Hey Amy!

I have the traveling blues.  I live in the west and my entire family is in the east so I spend a great deal of time in the air.  Most of the time I spend it observing the poor behavior of others.  I sometimes sit on my flight daydreaming about the book I would write about traveling etiquette.  Too many of my fellow men and women live in their own world without any regard to those around them.  I see this most when I am traveling.  This past weekend I was flying west to east and back again and could not believe some of the things I experienced and viewed.  I feel I must discuss them here. In no particular order, here are the fouls committed, some by the same person.

1. On the flight out, I was luckily seated in a row with an empty seat between me and the row-mate.  I was at the window, she at the aisle.  Before we had a chance to take off, she placed her magazines promptly in the center of the empty seat.  I was surprised as I have always thought that space was a lucky bonus and should be shared with the passenger on the other side.  Not wanting to appear rude, I ignored her territorial actions and started watching some TV.  Before I knew it, she had raised the arm between her seat and the empty one and decided to lay down over both seats with her booty squarely placed at my end, almost eye level by the time she tucked her feet under her hips.  Well then.  Thank you.  Thank you for being incredibly rude and for showing no class in the air.  You my dear, a woman who is old enough to be my mother, are no example to young women.  When flying, if you are feeling ill or are very tired, ask your neighbor if they mind if you lay down.  Most compassionate people will appreciate you asking and not mind if you do.  If you want to use the empty seat, say hello to your neighbor and ask if they would like to share the extra space.  Considerate people always ask.
2. The same woman I spoke of above also decided that she had to be the first person to leave the plane.  Now I want to be very clear that we were flying in coach class.  Not first class.  You know, the people who get to leave the plane first because of their position inside the plane?  My ‘friend’ gathered everything of hers while we were skipping down the runway.  As soon as the plane was on the ground, she literally sprinted to the front of the plane while we were still pulling into the gate.  Yes, she was first out the door but not without literally ploughing over the people in the seats in front of us and everyone in first class.  Unreal.  Please take your time and be considerate of those around you.  You are not the only person on the plane.  If you must insist on everything your own way, purchase a private plane on which to travel and you can be the center of attention.
3. My return flight was no less packed with bad, inconsiderate behavior.  I unfortunately had to change my flight at the last minute and wound up sitting in the center seat.  Knowing this was going to be a challenge, I was also stuck in the row that does not recline.  I boarded the jet with a good attitude about these two unfortunate circumstances.  As soon as I sat, I could tell the lady to my left was going to be a delight.  She excused herself to the ladies room and said “I promise I only get up once.”  I responded with “Please, get up as often as you need to!”  The female on the aisle, to my right, was the complete opposite.  She plopped down in the seat with such force, she shook the entire row.  Once she finished fidgeting with her bag that was clearly too large to be placed under the seat in front of her, she decided to elbow me no less than 4 times while she struggled to get her seat belt on.  Again, trying to be positive, I mentally noted that perhaps she was not well traveled and once she got settled, perhaps the trip would be great.  Wrong.  She whipped out a sandwich laden with onions.  The entire cabin stunk of onions.  The flight attendants commented.  Those around us commented.  Those who passed our row on the way to the restrooms commented.  Once she completed her meal, she decided to remove her shoes and prop her feet on the arm rest backs of the seats in front of ours.  Nasty, smelly feet almost at eye level.  When I tried to put my tray table down, her feet were in the way.  I couldn’t ask her to move them because she had decided to fall asleep with her nasty foul onion breath blowing into my face because her head was facing my way.  Now remember, I could not move my positioning because my seat did not recline.  Grrrrr.

I cannot believe the abominable behavior I experienced on this trip.  I could share stories for months here the amount of things I have witnessed.  People, please be kind and considerate to one another.  Think about your words or actions before they are presented.  Teach good behavior.  Be an example.

xo–me

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