1 -- e. Though I've heard it (often!), I find it amusing to breifly scan the rest of the passengers to see who's listening. I'll watch though -- if it's the first time I've flown that particular airline (typically a foreign flag carrier).

2 -- e. I've never heard them say this either, but I typically check one bag and keep my briefcase beneath the seat in front of me.

3 -- b. I usually unfasten as the plane nears the gate. However, I usually remain in my seat and calmly wait for everyone to spill out into the aisles and fight for position. Then, I usually raise the armrest (where possible) and sit relaxed until the passengers in front of me have cleared the aisles.

[This message has been edited by ORD12 (edited 02-14-2001).]

Let me explain what I meant in question number 2.

United often asks pax to put roller bags with handle facing out. This way, more bags can fit in the bins. Often, people put the bag in with the handle to the side, taking up lots more space. Then, during the PA, those same people sit there and do nothing while the FA's are busy trying to find more space.

A) I even pull out the safety card and review at the conclusion of the briefing, on every flight.

B) I use the time instead to scope out the cute girls on the flight...

B) I feel naked without my seatbelt.

1 d (and recite it along with her I hear it so often)

2 b (stowed and waiting for my pre-flight drink)

3 b (seat belt off as we pass the jetway, waiting for the ding)

1. honestly . . . if the the safety presentation is "live" I look for the prettiest FA and watch her give the presentation. if it's on video, i just usually zone out.

2. never heard that one.

3. B.

1. D on the planes I fly 15-25 times/year each: AA 737s, MD80s, and Saabs. But I look at the exit door if I'm in the exit row. All other planes/carriers: A

2. N/A until AA finished expanding their overhead bins

3. B

a) on a new carrier or a new aircraft type, but mostly it's the same ol' MD-90 or B-767 on Delta so I can almost recite it. I do notice, however, when they change videos. And I also always try to mmemorize the number of rows to the nearest exit. I don't like those that have a conversation during the announcement. There are other passengers who would like to listen.

b). I'm amazed how many don't take advantage of the newer, deeper overhead bins, even FA's. We finally got new bins that will take many of the rollers "handle-out" and people don't use them. On my latest DL B-757 there were actually stickers on the inside of the overhead bin door showing how to stowe the rollers.

a). There is not much to do even if you unfasten the belt beforehand. BTW, I keep the belt on all the time, except for the occasional trip to the lav.

/Pete

[This message has been edited by L-1011 (edited 02-16-2001).]

I used to take out the safety card and listen during all briefings. I'll admit that with flying the same aircraft over and over again I find it hard to really pay attention, I still always take out that safety card and unfold it and stop reading or talking, at least making a reasonable simulation of paying attention. It usually seems like I am the only one in F who's even pretending to pay attention.

If the aircraft is at all new to me, I certainly pay attention and count rows to exits.

And on the overhead bin issue, a pet peeve of mine is that crew will leave pillows and blankets up in the bins so passengers who put luggage up will crush these to the back, taking up extra space on crowded flights (and making the pillows and blankets inaccessible to passengers who might want them later in flight). I always go through the bins near my seat, whatever cabin I am in, and remove all pillows and blankets to my seat (or any empty middle seat next to me in Y).

I don't mind having 3 pillows and 2-3 blankets; I use them to make a nest in my seat if no one else wants them.

I've had a flew flights in Y where I have literally filled a middle seat with pillows and blankets. It's a simple matter to shove some in the front of the bins after luggage is stowed. Then people who want them in flight can see them, and no extra luggage is displaced to the dreaded gate check.

I travel with a lot of carryon and like the bulkhead, so I do use a fair amount of bin space. I figure my pillow and blanket routine is at least some contribution to the problem.

Once (in five years or so of doing this) I had a passenger verbally criticize me for removing pillows and blankets from the overhead bins. It was on a flight where the crew had not taken a single one out and placed them on the seats. My first reaction to anyone who talks to me is to ask them to help themselves to pillows and blankets in my pile. He refused and got ruder when I explained why I was taking them out, like I was doing something I shouldn't. But that was only one time.

Recently on UA, they seem to be pulling the pillows and blankets out and putting them on the Y middle seats, which I think is a great standard procedure.