Pushing or Pulling, Snarky or Nice?

Posted in My Views | 5 comments

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This past weekend PARADE Magazine ran an article titled “Making the Skies a Bit Friendlier” in which writer Mitch Albom makes a few “gentle” suggestions to his fellow passengers.

First, let me say that folks often complain that flight attendants are “snarky” and “sassy” yet it seems that it’s okay as long as it comes from a ‘fellow traveler?’  The author repeatedly makes sarcastic remarks as to passenger actions and if I were a flight attendant making the same remarks, I’m quite sure I’d get written up. Let’s not create a double standard. I think a lot of what he said could have been said better. But, with that aside.. I want to touch on one part of what he wrote.

In the first suggestion the reporter states:

…when you get on the plane, walk down the aisle with your carry-on luggage in front of you, not behind you. Behind you, you knock over drinks, bags, and small elderly people.

For the everyday traveler reading this article they’re going to assume that pushing their rollaboad in front of them is going to make the boarding process a bit easier.

I would now like to ask, has anyone tried this?

Unless you’re on a private jet or a wide-body in first class, where have you ever seen an aisle wide enough to steer your luggage in front of you without hitting someones knee or arm rest? There isn’t one.

Time and time again I see passengers try to push their rollaboards ahead of them only to slow down the boarding process (or deplaning) because they hit every single armrest and stop at every single row. It simply doesn’t work.

What should have been mentioned is this: passengers boarding with shoulder bags, laptop bags, diaper bags, and backpacks need to remove them from their arms and carry them. Those bags all too frequently end up hitting passengers who have already boarded and seated in the head while you make your way down the aisle.

Also, what elderly people and bags are being knocked over by your carry-on if you have to get by them first, before your bag does. If you’re pulling your bag, like it’s intended to be pulled, you’re clearing the way for your rollerbag to have an unobstructed ride down the aisle.. wouldn’t pushing your bag down the aisle knock people over?

PARADE, why not ask flight attendants how flying can be easier and “a bit friendlier?” We do it every day and watch you all do it too.

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  • http://twitter.com/BKK_FLYER Michael

    The only realistic way you can PUSH a roller bag in front of you is if it’s a spinner-type with 4 independent wheels.. most roller bags are only-two wheels, and as such if you push it from the back, it can’t really be controlled going in reverse (pushing, versus pulling) since the wheels are meant to follow the user and not precede the user.
    parade didn’t as any one who actually works ON the plane, since as usual, the ‘expert’ is someone who doesn’t do that for their actual work, rather writes about it from afar.

    • Guest

      I’ve done a over a million miles with my two wheeler and paid a LOT of attention to how people do it… you shouldn’t roll it “wide” at all either forward or backward. you should pick it up “narrow” and carry it either in front or behind you period.

  • Michelle

    Shouldn’t roller-bag-people be carrying their bag in front of them, not pulling their rolling bag, when going down the aisle to their seat?

    Yes, I realize the bag has wheels, but isn’t that more for moving around outside of a plane? If you can’t carry it off the floor for the short walk down the aisle, maybe you should have checked that bag. …& the people that can’t stow their own bag in the overhead?! How flight attendants deal with that so nicely is beyond me.

  • I’m Daddy He’s Papa

    Since I’ve adopted a firm policy of stowing my 4 year old twins into a roller bag and keeping them in the overhead compartment (really a more civilized way to travel for both the parent & other passengers), I’m not sure I could carry the bag down the aisle. But, pushing it or pulling it is definitely an option. Thus, it was nice to see a recommendation from someone who’s knowledgeable about airplanes. The only thing – will the flight attendants make me remove the kids from the suitcase before I put it in the overhead compartment? I hope not…

  • Max

    YOU DONT ROLL IT YOU PICK IT UP AND CARRY IT!! ugh, yes i’m yelling. people rolling it behind them get caught on the armrests just as much…