I’m currently in the air on my way from PHL to RDU, after about an hour delay in Philly due to snow. Delays are to be expected with inclimate weather and as a traveler you must learn to deal with them. However, the crew must also remember to keep the passengers informed of their status and not leave them in the dark. Information goes a long way in quelling anxiety and frustration that can come with flying. The flight I am currently on was delayed for about an hour due to snow, which is no problem. The only issue was the pilot didn’t speak to the passengers for almost the entire hour and only did so after being asked to by the flight attendant. Sitting in the front row I was able to hear the gyst of the conversation and basically the pilot called because the flight crew were bored while waiting, which is a reasonable reaction, and wanted to BS with a fellow employee. Unfortunately the pilot did not have the same desire to inform the customers of the status of the delay. This may seem like a minor issue but it is endemic of the problem with the airlines, they do not look at passengers as customers. I realize they have a long list of ever changing regulations as well as having to deal with cost cuts and other real world things like the rest of us but that should not supercede giving out basic information to people.

Now as far as the people go, learn to listen. You, as a passenger are not special. Just because you drank a 40oz cup of coffee before the flight doesn’t mean you can get up when the fasten seat belt sign is on. They have these signs for a reason, man up and wait. If you have a weak bladder, don’t drink that much before flying. Also, just because one person disregards the rules does mean the rest of you lemmings need to follow. The crew has enough to do without having to deal with Mr and Mrs Peebody getting up six times to take a leak or whatever.

At the TSA check point, DO NOT get in the expert traveler line if you are a moron or a dumbass. This line is for thinking people who do not have phones in their pockets, jackets on, bottles of water in their bags and a million other things that those of us who pay attention don’t have or do. There is a simple rule to follow when flying PAY ATTENTION and know what to do ahead of time. The information is out there, people, go online and inform yourself. Doing this will make all of our travels much smoother.