theMusingPosthttps://www.musingpost.com/2024-03-29T07:04:24.414882+00:00From a Friend on a Recent Cross Country Flight2019-10-11T10:28:08+00:002024-03-29T04:40:34.622187+00:00Ken Meyerhttps://www.musingpost.com/author/kmeyersr/https://www.musingpost.com/from-a-friend-on-a-recent-cross-country-flight/<p>This was posted in real time on a Facebook by a friend on a cross country trip. </p>
<p></p>
<p><strong><em>Me to a very embarrassed and increasingly frustrated young Mother of a crying, teething baby in seat 22e (from seat 22d): "I've heard it helps to rub bourbon on their gums".</em></strong></p>
<p><strong><em>Mom in 22e: "me too, but I've never bought bourbon".</em></strong></p>
<p><strong><em>Me in 22d: "I'll buy it".</em></strong></p>
<p><strong><em>Drink comes</em></strong></p>
<p><strong><em>Mom in 22e: "how do I do it?"</em></strong></p>
<p><strong><em>Me in 22d: "Just dip your finger in and rub it on her gums, I guess."</em></strong></p>
<p><strong><em>Mom in 22e: "You do it!"</em></strong></p>
<p><strong><em>Me in 22d: "Ma'am I bought you a drink but I'm not sticking a whiskey soaked finger in your baby's mouth."</em></strong></p>
<p><strong><em>Mom in 22e: "Do you mind if I just drink it?"</em></strong></p>
<p><strong><em>Me in 22d: "Be my guest. The crying won't bother you so much. Why do you think I've been so calm?"</em></strong></p>
<p></p>
<p>After the young mother and baby dozed off to sleep a gentleman across the aisle bought my friend's next drink and the flight attendent then provide the rest of his drinks on the house for the remainder of the trip. </p>Summer Seersucker in the Sky2019-08-23T08:57:41+00:002024-03-29T00:59:28.968719+00:00Ken Meyerhttps://www.musingpost.com/author/kmeyersr/https://www.musingpost.com/summer-seersucker-in-the-sky/<p><img alt="" src="https://static.musingpost.com/media/uploads/20190823_091018-641x578_25%.jpg"/><img alt="" src="https://static.musingpost.com/media/uploads/20190823_091018-641x578_25%.jpg"/><img alt="" height="722" src="https://static.musingpost.com/media/uploads/20190823_091018-800x722_small.jpg" width="800"/></p>
<p></p>
<p>Labor Day is getting close. This may be the last time to wear seersucker for this season. My flight attendant liked it and was very accomodating. Cheers</p>Double Take in the Skyclub2019-05-10T12:44:22+00:002024-03-29T00:03:16.700764+00:00Ken Meyerhttps://www.musingpost.com/author/kmeyersr/https://www.musingpost.com/double-take-in-the-skyclub/<p>Arriving at LaGuardia Airport a bit early, I headed to the Delta Skyclub to relax for a few minutes before my flight.</p>
<p>While enjoying a nice bowl of soup (Delta Skyclubs generally have decent food offering), a young man walks by wearing headphones and seemingly engrossed in his phone, clicking away with both hands as he walked.</p>
<p>Behind him I noticed his hard case four wheeled luggage following behind as if being pulled right along. Not unusual, right? </p>
<p>But I saw both of his hands on his phone and not holding a leash or strap.</p>
<p>I looked for a tether. Nothing. I looked again after rubbing my eyes and them a third time. Nothing.</p>
<p>This darned piece of luggage was following hehind him like a puppy. Nothing attached.</p>
<p>It was the darndest thing I have seen in a while. And yes, a definite double and triple take. </p>
<p>We are in a Jetson kind of world.</p>
<p>Cheers </p>
<p>I could do nothing but chuckle.</p>Overheard on a Recent Delta Flight2019-02-15T10:48:21+00:002024-03-29T07:04:24.414882+00:00Ken Meyerhttps://www.musingpost.com/author/kmeyersr/https://www.musingpost.com/overheard-on-a-recent-delta-flight/<p>On a morning flight, sitting in the seat just in front, a thirty something young lady with a toddler.</p>
<p>Toddler: What's that?</p>
<p>Mom: An adult drink.</p>
<p>Toddler: (Loudly) AGAIN?</p>
<p>Mom: Sshhh...don't be so loud. </p>TSA - Thousands Standing Around2019-02-12T08:24:58+00:002024-03-28T18:04:43.350840+00:00Ken Meyerhttps://www.musingpost.com/author/kmeyersr/https://www.musingpost.com/tsa-thousands-standing-around/<p>I am generally supportive of TSA and airport security procedures and rarely have a complaint, but every now and then the agents earn their less than stellar reputation. </p>
<p>Today was one such day.</p>
<p>Early morning flight, not a lot of airport activity. I checked my bag and proceeded to the TSA line, four queued lines with not one person in line but two TSA agents standing at the check in desk leading to the scanning equipment. They were having a personal conversation and not really paying attention to anything else.</p>
<p>The queue lines were all roped/ribboned off...without anyone in line...requiring travelers to walk forty feet, turn 180 degrees, walk another forty feet, and repeat two more times before arriving at the checkin desk. It is like a cattle chute.</p>
