their horse. Considering I am much more likely to fly then some kid on vacation shouldn't the movies be more to my liking? I am not asking for Saw but something for the adults that is not going to traumatize kids would be so much better.

Scott M. Tue, Sep 4, 2007 at 03:40 PM EST

As a father, I have tried my best when traveling with my one-year-old (she has flown four times in her short life). I hate screaming babies on planes as much as the next guy, but when you have to travel a long distance, flying is really the only choice. I can't stand parents that let their kids run wild then get angry at you for daring to complain. As far as the movies are concerned, they should just do away with them altogether. The movies that are shown are usually lame, with or without the editing, and in this day and age there is simply no reason for them: as others have said, there are laptops, dvd players, PSPs and other media devices that can solve this non-problem. And yes, I agree that most parents' groups are ridiculous, and I don't think everyone else should have to change to suit us. However, it would be nice if you childless people cut us parents that are trying to get our children to behave some slack. Sometimes there's nothing you can do for a crying baby. Sorry!

frustrated Tue, Sep 4, 2007 at 03:20 PM EST

case in point supporting the parents side: our flight a couple of years ago showed "The Ring". There's nothing you can do to that film to make it not terrifying to a 5-year old, sound or no sound. *I* didn't want to watch it, but we were stuck in front-row seats so it's really hard not to catch glimpses of the creepy stuff.

Rick Tue, Sep 4, 2007 at 02:52 PM EST

You can tell which people have no consideration about parents and the trauma of traveling. They are the first to complain about crying kids on planes, and then want to watch violent movies upsetting the kids more. A neutral comedy is all most people are asking for - not Knocked Up, but not Nemo either. I don't want to watch Kill Bill, and I certainly don't want my children watching it. These people who are complaining are the ones who then become the parents bringing their kids to Saw. Get neutered for everybody's sake!

EP Sato Tue, Sep 4, 2007 at 02:24 PM EST

Lord how I hate these whiney "parents" groups! They don't represent most parents, and mostly represent a class of folks who believe it's the responsibility of the rest of the world to raise their bratty children.

Parents who talk to their kids and who keep them grounded raise children who grow up to be intelligent adults.

Parents who try to hide every single bit of violence, boob shots and d-ck jokes from their kids' eyes only create a taboo culture that makes these kids grow up WANTING to do those things their parents never let them do.

rcn Tue, Sep 4, 2007 at 02:21 PM EST

This is ridiculous. Once again the entire world must bend over backwards for the child set. I fly frequently and when I'm on an older plane that doesn't have in-seat entertainment the options are always either outright childrens films or films where any semblance of inappropriate language (including the work "damn") and entire scenes in which there is so much as a hint of violence or arguably suggestive sexual activity are removed. And this is completely fine, because people of all ages fly. If you really need to watch rated PG-13 or R films on a plane, buy a laptop. But can we please please please stop trying to make this a socket-covered, baby-gated world for children that the rest of us just have to learn to deal with? Here's an idea, if you're worried about your kids seeing something that might not conform to your uber G-rated wishes, give them a coloring book, read a story or maybe, just maybe, do some parenting and teach them that there's such a thing as right and wrong.

AJ Tue, Sep 4, 2007 at 02:12 PM EST

Amen, JONI. They watch screens, period, with or without sound.
And giving kids some appropriate things to watch would help calm them, so even you baby haters who posted should get behind that.

Joni Tue, Sep 4, 2007 at 01:34 PM EST

"I think you need headphones to hear the movies so if the kids don't have the headphones then they usually don't watch."
What kind of kid are you referring to? Blind ones? My kids - who normally have limited tv time - can't keep their eyes off a tv, even if there is no sound. Case in point, restaurant sports tv. My kids hate watching sports, and yet when it's on in a restaurant, they can't stop looking. Same for an airline's in flight movie. The best solution is when the plane has individual screens for each passanger. But when it's only overheard screens for all to share it should be more PG fare.

monica Tue, Sep 4, 2007 at 01:28 PM EST

the only bearable part about being on a plane is the in-flight movie, so if they're so concerned about what they're kids are watching then they should create a kids section cause i don't want to watch nemo.

matchkitjohn Tue, Sep 4, 2007 at 01:08 PM EST

I think you need headphones to hear the movies so if the kids don't have the headphones then they usually don't watch. My wife and I take our laptop or DVD player for our kids to keep them entertain. The airlines still to need to find neutral fare to watch. With the technology available they really don't need to provide movies how about on-time flights instead?

Stephen Tue, Sep 4, 2007 at 12:24 PM EST

Usually I would agree with editing, but as someone who has sat next to one screaming child with parent who refuses to do anything too many, they deserve it. Plus, the movies on planes usually are duds in the box office, so the companies show them there to try and get a more buyers.

