Airliners.net

All,

I've been thinking about what annoys me most about being a passenger. Sometimes, it's drunks on the plane. Sometimes it's being treated badly by FAs. Sometimes it's being nickel-and-dimed on amenities.

Does anyone have their own "major hate"?

C

Passengers slamming the seat back while your eating is by far the biggest pet peeve! Yes they have the right to do and all, but it displays rudeness and ignorance and at times it's unnecessary and if i can make your journey as uncomfortable as I can while the seat Back is back.... I will. That's my right!

The space between rows in coach.

If things are not clean or broken.

Assigned seating option on WN.

Seat width.

I would have to say the lack of common courtesy from some passengers

Seat width. I am only 5'8" and I have enough leg room for most flights. I'm overweight, even though I do fit in a coach seat, I find myself leaning away from my seat mates if in an aisle or window seat. If in a center seat, I sit straight up with my elbows tucked in and avoid the arm rests. My favorite planes were DC-9s with the original wider seats.

Lack of consistency. Seems to be an issue on AA and UA more than DL. Have some great flights on the formers and some where they don't cater enough/the FA's are grouchy etc. Delta seems to be at least pretty consistent with their product.

cloudboy wrote:

Seat width.

First/business class solves that problem.

nikeherc wrote:

Seat width. I am only 5'8" and I have enough leg room for most flights. I'm overweight, even though I do fit in a coach seat, I find myself leaning away from my seat mates if in an aisle or window seat. If in a center seat, I sit straight up with my elbows tucked in and avoid the arm rests. My favorite planes were DC-9s with the original wider seats.

Lose weight or first/business class

Definitely the toilets for me. Some passengers have no respect for other passengers and the crew. It's not nice having to enter a confined space with piss and toilet paper everywhere along with un-flushed toilets. As a F/A myself, this really pisses me off

Being treated like a moron when the TSA or the airline changes procedures.

LoganTheBogan wrote:

Definitely the toilets for me. Some passengers have no respect for other passengers and the crew. It's not nice having to enter a confined space with piss and toilet paper everywhere along with un-flushed toilets. As a F/A myself, this really pisses me off

Yes I agree on this one... why Airliners don't have autoflush toilets is beyond me... it's recirculated anyways so why not?

Also HATE people that insist on using scented products in flight, look it's one thing to use them on the ground with good airflow, but in the air crammed into a confined space you do not need your blasted hand lotions and sanitizer every 5 minutes.

Reclining seats are a major issue in today's cramped Y cabins. There are some self-centred people who immediately recline their seat after take off, but often dont even sit back in the chair, but sit up talking to their friends left, right and in front. Most FAs are attentive, and at least ask for seats to be straightened up for meal service, or will do so willingly if asked

Ideal world would have individual seat recline overridden by the cabin crew to ensure "all straight" for key periods during the flight. Well, I just read that sentence again, and realise that in a really ideal world, we would all have J seating, pitch and width, and would be totally unaware of the seat reclining preferences of the pax in front

Head rests that don't have wings that bend upwards, or do but are not strong enough to support your bowling ball when sleeping.

If I can dispense with reality: I full, thickly cushioned recliner seat with foot and headrest that reclines very far back for all of economy, blankets and pillows as well as offering amenities such as eye shades, ear plugs, socks and toothbrush...on both international and domestic flights. The "ergonomic" United international business class seat from the 1990's would be just right.

Two things.

First checked bag free
Complementary water bottle in seat back prior to boarding.

#1 will reduce TSA lines
#2 will reduce wastage of millions of gallons bottled water.

Having to go through security is the worst. I know it's a pipe dream, but I wish there was some magical way to eliminate the standing in line, disrobing, putting everything in a conveyor belt, getting contraband toothpaste confiscated, etc etc.

QueenoftheSkies wrote:

cloudboy wrote:

Seat width.

First/business class solves that problem.

nikeherc wrote:

Seat width. I am only 5'8" and I have enough leg room for most flights. I'm overweight, even though I do fit in a coach seat, I find myself leaning away from my seat mates if in an aisle or window seat. If in a center seat, I sit straight up with my elbows tucked in and avoid the arm rests. My favorite planes were DC-9s with the original wider seats.

