Inconsiderate Passenger and Seat Jerking
On my last flight SIN-ADL—a flight of about 6 hours and 30 minutes give or take 5-10 minutes—I had to endure an annoying restless person sitting behind me who kept poking, touching and banging into the back of my seat. She did this all the way through the first 3 hours of the flight when the lights were dimmed, the time best suited to rest. The flight left Singapore on time at 23:40. All the backwards and forwards motion of the headrest gave me a headache. I told her to stop moving around and hitting the chair. She seemed to have understood me and shortly afterwards just before the lights came on she was asleep. The nerve and so irritating. Some people have no idea they could be disturbing others. I’m not sure if they have ever had the same done to them. It makes you wonder.
We know kids to do this a lot. Raucous behaviour and inability to be quiet is annoying enough but the moving, fidgeting, grabbing and touching things, gets your blood boiling. The unfortunate tall person who barely fits in between seats; their legs or rather knees deeply imbedded into the back of the seat in front. I feel for them as it would be very uncomfortable squeezed in like that. Most are apologetic and know they aren’t doing the person in front any favours. These are the understandable pitfalls of travelling in Economy Class (or as many call it cattle class). The tightness and lack of room between seats, the narrow armrests and reduced padding all make for an uncomfortable ride.
Being a little more gentle while tapping and swiping the touch screen monitor, poking around the back pockets and jerking the seat would make for a more comfortable time when the lights are out and one wants to rest.
This is why passengers should think a little more and be aware of their surroundings and do their best to make flying more comfortable and enjoyable to fellow passengers. I accept the airplane cabin is not home where you can do as you please and enjoy the comfort of a lounge chair or sofa; or lie flat in a bed, etc., and I know there is always going to be issues around people but when that other person is an adult, hopefully a mature adult, there shouldn’t be any. Am I too naive?
I’ve said this before in another article on etiquette. First and foremost one has to be in the right frame of mind to fly. Apply commonsense and be thoughtful and considerate to others. If you think about others you’ll realise how your actions could be affecting them. With these thoughts in mind it should make things better (for everyone). Logically you wouldn’t want what could be upsetting others happen to you.
My final word. I know this may sound inconsiderate…what goes around comes around. It may be the only answer for some. Sorry, end of my rant.
