Most irritating person near you on a flight.
Oct 2nd, 2004, 02:53 PM
#261
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Joelle,
I find that story incredibly difficult to believe. The open bar is iffy itself but there is no way flight attendants allowed passengers ride up and down in the meal elevators. Sounds like a story with some truth to start got embellished along the way.
I find that story incredibly difficult to believe. The open bar is iffy itself but there is no way flight attendants allowed passengers ride up and down in the meal elevators. Sounds like a story with some truth to start got embellished along the way.
Oct 2nd, 2004, 03:59 PM
#264
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I've had too many bad airline experiences to mention, but two notable ones are:
1. On a trip across the US, right after takeoff, a man stood up, exasperated and said, "Whoever is farting, will you PLEASE stop!" Those not in hearing distance were certain he mentioned something about a hijacking. . .
2. On a trans-Atlantic flight, I sat across the aisle from a man who drooled over a Hustler half the trip. Nice.
1. On a trip across the US, right after takeoff, a man stood up, exasperated and said, "Whoever is farting, will you PLEASE stop!" Those not in hearing distance were certain he mentioned something about a hijacking. . .
2. On a trans-Atlantic flight, I sat across the aisle from a man who drooled over a Hustler half the trip. Nice.
Oct 2nd, 2004, 04:02 PM
#265
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Dear Traveler,
This happened about 5-6 years ago - my sister lives in Burbank and I live in Iowa and no, I'm not going to call her and ask her what airline. You might report the attendants and get them in trouble.
It's okay that you don't believe me. Really. It was probably the highlight of my sister's vacation. She doesn't need some stranger on the internet to believe her
Joelle
This happened about 5-6 years ago - my sister lives in Burbank and I live in Iowa and no, I'm not going to call her and ask her what airline. You might report the attendants and get them in trouble.
It's okay that you don't believe me. Really. It was probably the highlight of my sister's vacation. She doesn't need some stranger on the internet to believe her
Joelle
Oct 4th, 2004, 09:50 PM
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In Joelles defense, I did fly on United once where the pilot bought the entire plane a round of drinks.
Anyway.....I just remembered another United flight to Korea via Japan in my 20s, where I was flirting with 2 of the male flight attendants. This man in back of me kept farting (tear gas!!) and I was hoping to God the flight attendants didnt think it was me. I bet they did!! Grr.
Anyway.....I just remembered another United flight to Korea via Japan in my 20s, where I was flirting with 2 of the male flight attendants. This man in back of me kept farting (tear gas!!) and I was hoping to God the flight attendants didnt think it was me. I bet they did!! Grr.
Oct 4th, 2004, 11:58 PM
#267
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On a long, long flight from London to Singapore sat next an Arabic gentleman with the extended, dirty fingernail on his little finger. Picked his nose practically all the way. The attendant had noticed but whispered to me the plane was full and there was nowhere else to go, except bailing. However, she charitably kept me suppled with champagne to help distract me.
Oct 5th, 2004, 08:13 AM
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this is a great thread - laughing loudly here.
the most irritating person near me on a flight was the guy who, as i got on the plane with my 9 month old daughter (NY-LA, first class as I was travelling for work), said to the flight attendant 'they let BABIES in first class?!!!?'
yes, a**hole, just like any other passenger, they do if you've bought them a ticket.
the nice thing was that she proceeded to behave like an angel to the extent that the other passengers complimented me on what a good baby she was.
i can guarantee you that as uncomfortable as it may be sitting near young children, it's 100 times worse for their parents as they walk on the plane and see faces fall, not to mention the misery of long flights spent desperately entertaining little ones - much more difficult now that most american airlines won't let you walk them beyond the immediate cabin 'for security reasons'.
my daughter is now 3, she has a 16 month old brother, and we fly very frequently with them as i travel for business, generally for long enough stretches that i cannot leave them behind. we fly often between LA and London, in first if the company is paying, coach if we are, and it never ceases to amaze me that people are rude enough to vocalize their feelings about sitting near a child. it's hard enough travelling with kids as it is, and i wouldn't (even if i could get away with it!) complain for all to hear about somebody's weight or BO as they got on the plane, so why are kids fair game?.