Cranky Tue, Sep 4, 2007 at 11:48 AM EST

Speaking as a parent, I agree that it wouldn't kill the airlines to try and show less violent and/or sex-filled movies. I am also an adult who does not enjoy violence in movies, and I'm sure I'm not alone. To those who whine about the 'minority' of people who have kids, please realize that there are also adults out there who are sick of the gore.

charlotte Tue, Sep 4, 2007 at 11:38 AM EST

Mark - I LOVE IT.
Where can I sign up?
Can we get some movie theaters and restaurants as well?

bob Tue, Sep 4, 2007 at 11:27 AM EST

I'm with Todd and Sally on this one. How many kids/families are really on any given flight? I never really noticed this was such a huge problem.

Martha, who peed in your cornflakes? if snarky wants to be an a** that is his/her business.

mark in nyc Tue, Sep 4, 2007 at 11:26 AM EST

what we need is an Adults only airline, where we can watch whatever movies we like....and no screaming kids!
While we are at it, we can limit the age to less then 50. So an airline for 21-50 year olds only.
I would pay an extra $100 per flight for that!

Kier Tue, Sep 4, 2007 at 11:00 AM EST

And that's why we end up flying Jet Blue if we have a choice with the 35 tv channels and 4 movies. My 8 year old can watch Discovery, Nick or Cartoon Network and I can watch a movie or BBCAmerica.

Andy Tue, Sep 4, 2007 at 10:56 AM EST

Any action movie I've watched on an airplane will have been edited beyond recognition, so I don't know what these people are talking about. If anything, I would complain that they should just not show movies they're going to edit so heavily. What's the point of an action movie without the action?

Sally Tue, Sep 4, 2007 at 10:50 AM EST

How many children & families are in one air flight? When I travel there are maybe 2-4 families. On larger jets I'm not sure maybe more. But there should be a way for the airlines to give choices.

Todd Tue, Sep 4, 2007 at 10:45 AM EST

Don't you parents have more important things to worry about reguarding your kids? Global warming? The war in Iraq and Bush's planned war with Iran? These hings are gonna affect your kids far greater than seeing a boob or some blood on an airplane movie.

maya Tue, Sep 4, 2007 at 10:44 AM EST

p.s. I see Martha posted the same comment as I was posting mine. As for expense, how about the fat-cat CEOs of the airlines take a small paycut? How can they be making that much money while the airline business is supposedly in dire straits?

maya Tue, Sep 4, 2007 at 10:42 AM EST

How about this as a solution: American airlines upgrade their dirty, smelly, clanking old planes (the way that European airlines have) to have personal small-screens in front of you rather than an overhead TV with horrible picture quality? BA, for example, has a kid-friendly movies, shows, games, etc, in addition to entertainment for adults. Parents have control over what their kids watch, and the rest of us don't have to crane our necks over other passengers, hope that the screen isn't yellow, or watch edited films.

Catherine Tue, Sep 4, 2007 at 10:39 AM EST

To bbc: If I child does not have the sound of a movie, he will most probably lose interest really quickly. And if you know you are taking a long flight (anything more than 30 minutes is long for a child!), you should be prepared as a parent with diffrenent activities such as a color book, book, games, etc. It really is not that complicated to do! I am not syaing it won't happen ever but there are ways to prevent it!

Martha Tue, Sep 4, 2007 at 10:39 AM EST

If airlines want to show the latest movies and TV but still keep their flights family-friendly, then they should all offer individual TV monitors at seats (a la Jet Blue) and several channels so that people can actually choose their entertainment. Of course, this costs money so isn't likely to happen anytime soon. In the meantime, I applaud Gary's old movie suggestion...if airlines want to offer more recent fare, surely they can keep it to the family-friendly stuff? Catherine, I'm with bbc - how exactly are parents supposed to "act" when the violent program is playing on 8 TV's overhead? And snarky, I'm going to ignore your comment for the useless, trolling piffle that it is.

snarky Tue, Sep 4, 2007 at 10:22 AM EST

I am SOooooo tired of people with kids whining about how movies/music/etc. is ruining their kids. I am not sure, but statistically, don't their HAVE to be more people without small children (i.e. under 10) than those WITH small children??? Since when does what I watch get dictacted by a minority who MIGHT be offended. GAH. Get your kids a $100 DVD player that they can watch during the flight, or a PSP - I guarantee they will watch their stuff, not MINE.
rant over.

cruzilla Tue, Sep 4, 2007 at 10:13 AM EST

Great suggestion about the old movies, Gary!

bbc Tue, Sep 4, 2007 at 09:56 AM EST

OK Catherine, how exactly are parents supposed to "act", as you put it? When the guy in the seat in front of your kid is watching one of the movies, what recourse does a parent have at that point?

Sally Tue, Sep 4, 2007 at 09:53 AM EST

Am I the only one who thought that was a picture of Mike Delfino before reading the caption saying that it was Mark Wahlberg?

Catherine Tue, Sep 4, 2007 at 09:43 AM EST

I found that ridiculous and completely agree with you! I have recently watched Casino Royale in flight and it had been edited at quite a few places (good parts of course were missing!)!!! If they don't want there kids to watch it, then the parents need to act as I think the airline companies already do their parts in it. (and I have taken planes quite often this year, more then 20 times...)