when i fly
When I fly…
I touch the outside of the plane as I board.
I choose an aisle seat.
As soon as I sit down, I put my seat back just a tiny bit — not enough to be caught, but enough that I feel convinced I’ve scored myself some extra room.
I keep my seatbelt as loose as possible.
I adjust the air-blower-thing to high, and angle it right at me.
I wear a sweater or zip-up for when the air-blower-thing inevitably makes me cold.
I always bring something to read and rarely ever read it.
I text my friend right before I have to shut my phone off. It’s tradition. Last text before takeoff, first text after landing.
I turn my phone on as we’re landing, so it is fully powered up by the time we’re on the ground. (I know, I know… So I won’t also tell you that I’ve been known to occasionally turn it on mid-flight…)
I drink ginger ale.
I never eat the peanuts. And I always wonder why they still give those things out, especially with so many people allergic…
I become completely anti-social. I’ll smile and say hello, but that’s where I’d prefer our interaction end. Sorry, neighbor.
Armrest down. Always down.
I try to avoid going to the bathroom on the plane, but if I do… I cover my ears when I flush. That sucker is loud! Heh. “Sucker”.
I try to force myself to sleep if there’s turbulence.
I am that girl whose head drops when she falls asleep, jarring myself back awake just enough to reposition and do it all over again.
I thank the flight crew on my way out.
I’m sure there’s more, but I’m drawing a blank.
How about you? What do you do when you fly?
@paperisdue says:
I am a DROOLER, so I refuse to fall asleep in public. You’re welcome, world.
@gritandglory says:
hahahaha!
Woa. Creepy. We’re the same person.
@gritandglory says:
ha! nice to meet you! ;)
@jeremybarr says:
As a pilot, when I fly commercial I always have to watch the takeoff and landings. I may sleep before we get to the runway before takeoff, and sleep the entire flight, but I’ve got to watch those two things. I might have minor control issues when it comes to flying :)
@gritandglory says:
i always forget you’re a pilot. so cool!
@TimThurman says:
“scored some extra room”? I am 6’4″, so although I love to fly, I HATE airplanes because I NEVER can get enough room. I picture you as being 5’6″ so I cannot imagine why you need an little extra room. :)
@gritandglory says:
annnnnnd i’m 5’4″… ha!
@cassgirl says:
~ I always look in the cockpit.
~ I always sit by the window
~never wear my seatbelt. I am good pretender
~always bring something to read but never
~always talk to my neighbor enough so they are friendly so I can steal their armrest.
~always drink ginger ale.
~ Always giggle when finally are airborne
~sleep alot
~hate for people to meet me at airports, I rather taxi. to them.
@gritandglory says:
“never wear my seatbelt. i am a good pretender” – HA! that. is. awesome.
Take original Dramamine to help me sleep, but am crazy groggy when awakened for meals. Not good. Like window.
@gritandglory says:
mmmm… dramamine…
@iloveblogs44 says:
I always touch the plane as I board too because my dad always does (I refrain from saying aloud “fly straight” like he does ;) but I do say a little prayer for a safe flight.)
I sit by the window even though I almost always sleep. Occasionally I decide to talk to the person next to me (on my flight home from Nashville in October, I talked to the couple next to me the entire flight!)
I don’t have a “regular” drink, but I often get Bloody Mary Mix ;)
I turn off my phone as soon as they tell me to and don’t turn it back on until they say it’s okay, keep my seat and tray table in the proper position, have a tight seatbelt, and sometimes even listen to the safety talk because following rules is how I roll (for the most part ;) )
I always have a pair of underwear in my carry-on after getting stuck in an airport overnight without an extra pair.
I love to fly, but think I’d like to do a “road trip” some time since I’ve never done a road trip with friends.
I think this was a fun post and can’t wait to hear what other people do when they fly :)
@gritandglory says:
“fly straight” – ha!
@breannemclendon says:
I also don’t talk to people.
Headphones go on immediately. I always bring a book but it is very rare that I will read it. Not sure why I do that but I do.
@gritandglory says:
i rarely put on headphones or listen to music… although i always bring my iPod just in case…
Yup, ginger ale. Always ginger ale. (I also do the crossword puzzle in the in-flight magazine)
@gritandglory says:
i only drink ginger ale when i fly… and when i’m sick.
@mattygfresh says:
I haven’t been on a jetplane since 1984 I believe, when my family and I went to Disney World. Weird I know, but we never went on family vacations when I was a kid except for once or twice and we always drove except for that Disney trip. That was the first and so far only time I’ve been on an airliner. I’ve been up in a Cessna (or possibly Piper; I can’t remember) light aircraft a few times and a helicopter since that vacation, but the last time for either of those was probably 1990 at the latest.
