# Some tips for those who are about to go on an airplane flight for the first time ever **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [December 16, 2013, 2:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/some-tips-for-those-who-are-about-to-go-on-an-airplane-flight-for-the-first-time-ever/676462 "2013-12-16T14:09:14Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 6
**Author:** ![obfusciatrist](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/4af34b/32.png) [@obfusciatrist](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/obfusciatrist)\ **Post date:** [December 18, 2013, 12:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/some-tips-for-those-who-are-about-to-go-on-an-airplane-flight-for-the-first-time-ever/676462/101 "2013-12-18T00:37:30Z")
I don’t care what happens to them after they get out of my way, I care how long they’re in my way. And your way will have them in my way longer. I don’t get in people’s way. So if people don’t get in my way, I don’t care how they travel. And I’m good at making sure other people don’t get in my way regardless of how efficiently they move about the world. ---
**Author:** ![CanvasShoes](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/74df32/32.png) [@CanvasShoes](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CanvasShoes)\ **Post date:** [December 18, 2013, 12:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/some-tips-for-those-who-are-about-to-go-on-an-airplane-flight-for-the-first-time-ever/676462/102 "2013-12-18T00:40:11Z")
> [@MsWhatsit](#): > > Nope. Caffeine yes, sugar no. > > Source: Am parent, have survived many Halloweens and Easters. > > Additional source: [Does sugar make children hyperactive?](http://www.bbc.com/future/story/20130722-does-sugar-make-kids-hyperactive) Source: Am parent also, and am grandparent (is there a shortage on pronouns? :D). And I’m not the “get all goofy and hyper, get the kids all stirred up, not calm” type. I’m much too lazy and -let’s keep the kids as calm as possible- for that. I’ve just seen way too many kids go off the rails ala Fregley in “Diary of a Wimpy Kid” with too much sugar. My granddaughter is especially bad about it. My daughter isn’t the “get kids all stirred up” type either. We definitely learned after a few times to restrict her sugar intake. On a side note, my daughter’s pediatrician (my daughter is now 34) suggested I give her caffeine to help her calm down, she wasn’t a physically hyper child, but way back when, before it got all trendy, she was diagnosed with ADHD, heavy emphasis on the AD part, and almost opposite the HD part (thank goodness). I never noticed any difference one way or another. ---
**Author:** ![CanvasShoes](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/74df32/32.png) [@CanvasShoes](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CanvasShoes)\ **Post date:** [December 18, 2013, 12:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/some-tips-for-those-who-are-about-to-go-on-an-airplane-flight-for-the-first-time-ever/676462/103 "2013-12-18T00:47:18Z")
> [@curlcoat](#): > > So, you want me to inconvenience two people instead of maybe inconveniencing one? > > The only time this is an issue is when I travel with my husband as I get bulkhead when I’m traveling alone, but I’m not getting why having two people get up and stand in the aisle twice is better than briefly using a seat back for balance. It’s MUCH more inconvenient to be climbed on than it is to get up and let the person out. The size of seating in planes nowadays, unless you’re the size of a small child, you can’t get out without climbing all over the people in the seats next to you. Good heavens! And as I said above, take your damned hands OFF the back of my seat, you pull my hair every damned time and it HURTS. ---
**Author:** ![Rick](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/9f8e36/32.png) [@Rick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rick)\ **Post date:** [December 18, 2013, 3:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/some-tips-for-those-who-are-about-to-go-on-an-airplane-flight-for-the-first-time-ever/676462/104 "2013-12-18T03:18:57Z")
> [@obfusciatrist](#): > > First you’ll have to get the airlines and individual airplane models to all agree on what the maximum carry on size is. My bags are always pretty small compared to official limits but I’ve been on puddle jumpers (after going through the same security screening) where they barely fit overhead. If your flying a bug smasher like a Dash 8 or on a regional jet the overhead bins won’t take anything larger than a small laptop bag. Deal with it. When you graduate to a full sized jet either a B7XX or Scarebus the bins are all pretty close to the same size. ---
