Just Because You Can Doesn’t Mean You Should

Every time I work a flight, I have the same unresolvable issues that are brought to my attention, none of them having anything to do with my airline or job performance, but I still have to navigate the way to peace within a large crowd of people in a confined space a day. Not an easy task. The hardest problems to solve are the most common, and increasing in frequency – complaints against fellow passengers where no one is really breaking any stated rules. While there is a stated code of conduct one must adhere to, there are some behaviors that infuriate others, understandably, but we are powerless to prevent or police. Here are some of the most common issues we receive complaints on but can’t do much about.

Babies in First Class

I’ve seen friends get into heated debates on this topic, and it’s a tricky one. I work in First Class exclusively, and it seems like at least once a week there’s a baby in my cabin. And someone complaining about said baby. There are certain expectations that go along with a premium experience, and quiet is one of those things. So bringing a teething child who is screaming bloody murder is less than appreciated by people who have spent thousands of dollars to ensure a good sleep before hitting the ground running at meetings or saved up for that special holiday just to have the meal spoiled by smelling a dirty diaper that the parents aren’t in a rush to change. Then the people who are annoyed by this complain to me because my airline allowed an infant in First Class. The parents can’t enjoy the flight, the surrounding passengers can’t enjoy the flight, and me? You get the idea.

In a nutshell – if you have a generally calm baby, go for it. If you have a rambunctious toddler who throws loud tantrums – bad idea.

Bare feet

Yes, we do tell you to “sit back, relax and enjoy the flight.” Do you have to relax so much that you are resting your bare foot with snaggly nails on the armrest of the seat in front of you? Please be aware that the person in front of you sees – maybe even smells – that foot of yours. As a passenger I’ve even been poked in the arm by wayward toes using my armrest as a footrest. It’s the most vile, nauseating passenger behavior there is. Even keeping your feet on the floor where they ought to be can be less than pleasant for those seated next to you when your naked feet are mere inches away. If you absolutely have to have out of the impractical shoes you for some reason decided to wear to the airport that day, bring some nice, clean slipper socks to change into. Your fellow passengers shouldn’t be more familiar with your feet than your podiatrist.

PS – Chances are you also forgo shoes in the lavatory. Stop doing that, too.

Abuse of the Emotional Support Animal laws

This is the newest travel trend – instead of having a friend watch your precious pooch while you go on vacation, you bring him along to cuddle with you on the plane. People have been traveling with pets in carriers for years, but loose rules regarding Emotional Support Animals allows people to bring a variety of animals – pigs, turkeys or just plain old massive dogs – uncontained in order to assist people who have a variety of mental issues. While these animals can be of great help to people who need it – soldiers with PTSD, for instance – there are enough people abusing the law and feigning problems just so they can bring their pets with them on flights for free. But since most airlines don’t limit the size of the animal or, with some carriers, even the amount of animals one person can have with them at a seat, it can make the flight unbearable for those immediately around them. Almost every flight which has a passenger with an emotional support animal has a person inconvenienced by it, due to being crowded out of seating space by both owner and animal taking over their legroom, allergies or fear. Most people with animal allergies haven’t previously had to disclose them when booking their flights, but now so many people bring their “therapy animals” along that people who are allergic find themselves being rebooked, since it becomes an Americans with Disabilities Act issue. People with problem-causing pets are giving the program a bad name and I face a can’t-win situation on a near daily basis at work. Thankfully, the airlines together with disabled rights advocates are fighting to limit the types of animals acceptable onboard as ESAs, which is a good start.

Headphones

Tablets have become the busy parent’s best friend, and as a parent myself, I completely understand. What I don’t understand is the resistance some parents have to having their child use headphones. When my son doesn’t want headphones on, the sound has to be off. Period. If this isn’t a suitable answer, then the tablet can’t be used at all. There is no greater torture than the repetitive dings, beeps and jangly tunes of electronic games. If you and your child can hear it, no less than ten people can as well and will probably still be hearing it in their heads at home in bed that night.

There’s no doubt about it – travel can be a stressful experience in the best of circumstances. But ditching entitlement for consideration will make it much less so for yourself and everyone else. Promise.

[Photo: Shutterstock]