By Janet Adetu

Continued from last week…

Children

It is never an easy task traveling with children; I remember the days I used to travel with my three children all under the age of five; what an ordeal it was. I quickly had to master my motherly travelling skills to keep them calm.

*Airport

Carry on their favorite toys, books and gadgets, children are either very excited or grumpy when they are flying, get them seated quickly and preoccupied. Ensure you curtail any unnecessary noise coming from them and teach them how to behave while on the plane. When kids are restless they want to run up and down the aisles just to stretch or let some steam off when flights are long haul, this can create a nuisance to other passengers.

If you are on a flight and the child behind you keeps kicking your seat, don’t shout at the child; politely inform the parent, and look at the child sternly, the message will be received, alternatively report to the air hostess.

Eating/Food

While completing your check-in procedures it is easy to indicate the type of food you would like especially if you are vegetarian. At times it is possible that this information was not received and you are given something else. Politely reject the food and ask for any other alternative available, be gracious when asking for extra snacks, bread or drink. The meal portions have been allocated according to medical and flight instruction. Be aware of how much you eat and your consumption of alcohol in the air.

Many times passengers get angry when they are not served food because they were asleep. One of my favorite airlines will actually ask you if you want to be woken up, they will place a sticker on your seat to remind them that you requested to be woken up to eat. Alternatively if this is not the case let the hostess know that you would like to eat when they are serving the food. If what you require has finished politely take what is available if you must eat.

Talking Toms

Some passengers are always excited to see people they know on flights, this is their opportunity to engage in long chats. You will find passengers leave their seats to meet other know passengers to engage in long standing discussions. If you feel disturbed by their discussion, simply tell them directly that you will like to sleep or you are working, they will either stop immediately or lower their voice drastically.

Noise 

Noise is never welcome; whether from your computer as you type, as you watch a movie, or from your earphones as you listen to music. Sometimes you can hear everything that comes out of your neighbor’s earphones; just let them know without causing a stir or acts of irritation.

Air Hostesses

We have all had one experience or the other with air hostesses, some can be out rightly rude and lack courtesy regardless of any training they may have received. While others calmly make an effort to make you feel comfortable as well as enjoy your flight.

At times flight attendants do forget your earlier request, may be due to pressure or other reasons. Call the flight attendant again, point out that you are making the request a second time. If you feel you have been treated unfairly, call on the attention of the senior flight attendant and make a polite report, alternatively call on the attention of another air hostess to avoid any conflict.

Keep reading for more tips……