Dealing with poor manners

[juddles]

people who recline during meal service should be beaten with a truncheon. really, they should.

and anyone (without a medical certificate) who reclines in Y on Mel-Syd during the day, should also be beaten.

I understand that any airline I ran would probably gain a certain reputation amongst travellers. But if you did the right thing, you'd have nothing to worry about.

(using other people's headrests as some kind of handhold while walking to the toilets at nighttime, would result in instant ejection from the aircraft. the contents of your luggage would be auctioned on Ebay, and the proceeds would be divided amongst all those you woke up)

RE the truncheon beting, that maade me laaugh out loud. Thank you! I agree wholeheartedly.

RE MEL-SYD day flight reclining, I also agree.

But as for using the headrest to steady yourself. It is not so bad now, but international flights used to be a lot more turbulent. To walk down the aisle at night without grabbing onto headrests (the only thing available to grab on to) would almost invairiably result in you falling fce first into a passengers lap. I may be strange, but i prefer someone to grab my headrest with their hand rather than dive headfirst into my lap.

 

[simongr]

This is why airlines need an etiquette card tucked inside the safety card

 

[juddles]

I like the idea of an etiquette card! But I doubt the lower masses will read it.

 

[Rebekkap]

Isn't this why noise cancelling headphones were invented?

people who recline during meal service should be beaten with a truncheon. really, they should.

and anyone (without a medical certificate) who reclines in Y on Mel-Syd during the day, should also be beaten.

I understand that any airline I ran would probably gain a certain reputation amongst travellers. But if you did the right thing, you'd have nothing to worry about.

(using other people's headrests as some kind of handhold while walking to the toilets at nighttime, would result in instant ejection from the aircraft. the contents of your luggage would be auctioned on Ebay, and the proceeds would be divided amongst all those you woke up)

I think if it's less than a four hour flight, during the day, they should also be beaten. Yesterday flying BNE-MEL in the first row of Y, the guy in front of me in the last row of J reclined his seat before they'd even served breakfast. I asked the FA to ask him to put it back up while I ate - he did but then reclined again immediately afterwards.

It's a two hour flight, and you have a spare seat next to you in J - I'm in a full row of 3 in Y, have some damn consideration. The really annoying thing was that he wasn't even leaning back most of the time - he was leaning forwards doing something on his tray table. It's like he was just reclining to be an a***hole.

But plus one to the idea that NC headphones were invented so you don't have to listen to other people. My other half calls them "child cancelling headphones".

 

[grigo]

I hate it when people recline their seats in front of me the minute they get on board, before the plane has even left the terminal, or the ones behind that continuously push their knees into my back, especially while I am sleeping.

 

[jennymurray]

Happened to me just last weekend. Friend and I were stuck next to some kind of lunatic. We think he was on some kind of "substance". He was offensive, loud, foul mouthed and propositioned me before we even took off. (I thought that was hilarious - I am a grandmother). We had to fight him for our seats because he "wanted" the window seat, which one of us had. He was a nightmare. Well, the flight crew saw it and moved us and then gave us a complimentary drink each (we needed it).

It was only on a flight from Newcastle to Melbourne, too!

So my advice is, talk to the flight crew. That is what they are there for.

 

[JohnCarrWestwood]

I like the jetiquette card idea too and have it stapled to the forehead of any transgressor . More practically maybe given out at check in. There will always be Pigs in the sky but maybe a few can be better mannered pigs.. ( sorry 4 legged pigs , I am using a non PC term )

 

[Rebekkap]

I hate it when people recline their seats in front of me the minute they get on board, before the plane has even left the terminal, or the ones behind that continuously push their knees into my back, especially while I am sleeping.

If they're reclining before you've left the terminal, you should tell a member of the crew - seats have to be in the upright position for take off and landing for the very good reasons that (a) a reclined seat will make it slower for someone to evacuate the aircraft, and it needs to be able to be cleared in 90 seconds in an emergency, and (b) the person behind you needs to be able to use the brace position by bracing against the back of your upright chair.

So they're actually not allowed to do what you just described. Reclining while someone is eating behind you is just bad manners, not a safety issue.

 

[RAM]

Unfortunately it's just part of flying. There are some people with highly annoying habits, and if you fly enough chances are you'll score one of them from time to time.

My personal favorites are the teeth-suckers. Got stuck next to one bloke in Y for 10 hours who constantly sucked his teeth really loudly. Probably didn't even know he was doing it. Another time, a bloke got on with a pomegranate and spent the best part of 3 hours spitting seeds into the sick-bag. Then there's the bloke who'll watch 14 episodes of Two and a half Men and piss himself laughing loudly and continually. This bloke is usually half-cut, and when he eventually goes to sleep, you know he'll be a snorer.

Makes the flight pretty ordinary, but not much you can do really.

Sometimes, believe it or not, no matter how extreme their actions people can be unaware of their habits.

A while back I worked at a place where one guy (no. 2 on admin side) had a very bad habit. If he was standing and talking he could not help but readjust his crown jewels every 20 to 30 seconds.

It did not matter whether he was talking to one person or standing up in front of his team - he could not leave well enough alone. After I saw this for a third time (and asked someone who worked for him if it was unusual) I had a quiet word to him and asked if he knew what he was doing with his right hand when he was standing up and talking.

His reply was along the lines of nothing. I held back several caustic comments and told him about his habit. His face went bright red and he started to get very very angry. I said in a quiet voice that if he didn't believe me why not call any one of his staff in an ask them what his right hand got up to. He called one in, a drinking buddy of his, and asked. He got a more colourful version.

