Social Etiquette Tip of the Week - High Altitude Etiquette
Nowhere are bad manners more obvious to me these days than on airplanes. There was a time when air travelers respected each other but that’s no longer the case.
While six miles high in the sky, and crammed into a metal tube with seats, one of the unwritten rules of the airways is to remember that you are not alone. Most of us exhibit proper in-flight behavior and we always remember those that don’t! Below are some unwritten rules of etiquette (for those that don’t) to help you avoid unfriendly encounters with fellow passengers as you all violate each other's personal space for a few hours.
Security
Why do some people still act surprised when they are asked to remove their shoes? Or that they have to remove pounds of metal and electronics from their pockets while people pile up behind them? In advance, place all your loose change, gadgets and jewelry into your carry-on. That way you will not be fumbling with your cell phone, wristwatch, belt buckles, bracelets, necklaces, medallions, a pound of loose change…and the list goes on!
Boarding
When the gate agent announces that Zone 8 can board the plane that is not a request for Zones 1-7 to rush the gate. This only causes boarding to take longer.
And there is no reason to push and shove…it’s not a race…your seat is reserved and will be there waiting for you once you board.
During the boarding process the aisle of the plane is not where you should re-pack your carry-on bag.
Carry your bag low in front of you as you walk down the aisle. Shoulder bags will hit passengers that are already seated.
Armrests
Here’s the unwritten rule: The passengers in the window seat and aisle seat each get one armrest, but the squashed passenger in the middle seat gets both. After all, they have the worst seat on the plane, let them have something. This means you should dispense with newspapers and read magazines and books on board.
Window Shade
When sitting by the window some passengers like to close their window shade so they can sleep, and others prefer to keep the shade up so they can look out the window. Problems arise with those who are constantly opening and closing their window shade. The unwritten rule: Make up your mind. People can adjust to your steady light but not to your indecision.
Reclining
Your airplane seat is not dad’s old recliner. Don’t press the button on the armrest, and slam the seat back with force as this will send drinks flying into the lap of the passenger behind you. The unwritten rule: Make a “looking behind you” motion and then recline slowly, giving the passenger behind you the subtle warning that your seat is reclining.
Chatting
Don't be that person! Not everyone is looking to make new friends. Take the hint. If you're getting one word answers it’s time to stop chatting.
Bathroom
Book an aisle seat if you know you will be going to the bathroom every twenty minutes. It's annoying to other people to have to wake up, move their stuff, and move themselves.
The unwritten rule: Don’t make your seatmate climb over you should they need to get up. It's rude. Get out of your seat and stand in the aisle so they can get out.
Standing
When you stand up, refrain from grabbing the headrest of the seat in front of you. When you pull the seat back and then let it go, it can act as a catapult for the person sitting there. Use your armrests to get up.
Aisle
As you walk the aisle do as the flight attendants and brace yourself by placing your hands on the overhead bins instead of grabbing passenger headrests.
Cell Phone
When the plane is taxiing to the gate and you've fired up your cell phone, keep your voice low. We can hear you. ALL of us! And we all know we’ve landed…we don’t need to hear you tell everyone in your phone book.
Disembarking
Don't jump up and try to be the first one off - unless you're seated in Row 1. Wait your turn. The unwritten rule of etiquette here is that rows are released, in an alternating fashion, starting at the front of the plane.
Baggage Claim
On the way to baggage, standing and contemplating which direction you need to go is not acceptable behavior at the top of a busy escalator.
Taking up precious space, in front of the luggage conveyor belt with your cart, and four family members that came to pick you up, is not going to make your bag arrive any faster. Stay back and allow others to retrieve their bags until yours is within sight.
Bottom Line
Just be nice, respect the flight attendants by following their instructions, always remember you are not alone, and the flight will be pleasant for all. Bon Voyage!
While six miles high in the sky, and crammed into a metal tube with seats, one of the unwritten rules of the airways is to remember that you are not alone. Most of us exhibit proper in-flight behavior and we always remember those that don’t! Below are some unwritten rules of etiquette (for those that don’t) to help you avoid unfriendly encounters with fellow passengers as you all violate each other's personal space for a few hours.
