Let me clarify, Over the 10+ times I've flown, I've noticed a recurring theme to the way people act. Most people have a kind of, shall we say, glum attitude while in the process of air travel. They want to get where they want to go, and that's it. The security guards are focused in on making sure you're not carrying any weapons, and that you've taken your liquids out of your carry on. Flight attendants- any interaction they have with a passenger tends to be quick and stoic. And your fellow passengers, well to be completely honest, somewhat rude. But what if we could change that. What if we could turn the chore of flying into something that's positive or, at the very least, manageable.
Allow me to give you an example. I'm writing this article after just getting off of a nonstop flight to Orlando. Less than three hours ago, I witnessed a pregnant mother of two (soon to be three) who were on their way to Disney, try to find seats for her and her husband. The family walked all the way to the back of the plane to find a clear row of three for the husband, the oldest child, the mother, and the second child. The mother thought that, because her youngest was two, she could share a seat with her husband. First, a man in his 40s took the window seat of the only clear row left, when there were many one or two row seats in front. When she politely asked if he would be willing to move, he refused, forcing the family of 4 to separate. Her husband and children shared the two seats next to him, while she sat across from them on the aisle. Right before the plane took off, a flight attendant came by and asked how old their youngest was, a little girl by the name of Juliana. When she said two, the flight attendant informed the pregnant mom that if she is two or older she needs her own seat and they would need her daughter to find a seat before the plane could take off. A look of panic arose on the mothers face as I heard her say to the flight attendant "Are you sure? I mean, I'm a pregnant woman who's about to cry"
My family and I were nestled comfortably in the row in front of them, with my dad sitting on the aisle seat of the row next to us. When I saw the mother start to get concerned about the location of her daughter, I immediately turned my head towards her and offered my seat for her child, just diagonally across the aisle, and told the woman I would sit next to my dad, in the middle seat of the row up. Yes, I would have to move all my stuff and relocate. Yes, I hate sitting in the middle seat (who doesn't?). But I did it, because I saw the look of anxiety and panic that spread across the woman's face with the thought of her two year old daughter sitting with strangers in the front of the plane. After asking me if I was sure and if it wouldn't be a burden, I took my bags and moved up a row, no hesitation, and with a smile on my face. She looked relieved, and continually thanked me as I got settled into my new seat.
I didn't tell you this story to gloat. To say, "I'm a better person than you since I gave up my seat." I told you this to show the kind of etiquette that should be enforced, especially on planes. Yes, your crammed into a 2x3ft seat with nothing but a soda and some stale cookies to keep you content. Yes, you may have neighbors who snore or take both of your armrests. And yes, everyone wants to get where they need to go in a timely fashion. But next time you're flying, consider this. Take a minute to do something nice for someone else. Whether it's offering to pay for the coffee of the person behind you at Starbucks, giving up your seat to accommodate a family, or checking the details of the airline company you're flying on to provide for a smooth security line. Your act of kindness could be the thing that turns someone's rough travel day into a mangeable and, dare I say, pleasant experience. Oh, and if I may add, once I moved seats, the little girl took my seat next to my mom, who works with young children everyday. The entire flight, my mom spent her time entering the little girl. Talking to her about the characters she would meet in Disney and how excited they would be to see her again. They took selfies, shared who their favorite Disney Princess is, and made conversation with Juliana's mother. A flying experience that was not just decent, but relieving, with the thought of this whole family starting their vacation off a little better and stress free than it could have been. And, as I was exiting the plane, the mother turned to me and told me something that made my day. "I hope my daughters grow up to be just as kind as you were to me today."
