Oh boy... I really don't like flying, but I don't mind airports that much. Flying is a necessary evil to get where I want to go in the world. You run into all kinds of people though...
Some general annoyances at airports/on planes:
- Don't cut in security lines. Chances are my flight actually leaves before yours, I just don't feel like stressing about it. And by the way, that's why many airports have the "speedy" lines for security and passport control (less than 30 minutes to boarding).
- Watch where you're going, and please don't wander aimlessly and in the way of people.
- If your plane is landing, ask the seatmate that you're trapping by the window if they have a flight connection that they need to run for. And then promptly let them off the plane before you.
- Our shared arm rest is a neutral zone, and I don't mind you using it. I DO mind you spreading yourself over the arm rest way into my space. (a.k.a. don't sleep on my shoulder)
- If your seatmate haven't specifically made inquiries about your religion (especially on flights 5 hours and longer) and asked to share your entire belief system... please don't see an airplane as a proper place to evangelise. We can't get away from you.
- And, this is one of the ruder things I can think of: Don't make fun of someone or make light of someone's fear of flying. It can't be controlled, and no matter what you say about security ratings and jet engines and flight engineering... it's not going to help. Matter of fact, probably will make it worse.
I sound like such a hag :-P Those are just some pent up grievances from past years of traveling. I do however have several stories of good moments in airports.
- I got to help someone out the last time I flew back to Europe, and although it wasn't much, I was glad to have a chance to brighten someone's day. I was coming through... Amsterdam, I think (hard to remember each flight route). While in the ladies' room, I ran into a mom with three kids. She'd flown from Tanzania the day before, had missed her flight to the US, and had spent the night in the airport with her children (who were all younger than 5 yrs.). She was stressed and tired, and needed someone to watch the kids for a little while as she got herself and the kids (one by one) cleaned up.
- In these days of "please do not leave your luggage unattended..." to prevent *strangers* from sneaking *something* into your bags (or stealing something out of them), coming to Heathrow, London a couple years ago was nice. I went to go sit down at the table I usually sit at in the O'Neills pub, but found every table occupied. A guy at a neighboring table noticed that I didn't have anywhere to sit and offered me a seat at his table where he was sitting alone. Then he offered to watch my stuff for me when I went to go order food, if I would return the favor for him when he went to order. We ended up having a really nice chat (between the two of us and the guy at the next table), watching the cricket match, and then parting ways, both happier for the encounter.
- Ended up next to a Swedish guy on the plane once on my way back to Norway for the summer. We chatted for a long time, then fell asleep. In the morning, when I woke up, he had made the stewardess leave a breakfast box for me because I'd been asleep when the food came along. Very considerate and much appreciated! (Ask your seatmate if they'd like to be woken up when the food cart comes, or if they'd rather sleep. Some of us are deep sleepers who are also very fond of food at any opportunity...)
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