Worst seat mate of my life. Long read.
Jul 11, 2011, 7:22 pm
#91
Original Poster
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I thought of this thread on a flight I took today. Unwiding in the hotel right now and thought I'd vent a bit... Not sure if he's the "worst seat mate" or not, but he's up there somewhere.
Both in Y. I have window, middle seat empty, he has aisle. He was on the phone loudly while we were at the gate. I've seen worst, so didn't think twice about it.
I had to work throughout the 3 hour flight, and so did he. He was using the middle seat as a desk to put his papers. I had papers galore also, so I "borrowed" the middle seat and unbeknownst to me, a corner of my papers overlapped his. As he was looking for something in his stash, he noticed my "intrusion" and smacked his lips in clear annoyance and pushed my papers slightly over to my side. I decide to ignore him.
Drink cart comes through. *HE* puts the middle seat tray table down and uses it to hold his drink. No problem. I put a few of my papers on "my side" of the middle tray table since I needed the space to look for something else. 20 minutes later, his drink is spilled over my paper. Not a word from him. Not even a "sorry." Pulled my papers, and didn't use the tray table from then on.
Final approach. We both clear off our papers and I restow them in my bag. The middle tray table is clear but still down. FA comes at 10K feet and was trying to get a family a few rows in front of me to "un-recline" their seats. FA's a bit annoyed because some members of the family refused to cooperate (or didn't cooperate fast enough). I knew a few words were exchanged, but decided to look out the window. FA catches me off guard and says to us "you have to fold that tray table up." The guy says, "are you done with it?" I must have had a look of confusion on my face because I was wondering how he assumed that I wasn't done using the tray after he spilled Coke over my papers. FA looks at me and says "well, if you're done, please fold it up. We're on final approach." Not one to argue with an FA, I ended up folding up the tray table and the guy closes his eyes for a "nap."
All I can say now is "wow!"
Both in Y. I have window, middle seat empty, he has aisle. He was on the phone loudly while we were at the gate. I've seen worst, so didn't think twice about it.
I had to work throughout the 3 hour flight, and so did he. He was using the middle seat as a desk to put his papers. I had papers galore also, so I "borrowed" the middle seat and unbeknownst to me, a corner of my papers overlapped his. As he was looking for something in his stash, he noticed my "intrusion" and smacked his lips in clear annoyance and pushed my papers slightly over to my side. I decide to ignore him.
Drink cart comes through. *HE* puts the middle seat tray table down and uses it to hold his drink. No problem. I put a few of my papers on "my side" of the middle tray table since I needed the space to look for something else. 20 minutes later, his drink is spilled over my paper. Not a word from him. Not even a "sorry." Pulled my papers, and didn't use the tray table from then on.
Final approach. We both clear off our papers and I restow them in my bag. The middle tray table is clear but still down. FA comes at 10K feet and was trying to get a family a few rows in front of me to "un-recline" their seats. FA's a bit annoyed because some members of the family refused to cooperate (or didn't cooperate fast enough). I knew a few words were exchanged, but decided to look out the window. FA catches me off guard and says to us "you have to fold that tray table up." The guy says, "are you done with it?" I must have had a look of confusion on my face because I was wondering how he assumed that I wasn't done using the tray after he spilled Coke over my papers. FA looks at me and says "well, if you're done, please fold it up. We're on final approach." Not one to argue with an FA, I ended up folding up the tray table and the guy closes his eyes for a "nap."
All I can say now is "wow!"
Jul 11, 2011, 7:26 pm
#92
Join Date: Jun 2010
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that's the type of battle I have never been good at winning, because it's like a battle to the bottom over petty stupid stuff.
Jul 12, 2011, 7:04 am
#93
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Jul 12, 2011, 1:46 pm
#95
Join Date: Dec 2000
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I often take the bulkhead window on longer domestic flights so that I can access the aisle anytime without making the other person get out of their seat. So yesterday, I am in 1D on ATL-PHX and the guy in 1C takes off his cowboy boots, leaves them on the floor in front and spends most of the flight with feet propped up the bulkhead. He was a nice enough fellow, had at least 5 Jack and cokes in addition to the two that I saw him order in the ATL SC
Feet on the bulkhead, whether in shoes, socks or bare, should simply be prohibited!
Feet on the bulkhead, whether in shoes, socks or bare, should simply be prohibited!
Jul 12, 2011, 2:12 pm
#97
Join Date: Nov 2008
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While the guy next to him was clearly obnoxious, I do agree with you and TMacATL. I'm his age and recently completed my masters while working full-time. I must admit I am a little envious I can't work part-time pursuing my undergraduate and travel that much at this age!
Jul 12, 2011, 2:24 pm
#98
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: Rocky MOuntain High
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Posts: 461
I can top that (and I suspect we call can)
Quick background, 25 year old male here, part time employed while in college (took a few years off after hs) way into the milage game, loving my status.
