Matt's Rant on Air Travel- as a Frequent Flyer: or, Considerate Air Travel for Morons

[MattB]

Just got back from the People's Socialist Republik of Kalifornia yesterday.
Every time I fly, I lose more and more faith in my fellow man, even more so than what I experience on the job. Here are several simple truths that should be well known, but aren't for some reason:

1. You're not the center of the universe. Other people matter.
2. You’re supposed to be a grown adult. Don’t cut in line, and don’t try to board first with your two fifteen -year-old “tots.” Have some integrity.
3. (And this is a biggie) Find your seat, stow your crap, and park your rump, and do it quick. You’re not picking out furniture. Taking your sweet time while 100 other passengers wait is unconscionably inconsiderate.
4. When the flight attendants tell you to get off your phone, get off the dang phone. You’re holding up the flight for 100+ other people.
5. CONTROL YOUR CHILDREN!!!!!
6. Don’t grab the seat back of your neighbor in front to support all of your body weight as you maneuver into your seat, sling-shotting them forward when you let go.
7. Many passengers try to sleep on flights. Stop the loud talking, belly laughing, and horsing around.
8. The restrooms have locks on the doors. Use them. I’ve had enough traumas for a lifetime.
9. When the doors are opened at the end of the flight, grab your crap and get your rump off the plane. 100 + passengers are waiting for you.
10. I’m sure I’ve forgotten something. It’s very simple. Have some consideration for others around you, and behind you.

[skyrick]

Every time I fly, I lose more and more faith in my fellow man, even more so than what I experience on the job. Here are several simple truths that should be well known, but aren't for some reason:

1. You're not the center of the universe. Other people matter.
2. You’re supposed to be a grown adult. Don’t cut in line, and don’t try to board first with your two fifteen -year-old “tots.” Have some integrity.
3. (And this is a biggie) Find your seat, stow your crap, and park your rump, and do it quick. You’re not picking out furniture. Taking your sweet time while 100 other passengers wait is unconscionably inconsiderate.
4. When the flight attendants tell you to get off your phone, get off the dang phone. You’re holding up the flight for 100+ other people.
5. CONTROL YOUR CHILDREN!!!!!
6. Don’t grab the seat back of your neighbor in front to support all of your body weight as you maneuver into your seat, sling-shotting them forward when you let go.
7. Many passengers try to sleep on flights. Stop the loud talking, belly laughing, and horsing around.
8. The restrooms have locks on the doors. Use them. I’ve had enough traumas for a lifetime.
9. When the doors are opened at the end of the flight, grab your crap and get your rump off the plane. 100 + passengers are waiting for you.
10. I’m sure I’ve forgotten something. It’s very simple. Have some consideration for others around you, and behind you.

I would add to that:

11. Don't throw both your oversized, so-called "carry-on" and your laptop, backpack or other item in the overhead storage bin. The smaller item is supposed to go under the seat.
12. Before you get in the security line know which items need to be put in the bins; we shouldn't have to wait for you to open your suitcase, open your toiletry bag, pull out your aerosols and liquids only to realize you don't have them in a plastic bag.

[Kerry]

Can I also add one:

13. Sit in the seat number that is on your boarding ticket. Just because you don't like the middle seat doesn't mean you get to self-upgrade.

[skyrick]

Can I also add one:

13. Sit in the seat number that is on your boarding ticket. Just because you don't like the middle seat doesn't mean you get to self-upgrade.

WOW! That would really take balls! I've never seen that happen.

[PennyQuilts]

Until about 50 years ago, eating out, flying in a plane and going to a movie with kids was an "event." You dressed up, put on your best manners and you knew your parents would wail on you if you disturbed people around you. Kids didn't act like heathens so the wailing rarely happened but if it did, people around would nod approvingly. Parents would have dropped through the floor in shame if their kids acted like savages in public.

Life changed and a generation of lazy, exhausted (think two income/single parent), guilt-ridden, negligent parents gave birth to a wave of boorish narcissists. The narcissists have come of age and pretty much ruined public life for everyone else. Unfortunately, they have continued to breed and have given birth to children who are savages in every sense of the word. They make their narcissistic parents seem merely uncivilized.

[Richard at Remax]

The airlines screwed themselves (minus southwest) when they started charging for bags. the carry on bags seem to be getting bigger and bigger. which leads to almost every flight being delayed cause they have to check thier back on the jetway.

As for people talking, I had a guy behind me talk for 45 minutes straight on my way to houston last week on a dark thirty AM flight. People gave him the worst looks and he didnt even realize it. Off in lala land.

