Homework Suggested

Peter Greenberg, who wrote “Nursery at 25,000 Feet” (Jan. 29), needs to do a lot more homework before writing another such article. First, you cannot compare a domestic deregulated airline with a government supported international foreign carrier.

If the mothers would like to have all this help, they and everyone else should be prepared to pay two or three times the cost of their tickets to pay for the personnel that would be involved. Two, the size of the aircraft dictates the space for conveniences such as fold-out changing tables. Contrary to Greenberg’s statement regarding U.S. carriers, Continental for one, has bassinets that can be attached to bulkheads on all its DC-10s.

Third, as for the mother who was given a seat separate from her child, I would suggest she arrive at the airport a little earlier. For the mother seated next to two single parents, be aware that there are only so many oxygen masks per row and it is illegal to have more people in the seats than there are masks.

Airlines charge full fare for unaccompanied minors as they are legally responsible for them. The diligent care taken is considerable. However, you would be surprised at how many of these “concerned” parents are not there when their child arrives. The airlines and flight attendants try their best to accommodate special needs, but the passenger has to meet them halfway.

MAGGIE BAKER

Continental flight attendant

Hermosa Beach