A Random Observation About Airline Travel

[hsguy]

I recently took a flight, first one in over 2 years due to a medical issue. I thoroughly enjoy flying, security was a breeze, everything on schedule and my checked baggage arrived as expected. I travel standby and somehow was assigned a seat in the exit row. These seats are usually assigned to upgrade passengers who covet the bit of extra legroom. As required, the flight attendant queried all in the row if they were willing and able to operate the window exit if necessary. The other five passengers mumbled yes while engrossed in their cell phones while never looking at the instruction information.

It would have been interesting to test their affirmative responses and ask them the procedure if the plane had an emergency and was full of smoke. As a caveat, my wife was a flight attendant and me a firefighter/paramedic so we paid attention to SOP’s and plans of action in an emergency for our own safety and importantly, to help others.

 

[Rustyt1953]

The last time I flew the little liquor bottles were a buck.

 

[bgrafsr]

The last time I flew was to pick up a wanted man in Los Angeles.
On the way back to Cleveland I bought him a few drinks. He decided to tell me all about what he had done and why he booked for California, thinking we wouldn't have him extradited.

 

[SMSgt]

I remember when folks fit into the seats, the food was good and came with the ticket, and both crew and passengers behaved with class.

 

[Beemerguy53]

When I was sitting in a window seat at an exit row years ago, a Southwest flight attendant looked directly at me and asked if I was willing to be personally responsible for the safety of my fellow passengers. I replied that I was a firefighter, and yes, I would be responsible for their safety.

She asked the same question of the passenger in the middle seat, and he told her that he was a cancer surgeon and former Green Beret, and that he too would accept responsibility for everyone's safety.

The passenger in the aisle seat then volunteered that he too was a doctor and a military veteran, and would be responsible for passenger safety should the need arise. We all chuckled, and had a pleasant conversation during the flight.

When we landed, a lady in the row in front of us turned around, smiled broadly at us, and told us she'd never felt so safe on an airplane...

 

[lihpster]

I have taken exactly one flight in my life. A round trip to Cabo in '99. All it took was one look at my fellow passengers and I knew I was on my own. The guy who got on in San Fransisco, on the way to Cabo, visibly intoxicated and wearing a Cabo tank top and hat was allowed to sit in the exit row because he "NEEDED THE LEGROOM!" He was maybe 5'11". My buddy who is 6'3" looked at me and shook his head.

 

[biku324]

I fly internationally worldwide for work. Never heard more than an affirmative grunt from exit row passengers. No biggie - when they seal the doors, you're in a highly flammable aluminum coffin anyway.

 

[ladder13]

Unless Chesley Sullenberger is your pilot it’s all moot.

 

[cmdrcody]

My wife never looks at the pamphlets on where everything including exit doors are. I read it all while having my first drink after being seated. I verify my understanding while listening to flight attendant announcements. I asked the wife what she would do if a problem occurred. She said she would follow my instructions and if I was dead she’d join me.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[sniper]

Air travel, even in the cattle cars the Military flew us in has always been exciting for me. Except...going through LAX. I firmly believe that you should not have to descend into Hell more than twice in a Decade!

 

[Autonomous]

I was fondled in front of my wife by a middle-aged man at SFO.

 

[ISCS Yoda]

I've been flying since 1956 and I used to love it. I remember when the whole family would come to the gate to see you off, and I remember that people were very cordial, and dressed nicely, and people I didn't know didn't make me walk through weird booths and wave wands at me. And I remember the "American burger" my favorite food on American Airlines, and I could order it before the flight and they'd have it for me instead of the regular airline meal. WAIT! Regular airline meal?! Where did THAT go???

 

[326MOD10]

I was fondled in front of my wife by a middle-aged man at SFO.

Wrong forum!

 

[soFlaNative]

I was fondled in front of my wife by a middle-aged man at SFO.

How much did you tip him?

 

[Autonomous]

Just the tip!

 

[LVSteve]

Air travel, even in the cattle cars the Military flew us in has always been exciting for me. Except...going through LAX. I firmly believe that you should not have to descend into Hell more than twice in a Decade!

LAX is the very definition of "unfit for purpose".

 

[pawngal]

Thankfully it has been ab0ut 50 years since the last time I flew into LAX. Ontario is quite pleasant comparatively.
I have no desire to go thru O'Hara (Chicago) again ever. Spent 2 days there a few years ago, partly weather, mostly screwed up connections. The bartender at the Holiday Inn and I got on 1st name basis.

 

[LVSteve]

Thankfully it has been ab0ut 50 years since the last time I flew into LAX. Ontario is quite pleasant comparatively.
I have no desire to go thru O'Hara (Chicago) again ever. Spent 2 days there a few years ago, partly weather, mostly screwed up connections. The bartender at the Holiday Inn and I got on 1st name basis.

O'Hare might be large, a bit confusing, and subject to poor weather, but at least you can move between terminals without repeated trips through security. Last time I was at LAX they were starting some kind of project that allowed you to stay "airside", but I'm unsure as to it's status, complete or still under construction.

 

[bearman49709]

Last time I was on a airplane was September 25 1984, I see no need to get on another.

 

[mike4sigs]

just got back home from a beach vacation in Cancun. TSA @ Cincinnati and Cancun was polite and thorough. MX customs going was a Breeze they searched a few people. However, on the way out. MX customs was a pain they interviewed several of us on the Flight Several times and searched several people on our flight just before boarding the charter back to the US