travel quirks
April 29, 2010
I travel a lot. Always have.
(I wish that meant that I’m a good packer. But it doesn’t.)
When I flew from Nashville to Seattle the other day, I paid attention to all the odd things I do when I fly. And there are many.
- I feel compelled to eat or drink something whenever I’m in an airport. Not to say that I always do. But I always want to.
- Airports give me the sense that I’m going to run into someone I know. I actively look around as if I might.
- I touch the outside of the plane as I board. (I started this on my first mission trip when I was 14. I wonder how many planes I’ve tapped since then…)
- Between the time I board and the announcement to switch off electronics, I send an abnormally high number of tweets/texts.
- I avoid making eye contact with people. I don’t want to have to talk to anyone! What can I say, I’m an introverted flyer. (Bad missionary, I know…)
- I’m an aisle seat girl, preferably as close to the front of the plane as possible.
- I need to feel air blowing directly on me, so I immediately adjust the little air vent accordingly.
- I wear my seat belt so loose, it probably doesn’t even matter that I’m wearing it. I also unbuckle it the instant we land. I’m talking the moment the wheels hit the tarmac.
- Because I tend to get motion sick, I try to make myself fall asleep if there’s turbulence. (I’ve been known to sleep through some wicked storms…)
- I usually bring a book on board, but never ever end up reading.
- My free beverage of choice is always ginger ale. The only other time I drink it is when I’m sick.
- I only pee when absolutely necessary, so I don’t often use the bathroom on board.
- If I do, I cover my ears when I flush. The noise freaks me out.
- I try to avoid looking in the mirror in the airplane bathroom. The lights in there make me look pretty frightening.
What are your travel quirks?
If you’re in the Seattle area,
let’s hang out tonight!
I always look around for people, too. The ONE TIME it actually happened validated doing it FOREVER.
I always count how many seats I am from the emergency exits. You know, just in case I need to direct someone there while I die of panic if we crash. :)
- I always think I’m going to run into someone I used to know, too.
- I never want to talk to my seat partner, either.
- The mirrors in the bathrooms makes EVERYONE look bad.
- I hate having to use the bathroom during a flight, too. I just camp out against the window.
Okay, my travel quirks:
- I always read the emergency info card. Also always look very attentive when the flight attendant is giving directions, and feel bad when others don’t.
- I have sensitive ears. I’m the one with the pink earplugs sticking out of my ears like bubblegum. And when the flight attendant asks what I want, I either yell too loud or speak too softly as a result.
- I can’t relax until I know that the people sitting around me are going to be…. nice. A big part of that is being quiet, and not pulling on or kicking the back of my seat. Because that makes me n-u-t-s.
- I like to save special magazines that I only open once the flight’s taken off.
- It’s very important to me which movies they’re going to show. I open up the magazine carefully to see what’s scheduled for our flight. One of my favorite things is watching a movie on a plane before it’s been released on DVD.
Now I know I’ll be thinking about others for awhile now……
@gritandglory says:
oooh i thought of another!
the armrest between me and my neighbor HAS to be down. it feels a little too close for comfort with it up… as if we’re sharing a loveseat or something. mmnothanks.
Aaaagggghhhhh!!!! Yes, so true!!! And then when they try to be all “I’m claiming this armrest as MINE,” and you have to do the jostling so you both have your rightful part of it.
The truth is, I just have a thing about personal space, I think, and having people in it is not fun for me.
@PersimmonPulp says:
wow – your list is almost identical to mine! I don’t touch the plane when I board & I generally prefer the window… but only if I’m traveling with someone else.
I do try to look busy when I’m sitting beside someone I don’t know though – that’s where the book &/or laptop comes in handy. I may not actually read it, but I’ll sure look like I am if they look like a talker.
Oh, and welcome once again to Seattle! I hope our split-personality weather today didn’t scare you away!
(sooooo looking forward to meeting you face-to-face tomorrow night!)
Wow!!!! 11 of your 14 travel quirks are mine as well!! And here I think that I was the only one who tapped the plane, and always have a ginger ale, plus water!!! (Always trying to get a little extra than what is offered me). Actually today I bought a Ginger Ale, and I never drink it unless I’m on a plane.