<p>The actual distance from the entrance to the queue line to the checkin desk is probably fifteen feet. Walking the entire queue is roughly 160 feet. The spooled ribbon separation equipment that directs pedestrian traffic are portable and easily slipped in and out of position so when there is not much traffic, and being the nonconformist that I am, I many times will simply slip off the ribbon end and move directly toward the desk for checkin, replacing the ribbon behind me, rather than winding my way through empty lanes. Not a problem, right? </p>
<p>Well, occasionally there is a Barney Fife type on duty who really likes rules and likes to "nip things in the bud" to show his/her authority to lowly air travelers.</p>
<p>Today, I approached the queue line and, seeing no one in line and the two TSA agents, standing around and just yucking it up, I slipped off the ribbon and stepped right up to the desk, rather than winding my way through an empty maze.</p>
<p>As I stepped up, Barney and his buddy looked startled as I apparently inconveniently broke up their non work related conversation. He then proceeded to berate me a bit for not walking all the way through the back and forth queue line. </p>
<p>Really?</p>
<p>Apparently there was a gentleman I had not noticed who had entered the line just before me and was still winding his way through the empty maze. Barney commented that the other gentleman probably didn't appreciate me breaking in front of him...the two of us comprising the entirety of the "line". He made several comments for his TSA buddies to hear that he didn't know they had "authorized" moving the ribbon, trying to make a big deal about it. Most of the agents standing around recognized me as a very frequent customer and know me to be very cooperative and friendly so they basically ignored Barney's comments.</p>
<p>Barney backed down when he realized the absurdity of his concern and sometimes common sense and convenience can trump rules, but for a moment I thought, hmmm this could get interesting. Fortunately he backed down and then made a joke of it when I didn't respond to his passive ad hominems.</p>
<p>I proceeded and went on my way.</p>
<p>Come on TSA, you are serving the public, try using a bit of common sense when on duty. When you really are just standing around waiting for business, try being a little more cooperative and customer oriented rather than authoritarian. It would go a long way.</p>
<p>We are all in this together. </p>
<p>Cheers</p>The Fun of Air Travel2019-02-08T07:37:32+00:002024-03-26T13:25:07.685528+00:00Ken Meyerhttps://www.musingpost.com/author/kmeyersr/https://www.musingpost.com/the-fun-of-air-travel/<p>Every now and then I get to laugh at myself, along with others.</p>
<p>I just boarded a flight home and was lucky to get that first class bump up. I settled in to my window seat, watching the rest of the boarding process as the flight attendant took my order for coffee. </p>
<p>A gentleman sits in the seat beside me, also settles in and pulls out his paper version of the Wall Street Journal. Obviously old school. He appears to be not too many years older then me but close.</p>
<p>After a few minutes of minding our own business, my seatmate taps me on the arm and asks with a bit of embarrassment if I knew how to turn on the overhead reading light. Me, being a well seasoned air traveled and always willing to accommodate (wink), confidently and perhaps even a bit smugly replied "of course, not a problem". And so I thought. Hmmm.</p>
<p>We are on a relatively new aircraft, an Airbus 320 for my geeky friends, equipped with all the modern gadgetry, tv monitors in the back of the chairs, USB plugins, powerports, etc. And yes, overhead there are fancy touch button LED reading lights. Easy peasy, right?</p>
<p>There is a small illuminated icon of a light on the sleek smooth surface above, just in front of the light itself. I press the icon on my side. My seatmate starts pushing his as well. Nothing, nada, not even a flicker.</p>
<p>We begin to snicker and my seatmate makes a comment about our age and his belief that his five year old grandson could figure it out without even thinking about it. We laughed and began to swap quips, getting louder with our laughs and quips....and others begin to notice, including the cabin crew, as we continue poking the smooth surface. </p>
<p>By this time half the first class cabin and those still in the aisle were chuckling, even outright laughing at what seemed to be a couple of complete luddites on the plane trying to turn on a light. </p>
<p>In our defense it was dark in the cabin. </p>
<p>After some time went by and our poking above seemed fruitless, the two guys just in front of us who looked to be ten or so years younger than me, turned around and verbally guided my finger to the correct spot and...voilla! Yes, there was light. </p>
