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Galley Gossip: Passenger of the month - Christopher Elliott
Name? Christopher Elliott
Where do you live? Orlando, Florida
Occupation? I'm a travel journalist.
Website? Elliott.org
City you spend the most time in? Orlando
Okay, that makes sense. Bad question. So where do you travel to the most often? New York
I love New York. Everyone should visit New York at least once in their lifetime, especially during Christmas. Miles flown this year? Just over 5,000.
Do you remember your very first flight? It was a Pan Am flight from New York to Munich in 1972 or 1973. I was probably four years old at the time, but I still remember the plane. It was huge -- a Boeing 747, I think. The flight attendants were very kind to us. I remember my baby brother being in some kind of hammock. I looked out the window almost the entire time. Wow, we were actually flying! You know how airline people say they have jet fuel in their veins. Well, after that flight, I did.
It's true, once you work for an airline it's almost impossible to stop. Type / brand of luggage you own and travel with? I'm using a Travelpro Platinum 6 at the moment.
Check it or Carry on? Carry it. Always carry it.
I take it you pack light. Window or Aisle? I still like to look out the window.
Favorite seat? Anything in the emergency exit row -- except the middle seat.
Something to Drink? Soda water with lime, please. I know -- booooooring! -- but I've I've learned some hard lessons about drinking on planes. Let's just leave it at that.
Good to know, I'll save you a few limes. Beef or Chicken? Chicken.
What snacks do you pack? Gummi bears.
Gummi bears? Really? What exactly is in your carry on bag? My laptop, an extra pair of khakis, shirt, pajamas and something to read.
You DO pack light. My kind of man. Any packing tips/tricks? Roll, don't fold.
That's what I do. Describe your traveling outfit... Loose fitting pants, button-down shirt, blue blazer, sunglasses.
Best shoes to wear through airport security? Anything you can get into and out of easily. I have a pair of Clarks that slip right off. For trips to the mountains, I wear a pair of New Balance hiking shoes that are surprisingly easy to take off.
Any airport routines? A triple grande nonfat latte before boarding.
Was that you behind me in line at Starbucks? I always make it a point to get a tall latte before every flight. Best airline/experience? Any time I've been upgraded to first class. Which never happens anymore.
Ahhh...but is that because you're flying Southwest? Most memorable experience onboard a flight? I was flying from Frankfurt to New York in the 80s. We were over Greenland or Canada, and encountered this sudden, violent turbulence. I looked out at the wing and saw it bending -- you know, like a wave -- and people were screaming. Some were crying. The plane dropped quickly, in an apparent effort to get away from the rough air. Everyone thought this was the end. I literally was saying my last prayers. I wasn't sure if we could survive a crash, and if we did, I knew we'd quickly die of exposure to the elements. And just as quickly as it had begun, it stopped. It was way scarier than the aborted takeoff in Houston a few years later.
Nicest Airport - Orlando.
Favorite Airport restaurant? There's a little taco place -- not sure what it's called -- near the Southwest gates at LAX. Best darned Mexican food ever.
Next time you're in Los Angeles I'll take you to the best darned Mexican food place ever! Burrito is my middle name and chips and salsa is my favorite food. Hotel away from home? I had a great experience at the Hyatt Regency Tamaya Resort & Spa recently. I could probably move in.
Most luxurious hotel you've ever experienced? The Mansion on Turtle Creek in Dallas. I stayed in the JR suite a few years ago. Wow!
I grew up in Dallas, so I know that hotel - talk about NICE! Favorite in-flight announcement? Anything on Southwest Airlines.
Passengers do seem to love their humor. Book / magazine last read on a flight? "The Geography of Bliss" by Eric Weiner
Favorite travel book(s)? I like to re-read Ann Tyler's "The Accidental Tourist" every now and then. It's a good reality check.
I've never read that one. Perhaps I'll pick it up for my flight home. So...where did you go on your last vacation? My last vacation -- well, it was a weekend trip, really -- was to Canaveral National Seashore with my family. It's my new favorite beach on Florida's East Coast. Beautiful sand dunes, unspoiled coastline, and you're a stone's throw from the launch pads at Kennedy Space Center.
Oh I'm going to check that out! Sounds beautiful. Tell me about your favorite destination? Vienna, Austria. It's where I grew up.
Now finish the following sentences...
I can't fly without my... Bose noise-canceling headset.
On my last flight...I slept almost the entire time. What a beautiful thing.
If I could be anywhere in the world, I'd ...On a diveboat in Key Largo, Fla., right over Molasses Reef on a flat-calm day with 100 feet of viz.
When it comes to traveling, I wish...I didn't have to do as much of it as I do.
Why do passengers...lean their seats into my knees?
Why do flight attendants...tell me that "I'm going to need to" do something instead of just asking me to do it.