So yesterday afternoon I'm flying MSP-SNA, as a PM my upgrade clears about a day and a half before departure, on a last min Q fare. I board when they call for first. After about 20 min of boarding it looks like the plane is almost full, there are 2 remaining first seats, I saw at least one DM pax walking to coach. The GA sticks her head into the plane and the lead FA says we have 2 left open. A few min later a couple people walk on and sit in the two empty first seats, I assume FO pax who sat at the gate hoping for a shot at the last seats.
The one who sat next to me....omfg....where to begin? Well he does not even sit down, or make it to his seat before he demands his pfb, "I want a water and a wine", THEN puts his bag away and sits down. After a few min off sitting around he starts in with the normal "flying home or from somewhere else? Going for work or fun?" the normal crap. Eventually we come around to me being a student and working on computer science. "your a little old for college aren't you?" so I explain I took some time off before college. He asks me where I live and I at in in the dorms "they let someone as ....ig old as you live in the dorms?!". he then dives into how he's got this product he's developing that sprint and verizon are going to be all over and how I will remember sitting next to him in a few years as he's going to be that fameous.
At this point we are pulling out of the gate and I burry my nose in Sky mag and try to make it obvious I dont want to talk anyore.
He then props his feet up on the bulkhead, in shorts and sandals, with his feet covered in red bug bites and sores. He sits there scratching at them while then proceeding to grill me on why I am I first. "oh I fly a lot so I have status and get upgraded". "no way you fly that much" I explain Ive flow about 30 trips this year so far, he does not believe that that would earn me upgrades. I try to quickly comment that a number of them are international so they earn me a lot, London twice, Paris, st Thomas, Taipei. "why in the .... would you go to Taipei? Who on earth would want to go to Taiwan!?!?". I don't really feel like trying to explain a cheap MR and me wanting to see the new W there. He then grills me about where I have money, how can I afford it. Like it's any of his god damn business.
After pressing me for what my parents do and if they pay for me ("spoil me"). We finally pass 10k feet and I quickly pull out my iPad and plug in my earphones. After a few min he gets out his laptop and starts working on emails. About 3 wines later, he passes out, slumped over his laptop mid sentence for about an hour and a half. When he finally awakens near the end of the flight he sits there flipping the armrest cover up and down quickly for about 5 min while the FAs and other pax watch in disgust. He then picks up his empty watter bottle, and starts tapping out some tune with it by slamming it against the metal on the armrest while slapping his bare leg.
Long story short, I was miserable.
So yesterday afternoon I'm flying MSP-SNA, as a PM my upgrade clears about a day and a half before departure, on a last min Q fare. I board when they call for first. After about 20 min of boarding it looks like the plane is almost full, there are 2 remaining first seats, I saw at least one DM pax walking to coach. The GA sticks her head into the plane and the lead FA says we have 2 left open. A few min later a couple people walk on and sit in the two empty first seats, I assume FO pax who sat at the gate hoping for a shot at the last seats.
The one who sat next to me....omfg....where to begin? Well he does not even sit down, or make it to his seat before he demands his pfb, "I want a water and a wine", THEN puts his bag away and sits down. After a few min off sitting around he starts in with the normal "flying home or from somewhere else? Going for work or fun?" the normal crap. Eventually we come around to me being a student and working on computer science. "your a little old for college aren't you?" so I explain I took some time off before college. He asks me where I live and I at in in the dorms "they let someone as ....ig old as you live in the dorms?!". he then dives into how he's got this product he's developing that sprint and verizon are going to be all over and how I will remember sitting next to him in a few years as he's going to be that fameous.
At this point we are pulling out of the gate and I burry my nose in Sky mag and try to make it obvious I dont want to talk anyore.
He then props his feet up on the bulkhead, in shorts and sandals, with his feet covered in red bug bites and sores. He sits there scratching at them while then proceeding to grill me on why I am I first. "oh I fly a lot so I have status and get upgraded". "no way you fly that much" I explain Ive flow about 30 trips this year so far, he does not believe that that would earn me upgrades. I try to quickly comment that a number of them are international so they earn me a lot, London twice, Paris, st Thomas, Taipei. "why in the .... would you go to Taipei? Who on earth would want to go to Taiwan!?!?". I don't really feel like trying to explain a cheap MR and me wanting to see the new W there. He then grills me about where I have money, how can I afford it. Like it's any of his god damn business.
After pressing me for what my parents do and if they pay for me ("spoil me"). We finally pass 10k feet and I quickly pull out my iPad and plug in my earphones. After a few min he gets out his laptop and starts working on emails. About 3 wines later, he passes out, slumped over his laptop mid sentence for about an hour and a half. When he finally awakens near the end of the flight he sits there flipping the armrest cover up and down quickly for about 5 min while the FAs and other pax watch in disgust. He then picks up his empty watter bottle, and starts tapping out some tune with it by slamming it against the metal on the armrest while slapping his bare leg.
Long story short, I was miserable.