<p>He joked that his five year old had to show him. </p>
<p>We all guffawed as our mystery got solved. </p>
<p>A flight attendant then walked by laughing and commenting on just how long they were going to let us suffer in our obvious ignorance before assisting. I laughed and told him I could have found it on my own if I had had enough light. </p>
<p>We all laughed as we finished settling in for take off.</p>
<p>Ok, maybe you had to be there to really appreciate but it is a good way to start a travel day...with a good laugh.</p>
<p>Cheers.</p>
<p></p>Rude Millenial Traveler2019-02-07T07:35:00+00:002024-03-28T22:53:32.539630+00:00Ken Meyerhttps://www.musingpost.com/author/kmeyersr/https://www.musingpost.com/rude-millenial-traveler/<p>I had an early flight this morning. My seat is in the rear of the plane, a full sized MD88. Because of my frequent flyer status I am able to board with first class.</p>
<p>So, I settle in and watch the rest of the boarding process from a good vantage point. </p>
<p>Toward the end of the process, after most of the overhead bins are already filled, along come a Millenial with an overpacked carry on. He is dressed in straight skinny white jeans that needed a wash, a pullover sweatshirt emblazoned with NYC and wearing knitted headgear that covered what I can only assume is long hair down his back. </p>
<p>Of course, there was no apparant room for his large piece of luggage. But he found his own solution. He literally moved other passengers luggage and actually removed a smaller bag to cram his in and then handed the smaller bag to the other passenger sitting below and asked them to hold it or stick it under their seat.</p>
<p>Unbelievable rudeness. </p>
<p>Unfortunately he then sat down beside me in my exit row. He literally reaked of body odor. </p>
<p>I cannot get over just how self absorbed and selfish some people are when traveling. </p>
<p>Millenials, and everyone else, have some pride and dignity. Take a bath before traveling on a flying bus and show some respect for others.</p>
<p>Is that too much to ask?</p>Loudmouth in the SkyClub2019-01-23T15:00:57+00:002024-03-21T23:26:58.764141+00:00Ken Meyerhttps://www.musingpost.com/author/kmeyersr/https://www.musingpost.com/loudmouth-in-the-skyclub/<p>Sitting in the SkyClub between flight. Probably 50 people in this room overlooking the tarmac. </p>
<p>At the end of the room there sits a man on cellphone having a conversation that literally can be clearly heard by the entire room.</p>
<p>This guy is either a doctor or a pharmaceutical salesman but he is talking about diagnoses and next steps....and I am pretty sure I heard talk about the patient by name.</p>
<p>Private information is getting harder and harder to protect....and then you have a guy announcing medical information to the world. </p>
<p>Unbelievable!</p>Air Travel During the Shutdown2019-01-15T10:32:57+00:002024-03-27T17:36:50.052940+00:00Ken Meyerhttps://www.musingpost.com/author/kmeyersr/https://www.musingpost.com/air-travel-during-the-shutdown/<p>The partial government shutdown means TSA and other government employees may be working without pay and working with a bit less energy than usual.</p>
<p>I am boarding a flight. The security line is moving much slower than normal, but there also seems to be a lot of carryon baggage.</p>
<p>Here's a thought, if you know TSA is goung to be slower than usual, perhaps checking bags is worth considering. Let the airlines handle it.</p>
<p>It would make life easier on everyone.</p>
<p></p>Air Travel Tips, Observations and Etiquette2019-01-02T09:27:09+00:002024-03-27T17:40:43.849202+00:00Ken Meyerhttps://www.musingpost.com/author/kmeyersr/https://www.musingpost.com/universal-travel-tips-and-etiquette/<p>I don't claim to be an expert, but I have logged nearly two million miles on a couple thousand flights inside canisters with wings that are shooting through the air. I have learned a few things over the years and made lots of observations during the process.</p>
<p>Remember, air travel is subject to a lot of outside influences, including weather conditions, that can impact flight scheduling. Everyone traveling is in the same boat, er plane, as you. Be courteous to those around you.</p>
<p>Here are a few comments and suggestions for air travel, in no particular order.</p>
<ul style="list-style-type: disc;">
<li><strong>Be polite to airline employees, even when they may not be.</strong> Too frequently I have observed an air traveler whose flight was disrupted for any number of reasons and they seem to think the gate agent has some control over the weather or mechanical issues or flight crew health issues, etc. I have seen gate agents berated for the most ridiculous of reasons. Be nice. They are just trying to do their job.
