What is wrong with people? [Why does getting on a plane make some people so dumb?]

[Himeno]

Why does getting on a plane make some people so dumb?

Just landed at LAX. CR7 from SLC, landed on 24R then onto taxiway AA. PA from the crew saying they were going to be taxing for a few minutes to the remote terminal and we stop at the hold bar waiting to cross 24L/6R. People start to get up - seconds after being told they were ~10 minutes away from the gate.

Last week, flying LGA-MIA. After departure, the person across the aisle from me was watching something on their tablet, without earphones. Flight attendant gave them the AA domestic earphones. The pax did nothing with them. Flight attendant comes back past and tells him that he needs to use headphones. Pax then starts an augment about it, opened the earphone pack and throw them forward into the galley, and claimed that because the safety video was put over the PA, he didn't have to use earphones to watch his video.

 

[juddles]

Himeno, relax pax are exactly that - just passengers.

 

[snabbu]

You could say the same about hotels. As a concierge many moons ago it was amazing to watch how completely clueless some people are the moment they set foot in the lobby.

 

[serfty]

@Himeno I'd just relax. Many people are only aware of themselves and have no conception of others.

I start with that base and so never get disappointed.

Of course, there are many people around who surprise and delight as my perception of them changes by their actions.

 

[opusman]

It's nothing to do with the plane, they're just dumb

 

[Pushka]

It's nothing to do with the plane, they're just dumb

And likely this is why they behave all the time but within the intimate confines of a plane you see it.

 

[Denali]

We landed at LAX and going to the gate and someone stood at the exit doors. Despite 3 warnings, he wouldnt sit down. Then the captain stopped the plane. Dead stop. Announced we werent moving until the guy sat down and if he doesnt do it now, he will be met with police when the door is opened. Pax started shouting "sit down" to the guy, he did but not happy about it. We were row 1 so off first so no idea what happened after that. Never seen a pilot stop a plane in the middle of his taxi before.

We live more and more insular, on social media where we dont see actual affects on others, in the comfort of our own bubble so we (as a general population) are becoming aholes.

I was noticing today the number of people walking across the street with their faces in their phones and scrolling. No one is that important they need their phones in their faces almost non stop.

 

[jb747]

These people are around to provide a reference point for everyone else. Somebody has to represent a low point of humanity.

 

[nickykim]

I work in HR / IR and 80% of people are stupid...or maybe I’ve just worked in HR too long.

 

[Vic]

A good rule of thumb, the average educational age is year 10.

Last week, flying LGA-MIA. After departure, the person across the aisle from me was watching something on their tablet, without earphones. Flight attendant gave them the AA domestic earphones. The pax did nothing with them. Flight attendant comes back past and tells him that he needs to use headphones. Pax then starts an augment about it, opened the earphone pack and throw them forward into the galley, and claimed that because the safety video was put over the PA, he didn't have to use earphones to watch his video.

Ask the guy to turn the screen so you can watch as well.

 

[jb747]

I work in HR / IR and 80% of people are stupid...or maybe I’ve just worked in HR too long.

Those of us who have had occasion to deal with some HR departments might suggest that 100% of them are, well, something...

 

[JohnK]

We're all selfish. Or stupid. Or both....

 

[muppet]

We're all selfish. Or stupid. Or both....

Agreed.
We’re quick to call it out when others are selfish but never realise when we are being selfish....because we’re selfish.

 

[offshore171]

Himeno, you should watch Sebastian Maniscalco’s standup comedy on Netflix.

You’ll find him a likeminded traveller.

 

[nickykim]

Those of us who have had occasion to deal with some HR departments might suggest that 100% of them are, well, something...

This is probably why I am now self employed as (unfortunately) this is true for way too many HR departments. No boss is good - I don't have to work for organisations that aren't at least trying to manage staff professionally.

 

[Scarlett]

80% of people around you are stupid? Well that's because you're surrounded by HR types...

 

[bPeteb]

Last week, flying LGA-MIA. After departure, the person across the aisle from me was watching something on their tablet, without earphones. Flight attendant gave them the AA domestic earphones. The pax did nothing with them. Flight attendant comes back past and tells him that he needs to use headphones. Pax then starts an augment about it, opened the earphone pack and throw them forward into the galley, and claimed that because the safety video was put over the PA, he didn't have to use earphones to watch his video.

That doesn't apply just to planes. We saw that in China on planes, but also on trains, lots. I don't understand why people think everyone around them wants to listen to whatever they're watching

 

[jb747]

I probably said this ages ago. Most passengers are nice people, who just want to get from A to B, with as little fuss as possible.

But, there's a small percentage who want as much fuss as possible.

They provide a lower reference point for humanity. coughs on one side, nice people on the other.

When I was flying, it was always a rule that I would never reward bad behaviour. So, they'll never get what they want, but people around them might. And if that means little willi has a chat to the local constabulary, I have no problem with that either.

 

[albatross710]

It's nothing to do with the plane, they're just dumb

Not so fast, I think Himeno is onto something.

• The pax had to log onto some website and buy their ticket or they had a job to earn enough to use a TA - not so dumb
• The pax probably has a drivers licence, so they have passed some tests - not so dumb
• The pax has a passport so negotiated that process - not so dumb

There are many ways we can show that all of the pax are not dumb before the aircraft.


Then... once on the aircraft, they go to the loo and don't lock the door.

 

[DC3]

... they go to the loo and don't lock the door.

And when you open the door, because the vacant sign is on, they look at you horrified as though you are the most disgusting perv on board .....