I think I'll stick with coach from now on

[Jims5543]

I decided to treat myself yesterday and ugraded to 1st class at check in.

I was in seat 1A and no one next to me. After the cabin door closed the guy behind me jumped up to the empty seat next to me. Proceeded to bump me with his elbow, was putting he feet way up on the wall in front of him and wes fidgeting like he was strung out on speed.

I was reading a book I picked up in NC about Cades Cove, and was really into it but kept getting distracted by this guy and his fidgeting around. He read a book for 10 seconds, put it down picked up his laptop and seemed to settle down as he watched a movie, but he kept fidgeting around and putting his feet up on the wall, I was amazed the flight attendant was tolerating it.

When the flight attendant came by with a snack basket he was grabbing one of everything out of it with both hands like it was going to be snatched away from him. The attendant was looking at him like he was insane.

I took 1 granola bar and she shoved the basket in front of me further and told me to take something else, then suggested some cookies that were very good. Of course the guy next to me didn't have the cookies so he was asking me about them and if I was going to eat them.

After a few minutes he motioned over the attendant and asked for more snacks she looked really irritated but brought the basket back, he cleaned out the cookies.

As the plane began its decent it was time to change clothes. He headed to the bathroom and take off his jeans and shoes and put on shorts and sneekers. It was not like he was putting on a suite I could not understand that one. The irritating thing was him unpacking his carry on in the seat next to me and he kept letting the cover fall and hit me, he actually woke me up otherwise I would not have noticed the outfit change.

I know a tool like this isn't always in 1st class, or are they?

[LeeH]

Sounds like an airline employee traveling on a pass. Could be a baggage handler that was on his first flight. That would explain the change of clothes - nicer ones to get past the gate agent, but not really what he wanted to wear.

[Joeaksa]

Sounds like you were sitting next to someone who never flies first or who got upgraded as a perk. Most people "up front" are not like that.

If it was a long flight, after a few minutes of this crap I would have asked the Flight Attendent if he could be settled down or get him to move back to his assigned seat. He bought a seat, and so did you. He did not buy the right to disturb any other passenger on the plane and you deserved to have a calm and enjoyable flight.

[cairns]

Sounds like you were sitting next to someone who never flies first or who got upgraded as a perk. Most people "up front" are not like that.

"If it was a long flight, after a few minutes of this crap I would have asked the Flight Attendent if he could be settled down or get him to move back to his assigned seat. He bought a seat, and so did you. He did not buy the right to disturb any other passenger on the plane and you deserved to have a calm and enjoyable flight."

Totally agree. I've seen 'em in first, business or coach but first is usually better than anywhere else.

One of my worst was last month- we were first row in business coming back from Europe, he was right behind us knocking the seats, sticking his paper in our hair and passing gas that would make zyklon b smell like perfume. He was a big guy- that stench completely filled the cabin and was truly remarkable- and disgusting.

[Jims5543]

Originally posted by Joeaksa
Sounds like you were sitting next to someone who never flies first or who got upgraded as a perk. Most people "up front" are not like that.

If it was a long flight, after a few minutes of this crap I would have asked the Flight Attendent if he could be settled down or get him to move back to his assigned seat. He bought a seat, and so did you. He did not buy the right to disturb any other passenger on the plane and you deserved to have a calm and enjoyable flight.

I have never flown 1st class in my life, normally I am traveling with the wife and kids so:

A. Cannot afford the upgrade X4
B. Do not think it is proper to take a 3 y/o into 1st class.

The fact that I was alone the the price to upgrade was not bad I decided to go for it.

I am still suprised he was allowed to put his shoes up on the wall like that, I am not talking down low, he was putting them up over shoulder level if you imagine sitting in a seat and putting your legs up higher than your shoulders there you have it.

My 3 y/o was better behaved.

Thanks for the pointer, I toyed with saying something to the FA but the flight was only 1.5 hours long.

[bigchillcar]

ever see the schwarzenegger move, 'commando'? a well-paced elbow to the head and it's 'lights out daddy'...

arnie to the stewardess afterwards: 'don't disturb my friend..he's dead tired..'

[widgeon13]

I think I would have gotten up and taken his original seat, whoever he was next to could not have been worse than him, also would have mentioned to the flight attendant that this guy was behaving strangely, with that, all attention would have been focused on him. Doesn't take much to get a reception party at destination.

Believe me it works every time. You have no reason to be embarrassed and every reason to be concerned about his erratic behavior. After you make the flight attendant aware of this behavior his every move will be scrutinized.

