Flying: your grievances.

[wrcsixeight]

Why does it take so long for people to get situated when boarding a plane?

Do they really have to block the aisle and spin in circles for minutes while they unload all that stuff they need for their flight?

How about those that decide they need to walk back to the front of the plane while boarding is going on?

Now long overseas flights are a different matter, but what is so all important in your bag that one must access it 3 times in a four hour flight?

Last night, I witnessed one such person remove her bag three times, twice nearly dropping it on a persons head. Then on putting it back, crushing a Navy Sailor's hat. She saw the hat. Didn't care, it was in her way, she crushed it.

Nothing fires my misanthropic tendencies like flying. That, and watching some cell phone Zombie disregard everything and everyone around them in a quest to be connected.

Were people always so self important and inconsiderate or has this disgusting tendency just become so predominant more recently?

 

[Nick R]

Honestly, flying doesn't bother me. I generally enjoy it, and haven't really had any bad experiences.

 

[rjacket]

It's gotten worse since they introduced checked baggage fees. Now everyone uses carry on instead and for some reason there is a general panic about the whole process.

When they had just introduced it, one lady was so adamant that her bag wouldn't be checked (for free) that she delayed the flight enough for me to miss my connection.

In a couple of years it'll all die down when people en masse realize that there is a small chance their carry on will be checked for free so they should a) use a carry on that can survive becoming checked and b) put all items that they still need as carry on into a smaller bag that they can remove if they are forced to check the carry on.

 

[meangreen01]

Long check-in and security screening. I'm not a regular flyer, maybe twice a year tops. While I understand the world we live in today, I just find the whole atmosphere unsettling. Air travel used to be much more relaxed.

In the air I hate when someone bogarts the bathroom for like 10 min like they're on the can in their own home. Also, pilots that leave the fasten seat belt light on for 99% of the flight.

 

[Mixologist]

Since the TSA took over I've managed to fly only five times and while I used to fly a lot prior, I now disdain the security theater so much as to avoid the whole mess. I don't mind the passengers but everything else...

 

[joaks]

Before last week I had not flown in 20 years (I'm afraid of heights). Based on what I had heard I was ready for a body cavity search, someone sitting on my lap, and a 4 day wait on the tarmac. It was, however, a pleasant experience! The TSA staff were friendly (I had one mm scan and one pat down). Planes arrived on time as did my luggage. Maybe my only complaint is that the 737-700 could use three restrooms instead of two. Otherwise everything went great!

 

[Pop_Rivit]

Originally Posted By: wrcsixeight

Were people always so self important and inconsiderate or has this disgusting tendency just become so predominant more recently?


It's gotten worse in recent years.

As someone who's been flying since the early 1960's I can say it was a completely different experience in the 1960's, 1970's and even in the 1980's. People on an aircraft were much more considerate, and there was much more room than there currently is in modern day "cattle class". I attribute it to a few different things.

First, flying was much more expensive and fewer people could afford to fly. For those who did fly it was almost a social event, and most people put on their best manners.

Second, airlines treated people like paying customers rather than herding them through and packing them in like cattle en route to the slaughter.

Third, while I'm sure there were inconsiderate people "back in the day" you didn't often see them on aircraft-they were relegated to bus or rail travel because of the economics of the time.

Fast forward to today and you have a generation of people raised in a household where the television is their nanny, and much of their social ability is learned through television. Gadgets like smart phones have encouraged people to look inward rather than outward, and we have a generation whose mental capability is limited to text messages. The majority of younger people today weren't raised in a family where you sat down to a meal together every evening, and the polite use of sir or ma'am when addressing others is a thing of the past.

Both my wife and I now despise flying, and decided about 8 years ago that we never would again. It's why we purchased a second home for our vacations. I don't miss being processed like cattle, being groped by the masquerade security organization called the TSA, and certainly don't miss the overcrowded flights.

 

[Cujet]

Once past security,

Number one in my book is improper boarding procedures.
Number two is the seating configuration and seat comfort.

I really can't complain about the loss of in flight food on short flights, as it was not so good anyway.

I'd like to see some form of staggered seating, possibly with slight seat height differences. It seems the room available is not used as effectively as possible. Especially with fat neighbors.