<ul>
<li>Airline employees are not intentionally trying to ruin your day.</li>
<li>It is not their fault when a storm comes through a major hub like Chicago or Atlanta causing disruptions across the system. Do not berate them. Work with them to find the best solution.</li>
<li>Airlines generally are doing the best they can do to get your accommodated. </li>
<li>It is in the airlines' best interest to get you to your destination as soon as possible. </li>
<li>
<h5>There are risks associated with air travel that include weather delays, mechanical problems and personnel issues. Accept that as fact and roll with the punches. You and everyone around you will benefit in the end.</h5>
</li>
<li>Stories
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.musingpost.com/making-good-use-of-time/">Pushups on the Tarmac</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.musingpost.com/today-delta-rocks/">Today, Delta Rocks</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.musingpost.com/yes-we-need-a-healthy-pilot/">Important to Have a Healthy Pilot</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.musingpost.com/the-stars-sometime-align/">Sometimes the Stars Align</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.musingpost.com/clear-lane-in-denver/">Denver CLEAR Lane</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.musingpost.com/the-trifecta/">The Trifecta - What a Day!</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.musingpost.com/female-pilots/">Flight Crew Uniforms</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.musingpost.com/always-tip-well/">Tip Well</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.musingpost.com/delta-chattanooga-team-rocks/">Chattanooga Delta Team Rocks</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.musingpost.com/delta-dress-code/">Delta Dress Code</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.musingpost.com/delta-porsche-service-pretty-cool/">Delta Porsche Service SFO</a></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>
<h5><strong>Follow the rules of the FAA, the airline and civil society</strong>.</h5>
<ul>
<li>Just because you think you are a very important call, when asked to end your call and put your device in airplane mode, do it. It can delay the flight for others it is very rude to fellow travelers. I have been on many flights where a fellow traveler seemingly thinks the rules do not apply to them, and it impacts everyone else. Be polite.</li>
<li>Turn off the phone or put it in airplane mode when asked.</li>
<li>Do not recline your seat before take off.</li>
<li>Fasten your seatbelt promptly upon settling in.</li>
<li>Let the flight attendants do their job for flight preparation. Your drink order can wait until airborne.</li>
<li>Visit the restroom before boarding rather than waiting until you are seated and before takeoff.</li>
<li>If you have bought a low fare ticket and sitting in a cramped seat in the rear of the plane, do not complain if/when the person seated in front of you wants to recline their seat. It is their right to do so. That is not your space, it is theirs, just as the space for your reclined seat is behind you. </li>
<li>Stories
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.musingpost.com/dress-for-success/">Dress For Success?</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.musingpost.com/travel-hygiene/">Travel Hygiene</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.musingpost.com/another-self-absorbed-traveler/">The Self Entitled and Inexperienced Traveler</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.musingpost.com/another-ponderable/">Travel Attire I Don't Understand</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.musingpost.com/travel-ponderable/">Travel Ponderable</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.musingpost.com/body-odor-galore/">Body Odor...Ugh!</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.musingpost.com/clear-lane-returns/">CLEAR is Back!</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.musingpost.com/please-follow-the-captains-orders/">Follow the Captain's Orders</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.musingpost.com/the-bully-in-economy/">A Bully in the Air</a></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>
<h5><strong>Luggage</strong></h5>
<ul>
<li>Checked: If you are traveling with multiple bags or if you are traveling with a bag too large to fit in the overhed bin, check your bags. The RFID technology utilized by airlines today to keep track of your bag is very effective and accurate. You will even get text messages on your phone to tell you at each point your bag is scanned, loading and unloading on different legs of your trip. Yes, on occasion especially when weather causes major disruption, your bag might not make it on your last leg. But the scanning technology allows you, and the airline, to know where it is and what is the most expedient method or route to get it to you. And they do.</li>
