Contest: What YOU Need on the Road, Week 2

On more than one occasion, I have been the victim of sitting next to someone who puts the armrest up because they take up more than their seat, leaving me with just a portion of my seat to sit in. I understand the need to have armrests that are movable but I would like to know that the armrest is going to be down and stay down to enforce the borders between me and my seatmates.  (One man was quite belligerent about leaving the armrest up.) 

No x-rated public displays of affection. On a flight
where every seat was full, I was seated next to a couple on their honeymoon.
They could not wait to get to their hotel room and proceeded to join the
“mile high club” in the seat next to me. The flight attendant made
several not so subtle comments to them, but they were too busy to notice.
Finally, she brought a blanket to throw over them so the rest of the passengers
were spared from viewing but not from the hearing.

We no longer check bags, but we do take a carry on.  Each of us has a carry on that will fit in the overhead (it is smaller than the allowed size).  On full flights, my issue is people who carry on items that are either too large and take up extra space or those individuals that put their personal item and their carry on luggage in the overhead (keeping the area under the seat in front of them clear).  This takes place no matter how many times the flight attendants make an announcement to not do this.  I just wish people would follow the rules and have some conconsideration for others.

When the sign says “only one carry-on allowed”, I am usually behind the passenger who is carrying a sports/duffle bag, a big bag of chicken or subway sandwiches, and a huge camera bag. To me, that is 3 carry-on’s. But they stroll right by the person scanning their boarding pass.

Do not wear heavy perfume and don’t try them all at the Duty Free!

Don’t wear heavy perfume and don’t try them all at the Duty Free!

Please enforce: 2 humongously large people have boarded early leaving you 8 inches of seat space when you arrive. Not thinking I can fly cross country sitting sideways, I ask the crew if another seat is available, and am told no. The seat the crew uses on takeoff looks like 1st class at this point. At least require passengers to start the flight with the armrest down if requested so that another passenger is not sitting on any portion of your seatbelt.

OK – picture this.

I get traveling with kids and their unpredictable behavior, along with different parenting styles – some of which allow more “freedom” than others.

I’m compassionate for those with cadences that are not as snappy as mine.

I’ll be understanding of travelers whose frame extends into “my side”

But, please – oh please – do not travel when you are sick!  Sitting next to someone who is clearly suffering with a bad cold, or other contagious ailment, only starts (or ends) my trip with a bad feeling.  Transmittal to me only lurks around the corner.  I spend the next few days just waiting for it to hit my body and take me down!

No – no flying while sick. Please.

Please be kind, and save me some cabin space too!

Don’t put your “Blazer that you have to wear all week” in the overhead compartment and then beg me not to wrinkle it as I try to stuff my bag in there. It makes me feel guilty and, really, is that fair? I think not.  Why don’t you a) wear said blazer or b) hold it on your lap or c) hang it up in the hanging section.

I had this happen..he was in the middle seat, I was by the window. He also was  knuckle cracker. I told him he needed to stop that NOW. He did. But we were still cramped.

If I bring only a personal item, I should NOT be frowned on for putting it in the overhead, as I have bad knees and need to keep the space in front of me clear to be able to straighten out my legs a little. I ALWAYS check luggage and think it is just as inconsiderate to bring large bags (even if within the size limits set for carryon) and then consider me rude for only putting my little purse or computer bag up top. If you don’t like the baggage fees look into Southwest, but don’t glare at me for putting my one little item up on top when you put your one much bigger item up on top.

Flying with my husband sitting next to me is very relaxing for both of us (after finally getting to our seat).  We usually try to catch up with quiet conversation about things that were overlooked and never discussed due to our hectic lives. Oh wait……the two kids in front of us just started playing games on their hand held devices and now all we hear are the sounds of bells ringing, chimes and beeps and bleeps…..while they are both squirming in their seats and shouting loudly at each other about how many points they just scored.  Oh my, what did our kids do years ago while traveling?  How about reading a good book or maybe catching a snooze. Wow, look at how our lives have changed! 

The worst behavior I have seen is a lady that changed a messy diaper and then called the flight attendant to take it away.  She didn’t even put it in a sack first.  The flight attendant was pretty upset and asked her to put it in the bag for motion sickness before taking it away.  I can’t believe people don’t think of anyone but themselves at times. 