 

[cchase]

Screaming children and parents unable to control them.

 

[tom slick]

My peeve is as soon as the "Please fasten your seat belts we are going to land soon" announcement is made 3 people will stand up and use the lavatory. Once in awhile, after the "flight attendants please take you seats" announcement a person will stand up and use the lavatory.
Another peeve is people who talk over the preflight announcements. You don't have to pay attention but at least shut up while these people are trying to save your life.

 

[andrewg]

Originally Posted By: Pop_Rivit
It's gotten worse in recent years.

As someone who's been flying since the early 1960's I can say it was a completely different experience in the 1960's, 1970's and even in the 1980's. People on an aircraft were much more considerate, and there was much more room than there currently is in modern day "cattle class". I attribute it to a few different things.

First, flying was much more expensive and fewer people could afford to fly. For those who did fly it was almost a social event, and most people put on their best manners.

Second, airlines treated people like paying customers rather than herding them through and packing them in like cattle en route to the slaughter.

Third, while I'm sure there were inconsiderate people "back in the day" you didn't often see them on aircraft-they were relegated to bus or rail travel because of the economics of the time.

Fast forward to today and you have a generation of people raised in a household where the television is their nanny, and much of their social ability is learned through television. Gadgets like smart phones have encouraged people to look inward rather than outward, and we have a generation whose mental capability is limited to text messages. The majority of younger people today weren't raised in a family where you sat down to a meal together every evening, and the polite use of sir or ma'am when addressing others is a thing of the past.

Both my wife and I now despise flying, and decided about 8 years ago that we never would again. It's why we purchased a second home for our vacations. I don't miss being processed like cattle, being groped by the masquerade security organization called the TSA, and certainly don't miss the overcrowded flights.

Excellent post. Accurate too. I wish more people would be as aware of what's happened and how we used to be toward each other.
I fly a few times a year. I dread it, but driving 1500 miles to my vacation home isn't always very practical. Some flights are not always as awful as others. The TSA and the whole security thing makes me cringe and evokes memories of old war movies where POW's are trying to escape by train....as the Nazis ask for 'papers' to see if they'll let you board. As for my fellow passengers? Seems no matter how many times rude people fly, they NEVER understand that when they say they are ONLY boarding seats...whatever through whatever....they STILL try to cut in line and get on the aircraft. Idiots. I can honestly see why the flight attendants can be nasty sometimes. Once on the plane, nearly 85% of the cabin is suddenly filled with the harmonic sounds (not) of texting, chatting, and cell phone chatter up until the attendants practically have to confiscate the devices. What is it with people? Can't you stay off the stupid phone? I won't even go into the details of the rest of the flight experience. I'm getting irritated just discussing it.

 

[JHZR2]

Originally Posted By: Pop_Rivit
It's gotten worse in recent years.

As someone who's been flying since the early 1960's I can say it was a completely different experience in the 1960's, 1970's and even in the 1980's. People on an aircraft were much more considerate, and there was much more room than there currently is in modern day "cattle class". I attribute it to a few different things.

First, flying was much more expensive and fewer people could afford to fly. For those who did fly it was almost a social event, and most people put on their best manners.

Second, airlines treated people like paying customers rather than herding them through and packing them in like cattle en route to the slaughter.

Third, while I'm sure there were inconsiderate people "back in the day" you didn't often see them on aircraft-they were relegated to bus or rail travel because of the economics of the time.

Fast forward to today and you have a generation of people raised in a household where the television is their nanny, and much of their social ability is learned through television. Gadgets like smart phones have encouraged people to look inward rather than outward, and we have a generation whose mental capability is limited to text messages. The majority of younger people today weren't raised in a family where you sat down to a meal together every evening, and the polite use of sir or ma'am when addressing others is a thing of the past.

Both my wife and I now despise flying, and decided about 8 years ago that we never would again. It's why we purchased a second home for our vacations. I don't miss being processed like cattle, being groped by the masquerade security organization called the TSA, and certainly don't miss the overcrowded flights.

Heavens no, are you implying that people of lower financial status might be more inconsiderate? Better have a flame suit on for that one.

I agree with everything you say.

