Bus Ride in the Sky

It seems that air travel is beginning to look more and more like bus travel. Don't get me wrong I'm from a small town and have gone on bus trips many times, but there were things that were always unsettling on the bus that seem to be happening during air travel today.

In the bus station, it seemed that people had too much "stuff" to take on the bus; there was also a lack of luggage. You know they had items that needed to be put in the overhead, under the seat, and even in the seat next to them hoping that no one would come and sit next to them. If you've been on a plane lately, there needs to be a clear definition of carry-on luggage.

There was the smell of food-all kinds of food in the air on the bus; some pleasant and some very unpleasant. There would be greasy sacks everywhere. Since the airlines do not provide meals anymore, everyone has to eat on that 3 hour flight so they bring out the fast food sacks with the smells.

People would get on the bus wearing just about anything. They had on everything from suits with ties to pajamas, and I'm not talking about babies in pajamas. They looked as if they had not taken a bath for days. Look around the plane today. Outfits will amaze you. Hygiene can be questionable.

People would never listen to the bus driver as he tried to explain the safety rules. They would be up and about as he tried to instruct them. They never listened; it seemed they had heard the same thing before. God forbid if the bus ran into traffic, had to detour or had mechanical problems, these problems were foreseen as being brought on by the bus driver. Some people would proceed to express their displeasure in his inability to get there any faster. When the plane has mechanical problems, passengers today tend to blame the crew. I just thank them for not putting me on a "broken" plane.

From my bus days I have learned not to consume any liquids or even eat anything since we are in an enclosed space with air that is recirculating throughout the plane. We all know our bodies.

Once on a plane, I wished for just a little turbulence. There was a fortyish year old couple who were trying, but not succeeding to look like Brad and Angelina. They decided they could not keep their hands off of each other. She proceeded to get out of her seat and straddle him. They kissed and pawed each other the entire trip. They reminded me of my bus days when young teenagers would get the back seats and make out. The flight attendants didn't say anything. What could they say? A little turbulence would have helped the situation. Then again, they probably would have tried to sue the airline.

On the recent flight where the flight attendant lost it I'm just glad the lady's' luggage didn't hit the passenger in the seat next to her. Then it would have really been like bus travel.