Yes I DO get frustrated with Americans banging on about being the "land of the free", but when you go there there are actually far MORE restrictions than many other countries I fly ( I COULD give you a list of these restriction, but really can't get up enthusiasm), I think Pothecahostie has made most points that I would otherwise make, there is a HIGH incidence of marriage breakdown in our job and I like to do everything I can to avoid that, taking my wife on trips keeps her sweet.
I have every sympathy for US pilots NOT being able to do this and have helped out before, when asked if I would go on the jumpseat as the Captains wife was travelling (she could not use the
JS but as qualified crew I could).
The Russian allowing his son to fly was WRONG and I certainly do NOT condone this, but I think this is a seperate issue again - this guy would probably have ignored any rules about not having his son in the FD anyway.