My dream etiquette enforcement would be with security.  Here are my rules:  1 carry on bag MAX (that includes purses, briefcase etc) per person.  Wear “travel clothing” – slip on shoes, no belts, no excessive jewelry – if not separate line for you.  Have TSA members to specifically assist passengers requiring assistance if requested – elderly, familys with children and strollers, for example.  I often see TSA standing around, and these people can always use a spare hand.  By limiting passengers to one bag, we would speed up security, and cut down on the annoying “bag check” at the gate, which I personally cannot stand!  It would also speed up boarding with just one bag per person.

This would be my dream announcement once on board:”  Please pull out the card in the seat pocket in front of you and follow along as we review safety, security and proper etiquette on this Boeing 757″  Why not throw a line or two in about being repectful to other passengers and crew with noises, personal space and requests! Just do it!

I think that overhead bin etiquette is ignored too often.  Seeing a traveler assigned to row 30 pop his huge carry-on into the first available bin at row 10 is unacceptable,  This causes a domino effect that can result in the dreaded ‘gate-check’ for the later boarding passengers.  I understand storage space is tight, and like anyone I would rather use the overhead than rob myself of precious legroom.  It is only reasonable to expect travelers to stow their belongings within close proximity of their actual seats and be conscientious when stowing their belongs.

Blatant douchebaggery directed at young children, or the parents of young children before a cry, kick, shout. yelp, or sound is uttered. If you cannot sit there with a blank look on your face as said family (who is struggling as it is to travel as such) walks by or gets settled- then you deserve to sit in the back next to the flight attendant’s beverage cart. Or the most hung over college student on the plane.

I should note that my anxiety at the prospect of flying overseas with my 3 boys 3 and under is enough to give me a heart attack. I REALLY do not need any assholery added to the mix. I promise my kids aren’t satanic and I’ll do what I can to keep them quiet.

When getting off the plane, we get off row by row starting from the front. Don’t jump up past people in front of you. Be orderly and civilized. Exception is if flight is late and you have a close connection you might miss. But only if you state it aloud.

Every passenger should have a shower before being allowed to board..body odor enamating from your neighbor for a few hours is the worst

Red Eye means sleepy time. Don’t talk loudly, make sure your light is pointed at the neighbor and keep bathroom runs to a minimum. Most people have to function the day after a red eye and one obnoxious seatmate can make or break a trip.

a

Always, Always choose an aisle seat.  Then you can at least lean over.

I can’t tell if you are for or against the kid thing…but take it from an older person who never had kids, never wanted kids, and don’t want to be around kids, nothing in this world is worse than a 5 hour flight with a screaming baby or loud whining child.  I realize there’s not much a parent can do. But that is one time it seems a doctor could give you something to make them sleep.  Probably not.  But that’s the worst thing in the world to me.  Drives me utterly insane.

I wouldn’t be an a$$hole, but I would utterly raise hell to be moved.  Sorry… Of course if they are all quiet that’s a different story.

That is utterly disgusting.  They should have taken it and then tucked it in her purse.

Funny. I feel the same way about people that appear to be perfect. It’s not until you’re stuck next to them that you realize how awful they smell, loud they snore, etc. Just with kids you kind of get a heads up.

My wife and I always try to travel with only a 40L backpack each, which fits in most overhead bins, but not under a seat. We always try to minimize their footprint in the overhead, dovetailing them, putting them on their sides, etc, but always from bottom to the latch side of the bin.   It always urks me when people lay their roller bags in the overhead compartment sideways, taking up about 2 bag’s worth of space – without even trying to see if they can fit them wheels or handle first to make them fit.  Some even get weird if you even touch their bag to correct this bad behavior…

My wife and I always try to travel with only a 40L backpack each, which fits in most overhead bins, but not under a seat. We always try to minimize their footprint in the overhead, dovetailing them, putting them on their sides, etc, but always from bottom to the latch side of the bin.   It always urks me when people lay their roller bags in the overhead compartment sideways, taking up about 2 bag’s worth of space – without even trying to see if they can fit them wheels or handle first to make them fit.  Some even get weird if you even touch their bag to correct this bad behavior…

Finding the toiletnhas been left in dirty disarray ….each user must ltidynup for the next. It’s not as if we had a choice of another facility.

Finding the toiletnhas been left in dirty disarray ….each user must ltidynup for the next. It’s not as if we had a choice of another facility.