Since I became an adult, I’ve never gone anywhere that wasn’t within easy-ish driving distance. Not because I haven’t wanted to, but I’ve just never had the money to travel and even if I did, I don’t like taking trips by myself.
@gritandglory says:
oh man… that makes me sad! i love traveling!
@lautsbaugh says:
I may or may not be known to remove the extra magazines and duty free ads and place them in the seat pocket next to me.
I too am a ginger ale man. I wonder what percentage of this drink is consumed at 30,000 feet?
@gritandglory says:
moving the magazines — is that your way of scoring a smidgen more leg room?
Always Gingerale
Window seat if at all possible so I can lean against the side to get myself as far away from my neighbor as I can.
Always read – always fall asleep after about one paragraph.
I also cover my ears when flushing – but i do that in any public restroom.
@gritandglory says:
you cover your ears when you flush in ANY public bathroom? (that image makes me laugh) why come?
When I fly, I get the overwhelming urge to talk to and be friends with everyone. I always want to have a conversation with someone I don’t know. It’s so weird because I’m very introverted.
If I’m in a window seat, I press my forehead to the glass and stare at whatever we’re over. I love flying at night, and I get really bummed when it’s cloudy.
I always bring a book to read and always read it.
@gritandglory says:
it’s so funny that your introverted self becomes such a social butterfly when you travel!
@tjcapalla says:
What I do depends on the flight. If it’s smooth, then I daydream. If it’s turbulent, then I lean my head on the seat in front of me and focus on deep breathing so I don’t lose my lunch. =)
@gritandglory says:
ohhhhhhh!!!! i hear ya!
@Hannahrinehart says:
Super fun post!
-prefer an aisle seat
-bulkhead, exit or 3rows to myself at the back somewhere I’m 5’9″ and my hubs is 6’5″. We need the legroom!
-I’ve ALWAYS done this weird thing where when flushing the toilet I push the flush button at the absolute last minute before jumping out of the lavatory and closing the door! Why did I never think to just plug my ears? The roaring toilets creep me out man!
-I usually ask for cranberry juice, never thought of ginger ale.
-on SAA flying both ways I always drink grapetizer
@gritandglory says:
i drink grapetizer on SAA too!!!
@gritandglory says:
i drink grapetizer on SAA too!
@Hannahrinehart says:
Silly iPhone, I was in mid sentence… I always drink red grapetizer because its kind of this tradition for me, first taste of South Africa and last taste before I must say those tear filled goodbyes. The drink always goes down smooth, first with a smile, home with a sigh.
I always pray before taking off and landing….. I ask God to let angels hold that thing in the air… LOL
@gritandglory says:
amen!
@julespreever says:
I have two different ways to fly. When I’m flying with friends, I make sure I’m sitting by one that will let me hold their hand when we take off and land. I hate that part of flying. Then we either talk the whole flight and plan our attack on wherever we’re going or we sleep. I don’t sleep well in a car or a plane, so I usually keep them awake and make them talk to me.
When I’m flying alone, I put in my headphones, lean against the window (because I always try for a window seat) and just stare off into the sky. I just think it’s amazing.
I usually get a soda, but it seems like ginger ale is the way to go ;)
@gritandglory says:
“plan our attack” – ha! love it.
I too think we might be the same person…..I do almost all of these! :)
@gritandglory says:
ha!
I love your reclined seat thing. That is great.
I always take a window seat. Always. This is because …
I always sleep on planes. Always.
And my head would do the fall forward thing, which is why I need a window to prop me up.
Drink of choice varies widely.
I generally eat anything they’ll give me and as much of it as I can have.
I usually never read, though if I do, I’m looking through all the bizarre stuff in SkyMall or reading my neighbor’s book surreptitiously over their shoulder. It doesn’t really work, but for some reason other people’s reading choices intrigue me.
Take-off is my favorite part of the plane ride. I love the moment the wings catch the air and you can actually feel it lift the plane.
I never talk to anyone either. I’m not social. :p That, and I usually fall asleep at the first available opportunity.
I always bring a pillow with me, and have also been known to bring my own blanket. Gotta sleep, man, gotta sleep.
I almost never actually turn off my phone when they say to. Sometime someone will have to explain why the phone thing is important, ’cause so far my rebellion has gone completely unnoticed by the TSA or Homeland Security. Also no planes have crashed.
I try to always wear sandals or slip on shoes–and take them off at the first opportunity. The air pressure makes my feet swell slightly, and my feet just gotta be comfortable.