Lose weight or first/business class

And how pray do i loose shoulder width? Sorry but your First/Business class comment is not a solution either, I don't have the extra to spend and my company only pays for economy... so what should I do? I used to fit seats just fine, but these new slim line seats ARE narrower... premium economy sometimes is an option but it's only better on some airlines/aircraft for that.

Talking about cabin design:
I hate, when seats have no room for my feet but IFE-boxes at that place or when one of your legs has no place as the sidewall comes too close. Similar for restrooms: You can''t clean your teeth without a water cup because it is so tight in there. I sometimes feel like cabin designers forget about basic ergonomics. I don't need a moving seatback at all if I reduce my kneeroom by using it.
I think the FAA should develop some minimum seat dimensions and cabin standards for airline passengers. Otherwise the onboard squeezing will continue to move on in even more painful directions.

Mind you people tend to become bigger and fatter. I am tall myself whenever I have a fat neighbour it's just too tight for the two of us if he has to "eat" into my space.

northstardc4m wrote:

QueenoftheSkies wrote:

cloudboy wrote:

Seat width.

First/business class solves that problem.

nikeherc wrote:

Seat width. I am only 5'8" and I have enough leg room for most flights. I'm overweight, even though I do fit in a coach seat, I find myself leaning away from my seat mates if in an aisle or window seat. If in a center seat, I sit straight up with my elbows tucked in and avoid the arm rests. My favorite planes were DC-9s with the original wider seats.

Lose weight or first/business class

And how pray do i loose shoulder width? Sorry but your First/Business class comment is not a solution either, I don't have the extra to spend and my company only pays for economy... so what should I do? I used to fit seats just fine, but these new slim line seats ARE narrower... premium economy sometimes is an option but it's only better on some airlines/aircraft for that.

Get a job with a company that pays better and/or pays for first/business travel.

My point being these "changes" are not the airlines' fault nor obligation.

QueenoftheSkies wrote:

northstardc4m wrote:

QueenoftheSkies wrote:

First/business class solves that problem.



Lose weight or first/business class

And how pray do i loose shoulder width? Sorry but your First/Business class comment is not a solution either, I don't have the extra to spend and my company only pays for economy... so what should I do? I used to fit seats just fine, but these new slim line seats ARE narrower... premium economy sometimes is an option but it's only better on some airlines/aircraft for that.

Get a job with a company that pays better and/or pays for first/business travel.

My point being these "changes" are not the airlines' fault nor obligation.

Ok can you get into reality here? MOST companies no longer pay for premium travel class for people like me... I'm not an executive. And it EASILY could be a legislated obligation, it is for other service industries. I'm not changing jobs just because of this and putting my career at risk. You think I can afford even on a high salary to pay 2-3k a flight out of my own pocket for J class on 20-30 flights a year?

nikeherc wrote:

Seat width. I am only 5'8" and I have enough leg room for most flights. I'm overweight, even though I do fit in a coach seat, I find myself leaning away from my seat mates if in an aisle or window seat. If in a center seat, I sit straight up with my elbows tucked in and avoid the arm rests. My favorite planes were DC-9s with the original wider seats.

Lose weight or first/business class[/quote]

As I said, I fit in the seat and I don't need a seat belt extension. It is the proximity the people next to me, who tend to sprawl all over the available space, that is the problem. I would fly first class if my employer would pay for it, but they don't. Your flippant answer is annoying. I hope a 700 pound, sweaty sumo wrestler is in the seat next to you on your next flight.

flyby519 wrote:

Having to go through security is the worst. I know it's a pipe dream, but I wish there was some magical way to eliminate the standing in line, disrobing, putting everything in a conveyor belt, getting contraband toothpaste confiscated, etc etc.

If you get TSA pre check, global entry or Nexus the screening process can be much smoother and eliminate a lot of the things you complained about.

I think that checked bags should be free and they should charge for carry-ons. I get so sick of people shoving all of their crap in the overhead bins and ruining it for everyone else.

I would also like to see WN allow an assigned seating option.