<li>Carryon: If you only carry on, consider your fellow travelers. You are only allotted one bag in the upper bin. You are asked to place any additional bags in the space under the seat in front of you. Honor that and allow others to also utilize bin space for their bags. Space is very limited. </li>
<li>Backpacks: The bane of my existence on an airplane. If you are traveling with a backpack, take it off and carry it while boarding. There is nothing more annoying than sitting in a aisle seat when some dufus walks down the aisle with a backpack and turns around to talk to his/her buddy. What happens? Smack! That backpack protruding at least a foot from your back has to go somewhere...and it goes in the face of the person sitting in the aisle seat. Think about what you are doing and be spatially aware. Be polite. </li>
<li>Overhead bin packing
<ul>
<li>Don't move other travelers' bags just to accommodate your oversized luggage. If a bag needs to be moved, asked the owner and work out the best solution. Don't be a jerk.</li>
<li>If you are seated in the back of the plane, don't stuff your bag in the first open bin you come to, ten seats in front of your assigned seat. Bins are to be used by passenges within close proximity to their seats. It is very rude to "steal" someone else's bin space to accomodate your selfishness. </li>
<li>Don't grab someone's folded garment or other neatly placed article of clothing and throw it somewhere else just to place your bag and don't throw your bag on top of a neatly folded and placed garment. Ask the owner and work out a solution. Be polite.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>Stories
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.musingpost.com/a-backpackwith-its-own-backpack/">Backpack with a backpack</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.musingpost.com/mind-your-own-baggage/">Mind Your Own Baggage</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.musingpost.com/backpacks-ugh/">Backpacks...Ugh!</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.musingpost.com/nice-suit-and-a-backpack/">Backpack and Business Suit</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.musingpost.com/traveling-musicians/">Traveling With Instruments</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.musingpost.com/backpack-etiquette/">Backpack Etiquette</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.musingpost.com/backpacks-on-planes-no/">Backpacks! No!</a></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>
<h5><strong>First Class Upgrades</strong></h5>
<ul>
<li>Everyone loves an upgrade, but there are not too many of them. Don't try to argue with the gate agent. Airlines used carefully crafte algorithms to determine upgrade status. There was a time, back in the day, when gate agents had more flexibilty and could more easily provide favors. That is no longer the case. Upgrades are awarded to loyal customers in a algorithmic pecking order. Arguing or smooth talking doesn't help.</li>
<li>Stories
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.musingpost.com/satire-warning/">Satire Alert!...MeToo</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.musingpost.com/please-dont-steal-my-beverage/">Please Don't Steal My Drink</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.musingpost.com/1st-class-upgrade-not-necessarily-1st-class-passengers/">First Class Does Not Always Mean First Class</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.musingpost.com/trick-or-treat/">Trick or Treat</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.musingpost.com/humor-on-delta/">First Class Humor</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.musingpost.com/street-smarts-vs-book-smarts/">Street Smarts vs Book Smarts</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.musingpost.com/great-flight-delta/">Great Flight, Delta</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.musingpost.com/the-dude-ill-call-biff/">The Dude I'll Call Biff</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.musingpost.com/nervous-nelly/">Nervous Nelly</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.musingpost.com/first-class-libations-at-the-crack-of-dawn/">Libations at the Crack of Dawn</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.musingpost.com/black-jack/">Black Jack</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.musingpost.com/fan-of-delta-airlines/">Fan of Delta Airlines</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.musingpost.com/airline-food/">Airline Food</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.musingpost.com/the-seatmate-from-hell/">The Seatmate from Hell</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.musingpost.com/first-class-upgrade-not-bad/">Not Too Bad</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.musingpost.com/sign-of-the-times/">Sign of the Times</a></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>
<h5><strong>In the Airport</strong></h5>
<ul>
<li>Navigating busy airports to get to your connection can be overwhelming and every airport is laid out a little differently. Don't sweat it too much, just try to get to your next gate as soon as you can.