My carry-on is my camera bag. On one flight (an older 737 with limited overhead bin storage) I was asked to check my carry-on because the bins were full. On deplaning I noticed people carrying four to five bags each. I pointed this out to the flight attendant who essentially shrugged. It starts and ends with a competent flight crew who will #1 enforce the rules and #2 try and accommodate passengers with valid complaint or concerns (moving people around for reasons of safety or comfort.)

Tony

It is difficult to decide which is more aggravating:   people sleeping on your shoulder, taking up your arm rest and/or punching the back of you airplane seat.l    But all are selfish,   inconsiderate and aggressively rude.
      The airlines are primarily to blame because the seats are too small and pressed too closely together

often, I do not interpret posts on blogs, however this write-up very pressured me to try and do it! Writing manner surprised me. Great post.

Not putting your bag in front of you as you walk down the aisle. Just saw a guy with a Vuiton bag smack a handicapped woman sitting in the aisle right in her injured shoulder. I made a comment words were said and if I wasn’t on a plane I probably would have pulled him back by the ear to apologize. People lose their minds and their manners in an airport and the airlines have created most of that mania

 Sorry fella, but I’ve got a condition that requires me to use the bathroom a lot. Trade me your aisle seat and I won’t bother you.

People are often slow getting their overhead luggage situated, but, usually it’s tolerable. But, I had a first a few weeks ago while boarding. A guy wanted something out of his briefcase with a combination lock during the time of everyone boarding. He completely blocked the isle, holding up the entire process of anyone getting to their seats. He was having trouble getting his lock to open and just continued to work with it. After several minutes, which seemed an eternity, someone behind me yelled at him to sit down! Couldn’t believe he never even considered thinking of other people trying to get to their seats.

Confiscate all cellular phones (yep, iPhones count) at the entry door of all aircraft.  Allow passengers to collect them in the baggage claim area after the flight.

Love at first site on a flight? Well all I can say is – Mile club members…remember – clubhouse is in the restroom NOT under a blanket in the seat next to me!

It’s the food. I don’t mind crying children — heaven knows their parent(s) wish it would stop too — and I travel with a small dog (my tip there? let your seat mates know about your pet as they arrive, so they can relocate if they have allergies; since your pet is fully enclosed in her carrier, carry a picture of her you can show your neighbors, so they can see she’s small and appealing). But strong-smelling food makes me sad, especially when it involves bacon.   How I’d appreciate a rule banning passengers from boarding with big sacks of bacon cheeseburgers and crispy fries.

Love at first site on a flight? Well all I can say is – Mile High club members …remember – clubhouse is in the Restroom – NOT under the blanket in the seat next to me!

I find that elbow room hoggers are my biggest pet peeve on a plane but I don’t think they can enforce it without causing a stir.  The best one to enforce would be the ever present person wearing an overwhelming amount of perfume/cologne.  Since we all sit in such close quarters, I think it’s not only rude but outright uncomfortable to have to sit next to someone whose scent makes you dizzy.  

I so agree.  I’d like to add onions to the list.

No reclining seats — it invades my space

WOW. I am so glad my new company made me get a Twitter account, and that I followed you, and that I saw this tweet! Sitting an eating establishment in a random city I just flew to, I read this and started panting like the dogs in the old “smells like bacon” treat adds to respond! I raced back to my non-descript hotel and here goes! As someone who travels every week, sometimes on 5, 6, 7 planes a week (and more on the weekends), boy do I have a lot to say!!!!!!!

#1. And this is #1 for a reason. I WILL PAY MORE FOR ADULT ONLY FLIGHTS OR AN ADULT ONLY CABIN. I don’t have kids. For a reason. I don’t like them. Especially when they scream, kick my seat, pull my hair from behind, fight, play crazy electronic things as loud as the volume will go, and fart. Snot everywhere, cough, poo, and scream more. Save all your comments moms and dads. You make us all miserable so I DON’T CARE about your “whoa is me” excuses. HEY – kids shouldn’t fly. Is it really that important to take them to Disney when they are 1 and don’t know what the h*ll is going on? What happened to packing up your dumb mini van and going to see Grandma or going to the beach??? SERIOUSLY! I can’t think of anything more torturous than screaming, smelly, out of control children stuck with me in a skinny as h*ll flying aluminum can with no where to escape! I propose a 25% upcharge on children under the age of 15.

