Have you ever been comfortably sitting on a plane, minding your own business when someone asks you to move? Did you do it?
If you did, you probably felt good. Like you’d just done that person and/or their family a favor. If you didn’t, well… the rest of this post is for you.
As my family and I dragged our way to the back of the plane last night, we looked around hopefully. The 3-hour delay had left us cranky and tired. The girls pulled their princess suitcases and fought over ratty haired dolls while Dave and I tried not-so-subtly to make eye contact with potential seat-trading strangers. Our assigned seats were all over the plane, and Zana was already crying at the thought of not sitting with one of us.
People just stared. Most people, anyway. One man did jump up and offer to move saying, “I remember those days!” He even took a middle seat to help us out(thank you, thank you!).
But not everyone was eager to help, including one guy who had the pleasure of sitting next to Zana.
He learned a hard lesson. Since I don’t think anyone else should have to learn this the hard way, I’m going to lay it out for you.
If you’re not nice to traveling families…
1. You might get coughed on. (a lot)
2. You might get kicked. (hard)
3. You might be forced to listen to a very loud rendition of “Let it Go.” (on repeat)
4. You might get sprayed with vomit.
5. You might then be forced to eat your Lunchable while smelling that vomit.
6. You might be referred to as a “magar” (that’s donkey in Albanian) while you’re talked about right in front of your face.
Or if you’re the lucky guy sitting next to Zana during the flight because you wouldn’t change seats… you might just get the grand prize of all of the above!
So what have we learned?
When a family asks you to move so they can sit together, just do it.
And remember… you’re not doing them a favor. You’re doing yourself one.
I feel your pain, having traveled by plane with all 7 of my kids. This is why I am the crazy woman who gets there 3 hours early for flights and sits at the computer at ungodly hours to check-in, etc. You’d think when you can’t sit together people would be nicer, just so they don’t have to “babysit” for the whole flight. Sigh. I’ll trade with you next time we are on a flight together. 😉
April, I’d trade you right back! Does the 3-hours-early arrival do the trick? I always check in the second it’s available (24 hours in advance), but still have trouble getting seats together. There’s always the option to purchase seats together “with more leg room,” but who has money for that?!
Yes, but you have to be right there and board first! Usually they will let people with children board first, but only if you get in the line first. People will still try to get ahead of you, sadly. So we bring lots of snacks (the right size and consistency, of course), games, and such, and just stake out the seats right near the door. And ONE stinkin’ minute makes a difference when checking in online. It gets easier, but still annoying. And, really, my kids are great, generally non-screamers and nice to strangers, and they don’t kick seats, generally… 😉
When you don’t have the time (or impetus) for road-tripping it, even with all the hassles, flying still is awesome!
Cousin….I think you’re beautiful, smart, business minded, a great Mom, and I enjoy your company when I see you. I think your little girls are georgeous and hilarious young ladies as well. However, you are WRONG for this blog entry. I am on the other side of this argument. Saying any passenger who is paying hundreds of dollars for a flight DESERVES that treatment …c’mon. Im glad that almost everyone is accommodating of you, but please understand that they do not HAVE to be and nobody “deserves” punishment from your children if they aren’t. Sorry if you’re offended, but I had to. I’ve been in that situation and feel for the man.
Jennie, I am so flattered that you ready my blog! And thank you for all your kind words. I think you’re all that and a bag of chips, too.
As far as deserving one thing or another on an airplane, who am I to say what people deserve? I’m just saying that when someone is obviously in a tough situation– why not help them out? In this case, the guy chose not to and he got what he got.
Hope to see you soon! (but maybe not on an airplane)
This is so true! We had a woman who would not switch- and she would have been moved from a middle seat to an aisle seat! She got kicked a lot! Ha!
Great post, can totally relate! When our seats were spread out over spring break, and the guy seated next to a crying Sasha told me he didn’t want to move, I said, “I completely understand. I hope
my daughter’s crying doesn’t bother you too much while I’m
Enjoying a glass of wine sans kids back there. Toodles!” He got the point. But still…did I really have to
make one?
Linda, I love that response! I’m the worst at comebacks. I’ll come up with all sorts of clever things to say while I’m shampooing my hair three days after the fact.
What is wrong with people?
I normally say things to the girls like “be careful; don’t kick the person next to you or in front of you; use your inside voice.” But in situations like these I just let the girls do their thing (and then secretly giggle about it).
As someone who has choosen not to have children even I know it’s in my best interest to give up my seat! Damn karma lol.
Christina, that’s exactly what it is! It’s not about us deserving a seat because we have kids. It’s about being nice to your fellow man when they’re obviously in a bind.
Totally it’s that person’s own fault for not switching seats!! TOTALLY! And if he asks later to switch seats, then tell ’em, ” YOU find someone else to switch with now, a-hole.” No, prolly I wouldn’t have the balls to say that. I also haven’t traveled with my children!!! Stay strong, mama.