<ul>
<li>Ask directions</li>
<li>Follow the signs</li>
<li>Get to your gate and relax.</li>
<li>If you have extra time, go explore the airport. There are often some pretty decent restaurants in the bigger airports. Enjoy.</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li> Stories
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.musingpost.com/moving-sidewalks/">Moving Sidewalks</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.musingpost.com/lost-id/">Lost ID</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.musingpost.com/inconsiderate-in-the-airport/">Inconsiderate in the Airport</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.musingpost.com/kindness-in-the-airport/">Kindness in the Airport</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.musingpost.com/high-heels-and-backpack/">High Heels and a Backpack</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.musingpost.com/walking-and-texting-in-the-airport/">Walking and Texting</a></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>
<h5><strong>Waiting to board</strong></h5>
<ul>
<li>Your boarding pass prints the group you are to board with.<b> </b>Board in your assigned group. Don't break line. You will get your seat and the plane will not leave without you.</li>
<li>Stories
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.musingpost.com/the-definition-of-the-rude-entitled-traveler/">Boss Hogg</a></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>
<h5><strong>Boarding etiquette</strong></h5>
<ul>
<li>Try to get to your seat and settled as soon as you can to allow others to also board to speed up the process. Get out of the aisle as soon as possible. </li>
<li>If you are in an aisle seat and board early, don't buckle your seatbelt until your seatmates have boarded. It just saves a little time. </li>
<li>When appropriate, assist others who may need help in boarding. If someone is having a hard time loading their bag into a bin, offer a helping hand. </li>
<li>Stories
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.musingpost.com/dont-be-a-rude-traveler/">Overhead Baggage Etiquette</a></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>
<h5><strong>In flight</strong></h5>
<ul>
<li>Stories
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.musingpost.com/wifi-in-the-sky/">WiFi In The Sky</a> </li>
<li><a href="https://www.musingpost.com/touch-screen-is-not-a-punch-screen/" title="Touch Screen Does Not Mean Punch Screen">Entertainment</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.musingpost.com/decorum-is-sometimes-lost-on-travelers/">Don't Be Rude</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.musingpost.com/airplane-chairs-are-not-handrails/">Don't Lean on the Chair In Front of You</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.musingpost.com/yankin-and-bankin-into-dca/">Yankin and Bankin into DCA</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.musingpost.com/corkscrew-takeoff/">Corkscrew Takeoff</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.musingpost.com/how-rude/">Another Rude Dude</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.musingpost.com/spacial-awareness/">Spacial Awareness</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.musingpost.com/jetwash/">Jetwash?</a></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>
<h5><strong>Approach to land, beginning descent</strong></h5>
<ul>
<li>When it is time to begin the approach to land, the cabin crew has several responsiblities. Let them work to get the plane ready to land. They are busy. Don't bother them.</li>
<li> Stories
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.musingpost.com/yankin-and-bankin-into-dca/">Yankin and Bankin into DCA</a></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>
<h5><strong>Disembarking</strong></h5>
<ul>
<li>When getting off a plane, wait your turn. The rows in front of you go first. Don't crowd or push or move forward and block someone in a row ahead of you trying to get out. There is nothing more annoying or rude than someone who crowds the row from behind to try to get one step ahead. </li>
<li>When walking up the skybridge, if unable to walk quickly, walk to the side so others can get around.</li>
<li>When approaching the gate door, do not stop there and try to figure out where you are going next. There are others behind you. Step on through, find a spot to stand, and let others by.</li>
<li>Stories
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.musingpost.com/leavin-on-a-jet-plane/">Portly Guy Blocking The Door</a></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>
<h5><strong>The Occasional Bad Experience</strong></h5>
<ul>
<li>Yes, there will sometimes be problems when traveling. Weather, mechanical, emergencies, crew issues, etc. When it happens, roll with it. The airlines' want to get you to your destination as much as you want to get there. Work with airline employees. It will work itself out.</li>
<li>Stories
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.musingpost.com/today-delta-is-off-their-game/">Delta Missed the Mark Today</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.musingpost.com/today-air-travel-sucks/">Another Bad Air Day</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.musingpost.com/weight-limit/">Overweight, Smelly and Twitching</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.musingpost.com/airplanes-are-like-ovens/">Airplanes Are Like Ovens</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.musingpost.com/night-flying/">The Long Day</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.musingpost.com/the-arrogant-lady-traveler/">The Arrogant Lady Traveler</a></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
<li>
<h5><strong>Humorous and other Observations</strong></h5>
<ul>
<li>Stories
