A few decades ago, a short time after a plane crashed into the river in DC, I was on a flight going out of National airport. We hit some turbulence and the woman sitting across the aisle from me spilled some coffee on her nice linen slacks. I said (with a smile) “that’s why I always wear jeans when I fly.” She quickly replied “I never were jeans - they get too heavy when you land in the water!” True story.
My only regret is being that annoying person accessing the overhead bin at the beginning or during a flight. I can’t count how many times I’ve tried to “do the right thing”, and gotten right out of the aisle at boarding and into my seat only to remember that something I needed for the flight, such as reading material, wires, headphones, etc. were still in my carry-on bag in the overhead bin.
Yes, this is tricky. I always make time in the week before my flight to pack the smaller bag inside of the larger one. Have I forgotten stuff? Sometimes, but it's worked much better than what I did before. Slowly learning.
Years ago I was asked by a flight attendant to exchange my aisle seat for a disabled person who I was told had the window seat in the row ahead of me. I agreed, and moved. Imagine my astonishment when this guys so called aide showed up and claimed the window seat was his. So I ended up in a middle seat when I paid for an aisle. I regret not calling for the F/A to intervene. And I’ll never exchange a seat again without asking to see their ticket. Actually probably will never give up my seat again unless it’s an upgrade.
I managed to drop a drink given to me while the plane was boarding. Can’t even blame someone else for knocking it out of my hand. I was exhausted after a week in Ireland and this was my connecting flight home. Had to sit for two hours in wet pants and a soggy seat. The flight attendants were very helpful but there was only so much they could do.
No drinks or bathroom issues. 15 years ago, I let my wife talk me into comfort coach in opposite isle seats on Lufthansa San Francisco to Frankfurt. I was placed in a middle seat next to my wife at check-in and in the 5 seconds it took me to say no, my isle seat had been given away. My wife offered to switch half way, but I said no. I wanted to remember this if I ever considered flying coach again. It has worked well.
That happened to my husband and me several years ago too. We had 2 aisle seats, Air France, main cabin, overnight international. A man came down the aisle who was huge, and sat in the seat next to my husband who is6'3" with long legs. I felt really badly for him, so I gave up my aisle seat to the very large man, and I ended up in the middle. Not my favorite flight for sure.
A few decades ago, a short time after a plane crashed into the river in DC, I was on a flight going out of National airport. We hit some turbulence and the woman sitting across the aisle from me spilled some coffee on her nice linen slacks. I said (with a smile) “that’s why I always wear jeans when I fly.” She quickly replied “I never were jeans - they get too heavy when you land in the water!” True story.
My only regret is being that annoying person accessing the overhead bin at the beginning or during a flight. I can’t count how many times I’ve tried to “do the right thing”, and gotten right out of the aisle at boarding and into my seat only to remember that something I needed for the flight, such as reading material, wires, headphones, etc. were still in my carry-on bag in the overhead bin.
I have a small bag with my inflight stuff; Kindle, iPod, headphones, etc. That way I don't need to dig through a large bag.
Good point. I do put the electronics in a smaller bag, but I do tend to forget SOMETHING, such as a book or magazine.
Yes, this is tricky. I always make time in the week before my flight to pack the smaller bag inside of the larger one. Have I forgotten stuff? Sometimes, but it's worked much better than what I did before. Slowly learning.
I’m surprised so many are against the aisle seat. That’s my choice. I really don’t like having to climb over people to get up.
Me, too! Also, long legs make this a must choice.
Eating brussell sprouts before a flight (gave me gas!)
Years ago I was asked by a flight attendant to exchange my aisle seat for a disabled person who I was told had the window seat in the row ahead of me. I agreed, and moved. Imagine my astonishment when this guys so called aide showed up and claimed the window seat was his. So I ended up in a middle seat when I paid for an aisle. I regret not calling for the F/A to intervene. And I’ll never exchange a seat again without asking to see their ticket. Actually probably will never give up my seat again unless it’s an upgrade.
I managed to drop a drink given to me while the plane was boarding. Can’t even blame someone else for knocking it out of my hand. I was exhausted after a week in Ireland and this was my connecting flight home. Had to sit for two hours in wet pants and a soggy seat. The flight attendants were very helpful but there was only so much they could do.
Ugh! My husband once went to the washroom during a flight, in sock feet, and felt like I was going to sick to my stomach just looking at his feet 😫
Great tips. Hydration, ETOH. Sounds like my top-five list.
No drinks or bathroom issues. 15 years ago, I let my wife talk me into comfort coach in opposite isle seats on Lufthansa San Francisco to Frankfurt. I was placed in a middle seat next to my wife at check-in and in the 5 seconds it took me to say no, my isle seat had been given away. My wife offered to switch half way, but I said no. I wanted to remember this if I ever considered flying coach again. It has worked well.
That happened to my husband and me several years ago too. We had 2 aisle seats, Air France, main cabin, overnight international. A man came down the aisle who was huge, and sat in the seat next to my husband who is6'3" with long legs. I felt really badly for him, so I gave up my aisle seat to the very large man, and I ended up in the middle. Not my favorite flight for sure.