The air vent is mine too!! LOL!!
There are a few moments where I was certain I’d seen someone I knew!! Even smiled and said hi…. ;)
Actually the seat belt, I think I take it a step further! Where I’ll carry on my sweater, and cover up my belt, so that those on board cannot see if I’m buckled in or not, (Only I know the truth!) Oh the little fun games I play with myself on board! :) I am bucked in, by the way, it is loosened all the way though.
The most I’ve read in a book on board is 3 chapters, never finished, but a comfort to know I have it.
I love the aisle seat, but because I have to get up and use the restroom at least once per flight, even if I don’t have to go, Plus I do plug my ears, and watch my expression in the mirror as it flushes, another little laugh I have to myself because we all look silly in those airline mirrors.
Those who know me, know that my life runs in fast forward, running here and there, yet, when I’m in an airport and everyone is running fast forward, I take my time! I actually make an effort to walk as slow as possible, avoiding the moving sidewalks, soaking in all that I can!
While on a flight, I also make an effort to stare at window, and just stare, it seems to creep out the person who actually is seated by the window, I’m not necessarily looking outside, just having a little fun watching someone squirm a little, (that isn’t mean is it?)
Wow, anyways!! that was fun to contemplate!!
@gritandglory says:
oh i SPEED through life. i always walk like i’m in a rush…even when i’m not.
@elainaavalos says:
I have to have a magazine & a book. Always. If I don’t have a book I’ve picked up before, when I get to the airport (Raleigh/Durham has a great bookstore w/used books) I buy one.
I stop at Starbucks. I must have a soy toffee nut latte before I get on the plane.
My seatbelt also comes off the second we land & I have to have the air on immediately I always hate it when they turn it off (is it during take off or when they taxi?). Bugs the crap out of me.
The moment I get seated, I check the in flight magazine for what movies are being played. It’s possible that I also check to see what wine is available.
When I fly into or out of Raleigh I have to stop at the McDonald’s in Cary for a Coke. No, I don’t know why. Haha.
The bathrooms on the plane = torture. I avoid them at all costs.
If I’m anywhere near the Southwest terminal, I won’t sit facing all the people coming & going. Must sit facing windows. So I won’t see a specific person who flies for them (don’t care how slim the chances are!). Also the reason I won’t fly Southwest.
@bajanpoet says:
Don’t travel often enough yet to have quirks… but I LOVE a window seat… LOVE staring out the window at the islands under the plane….
@bahava says:
Ah, I absolutely love traveling and the funny little quirks we all have!
Here are some of mine:
-Ginger ale used to always be my beverage of choice until I gave up pop and now I get orange juice
-I love love window seats
-I carry as many carry-ons as possible and usually push the limits on those
-I absolutely cringe every time I have to step onto the plane because of that little bit of open space where you can see down to the ground
-I carry so many books, but usually end up falling asleep on the first one
-I hardly ever if ever tilt my seat back
-I read through the safety instructions and listen when they give instructions
-I do not do well at airport good-byes because I get so focused on making it to my gate and getting on the plane–after that point I can take a deep breath and relax
-I really don’t like getting up for anything unless I’m traveling with people I know but even then I don’t like it
-I so get nervous and anxious about flying to new airports and going through customs, but at the same time I love checking out the new places.
-I always intend to bring food, but forget usually.
@gritandglory says:
ha! i usually have way too many carry-ons too.
I just have to share… my husband ALWAYS sees someone he knows in an airport. Every! single! time! we enter one. Once, we just went to pick up my momma, who was on her way home from a missions trip. And someone chased my husband down in baggage claim. Seems they went to high school together. In Washington. Washington STATE, not Washington, DC, where we were standing at the time.
@gritandglory says:
what?! that is so crazy!
Hm, let me see…
– If I am flying by myself, I prefer an aisle seat, so I don’t have to disturb anyone to get up. If I am with someone I know, I don’t mind asking them to move.
