Flight Etiquette 101: Take Off!

Hopefully the Phil didn't lie for too much longer and we finally get to see some spring sun. With Spring and summer soon approaching, people will be starting to request their vacation days and then book their flights for vacation. It seems many air travelers are completely oblivious to even the basics of in-flight etiquette. Didn't know there were any? Here's some tips of the trade.

1. Reclining your seat- You are not in your dads' man chair that he uses during football games. They press the button on the armrest, and then slam the seat back with enough force to send drinks and laptops flying into the lap of the passenger behind them. When that passenger is on the tall side, the maneuver is sometimes accompanied by the sound of cracking knees. All this commotion is unnecessary. The unwritten rule is to make a “looking behind you” motion and then recline slowly, giving the person behind you time to react.

2. Where did my carry on go?-When boarding, some passengers put their carry-on bag in the first available overhead bin, even though their seat is in the back of the airplane. This forces the passenger who sit up front to cram his or her carry-on in the tiny space at his feet. Unwritten rule: Stow your bag in the general vicinity of your seat. But there’s a wrinkle: Don’t insist that the overhead bin directly above your seat is yours. Many people like to stow their bag in the bin in front of them so they can keep an eye on it. That is both sensible and fair.

3. Chit-chat-If your conversation with a willing neighbor goes on for more than 10 minutes, take it to the back of the airplane and finish it there. You could probably use a stretch, and your seat neighbors probably need a rest. Be courtious, especially on a night flight when people are trying to sleep.

4. Chit-Chat Take 2 (Cellphones)-Nobody wants to hear about your big business deal or your hot date while they’re boarding the plane or going down the runway. Keep your voice down please.

5. The Window Shade-A lot of travelers, especially on longer flights, like to close their window shade so they can sleep. However, a handful of folks prefer to keep the shade up so they can read, work or just look out the window. It may be annoying to have the full glare of the sun in your eyes when you’re trying to sleep, but nobody should be forced to keep a shade shut for somebody else’s naptime. The real problem is with those who are constantly opening and shutting their window shade. The unwritten rule here is: Make up your mind. People can adjust to your steady light but not to your indecision.

6. Lavatory-You can’t always control your need to visit the lavatory, but there are times when it’s inconvenient for others to get out of their seat to give you access to the aisle. The drink and meal service is one of those times, especially on a single-aisle aircraft. Airplans are already cramped enough. If you let the flight attendants do their thing and get up before or after, everyone wins.

Also, this you would think would be needless to say, but I must. Most airplane lavatories are smelly, dirty and germy — how could they not be with so many people using them in so short a time? That doesn’t mean that you have to add to the mess. The unwritten rule is to leave the lavatory as clean as you found it, which means at least wiping out the sink with a paper towel. And those of you with bad aim, wipe it up! Imagine you were the janitor, you wouldn't be happy now would you?

7. The kids-Being a parent is a wonderful thing, and being a responsible parent is a blessing in disquise, especially to everyone around you on an airplane. Faced with the challenge of controlling youthful enthusiasm in a confined spacem sometimes for hours upon end, too many parents won't pay attention. What's the result here? The kids run around unattended, kick the seat in front of them, pitch fits, throw peanuts and play their electronic games way too loud.  Parents have to really try to maintain order. Conversely, if you are not traveling with kids: Have a heart. Sometimes kids just unravel, no matter how hard you try. Besides, you were a kid once to you know?

8. Ouch, that kind of hurt!- Not all seat kickers are children; there are plenty of tall, bored and just plain inconsiderate seat kickers out there, too. There are also those who retaliate for a reclined seat by giving it a good thump from time to time. Unwritten rule: Don’t do it. If you’re the victim, convey your annoyance as nicely as possible; if that doesn’t work, move to a different seat or notify a flight attendant.

All in all, be kind, be courteous. Remember, you are not alone.