and don't get me started on the looks i used to get from people when i dared to nurse the kids on a plane. let me tell you, they're much better flying companions when well fed.
the most irritating person near me on a flight was the guy who, as i got on the plane with my 9 month old daughter (NY-LA, first class as I was travelling for work), said to the flight attendant 'they let BABIES in first class?!!!?'
yes, a**hole, just like any other passenger, they do if you've bought them a ticket.
the nice thing was that she proceeded to behave like an angel to the extent that the other passengers complimented me on what a good baby she was.
i can guarantee you that as uncomfortable as it may be sitting near young children, it's 100 times worse for their parents as they walk on the plane and see faces fall, not to mention the misery of long flights spent desperately entertaining little ones - much more difficult now that most american airlines won't let you walk them beyond the immediate cabin 'for security reasons'.
my daughter is now 3, she has a 16 month old brother, and we fly very frequently with them as i travel for business, generally for long enough stretches that i cannot leave them behind. we fly often between LA and London, in first if the company is paying, coach if we are, and it never ceases to amaze me that people are rude enough to vocalize their feelings about sitting near a child. it's hard enough travelling with kids as it is, and i wouldn't (even if i could get away with it!) complain for all to hear about somebody's weight or BO as they got on the plane, so why are kids fair game?.
and don't get me started on the looks i used to get from people when i dared to nurse the kids on a plane. let me tell you, they're much better flying companions when well fed.
Dec 12th, 2004, 07:19 PM
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On a flight back from Cancun my daughter and I had a young man next to us that had too much to drink before we got on the plane. The whole trip back he tried (drunkenly) to flirt with my daughter. Eventually he go so sick I had to hand him a plastic shopping bag to keep him from throwing up on us. I was so releived when we landed.
Dec 14th, 2004, 02:11 AM
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The old couple on an Aer Lingus flight a couple of weeks ago who started SINGING, and waited to give us their concert until after the food service and movie when all of the lights went out. They're lucky I didn't punch them.
Dec 14th, 2004, 02:14 AM
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Someone may post about my mother-in-law. On her one trip to the US, she kept grabbing the seat in front of her to haul herself up every 5 minutes. My husband and I kept telling her she was disturbing the guy sitting in the seat and that we would help her stand up, but a few minutes later, the whole thing would start again. The poor man.
Dec 14th, 2004, 08:43 AM
#274
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How about the young Christian woman who attempted to "convert" me on a five hour flight from LAX to NYC?
Another situation which was sadder rather than irritating was flying from Dallas to Honolulu while sitting next to a little seven year old boy who was alone on the flight. He'd been visiting his father (and father's family) in Texas, and was returning to his mom and home in Hawaii. He told me (with tears in his eyes) that his parents were divorcing, because they didn't love each other any more. He sang as he sat on the plane (he told me his mom told him he has a beautiful voice). And the saddest thing was, they sent him alone on that plane with nothing to do for the next 8 hours. No books, no crayons, no games, no music, no nothing. Nothing to do except be bored beyond belief...and sit next to me. The relatives gave him one stinking bag of cheerios to bring on the plane to eat. He wouldn't eat the airplane food (well, who really wants to anyway?), so he was hungry AND bored. This poor, sad child and I sat and talked for hours. Mind you, I don't have any kids, and this one needed someone, and I chose to be it for the day. So I wasn't irritated with him at all, but I was as angry as hell with the horrible people who left him truly alone on that plane. And they'll never know because there was nothing I could say to anyone that would have made a difference.
Another situation which was sadder rather than irritating was flying from Dallas to Honolulu while sitting next to a little seven year old boy who was alone on the flight. He'd been visiting his father (and father's family) in Texas, and was returning to his mom and home in Hawaii. He told me (with tears in his eyes) that his parents were divorcing, because they didn't love each other any more. He sang as he sat on the plane (he told me his mom told him he has a beautiful voice). And the saddest thing was, they sent him alone on that plane with nothing to do for the next 8 hours. No books, no crayons, no games, no music, no nothing. Nothing to do except be bored beyond belief...and sit next to me. The relatives gave him one stinking bag of cheerios to bring on the plane to eat. He wouldn't eat the airplane food (well, who really wants to anyway?), so he was hungry AND bored. This poor, sad child and I sat and talked for hours. Mind you, I don't have any kids, and this one needed someone, and I chose to be it for the day. So I wasn't irritated with him at all, but I was as angry as hell with the horrible people who left him truly alone on that plane. And they'll never know because there was nothing I could say to anyone that would have made a difference.
