Air travel in recent times has become quite commonplace thanks to the advent of the low cost carriers or the budget carriers. These carriers have made airline travel accessible and affordable to a larger number of people than before. As a result, more people seem to be getting on a plane nowadays.
I still remember the times when my grandmother used to talk about how incredibly special air travel was in the 1950’s when it was the domain of the privileged few. During those times, people used to dress up elaborately for their journeys and formal attire aboard for a journey by air was the accepted norm. However, over the years as air travel has become increasingly popular, all this has changed. Moreover, air travel has also become way more stressful in a post 9/11 world where travelers are subjected to numerous checks and searches even before they board an aircraft.
I do tend to travel a fair bit, but my aircraft journeys tend to stress me out immensely as I am always worrying about seemingly trivial stuff like the weight of my checked baggage (no laughing matter in this age of huge airline fees for slightly overweight luggage) and the location of my seat on the aircraft (I am quite tall and always want an exit row seat but this is not always possible and nowadays I have to usually cough up extra for this so-called privilege). Added to these pet peeves are other irritations which arise due to the seemingly annoying behavior of some of my fellow passengers. I’m sure even you have experienced some of these situations on your own journeys and can easily identify with the types of annoying behavior listed below.
The Overhead Bin Loaders
The overhead bin loaders have so much hand luggage and duty free that not only do they occupy their own space, but hijack yours as well. On a recent transatlantic flight, I was one of the last people to board and by the time I got on and located my seat, I discovered that overhead bins above my seat were all full with my seatmate’s hand luggage and I had nowhere to put my rolling bag which contained my laptop. A complaint to the stewardess was met with a suggestion to put the bag in the hold as the aircraft was full. I really didn’t fancy putting my laptop in the hold and searched the cabin frantically myself until I was able to locate an overhead bin which could comfortably accommodate my hand carry.
The Supreme Recliners
The supreme recliners get on an aircraft and promptly believe in stretching out in order to be as comfortable as possible. They don’t really care about the discomfort they can cause to the person seated directly behind them. The only time they do straighten their seats, is when the steward/stewardess specifically asks them to and this is only when the meals are being served or the aircraft is in take off or landing mode.
Chatty Cathys/Nosy Parkers
Essentially, the same kind of traveler who believes that sharing a row of seats gives them the right to know your life history. Most times when I get on a flight, all I want to do is to be able to listen to my iPod and read a book or take in all the movies that are available on the in-flight entertainment system. I don’t really want to make small talk, but this is not always possible when you are seated next to a chatty Cathy or a nosy Parker who tend introduce themselves to you at the very beginning of the flight and then continue to prattle on for the rest of the journey.
The Unwashed Wonders
Some travelers can be quite lackadaisical in matters of personal hygiene and when they are seated in a crowded aircraft cabin, this can cause immense discomfort to their seatmates. This problem is even more pronounced if the flight is totally full and their travel mates don’t have the option to change seats. Perhaps the wearing of masks could somehow help to deal with this rather uncomfortable and unpleasant situation.
The Over-Spillers
Some travelers because of their size find it difficult to fit on a single seat in the economy class cabin and tend to encroach on the personal space of their fellow travelers to their chagrin. Some airlines have even taken notice of this and now ask certain large sized travelers to buy two seats if they cannot fit comfortably in one seat.
The Bathroom Hogs
The economy class cabin on most airlines has nearly 400-500 seats. Moreover, these cabins are usually equipped with only four to six lavatories for all these people. However, some travelers don’t really seem to care about these statistics as once they get into the lavatory, they tend to dawdle in there for ages while a long line steadily builds up outside the door of the lavatory. I believe this problem is even more acute of the new A380 planes which have additional seats in the coach cabin while they have the same number of lavatories as othertypes of aircraft.
The Road Runners
The road runners are those passengers who are always in such a tearing hurry that as soon as the aircraft lands and taxis to the gateway; they gather their belongings and brusquely push past you in an effort to get off the aircraft as quickly as possible. Often, all this hurrying is of no use, especially when there are long lines at immigration or when bags are delayed at the luggage carousel and they are then forced to wait around with their fellow passengers who have deplaned much after them.
I am sure you have encountered some or all of these types of airline passengers and unless you are flush enough to travel in a private suite in the first class cabin of an aircraft, some of these annoyances are likely to be featured on your next aircraft journey. Though these annoyances can get on your nerves, I guess you just have to accept the fact that they are a part and parcel of modern day air travel while you grin and bear it. Happy Travels!
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This entry was posted on Wednesday, June 10th, 2009 at 9:39 pm and is filed under Travel Ideas, World. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.
June 17th, 2009 at 4:48 pm
Haha this is hilarious, are OH SO true.
June 24th, 2009 at 8:38 pm
He he, I’ve encountered these many times. They really do get on your nerves eventually.
July 7th, 2009 at 7:20 am
Hi,
Thanks for some great information, I recognize some passengers as I been traveling a lot back and forward to Asia.
July 7th, 2009 at 12:43 pm
Thanks Carl , I just had a road runner on my flight to London last week- she was pushing her way through to get off the plane first.. unfortunately for her we were all bused to the terminal together where there were long lines at immigration.. dont know why she was rushing around so much…
July 10th, 2009 at 10:01 am
This made my day. LOL
You might want to make more posts similar to this one. This rocks!
I love the way you name the different groups like the Supreme Recliners. Hehe
October 30th, 2009 at 10:59 am
We recently experienced having to put our carry on luggage in bins several seats behind us. Which made disembarking a bit challenging.
November 28th, 2009 at 9:43 pm
Great article. Its so true about others on the plane. I hate the chatters. Sometimes I just want to fall asleep and nap and they ask me questions. Sometime you don’t feel like talking. Thanks for the post.
January 4th, 2010 at 11:50 am
Yes! I know what you mean about “the recliners”. Without any warning whatsoever, their seat comes slamming down on my lap.
Very funny article, thank you.