Just before the start of the summer travel season, the Travel Industry Association of America forecast that 40 percent of travelers expected to take kids or grandkids along on their longest trip. Ouch.

I would just like to say — and I don’t think I speak for myself alone ­— that I feel your pain and frustration that even though you or your company has shelled out for a business or first-class ticket, you are still subject to kid noise.

Indeed, even though I myself am a mother of cute little children, I do not find the "ban them from business class" campaign offensive. That’s because I know as well as anyone that my kids are capable of incredibly loud and obnoxious sounds. I wouldn’t want to sit next to me either.

Plus, I remember very well how I felt about kids on board before I had kids. I wanted them banned!

That said, an even better idea might be to launch an in-flight nursery. Airlines could corral off a small section of the plane and create a play area, access to which would be available to anyone — for a small fee, say $15?

Suzanne Reisman, a business traveler with a blog, writes about her pleasant discovery of the kids section at American Airlines’ Admirals Club at Los Angeles International Airport, complete with Nickelodeon, animal crackers and kid-sized furniture. Of course, that environment offers something an airline cabin can’t: some freedom to do a little running around.

Until then, the next time you come across a parent who seems clueless to in-flight etiquette for their kids, you might just hand them a tip list for how to fly with a kid. It includes basic info like "pack lots of snacks." You might add, "Tune the seatback TV to Animal Planet," and "Consider medicating."

Just know that there are some kids who are completely immune to the soothing effects of Tylenol with Codeine (one of mine), or any other of the "little helpers" we mothers sometimes rely upon. It also might help to remember that the ranting behavior of that child is probably more painful to the parent that it is to you.

Write to: Barbara Correa at bboydstoncorrea@yahoo.com