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.musingpost.com/todays-youth/">Today's Youth</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.musingpost.com/you-gotta-love-this-country/">America's Melting Pot</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.musingpost.com/i-am-not-a-sociologist-but/">I'm Not a Sociologist, but....</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.musingpost.com/missed-opportunity/">Missed Opportunity</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.musingpost.com/the-usa-is-going-to-be-ok/">USA is going to be ok</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.musingpost.com/wheres-the-weight-room/">Where's the Weight Room?</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.musingpost.com/the-manbun/">The Manbun!?</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.musingpost.com/acts-of-kindness/">Act of Kindness</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.musingpost.com/travel-observation/">Cab Service is Improving</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.musingpost.com/travel-hygiene/">Travel Hygiene</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.musingpost.com/respect/">Have Some Respect for our Capitol</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.musingpost.com/lalaw-or-boston-legal/">Soap Opera in the Sky</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.musingpost.com/shes-just-a-twitchy-woman/">Just a Twitchy Woman</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.musingpost.com/the-power-napper/">The Power Napper</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.musingpost.com/holiday-travelersergh/">Entitled Holiday Travelers</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.musingpost.com/trick-or-treat/">Trick or Treat</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.musingpost.com/the-world-we-are-in/">Our World Today</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.musingpost.com/sheriff-buford-t-justice/">Sheriff Buford T. Justice</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.musingpost.com/partisan-hack/">The Partisan Hack</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.musingpost.com/flying-two-observations/">Two Observations</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.musingpost.com/hot-coffee/">Hot Coffee in the Lap</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.musingpost.com/the-crescent-moon/">Crescent Moon in the SkyClub</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.musingpost.com/the-airplane-needed-a-new-engine/">The Plane Just Needed a New Engine</a></li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>
</li>
</ul>Microsoft Even Runs Airplanes2018-12-14T08:47:21+00:002024-03-28T15:27:45.707040+00:00Ken Meyerhttps://www.musingpost.com/author/kmeyersr/https://www.musingpost.com/microsoft-even-runs-airplanes/<p><span>Haven't heard this one before on a flight. Flight delayed due to MS Surface falling out of its mount in the cockpit, cracking the screen. So, the captain had to go visit the "computer guy" before we could take off. At least he didnt have to call tech support... </span><span class="_5mfr"><span class="_6qdm">????</span></span></p>
<p><span class="_5mfr">It turns out that Delta Flight crews now use the MS Surface Device to complete all their paperwork for a flight and it resides mounted on a bracket in the cockpit. I would assume that it also contains all the content for emergency procedures, etc that used to take up a huge amount of space when it was all paper based. In this case, the screen of the device shattered when it got knocked off its base so the pilot had to go to the pilots lounge where a technician was on duty to retrieve a replacement. It delayed us a few minutes but I learned another piece of the flying puzzle today. Cheers.</span></p>The Rude, Entitled Traveler2018-07-21T06:50:11+00:002024-03-28T13:50:06.282280+00:00Ken Meyerhttps://www.musingpost.com/author/kmeyersr/https://www.musingpost.com/the-definition-of-the-rude-entitled-traveler/<p>If you travel enough you will eventually encounter this guy or gal. On recent business trip one morning I was standing toward the front of the boarding line when he forced his way through the crowded gate area area and made it to the gate agent who was in the process of pre boarding families with infants, military personnel, etc. </p>
<p>He literally reminded me of Boss Hogg from the old Dukes of Hazzard. He was short and fat with his gut protruding inches over his belt, wearing a blue blazer, light colored pants and expensive looking slip on shoes and no socks. He was also wearing a ball cap to cover his bald grey head. He looked to be in his sixties and yes the look on his face as he approached was entitled.</p>
<p>Rather than waiting on instructions to board as a premium flyer as the rest of us do, he simply broke in front of a family with two small children and sat his smartphone on the scanner for boarding. The gate agent, rather than causing a scene, grimaced and welcomed him on board. </p>
<p>When I boarded, there he was, sitting in First Class all by himself in an aisle seat like a cat that ate the canary. I walked on to my seat, two rows behind first class and in direct line of site of Boss Hogg. </p>
<p>It was a completely full flight and running a couple minutes late. Ole Boss Hogg started pushing his weight around again by demanding the flight attendant to bring him a bloody Mary before takeoff. He was accommodated but the look on the flight attendant's face said it all. A few minutes later his seatmate arrived, ole Boss had to get up to allow the passenger in his seat. When he stood, somehow that Bloody Mary ended up on on his shirt and pants. He did it to himself. I could see the flight attendants in the galley and they quietly and discreetly started laughing with glee, before going to render aid to ole Boss with Club Soda and paper napkins. </p>