Dec 14th, 2004, 09:25 AM
#275
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I read Joelle's story and find it incredibly hard to believe. I worked at airlines for several years while in college. Anyone who has worked at an airline for more then a month, can tell you a drunken passenger story. The widely repeated phrase in the industry is "one on the ground equals two in the air." Because airline cabins are not pressurized to sea level the average person feels one drink one the ground as two drinks in the air.
Perhaps they didn't charge as they normally would for drinks. But, a flight crew would have to be fairly irresponsible and masochistic to let people keep drinking without some way to monitor their consumption.
Perhaps they didn't charge as they normally would for drinks. But, a flight crew would have to be fairly irresponsible and masochistic to let people keep drinking without some way to monitor their consumption.
Dec 14th, 2004, 09:43 AM
#276
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The person who tips his/her chair all the way back despite what it does to the passenger behind him. I am a little claustrophobic and that self-centered action always kills me.
I can not afford to fly first class but I always can afford to be civilized and think of my neighbors.
The airlines, of course, are at basic fault for their sardine can construction architecture. I propose three things:
1.seats only be allowed to go back half way.
2.kitchens be removed, food is worthless anyway.
3. 15 or 20 morgue-like slabs be put in the kitchen's space. For a $50 premium "Lean-back Leo" could purchase a slab for his flight.
I am more than a little serious about this proposal.
I can not afford to fly first class but I always can afford to be civilized and think of my neighbors.
The airlines, of course, are at basic fault for their sardine can construction architecture. I propose three things:
1.seats only be allowed to go back half way.
2.kitchens be removed, food is worthless anyway.
3. 15 or 20 morgue-like slabs be put in the kitchen's space. For a $50 premium "Lean-back Leo" could purchase a slab for his flight.
I am more than a little serious about this proposal.
Dec 14th, 2004, 10:27 AM
#277
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OK, I have a positive side of the 'kids' stories...
My first trip overseas was nonstop BA from Miami to London for my first vacation. I was in a 3 seat block next to a young woman and her 7 year old child. He was a delight. He never screamed or kicked the chair ahead of him. He had some books and toys to amuse him, and then slept the majority of the flight, curled up against mom's lap (she had the aisle seat). They were traveling back to South Africa after visiting relatives in Jamaica. She reminded me (in looks) of Sandra Bullock.
Now... on to more controversial stuff!
My husband and I are the fatties you all hate.
He is 6'4", 350 lbs. Ex-football player who couldn't continue to work out 3 times a day due to both knees being replaced in college after blowing them out in a game. However, most of his weight is still in his upper body, making it very uncomfortable around the shoulders. Even when he was in perfect shape (275 lbs and 6% body fat) he would never have fit into those airline seats, and yes, he's a gorilla.
I'm overweight too, but I carry it fairly trimly. I am 250 lbs (5'8"
and am a size 18-20 -- I can fit in the seat with the armrest down, although it is very uncomfortable. I ALWAYS put down the armrest if there is someone next to me, as I know how awful it is to be infringed upon.
Since we cannot afford the $3000 seats in first class, our normal mode is this: If we can find a flight with a 2 block seat, we book that together, bothering noone. If there are only 3 or more blocks, we book the aisle and window seat, knowing the center seat is the last one sold (also usually get back of the plane for same reason). If the flight is full and someone is there, I offer them my window seat so they have some more room, and cozy up to the hubbie. He needs the aisle as he MUST stretch his leg into the aisle or cramp up. He moves it when the carts come by, but if he doesn't, it annoys the person in front of him all trip.
His knees always hit the seat in front, even if it is fully upright. Mine do a lot of the time as well. Neither of us can get our table trays all the way down all the time, thus have no surface to eat on.
We do try to be polite and considerate to our fellow travelers, and hope this makes a difference.
While we are losing weight, it is a long process. Metabolisms that have been slow for so long take a long time to gear up, and weight loss is NOT instantaneous "Oh, I'm going to stop eating wrong now... POOF! I'm skinny and can stop bothering everyone else!"
