I never took my children on the airplane, not even once. Because I know I couldn't get it under control if they were distressed. I don't want anyone to suffer from us. My children are 11, 8 and 5 now and they've never been put on a jam packed flight. Only once I took my 6 year old on a two hour flight.
I don't like taking flights myself for the unforeseen circumstances, delays, cancels, layovers. We drive everywhere.
This family shouldn't fly frequently if they feel the same as I do. The man also.
If you can't feel prepared for the hazards and hassles, don't do it.