I read a humorous article a few years ago on why families should be accommodated on separate flights. This is for the benefit of those travelling solo or without children, the author said.
There seems to be something about confined spaces that brings out the worst in young ones as well as adults.
On a recent flight home, a mother with three kids kicked up a fuss because she was separated from them. I would think she would have been happy about the respite. But she wanted them to be seated in a row, not even separated by the aisle. The flight attendants tried to explain that the flight was full and they did not allocate seats but to no avail. She then asked to speak to the captain, thinking that he would surely see her point of view. Unfortunately, he didn’t, which made matters worse.
As I watched the commotion, I wondered why she was being so obstinate. She and two of her children were seated next to one another while a third was in front of them. She gave in with ill grace, but thereafter kept inquiring about that ‘isolated’ child’s welfare as if they had been torn apart cruelly by insensitive airline staff. The child in question must have around ten years old!
Next there are tiny babies, some of whom have the most extraordinary lung power. They can bawl non-stop for the duration of the flight while the harried parents take turns holding the baby, hoping it will settle down. When the time comes to be strapped in, the infant will wriggle like an eel, indignant at the confinement of its movements. If it eventually falls asleep, there is then the delicate task of transferring it to the crib. I have never seen any operation carried out with such precision and care.
I can almost hear the parents breathe a sigh of relief and that’s when I realise I, too, have been holding my breath for the miracle to happen — peace and quiet.
There are the older ones who run up and down the aisle, stopping every now and then to fix an unwavering stare at the face of a passenger who catches their attention. This can be an unnerving experience for the adult
However, I will admit that it isn’t only children who can make even a short flight seem interminable.
There was an incident on a plane recently where a male passenger used the knee defender to stop the woman in front from reclining as he worked on his laptop. This soon escalated into a brawl and the unscheduled landing of the plane just halfway to its destination.
On a flight to the UK many years ago, I had the misfortune of sitting in front of a man who had nervous leg syndrome. The incessant rocking movement of his legs made the back of my seat shudder violently despite there being no air turbulence. Turning around, I requested him to stop the metronome-like movement. He looked at me in surprise and then said he would do what he wanted. I called the stewardess and asked her to settle the matter. I couldn’t believe my ears when she was told that his movements were of no concern to anyone else. Giving up in the face of such obduracy, she found me another seat to which I retired with alacrity.
The boarding can be just as wearing on the nerves. While you shuffle patiently in line for the person in front to stow his luggage, you sometimes find the wait inordinately long. That’s because after placing it in the hold, he suddenly remembers something he needs urgently. So back it comes down and the contents are turned inside out before he finds what he wants
So, the next time someone is travelling, wish them a peaceful flight. That’s what we really need.