I also always layer my clothing. Temperature is just too unpredictable when traveling.
I always always always wonder about the lives of the crew; what they’re doing, who they are. But I never ask.
@gritandglory says:
ooooh i try to sideways-glance read my neighbor’s newspaper or book or whatever too.
and i love looking through the ridiculousness that is the skymall magazine…
@e_j_reading says:
Unless it’s a budget airline where you don’t get set seats… I’m always one of the last to board, I sit in the gate until the queue’s gone (Why queue for something you’ve already got?!??!?)
Always like to sit by the window.
Always take photos at some point, I have far too many aerial shots, clouds, and plane wings.
Always put in the headphones straight away and start a film as soon as possible, like you I turn anti-social and don’t want any words to pass between me and my neighbor.
Always take a book, and my journal, with the intention of making good use of the time by catching up on reading and journaling, or blog/newsletter ideas.
Always send a last before-take-off text to a friend.
Always take at least one trip to the bathroom… I don’t want to get DVT, seems like a good way to keep the circulation going!
Strange how we get into such routines without even thinking about it!
@gritandglory says:
i love our last-text-before-take-off tradition!
@e_j_reading says:
Oh and I almost always cry. Because there’s so many emotions attached to hellos and goodbyes
Haha, I touch the outside of the plane as I board too! I didn’t realise so many people did that!
And I always try to get a window seat because I actually seem unable to stay awake on a plane, so it gives me something to lean on (other than the shoulder of a stranger!) I’m often asleep before it’s even taken off…
@gritandglory says:
i love when i fall asleep before take off!
@kamriereed says:
I always try to shoot for the emergency exit row seats! They have the most room (feel slike I am sitting in first class) and if there is an emergency I am the first one out ;) It is a win win.
@gritandglory says:
a win-win! ha!
@DenaGriswold says:
I always sit in a window seat. Right side. Row 10 (I was in rows 27/29 on recent flights to/from Portland–I was not happy).
I drink water. No ice.
Speak to my seatmates but prefer to not converse, unless I’m flying with a companion, which is rare.
Headphones go on immediately, even if the music is turned off (usually is).
I read a little, sleep a lot, unless I’m flying over mountains–I love to see mountains from the air.
Don’t use the restroom on the plane…never have. That’s my biggest “ugh” about flying overseas. For real.
I try to always thank the crew as well…and especially if they’ve had some difficult passengers.
@gritandglory says:
row 10, huh? why 10??
@rfbryant says:
I talk to people in the airport, especially the crew — thanking them for the hard work, especially when they’ve had to put up with obnoxious ones.
I look the flight crew in the eye (if the door is open) and smile at them as I board. If I have a chance to say something I will.
I try to notice the people around me when I get to my seat — I always try to get a window seat, and with only two on my side.
Then, I proceed to act like a kid on his first flight, watching out the window to see all the goings-on.
I also turn the air blower onto me. Must have that sense of being able to breathe in this closed-off tube filled with people sharing my oxygen. (No paranoia here…)
I take a book (or my Kindle) and sometimes read, mostly, I’m looking out at the clouds and ground, trying to figure out where we are.
Once we land, if I’m alone, I contact my hubby to let him know I’m safe. If he’s with me, we just sit still and wait for those who have to be first to do their dance of trying to release their carry-on baggage from the overhead bin without hitting the neighbor who is standing within inches of them in the head.
As we exit, I do what I did while boarding, thanking crew and staff.
@gritandglory says:
you are an amazingly polite and gracious traveler, my friend…
@rfbryant says:
That’s not to say that sometimes my blood boils over a delay or stupid stuff… I just try to be really cognizant of Who I represent. That straightens me up pretty quick.
I never do my make-up before a flight, but carry it on and do it right before landing so I can look decent when the plane arrives.
I almost always drink tomato juice on a flight (not sure why, I never drink it at home).
I bring something to read, and almost always read it.
I wear yoga pants, or something of similar comfort, when traveling.
The air goes on immediately right after sitting down.
My seat belt is on an fastened (as loose as possible), but is removed as quickly as possible after take off.
Electronics get turned off when *required*, but I’ve been known to bend that rule……big time. (According to the Mythbusters, electronics have no ill effect on a plane).
I try not to talk to my neighbors. Being on a plane is ‘my time’. Nuff said.
I love looking at clouds, and the ‘ants’ on the ground, so I prefer a window seat.
My shoes come off almost immediately after I board the plane.
I try not to use the restroom unless absolutely necessary, but I WILL use it to brush my teeth (with bottled water, of course). My toothbrush is always with me.
