Kids Running and Roaming

[bobaloobbq]

Aboard the Texas Eagle FTW>CHICAGO, there were kids running the aisles, and the Lounge Car. Wow, that got old, quick. Long ride to have MaMa sitting on her fanny while the kids ran wild. I was surprised they were still on board by the time we got to the Windy City, if fellow passengers could have made their final destination choice, it would have b

 

[Texan Eagle]

Aboard the Texas Eagle FTW>CHICAGO, there were kids running the aisles, and the Lounge Car. Wow, that got old, quick. Long ride to have MaMa sitting on her fanny while the kids ran wild. I was surprised they were still on board by the time we got to the Windy City, if fellow passengers could have made their final destination choice, it would have b

Err.. I think people take the train so that they and their kids can move about, which includes roaming and running too...

Don't like kids? Take the plane. Chartered one to be specific.

 

[Acela150]

Somebody doesn't like kids in there life... :unsure: I mean you could always get a roomette or bedroom and keep the door shut.. Easy as that.

 

[zepherdude]

Yeh, a train is a kinda family thing. Maybe next time have some National Geographic or Journal of American Medicine (JAMA) mags to hand out to em, that will quiet em down.

 

[Devil's Advocate]

Kids should be allowed to calmly move about the train. I think most of us can agree with that. That being said I also believe there's no excuse for parents who allow their kids to run amok on a train or plane or bus or any other conveyance. Hopefully we can agree on that as well. Telling those who want a quiet and peaceful ride to get a bedroom (or charter a plane?) is not always practical. In many cases the bedrooms are already long since sold out. Even when they're not Amtrak does not guarantee your level of accommodation. You only need to miss one connection or be involved in a weather or maintenance related event and suddenly your bedroom may become just another coach seat. Not to mention that I've been in bedrooms with kids shouting and bouncing off the walls in the next compartment. I believe the train should be open and available to all. But it should not be treated like our living room at home. I don't have anything against kids and I enjoy their company when they're calm and well behaved. It's only when they're out of control that I can't stand to be around them.

 

[DET63]

If kids were going between cars, they should have been accompanied by their parents. It is very dangerous to walk carelessly between cars, especially for young children with small feet (and hands).

 

[OlympianHiawatha]

Kids should be allowed to calmly move about the train. I think most of us can agree with that. That being said I also believe there's no excuse for parents who allow their kids to run amok on a train or plane or bus or any other conveyance. Hopefully we can agree on that as well. Telling those who want a quiet and peaceful ride to get a bedroom (or charter a plane?) is not always practical. In many cases the bedrooms are already long since sold out. Even when they're not Amtrak does not guarantee your level of accommodation. You only need to miss one connection or be involved in a weather or maintenance related event and suddenly your bedroom may become just another coach seat. Not to mention that I've been in bedrooms with kids shouting and bouncing off the walls in the next compartment. I believe the train should be open and available to all. But it should not be treated like our living room at home. I don't have anything against kids and I enjoy their company when they're calm and well behaved. It's only when they're out of control that I can't stand to be around them.

Well said!

 

[George Harris]

Sounds like there was insufficient applicaion of the fast five to the seat of the problem, and not just on this occasion. Some exploring is one thing, but the run wild is another. However, that said, kids will be kids, and the trips are long, and they get tired and cranky. That is not the same as running wild and being bratty. If you can't stnad kids, stay home. Above all, do not make long trans-oceanic flights. There are people on there other than vacationers and businessmen. People that work overseas with family do get to go home cooasionally, and that means the whole family stuffed in a metal tube for 12 plus hours at a shot, with pressure changes, time changes and all the other things that tend to be beyond the understanding of the small ones.

 

[Phil S]

No, at the risk of starting a war, if you can't control your kids (aren't willing to take the responsibility), then don't fly or take the train or go out to restaurants. Just stay home, drive or take them outdoors to a park. Kids can definitely NOT be allowed to roam on airplanes. It's a tight space, they get in everyone's way (especially the flight attendants), and it's seriously dangerous. They can walk around on a train but they need to do so calmly and quietly. And no, they can't even do that in the dining car. My friends and relatives seem to have no problem raising kids so that they're a pleasure to be around. If some can, then all can.

