Gary M
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- Aug 19, 1999
- Messages
- 4,621
This is an article from today's newspaper that most of us who have flown can relate to.
IndyStar.com Indiana Living
December 18, 2005
People can be just plane rude
By Helen Bryant Anders
Cox News Service
AUSTIN, Texas -- The next one of you to hoist yourself from your airplane seat by grabbing the top of mine is going to find your jaw in the upright and clocked position.
FRIENDLY SKIES: Following a few rules of etiquette can make the time spent in airplanes less of a bumpy ride for all concerned. - 2001 Associated Press file photo
I am not a violent woman, but I am getting weary of being catapulted into the seat in front of me, which is nearly always reclined. Which is another breach of airplane etiquette unless its occupant is sleeping. Which he probably isn't, because an adoring mommy is encouraging her 1-year-old to vocalize loudly.
Riding for hours in a metal tube will never be huge fun, but it can be bearable, if everyone will simply behave. A few rules:
This is not a cocktail party. You and your friends can have drinks, but let's try to keep the hilarity below hyena level.
If the nose of the person in the seat next to you is buried in a book, he or she probably doesn't want to chat. On the other hand, if the person in the seat next to you wants to chat and you don't, there's no need to be rude. Smile, say hello, bring the book a little closer to your nose, and hope for the best.
Be your smallest self. If you're in the center seat, for example, don't bogart the armrests. And at no time should your foot touch mine -- unless we're on those sort of terms.
Your carry-on should be stowed near where you're sitting, not in the front of the plane just because you don't want to have to carry it far.
Be aware that when you recline your seat, you further reduce the already cramped space of the passenger behind you. Unless you're sleeping, give that person a break and bring your seat up.
If you can't get up without grabbing something, use your own seat back; don't turn the seat in front of you into a slingshot.
Don't stink. Seriously. It's not just about wearing deodorant; it's about not slathering on a loud cologne. Carrying food on the plane? That's great, as long as it's not fish, broccoli or something odoriferous.
If you're on Southwest Airlines, which has open seating, don't place your belongings in the center seat of a three-seat row. We'd all love to have an empty seat next to us, but it's not going to happen.
Small children are noisy, and they kick the seat in front of them. That's their job. It's your job, as the parent, to make them stop.
Try not to pummel fellow passengers with your carry-ons as you board. Backpacks are frequent offenders.
Don't try to bolt off the plane the minute it stops. If the plane's late and the flight attendant asks that you let connecting passengers off first, please do. And if you're one of the connecting passengers, don't trample others.
Speaking of flight attendants, be nice to them. A lot of them are making less money than they did last year. Try not to be high-maintenance with a lot of talk that you need more pretzels, why aren't there pillows, etc.
When you put your tray table back up in the seat, remember that the seat holds a human being. Don't slam it.
You know that bit about items in the overhead compartment shifting during flight? They do. I have a huge knot on my head to prove it. Pop those bins open slowly and carefully.
Please cover your mouth if you cough or sneeze.
IndyStar.com Indiana Living
December 18, 2005
People can be just plane rude
By Helen Bryant Anders
Cox News Service
AUSTIN, Texas -- The next one of you to hoist yourself from your airplane seat by grabbing the top of mine is going to find your jaw in the upright and clocked position.
FRIENDLY SKIES: Following a few rules of etiquette can make the time spent in airplanes less of a bumpy ride for all concerned. - 2001 Associated Press file photo
I am not a violent woman, but I am getting weary of being catapulted into the seat in front of me, which is nearly always reclined. Which is another breach of airplane etiquette unless its occupant is sleeping. Which he probably isn't, because an adoring mommy is encouraging her 1-year-old to vocalize loudly.
Riding for hours in a metal tube will never be huge fun, but it can be bearable, if everyone will simply behave. A few rules:
This is not a cocktail party. You and your friends can have drinks, but let's try to keep the hilarity below hyena level.
If the nose of the person in the seat next to you is buried in a book, he or she probably doesn't want to chat. On the other hand, if the person in the seat next to you wants to chat and you don't, there's no need to be rude. Smile, say hello, bring the book a little closer to your nose, and hope for the best.
Be your smallest self. If you're in the center seat, for example, don't bogart the armrests. And at no time should your foot touch mine -- unless we're on those sort of terms.
Your carry-on should be stowed near where you're sitting, not in the front of the plane just because you don't want to have to carry it far.
Be aware that when you recline your seat, you further reduce the already cramped space of the passenger behind you. Unless you're sleeping, give that person a break and bring your seat up.
If you can't get up without grabbing something, use your own seat back; don't turn the seat in front of you into a slingshot.
Don't stink. Seriously. It's not just about wearing deodorant; it's about not slathering on a loud cologne. Carrying food on the plane? That's great, as long as it's not fish, broccoli or something odoriferous.
If you're on Southwest Airlines, which has open seating, don't place your belongings in the center seat of a three-seat row. We'd all love to have an empty seat next to us, but it's not going to happen.
Small children are noisy, and they kick the seat in front of them. That's their job. It's your job, as the parent, to make them stop.
Try not to pummel fellow passengers with your carry-ons as you board. Backpacks are frequent offenders.
Don't try to bolt off the plane the minute it stops. If the plane's late and the flight attendant asks that you let connecting passengers off first, please do. And if you're one of the connecting passengers, don't trample others.
Speaking of flight attendants, be nice to them. A lot of them are making less money than they did last year. Try not to be high-maintenance with a lot of talk that you need more pretzels, why aren't there pillows, etc.
When you put your tray table back up in the seat, remember that the seat holds a human being. Don't slam it.
You know that bit about items in the overhead compartment shifting during flight? They do. I have a huge knot on my head to prove it. Pop those bins open slowly and carefully.
Please cover your mouth if you cough or sneeze.