My major gripes are the TSA irradiation, dirty planes with sloppy people, and general crabbiness. While I highly doubt that there is any real, useful reason to have mass shutoff, it annoys me when people think they are above the rules and keep using devices after multiple requests to shut off. It is especially annoying when the response is "no speekee english".

 

[opus1]

Originally Posted By: cchase
Screaming children and parents unable to control them.
or unwilling to do so since they don't want to stifle junior's creative ability.

As others have already mentioned, people jumping the boarding process, and this is a combination of them and the airline personnel not doing their jobs -- if you say you're boarding group 1 only then "darn it", when someone from group 4 comes up, make them wait. I've seen this happen but very rarely; the offender usually get waved through without even a half-hearted "next time you should wait" admonition.

And if it were up to me, people who try to game the baggage-fee by seeing if they can get away with carrying-on something that clearly should be checked should not only have to pay to check the bag when busted, they should have to pay double. You had a chance at check-in, so you shouldn't complain.

The first airline that does the following things will have me as a customer for life:

1) child-free flights
2) enforce the boarding process
3) enforce carry-on size and number of items.

 

[oppirs]

Originally Posted By: Pop_Rivit
Originally Posted By: wrcsixeight

Were people always so self important and inconsiderate or has this disgusting tendency just become so predominant more recently?


It's gotten worse in recent years.

As someone who's been flying since the early 1960's I can say it was a completely different experience in the 1960's, 1970's and even in the 1980's. People on an aircraft were much more considerate, and there was much more room than there currently is in modern day "cattle class". I attribute it to a few different things.

First, flying was much more expensive and fewer people could afford to fly. For those who did fly it was almost a social event, and most people put on their best manners.

Second, airlines treated people like paying customers rather than herding them through and packing them in like cattle en route to the slaughter.

Third, while I'm sure there were inconsiderate people "back in the day" you didn't often see them on aircraft-they were relegated to bus or rail travel because of the economics of the time.

Fast forward to today and you have a generation of people raised in a household where the television is their nanny, and much of their social ability is learned through television. Gadgets like smart phones have encouraged people to look inward rather than outward, and we have a generation whose mental capability is limited to text messages. The majority of younger people today weren't raised in a family where you sat down to a meal together every evening, and the polite use of sir or ma'am when addressing others is a thing of the past.

Both my wife and I now despise flying, and decided about 8 years ago that we never would again. It's why we purchased a second home for our vacations. I don't miss being processed like cattle, being groped by the masquerade security organization called the TSA, and certainly don't miss the overcrowded flights.


You did summed it up for me as well! (for the good experiences) I do remember flights in the 80's & 90's that were so empty that you had a row for yourself, pop-up the armrests wallah a bed, helped to be on red eyes!

Like you Poprivet, I haven't been on a flight for 8 years. So never had to deal with evasive screening.

What has been noted before, I'll add the (kicker) the idiots that can't control themselves and kicks the back of your seat!

Also, (though I thought it was comical) the jet that was falling apart, internally. Back when Eastern was going bankrupt, I was booked on one of their flights. Got to my seat only to find a hanging headrest and being in a emergency door isle pealed back paneling by the door. (Must have been one angry previous passenger). Told the attendant of the issues. I was shocked to see the Captain come to my row with a roll of duct tape. Just swung a hugh amount of tape for the headrest & pushed in the paneling and taped that up. Talk about a patched up jet. At least it flew fine. The speed he did the repair at, it must of been part of the pre-flight check. I say he did it in 50 sec.

 

[PF52]

Originally Posted By: wrcsixeight
Why does it take so long for people to get situated when boarding a plane?

Do they really have to block the aisle and spin in circles for minutes while they unload all that stuff they need for their flight?



And my "favorites" are the people who stash their carry-ons in the very first few bins right after boarding the plane, even though they're sitting further back. What is that all about? Do they think it'll get them off the plane sooner?

I usually fly on Southwest, which doesn't have assigned seating, but it does board people in groups. Back in the days before online checkin, it was smart to get to the airport early - really early (they used to use plastic cards numbered 1-120 or so). I've gotten some really low-numbered boarding passes that way, only to have a few individuals try to get on the plane before anyone else. The people who line up out of order was mentioned earlier. I also see a lot of people who claim they need "extra assistance" when boarding. Seriously, people, when they say "passengers with small children", they don't mean you and your 17-year-old kid. Get back in line with the rest of us.

