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When I'm aboard the average of the four flights a year I seem to do (KHPN; my Sister worries if I drive, KMIA; it was just overnight), I am appalled at the number of passengers only wearing flip flops for their footwear.
Pre-9/11, I always wore laced shoes for flights; post, I relented a bit and started to wear tight fitting slip on shoes.
The reason is simple; what if the aircraft is to be involved in a survivable incident, such as a runway excursion, where the hull remains intact and fire is suppressed for at least the 90 seconds in which an FAA certified aircraft has to be evacuated.
I'm not about to be that passenger going down the chute in stocking feet and hitting the certain debris field at the scene - and with the Flight Attendants yelling RUN, RUN.
stlboomer Member # 2028
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Saw the article, but what really got my attention was the comment from reader JLB regarding manners on Japanese intercity trains. Scroll down, it was posted at 2:54 pm on Oct 30th. Unbelievable!
Gilbert B Norman Member # 1541
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Mr. Boomer, I noted the JLB Reader's Comment.
I think what 'gorked' me the most with indecent behavior was when last April at the Atlanta Symphony, and not in any kind of cheap nosebleed seat, the guy sitting next to me just took of his shoes and was sitting there barefoot. They didn't smell, but for myself, who is simply never out of the house or other domicile, such as a hotel room, without shoes and socks, that was simply 'too much'.
Oh, but the 'rude of rude' had to be what my United FA friend and neighbor related to me. On a B-777 flying KORD-EDDM, there is a break area for the Flight Attendants. The area is curtained and has seats with leg rests. Would you believe it, but reportedly some Middle Eastern gal walked up to the area and demanded that she and her child be seated there 'so they can get some rest'.
Grief, get off it.
All I can say is what I've said before; no wonder I haven't flown overseas in over twenty years. Maybe a relative will move back over there or maybe a 'must hear' program at Salzburg. Failing that, overseas is a 'been there done that' in this life.
Henry Kisor Member # 4776
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Never saw so many cranky comments after a story on difficult airline passengers!
This is the way the world ends This is the way the world ends This is the way the world ends Not with a bang but a grumble.
Apologies to T.S. Eliot.
yukon11 Member # 2997
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I am amazed, sometimes, at the lack of common courtesy you see these days.
I once attended church where a woman's little 3 or 4 year-old was playing in the church aisle. The kid had a whole bunch of plastic toys strewn all over the aisle and the mother just sat there and let the kid continue. People, on the way to communion, had to stumble and straddle over the mess while the mother remained oblivious to the whole thing.
I hope God has mercy for dumb people.
Richard
Henry Kisor Member # 4776
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As long as we're piling on . . . now Boeing and Airbus are squabbling over the width of seats on long-haul airliners. Should they be 17 inches? 18?
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After reviewing the material linked by Mr. Kisor, which appeared in pring of the Travel section's front page, I find this to be the most pertinent brief passage:
Air travel has gone from being a social occasion in which fliers chatted and ate meals together, to a mass commoditized landscape where travelers shell out for seats and early boarding privileges, eat their food when they feel like it and engross themselves in their iPads. “It’s no longer a social situation,” Professor Low said. “It’s a completely different experience. You put your headphones on and you’re in your own world.”
As I noted, I think the dress code at any public event has gone down the crapper. I can only relate that is the case at the symphony concerts I attend. I noted earlier about the 'gentleman' in Atlanta with his 'footwear issues'. At Lincoln Center (NY), pre-concert my Niece and I were looking at one another's photos, just when she was showing a photos of her two daughters (6 and 4)one playing a cello and the other a violin, up comes some usher saying not so tactfully photos are not permitted.
What the H--- does she think; I'm, or for that matter my Little Niece, some rube who has never been to a concert and doesn't know the rules in any classical music venue I know of?
O Tempora, O Mores.
But to close transportation related, I guess when you pack 300 or so of your closest and dearest friends into a B-777 and in space for about 150 of them, incidents will occur. Flight Attendants are no longer 'Hostesses'; how can they be!!! Their duties are more that of security guards or safety monitors - and they must be so in an alcohol fueled environment. Maybe now that electronic playthings are permitted gate to gate, this will help keep the herd under control. I foresee a 100% chance of being on an airplane during 2014; oh well, but I also give you 100% that I will see a dentist as well.
Kind of the same.
RRRICH Member # 1418
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I spent all day yesterday flying back from a 10-day trip to Key West, and sat in tiny cramped airline seats all day (3 different flights) -- I have "restless leg syndrome," and I can't sit in an airplane in such cramped positions for very long.
I hate long (more than 2 hours) airline flights, but I love a long (many days) train trip!!!!
I wish AMTRAK had a Thruway Bus connnection from Miami to Key West.
Railroad Bob Member # 3508
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It's brutal these days, Mr. Rich. Another thing to worry about is DVT (deep vein thrombosis) for older folks like me and some others here. We have to get up and take a "stretch 'n walk" at least once an hour if possible. Maybe take an aspirin (if your doc says that's OK) to help thin out the blood a bit might be considered. We all want to move up to the Biz Class, if you have a spare several thousand $$ more to lay down. I don't have enough "frequent flyer" miles to get any upgrades. Perhaps I'll just take the train or stay home.
Gilbert B Norman Member # 1541
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While the only electronic devices I own are this desktop computer from which and a clamshell cell phone that has neither received nor sent a call since August, I shudder to think what kind of zoo airplane cabins will become should voice cellphone conversations be allowed.
While it appears that 'cellphones affect an aircraft's NAVAIDS' is being put in the Old Wives Tale bin, there is the ergonomic issues remaining as well as that the airline would love to sell you wi-fi services.
Cellphone yakking is first in line of potential air travel peeves, but it appears that alcohol service is not far behind. I'm certain Flight Attendants would be happy to have alcohol gone - at least in Coach.
Now I like my 'in flight adult refreshments' as much as anyone - especially when flying to O'Hare and I know I won't be behind the wheel as a CTA Motorman followed by a BNSF Engineer will be doing the driving (my $3.45 'Poor Man's' way home from O'Hare), but considering the close quarters and Flight Attendants do not have police powers (they could have Tasers), I'd understand and do without.
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