– I don’t like paging/bothering the stewardess unless I really must. If I am thirsty, I try to hold out until the next time they come through with the carts.
– Even though I know I’ll sleep some during the flight, I usually will still wear my contacts. My glasses aren’t as strong and I like being able to read the signs after we land at the airport.
That’s all I got. I will have to pay attention next time I travel to see if I notice anything else. I’m sure there’s more and I’ve never realized it.
LOVE this :)
- I get to airports ridiculously early – 1-2 hours at least.
- I don’t look at anyone flowing through the security line when they can see me looking.
- I always buy something at the airport – books, food, something… my favorite is Dulles because they have the Taxco Sterling shop
- I always touch the outside of the plane as I go in, pray Psalm 91.11 (?) the angels verse, and if there is someone blocking my way to get to the side of the plane to touch it… I’ll wait until I can
-I’m an aisle girl. Anything else makes me feel claustrophobic
-I’m a plane sleeper or reader
-As soon as I can get off a plane, I’m off it and zipping thru the airport
-I zip thru airports whether I’m in a rush or not. I feel the need to get around the crowds and to my seat
eeeee – I’m going to Africa in 3 days. Eeeee!
@elainaavalos says:
Oh totally forgot the early thing! I do that too. Way early. :)
@coloraturajoy says:
I’m the opposite of your early arriving! I like to push the limits. When people suggest I get to an airport at least 1 1/2 to 2 hours early, I shrug them off and get there just in time. :) Makes me a little nervous at times, but it keeps my feet moving!
@PrudyChick says:
I’m a freak about being early. A few years ago Shawn and I flew to Sacramento over Thanksgiving. I was so worried we wouldn’t get to the airport in time I was internally hyperventilating.
@gritandglory says:
oh my dang, i FLY through airports too. (yes. pun intended!) i am always rushing. even when i don’t need to.
@coloraturajoy says:
I definitely keep my eyes peeled for people I might know. It’s happened to me far too many times on trips not to at least half expect it.
I, too, always carry a book. But definitely don’t always read it. And by “always” I mean ever. :)
I’m from Texas. Everyone talks to everyone hear. I don’t personally like small talk, but since I’m Texan through and through, I can decipher my way through even the most awkward situation with a little good-hearted convo with a stranger. So, if my neighbor is ready to share all about his new mix tapes he created, show me the pictures of his trip to Puerto Rico with his girlfriend, and/or ask me to play monopoly with him on his computer, I’m well geared for that! :)
This is a terrible confession, and probably a symptom of my tendency to rebel ever-so-slightly against authority….but I never turn off my cell phone when they make that announcement. I just keep right on texting. It makes me feel a bit connected without having to annoy the next-to-me by striking up an awkward convo. So I text till we get too high, and immediately start texting again when we drop low enough. :) Although, once I did feel bad when a teenager was watching me, wide-eyed, as I thumbed out 40 WPM. I felt like a bad example. :?
When selecting my seats (whenever possible), I always find one closest to an exit. It’s a fact that those closest to exits have the greatest chance of survival in a disaster. I don’t necessarily want the seat right by it, but a couple seats down makes me pretty happy.
I never, ever drink coke (or soda…pop…soda water…whatever yall call ‘em ;) ), but on a plane, depending on my mood, I will order either Ginger Ale, or OJ. Nothing else. Well…besides a little extra water on the side, but I’ve usually got that covered with a larger-than-life bottle.
@gritandglory says:
i am all chuckles over the fact that you keep your phone turned on the whole time. i’ve done that a few times too… but was too nervous/scared/goody-too-shoos to use it!
@coloraturajoy says:
I definitely keep my eyes peeled for people I might know. It’s happened to me far too many times on trips not to at least half expect it.
I, too, always carry a book. But definitely don’t always read it. And by “always” I mean ever. :)
I’m from Texas. Everyone talks to everyone here. I don’t personally like small talk, but since I’m Texan through and through, I can decipher my way through even the most awkward situation with a little good-hearted convo with a stranger. So, if my neighbor is ready to share all about his new mix tapes he created, show me the pictures of his trip to Puerto Rico with his girlfriend, and/or ask me to play monopoly with him on his computer, I’m well geared for that! :) (And yes, all three of those have happened)!