And it has nothing to do with not liking kids. That's a really shallow almost insulting comment. It has to do with not liking parents who don't take responsibility for their kids. Even the worst behaved kids often turn out to be loads of fun if you can get them away from their idiot parents.

Let the flames start. -- Phil (and yes I know -- why don;t you say what you really think?!)

 

[Cho Cho Charlie]

From my own experiences, the worst are adults, not children.

Possibly I am simply more forgiving of a 6 year old, than of a 36 year old.

 

[bobnabq]

Kids should be allowed to calmly move about the train.

Agreed. Just because they're on a train, which experience alone may make them hyper and boost their activity levels, is no excuse to run amok.

(I once ran amok, but switched to a John Deere)

 

[MiRider]

My first LD experience was on the TE and I had the same experience except.... I enjoyed it!

I thought that it was wonderful that the kids were enjoying themselves as much as I was.

They were all over the place but I didn't experience one rude or out of control kid, just a lot of happy ones.

I don't expect or want an airline experience when I'm on the train but, then again, I LOVE travelling in coach on the train and despise the entire flying experience door to door.

The families and diverse, friendly people made my trips a joyful experience and I'm looking forward to my next one on the TE in 10 days, ymmv.

 

[fillyjonk]

I've often heard announcements on the TE to the effect of "Do not allow your children to roam unattended throughout the train." I presume that is for their safety. I've also occasionally heard announcements asking parents not to let their children run up and down the aisles, especially during what would typically be "quiet hours."

While I don't have a problem with kids being kids, I would get annoyed if it were midnight and I was trying to sleep in coach and there were kids running around being noisy. Or adults being noisy, for that matter.

I will say the most annoying people I've dealt with on the train have been fellow adults, but then, like the other poster said, it may be because I tend to be more forgiving of a child.

 

[boxcar479]

My wife and I were on a point run from FTW-DAL about three weeks ago. We moved to the SSL as we usually do. After the train had backed out and began to move towards Dallas this woman with the most unruly, loud, obnoxious children came in to the SSL. Her kids were shouting, screaming, yelling, throwing things at each other, jumping from the back of the seats onto the tables, and back from the tables to the back of the seats. The Conductor came through and asked to woman to settle her children down a couple of times. The third time she came through she told the woman to return to her seat and gather her things, because she would be getting off the train in Dallas. This woman let out the most gutter mouth barrage of curse words I have ever heard at one time, all in front of her children. The Conductor acted cool, calm, and collected as she escorted the still cursing woman to her seat. After she left the SSL the train came to a stop for a few minutes, then backed up. I don't know if she put the woman off at a crossing, or waited until we got to Dallas. The Conductor came through and I told her "way to go". She asked me if I would write a statemnt of what I observed which I gladly did, and applauded her actions. I think that woman came on this site shortly after, complaing about how she was treated by Amtrak, and put off the train by Amtrak in Dallas where she knew no one, and had no where to go. The topic was locked before I could point out to her that her actions (or lack of) and wild acting children is what got her thrown off the train. Not Amtrak. Parents need to learn to discipline their children, and teach them how to act. I totally applaud the Conductors actions and I think she did the right thing

 

[lthanlon]

I'm sure I'm not the only one who's heard some folks yearn for the good old days when a little dash of bourbon in the formula bottle made a world of difference while traveling with colicky babies and insolent tots. :giggle:

 

[tonys96]

My experiences on the Eagle depend a lot on who is the coach car attendant. Once I had a lady who was so adamant about not walking barefoot, she was oblivious to running and screaming, as long as thye had shoes on, all was well! :blink:

However, as stated above, usually it is the adult who is with the kids that makes all the difference....have been on the TE when it was a true joy to see the kids walking to and from the cafe car with snacks/drinks and seeing the smiles, saw a guy once who allowed his kids to set up a little "home" in the seat just behind the stairs where there was a bit of extra floor space, they played video games, and actually played that age old game of "make believe" and it got some of us fellow pax involved in their outer space odyssey with them. We all had a BLAST!

