From the Seat of 5A

Okay, it's been some time since I pulled out my soapbox but it is time that I pass judgment and share with all of you.

I had to fly up to Philly this week. That's not too surprising since I'm in Philly weekly. My upgrade cleared and I flew DFW-PHL in first. I have to say, I did not enjoy all the travel I had to do last year but making Executive Platinum sure has its benefits. My upgrades are clearing left and right. Anywho... back to my story. I'm in 5A. An older gentleman was next to me in 5B. I would guess he was late 50's, early 60's. Nothing special. Looked like every other schlub out there wearing ill-fitting khaki pants and a sweater that he's had since 1980. But it's an airplane and not a fashion runway. When the flight attendant came by to offer pre-flight beverages he was upset that they did not have his choice of whiskey. He settled for something else and off we went. Once airborne, he kept drinking his whiskey but also had a club soda and a diet sierra mist. That's a lot of cans balancing on our armrest. The flight attendant brought my nuts and as she was placing them on my try he barked at her "where are my nuts?" Well, I could have easily told him where his nuts are and where he could put them but the flight attendant was quicker than me and a lot more tactful. She brought his nuts and he ate them. All is happy. When it came time for dinner I was totally grossed out. He ordered another round of his beverage collection. Then he started eating. Absolutely disgusting. He has crouched over his tray, hovering over his food. He at his shrimp and slurped the cocktail sauce off each shrimp. Then he moved to his main course. Food was falling from his open jaw. I felt like I was on a boat and we were feeding sharks. I was a witness to him devouring his food like it was chum. He took his bread and sopped up every ounce of his leftover cocktail sauce with the bread. Absolutely disgusting. As much as I didn't want to look, I couldn't help but steal a glance. I was never so glad for a meal service to end.

So, lesson in this for me... always remember my manners. Etiquette goes a long way.