I sat next to a gentleman on a flight in 1st from SLC to JFK, he was a large man who claimed to live in the Hamptons (not unlike George Costanza from Seinfeld I suspect) and as the flight progressed and the booze continued to flow he told me what he wanted to do with me and asked if I would consider being his mistress because 'that's how we roll in the Hamptons'.
FA were aware as were several other passengers, but unfortunately no one was there to help me out of my unwitting predicament. It was awful! But in all honesty has made a great story to share....so there is always that!
Last edited by LeslieJam; Jul 12, 2011 at 2:25 pm Reason: spelling
Jul 13, 2011, 6:58 am
#100
Join Date: Oct 2002
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Jul 13, 2011, 7:17 am
#101
Join Date: May 2009
Location: Brooklyn, NYC
Programs: DL DM
Posts: 785
I sat next to a gentleman on a flight in 1st from SLC to JFK, he was a large man who claimed to live in the Hamptons (not unlike George Costanza from Seinfeld I suspect) and as the flight progressed and the booze continued to flow he told me what he wanted to do with me and asked if I would consider being his mistress because 'that's how we roll in the Hamptons'.
FA were aware as were several other passengers, but unfortunately no one was there to help me out of my unwitting predicament. It was awful! But in all honesty has made a great story to share....so there is always that!
FA were aware as were several other passengers, but unfortunately no one was there to help me out of my unwitting predicament. It was awful! But in all honesty has made a great story to share....so there is always that!
Jul 13, 2011, 4:54 pm
#103
Join Date: Mar 2007
Programs: QFF Gold, Flying Blue, Enrich
Posts: 5,366
And it's very unlike nostril maintenance. The chances of coming into contact with something revolting are much, much less likely from the foot on the bulkhead than the flick-and-wipe from the nose miner. Any comparison between the two is ridiculous.
I may be free to perform either act, but the fact is I don't indulge in either behaviour; but of course you weren't implying that I do, were you.
Jul 13, 2011, 6:20 pm
#104
Join Date: Jan 2010
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This thread is ridiculous. In my opinion many of the complainers are the "d-bags".
I personally do not strike up conversations on the plane except on final descent and that is rare. I do not care if someone talks to me, in fact sometimes I enjoy it.
-But complaining about a banana!!!-I hate to break it to you but if bananas upset you so much you might want to go see a psychiatrist because that is plain weird.
-Tuna in FC! "OH MY" "HOW DARE HE!" (Its served on United F with the little snack boxes)
-Feet on the bulkhead-What does it matter, if someone was wearing shorts on the flight before you there is a good chance bare skin touched your seat (GASP)
-BO/smelly feet are a fact of life, if you dont like it, fly netjets. I agree that people should shower before a flight but on a plane with 150 people someone slept in and didnt shower, someone probably has a BO problem, someone probably had a late connection and ran through the airport causing sweaty feet.
I know I have ran for many connections especially this year.
I like these threads bc some of them crack me up (eg wanking on landing).
But to be genuinely upset with someone for half of these complaints is weird.
Ripping Farts,boogers,out of control drunk I understand, but you guys complain to much.
I personally do not strike up conversations on the plane except on final descent and that is rare. I do not care if someone talks to me, in fact sometimes I enjoy it.
-But complaining about a banana!!!-I hate to break it to you but if bananas upset you so much you might want to go see a psychiatrist because that is plain weird.
-Tuna in FC! "OH MY" "HOW DARE HE!" (Its served on United F with the little snack boxes)
-Feet on the bulkhead-What does it matter, if someone was wearing shorts on the flight before you there is a good chance bare skin touched your seat (GASP)
-BO/smelly feet are a fact of life, if you dont like it, fly netjets. I agree that people should shower before a flight but on a plane with 150 people someone slept in and didnt shower, someone probably has a BO problem, someone probably had a late connection and ran through the airport causing sweaty feet.
I know I have ran for many connections especially this year.
I like these threads bc some of them crack me up (eg wanking on landing).
But to be genuinely upset with someone for half of these complaints is weird.
Ripping Farts,boogers,out of control drunk I understand, but you guys complain to much.
Jul 13, 2011, 6:39 pm
#105
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: SYD/RAP
Programs: DL/KM Platinum, STE+, Hertz Prezzie
Posts: 222
I sat next to a gentleman on a flight in 1st from SLC to JFK, he was a large man who claimed to live in the Hamptons (not unlike George Costanza from Seinfeld I suspect) and as the flight progressed and the booze continued to flow he told me what he wanted to do with me and asked if I would consider being his mistress because 'that's how we roll in the Hamptons'.
FA were aware as were several other passengers, but unfortunately no one was there to help me out of my unwitting predicament. It was awful! But in all honesty has made a great story to share....so there is always that!
FA were aware as were several other passengers, but unfortunately no one was there to help me out of my unwitting predicament. It was awful! But in all honesty has made a great story to share....so there is always that!