This is a terrible confession, and probably a symptom of my tendency to rebel ever-so-slightly against authority….but I never turn off my cell phone when they make that announcement. I just keep right on texting. It makes me feel a bit connected without having to annoy the next-to-me by striking up an awkward convo. So I text till we get too high, and immediately start texting again when we drop low enough. :) Although, once I did feel bad when a teenager was watching me, wide-eyed, as I thumbed out 40 WPM. I felt like a bad example. :?
When selecting my seats (whenever possible), I always find one closest to an exit. It’s a fact that those closest to exits have the greatest chance of survival in a disaster. I don’t necessarily want the seat right by it, but a couple seats down makes me pretty happy.
I never, ever drink coke (or soda…pop…soda water…whatever yall call ‘em ;) ), but on a plane, depending on my mood, I will order either Ginger Ale, or OJ. Nothing else. Well…besides a little extra water on the side, but I’ve usually got that covered with a larger-than-life bottle.
I don’t travel enough to have many quirks but I loves hearing yours! It made me smile today because I could picture you doing every single one of those things! I love you friend and hope you have a prosperous time in Seattle! P.S. I have some news for you!
@gritandglory says:
what?! news?!?! i wanna hear!
these are funny! i’m with you on the air flow thing, and must over-use the electronics before they’re taken away,
i like the window seat and i like to check out all the different people in the airport. i’ve been told that i’m a very patient traveler, having been stuck in some pretty testing circumstances (part of the trip is the fun of getting there). i also like to pretend (in my own mind) that i’m 007 while going through the security checks, can’t sleep on the plane, always glance at all the gadgets in the cockpit, stick up conversations with the people next to me if traveling alone, and always take the junky food (these are provisions for later if i get stuck and hungry).
Reading these made me smile! :-)
I haven’t traveled a lot but the two I can relate to are 1 – wanting to eat when your at the airport. and 2 – looking around for people you know. Whenever I am in big crowds of people where the chances are higher for someone I know to be there I always look around so I don’t miss a fun, random meeting! :-)
Mine are a little more than quirks—-I’m a pain in the pattootie to fly with…
-I’m an excellent packer. Very efficient. But I hate it. With a passion. And I pack for seven people.
-I hate to fly and it has only gotten worse with age. Two days ago I arrived in the US after a LOO.OOO.NG flight and a rough landing. Actually, we were in the middle of our descent into the US and I was thanking God for a nice, safe flight, when the plane suddenly made a turn and looped around. Of course, I was sure at that moment that someone had taken over the plane (I’m only half-joking), so I closed my eyes and took deep breaths. We circled for another thirty minutes before landing on a very wet runway and skidding to a stop. My relief to be on the ground was intense.
-When we take off and land, I don’t want anyone talking to me. I have to close my eyes and stay focused. My kids generally want me to look out the window at that time, but I remind them that Mommy needs quiet for just a few more minutes.
-I get sick on planes and don’t eat more than a few crackers and a bit of water. Circling makes this worse.
-I bring a book but never read it. I tried to read my Bible, but when I couldn’t find a particular verse I was looking for, I put it away and went back to shutting my eyes and taking deep breaths.
-I try not to watch people, which is odd since I’m a people-watcher. See, when I watch people, I pick out the mean looking ones and secretly wonder if they’re going to get violent on the plane.
-I clean up after my kids and am always making sure that we have left no mess behind.
-I hate to use the bathroom, especially on our last flight where the bathroom was by an emergency exit. I worried that my kids would touch the exit door, so I became Hover Mom.
-And lastly, I hate flying so much that if I could get back to the mission field any other way, I probably would—-And, though we have four months til we return, I’m already dreading it.
