Ok, by now I'm pretty sure we are all aware of how 'plane etiquette' has flown the coup some 15yrs ago. Remember those days when you would have to pick out an outfit to fly in? Something nice, something semi-dressy that wouldn't wrinkle, something that said "Hey I can afford more than this coach ticket to Florida" something like...khakis! It's true, now a days you see people, old and young, (with the exception of a few red hat wearers doused in their favorite rose perfume) sporting their best sweat suit or if on a return flight, Goofy t-shirt and shorts.
Alright, so that said, let's get to point. I get it, flying isn't what it used to be, dress codes, paying for luggage, heck paying for snack (really? $7 bucks for a box of mini crackers and a cube of cheese? really?). Therefore we have adapted. For example we now shoving 6 days of clothes into a single carry on and 'personal item/backpack/laptop/mini suitcase disguised as an extra large purse/a bag from a purchase I just made while killing two hours in the airport that just so happens to be filled up with just-in-case's from home' vs checking luggage. We wear our most comfortable flying wardrobe vs sitting stiffly in that button down and khakis. And we purchase our favorite snacks pre-board (because airport terminal prices are that much better) vs dishing out the $7 bucks. Now THIS is where my (main) issue comes into play. The purchasing pre-boarding snacks, or perhaps in this matter, MEALS.
Look couple sitting in front of me. We all love a big mac with super sized fries and a coke from time to time, heck who doesn't?! But really. Really? You had to fill that craving as you sardine style pack yourself into a Boeing 757. Recycled air an all. Awesome. Oh and don't think your fooling anyone - we've all experienced that havoc that said greasy fast food is known to wreak on your abdominals, to put it nicely. So again add in the recycled air for the next 5 hours of the flight, the crinkling of the unwrapping the 1,000 calorie burger, slurping of soda and congratulations! You have officially annoyed those in the surrounding rows..and sparked some underlying cravings.
OH and just in case you were wondering, man sitting in seat 12A, on the early morning flight from Los Angeles to Philadelphia, non-stop, 2 years ago, yes you neighbor...an extended thanks goes out to you and your foot long tuna sub. That one, wow. Well clearly that lovely stench of an experience stuck with me. Still to this day I wonder exactly where one picked up a tuna sub (ya know the kinda from a real deli, not Subway, so the scent of mayo mashed into tuna is extra potent) so early in the morning as well as how big your balls must have been to bring it on board.
Alright, I think you've got my point people, so I'll let the ranting stop. But before I do may I leave you with this. . . rather, beg you with this. The next time you purchase your pre-board meal to then bring on board, please for the love of god and all that is good in this world consider your in-flight neighbors...ya know the ones sharing that recycled air with you for the next 5 hours.
