The Economy Seems to Be Getting At People

[BlueSideUp]

In the last week I've seen some people really lose control of their emotions. I suppose we are all under a lot of stress, I don't really pay attention to the news any more because of all the doom and gloom.

Incident #1

Cars & Coffee in Irvine. I'm walking through with a friend from out of town when I hear two guys yelling at each other.

Now these guys are in their late 50s or early 60s. Apparently one guy was driving in and got a little too close to the other one. They proceed to hash it out and it comes down to one guy pointing his finger in the other guy's face. Guy #2 then smacks Guy #1 John Wayne style.

Guy #1 slowly goes down and lays himself out. I can't say it was a demonstration of manliness but may help in his assault accusations. Guy #2 leaves the scene and the police show up with an ambulance and fire truck.

Seriously? These guys were that pissed off about this that they couldn't apologize and move on? It looked like two old guys venting their frustrations with life.

Incident #2

On my flight home tonight apparently two guys were not getting along. The gentleman in 31C was unhappy that 30C had reclined his seat. I wasn't aware of the issue at the time but they exchanged words in flight.

It culminated in an exchange during deplaning. 30C says something to 31C, the result was one guy threatening the other with an "ass whooping"... Of course the cops get called and at least eight deputies show up at the gate.

Really? A night in jail over the position of your seat?

We are all under stress but I guess some folks have some real issues controlling themselves.

[jyl]

Seem to be a lot of mass shootings too.

[Rick V]

Not justifying any of the actions you have described but I understand it. My fuse has gotten very very short since my world has started to collapse as a result of the economy. I have had to work very hard to keep it in check as others around me start to fly off the handle.
Case and point. I went to the local store a couple of weeks ago, I was driving my old pickup. I had pulled in between 2 cars, and gone into the store. When I came out I, and the car next to me were blocked in by an old man who was yelling at the driver of the car on my right. I rounded the corner of his car about the time I heard the old man yell, "I'll move when I am damn good and ready" I informed him that he he had blocked me in, that was my pick up, and that he was ready to move right now. He didn't move till he saw the back up lights come on and realized that my step bumper and trailer hitch were about the level of his head. Not sure what that was all about but people are willing to go after a total stranger for no reason. I think we are sitting on a powder keg, and I for one hope someone yanks the fuse before it blows. This could very well be just the tip of the iceberg.

[tchanson]

Originally Posted by BlueSideUp

Incident #2

On my flight home tonight apparently two guys were not getting along. The gentleman in 31C was unhappy that 30C had reclined his seat.

Really? A night in jail over the position of your seat?

I dunno. After recently spending 4 hours of quality time on a flight with some chowderhead parking his seat on my knees, I can certainly understand, if not justify, this one.






Tim

[legion]

There is a simple solution to someone parking their seat in your knees:

Sitting for a while causes you to develop deep vein thrombosis, which in turn causes your restless leg syndrome to involuntarily kick into high gear, repeatedly, with force.

[Zeke]

If you're supposed to fly with the seat up, then why do they recline? I flew on planes when men wore ties and ladies would not be caught in pants. Today is a joke. No, worse.

I pretty much gave up in public a long time ago, so I'm less bothered. I do laugh out loud at least once a day when I see the "stupid trick of the day."

I laugh at fat people. Fat is no longer a medical condition that some can't help except for a few. It's simply food obsession. Obsess, get fat and I laugh because of the clothes these pigs wear.

You gotta laugh. I've threatened so many people with just about anything and everything over the years. Fortunately I've been able to stay out of jail. This economy has nothing to do with it. There are just too many sorry ass rats in the cage.

[Dottore]

Originally Posted by legion

There is a simple solution to someone parking their seat in your knees:

I lapse into a sneezing fit when this happens. The seat back then usually goes back up pretty fast.

