The idea of writing ‘my little book of travel’ is something that popped my mind on several occasions in the last few years. The idea is to write a little book with travel tips and the reason why I think of it sometimes is because I get annoyed from time to time. Annoyed with the unpreparedness (is that a word?) of people that travel with you. Now I know that I do travel quite a bit more often than most people do, but still… there are a few things that just make sense. And maybe this little book can help as well, although I’ll probably never write it. But a few blogposts on the topic should be possible :)
- In the zone: On longhaul flights people are called in zones, and so not everyone can board at the same time like you’re accustomed to on regional flights. They’ll start with zone 1 for instance, then 2… and up. So why is it that so many people think they can cheat on this and board earlier? It never works but it looks like half of the passengers try it, holding up the whole play this way? I just don’t get it.
- No liquids: Right from when you check in, you get information on what you can and what you can’t take with you on the flight. And I’m pretty sure you get information about this when you book flights at the travel agency as well. So why is it that so many people try and get these full bottles of water and god knows what with them on the flight? Forgot about it? Didn’t you see the video on the 70″ screens? I just don’t get it.
- Passengers: Funny enough, more people need to get on the plane apart from yourself. But some people seem to forget about this, they get to their seat and then spend 10 minutes getting their luggage in place while blocking the rest of us trying to get to their place. I just don’t get it.
If you have anything to share for my little book of travel, feel free to add them in the comments.
'Cross The Breeze 
Amen.
Finally someone says (writes) what all the frequent flyers out there are thinking. It is an incredible phenomenon, why common sense just seems to be effectively shut off for some people, the minute the go through those sliding doors at the airport.
Great post
And when will Belgians learn to stand right on the automatic staircase when they are not walking?
At Zaventem you have to do quite some miles on the flat staircase and I like to walk them to get to my gate. Always a hassle when people group up or block the lane with their suitcases.
Or people that just take your seat on the plane because “nobody was sitting there, and I thought…”.
I totally agree with Pietel. I think airports and railways should learn their customers this habbit. A simple sign would be already a good start.
Funny, if you’ve traveled to Italy you probably know that people there do not understand the concept of staying in line — everyone is first ;-)
@Pietel: I think only people that live in big cities with subways are used to that behavior. In London, NY, … it’s very common but in Brussels it isn’t at all indeed.
@Valeria: That does ring a bell yeah :)