Security
Why do some people still act surprised when they are asked to remove their shoes? Or that they have to remove pounds of metal and electronics from their pockets while people pile up behind them? In advance, place all your loose change, gadgets and jewelry into your carry-on. That way you will not be fumbling with your cell phone, wristwatch, belt buckles, bracelets, necklaces, medallions, a pound of loose change…and the list goes on!
Boarding
When the gate agent announces that Zone 8 can board the plane that is not a request for Zones 1-7 to rush the gate. This only causes boarding to take longer.
And there is no reason to push and shove…it’s not a race…your seat is reserved and will be there waiting for you once you board.
During the boarding process the aisle of the plane is not where you should re-pack your carry-on bag.
Carry your bag low in front of you as you walk down the aisle. Shoulder bags will hit passengers that are already seated.
Armrests
Here’s the unwritten rule: The passengers in the window seat and aisle seat each get one armrest, but the squashed passenger in the middle seat gets both. After all, they have the worst seat on the plane, let them have something. This means you should dispense with newspapers and read magazines and books on board.
Window Shade
When sitting by the window some passengers like to close their window shade so they can sleep, and others prefer to keep the shade up so they can look out the window. Problems arise with those who are constantly opening and closing their window shade. The unwritten rule: Make up your mind. People can adjust to your steady light but not to your indecision.
Reclining
Your airplane seat is not dad’s old recliner. Don’t press the button on the armrest, and slam the seat back with force as this will send drinks flying into the lap of the passenger behind you. The unwritten rule: Make a “looking behind you” motion and then recline slowly, giving the passenger behind you the subtle warning that your seat is reclining.
Chatting
Don't be that person! Not everyone is looking to make new friends. Take the hint. If you're getting one word answers it’s time to stop chatting.
Bathroom
Book an aisle seat if you know you will be going to the bathroom every twenty minutes. It's annoying to other people to have to wake up, move their stuff, and move themselves.
The unwritten rule: Don’t make your seatmate climb over you should they need to get up. It's rude. Get out of your seat and stand in the aisle so they can get out.
Standing
When you stand up, refrain from grabbing the headrest of the seat in front of you. When you pull the seat back and then let it go, it can act as a catapult for the person sitting there. Use your armrests to get up.
Aisle
As you walk the aisle do as the flight attendants and brace yourself by placing your hands on the overhead bins instead of grabbing passenger headrests.
Cell Phone
When the plane is taxiing to the gate and you've fired up your cell phone, keep your voice low. We can hear you. ALL of us! And we all know we’ve landed…we don’t need to hear you tell everyone in your phone book.
Disembarking
Don't jump up and try to be the first one off - unless you're seated in Row 1. Wait your turn. The unwritten rule of etiquette here is that rows are released, in an alternating fashion, starting at the front of the plane.
Baggage Claim
On the way to baggage, standing and contemplating which direction you need to go is not acceptable behavior at the top of a busy escalator.
Taking up precious space, in front of the luggage conveyor belt with your cart, and four family members that came to pick you up, is not going to make your bag arrive any faster. Stay back and allow others to retrieve their bags until yours is within sight.
Bottom Line
Just be nice, respect the flight attendants by following their instructions, always remember you are not alone, and the flight will be pleasant for all. Bon Voyage!
Comment
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Comment by Val Filipski on August 4, 2009 at 9:23am
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Maria, as always great, USEFUL reminders.
I KNOW I am going to get pulled out of line by the airlines (NOT cruise lines) since I WILL set off the metal detector with my bionic left knee. I TELL the folks at security I have LOTS of metal and I still end up going thru the detector and shuttled off to get wanded.
I still do not understand the take off your shoes directive we've had to endure for years but I don't make the rules, I just want to get where I am going in the quickest & most pleasant way possible.
Humor still greases the skids and makes everyone's encounters more enjoyable.
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