Empty Seat on a Plane (read this like you’re singing “getting drunk on a plane”)

So the last five times I have flown, I have had an empty seat next to me during flight. The words you are looking for right now are SCORE!!!!!! Well I would like to say it was because of my brilliant planning; however, it’s a side effect of what I am always trying to accomplish on a flight and my accomplishments tend to = “perks” for some reason. So I bet you’re wondering, “What is she trying to accomplish?”

I am not a size 2 and the last thing in the world I want to be is that person that everyone is looking at and thinking “oh God, don’t sit next to me” – now take a moment and realize that you have thought that before. I am not being self-depreciating, it’s true, everyone thinks it. I even think it! So I learned a long time ago to always sit on the aisle. You can lean out into the aisle to give the person the room they need while flying. Additionally, I got into the habit of choosing the back of the plane. I feel that if I’m back there, I’m more out of the way there too. Now, special note! I’ve always taken direct flights so I haven’t ever had to rush off the plane and get to another flight.

Well, most people don’t want to sit in the back because of the busyness of the bathrooms and the flight attendants working, etc. Therefore, there tends to be empty seats.

So I’m flying home from Washington DC and all I’m hearing at the gate is “this flight is full,” “all people loading after group six have to check their carry-ons,” “we are over-booked,” “several people on stand-by.” So I’m thinking, not going to happen this flight. I am in group 7 loading, which is fine by me, I’m not in any hurry to get on a plane and sit. So I get on and begin the walk to the back. Yes, I got the stares “oh God, don’t sit next to me.” But my seat is on the last row by the Flight Attendants. The flight is FULL. So as I’m walking, I’m thinking – “going to be tight.” I look up and there it is – my beautiful new future best friend Cindy sitting in the window seat, an empty seat, then my seat.

I looked at the “stranger” Cindy and said, “You know, I have a streak of having an empty seat next to me going.” She said, “oh really, well that’s exciting.” She asked if I thought it was going to happen this flight. I told her I didn’t think so with all the “full flight” talk. I proceed to let her know that we can’t talk about it because we don’t want to jinx it. I stated, "No acknowledgement of it!" A gentlemen sitting across the aisle from me and one row up turns around and smiled at me, as if he had heard our conversation.

Slowly people, one-by-one, walked down the aisle and would drop off into another row. Cindy would smile at me and Mr. Stranger one row up and across the aisle would turn back and smile at me. For him, this had become some sort of sport. Every time I would educate both parties and say, “don’t talk about, we don’t want to jinx it.” After several individuals sat down, they announced the closing of the cabin door. Both Cindy and the ‘stranger’ turned to look at me and I immediately said, “No, not yet, wait until we’re taxiing onto the runway.” (They both laughed out loud)- As soon as we were moving the three of us rejoiced.

After that, I began to teach the additional rules to Cindy. (1) Raise your armrest, it’s much more comfortable. (2) Don’t use your tray or my tray- let’s have a communal tray. (3) We are here for each other if we need anything. During the flight Cindy fell asleep. When the flight attendants came by with snacks, I decided to let her sleep, she might have been one of these people that liked to sleep and not be bothered. Well, Cindy woke up and she was so upset when she realized that she had missed the snack. I reached over and tapped on the arm of my new friend Brian (the flight attendant) and asked could she please have something. He responded graciously and returned with a drink and a snack.

Cindy mentioned to me that she traveled to DFW often for work and this was her most favorite flight. I immediately responded with thank you's, etc. Lesson – sometimes it’s ok to talk to your neighbor next to you – they might just enjoy it.

Note: No promises on you getting a free seat next to you if you follow these rules.

Lesson: Nowadays, Flight Attendants need love too!