The overall lack of common courtesy is amazing.

[MattB]

Looks like we're all on the same page here... so where the hell do these people come from?

[Kerry]

Looks like we're all on the same page here... so where the hell do these people come from?

Southern California and the San Francisco Bay Area. They are the most important people in the world. If you don't believe me just ask them.

[MattB]

Southern California and the San Francisco Bay Area. They are the most important people in the world. If you don't believe me just ask them.

I travel all over the country, though, and encounter them everywhere. It's like loading sheep onto a trailer. I've always said a couple of USMC drill instructors could have that plane loaded, with everyone seated, in two minutes.

[Kerry]

I travel all over the country, though, and encounter them everywhere. It's like loading sheep onto a trailer. I've always said a couple of USMC drill instructors could have that plane loaded, with everyone seated, in two minutes.

LOL - I still remember the day I went from reception to basic training via the cattle car. Not only could a drill sergeant do it in 2 minutes, but they can could teach you how to pack properly so everything you need fits in a single carry bag that fits under your seat.

[soonerliberal]

1 more for Oklahoma: If you are over 250 pounds, don't sit in a middle seat. It makes a 2 1/2 hour flight a living hell for your neighbors.

[Kerry]

1 more for Oklahoma: If you are over 250 pounds, don't sit in a middle seat. It makes a 2 1/2 hour flight a living hell for your neighbors.

That just isn't Oklahoma. Some airlines are making over-weight people buy two tickets.

[MattB]

1 more for Oklahoma: If you are over 250 pounds, don't sit in a middle seat. It makes a 2 1/2 hour flight a living hell for your neighbors.

Or the window seat or you (The 250lber) will also be miserable... kind of sucks if you're not 11 years old, for whom the seats were designed.

[redrunner]

Another for Oklahoma:
14: Even though this is probably your first time on a plane, this is not pep rally. Just because you're departing or landing in OKC does not mean you can start yelling "Boomer!, Sooner!"
15: One carry-on and one personal item means one carry-one and one personal item. Don't look surprised when the flight attendant calls you out when you're holding a medium carry-on suitcase, laptop messenger bag and your purse and you have no place to stow them.

[Kerry]

I have landed in New York City only to hear all the New Yorkers on the plane start clapping and cheering.

[PennyQuilts]

I have landed in New York City only to hear all the New Yorkers on the plane start clapping and cheering.

I should think the clapping and cheering would take place at take off! <vbg>

[Jersey Boss]

Airlines should consider childless flight options and charging for carry ons in bins or eliminating them.

[PennyQuilts]

Airlines should consider childless flight options and charging for carry ons in bins or eliminating them.

Or just put the kids up there. <vbg>

[MattB]

I disagree there. Why shoudln't one be able to carry on? I often fly to stay overnight. Its ridiculous for me to have to stand in an extra line and pay to check my bag when all I'm carrying is a back pack.

[PennyQuilts]

I disagree there. Why shoudln't one be able to carry on? I often fly to stay overnight. Its ridiculous for me to have to stand in an extra line and pay to check my bag when all I'm carrying is a back pack.

The problem is that even if you have a backpack, many other people haul in a steamer trunk on wheels and insist it is the size of a coffee cup.

[MattB]

The problem is that even if you have a backpack, many other people haul in a steamer trunk on wheels and insist it is the size of a coffee cup.

Got ya, but I carry a bag that is within regulations.

[Stew]

Flying sucks. It's just the way it is. It has nothing to do with the passengers or consideration. Trust me you're the target of just as many as you targeted.

Don't hate the playa hate the game.

[MattB]

Flying sucks. It's just the way it is. It has nothing to do with the passengers or consideration. Trust me you're the target of just as many as you targeted.

Don't hate the playa hate the game.

You're wrong. There's a way to show consideration for others in whatever you do.

[PennyQuilts]

Flying sucks. It's just the way it is. It has nothing to do with the passengers or consideration. Trust me you're the target of just as many as you targeted.

Don't hate the playa hate the game.

Oh no. I can't believe that. Years ago, it was fun. Now, it is like being trapped in a toaster oven with a four year old whose mother is slamming the door shut to catch a break.

[skyrick]

Flying sucks. It's just the way it is. It has nothing to do with the passengers or consideration. Trust me you're the target of just as many as you targeted.

Don't hate the playa hate the game.

I agree. Too bad Amtrak doesn't cover more areas. No taking your shoes and belt off; no getting to the terminal 2 hrs before departure; incredibly more leg, shoulder and headroom than any airline's 1st class section! Walking from car to car without seatbelt warnings.