Here is a a suggestion to lessen the amount of crying and wailing from kids during takeoff and landing. Most young 'uns cry 'cos they can't take the air pressure at these times. Could cabin crew possibly offer a free sweet or a small drink to these kids since sucking helps relieve the pressure? Or perhaps at the very beginning, before the plane taxies, you could offer the parents of these young kids some earplugs at a low price.

I have been taking my son everywhere since he was a year old and these "tricks" have helped keep him quiet - we travel several times a year so I was really reading up on all kinds of tips that would ease a child's travel. Now, at 13 years-old, with sinus problems, he just relies on silicon earplugs to help him easily get through landing and takeoff. They really work.