Says Travel Manners Are 'A True Indicator Of Class'

Jetiquette Academy first came to ANN's attention last summer, when the group implored passengers to consider the feelings of airline workers before sounding off about what are usually relatively minor inconveniences of air travel. The organization also offered a seminar for those workers, to help them be both more understanding of customer issues, and more resilient to the occasional bad egg.

Now, Jetiquette founder Gailen David -- he's a 20-year purser with American Airlines, so he knows a thing or 20 about customer complaints -- has extended the program via the Web. On his Sky Steward blog, David appeals to passengers to ask questions or make comments about good and bad travel etiquette.

"Traveling with class is not simply putting down the Amex Platinum Card and purchasing a seat in the first class section of a jumbo jet," David notes. "In fact, whether you are traveling up front or in economy, your true level of class is actually reflected in your travel manners.

"The consensus so far has been that traveling would be infinitely less stressful if everyone displayed a little more consideration and courtesy towards others," he adds.

David offers the following tips, via his blog, on traveling do's and don'ts. (These will all probably seem rather common sense to most of our readers... then again, we all know that common sense is increasingly uncommon.)

Do:

• Have a game plan that allows you to pass through security quickly without holding up the line. Be prepared to place certain items in luggage and others in bins by making them easy to reach.
• When seated in economy, only use the space in your own seating area.
• Use as little space in the overhead compartment as possible. Also, try to use one near your seat rather than taking up one closer to the front of the plane.
• Blow nose in lavatory, not at seat. Leave the lavatory as tidy as possible for the next passenger.
• Greet anyone sitting next to you. However, if you would like to chat more, be aware of signs they would like privacy (they put on headphones, take out book, or close eyes).

Don't:

• Walk around the airplane in bare feet. This is highly unsanitary and rather unsightly. Some people even step into a lavatory without shoes.
• Place garbage into seat back pockets or throw it onto the floor. It makes for a messy environment that everyone has to endure.
• Allow your own children to kick the back of the seat in front of them. If your seat is being kicked it is acceptable to ask the parent for help.

"Hopefully, at a time when the simple things are again in vogue, the next year will be one of increased civility and courtesy in travel," David notes. "Proper Jetiquette starts one person at a time and travels with us around the world."

An admirable goal, certainly...

FMI: www.dearskysteward.com