Had a young man sit next to me some time ago and decided he would listen to his computer (music, boombox *****) w/o headphones, I brought this to the attention of the flight attendant (was hardly necessary)and within 2 minutes the captain was back there and he did have a receiving party at our destination.

People don't seem to realize that this is not like a bus driver situation, don't follow directions from the captain and go directly to jail, do not pass go, do not collect $500. Pilot in command is the law.

[Jims5543]

We were just talking about this in the office and my receptionist said the same thing, she would have moved to his old seat. I wish I had thought of that.

[Scott R]

I fly every week, you get them in both cabins. Like Joe said, this was more than likely an "upgrade" for someone that never should have got it. I get a lot of these "tweaker" type folks on domestic first class, domestic first is harder sell and than overseas and you get a interesting element at times.

LA to NYC is just long enough that you get the folks that really paid for the ticket, but you do like Denver to LA like I do and it gets questionable. But if you really want to experience real first class get a NYC to London ticket. or even better a 777 to Japan, they have sleep pods in first, very comfy, very private.

[Joeaksa]

Originally posted by Jim Cesiro
Thanks for the pointer, I toyed with saying something to the FA but the flight was only 1.5 hours long.

Remember that the seat was not free, you paid for it and a nice enjoyable time along the way. If you are not getting that then talk to the F/A.

[M.D. Holloway]

I pride myself at being an excellent traveler. I only engage in small talk if the other party starts. I read and keep my elbows to my self. I normally sleep and I do not snore thanks to the operation I had years ago. When the attendent asks if I would like something to drink I always say 'Yes, may I have a Ginger Ale no ice please?'. I have been known to give my snacks to my neighbor.

While in first class, I act like I am in my Grandmothers house.

Now, if only I acted like this in public and in my house!

[BlueSideUp]

If this guy was an airline employee there is no way he should have been allowed in first class with jeans on. On top of that the rules are very strict for employees and their beneficiaries traveling on a pass. Unfortunately some of the agents don't do a good job of enforcing the rules. If he was a non-revenue employee and you had complained about his behavior to the flight attendant he would probably have his benefits taken away.

And any time you tell an FA that someone is acting strangely they will be put under scrutiny. If there is enough reason (ie not following directions, being disruptive) they will have a special pair of uniformed escorts at the airport.

Sorry you had to deal with this, the FA really should have said something....at least something about putting his feet on the wall. It's one thing to sleep across a row with your shoes off but quite another to put your feet on the walls.

[cairns]

Actually I (and a lot of others) put my feet on the wall and I think that's fine. The first row leg room is extremely limited (yes even in first) and after a few hours you really have to stretch. As long as it's done discretely (i.e.; you respect the other person's space, remove your shoes, keep clean feet and respect the airplane (some people don't take off theirs and scruff the bulkhead) I don't see the harm. I've never seen a UA320 without those scruffmarks- esp on 1D and F where there isn't a little cut out for the feet like 1A and B.

[alf]

I fly biz class on a 2 class plane to Japan and China lots, everyone is usually very well behaved. Did it in coach a couple of times because biz was sold out, no real issues there either. The pursor recognized me from previous flights and loaded me up with all the goodies from Biz class and a bottle of wine to take home.

I put my feet on the wall, shoes off, in the bulkhead all the time.

[BlueSideUp]

Somehow I've managed to resist the temptation to put my feet on the walls during my 4hr flight 2 times a week. Maybe it comes from being around corporate airplanes, the airline aircraft are treated by the airlines and the passengers like Greyhound buses. The narrow body fleet is getting pretty old these days.

[Hugh R]

I hate amateur travellers, also known as Tourists.

[cairns]

Especially in the *&*^% security lines (you mean I have to take off my shoes too?).

[red-beard]

Originally posted by cairns
One of my worst was last month- we were first row in business coming back from Europe, he was right behind us knocking the seats, sticking his paper in our hair and passing gas that would make zyklon b smell like perfume. He was a big guy- that stench completely filled the cabin and was truly remarkable- and disgusting.

I'm sorry I got my papers in your hair

[Scott R]

Originally posted by cairns
Especially in the *&*^% security lines (you mean I have to take off my shoes too?).

Sir, excuse me sir, do I need to show my boarding pass again to the screener?

Or my favorite last week, "mascara is a liquid?" *giggle*

[cairns]

I just fell off my chair I was laughing so hard.