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The Movies That Make You Bawl {Lemondrop}
Mar 10th 2010 8:44AM There were a few here that hit familiar nerves as far as movie scenes that brought on the tears - or would have. I never watched all of "I Am Legend" because my daughter warned me about the scene where the guy has to kill his dog. I've watched "My Dog Skip" at least 4 or 5 times and always cry at the end - even more so knowing it waqs a true story and that the guy actually portrayed died relatively young and has now gone to join Skip at the Rainbow Bridge.
World's Sexiest Beaches 2007 {Gadling}
Sep 6th 2007 3:53PM I think the clothing-optional (read: almost entirely nude) beach at Miami's Haulover Park definitely qualifies! $5 to park, over 2,000 people at one time on weekends, totally legal, and no, it's neither overwhelmingyl male nor overwhelmingly older folks.
Miracle Puppy Needs a Name {Animal Hubbub}
Aug 17th 2007 12:05AM What else but Frances? After St. Francis of Assissi (sp?) the saint who loved and cared for animals as well as people.
Politeness on Planes {Gadling}
Sep 2nd 2006 9:42PM "From now on, whenever I see a hostile traveler in coach with all of his oversized luggage, I'll just call him Richard."
I don't travel with oversized luggage. Can't you read? "I bring a small to medium sized suitcase that fits easily into the bin and a briefcase or small bag." Quote unquote.
Politeness on Planes {Gadling}
Sep 2nd 2006 9:35PM And to Mr. and Ms. Gate Agent. I am super courteous to gate agents generally because I am always hoping to get reassigned to that greatest of prizes, a seat both next to and behind an empty seat. But of course, that isn't always possible.
However, I have run into some nasty gate agents. Here are a few suggestions for gate agents generally.
(1) Keep passengers informed. We have that right. I understand that flights can be delayed for any of dozens of valid reasons. But there is no excuse for failing to tell us why, or even that you don't know why.
(2)Get to your post when you're scheduled to do so and STAY THERE!
(3) We have something in the U.S. called the Bill of Rights, and one of the things it provides for is the right of free speech. On two different occasions, I have had gate agents threaten to call security on me, not because I was being abusive to them, but because they overheard me complaining to other passengers or staff members.
Politeness on Planes {Gadling}
Sep 2nd 2006 9:27PM Hey, Kissy, I have news for you! I don't board coach flights expecting lots of leg room. If someone wants to tilt their seat back without pushing it against me, I may not like it, but yes, that's their right. But have you ever heard the expression "your right to swing your fist ends where my nose begins?" Well, your right to push your seat back ends where my legs begin!
Politeness on Planes {Gadling}
Sep 2nd 2006 9:19PM Jill, not reclining your seat in coach is simply a matter of common courtesy. Obviously, you are somewhat lacking in that department. And if someone is deliberately pressing and continuing to press their seat back into my legs and knees, then he or she is not merely invading my space but also assaulting my person, and believe me, I will do what I have to do to stop it!
As far as the poster who says that people who complain about coach should use a higher class, doesn't he realize that paying for an upgrade can cost 5 to 10 times the price of an advance-purchased coach fare! I'm glad he is so well off financially, but most fliers either have the choice of flying coach or not flying at all. I live in south Florida and have a daughter in southern California, and flying is my only option. I can't afford to pay $1000-$1500 for a business class ticket instead of the $200-$250 r/t coach fare I usually pay. I cope with the crowded coach cabin as best I can.
As far as carryons go, I never check my luggage. Last year, my wife talked me into doing it, and after waiting for an hour before they found it in a back room, she assured me nothing bad would happen twice, and the second time, I didn't get it back until the next day. I bring a small to medium sized suitcase that fits easily into the bin and a briefcase or small bag. I do try to make sure that it goes into a bin close by that I can watch. Years ago, my wife put her good coat into a bin and then we sat much farther back in the plane. Someone stole the coat.
If it's a longer flight, you're darn right I bring my own food! I bring food that's easily portable and doesn't smell - cheese, fruit, carrots, pre-cooked cold meats. I keep it in my own space. I can't bring liquids any more, so I tend to bring extra fruit instead.
Crying babies? I deal with it. Ever hear of earplugs? How silent were YOU when YOU were a baby? Do you expect parents to leave their babies alone at home or check them as baggage?
I treat flight attendants courteously, and they reciprocate. My problems have been with other passengers and employees inside the airport. Almost all the rude flight attendants I ever encountered worked for Eastern Airlines, and when it vanished in 1991, apparently so did they, thank goodness.
Politeness on Planes {Gadling}
Sep 2nd 2006 8:37PM People who push their seatbacks into me are my number one grievance - by a mile! I'm fairly alrge and tall, and my legs barely fit into the small space in front of me. Passengers often persist in trying to force the seat farther back until I tell them that it's not going to happen because my legs are in the way, and I have no intention of amputating them for anyone's convenience. On a Delta flight last year, a man in front of me actually picked a fight with me when he tried to squash my legs and I pushed back. Fortunately, the seat behind me was empty and I moved to it. On a trans Atlantic Air France flight last March - horribly cramped, but at least we were well watered and fed! - a young man reading an Arabic newspaper started pushing into me - I had to tell him 3 times - using much body language! - before he stopped.
Ironically, the worst such incident was on a transAtlantic Alitalia flight, last April. I had lots of legroom, and the service was excellent. I was one happy camper, and began dozing off. I was wakened by a shattering blow to my right knee, and screamed in pain. The idiot in front of me had, suddenly and without warning, pushed his seat all the way back. Because of the fact that there was plenty of space between my knee and the seat back, the seat back accelerated, and what I ahd thought was an advantage left me with an aching knee for a week. The passenger apologised profusely, and kept his seat straight up for the rest of the flight, but that didn't stop the ache.
As for me, the ONLY time I ever push my seat back is if I don't have a window next to me and have to push back in order to see out. In such cases, I push it back only as far as absolutely necessary, and when I'm done looking back it goes. If it's a long flight, I always try for a window seat, and if I'm tired, I have the soft surface around the window to lean my head on. If there are pillows or blankets (increasingly unlikely) I used those also.
