Airplane Disdain
The cheery “ding” of the airplane’s P.A sounded as we came to a jerky halt at the Ted Stevens International airport. The clatter of a hundred metal buckles undoing filled the air. We had all been trained to know, despite the never-ending announcements, that it was now time to unbuckle, and prepare for departure from the plane.
“Let’s get out of here.” I heard from a few rows behind me. Sure enough down the isle came the guy from 20D. He started his push two rows back and was able to advance down the isle as far as a full two rows passed us. Through his impatience and hustle he had successfully earned himself a four-row advantage in his departure. Sweet.
The row behind us included a new family of four. A young mom and dad in their late twenties were comforting their infant and one year old and had struggled to keep them happy during the three hour flight. Several desperate crying fits kept mom and dad on their toes. The one year old was mostly good except during ascent and descent. I was sure they would have wanted off that plane as soon as possible. Why weren’t they pushing and jockeying down the isle like Mr.20D?
The large elderly man in front of me was a trooper having endured five trips the tiny latrine in the back despite having a definitive limp on his left side. Two of his trips had to be timed with the beverage cart and his wife was watching for it and would usher him to the isle. Each time he returned his wife would pat him on the shoulder. It was obviously an uncomfortable ride for him and I’m sure he too wanted off that plane. Why wasn’t he shouldering himself to the front as soon as the PA “ding” sounded? Mr. 20 D must be smart.
The wife and I were used to it and were carting along our two young kids. My son Corey was mostly happy and had his nose into his electronic game system and my daughter Hazelee was kept at bay mostly by my wife who was micro-managing her every move next to her. Like everyone on that plane we too wanted off. But unlike 20 D We waited for our turn.
I didn’t get a very good look at the guy but he wasn’t a kid. Mid to late thirties was my guess. There he stood tight up against the jam in front of him blocking both rows on his sides. He must have been in a hurry.
The cheery “ding” of the airplane’s P.A sounded as we came to a jerky halt at the Ted Stevens International airport. The clatter of a hundred metal buckles undoing filled the air. We had all been trained to know, despite the never-ending announcements, that it was now time to unbuckle, and prepare for departure from the plane.
“Let’s get out of here.” I heard from a few rows behind me. Sure enough down the isle came the guy from 20D. He started his push two rows back and was able to advance down the isle as far as a full two rows passed us. Through his impatience and hustle he had successfully earned himself a four-row advantage in his departure. Sweet.
The row behind us included a new family of four. A young mom and dad in their late twenties were comforting their infant and one year old and had struggled to keep them happy during the three hour flight. Several desperate crying fits kept mom and dad on their toes. The one year old was mostly good except during ascent and descent. I was sure they would have wanted off that plane as soon as possible. Why weren’t they pushing and jockeying down the isle like Mr.20D?
The large elderly man in front of me was a trooper having endured five trips the tiny latrine in the back despite having a definitive limp on his left side. Two of his trips had to be timed with the beverage cart and his wife was watching for it and would usher him to the isle. Each time he returned his wife would pat him on the shoulder. It was obviously an uncomfortable ride for him and I’m sure he too wanted off that plane. Why wasn’t he shouldering himself to the front as soon as the PA “ding” sounded? Mr. 20 D must be smart.
The wife and I were used to it and were carting along our two young kids. My son Corey was mostly happy and had his nose into his electronic game system and my daughter Hazelee was kept at bay mostly by my wife who was micro-managing her every move next to her. Like everyone on that plane we too wanted off. But unlike 20 D We waited for our turn.
I didn’t get a very good look at the guy but he wasn’t a kid. Mid to late thirties was my guess. There he stood tight up against the jam in front of him blocking both rows on his sides. He must have been in a hurry.