The average coach plane seat is designed for someone who is 5'4" and 120 lbs. 70% of Americans are overweight. I think something like 30% are obese.
I agree that the airlines are casting a blind eye to this problem, and I, personally, wouldn't mind paying a PROPORTIONALLY larger amount for larger seats. By proportionally I mean, not an increase of 350% (the difference between a coach Miami-London seat $800 to the first class $3000). If I could get a 20% larger seat for 20% more cost, I WOULD!!!!
I would even opt for the morgue like flats the previous poster suggested
IMHO, the truly irritating traveler is the one who has no consideration, no matter what their thing is. Whether that consideration involves keeping their kids well-behaved, their body odor manageable, their drunkenness under control, or their bodily fluids from slopping (!), it comes down to basic consideration.
On irritations: Yes, I ask people to stop if it is something they can help (the crying baby is hard to help). If that doesn't work, I ask a second time, more firmly. Then I resort to the flight attendant. Usually I don't have trouble after that. (of course, I'm pretty tolerant of most things but kicking in the seat!)
Great thread, learned a LOT!
My first trip overseas was nonstop BA from Miami to London for my first vacation. I was in a 3 seat block next to a young woman and her 7 year old child. He was a delight. He never screamed or kicked the chair ahead of him. He had some books and toys to amuse him, and then slept the majority of the flight, curled up against mom's lap (she had the aisle seat). They were traveling back to South Africa after visiting relatives in Jamaica. She reminded me (in looks) of Sandra Bullock.
Now... on to more controversial stuff!
My husband and I are the fatties you all hate.
He is 6'4", 350 lbs. Ex-football player who couldn't continue to work out 3 times a day due to both knees being replaced in college after blowing them out in a game. However, most of his weight is still in his upper body, making it very uncomfortable around the shoulders. Even when he was in perfect shape (275 lbs and 6% body fat) he would never have fit into those airline seats, and yes, he's a gorilla.
I'm overweight too, but I carry it fairly trimly. I am 250 lbs (5'8"
and am a size 18-20 -- I can fit in the seat with the armrest down, although it is very uncomfortable. I ALWAYS put down the armrest if there is someone next to me, as I know how awful it is to be infringed upon.Since we cannot afford the $3000 seats in first class, our normal mode is this: If we can find a flight with a 2 block seat, we book that together, bothering noone. If there are only 3 or more blocks, we book the aisle and window seat, knowing the center seat is the last one sold (also usually get back of the plane for same reason). If the flight is full and someone is there, I offer them my window seat so they have some more room, and cozy up to the hubbie. He needs the aisle as he MUST stretch his leg into the aisle or cramp up. He moves it when the carts come by, but if he doesn't, it annoys the person in front of him all trip.
His knees always hit the seat in front, even if it is fully upright. Mine do a lot of the time as well. Neither of us can get our table trays all the way down all the time, thus have no surface to eat on.
We do try to be polite and considerate to our fellow travelers, and hope this makes a difference.
While we are losing weight, it is a long process. Metabolisms that have been slow for so long take a long time to gear up, and weight loss is NOT instantaneous "Oh, I'm going to stop eating wrong now... POOF! I'm skinny and can stop bothering everyone else!"
The average coach plane seat is designed for someone who is 5'4" and 120 lbs. 70% of Americans are overweight. I think something like 30% are obese.
I agree that the airlines are casting a blind eye to this problem, and I, personally, wouldn't mind paying a PROPORTIONALLY larger amount for larger seats. By proportionally I mean, not an increase of 350% (the difference between a coach Miami-London seat $800 to the first class $3000). If I could get a 20% larger seat for 20% more cost, I WOULD!!!!
I would even opt for the morgue like flats the previous poster suggested
IMHO, the truly irritating traveler is the one who has no consideration, no matter what their thing is. Whether that consideration involves keeping their kids well-behaved, their body odor manageable, their drunkenness under control, or their bodily fluids from slopping (!), it comes down to basic consideration.
On irritations: Yes, I ask people to stop if it is something they can help (the crying baby is hard to help). If that doesn't work, I ask a second time, more firmly. Then I resort to the flight attendant. Usually I don't have trouble after that. (of course, I'm pretty tolerant of most things but kicking in the seat!)