<p>Something about watching this episode was quite entertaining and somewhere I believe Karma just might have played a role. </p>Leavin' on a Jet Plane2018-04-19T10:44:48+00:002024-03-28T22:05:31.819651+00:00Ken Meyerhttps://www.musingpost.com/author/kmeyersr/https://www.musingpost.com/leavin-on-a-jet-plane/<p>So, here I am leavin' on a jet plane. Well, actually I am waiting for passengers of an arriving jetplane to deplane so I can leave...already 1.5 hrs delayed. There are about twenty of us air warriors watching the process. The door into the jetbridge is 36 or so inches wide. A rather portly gentleman waddles up the beltway and through the door and stops to chat with the gate agent, blocking all behind him. He apparently needed directions and couldn't move another three feet to allow others to just get around him. The gate agent was mortified. She was under pressure. She motioned him along. He ignored and kept asking questions. The people behind him were freaking out as were many if my fellow travelers awaiting to board. People, dang it, think about others when flying. The world does not revolve around you. The guy finally moved (waddled) along and we are now headed to board a 530p flight at 704p. Woohoo!</p>WiFi in the Sky2018-04-13T16:50:45+00:002024-03-28T13:43:34.877674+00:00Ken Meyerhttps://www.musingpost.com/author/kmeyersr/https://www.musingpost.com/wifi-in-the-sky/<p>Wi-Fi on airplanes. Thirty years ago, after having spent a few weeks in New Hampshire in February before the Presidential primary, my wife and I were up late watching broadcast news. The phone rang. It was a friend who was on a cross country flight...calling from the airplane! Say what? Yes, he paid like ten dollars a minute to call as he was at 35000 feet and over the Rockies and called, just because he could. Fast forward thirty years. Now, while we can't make a phone call, for a nominal fee you can surf the internet, text and email friends and yes, even do some work, like I do ????, while in flight. So, it's kinda fun to watch people enjoying their pursuits. Some are intense as they bang away on their keyboards with a fervor that I can only interpret as a life or death email or text exchange that simply can't wait. Others engross themselves in a movie, complete with sound deadening headphones and then some get on Facebook and write "pithy" stories. I can't imagine anyone doing that but I am told it happens. ???? In any event, I am on a plane headed home, enjoying the wonders of technology, surfing the internet, watching a movie, texting friends and doing some work. (Just in case anyone asks) But I'm not making a phone call...that is so old school. lol</p>Touch Screen is not a Punch Screen2018-03-30T11:01:41+00:002024-03-29T00:48:40.978598+00:00Ken Meyerhttps://www.musingpost.com/author/kmeyersr/https://www.musingpost.com/touch-screen-is-not-a-punch-screen/<p>A note to air travelers. if you are in a seat with the video screen on the back of the seat in front of you, it is a "TOUCH" screen, not a "PUNCH" screen. Yes, the guy behind me about gave me whiplash trying to watch Three' s Company". Geez people, think about physics every once in a while and think about others around you.</p>Making Good Use of Time2018-03-18T11:06:09+00:002024-03-28T13:40:44.017882+00:00Ken Meyerhttps://www.musingpost.com/author/kmeyersr/https://www.musingpost.com/making-good-use-of-time/<p>I caught a Delta ground crew guy as he was getting up from knocking out A few dozen pushups on the tarmac. Now that is making good use of time while he waits for the crew to push back the plane.</p>A Backpack...with its own Backpack!2018-03-13T11:16:36+00:002024-03-21T01:41:51.169286+00:00Ken Meyerhttps://www.musingpost.com/author/kmeyersr/https://www.musingpost.com/a-backpackwith-its-own-backpack/<p><img alt="" height="200" src="https://static.musingpost.com/media/uploads/blog/backpackwithbackpack.jpg" width="150"/></p>
<p>Ugh! A backpack with its own backpack....and he has a carryon. Geez!</p>Mind Your Own Baggage2018-03-02T11:19:50+00:002024-03-28T16:42:14.398667+00:00Ken Meyerhttps://www.musingpost.com/author/kmeyersr/https://www.musingpost.com/mind-your-own-baggage/<p>I travel light by checking my bag. I have a small briefcase which I place in the overhead and then fold and place my blazer or suitcoat on top. Why do people, who board with multiple large bags, feel they have the right to move my personal items to make room for theirs? Very rude. That it also one reason I sit in an aisle seat so I can protect it....which I just had to do. People, don't be rude!</p>Today's Youth2018-02-18T11:23:32+00:002024-03-26T00:51:22.210519+00:00Ken Meyerhttps://www.musingpost.com/author/kmeyersr/https://www.musingpost.com/todays-youth/<p>Today's youth. We went to breakfast at one of our regular hangouts this morning. Our server was a very sweet doe eyed teenager, maybe 17 yrs old, I am sure a part timer. She was eager to please and was good in every way. Sheena ordered scrambled eggs with some cheddar cheese, her regular order at this establishment. The server had a confused look on her face and said "we don't have cheddar cheese". Sheena commented "Oh, you're out of cheddar cheese?". "No, we don't have cheddar cheese. We only have shredded cheese". I then asked what they make their "Cheddar Scrambler", listed on the menu, with? She had a confused look on her face and responded "shredded, I guess"....so here was her sign.</p>What a View!2018-02-14T07:27:47+00:002024-03-29T04:52:32.458890+00:00Ken Meyerhttps://www.musingpost.com/author/kmeyersr/https://www.musingpost.com/what-a-view/<p>Every once in a while there is a view that deserves a picture. This was approaching ATL, low ceiling, and a lot of moisture above the clouds that seemed to magnify the sun. It was pretty awesome</p>