I wish people cared more about their appearance when traveling. Bathed, shaven or neatly groomed, tasteful makeup, well done hair, fresh breath, light colognes or perfumes, shoes shined or in otherwise good condition, clean pressed well fitting clothing, etc... Have you been on some flights lately? The cabin looks like a leper colony. Many flight attendants no longer set a good example for personal appearance either. Yeah, I know I'm living in an Ozzy and Harriet dreamworld.

Actually thought of another one... end pre-boarding for anyone in Economy not in wheelchairs or infants (under 2 only) INCLUDING families (I'm tired of "families" with 4 adults and 2 teenagers getting on first for no reason) and status members... too much abuse and it causes too many problems with carry on stowage.

KentB27 wrote:

I think that checked bags should be free and they should charge for carry-ons. I get so sick of people shoving all of their crap in the overhead bins and ruining it for everyone else.

Not going to happen. Checked bags cost the airline money (airports charge for this), carry-ons doesn't so they prefer carry-ons over checked bags. Besides, I wouldn't want that either. I want access to my stuff during the flight. However, I do wish people would put their bags sideways in the overhead bins so more bags fit in instead of laying them down so less bags fit.

I may recall reading somewhere about replacing the space under seats with luggage containers. Thoughts on this?

The security theater. I'd love to see a law that mandates that security may not take more than five minutes line-to-exit unless there is a specific reason to delay a certain passenger.

There are so many good responses from posters; is it filthy bathrooms, bad seats, small seats, people putting their seats back, no leg room? The list is endless. One long term peeve is having FAs who should be trained to save lives if needed; are incapable of simple courtesy and who by in large could not help anyone in the case of an emergency because they would be trying to save their own ass.
My latest piss-off is asking for tips, with the computers giving a tip option amount, when serving drinks. A tip for a unhappy, overworked employee of an airline is absolute B.S. Do your damn job, stop being asshats to customers and then maybe we would feel like give a tip.

One dollar tickets and airline profits don't take a seat.

This goes for economy only.

Just one thing, that's tough. I would have to go along with..

klm617 wrote:

The space between rows in coach.

sassiciai wrote:

Reclining seats are a major issue in today's cramped Y cabins.

a36001 wrote:

Passengers slamming the seat back while your eating is by far the biggest pet peeve!

I am not tall, so if it is a problem for me, then it is for many others too.

There should be a reclining seat section and the pax pay extra for it IMHO, like premium economy. Reclining should be banned in coach.

PatrickZ80 wrote:

KentB27 wrote:

I think that checked bags should be free and they should charge for carry-ons. I get so sick of people shoving all of their crap in the overhead bins and ruining it for everyone else.

Not going to happen. Checked bags cost the airline money (airports charge for this), carry-ons doesn't so they prefer carry-ons over checked bags. Besides, I wouldn't want that either. I want access to my stuff during the flight. However, I do wish people would put their bags sideways in the overhead bins so more bags fit in instead of laying them down so less bags fit.

It may be a pipe dream, but it's my pipe dream. lol.

The crew forcing people to close window blinds drives me nuts.

Other than wishing for business class comfort with ULCC price, I second the following:

- No drunks in flights (it is rare but may be horrible)
- Remove the unnecessary devices from the valuable foot space - I need every mm of it.
- Let my checked luggage arrive in time (or let me check it in as a "second class" luggage, knowing it to be delivered later to my destiny)
- No horrendous queues and unhuman treatment in controls (arrival to the US being the most relevant here)
- Enforcing coherent limits for the cabin luggage (maybe a dedicated locker for each seat)

More effiecent boarding/alighting.

QueenoftheSkies wrote:

First/business class solves that problem

Wider (less) seats in economy class solve that problem. Nine abreast in a 777, eight in a 787. As it used to be or as Boeing envisioned it.

QueenoftheSkies wrote:

Lose weight or first/business class

No need to get rude.

Whywhyjay wrote:

The crew forcing people to close window blinds drives me nuts.