Also been on the TE with grumpy, grouchy, bitchy, loud, obnoxious adults who cut the enjoyment factor a lot for the rest of us.

 

[OlympianHiawatha]

On an Empire Builder trip about a year ago, a large family seated at the back of the Coach just ahead of the PDX Sleeper set up a "Tent City" on the last groups of seats where they took blankets and covered the seating area to make a tent/fort. The kids loved it and played quietly and happily all the way to Chicago. Of course when the kids were "on duty" we had to give the right pass word to get back into the Sleeper

 

[Chatter163]

No, at the risk of starting a war, if you can't control your kids (aren't willing to take the responsibility), then don't fly or take the train or go out to restaurants. Just stay home, drive or take them outdoors to a park. Kids can definitely NOT be allowed to roam on airplanes. It's a tight space, they get in everyone's way (especially the flight attendants), and it's seriously dangerous. They can walk around on a train but they need to do so calmly and quietly. And no, they can't even do that in the dining car. My friends and relatives seem to have no problem raising kids so that they're a pleasure to be around. If some can, then all can.

And it has nothing to do with not liking kids. That's a really shallow almost insulting comment. It has to do with not liking parents who don't take responsibility for their kids. Even the worst behaved kids often turn out to be loads of fun if you can get them away from their idiot parents.

Agreed, 100 percent!

This trendy habit of making excuses for lax parents is nauseating. Those old enough to recall life when the family unit was much more intact can recall that as a rule, children were never permitted to run around a train or any conveyance--or any public place, for that matter. In those days, parents would be mortified if their children attempted to do so, and said children would immediately be reeled in. It amazes me when people claim that such expectations are not realistic or that those who object are anti-children. The expectations were firmly in place years ago and it nearly always worked fine!

 

[AlanB]

I think that woman came on this site shortly after, complaing about how she was treated by Amtrak, and put off the train by Amtrak in Dallas where she knew no one, and had no where to go. The topic was locked before I could point out to her that her actions (or lack of) and wild acting children is what got her thrown off the train. Not Amtrak.

Boxcar,

For something like that you can always make a request to my by either email or Private Message and ask that the topic be reopened for your post. If someone has something like that, which is material to say, I'll certainly entertain the request.

 

[me_little_me]

First, I think you have to cut kids a little slack. Kids have a lot of energy and that energy does need to be vented - whether it is a baby crying or pre-teens doing some running around. Given that, it is up to the parents to attempt to take some action - feed, change or just walk and cuddle the crying infant or, for older ones, limit their overactiveness, read to them, quietly play with them or just reprimand them as appropriate. No kid should be jumping around on the seats or tables or touching knobs, doors or other things. The parent could take them off at the smoke stops and have them walk the length of the car and back a few times to work off some energy. The bad parents are the ones that just do nothing.

I never worry about the crying kids when the parent is attempting to do something even if they are not successful. After all, the kid may be sick or just miserably hot or cold. It is the parent that just lets them cry on the train who needs to be removed. Some infants and small children can be inconsolable so you have to cut lots of slack for the parents that try.

Similarly, if a kid is rambunctious, no big deal if the parent steps in (repeatedly if necessary) to stop them. The kid just wants to have fun and it is the parent's job to direct that fun and teach the child to get along in a shared environment. So if the kid screams, jumps off furniture or runs up and down the aisles, not a big deal if the parent stops it as soon as they can and takes responsibility for it.

Nothing more pleasurable than a parent who turns to others and apologizes realizing that their child has done something disturbing and better yet is the parent that asks the older child to apologize for their actions demonstrating to the child that they have a responsibility to others that the parents will enforce.

Father of two and grandfather of one.

