Forget snakes: What about diapers on planes?

Several people took issue with my proposed rule of “No diaper changing on the seat cushions or the tray tables.”

Carol W. of Richmond, Va, wrote:

“ ... I do wonder exactly where a parent should change a child. I was a flight attendant for 25 years and during that time was aghast at seeing a mother or father change their child in a seat. (Never saw anyone use a tray table — ugh) When I retired I took my son on his first plane ride when he was two months [old]. Fortunately no diaper change was necessary, but had it been, I honestly don't know where we would have gone. Airplane lavatories don't have any surface large enough to change a baby, and can you imagine putting a baby on the floor? The only place I can see using is the seat. I always carried a plastic mat in my diaper bag which I would have covered the seat with, but fortunately I never had to go that route.”

Plastic mat or not, I wouldn’t want to be seated on an airplane next to someone while they change their baby’s diaper. But Carol W. raises a good point. Parents: how DO you change a baby’s diaper on an airplane without grossing out your seatmates?

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Diapers aside, I’m just about ready to issue my “clip-and-save” version of the Air Passengers’ Code of Cordiality. But while many readers wrote to say “Where do I sign?” others aren’t so sure: “The big question is: If the code does come into existence, who will [be asked to] enforce it? That's an awfully big burden to impose on cabin crew.”

Another reader was adamant: “ ... You will NEVER get a code of conduct enacted or enforced.  As soon as you try, you will wind up in court. You cannot legislate morality or manners.”

Nope, we can’t. But we can give the Air Passengers’ Code of Cordiality a try. For starters: How did you enjoy your last flight?

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