I always hold on tight during the landing – I don’t trust pilots.
The end.
@gritandglory says:
i laughed really hard at your last one. “i always hold on tight during the landing — i don’t trust pilots.” ha! your tight grip can overcompensate for pilot error, eh? hee hee! ;)
@SusanWanderer says:
Always Ginger Ale.
Always an aisle.
Always a seatbelt.
Always a movie or series on my iPad.
Never, ever, ever an armrest. I’m fat. Skinnies will just have to get right on over that.
@gritandglory says:
you made me BURST out laughing!
@bajanpoet says:
I LOVE LOVE LOVE to get a window seat.
I love staring out the window at the clouds and the islands as they pass under the plane.
If I do get an aisle seat I crane my neck to look out the window anyway.
I love the on flight magazines and devour them.
My Kindle is my new best friend. With 46 books so far, the majority of which are still unread, I will have something to read after I have devoured the magazines.
I always spend a lot of time forcing myself to yawn so that the air pressure in my ears gets regularized as the plane lands. My first flight as a child left me with a splitting ear/headache because I didn’t know about chewing or swallowing to pop my ears.
@traceepersiko says:
Love knowing your routine! flying is such an odd thing. I have quirks for sure.
I always get up before they call my zone number to board. i usually don’t check bags, so want ample amount of over head options.
I touch the plane door before boarding.
I usually scout out all passengers on my flight, and of course all the screaming babies, who inevitably sit with me.
i make sure the arm rest is down. Need my zone.
I hide my seat belt under my pillow and never wear it.
i text my friend every last and first text of the flight.
i don’t turn my phone off until we are about to take off.
i turn it on during landing.
Sometimes i go to the bathroom right after i find my seat.
I sleep on the tray table, and get so pissed when the person in front of me leans back.
I always have a piece of gum ready for after landing.
And there is always so many things i want from the sky mall magazine.
I always sleep.
@msemmamoore says:
I pray (also well in advance of my trip)
I lay hands on the plane and apply the blood of Jesus
I call for Angel assistance for inside and outside
I usually get a window seat but one time I couldn’t I found the middle seat had more room
I belt up. I get water if I’m not already alseep when they get to me
Before I fall alseep I try to read-that usually puts me to sleep.
When I awake I look out the window at God’s marvelous handiwork
I’m obedient to the rules and leave my phone off until we touch the ground
When we do touch ground in my imagination I’m jumping up and down doing that side to side hand movement, cheering and shouting, thanking God because we made it safely to our destination.
@meaningfultrav says:
I’m on a plane about every other week. Emergency exit aisle if possible for a seat. I ALWAYS joke with the flight attendants as I board. Always.You have no idea what a difference that makes in many small ways, but mostly because they get dumped on fairly regularly, so go ahead, make their day.
I used to order club soda with a twist until I saw how that little twist got handled before it was impaled and dunked in my drink. Now it is Fresca, Sprite Zero, Diet Sierra Mist (you have to know your airlines to know what to order since some are Coke and some are Pepsi.)
In flight, it is usually work or reading, but I feel this obligation to at least try and speak with the person next to me to salve that little voice that whispers, “Dude, this could be a divine appointment!”
Usually it’s not.
But sometimes, the conversations have been monumental – eternally significant – and you just know you were meant to be in that seat next to that person on that flight…without the lemon twist in your drink.
Catching up reading your blog and was laughing as I read this one. I read your other entries and was like, “Oh, we are SO similar,” but then I read this one and I’m like, “Ummm, I think I’d be the chatty plane person that would irritate you.” Ha!
When I fly, I always pray that God puts nice people next to me that will make the flight easier. One time He didn’t. I was wedged in the middle of two guys and that row of three seats wasn’t big enough for 2 of us. I was freaked out the whole time because our legs were touching and there wasn’t anything any of us could do to prevent it. Awkward. I’m usually a nervous chatter, but I slapped on the headphones to listen to an audiobook and tried to go to my happy place, to be really still so I wouldn’t keep bumping against them, and that I’d quit sweating.
That’s the only time that has ever happened, but it has always made me TOTALLY appreciate having more comfortable flights with friendly people along the way.
All 27 years of my life I’ve been the only one (as far as I know, I mean) to cover my ears when I flush the airplane toilet … until today :) Love it!
We’re pretty similar, flight-wise, except I hate the cold air thingy and I always hope to make a new friend. Partly because my mother and I made a years-long Austrian friend that way, and partly because I always used to hope I’d meet my future my husband that way – very meet-cute. Hehe. In the end we met during Frosh Week in the same halls of res. Which is fairly meet-cute, I guess? Lol.