Bare Feet on a Plane! Special Report

The Sky Steward was recently made aware of an increase of Jetiquette infractions regarding bare feet. Watch this special video now!

Overhead Compartment Squatting

Dear Sky Steward:
I recently witnessed a man putting his bag in an overhead bin at the front of the plane and then walking back to his seat in the back of the plane. When the people who were sitting in that row under his bag arrived, there was not room for their luggage and they had to walk several rows back to find an empty bin. Is this right?

Regards, Witness to a Crime

Dear Witness,
The Sky Steward understands the stress of witnessing this type of inconsiderate behavior and wants you to know that it's not right. If you see someone do this and it is causing problems, let a flight attendant know. It is up to them to have the passenger move the bag. Sometimes they can just let the passenger know that their action has caused an inconvenience to another passenger.

Bless the Beast or Are They Children?

Dear Sky Steward,

I was recently on a flight in which a mother had 3 children with her. She could barely control them and besides being loud, they created one of the biggest messes I have ever seen. There were snacks, papers, even Q-Tips thrown all over the floor.

Is it right to treat the floor of an airplane as a garbage can? Can you tell the mothers out their that Jetiquette requires everyone to be aware of others that are sharing the space.

Thanks,
Unwilling Childcare Worker

Dear Unwilling,

The Sky Steward can feel your pain! He recently gifted a grey plastic bag to a messy mother in order for her to collect 'debris' from her children and the floor and place it where it should be. Trash on the floor or in seat back pockets is not just from traveling families; even business people are guilty. There are people who need to understand that they must consider others traveling around them or after them on a later flight in the seat they are occupying for short time.

Next time, tell the flight attendant you almost tripped on the trash. He or she will take it from there.

To Speak or Not to Speak?

Dear Sky Steward: I normally do not wish to carry on long conversations with strangers sitting next to me when I am flying. Is that considered rude? Thanks, Mute in Michigan

Dear M.M.: The Sky Steward understands how you feel, but he wants to give you some food for thought. Firstly, it is always impolite to completely ignore someone when they arrive at your row. A polite hello or good morning etc. is the minimum that should be offered as a greeting. After that, it is completely acceptable to refrain from engaging in additional conversation. He would caution however that you could be missing out on some very interesting conversation and/or meaningful networking opportunities in some cases. Think of it as using dead flight time as a great networking event (unless you have a presentation due at the end of your flight)! You have to weigh your desire for solitude with your openness to the possibilities. The Sky Steward suggests you request a cocktail from the flight attendant, maybe that will loosen you up a bit. It worked for him the last time!

Buh Bye? Not even!

Dear Sky Steward: I just flew from JFK to LAX and was flabbergasted when I left the plane and not one crew-member said thank you, goodbye, or anything. They just chatted amongst themselves. Is this proper jetiquette? Signed, Ignored

Dear Ignored: The only thing proper about this situation is your level of irritation. The Sky Steward is having to bite his tongue right now to keep from saying something distasteful to express his dismay. He feels that a cheerful greeting and a sincere farewell are something that should never go the way of caviar. In fact, he requests that you send him the airline, flight number, date, and city pairs so he can take this up with the airline himself! Write him at gailen@skysteward.com

Don't Cross the Line!

Dear Sky Steward: On a recent flight from Dallas to Portland, I sat next to another gentleman. I fell asleep before we took off and when I woke up, his elbow was at least 2 1/2 inches into my seating area (he had crossed over the imaginary armrest line!) I ignored him and tried to get comfortable, but I was more uncomfortable than I have ever been on a flight. Should I have said something? Signed, Violated from Venice, FL

Dear Violated: The Sky Steward regrets to inform you that the only thing you got from being polite this time was a sore back! He feels that everyone must stand up for their own comfort (as pleasantly as possible) if we are ever to turn the tide. The Sky Steward is appalled at the behavior that is accepted these days (even by him sometimes) and must insist that in cases such as these we let people know that they are causing us to be uncomfortable. If they have a problem with it, the Sky Steward asks that you give them his email address: gailen@skysteward.com.

Cell Phone Chaos

Dear Sky Steward: While traveling from JFK to LAX recently, we were delayed on the ground. A woman behind me tapped me on the shoulder to let me know that I was talking "way too loud" on my cell phone. I was very irritated. I am sick and tired of everyone feeling that it is open season to yell at people for talking on cell phones on airplanes. Isn't that what cell phones are for? Signed, Frustrated on a Cellular Level

Dear Frustrated: The Sky Steward realizes that it was unpleasant to have someone scold you while you were strapped into a seat, he would ask you to take a few deep breaths and think about how you normally speak into your cell phone throughout the day. Is it possible that you talk louder than necessary? It seems like many people actually yell into their phones rather than speak into them. Try speaking into the mic of the phone the same way you would speak into someone's ear. If the person on the other end cannot hear you then you may need to text them anyway! CAN YOU HEAR WHAT The Sky Steward is SAYING?

Feet in the Air!

Dear Sky Steward: Please forgive me, but am I the only one that thinks that bare feet on an airplane is gross? Lately I have seen people placing their bare beet everywhere; on seat backs, bulkheads, even on my armrest as they sit in the row behind me. Is this correct Jetiquette?

Signed,
Grossed Out

Dear Grossed Out: The Sky Steward has had to supress his gag reflex in order to give your question the careful response it deserves. After much thought and analysis, he has detemined that there is simply "something wrong" with people that put their feet near others after walking the floors of aircraft; no matter how pristine they may be (such as a Gulfstream Jet with very few hours on it). It is just not good Jetiquette! It is ok to be barefoot, if you must; but do not place your feet at eye level or within touching distance of others unless you know them in intimately.

In Flight Faux Pas! What do I do?

Dear Sky Steward: I often wish there was a non-confrontational way to let fellow passengers know that they are committing in-flight Faux Pas. I hate it when people seated behind me constantly pull on my seat as they get out into the aisle. What should I do?Signed, Disturbed from Detroit



Dear Disturbed: The Sky Steward shares your in-flight frustration. In cases such as these, it is always necessary to gather if this behavior will continue to irritate you (such as on a 10 hour flight) or whether you will have to address it. It is perfectly ok to smile as you ask this person to please take care to not pull on your seat because you are a light sleeper and are suffering from a severe headache. Then 'thank them so much' for their understanding and follow it up with a compliment such as, "that blanket color looks marvelous on you!". This is the ultimate way to 'sandwich' your request and on flights offering less and less food, it will be greatly appreciated.