**Author:** ![curlcoat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/ea5d25/32.png) [@curlcoat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/curlcoat)\ **Post date:** [December 18, 2013, 5:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/some-tips-for-those-who-are-about-to-go-on-an-airplane-flight-for-the-first-time-ever/676462/105 "2013-12-18T05:07:47Z")
> [@Icarus](#): > > …and crawling over me? No thanks, we are not monkeys. > [@Procrustus](#): > > using the “seat back for balance” is a earth shattering event for the unfortunate person in that seat. It’s jarring and unpleasant. > [@obfusciatrist](#): > > Trust me, when you decide to crawl over me on your way to the aisle you’re inconveniencing pretty much as much as you would if you waited until I stood up. > > When I take an aisle seat (and I always do if I can) I understand it comes with the obligation to let the people inside out to pee every once in a while. So long as you’re not hopping up and down ever three minutes I’m more than happy to get out of your way. > [@CanvasShoes](#): > > It’s MUCH more inconvenient to be climbed on than it is to get up and let the person out. The size of seating in planes nowadays, unless you’re the size of a small child, you can’t get out without climbing all over the people in the seats next to you. Good heavens! And as I said above, take your damned hands OFF the back of my seat, you pull my hair every damned time and it HURTS. I am amazed at this. I’ve never pulled any hair when I use a seat back for balance (because I, you know, look at what I’m doing) and many times if I’m in a middle seat, the guy (it’s always a guy that does this) will just swing his legs into the aisle, so I wasn’t aware I was causing inconvenience or pain to the people in the seats in front of me. I suppose I need to quit using seat backs for balance as I walk down the aisle too? I may need a catheter … ---
**Author:** ![madmonk28](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/madmonk28/32/20811_2.png) [@madmonk28](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/madmonk28)\ **Post date:** [December 18, 2013, 5:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/some-tips-for-those-who-are-about-to-go-on-an-airplane-flight-for-the-first-time-ever/676462/106 "2013-12-18T05:58:53Z")
It’s one thing to lightly touch a seat back as you walk down an aisle, but it’s another thing to yank on it. I’ve been woken up many times on flights by some inconsiderate douche yanking on my seat back. ---
**Author:** ![curlcoat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/ea5d25/32.png) [@curlcoat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/curlcoat)\ **Post date:** [December 18, 2013, 6:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/some-tips-for-those-who-are-about-to-go-on-an-airplane-flight-for-the-first-time-ever/676462/107 "2013-12-18T06:03:37Z")
> [@madmonk28](#): > > It’s one thing to lightly touch a seat back as you walk down an aisle, but it’s another thing to yank on it. I’ve been woken up many times on flights by some inconsiderate douche yanking on my seat back. I don’t yank but I may put some weight on it if the plane does something untoward. ---
**Author:** ![madmonk28](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/madmonk28/32/20811_2.png) [@madmonk28](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/madmonk28)\ **Post date:** [December 18, 2013, 6:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/some-tips-for-those-who-are-about-to-go-on-an-airplane-flight-for-the-first-time-ever/676462/108 "2013-12-18T06:13:25Z")
I don’t know what to tell you; that’s really annoying to the people in those seats. Now that you know, try to be more careful. ---
**Author:** ![Rick](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/9f8e36/32.png) [@Rick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rick)\ **Post date:** [December 18, 2013, 6:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/some-tips-for-those-who-are-about-to-go-on-an-airplane-flight-for-the-first-time-ever/676462/109 "2013-12-18T06:40:00Z")
tip for parents with small children. Clear security early and then let them run their little asses off in the terminal. Then when they get on the plane, they will be tired and will sit quietly. ---
**Author:** ![elbows](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/b3f665/32.png) [@elbows](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elbows)\ **Post date:** [December 18, 2013, 6:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/some-tips-for-those-who-are-about-to-go-on-an-airplane-flight-for-the-first-time-ever/676462/110 "2013-12-18T06:57:50Z")
“Earth shattering event”, seriously? It’s a moments discomfort, at most. What if they’re trying to avoid puking on you? The chance of a snagged hair seems a small sacrifice, to me. And it lasts what? A few seconds? Baffling, but proof it takes all kinds to make a world! ---
