Shawna Schuh, Presenter, Author and Consultant

Profitable People Skills

Courtesy Among the Clouds

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Courtesy Among the Clouds

By Shawna Schuh, CSP

I was seated in one of the new airplanes. You know, the ones with brand new seats, fancy drop down video screens, and head rests without hair grease. I was enjoying the additional space in front of my knees when the person seated behind me decided to get up. Instead of using his own seat for support he grabbed the seat in front of him, my seat, to give him leverage. This not only pitched my seat back like a rocket taking off, but he caught a few of my hairs in the process, giving me an instant headache! Didn't he know any better? I think not.

Many people have no clue about how to behave courteously in an airplane or an airport for that matter. Why? Because most people don't travel frequently, many people are self-consumed and others become very tired and irritated by air travel. But if we don't start to learn and exercise some common courtesy among the clouds there will be even more air rage, and I may even start it myself the next time someone pulls my hair!

Here are a few simple rules that will make your next trip better for not only yourself, but also your fellow passengers.

1. Security Smoothies. We are going to go through security. It's a hassle and there is no way around it but let's be thankful for it. Depending upon the airport and the time of day we travel, security lines can be long, tedious, and stressful, especially if we haven't given ourselves enough time. So, what can we do to speed things up? Plan ahead! I often see people unprepared right up to the very minute they reach the screening area. Suddenly these people are in a frenzy of activity. Fumbling around, they forget to remove their belt or something else that beeps, and back they go, disrupting the line, pushing us all back and becoming frazzled themselves! Please stop this! To make it through security smoothly, quickly and calmly do these things:

a) Don't carry excess bags! All the heightened security means people no longer loose their bags. Do yourself and others a favor and don't carry everything you own onto the plane with you.

b) Make it easy on yourself. Leave off the belt, shoes with metal shanks, and extra items in your pockets.

c) Dress for success. Wearing slip-on shoes makes it easy to slip them off and on, and no jewelry means less you'll need to remove. Putting the change you have in your one carry on means you don't have to scoop it out of the tray and extend the delay.

d) Beverages spill or take a hand away from doing what needs to be done. Get your coffee or beverage after you go through security. If you're traveling with bottled water put it in your bag before you get to the check through.

e) Remove your coat and have your laptop unzipped before you approach the inspection area.

f) After you go through security step out of the way of others. I'm amazed at people who are moving through the line and suddenly stop to re-adjust, gaze at the signs or bend over to put on their shoes. Be aware and you will help yourself and everyone else trying to get somewhere.

2. Touch only your seat on the plane. If you have to use something to help yourself get in by the window then face the seats you are moving in front of and use the back of one that is not occupied. People are already being jostled past endurance so don't grab the seat in front of you!

3. Middle person gets the armrests. If you are sitting on the aisle you have a full armrest to yourself and can lean away when the opportunity presents itself. If you have the window seat you have an entire plane wall to lean against. The poor middle person has nothing except strangers on both sides. The middle seat is the least desirable seat on a plane and the poor person sitting there probably made their reservations late and is paying premium prices to not even be able to put his elbows down. Please be a sport and if you are fortunate enough to have an aisle or window seat only use one armrest.

4. Lighten up on your load. I know it's a pain to go to baggage claim, but getting bruised and beaten by someone else's bags is worse. Some people are so concerned with their own worries they forget they must share the plane with others who don't deserve to be whacked about by unruly bags. I encourage you to carry onto the plane only the bags you can actually handle, and you'll have the added benefit of being less tired from traveling if you travel light.

5. Back at the baggage claim. You will not get your bags any faster if you stand right on the edge of the conveyor belt. The reality is that the bags come out in whatever mysterious order they do and standing in the way of others will not hurry them up so please, STAND BACK!

The stress and anxiety of traveling is considerable. Aside from the obvious concerns, each of us has our own separate worries. If we all relax and act a bit more considerate the whole experience will go smoother. If we want to travel well we must behave well and if we all do this, the clouds will be a wonderful place to be!

Conquer Apathy and Erase Rudeness as you follow proven, fun and beneficial information by Shawna Schuh, CSP. Specializing in communication, professionalism, service & business finesse. Shawna helps you bring your best self to the work you do for maximum results. To book Shawna to speak or for article reprinting contact Sandy McCready at 503-280-1946 or visit www.ShawnaSchuh.com.

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