He was totally unaware of what he was doing and was shocked. The next time I saw him I noticed his right trouser pocket was closed tight - he'd safety pinned all his suit trouser pockets shut.

Problem solved.

On the ground is much easier to deal with than in a confined space. If I get a seat back kicker, or heavy touch screen user I wait until the 3rd or 4th time before I quietly (the quieter you speak the more the person has to concentrate and fewer people hear your comment) advise them that they probably don't realise what they are doing is causing problems for me (or wife/children) but could they use the remote instead. Normally works.

But then again I have been known to tell off toddlers hitting their mothers in the face when they're on their laps. Instant gratification!!!!! The look on the kids faces makes cattle class almost worthwhile.

Sniffing every 5 seconds is the worst imo and that's one I haven't solved.

 

[amaroo]

I love the ones that forget where they are....totally engrossed in the moment, wearing headphones either singing or laughing - loud! It doesn't bother me - I like to see people happy.

The one that does get me going is the window lover - shade up all the way, no matter what time of the day it is. I know windows offer a good view however, when everyone else has it down, the search light brightness can kill the mood.

 

[hugo64]

Was surprised to hear from a friend who just flew back from Europe with SIA that the person in front put
their seat back straight after takeoff and didn`t put it back til landing.
Apparently so deeply asleep the flighht crew eventually gave up and left them. Would have thought they
could have just pushed the button for them and put the seat up but apparently didn`t.

 

[EmilyHoward]

Usually these people have to go to the toilet. Whilst they are away there is lots of stuff you can do!

EH

 

[simongr]

I love the ones that forget where they are....totally engrossed in the moment, wearing headphones either singing or laughing - loud! It doesn't bother me - I like to see people happy.

If I can hear them over my noise cancelling head phones then it is too loud. Had one of those on the Europe trip last week - very annoying.

 

[djh53]

Is it limited to Y class?

Nope.

QF 747B, premium economy, late 2010. Seats were rubbish - mine was broken. When the bloke in front reclined, the top of his seat was almost in my wife's chest, and she's a small woman.

My wife had to visit the loo, and brushed his hair getting out from her aisle seat. He said something. So did I.

He later apologised to my wife - fair enough.

Difficult to sustain much worthwhile comment about QF's old aircraft, plus seats packed in so close in Y class, except to say that Virgin is MUCH better value.

 

[simongr]

Difficult to sustain much worthwhile comment about QF's old aircraft, plus seats packed in so close in Y class, except to say that Virgin is MUCH better value.

Is the seat width or pitch or both greater on DJ/VA aircraft?

 

[conventdweller]

During my last trip from HK to Mel, business class, travelling on my own in a window seat, I had a tall 40ish male passenger next to me. On take off he immediatley stretched out full length to read a book, shoes off, one in his shoe possy and one in mine! He ate quickly and resumed his position. After dinner I needed to go to the bathroom and excused myself to him. He didn't budge, I had to climb over the top of him (being a short, middle aged lady, not a pretty sight and quite an embarassing position to be in) same thing on my return.
He then fell asleep with his light on, leaning his shoulder against the controls. After waiting quite a long time for him to move, I finally needed to call the flight attendant who switched it off from the main control area.
In the morning, this randy, pyjama clad fellow stood in the aisle to do his backstretch excercises in full view of everyone.
This may have been the most embarassing flight I have had in my many years of airplane travel

 

[JohnM]

During my last trip from HK to Mel, business class, travelling on my own in a window seat, I had a tall 40ish male passenger next to me. On take off he immediatley stretched out full length to read a book, shoes off, one in his shoe possy and one in mine! He ate quickly and resumed his position. After dinner I needed to go to the bathroom and excused myself to him. He didn't budge, I had to climb over the top of him (being a short, middle aged lady, not a pretty sight and quite an embarassing position to be in) same thing on my return.
He then fell asleep with his light on, leaning his shoulder against the controls. After waiting quite a long time for him to move, I finally needed to call the flight attendant who switched it off from the main control area.
In the morning, this randy, pyjama clad fellow stood in the aisle to do his backstretch excercises in full view of everyone.
This may have been the most embarassing flight I have had in my many years of airplane travel

Dare I ask how you knew he was randy :?: :shock::shock:.

 

[conventdweller]

OMG! Was it you?

 

[Rocket88]

A few years ago I was travelling home from a trip to Asia and I was sitting in between my wife and this elderly lady (most likely in her eighties). Nice old lady she was and we chatted about her family and life in general blaaa , blaaaa blaaaa. Only problem was, as as soon as the lights dimmed she started passing the most deadly,putrid and silent wind . I couldn't say anything ( how can you tell an elderly lady her farts stink in a nice polite manner),and I could not do anything like request a move for the two of us ( full flight) but worst of all i am sure most people thought it was me.

 

[conventdweller]

A few years ago I was travelling home from a trip to Asia and I was sitting in between my wife and this elderly lady (most likely in her eighties). Nice old lady she was and we chatted about her family and life in general blaaa , blaaaa blaaaa. Only problem was, as as soon as the lights dimmed she started passing the most deadly,putrid and silent wind . I couldn't say anything ( how can you tell an elderly lady her farts stink in a nice polite manner),and I could not do anything like request a move for the two of us ( full flight) but worst of all i am sure most people thought it was me.

My kids always say "he who smelt it dealt it" but maybe you could have offered to let her sit in the aisle seat so you and your wife could sit together, then she could have gone to the bathroom without asking anyone to move? Or you could have gone to sleep. Sense of smell doesn't work when we sleep (thats why we have smoke detectors)