#2. I am a goldest goldest of gold member on most airlines. I actually enjoy this. “Do you hate all that travel” you ask? NO! I like it! Because of the perks I get. Like the ability to choose front row seats on planes with no first class. So, when I am standing as close to the podium as I can get after I get there early so I can get on the plane first and get the overhead bin space over my seat (because I can’t put anything under my seat BECAUSE I AM IN THE FIRST ROW), DON’T CROWD IN FRONT OF ME and put your dumb suitcase and suit jacket in my overhead bin and then go back 5 rows!!!!! I may be a small woman, but I am MEAN and I will box you out and “throw my bows” with the best of them to get on the plane first and get my luggage bin space. And if you do happen to succeed and then I have to “swim upstream” to get my luggage down after the flight, don’t get snotty with me! You did this!

#3. If your kids aren’t under the age of BLANK, don’t sneak on the plane anyway to board first and pretend. AND THEN DON’T pretend one of your kids is sick or has an issue, whine to the gate agent, and steal the bulkhead seat that I have flown a million miles to get the right to chose first so I can get good seats, and then your kid really not be sick!!!! Yes, this has happened to me. What I am supposed to say when I get called up to the podium and am asked to change seats? No? I don’t care about your sick kid? I WILL NEXT TIME. 

#4. LEARN THE SECURITY GUIDELINES BEFORE YOU FLY IF YOU ARE A FIRST TIME FLYER. Quoting Seth Meyer… “Really?” Perhaps there should be a “first time flyer” lane, or an “I lose all common sense when I am at an airport” lane.

#5. Dear Seatmate… If I am avoiding making eye contact with you like the plague, DON’T TALK TO ME. Especially about your book “The Theory of Numbers”. Again quoting Seth Meyer… “Really?” This really did happen on my flight today. 

#6.  If you had to gate check your luggage and pick it up planeside at your destination, DON’T STAND IN THE MIDDLE OF THE JETBRIDGET LOOKING FOR YOUR BAG.  You are clogging the lane for people exit the plane and go down and get there bags.  And PS, they have to come back up once they get their bag.  Funny how that works.  SO STAY ON THE SIDE until you see your bag!  Trust me.  You can see your bright pink suitcase from back there.

#7.  HEY HELLEN KELLER!  I don’t want to HEAR NOR WATCH YOU MOVIE!  TURN IT DOWN and TURN YOUR GIANT, BRIGHT, BLINDING screen away from me!

#8.  Piggy backing off of an earlier gripe, DON’T PUT YOUR SUIT JACKET IN THE OVERHEAD BIN.  Are you serious you nimwit?!?!?!  It’s not freaking made of gold!  Wear it!  Put it in your suitcase!  Under your seat!  A BIG FAT GIANT SETH MEYER QUOTE…  “REALLY?”

#9.  STOP TALKING SO LOUD ON YOUR CELL PHONE THAT WE CAN HEAR YOU 10 ROWS AWAY!  No one cares about your deal.  YOU’RE NOT THAT IMPORTANT.

#10.  And finally, please don’t touch me, lean on me, spread your legs open and take up all the leg room, touch me, etc etc.

WOW!  So nice to get that off my chest!  Toodles!   

If you take advantage of pre-boarding because you are going to take longer, you should also wait to deplane until the aisles are clear. Put the items you took out of the overhead compartments back before landing so you can grab and go upon landing rather than re-packing with a line up behind you waiting to get off. Don’t block your seat mates in by leaving your tray table down with food or your laptop and then go to sleep. Your seat mate will feel trapped and unable to get out as needed. Cheers!

Personal hygeine is my biggest pet peeve.  People need to take a bath and use deodorant and
mouthwash.  Seating next to a person that stinks  for 5 hours is pure hell.  If your stuck next to
the window you don’t have a chance.

It’s irritating enough to have to go through the whole process of multiple flights per week but when you have to encounter to occasional traveler who thinks that he or she is “entitled” and has no concern of anyone but them self makes for a challenging  day.

i haven’t flown in about 20 years, so i am really appreciative of the heads up all of you have given me on proper airline etiquette.   most of it just seems to be proper every day good manners.  i just hope i don’t run into the worst of bad manners as i am a very outspoken 5’4″ 66 year old grandmother, who no longer sees the need to be nice to bad mannered people i will never see again.  and i sure hope i won’t have to have babies and children around me.  their poor behavior will bring out the worst in me.