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Jetiquette™ & You!
From the Curb to the Clouds
Making the travel experience more pleasant takes a little work from every single traveler. Jetiquette is about recognizing how our individual actions impact others in positive or negative ways. This is key to lowering the stress level of packed airports and planes at peak travel times. Nowadays there are very few empty airplanes flying around, so it is best to plan for the worst and hope for a pleasant surprise. Here are some things we can all do to make it easier for ourselves and fellow travelers as we jet around this season.At the Curb
Use the outside lane of the departure drop off area. Don't start off stressed; jockeying for position at the curb of the terminal. Avoid the road rage and have someone drop you off at the outside lane. Both you and your driver can be off and on your way in no time.Check bags at the curb. Airlines that charge to check bags at the curb have really done everyone a favor because this means less people use the service and for a few dollars you can get your bag checked and obtain your boarding pass without standing in line inside the terminal.
In the Terminal
Be mindful of TSA screening procedures. Holding up the security line can cause everyone a meltdown. Do your part to keep the line flowing smoothly.Remember the liquid ban. Liquids must be in a 1 quart bag and each container in the bag must not exceed 3 oz. size. This bag should be removed and put into a bin at the security line and run through the conveyer.
Put your cell phone in your bag or be prepared to place it in a bin with your liquids, shoes, belt, other metal objects, and your jacket or coat. Also in this bin should be electronics such as tape camcorders, DVD players, etc.
Have your laptop within reach and put it in ITS OWN BIN. Do not put other items in your laptop bin. (The screeners do not like it.)
KEEP YOUR BOARDING PASS IN HAND. This is the easiest thing to forget and if it goes into the x-ray machine it adds minutes to the screening time of everyone behind you.
Once through the line; grab your articles and move away to reduce congestion. You can reassemble yourself at one of the benches located a few feet away from the security conveyer.
If you are with children, make sure that they are close to you. Not only does it protect them, it makes it easier for other travelers to make their way through the tight, crowded conditions in the terminal.
When you are waiting in gate area, only take up one seat. Move your luggage and other items off of seats to make them available to others in the gate area.
Cell Phone Infractions
Cell phones are convenient and they are here to stay, but use cell-phone etiquette. A great rule of thumb is to speak into your cell phone as if you are speaking directly into the ear of the person on the other end of the phone line. If you have to shout, you may want to call them back later. It is excruciating to listen to the details of someone else's conversation shouted through the concourse. It also makes the caller look incredibly obnoxious, if that means anything.If you are on the phone when you approach a ticket agent, flight attendant, or cashier at one of the concessions, you will receive much better service and speed up the queue if you hang up or ask the caller to hold as you take the phone away from your ear and focus on the person that is physically there to assist you.
Bad Boarding Form
No matter how hard the airlines try, new boarding techniques are useless without a little help from all of us who are traveling. When airlines board by groups, the idea is to keep the pathway clear up to the jet bridge door so that one area of the plane may be boarded at a time. Resist the urge to block access to those whose group is actually being called. There is one trick though; once the group in before yours is called, and it appears that most in that group are already in line, go ahead and step behind them. This way you will be the first in your group onto the aircraft. Your timing will improve with experience. If you are unlucky enough to get up to the person taking boarding passes before your group is called, politely introduce yourself as the first person in the next group. It has worked for me every time. (Be sure to smile)Watch Your Carry-On Bags
Once onboard and proceeding down the aisle to your seat, be careful not to hit everyone with your carry-on bags. As much as you love your designer luggage, no one enjoys having their shoulder assaulted, even if it is by Louis Vuitton!If you are taking gifts with you to your destination, consider shipping them ahead. Taking gifts as carry-on should only be done if you plan on checking all other carry-on bags. If it is hard to find an empty overhead bin on flights during normal periods, imagine how it will be during the peak season.
Don't take over the overhead bin. Make sure that you thoughtfully place your items in the overhead bin in order to take up the least amount of space. Put your smaller bag at your feet and make sure it contains all of the things you need in flight such as your mp3 player, laptop, reading material, water, etc. so that you can avoid having to into the overhead bin after takeoff.
If you have a blazer or sport coat, ask the flight attendant in first class if you may hang it. Unless they short hangers, they should have no problem with this (I am always happy to do this for passengers).
If you see someone having a hard time with their carry on and you can assist them, please do. You have no idea how you may be helping another traveler have a good day. Most likely they've been worrying how they were going to handle that bag. You will definitely save the day.
Jetiquette In-Flight
Seat back pockets are for everyone. Do not place garbage in them since it is becoming impossible for airlines to thoroughly clean aircraft between flights because of shorter times on the ground. Make sure to give your refuse to the flight attendant or even take it off with you and place it into a garbage can in the terminal.If you use your tray-table, make sure that it is clean before you close it. Many passengers find their tray table to be dirty when the drink cart arrives at their seat. Although it is the responsibility of the airline cleaning staff to clean the tray table, a little consideration by the passenger on the previous flight would make everyone's day better.
If you bring food along, please choose food that will not fill the cabin with an unpleasant odor. I once had a woman open two cans of tuna on a flight and thought we were going to have to open a door in flight to get rid of the odor. I had passengers offering to help me!
Make sure that you have "ear bud" style headsets. They allow you to enjoy superior sound without blasting everyone else around you.
If you bring a DVD player for family viewing, make sure to purchase a splitter or 2 so that more than one person can listen in. It is not acceptable to allow the DVD player sound to play over the speaker.
Mind Your Space
Make sure that you do not invade the space of the passengers sitting next to you. Ensure that your elbows are completely within the borders of your armrests and that your knees and feet stay in line with your seat as well. A good way to sit is to grab your forearm with the opposite hand. It helps your back and keeps your shoulders and elbows from flowing into your seatmate's space. If the person sitting next to you is unaware of these guidelines, you may have to tell them what you plan on doing to make their trip more comfortable. Invite them to wake you if you come into their space while you are sleeping. This will get the message across.Give others you encounter and happen to make eye contact with a pleasant expression or even a good morning, afternoon, evening. It makes for a more pleasant experience; remembering that kindness is contagious.
When the stranger sitting next to you arrives; a pleasant hello is good form. You'll know if additional conversation is welcome or not. Just ignoring each other completely is something we all need to get away from. Just think, that stranger may become your best friend in the event of an emergency.
When you leave your seat during the flight, try your best not to pull excessively on the seat in front of you for support. Instead, use the armrest in your row to help you leave your seat. There is nothing worse than finally getting some deep sleep and having your seat suddenly twisted and pulled in a way that has you startled and reaching for the emergency exit.
In the Lavatory
Dirty lavatories are a big issue to passengers. We can all make a difference. Make sure that you leave the lavatory in the right condition; sink drained, basin and counter dry, toilet flushed, toilet seat and cover down, and paper towels in the trash receptacle. If you have to clean up a little bit for the person that was in there before you.you'll get over it and will have a positive impact on the next person's trip.Wear shoes into the lavatory to avoid having your socks act as a sponge.
If it is at all possible, please handle all heavy duty bathroom business in the hotel room, at home, or in the airport terminal restroom. The noses of passengers sitting in the rows adjacent to the lavatory will thank you.
