I travel quite a bit. Even more with my position as the incoming president of ARPA. My recent flurry of flights has inspired me to note some of my least favorite parts of travel. Other people.
My first big gripe involves carry-on luggage. There are many offenses in this category. You have people that bring on 4 items instead of the maximum 2. You have people that bring on enormous bags. You have people that board the plane as early as possible and then put all their crap in the overhead bin so nobody else in the row has any storage space.
Then you have people that travel while ill. I know this is not always preventable. But there are some things that can be done. Teaching children to cover their mouths when coughing or sneezing would be a nice start. Perhaps at some point the teens and adults that don’t could follow their lead then. How about taking some powerful medication and a sleeping pill and not subjecting the rest of us to your phlegmy hacks.
Armrest hogs. If i get scholiosis it will be from leaning away from armrest hogs or obese passengers. Show some courtesy and share. Most people passed kindergarden right?
I dislike the halo of anxious boarders that develops around the gate when they announce first class and mvp passengers may board. These people are the ones that get on, collect all the blankets and pillows, use all the overhead space and then act all put out when you need to get to the seat next to the window and the have to get up.
Recliners. I think seats should be fixed and not recline at all. I was on a long flight once upon a time and someone suddenly reclined during the meal and i had sushi on my lap for the next 8 hours. No, i have not ever wanted it since.
Sobbing children. Isn’t there some sort of prescription you can get? The A-Team somehow always managed to make B.A. sleep through their flights why can’t we give children a shot of something 30 minutes before take-off?
I wish people were a little smarter about travel. Imagine how fast a plane could be loaded if we boarded planes starting with everyone in the window seats, then middle, and finally aisle.
I know - i seem to be more and more intolerant of other people. I’m starting to sound like Ed Anger.
May 1st, 2005 at 2:55 am
OMG, Zieak, you’re starting to sound like me-or did we have this conversation some time ago? I have long thought that passengers should board according to the window, center, aisle rule, so why don’t the airlines change this, perhaps noone has brought it up to them. I think instead of b#@*!ing about it, I will email Alaska airlines and suggest it. Glad to know I’m not the only one frustrated when flying-Em
May 1st, 2005 at 5:28 am
all i have to say is that’s what you get for eating sushi in the first place… may i add: people who pack fish out and it leaks all over your gear.
May 1st, 2005 at 6:49 am
Actually - i mentioned to a flight attendant once that i wish we boarded that way. She said the passengers just were too confused and that people were having a difficult time because they always wanted to board with the people they were flying with - i guess some people can’t handle waiting 5 minutes to be seated next to each other.
May 2nd, 2005 at 1:09 am
that’s lame–and i second that, it IS your fault for eating sushi, no one feels bad for you