 

[eljefino]

Originally Posted By: css9450


And my "favorites" are the people who stash their carry-ons in the very first few bins right after boarding the plane, even though they're sitting further back. What is that all about? Do they think it'll get them off the plane sooner?



When I'm allowed on it seems the 1st class passengers and those seated further forward in the plane have done the opposite, with their cultch spreading rearward.

With two little kids, I can say, a day of travelling with them is punishment enough. (Counts on fingers) 50% of the flights I've made with my preschoolers have been for funerals. Since the kids were ripped from their beds hours early to take off in the northeast to make reasonable connection elsewhere, they aren't going to be in the finest moods. Yeah I have new toys just for the trip and they are honestly saints. An infant won't understand why his ears hurt when the pressure changes. In short the parents aren't having a great time either.

 

[JHZR2]

Originally Posted By: eljefino
Originally Posted By: css9450


And my "favorites" are the people who stash their carry-ons in the very first few bins right after boarding the plane, even though they're sitting further back. What is that all about? Do they think it'll get them off the plane sooner?



When I'm allowed on it seems the 1st class passengers and those seated further forward in the plane have done the opposite, with their cultch spreading rearward.

With two little kids, I can say, a day of travelling with them is punishment enough. (Counts on fingers) 50% of the flights I've made with my preschoolers have been for funerals. Since the kids were ripped from their beds hours early to take off in the northeast to make reasonable connection elsewhere, they aren't going to be in the finest moods. Yeah I have new toys just for the trip and they are honestly saints. An infant won't understand why his ears hurt when the pressure changes. In short the parents aren't having a great time either.



I fly a lot, and Ive found it rare that 1st class fills up the bins (I fly enough that recently Ive gotten upgraded quite a bit). Actually the opposite has become true, and 1st gets filled with others' junk.

I can certainly understand that an infant doesnt understand why their ears hurt. But it is silly to expect sympathy or considerations by others for poorly behaving children. Tough situation for the parent or not.

 

[91344George]

Originally Posted By: JHZR2


I can certainly understand that an infant doesnt understand why their ears hurt. But it is silly to expect sympathy or considerations by others for poorly behaving children. Tough situation for the parent or not.


I hear you!!! I'm quite tired of parents not taking FULL responsibility for the behavior of their children. It is ASTOUNDING the behavior that so many parents today foist upon those around them in public places, totally UNacceptable. Period. You simply did not see this situation many years ago.

If those toddlers/children cannot behave reasonably, then you must drive so your problem does not impact others.

 

[andrewg]

Originally Posted By: eljefino
Originally Posted By: css9450


And my "favorites" are the people who stash their carry-ons in the very first few bins right after boarding the plane, even though they're sitting further back. What is that all about? Do they think it'll get them off the plane sooner?



When I'm allowed on it seems the 1st class passengers and those seated further forward in the plane have done the opposite, with their cultch spreading rearward.

With two little kids, I can say, a day of travelling with them is punishment enough. (Counts on fingers) 50% of the flights I've made with my preschoolers have been for funerals. Since the kids were ripped from their beds hours early to take off in the northeast to make reasonable connection elsewhere, they aren't going to be in the finest moods. Yeah I have new toys just for the trip and they are honestly saints. An infant won't understand why his ears hurt when the pressure changes. In short the parents aren't having a great time either.


It's not important whether or not the parents are having a great time. What does matter is how noisy children effect OTHERS on a flight that THEY paid for. If they are too young to behave....then leave them at home AT YOUR EXPENSE....or simply choose not to go. It's not fair nor is it civil to cause other passengers to be annoyed. Sure, a cry or two....or a little bit of noise needs to be tolerated by all, but not to the extent folks here are talking about.

 

[greenjp]

We already covered sociopaths who recline their seats back in another thread. In addition to that:

People who do not allow themselves enough time and then complain about the lines, security, etc. If there's one thing I've found in my 12 years of of regular flying for work, it's that getting to the airport well in advance of your flight is the single best way to make the otherwise unpleasant experience tolerable.