I probably need therapy :)
Oh, and we always arrive at the airport at least 2 hours before a flight. With five kiddos, you almost have to. Between check-in, security checks, potty breaks, etc, we usually have 30 minutes left to rest before boarding.
mmmm, I could SO relate to the craziness of this post! I am deathly afraid of flying and do ALL of these things and more! Granted, I had a break of 7 years where I didn’t fly AT ALL, but last year I had to….and I did all of these things. We even did the whole “circle the airport FOREVER” thing b/c of some issue…. and I was secretly panicking wondering who hijacked the plane. Paranoid much?! LOL
I haven’t flown anywhere in ages, but I’m with you on a few of these. I always think I’ll see someone I know. I always get ginger ale too! It’s just in the past couple years I actually started buying it for myself at home. Otherwise it was always a special flying or sick treat. I’m not sure I’ve ever peed on a plane, but I’ve never had a flight out of the country either.
This makes me want to take a trip.
@PrudyChick says:
I always have my iPod and a book to listen to/read on the plane.
I tend to wear loose skirts because it’s just more comfortable than sitting in jeans for an hour or two or longer. And I don’t have to take my belt off at security.
I wear slip on shoes like ballet flats for easy on/off at security.
After getting through security my first stop is Starbucks.
We try to only fly Southwest cause I like getting to pick where I sit.
I must must MUST be at the airport two hours early for domestic flights and four hours early for international trips. I start to freak out if I’m any later. I cannot handle the thought of being late to the gate, late onto the plane, etc. Hate it.
Good conversation starter!
Quirks. . .
1. I hate the middle or window seat. I’m trapped. And I have a small bladder. And long legs kinda.
2. I only take three things on the plane with me: journal, a book, and my ipod.
3. The plane typically lulls me to sleep in less than five minutes after take off, so I don’t do much talking. I wouldn’t wanna do much talking anyway, though.
4. The first thing I do when I get into my seat is turn the air off. I feel like it gets down to forty in the freakin’ plane.
5. If I am stuck in the window seat, I try to look at the baggage handlers and cringe as they chuck bags on the plane. I try to see how they handle my guitar.
6. Just recently I incurred roughly six hundred dollars to my guitar because they threw it into the cargo area in the plane. They’re not paying for it.
I hate flying right now. It’s expensive and there are no frills whatsoever except getting somewhere in a timely manner.
I would rather drive ANYWHERE than fly….. until I drive somewhere for three days and then I think “I WOULD RATHER FLY!” but not really. haha!
I touch the outside of the plane, too! But I always turn the air OFF – I hate air blowing on my face and am usually freezing in a plane!
I get there early, real early. I won’t rest until I am at the gate, so I get there early.
I am an excellent packer. I didn’t used to be, but now I can go for a two week trip with just my backpack – a little school sized backpack. I hate waiting for baggage lines, so just pick up my backpack and go.
I always talk to people, but don’t keep talking to them. I just like to get a sense of who I am sitting next to.
I like the window – then I have one side that I am not open to some stranger beside me. Besides, I love to look out the window, even though I have flown all around the world and it is not new.
I read the emergency card even though I could recite it from memory. I also study the directions on the emergency exit doors which I love to sit by. I’m the type of person who would jump in an emergency – I know… once I leaped over a man and his laptop (still don’t know how I did it) to chase down and tackle what looked like an out of control man charging the aisle. Turned out he was a frightened man whose dad was having a heart attack. So, mid chase, I reversed direction and arrived on the scene of the heart attack and assisted there.
I hate flying. I still do. I love traveling, though, so I still do it. And I will NEVER act like I hate or am afraid of flying as that would be too embarrassing.
I always make eye contact both with the security people and the immigration people and smile. They are watching for nervous people, so I greet them, smile, laugh, and thank them when I leave. Once I conned a security man into letting me take an oversized bottle of hair gel on a plane – told him I was going to a college reunion and I simply HAD to look good. He laughed and let me.
I also always talk to the flight attendants. They are good people to have on your side. Twice I have been moved to business class simply because of talking nicely to them.
I drink orange juice mixed with sprite on planes. It is my drink.