**Author:** ![madmonk28](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/madmonk28/32/20811_2.png) [@madmonk28](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/madmonk28)\ **Post date:** [December 18, 2013, 8:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/some-tips-for-those-who-are-about-to-go-on-an-airplane-flight-for-the-first-time-ever/676462/111 "2013-12-18T08:37:52Z")
“Earth Shattering event” is clearly hyperbole, but it is a drag to be stuck in a metal tube with people who don’t know how to act in public. Those other seats are filled with something called “other people” and it’s a good practice to put yourself in the position of these “other people” and imagine how your actions might affect them. This is called “empathy.” Using “empathy,” you can determine which of your actions needlessly inconvenience or irritate these “other people.” Once you have identified these negative actions, you can limit, or even stop entirely in engaging them. This is called “not being a fucking asshole.” ---
**Author:** ![DragonAsh](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/db5fbb/32.png) [@DragonAsh](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DragonAsh)\ **Post date:** [December 18, 2013, 8:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/some-tips-for-those-who-are-about-to-go-on-an-airplane-flight-for-the-first-time-ever/676462/112 "2013-12-18T08:59:17Z")
> [@Procrustus](#): > > A first for me last week. They lost my gate checked bag. Damn - that is a first; I don’t think I’ve ever even heard about a gate-checked bag going missing (and I was cabin crew for many years). The main possibility is that you really pissed someone off 😃 ---
**Author:** ![elbows](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/b3f665/32.png) [@elbows](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elbows)\ **Post date:** [December 18, 2013, 12:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/some-tips-for-those-who-are-about-to-go-on-an-airplane-flight-for-the-first-time-ever/676462/113 "2013-12-18T12:30:15Z")
A moments discomfort for you makes the other “a fucking asshole” who doesn’t know how to act in public? Yikes! I’ll save my empathy for the person struggling to right themselves in a tight space, in a hurling tube. We’re talking about a moments inconvenience, not a punch in the head, after all. ---
**Author:** ![obfusciatrist](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/4af34b/32.png) [@obfusciatrist](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/obfusciatrist)\ **Post date:** [December 18, 2013, 12:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/some-tips-for-those-who-are-about-to-go-on-an-airplane-flight-for-the-first-time-ever/676462/114 "2013-12-18T12:56:41Z")
> [@curlcoat](#): > > I am amazed at this. I’ve never pulled any hair when I use a seat back for balance (because I, you know, look at what I’m doing) and many times if I’m in a middle seat, the guy (it’s always a guy that does this) will just swing his legs into the aisle, so I wasn’t aware I was causing inconvenience or pain to the people in the seats in front of me. I suppose I need to quit using seat backs for balance as I walk down the aisle too? > > I may need a catheter … To be clear, I personally don’t care if you grab onto the seat in front of you on your way out. I’ve never been bothered by people doing that to me. But I don’t want you crawling over me to get out. And I really don’t understand people who insist on doing it. I can understand if you’re trapped by someone sleeping and they won’t easily wake up (I’ve been in that awkward position but I’m also way to large to consider climbing out, or even worse climbing back in). But I’ve had it where I notice the person wants out and I start to get up and they try to say “no, no, I’ll just climb over you” and then we’re in a mini tussle as I race to get up before their ass is in my face. ---
**Author:** ![Broomstick](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/broomstick/32/246_2.png) [@Broomstick](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Broomstick)\ **Post date:** [December 18, 2013, 12:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/some-tips-for-those-who-are-about-to-go-on-an-airplane-flight-for-the-first-time-ever/676462/115 "2013-12-18T12:57:47Z")
I can put up with people gripping my seatback momentarily, but, seriously, the hair pulling is bullshit. Also, I want people - of any age - who kick the back of my seat to DIE DIE DIE! ---
