Although it wasn't long that the crew informed us, I had already suspected that our row was different. The windows on the left and right had covers that weren't like the rest, the floor lights led converged where we were, and the seats in front of us were subtly different. We were at one emergency exit window, and that helped me realize that the man next to me was being unreasonably a risk to our safety.
There are many procedures on a plane. Many of them do not concern the passengers, but the few that do, it only makes sense to comply if you want to get home in peace. But interestingly, not everyone thinks of it that way. Rather, it's an opportunity to put up some drama and get some attention.
Before takeoff, we were urged to put our bags and whatnot aside in the overhead bins or the small compartments on the seat before us. But there was one lady who wouldn't oblige. Why on earth would it be so hard to comply? I had no idea, as I wasn't sitting close to her. It was the unnecessary commotion she pulled that simply appalled me.
While she was arguing, I could tell that the crew members were just pissed off. I could tell from their faces that they go through this bullshit every single time. Someone is always feeling entitled to make their jobs harder. All the while, however, I was wondering when they'd ask her to take her things and leave the plane for being resistant to order on the plane because I read the fine print of their terms and conditions on my ticket that they could.
Another passenger—who seemed like she was likely connected with the stubborn woman - placated Ms. Obnoxious and encouraged her to oblige. Finally, peace, or so I thought.
During takeoff, taxi or landing, we weren't supposed to have earphones on - among many other things -- especially by the emergency exit. Phones are to be turned off and put away, too. But this man on my left was doing the total opposite. It didn't make any sense to me because he did hear the instruction. Yet another bullshit to deal with; this man wouldn't do as he was urged to by the crew.
None of his responses made any sense to me. Even explaining that he needed to be alert for emergency situations, what he had to say was, "This isn't my first time flying." If he was so proud of that, why wasn't he already the pilot by then?
After successfully pissing off the crew member, she left, then another took over the situation and resolved the situation. That wasn't necessary at all. But you know... people will always be people. Should an emergency arise, he'd be less effective in our collective safety.
