| This is just a bit of fun... | | | | status to anyone who has a conversation with them. |
| If you're a frequent flyer here's a quick fun activity | | | | There's an air of 'smug-ness' when you tell them your |
| to help you pass the time when you're next waiting | | | | sat in seat 37B next to the toilets! |
| at the gate. | | | | 4. The Competitive Incher - This interesting dance |
| It's interesting how people position themselves | | | | has a competitive edge. It's all about getting on the |
| around the gate when waiting to board a flight. | | | | plane first! These people pretend to be interested in |
| Try this quick people watching activity... | | | | the free magazines on the stand near the gate |
| Here are a few characters to look out for... | | | | because they get six inches closer. They flick through |
| 1. Well-endowed Hand Luggage! This person totally | | | | any magazine to hand pretending to be interested in |
| ignores any hand luggage rules and is completely over | | | | it. Or they intensely study the drinks machine for an |
| generous with his/her baggage allowance. It's usually | | | | uncomfortable amount of time to anyone observing |
| very abundant! Possibly over-stuffed and they are | | | | them. It's all about positional strategy. Driven by the |
| struggling moving it, while trying to blend in with the | | | | motive 'Gotta get on the plane first.' Look out |
| scenery in an attempt to be unnoticed by the | | | | because once the boarding announcement is made |
| Ground Staff. They are often found staring at their | | | | it's everyone for him/her self! |
| luggage mentally trying to shrink it by an inch so that | | | | 5. The Miracle Worker - This person uses the 'people |
| it WILL fit in the overhead bin! They usually mutter, | | | | with a disability' pre-boarding announcement as an |
| 'Well it usually fits in the bins on other planes!" or "It's | | | | opportunity to play on an old leg injury or fake a limp |
| okay...it will...(pause while energy is exerted to try to | | | | to beat the Competitive Incher to 1st place in the |
| force the bag in the bin)...fit in!" | | | | boarding queue! I have witnessed people with |
| 2. The Out of Tune Singer - This is usually a male | | | | pronounced limps be totally cured by the magic of air |
| business traveler who's wearing big Bose earphones | | | | travel. They limp on the plane and then when we land |
| and singing along very loudly to the music on their | | | | they sprint off first to catch their connecting flight |
| iPod while being totally oblivious to the following: 1) | | | | (no limp!). It might be divine intervention or perhaps |
| anyone else around them 2) that their singing is | | | | something in the coffee!? |
| completely out of tune and sounds like they're | | | | How to score per flight: |
| actually in pain! | | | | * You get one point for each one you spot! |
| 3. I'm Privileged - Has enough frequent flyer points | | | | * You get double points if you recognize yourself |
| and preferred status cards to probably 'buy' the | | | | here! |
| plane! They have an air of confidence about them. | | | | I've been guilty of all of these except The Miracle |
| Their ego is fed by their Platinum/Envoy/1st Class | | | | Worker! I've managed to spot 3 out of 5 on one |
| always status. They stand posed about 10 feet from | | | | flight! |
| the gate, in readiness to be called after the | | | | What other categories of people have you spotted? |
| 'Pre-board' announcements. They casually show off | | | | Happy and fun travels! |
| their 'Zone 1' 'Envoy' 'I get to sit right at the front' | | | | |