**Author:** ![obfusciatrist](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/4af34b/32.png) [@obfusciatrist](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/obfusciatrist)\ **Post date:** [December 18, 2013, 12:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/some-tips-for-those-who-are-about-to-go-on-an-airplane-flight-for-the-first-time-ever/676462/116 "2013-12-18T12:59:13Z")
> [@Rick](#): > > If your flying a bug smasher like a Dash 8 or on a regional jet the overhead bins won’t take anything larger than a small laptop bag. Deal with it. When you graduate to a full sized jet either a B7XX or Scarebus the bins are all pretty close to the same size. I do deal with it. Trust me, I’ll travel with no bags and buy clothes at my destination before I’ll let my luggage be a hindrance. My point was that all of those airplanes in all their variety or non-variety use the same security point and if security is enforcing the size limit for the 4% of flights that have the largest one, you’re still going to have a lot of oversize bags on planes. ---
**Author:** ![MsWhatsit](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/eb8c5e/32.png) [@MsWhatsit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MsWhatsit)\ **Post date:** [December 18, 2013, 1:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/some-tips-for-those-who-are-about-to-go-on-an-airplane-flight-for-the-first-time-ever/676462/117 "2013-12-18T13:05:21Z")
> [@CanvasShoes](#): > > Source: Am parent also, and am grandparent (is there a shortage on pronouns? :D). And I’m not the “get all goofy and hyper, get the kids all stirred up, not calm” type. I’m much too lazy and -let’s keep the kids as calm as possible- for that. I’ve just seen way too many kids go off the rails ala Fregley in “Diary of a Wimpy Kid” with too much sugar. My granddaughter is especially bad about it. My daughter isn’t the “get kids all stirred up” type either. We definitely learned after a few times to restrict . Ok, whatever. Just be aware that “sugar makes kids hyper” is an old wives’ tale, the only evidence for it is anecdotal (ie, there is no evidence for it), and you are propagating it. “Let’s get kids stirred up” vs. “let’s keep kids calm” is a completely separate issue and has nothing to do with sugar. My pronoun usage (or lack thereof) in my previous post was a colloquialism. Sorry it bothered you. ---
**Author:** ![Icarus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/icarus/32/72_2.png) [@Icarus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Icarus)\ **Post date:** [December 18, 2013, 1:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/some-tips-for-those-who-are-about-to-go-on-an-airplane-flight-for-the-first-time-ever/676462/118 "2013-12-18T13:08:45Z")
> [@curlcoat](#): > > I suppose I need to quit using seat backs for balance as I walk down the aisle too? Yep, the trick is to reach up and run your hands along the overhead bin. You’ll see the flight attendants do this all the time to steady themselves. That way you don’t run the risk of seat-back-bounce. ---
**Author:** ![BobLibDem](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/boblibdem/32/3149_2.png) [@BobLibDem](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BobLibDem)\ **Post date:** [December 18, 2013, 1:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/some-tips-for-those-who-are-about-to-go-on-an-airplane-flight-for-the-first-time-ever/676462/119 "2013-12-18T13:31:15Z")
Don’t be gabby. A little civil conversation is okay, but don’t go off on Aunt Edna’s toenail surgery. Mostly I want you to shut up and let me look out the window. When deplaning, sit the fuck down until the people a few rows ahead of you are able to exit. Yes, I know you’re not going to do this but I can dream, can’t I? Look at the size of the overhead bin. Divide that size by the number of people expected to use it. If your carry on exceeds that result, you’re a dickweed. When you’re at the luggage claim area, you don’t need to elbow your way into the spot where the bags first appear like you’re guarding the paint in the NBA. Find an open area next to the belt and wait for your bag, it will get there. If you can eat or get your candies before you get to the airport, do so. Save yourself some money. Airport vendors are Satan’s spawn. ---
**Author:** ![DragonAsh](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/db5fbb/32.png) [@DragonAsh](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DragonAsh)\ **Post date:** [December 18, 2013, 1:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/some-tips-for-those-who-are-about-to-go-on-an-airplane-flight-for-the-first-time-ever/676462/120 "2013-12-18T13:59:05Z")
> [@CanvasShoes](#): > > Source: Am parent also, and am grandparent (is there a shortage on pronouns? :D). And I’m not the “get all goofy and hyper, get the kids all stirred up, not calm” type. I’m much too lazy and -let’s keep the kids as calm as possible- for that. I’ve just seen way too many kids go off the rails ala Fregley in “Diary of a Wimpy Kid” with too much sugar. You’re still wrong. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/some-tips-for-those-who-are-about-to-go-on-an-airplane-flight-for-the-first-time-ever/676462.md?page=5) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/some-tips-for-those-who-are-about-to-go-on-an-airplane-flight-for-the-first-time-ever/676462.md?page=7)