I am insistent about keeping my seat belt fastened. I glare at people who don’t and people who insist on operating electronic equipment when they are not supposed to. See, I am horribly afraid of crashing, so don’t want the pilots distracted! :)
I do suduko, watch movies, or put my mp3 player on and attempt to sleep, but my ears are always open to stuff going on.
I don’t like people to touch me on a plane – bugs me when they do. But once, on a long, long flight I fell asleep next to a lady and we slept on each other’s shoulders the whole flight, turning this way and that was we both needed to roll over a little. Ten hours later we both woke up. I looked at her and said, “well, I feel like I ought to introduce myself now that we have been sleeping together!” I believe humor helps difficult situations.
I still hate to fly, though.
@gritandglory says:
you tackled a guy!?! so impressed! i always want YOU on my flight when i fly.
Didn’t actually tackle him – he was lucky I heard the cry for help behind him before I reached him. But I wasn’t going down without a fight if he was some crazy man charging the flight attendants!! :)
You’d not want to fly with me – I’d be that person glaring at you texting! ha!
What the heck – every single one of those is on my list too! (except for the air vent thing and texting)!! I seriously thought I was the only grown up afraid of the loud toilet flush and who tapped and prayed over planes as she boarded! Freakkky!
@gritandglory says:
i haaaaaaate the loud toilet flush!!!
(and the air-vent thing helps keep me from puking.)
I hate the toilet flush too, and it so scared my daughter once that she un-potty trained for a month. Totally flipped her out!
@atangie says:
your text/tweet comment made me think of this:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rSnXE2791yg
an oldie, but a goodie.
take a little break.
enjoy the diversion.
laugh if you want to… or not.
smile. Jesus love you.
and so do I. :o)
@hannahruthie says:
I can’t wait to meet you tonight!
It was great chatting with you tonight.
@amandalou01 says:
I’m the exactsame with ginger ale – it’s so a plane drink to me :) So. I failed. I haven’t been able to find time to talk with my church about your trip, as a) I’m crazy and b) my pastor has been traveling a LOT.
I’m sorry :(
BUT. Are you coming near here anyway? What’s California look like as far as your schedule goes?
@gritandglory says:
so glad you found me on twitter!
and i’ll be in orange and chula vista… you close to either?
I also don’t like to talk to people when I travel…especially internationally. I have a routine on the non stop SAA flight…that includes dinner, changing into pajamas, 1 movie, sleeping pills, a lot of sleep, I change about 30 minutes before they serve breakfast and then am ready for my “new” day. The only time I haven’t done this routine was the last time I flew as I was with kiddos…it was a great flight…but more of a sacrifice than I realized :).
I don’t like to make noise the metal detector at security, so I take a minute before going in to check all pockets, etc.
I usually drink Sprite Zero.
pajamas on a plane?!
Yep…t-shirt and pajama pants…it is a 18 hour flight! It is even better when I get bumped up to Business class, as I REALLY get to sleep then! :)
@kamriereed says:
I can never sleep unless it is a red eye, I always use my family members as pillows if I can sleep. I bring ear plugs that sometimes block out the sound of people so I can read and I love to watch people to see where they are going or how they talk to others but usually never have deep conversations with them.
Love this! I used to travel A LOT for work, but haven’t been on a plane in over 4 months. I am start to have withdrawals. Here’s a few of mine:
– I’m an airport gangsta. I’m an “expert traveler”, “frequent flier” and all that. I can spot a NON-expert traveler standing in the “expert traveler” security line from a mile away. *eye roll*
– I hate that they changed the security lines from Premium status (platinum, gold, etc) to “expert traveler”. Hate HATE it. Flier status is an absolute. Either you’re a gold or platinum status flier or you’re not. Unfortunately, “expert traveler” is a relative term and EVERYONE thinks they are an expert… thus slowing me down. See first item. :)
– I have a “system” for getting through security quickly. Certain things go in certain bags pre-security, and other bags post-security, so I get through quicker. I also try to only travel in shoes I can slip on and off without having to tie again. Gotta keep moving.
– I ALWAYS check in online as early as possible, and usually select my seat as soon as a reservation is confirmed. I’m an exit-row window guy and, combined with my flier status, can most usually get what I want.
