Behavior on the flight

Please note that flight attendants can not remove a passenger from the airplane for body odor. They can not make children be quiet. They can not make the person in front of you put his or her seat forward so that you can eat more comfortably, nor can they make the person across the aisle close the window shade. Every person must do his or her part to ensure that all onboard have a pleasant flight experience.

Now read on..

Please be courteous of other people. Taking your shoes and socks off and propping your feet on the armrest of the person sitting in front of you because you want to feel more comfortable, is NOT acceptable airplane etiquette. After they get over the shock of strange toes in their personal space, the passenger in front of you may just want to let his or her seat back very hard.

Control your children. While some parents are fortunate to have mind or eye control over their children, the majority of the world is not as lucky. Be creative. Bring things for children to do, such as coloring books or DVDs, to occupy them while traveling. This will allow everyone’s nerves to get a break while on board.

If you have special dietary needs, order a special meal. Here’s a reminder. You are on an airplane approximately 35,000 feet above the ground. There’s no way for the flight crew to go to the supermarket to get you a vegetarian dish. Please do not become upset with them because you failed to take care of your needs. Remember to order it when you purchase your ticket, or ask about getting one when you check in at the gate before your flight. The earlier you ask the better chance you will get it.

Flush the toilet. Airplane lavatories are small, uncomfortable, cesspools, sort of like inflight porta potties. Already, none of us wants to touch anything in there! Please, at least make it easier on our eyes, not to see what you did in there before us. Oh, and could you wipe up the water you splash over the counter and floor with the hand towels the nice airline supplies? Flight Attendants are not janitors. They are there primarily to save your life…should the need arise.

Don’t take over someone else’s space. Most of us travel in economy class where comfort is more like confinement and roominess is lacking except being able to flex your feet and rotate your neck. Must we fight over the middle armrest? Can we just share it, please? And if you're sitting on the outside of a three-seat arrangement, it would be a good idea to give some arm space to the person sitting in the middle-seat of the row. That person is already squeezed enough!

Please use the call bell to signal the flight attendants. Whistling, waving at, or snapping your fingers at them will probably only get you ignored. Try to use the call bell sparingly. Remember, you do not have a personal butler at your beck and call, but a safety professional to assist you in enjoying your flight.

Try not to bump into seats while walking through the aisle. Same goes when you get up from your seat. Do not put pressure on the seat in front of you to get up. People might be sleeping or relaxing. Also, consider the height of the passenger behind you before thrusting your seat into the reclined position.

Do not raise or lower the window shade without asking other passengers in your seating row. The window is not solely for your possession.

If you listen to music on your CD player, iPod or DVD player, make sure the volume is not so loud that other passengers can also hear.

In short, remember one word: manners. Do unto others as you would have them do unto you. Treat your co-passengers with the concern and kindness you would like them to show toward you. This saying has come to be called the Golden Rule in all areas of life!