1) TIP: If you have seen Up in the Air with George Clooney, there are many things about which this movie is correct. Let me begin with airport security lines.
When choosing the "best" line, always look for other business travelers. If you see several people in line with a Gold, Diamond or Platinum (or the equivalent, I fly Delta) frequent flyer tag, follow them. I promise you, they already know to take their computer out, have their liquids in a bag, etc. They have slip on shoes and easily removed belts and they are in a hurry - always.
If you see a line that is shorter in appearance, but it has small children or even medium sized children, do NOT, I mean it, do NOT get in this line. I can assure you, they are frazzled and while in a hurry, will unlikely be organized or efficient. This also holds true for older adults. While often just as cute and cuddly as small children, IF you are in a hurry, I can assure you that following cute, in this instance, will not result in a happy ending.
2) TIP: Be aware that when in flight, alcohol will affect you in a different way than when on the ground.
I was sitting next to a nice man in business class (love free upgrades!) during a flight from SLC to ATL. This is approximately a 3.5-4 hour flight, depending. This nice man, too, must have been upgraded as his eyes grew excited upon the realization that he could order free drinks.
First of all, just because you are ABLE to order an adult beverage for no charge does NOT mean that you always SHOULD! Sure, take the edge off...it's been a long week, I get it, but the 8am cocktail, unless heading to vacation, I just don't understand.
So this guy is, understandably, excited and orders a Jack and Coke. Ok, no biggie. It's 6pm, I get it. Then, about 20 minutes later he orders another one... and another... and another. Yes, four Jack and Cokes later and we are only passing over Tennessee. He now has a blatant disregard for my "silencing" headphones, which are not intended to work to silence obnoxious, intoxicated and "invading my personal space" people.
Needless to say, he got the hint when I looked at him, removed my headphones, told him that perhaps he should ask for a bottle of water and that I truly did not care to have a conversation with him at that time. Seriously???
3) TIP: Respect people's time.
I was doing Campaign Planning Study interviews in the deep south for a hospital. I had been in this location for about three days and I was exhausted and ready to get home. My last day of interviews, I had to travel down to speak with a physician that was associated with this hospital and then drive about an hour and a half to catch my flight home. I arrive on time and wait in his waiting room - now feeling like a pharmaceutical rep - for about 15 minutes. I realize this gives me approximately 45 minutes for the interview and honestly, most physicians are in such a hurry that they get straight to the point and never talk long, well, almost never. This physician took every question I had and went on a tangent that had NOTHING and I mean NOTHING to do with anything relating to the study. As the time for my departure came and went and I realized that I had NO information that was useful, I considered just putting my forehead down on the table and weeping until he understood my frustration. I finally stopped him mid rant and told him that I really appreciated his time and passion for all things healthcare, but that I could not, at any cost, miss this flight home. Baffled, as apparently no one had ever DARED to interrupt him, he fell silent. I grabbed the opportunity with full force, stood, shook his hand and left.
Once out the door, I bolted to the car and literally flew onto the highway...until I came to a stand still. I am now late, sweating, frustrating and wishing that I still sucked my thumb for a bit of comfort before I lost my mind when a nice trucker pulled up along side, honked, asked me to roll down my window and proceeded to see if I wanted to get off at the next exit. SERIOUSLY?????
Moral of the story: Never assume that people will respect your time. Always be sure to leave for your flight an hour before you think you have to if you have a meeting just prior. The meeting, most often, will run over and there is no doubt that if you are in a hurry there will be a tube strike, a wreck, a traffic jam or an obnoxious and out of his gourd trucker to stand in your way.
4) TIP: When on a plane and you have someone beside you or on either side of you, share the arm rests. This is especially true if you are in an aisle or window seat. That poor person in the middle already has to be squished between the others, so cut them a bit of a break and give up the arm rest.
5) TIP: If you are flying into a beautiful area - mountains, sea, etc, and you have the window seat, please remember that just because you are sitting in that seat does not mean that you are the only person wishing to see the sights. Sit back and enjoy the view - your entire head doesn't need to occupy the window for you to see what is happening below. Thank you from all of us who prefer the aisle seat.
6) TIP: If you, like me, prefer the aisle seat, you canNOT be disgruntled when a person in your row needs to use the bathroom. They already feel bad about having to ask you to get out of your seat so that they can get out, so chill out - it isn't a big deal and YOU picked that seat with full knowledge of what that meant.
7) TIP: Plane seats have limited leg room. Unless it is a long flight and you do it with care, please consider NOT slamming your seat back upon take-off. If you have a child behind you, no big deal. If you have someone who may not need as much leg room, fine. But if you are sitting in front of someone who is 6'5", your discomfort in not reclining ALL the way back will be nothing compared to you breaking his legs.
8) TIP: If at all possible, please do not bring a bag/plate/etc of food onto the plane just before take off. The food smell permeates the cabin and lasts forever. I completely understand not having time to eat and having to grab and go, however, there are choices you can make that won't make others shoot daggers in your direction.
9) TIP: If you are not in a hurry to catch your next flight, allow others who ARE to deboard the plane before you. This doesn't mean you have to let everyone off, but if you have a 2 hour layover and the person behind you has 20 minutes, let them go first. Also, if someone who is sitting in front of you had to place their carry-on above you, get it for them and pass it forward. It slows EVERYTHING and EVERYONE down for them to backtrack to their bag.
10) TIP: The new fees for checked bags has caused everyone to carry-on. I do the same thing. However, if you have a seat in the middle or back of the plane and you see open bin space in the front of the plane, please do NOT take it. Those of us sitting in the front of the plane need that space for our bags. And then, if you do take it, we have to put ours way behind us... see TIP #9.
11) TIP: When driving long distances, I recommend that you wear pants and/or sleeves. For some reason, while on the highway, many truck drivers seem to think that if you are wearing a skirt, shorts or a tank top, you must really like it if they honk at you and perform lude gestures. I have stopped trying to figure this out, but I can provide this tip with assurance - the more covered, the fewer honks.
12) TIP: This should really have been #1. Always, ALWAYS say please and thank you. When I am in a different country, these are the only two words I MUST learn upon arrival. These words are not just for small children and they make a world of difference. Try it.
Ok, so I could go on and on and on, but I will leave it here for now. All in all, I guess the point of all of it is to be considerate. Think and then act... I know, it can be hard to do, but just imagine what a travel day COULD be like if more people did.
