I am sitting in seat 36F on American Airlines flight 445 to Cancun. That’s the middle seat in the back row of the plane, the row that doesn’t recline. Earlier, my train to the airport was late, my toiletries spilled out of their quart-size Ziploc in the security line, TSA searched my bag and the flight attendant ran out of blankets. Mexico, let me in!
I’ve sat in the back row before, of course. I’ve also been upgraded to first class (once). I survived a flight that plummeted 10,000 feet in a heartbeat before leveling. I never knew so many people traveled with rosaries. I’ve flown with a baby on my lap, wailing infant in my arms and squirming kids at my side for eight hours trans-Atlantically. I and my copy of “The DaVinci Code” were vomited on by a strange man in 18C. Kids, comparatively, aren’t so bad. If it’s a B movie, chances are I’ve seen it aloft. “Spanglish” does not improve after four viewings. I’ve gone to London for the weekend (for theater). I’ve lived in Italy for a year (food). I lost my wallet and my bag en route to Easter Island. The airline that dropped me above the Arctic Circle also lost my luggage. Boots within. In winter. I’ve sat in front of Meryl Streep (she took the economy experience graciously) and behind Jane Seymour (forward cabin, natch). My entire wardrobe is travel-ready solid separates. My family of three fits perfectly into 737s. We can go a week with carry-ons and still dress for dinner.
I know travel. I make a living at it. With this blog, Read It And Leap, I’ll post trends, tips and tricks for your next trip — if, like me, you travel often, resiliently, and, sometimes, well.
Off-the-ground rule number one: just say no to the last row.
–eglu
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Comment by Mr WordPress — August 4, 2009 @ 7:37 am
Traveling in 10 days. Family trip for the kids (3 boys). I told my wife I’d go wherever/whenever. Done. We’re scheduled for beaches and the Dali museum in St. Pete, then Disney.
Sand. Pools. Umbrella drinks — all I gotta do is pack some shorts, a bathing suit, and a handful of t-shirts.
I’ve already chosen a couple of books, and the first two seasons of Seinfeld on disk. Wi-fi check-ins at night to keep the gerbil wheel turning for the business, and everything else is “go with he flow, baby!” Yes, carry-on only. And I’m stayin’ out of the back row! Thanks for the tip.
My only travel concern? Laptop battery life.
Peace/Kel
Comment by Kelly Gayer — August 10, 2009 @ 6:34 am
Had the last row on a flight not that long ago. Being next to the toliet was not good. Then they ran out of food (when they were still serving food) just when they got to me. I was hungry and complained. Somehow, they found another meal for me.
I ate it. Bad mistake. Was sick for the rest of the flight. Lesson learned – you sometimes get what you ask for and it ain’t always good.
h.
p.s. Read your blurb in the “Bulldog Reporter.” You sounded like you knew what you were talking about. And you’re in Chicago (same here). Found your blog – like your writing style … may come back to this. Best.
Comment by Hale — September 23, 2009 @ 2:48 pm