It stays partially packed all of the time with my travel-size toiletries. All I have to do is add my make up and hair tools. I wear the same jeans all weekend long and throw in 2 tops and a church outfit (something that doesn't wrinkle) and I'm off. This is the perfect size bag because if there isn't overhead space, it will fit under the seat.
Since I fly Southwest, I have become proficient at getting good seats as well. I check in exactly 24 hours in advance so I get an A boarding pass, which guarantees me early boarding and a seat within the first 6 rows. With that, I can get off the plane and to the curb within 5 minutes of landing.
Beyond all of that, here are some observations about my fellow passengers
- There are many "slobs" on the plane. I've seen pajamas, slippers, tank tops and short shorts that are embarrassing, and the list could go on and on. Of course I don't dress up either but I remember as a little girl when we would pick up my Grandma at the San Francisco airport, she'd be in a suit and heals. Things have changed!
- Southwest has fun flight attendants. One early Saturday morning, one of them got on the speaker and began singing "I'm singing on the Plane..." to the tune of Singin' in the Rain. Another one was doing the spiel about life vests and oxygen and then said, "and for those of you who haven't been in a car in the past 40 years, this is how you put on the seat belt..."
- Since I always fly out the latest plane on Sunday evening (9:30), it is notoriously late. Usually at least 20 minutes. I am amazed that the pilot can make up most of that time and generally we still land within 5 minutes of posted time. Apparently there are no speed limits in the sky.
- Some people need parenting lessons. I've seen all kinds!
- No body talks to each other anymore. They put in their i-pod head phones or turn on their lap and stay in their own little world.
- A lot of children are traveling alone these days...to visit a non-custodial parent.
End of post!
10 comments:
Interesting facts Lauri! I know that years ago, when one would be flying, or traveling at all for that matter, they would dress as if "going to town" as my Nana would say. Not the case anymore. For me, I like to travel comfortably, and pack separates, that don't wrinkly. Sounds like you have got it down. Hope that you saw even more progress with Mike this past visit!
Interesting post. I bet you see some interesting people flying so often. I love to people watch at the airport.
I like to dress comfortably for flying too, but not pajamas or slippers! Or too short of shorts! Planes are always cold so I prefer pants, and then my legs don't touch the germ filled seats.
I too hope there has been some more progress with Mike.
You should become a flight attendant- you could sing and dance for them and teach them how to dress for travel too-- you are so good at all of them! I hate traveling, though I would never be caught in pajamas in public!! Crazy how times have changed!
I love flying on Southwest. The flight attendants are fun, the planes are usually close to being on-time and the pilots know how to make good time in the sky, as you noted. Sounds like you really have this flying routine down.
So funny you would post about this, when I was setting at the terminal waiting on Sunday, I couldn't help but think how sloppy everyone looked. people just don't seem to dress up at all when they travel anymore, things really have changed! But I could see you coming from way off, you always look so cute.
I remember Grandma all dressed up on the plane too. Nylons, heels, and a coordinated business type suit dress.
I sat between 2 men on a 12 hour flight this month and neither of them said a word the whole flight. It is awkward spending that much time so close to someone and not speaking at all. (but I think they were resentful that they were asked if they would change seats with Dave so he and I could sit together. They didn't want to change to Dave's 'middle' seat and they both said no.)
Your bag is the perfect "weekender". We flew Southwest for the first time last month. We got to board early because we had little Brian. He was technically supposed to still be on our lap (not 2 until October) but the flight attendant told us to just put him in his own seat until everyone boarded. I think there was one empty seat on the whole flight and Brian got it. Yessss! Nathan and I are much too tall to have a much too tall nearly two-year-old on our laps the whole flight! ... We're not looking forward to actually buying him his own seat though.
I think the airport employees are nicer to you when you look presentable and not like you just rolled out of bed.
i found this so funny because most of your observations are the same observations my sister tells me about being a flight attendant. she said she would never let a child fly alone until they are at least 14... we don't know the half of what goes on i guess. and she always tells me to dress nice when flying... you get treated better.
You really have this down to a science!
Very interesting! I have only flown a couple times in my whole life, so fun to read about things from someone who flies often! :)
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