Airplanes

The Truth About Traveling In Airplanes

by Tom Millar (tmillar@cc.umanitoba.ca)
written 14 Feb 1997

This article is classified "Real"


Airplanes are machines used on Earth to make large numbers of people
miserable in relatively small areas.  To accomplish this purpose, the
designers of airplanes (called aeroplanes in some parts of the world)
have included such features as seats, meals, washrooms and movies.


Seats
=====
Airplane seats are cleverly built in such a way that they remain
comfortable for approximately five minutes, while most flights last up to
several hours.  In addition, they include the ability to recline.  This 
creates an extra level of discomfort for the passenger behind the reclined
seat, the headrest of which is now ten inches from his face, and an 
extra level of frustration for the passenger in the reclined seat, 
since the seat remains uncomfortable regardless of its degree of 
inclination. 

Between each pair of seats is a single armrest, which is also effective in
causing frustration if, as is often the case, each of the passengers
sharing the armrest possesses two arms.

The back of each seat contains a flip-down shelf, which serves the dual
purpose of providing a surface on which to place the meal described later,
and a mechanism of imprisoning the passenger in his seat after the meal is
served, while the flight attendants are assaulting other passengers with
meals.

 
Meals
=====
Airplane meals are composed of a material which is stunningly similar to
food.  They often include items which are similar to meat, items which are
similar to vegetables and items which are similar to dessert.  They are
usually accompanied by items which are similar to knives, forks and spoons.
Often served with airplane meals is a liquid which bears a startling
dissimilarity to wine.


Washrooms
=========
The term "washroom" as applied to airplanes is a ridiculous overstatement.
The term "water closet" may be closer to the point and "toilet locker" may
hit the nail on the head.  The washrooms are usually positioned in such a
way that passengers who are imprisoned by their dinner trays will be able
to see, if they turn their heads to such a degree that severe personal
injury is likely, that the washrooms are currently free.  Of course, by the
time they are released from their imprisonment, the facilities will be in
use, usually by someone with severe intestinal problems aggravated by
eating the near-food.

The corridor near the washrooms is designed in such a way that once more
than five people are standing in line to get in, the person who is
currently using the room (closet, locker) will be unable to get out until
the captain requests that all passengers return their seats due to
turbulence, and the fact that he needs to go to the loo himself.


Movies
======
Sometime after the meal is served, usually when washroom line-ups are at
their peak, a film will be shown.  In-flight movies are generally not of
the highest quality, especially when compared to, say, the movie shown near
the beginning of the flight describing the emergency exits and life
preservers.  The movie will usually be selected from that group of films
that people managed to avoid seeing when they were playing in the theatres.

On those rare flights where the movie is actually one which many people 
would enjoy watching, few passengers will be in a position to see the 
screen.  Tall passengers and passengers with tall hair (or hats) will 
block the view of those who would enjoy the movie.  The obstructing 
passengers themselves will have no interest in the movie. 
 
Overall though, the most irritating thing about airplanes is that they
inevitably transport you to a destination far from your home, forcing you
to board another airplane to return.

See also:
  • Flying
  • Means Of Transportation For The Earth-Confined Hitchhiker
  • Air France

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