 

[henryj]

This is why I ride first class in a private room. But still sometimes the runaway kids get in there too. One time they stopped up all the toilets with soap bars and rolls of toilet paper and whatever else they could find to throw in it. I applaud the conductor that put that lady off in Dallas. They should do it more often. Kids having fun on the train is one thing, out of control kids is something that should be taken care of by the on board staff. I sometimes walk through the train just to have a look and the coach section is usually a mess, particularly on overnight trains.

 

[Lazy Z]

On an Empire Builder trip about a year ago, a large family seated at the back of the Coach just ahead of the PDX Sleeper set up a "Tent City" on the last groups of seats where they took blankets and covered the seating area to make a tent/fort. The kids loved it and played quietly and happily all the way to Chicago. Of course when the kids were "on duty" we had to give the right pass word to get back into the Sleeper

Oh I love kids and understand they need some freedom, but it would worn me out having to ask permission to get past them!!

Thank goodness for the kind and patient people out there, who sometimes help tolerate even our own kids, when we are worn thin in that department!!

 

[Lazy Z]

This is why I ride first class in a private room. But still sometimes the runaway kids get in there too. One time they stopped up all the toilets with soap bars and rolls of toilet paper and whatever else they could find to throw in it. I applaud the conductor that put that lady off in Dallas. They should do it more often. Kids having fun on the train is one thing, out of control kids is something that should be taken care of by the on board staff. I sometimes walk through the train just to have a look and the coach section is usually a mess, particularly on overnight trains.

I think everyone just has different ideas about what is "acceptable". My very best friend has let her kids run amok in many places. I get embarrassed and it makes me uncomfortable. However, she is also kind and patient with other wild children and just accepts it as kid behavior and moves on!

I can't even count how many times I have "entertained" other peoples kids in hotel pools, movie theatres, etc. Mom (or Dad) is relieved that someone else is keeping their kid occupied and just lets them be. It is fun sometimes to visit and ask questions, but I mean I have had kids just follow me around

 

[AmtrakBlue]

I will sometimes try to help a parent who is trying to "control" their child unsuccessfully. Sometimes an evil eye from a stranger has more effect than a parent's. Or I'll make funny faces or play peek-a-boo with a crying child.

 

[mulveyr]

This is why I ride first class in a private room. But still sometimes the runaway kids get in there too. One time they stopped up all the toilets with soap bars and rolls of toilet paper and whatever else they could find to throw in it. I applaud the conductor that put that lady off in Dallas. They should do it more often. Kids having fun on the train is one thing, out of control kids is something that should be taken care of by the on board staff. I sometimes walk through the train just to have a look and the coach section is usually a mess, particularly on overnight trains.

I think everyone just has different ideas about what is "acceptable". My very best friend has let her kids run amok in many places. I get embarrassed and it makes me uncomfortable. However, she is also kind and patient with other wild children and just accepts it as kid behavior and moves on!

I can't even count how many times I have "entertained" other peoples kids in hotel pools, movie theatres, etc. Mom (or Dad) is relieved that someone else is keeping their kid occupied and just lets them be. It is fun sometimes to visit and ask questions, but I mean I have had kids just follow me around

While there are certainly differing ideas about what is acceptable, I think that the majority of people would agree that there are certain minimum standards that need to be met.

Context is important, as well. There's a huge difference between spirited activity during the middle of the day, and after dark. For example, I was riding one of the Empire Service trains during lunchtime back in August when a group of teen girls started singing the "Amster-amster-dam-dam-dam!" song as we passed by Amsterdam in Upstate NY. It was hilarious, and eventually it seemed like the entire car was singing along. If they tried that at 10:00PM, it would have been a different story. ;-)

I have a very reserved 10-year-old, and an impossibly outgoing 8 year-old who would be happy to spend her entire time running up and down the car or crawling along the overhead racks, if I let her. Which I don't. So the 10-year-old gets to go on long train trips, and the 8-year-old goes on trips of much shorter duration when she can contain her energy for at least a while. It's just simple courtesy.