Mile High Manners: Sensible Solutions to Impromptu Guitar Solos & Shutting Off Seatmate’s Light/AC

Traveling can be a tricky business, one that’s often complicated by unexpected, misery-inducing difficulties. You’ve got tightened airport security to deal with, not to mention delayed flights, discourteous strangers and maybe even a screaming child to top it all off. Sometimes it feels like the whole ordeal isn’t worth the hassle, but fear not! Mile High Manners is here to lend a helping hand and guide you through the polite “do’s and don’ts” of flight etiquette, regardless of the class you’re seated in and situations you come up against. 

Have you ever faced an in-flight encounter or unexpected situation at the airport which you were unsure of how to handle properly? Send your dilemmas to us at [email protected] and check back every Wednesday as we endeavor make the travel experience more enjoyable for everyone.

Q: So, I’m in a pickle. Or I was recently, at least. It seems like every time I board a flight, I fall asleep within 10 minutes after takeoff. I really cherish my rest, and staying asleep normally isn’t an issue. However, I was on a red eye to Hong Kong last week, and I will say I’ve had plenty more… restful experience than the one I endured on that flight.

It was just after 8:30 p.m., moments after takeoff, when I threw on my trusty travel pillow and prepared to get some shuteye. Unfortunately, my seatmate had the same idea, but he neglected to turn off his light and air vent before doing so. I tossed and turned, assuming my seatmate couldn’t have planned on staying asleep too long since he had an open book in his lap, but after 30 minutes, he was still out cold.

Finally I took initiative and turned off both his light and vent. At that exact moment though, he opened his eyes and shot me a dirty look, like I was robbing him of the things he so clearly hadn’t been utilizing. I sat back in my seat, and although he went back to sleep and never said anything to me, I felt inexplicably guilty. Was it wrong of me to take action into my own hands? Is it ethical to adjust a passenger’s amenities if it’s negatively affecting you and they clearly aren’t using them?

A: Dear reader, I envy your ability to fall asleep peacefully on flights. I have no such luck. It doesn’t matter if it’s a 10-hour overnight or a quick 2-hour hop, I can’t seem to get an ounce of shut-eye. I think it’s because I’m a very light sleeper, but that’s enough about my problems, let’s get back to yours.

You’ve raised an interesting question here. If it’s clear that your seatmate is asleep, and their liberal use of the air vent and/or overhead lamp is distracting you, is it acceptable to take matters into your own hands? If I was in your seatmate’s position I certainly wouldn’t have begrudged your initiative, but then I’m a fairly easygoing person. Not everyone is as tolerant of such things, as you found out.

Fundamentally, I don’t think that it’s wrong to take matters into your own hands during situations such as this one. That said, though, it really does depend on what sort of character is occupying the seat next to you. Also, for the sake of avoiding future uncomfortable confrontations, try and make sure that your seatmate is in fact asleep before making a move. A simple wave of the hand across the face or finger click should give you a good assessment of the situation.

Q: Buenos Días, MHM! How do you feel about acoustic guitar? Because normally I’m all about it, but when my seatmate pulls his out mid-flight and starts strumming away, I’m not exactly inclined to sing along.

Tell me straight, is there sort of rule about this kind of thing? Not only were we crammed in economy, but it was also an overnight flight. Naturally passengers (including myself), were looking to get some shuteye, and then, to make matters worse, he started to sing! I mean, c’mon! It’s bad enough that the instrument is taking up space in the overhead that could’ve spared me from gate checking my carry-on, but is he really allowed to strum at his fellow flyers’ expense?

A: I like mellow acoustic guitar as much as the next guy, but on an overnight flight high above the clouds? Hmm, I’m not so sure about that. That is quite a tale to tell, dear reader. Personally, this has never happened to me, but it certainly is an interesting issue to bring up. Was he at least any good? Because the only thing worse than a random individual bursting into song and dance in public, is when said individual is terrible to boot.

On an overnight flight, when folks are trying to get some sleep, this was definitely inconsiderate behavior on the part of the impromptu musician. It isn’t acceptable, and someone — flight attendant or passenger — should have told him that as soon as he started strumming.

This would perhaps be a different story if it happened on a daytime flight packed with spring breakers, but in your situation, it was uncalled for. Next time, tell Elvis to put the instrument away. If you don’t wish to confront the performer personally, you can always ask a flight attendant to do so.

[Photo: iStock]