Airplane Etiquette

Modern Manners Guy here. I would like to let everyone know about The Sales Guy, Jeb Blount. Jeb is a globally recognized sales expert and has released his first audio book. Sales Guy’s 7 Rules for Outselling the Recession delivers the seven essential rules for navigating the difficult economic climate and coming out on top. Visit sales.quickanddirtytips.com to find out how you can buy Jeb's book. Now, I fancy myself a semi-professional airplane passenger and, though my clothing line deal hasn't gone through yet, I feel like it's high-time I talked about the manners and etiquette of airports and airplanes. From taxi to takeoff and from crying to carry-ons, this set of encouraging tips should help you make those skies a little more friendly.

Know Your Itinerary

I think this conversation really has to start before you even get to the airport. There are a few things you can do to make sure you are knowledgeable about your trip which, in turn, will help you be a courteous airport pedestrian and flyer. Know your itinerary. Printing or writing down your flight and gate information will minimize your need to wander the terminal looking for your information. Not having a clear plan causes us to think only about taking care of ourselves and not watching out for others. Check in online or at an automated kiosk in the airport if you can. That will get you a step closer to your destination and will keep you out of more lines. If you happen to find yourself in the check-in line, pull out your audio player and refer back to Modern Manners Guy episode 70-Lines, Lines, and More Lines.

Security Sanity

The queue you cannot avoid is at the security check point. Just prepare yourself for the fact that you’ll have to wait in that line. There are ways, however, that you can minimize any issues. And I bring this up because the more people pay attention and make a conscious effort to be ready for the security gate, the less hassle everyone else endures. And that's why we practice good manners, right? (That was a rhetorical question.) First, be sure that your carry-ons will actually fit through the x-ray machine. Then have your laptop easily accessible; shoes untied; jewery, keys, etc. out of your pockets; boarding pass in hand; and a pleasant smile on your face. Those security officers deal with enough jerks. You can brighten their day with an easy grin and yourself at the ready. Just don't come across as suspicious.

And if you are traveling with small children, encourage them to help out by taking off their shoes and putting their things in the bin for the x-ray. Give little Janie her boarding pass and send her through the metal detector with instructions not to touch the structure. That can add time to your security station sprint. In any event stay calm and just let things happen if they do.

Not everyone is so technology savvy as to have listened to this podcast, so treat everyone with kindness-- even the ones who don't appear to deserve it. And remember, you have the power to talk yourself down from that dangerous cliff over which you would like to throw the security guard who decides you need the wand. It's all now part of flying, so expect it and endure it with grace.

Once through the security line, please move swiftly away to, well, frankly, get redressed. Grab your stuff and move out so as to not cause a bottleneck.

Manners at the Gate

Whew, that was harrowing! But you made it and you left a legacy in that queue as a most efficient and generous traveler. And you briskly walked to your gate stopping in the throughway only long enough to check that your gate was still correct.

Now what? Where do you put yourself? And your stuff? Many think that choosing a seat at the gate just happens. You wander up and plop yourself and your food and your bags wherever the heck you want. I submit that there should be a little more thought put into this.

For instance, let's say for the sake of argument that you have several carry-ons. Make sure you take a seat where you have enough room for your bags. Then just make an effort to keep your footprint as small as possible.

Here's another one: you have a phone call to make. So you move yourself to a courteous distance away from the crowd so as not to disturb your fellow travelers with your personal conversation.

What if people are carelessly sprawled all over the seats at the gate, taking up way more then one seat, and as a result, there is nowhere for you to sit? How do you politely handle the situation? Determine if this person is actually someone next to whom you are willing to sit. Then clear your throat and ask if the seat is taken. At that point you’ve put the ball in the other person’s court, and they have the choice to either scoot over or offer a completely self-serving excuse. And viola! You have your answer! The day is too short to fight over the seat. If there are no other seats available, move to the next gate over and sit close so you can hear any announcements made for your flight.

Just as important here is how to manage children in this situation. There are actually kids who can sit for long periods of time reading or playing video games. However, I have a child and said child does not particularly care to sit still.  So he and I find a place away from the crowd so we can play games and do piggy-back rides and not disturb anyone.

The Cattle Call

With any luck, your plane will arrive and your group will be called to board. There is a message issued by the gate agent at every flight I have been on, and that message is flatly ignored by about 98% of all pre-passengers. That message is: "Please approach the gate for boarding only when your group number has been called." They have even recently added, "Please do not stand around the entrance to the jetway as that will slow down the boarding process."

I'm really not sure what part of this sage advice people do not understand. My challenge to you, good listener, is to refrain. Hold fast in your seat at the gate until your group number has been called. Then and only then shalt thou sally forth to mount thy shiny stead-- I mean, get on the plane.

Administration

And that is where we will pick up next time. Thanks for listening to The Modern Manners Guy's Quick and Dirty Tips for a More Polite Life. 

There are transcript of this and all my other episodes at manners.quickanddirtytips.com where you can also find a link to my FaceBook group.  Come on over, become a fan and join in the discussions. And don't forget to tell a friend about your Modern Manners Guy.

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