I’ve traveled quite a bit lately and have been working on being able to entertainingly come up with some common passenger profiles. Here are a few more of my findings:
- The laptop wielding road warrior: Two trips in a row have I sat next to a woman who insists on working on a spreadsheet or e-mail as soon as her butt hits the seat. The plane takes off, the flight attendant is seated, oooh, yeah? You’re gonna sneak open your laptop before we’re at the “safe” altitude? You risky son of a gun–I’m sure those three minutes were absolutely necessary.
- Leave the light on, you don’t need it: It’s 10:00 PM, it’s been a long day and we’re all headed home. It’d be nice to get some rest. But no, I’m sitting next to you and you want to stare into space with the overhead light on. Of course, the angle glares right onto my face but I’m not going to say anything (or sleep any). Oh, but once we plan to land you realize its on and turn it off. I swear the cabin is 90% darker now.
- The seat yanker: Why the hell, once you get onto an airplane, are you unable to stand up under your own power? Is there some amazingly intense gravity field keeping you in the seat? Because apparently you need to use all of your strength to pull on my damned seat! Try using your legs!
- The talker: Yeah, there’s a time to talk to people and meet new folks–but you’re not interesting. And when the conversation is 90% you talking and the rest me just saying “yup”, “true”, and “oh” why do you NOT get the clue? Do I need to put in my headphones and start reading before I even get to my seat to avoid this? Yes, yes I do.
And there are so many more. People are amazing, unique creatures. But somehow the majority of people start to lump together into these profiles once they jump on a plane. Which are you? ;)
Two people:
The guy who reclines his seat *all* the way back. Part way is fine, but please give me some room to breathe.
Also the guy that insists on bumping my seat every 30 seconds with his leg or knee. He thinks I can’t feel it–but I can. And don’t pull that “I’m too tall” bit–I’m 6’2″ and am just as uncomfortable as you. Deal with it.
The worst is when you get these two together.
Hah! Yes. I love to see the internal (and external) struggles people have dealing with recliners. As far as the legroom, thank goodness I’m elite on United. I love me some Economy Plus. ;)
I can’t deal with reclining seats. Every time the person manages to nail me in the knee. I’m 5’10” with long legs, and there just isn’t enough room (and, yes, I really can’t see how the 6’4″ guys manage). If your comfort is at the risk of mine, then deal’s off.
I’m also not a fan of being chatty on planes. Every once in a while I’m next to someone interesting (UMass comp. sci. professor or TV commercial producer), but usually the people that want to chat are just annoying.
Ugh, I hear ya Devin. I cannot STAND seat yankers! Or the parent who has the kid who kicks the back of your seat but doesn’t do anything about it. No concept of personal space or respecting anyone else’s, hello?
I know this is relevant to your Part I but I sleep through beverage service all the time. I never really make them come back, though. I just figure that if I snooze, I lose! (literally) ;)
Haha, I’m with ya, Nicole. Just let me be. I’m not a huge fan of making single-serving friends.
Esther, I agree, you do lose. ;)
I’ve never understood people who recline during daytime flights. Does your back not like being at 95 degrees? It has to be at 96.5 exactly?
On a recent trip from Honolulu to Houston I reclined my seat (no one behind me) and slept the entire way. That’s the only time I think it’s acceptable to stay reclined, when it’s a nighttime flight or a flight lasting longer than seven hours.
P.S. – Melatonin is your best friend for sleeping on planes.