Great thread, learned a LOT!
Dec 14th, 2004, 10:48 AM
#278
http://www.nytimes.com/2004/12/14/op...2dEd%2fLetters
Rudeness in thwe sky: Let's not go there. The title of a letter in the NY Times today.
Rudeness in thwe sky: Let's not go there. The title of a letter in the NY Times today.
Dec 14th, 2004, 01:38 PM
#279
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I am a million mile flyer, and I have seen and experienced all of the above horror situations in air travel. None of these problems are our fault, as passengers. The blame rests directly on the airline industry. The airline leadership and attendants have abdicated their responsibility entirely.
When was the last time that you really felt a flight attendant cared about your comfort? Certainly there are a few, but most of the time the service is rated D-. They say, “The primary duty of the attendant is your safety,” which it is. But their other key duty is our comfort—beverages, food, pillows, earphones, seating alternatives, and making sure the flight goes well for passengers.
Instead, what do we get? On takeoff, the seat belt light stays on for 30 minutes, so you can’t retrieve your briefcase if you are in a bulkhead seat. Flight attendants leave food trays or boxes in front of us for another hour, when most have finished their meals and want to have the trays removed so there is space to get your laptop out or get some work done. And then, on the long flights, especially international ones, after food and beverage are picked up, the flight attendants disappear to their “party” area, either in the back of the plane or between business class and coach, and they laugh, tell jokes, and otherwise have fun with each other, instead of doing their job—serving passengers, and assuring their comfort and safety.
There is a great book called Moments of Truth by Jean Carlzon. He was the CEO that transformed SAS airlines about 20 years ago. He saw the exact kind of apathy about customer problems that we have all detailed. And he turned SAS around. Today, SAS still gives very attentive customer service that people still rave about. It’s in SAS’s culture. Unfortunately, I don’t see it in any of the US carriers at all.
Wake up airline leadership. Read these stories. Look at how uncomfortable these situations make all of us airline customers. Train your people how to confront parents of out-of-control kids (and that training is not to give the complaining passenger a $25 certificate on your airline!). Make cost-affordable accommodations for overweight passengers. Don’t fill every seat, especially on long (across the ocean) flights. Most of all, hire leaders that really know how to lead an airline to greatness, like Carlzon. Till you do, I am using a lot more web conferencing nowadays, and love not being anxious about what nightmare may occur on my next flight because of your inaction.
When was the last time that you really felt a flight attendant cared about your comfort? Certainly there are a few, but most of the time the service is rated D-. They say, “The primary duty of the attendant is your safety,” which it is. But their other key duty is our comfort—beverages, food, pillows, earphones, seating alternatives, and making sure the flight goes well for passengers.
Instead, what do we get? On takeoff, the seat belt light stays on for 30 minutes, so you can’t retrieve your briefcase if you are in a bulkhead seat. Flight attendants leave food trays or boxes in front of us for another hour, when most have finished their meals and want to have the trays removed so there is space to get your laptop out or get some work done. And then, on the long flights, especially international ones, after food and beverage are picked up, the flight attendants disappear to their “party” area, either in the back of the plane or between business class and coach, and they laugh, tell jokes, and otherwise have fun with each other, instead of doing their job—serving passengers, and assuring their comfort and safety.
There is a great book called Moments of Truth by Jean Carlzon. He was the CEO that transformed SAS airlines about 20 years ago. He saw the exact kind of apathy about customer problems that we have all detailed. And he turned SAS around. Today, SAS still gives very attentive customer service that people still rave about. It’s in SAS’s culture. Unfortunately, I don’t see it in any of the US carriers at all.
Wake up airline leadership. Read these stories. Look at how uncomfortable these situations make all of us airline customers. Train your people how to confront parents of out-of-control kids (and that training is not to give the complaining passenger a $25 certificate on your airline!). Make cost-affordable accommodations for overweight passengers. Don’t fill every seat, especially on long (across the ocean) flights. Most of all, hire leaders that really know how to lead an airline to greatness, like Carlzon. Till you do, I am using a lot more web conferencing nowadays, and love not being anxious about what nightmare may occur on my next flight because of your inaction.