Why do pilots...always seem to wait until I'm asleep to make their in-flight announcement?
Next flight? I'm grounded for the next few weeks.
Okay, now ask me a question, any question! What is the meaning of life?
Hey now, you were supposed to ask me something about flying! Not go all serious on me. That's okay, because I do know the meaning of life - for me. Life is the journey, not the destination. Thank you so much for your time, Christopher. Enjoy your travels and fly safe
Filed under: Galley Gossip
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Willy Jan 29th 2009 2:45PM
I love Clark's. And Canaveral Seashore is awesome. Chris, next time you're in Cocoa, be sure to grab dinner at the Fat Snook, on the south side of town. It's amazing.
Also: I think rolling clothes is a myth. I used to do that, but now I'm convinced that folding as little as possible and laying things flat is the key.
David Jan 29th 2009 3:33PM
Have you considered renaming this column "Eavesdropping on a flight attendant hitting on a passenger."?
Heather Poole Jan 29th 2009 3:38PM
David - are you kidding me? I'm happily married and have a 2 year-old at home. (Read the column). That's funny though, that being nice (to you) translates into hitting on a passenger. That's sad.
David Jan 29th 2009 5:12PM
Easy there Heather. Just because you have a husband doesn't make it impossible to be flirting with someone else. I'm just responding to lines like:
"You DO pack light. My kind of man."
and
"Next time you're in Los Angeles I'll take you to the best darned Mexican food place ever!"
Professionally written interviews don't traditionally use sentences like that is all, and read with a different inflection are definitely come-on lines.
Also, I've generally stopped reading your column until my wife emailed me this link b/c she thought it was hilarious in it's flirtatiousness. But seriously, whatever.
Secret Asian Man Jan 29th 2009 10:04PM
What an angry man.
A woman with an engaging personality must be flirting?
Since when does offering anyone to take them to lunch means they are flirting? It's a friendly gesture. You mean you never eat out with friends or co-workers?
Besides, if Heather really was seriously flirting, I doubt she's stupid enough to post a record of it online where her husband can read it.
Stijn Jan 30th 2009 9:26AM
Agreed with Secret Asian Man!
I really enjoy your columns Heather, keep them up!
And the engaging personality is good. That's what makes FA's fun to be with. =P
Mark Feb 3rd 2009 10:57AM
The leg shot in her previous posts proves your point
Bob the semi-talented singing pilot Jan 29th 2009 10:05PM
I thought you were talking about this Chris Elliot before I saw the picture:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DMuScu9OpfA&NR=1
Certainly no woman, flight attendant or otherwise, could resist him!
It must make [the above poster] David very Jealous!
:-)
Judy Jan 29th 2009 10:03PM
Heather I enjoyed your interview with chris you both sound like fun great people.
John F Jan 30th 2009 9:26AM
Dammit....I had a male friend take me to a new Steakhouse. This is a horrible way to find out you are gay and your best friend is hitting on you. Thanks for nothing David!
Heather Poole Jan 31st 2009 5:24PM
Thanks for that, you made me laugh!
frank96 Feb 2nd 2009 12:17AM
Christopher said:
Why do flight attendants...tell me that "I'm going to need to" do something instead of just asking me to do it.
================================
And, why do Travel Journalists.... generally post negative comments about flight attendants?
For someone who has flown 5000 miles in 30 days YOU should have a pretty good perspective about my job.
Firstly, you dont do a customer service job. Let alone, deal with hundreds of passengers daily. Kindness and courtesy ARE important. However, there are individuals who dont believe the "RULES" apply to them. Case in point: The Captain announces the Electronic Device sign is now being turned on, we are approaching an altitude where electronics need to be TURNED OFF. The flight attendant makes the necessary annnouncements, following the captain's announcement. Simply put, you've been told TWICE to turn off the device. After, giving you "some time" in the galley, a flight attendant will now enter the cabin, and notice all those COMPUTERS, IPODS, DVD PLAYERS still operating. You "IGNORED" the PED sign overhead, the announcement made............at that point, guess what?
YOU NEED TO TURN OFF your device. Trust me, I always, say, THANK YOU.
BUT, GET THE POINT NOW?
LawyerChick Feb 3rd 2009 9:57AM
Oh man. I better practice getting mean again because otherwise my husband's going to think I'm cheating on him.
Like with that guy I sat with when I met you, Heather. I was there, I saw it all - we were both fighting with each other to see who could flirt more. It was appalling.
SkyTrucker Feb 7th 2009 2:17AM
Heather,
I'm from LA and now I'm wondering where this geatest little Mexican restaurant is. Are you allowed to tell us the name and where it is? I can tell you where to get the best grilled chicken in LA for about $5. Just make sure that if you go there you go while the sun is still out.