– I am a hotel snob. The Lord is working on my heart and I’m trying… but yeah, it is what it is.
:)
@Nomadstacey says:
OO I, also, can spot Non-frequent fliers also! They’re right under ‘DC tourists’ on my list of stereotypes I can spot from a mile away!
@gritandglory says:
i am all about the expert traveler line!
@mandythompson says:
If you don’t talk, and you don’t read, and you can’t text, and you only sleep in turbulence, what do you do during the flight?!
And… also. You have two hands and two ears: how do you flush?
I find you more and more fascinating with every post!
My quirks? hmmm… I’m a hoodie-flyer… I wrap my whole head in the hoodie, leaving just room for my nose, and fall asleep.
@gritandglory says:
i usually try to sleep. if i can’t, i listen to my iPod (music or a podcast) and/or journal out some thoughts.
and the flushing is an art. i hit the flusher and get my fingers in my ears as quickly as possible. i’m pretty sure my eyes are tightly shut the whole time too.
i love your hoodie traveling ways. i wish i could do that.
@johannaprice says:
>>I touch the outside of the plane as I board. (I started this on my first mission trip when I was 14. I wonder how many planes I’ve tapped since then…)
Me too! How funny. It never occurred to me that someone else might do that. I feel like I need to touch what is going to be on the outside, protecting us at 30k feet!
My biggest quirk is that when we’re taking off, I close my eyes and picture the way the ground looks when we’d take off when I flew with my dad in his single engine. I’ll replay in my mind everything he has to do when taking off, and the way the plane made a shadow on the ground as we went higher and higher. I see that every time.
@gritandglory says:
yay! you do it too!? love that!
and WOW. amazing how your mind goes back to flying with your dad in his tiny plane. shivers…
@etsetara says:
LOVE this, too!
:: I usually feel that I should eat at an airport as well….as if i “deserve” it. ha!
:: I also look for others that I know…and I actually DID see a friend from school. At O’Hare – of course, because there’s always a MILLION people there who are all stuck for like, seven hours or something.
:: I HATE escalators! I’m so afraid of them. I think it’s because my dad always warned me about so many things…don’t hang on the side, step OVER the end of the line, make sure you stand on ONE step to start…
:: I like that you touch the outside of the plane. I’ve never thought of that!
:: I prefer the window, because my legs are too short to sit comfortably in most chairs it’s usually easier to curl up next to the window.
:: I usually pack a bunch of stuff that I need to “do” on the plane, but never get around to it.
:: On International flights, I usually wake up “in the middle of the night” (whatever that means!) really really warm!
:: I also usually get up every 2-3 hours to wash my face, brush my teeth, wash my glasses, redo my ponytail, apply deodorant, body splash, and chapstick.
:: I learned from my time on Asian flights to wash your face with the warm cloth they give you – it helps with the dry air! Last month on our Air France flight I brought my own baby wipes with me for that very reason!
:: I sleep a LOT on planes because I’ve normally been up late packing!
:: I try not to drink soda on flights so that I don’t add to the dehydration….
I think that’s about all.
O, and I LOVE my travel wallet. I got it at Borders in NYC…it’s the size of a boarding pass, black, and it has hundreds of city names in different fonts and colors all over it.
The End!
@gritandglory says:
i avoid the handrails on escalators. dirtiest place on earth! ;)
@danielleH says:
funny. we always touch the plane and pray over it as we’re boarding.
i sleep best with a pillow curled up on the tray table.
its been so long, ill let you know.
@Nomadstacey says:
I like getting on the plane as early as possible and watching everyone walk on. It’s kind of like I’m taking inventory of the plane demographics.
I people watch like crazy in the airport. SOOO many fantastic subjects to watch.
I always feel like I’m going to see someone I know in the airport too!
I always check to see which way the baggage claim belt is going and stand right at the beginning.
I always help collect the containers at security and stack them at the end of the conveyer belt.
I sleep like a little baby on planes :)
I am a skeleton packer for my self. But I always pack things that other people might need, even when traveling alone.