[Dueller]

You know, I'm seeing the opposite. Especially with driving habits in my community. There is some construction on the main road that enters my neighborhood...really a congested mess where traffic could easily get backed up trying to enter the main thoroughfare. Amazingly, everybody is coooperating slowing to allow people stuck in line to get on the main street. People waiving "Thanks" and generally cooperating to allow for egress/ingress.

People in wife's pub discussing their job worries, etc in a very kind and compassionate manner. Noticeably people seem to be acting nicer to each other.

Weird, really.

[Danimal16]

As far as the seat, just use the head alot and be sure to use the seat back to get up. Can't blame the folks that are doing their best to relax, i.e. recline the seat; rather the airlines are packin us in, have been for awhile.

As far as Dueller's comments, that is what I am seeing. Although I have seen some stress, it comes to the presentation. Seems to me folks are more approachable, more willing to engage. In SoCal, that is noticeable. Like my mom used to say, she being raised in the depression; don't worry, if the bottom falls out we are all in the same boat. She was right and it helps to understand that it is part of life.

[Rick Lee]

Even when the economy was great, some of my friends said I remind them of Michael Douglas in Falling Down.

[Heel n Toe]

Heh heh... very cool flick.

So... you don't take no s#it from nobody... but have you ever fired a bazooka at a road crew?

[Rick Lee]

Originally Posted by Heel n Toe

but have you ever fired a bazooka at a road crew?

No, but I certainly scoff at all the "fines doubled" and "work zone" signs when there hasn't been any work done there for weeks. My dad calls them "union zones".

[kach22i]

This thread topic reminds me of something I just read.


Glamour Dims as Hecklers Hit the Auto Show
http://carnuts.us/forum/viewtopic.php?f=3&t=2031&p=28191#p28191
By DAVID SEGAL
April 14, 2009

[willtel]

I recline my airplane seat regardless of who is sitting behind me. I have had two people ask me to move it up and I told them both when they pay for that leg of my flight they can control my seat.

[Rick Lee]

Originally Posted by willtel

I recline my airplane seat regardless of who is sitting behind me. I have had two people ask me to move it up and I told them both when they pay for that leg of my flight they can control my seat.

So, do you feel the same way about folks reclining their seat in front of you?

[Aurel]

If the person in front of you reclines their seat, just recline yours too and relax. It is a zero sum game. Only the person in the last row gets screwed .

[willtel]

Originally Posted by Rick Lee

So, do you feel the same way about folks reclining their seat in front of you?

Of course. Unless I paid for their ticket they are free to do what they want with their seat. The little button only works for the seat you are sitting in for a reason.

[BlueSideUp]

In most economy sections the person in front of me can't recline the seat. The seat pitch (distance from the seat back to the tray table) is so short that my legs are jammed and the seat in front of me can't recline. The airplanes should have more room and some do, when your ticket is $150 to fly coast to coast there isn't much leeway for complaining. Some of the regional jets have a bigger seat pitch than the larger aircraft due to major airline union rules. The CRJ900 is one example, it's designed for 90 seats but has 76 installed. There is a first class section and economy has a larger pitch than an MD90.

The problem becomes when two people act like children and threaten to fight each other over it. Most folks figure everyone on that airplane is in the same situation, why get all wound up like it's junior high recess?

It's also a misconception that you own or bought the right to sit in a seat. You purchased the privelege provided you follow the ticket disclaimers and the requests of the flight crew. This is why the flight attendant can ask you to not sing along to your Hannah Montana CD. When it comes to reclining the seat you can certainly do that at the appropriate time.

BTW most people can't figure it out but the reason your seat needs to be upright for takeoff and landing is because the aisleway behind you needs to be clear in the case of an emergency. So if your seat is reclined as we taxi out I'm going to ask that you put it upright, I don't want to be held up for your comfort.

[nostatic]

two words: economy plus

[the]

One group that won't be slow on the job this summer will be cops.

By the summer, there will be a ton of people 6 months into being unemployed, benefits running out. Add in 100+ degrees and 90+ humidity, it's fireworks time.