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10 passengers we love to hate: Day 2 -- bringing a warm meal on the plane
Today's annoying passenger is a tough one - I'd love to hate them more, but their annoying behavior is not entirely their fault. Still, passengers who think it is cool to bring a huge bag of warm food on the plane are high on my list of airplane pet peeves.
Sure, they are probably hungry, and they need to bring their own food, as the airline won't be feeding anyone. But many of these passengers bring really smelly food.
I've sat next to someone on a 6am flight who thought it would be fine to bring a massive breakfast platter on board. He had the works - eggs, bacon, sausages, hashbrowns and breads. The whole plane smelled of his breakfast, and many of the passengers were clearly annoyed.
Is it that hard to find a less smelly snack that early in the morning? International flights are worse, especially when the airport sells a large variety of really smelly foods. Next time you are waiting in line to order a meal for your flight, first check your watch to see if you have enough time to eat before you board, if not, then order something that is least likely to annoy your fellow passengers. If that is not an option, then you'd better have enough cash to order food for the entire plane.
Read about ALL the passengers we love to hate.
Filed under: Food and Drink, Airlines, Airports
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
pam Jun 2nd 2009 12:35PM
You hate me. I was on a razor thin stopover in DFW and the only place nearby to get food? The BBQ counter. I was STARVING because due to circumstances, I'd not eaten properly that day. Furthermore, there was no food on the flight. I did a grab and go.
But also, I get it, I get it. I really do. It's icky to have to deal with the smell of someone else's weird chow in an already confined space.
As always, I blame the airlines. One more thing to hate about flying.
Julie Jun 2nd 2009 12:34PM
Once on a flight to Vegas a line of five guys walked in with boxes of Bojangles complete with sides and a biscuit. I had eaten some chicken nuggets before boarding, but between the Bojangles and the chicken salad the woman next to me had it made me starving. I was forced to buy an unidentified meat sandwich to control my growling stomach. I was mad at those people for bringing the food on, but if I was in a tough spot like Pam was I'd have to do the same.
Ava Jun 2nd 2009 12:08PM
I was once on a flight from Hawaii and a girl brought a whole platter of stinky sushi! People can be so very inconsiderate of others.
kimba Jun 2nd 2009 12:45PM
I don't know. I'm actually offended when people criticize food. True, what smells good to one may not smell good to another, or what does smell good may drive another hungry passenger insane. But criticizing something that someone actually needs is kind of insensitive.
Instead of blaming the passenger, blame the airline for not controlling the situation. Or TSA for taking a cold sandwich away.
Heather Poole Jun 2nd 2009 1:13PM
As a flight attendant, this is the passenger I love - the passenger who knows how to take care of him/herself. In fact, I AM this passenger when I'm not working - and no, I'm not sharing. Flying can be like a real life episode of survivor, so bring something to eat, people!
Chris Jun 2nd 2009 1:48PM
I agree with Heather, I don't think hate is an even remotely appropriate word here. I don't take food on board often, mostly because it's just a hassle, but I have absolutely no beef with the people that do! Jealousy may exist in some small (or not so small if the food smells really good) doses, but anger or hatred? No way!
If you find the smells of certain foods offensive you really should try those foods and broaden your horizons a bit. I used to think Indian food smelled bad until I went on a culinary adventure with a friend of mine from Mumbai over several local Indian restaurants... now I can't get enough and the smells of various curries just set my mouth to watering!
Chris Jun 4th 2009 2:21PM
dude, get over yourself... I'm always bringing on hot food and a decent cup of coffee when flying to/out of DC and Boston area... I'd rather smell good, hot food then some old hag's over-doused, nasty perfume or the excessive smoker that smells like chimney's ass end. But just for you, next time I'll try to bring along an entire 16" Chicago deep dish to share with you - just hope you're not lactose intolerant you wuss...
Richard Jun 2nd 2009 2:15PM
I'm with Heather. If you are hungry, buy food and bring it on the airplane.
nguyenhm16 Jun 2nd 2009 3:40PM
This would have been much less likely to occur if airlines still served food. In fact some airlines positively encourage you to bring aboard your own food. I know these policies are not the flight attendant's fault, but neither are they the passenger's.
rkt10 Jun 2nd 2009 4:06PM
This reminds me of how my husband and I used to sneak egg rolls or a pizza into the movie theatre when we were first married. We couldn't afford the concession stand prices, and the food was awful anyway.
You never saw more people jump up and run to the concession stand once we'd open those delicacies.
Rita
BrianM Jun 2nd 2009 6:49PM
I am with Heather on this one, Unless we are talking Durian or someone making an absolute mess with a whole bunch of steamed crabs and a wooden hammer, then I see nothing wrong with bringing a juicy burger and fries, or pizza, or whatever your overly sensitive olfactory organs find offensive. Heck I probably do not like your cologne but doesn't mean I am irritated when you sit next to me.
Rachel Jun 2nd 2009 11:14PM
I am this passenger! Every time I leave LAX, I always stop by the In N Out nearest the airport and get a burger and fries for the flight. I never thought about the smell wafting through the plane but I guess it does. This it will not stop be from having a food and fully stomach flying across the country though, so people bring your own food too!! :-)
Casey Jun 3rd 2009 12:51PM
I would rather smell In N Out burgers and fries than stinky cologne! However, fruit or a sandwich is probably the best option, as they are usually non-odor offending. I am guilty of doing In N Out bring on board back in 2006 . . .
Fiznatty Jun 3rd 2009 4:02PM
I was this person once. Arrived in Edinburgh with 5 minutes to catch a train to London. We needed food and the nearest place was Burger King, so we grabbed it to go and hopped on the train. The stuffy businessman sitting across from us saw the food, muttered "you've got to be kidding" (or possibly something a little more cross) and disappeared.
I certainly don't make a habit of it, but desperate times...
Max
Ron Jun 10th 2009 1:10PM
Ugh... I remember when Pizza Put starting selling mini pizzas to go at LAX (or was it DFW?). I love pizza, but seriously, they these pizzas started smelling like vomit after 30 minutes in a confined airplane.
Anyhow, when you bring one of these onboard, to me it smells like you used the barf bag.
boredwell Aug 4th 2009 8:05PM
That's a hard one! Hey, after all the rigmarole just to get to the airport, 3 hrs ahead of the flight, waiting in line for food is always an additional frustration. I've been there, I must confess, though I'm not sure if a warm chocolate croissant counts as "smelly." I think the other passengers were less "annoyed" by the smell and more by the fact they didn't get a chance to eat breakfast.
Amy Aug 19th 2009 6:01PM
I don't so much mind people bringing their own food on planes as I do when they bring it on subways and buses!
I can understand that a plane flight is extremely long and dealing with that for a long time can be a pain. But it's legal as far as I know.
On transit buses and subways (at least in Philadelphia) it's ILLEGAL to eat or drink in a public transportation vehicle. 300$ fine and possible imprisonment.
Does it stop anyone? No.
Does anyone do anything about it? No, despite the signs IN every single vehicle saying it's illegal.
People bring all sorts of food. McDonalds, Chili, Soups...whatever.
And with all of the bumps and turns these things take their foods and drinks naturally spill out of their containers onto the floor, seats, and other people...leaving the train a sticky stinky mess. And they make no effort to apologize or clean it up.
Now that sucks.