This is my number one irritation as well. Not being able to enjoy the northern lights for example or the view of Greenland while having a window seat makes me sad. And for what reason? "Because some people want to sleep", the Lufthansa stewardess told me this week when flying from Seattle to Frankfurt. It was 5 pm and hardly anybody wanted to sleep. In fact, when I later walked through the cabin I noticed that out of the 121 passengers in my section only 11 had their eyes closed. The rest was looking at a bright screen in front of them, reading a book or talking to others. What's wrong with looking out of the window? Why keep enforcing this ridiculous policy? Luckily the purser allowed me to open the blind again so I could look down at Canada and Greenland. And no complaints from other passengers. Some even summoned others to look out the window too because of the great views.

Eliminate nonrefundable fares on the US3. (I know that's never going to happen.)

Whywhyjay wrote:

The crew forcing people to close window blinds drives me nuts.

I can understand why this happens on some flights but I think it is a bit much when the airline charges a fee for selecting a window seat and then doesn't let you look out of it.

Even worse, airlines that charge for window seats but don't tell you that particular row is missing a window!

The security nonsense would be the one thing I'd get rid of, without a doubt. It wastes irretrievable man-decades (collectively; probably man-weeks for me personally) while achieving essentially nothing as far as making people safer.

If I could have a couple more I'd agree with the Y recliner, and the window shade thing. I'd limit seat recline to about an inch. The window shade bit puzzles me; there seems to be a trend towards flying in the dark even on short trips. People get on the plane, even on the no-sun side, and put the shade down, WTF? I don't know why more people aren't getting claustrophobia attacks. And yet, office spaces are generally way over-bright. Weird.

ODwyerPW wrote:

I wish people cared more about their appearance when traveling. Bathed, shaven or neatly groomed, tasteful makeup, well done hair, fresh breath, light colognes or perfumes, shoes shined or in otherwise good condition, clean pressed well fitting clothing, etc... Have you been on some flights lately? The cabin looks like a leper colony. Many flight attendants no longer set a good example for personal appearance either. Yeah, I know I'm living in an Ozzy and Harriet dreamworld.

Best response so far....I totally agree with you...

Thicker seat-bottom cushions. Ever since slimline seats became a thing, they started skimping on the seat-bottom cushions too. There's no reason for it, adding to the thickness of the seat-bottom cushion takes nothing away from the available space between seat backs.

Crying children and parents ban.

ODwyerPW wrote:

I wish people cared more about their appearance when traveling. Bathed, shaven or neatly groomed, tasteful makeup, well done hair, fresh breath, light colognes or perfumes, shoes shined or in otherwise good condition, clean pressed well fitting clothing, etc... Have you been on some flights lately? The cabin looks like a leper colony. Many flight attendants no longer set a good example for personal appearance either. Yeah, I know I'm living in an Ozzy and Harriet dreamworld.

Have you tried going back to the 1950s?

Get rid of all the stupid people flying right now. That would be a much better way to enhance the flying experience.

Guess it would have to be cabin temp. What is it with airlines, it seems that it has been way too warm in the cabin for too long. Do not want to sit in a cabin in the high 60's for 3hrs.

Checked baggage fees should be refunded if your bag does not arrive when you do. If I pay for it, I have higher expectations that my bag should be on the exact same flight as me at all times. When I take off, my bag takes off. When I land, my bag lands (at the same airport as me).

evank516 wrote:

Checked baggage fees should be refunded if your bag does not arrive when you do. If I pay for it, I have higher expectations that my bag should be on the exact same flight as me at all times. When I take off, my bag takes off. When I land, my bag lands (at the same airport as me).

Not sure what happened with this...
http://time.com/money/4536441/baggage-fees-refund/

Jayafe wrote:

evank516 wrote:

Checked baggage fees should be refunded if your bag does not arrive when you do. If I pay for it, I have higher expectations that my bag should be on the exact same flight as me at all times. When I take off, my bag takes off. When I land, my bag lands (at the same airport as me).

Not sure what happened with this...
http://time.com/money/4536441/baggage-fees-refund/

I don't think it took effect. Baggage fees should be refunded if your bag is delayed any longer than you are. If your bag is not on board the same flight you are on, then the fee should be refunded. Not sure if this even went through, but with no definition of "substantial" airlines will probably find a loophole. If you get off your flight and don't see your bag at baggage claim, you should be refunded immediately.