G.O.B. (good ol’ boy) sitting behind me, in a heavy Texas twang:
“Mah waf just torned forty. I’d like ta trayde her een fer two twenny year olds.”
(Translation: “My wife just turned forty. I’d like to trade her in for two twenty year olds.”)
Ick. I need a shower and the plane’s not even here yet.
Found this article on USAToday.com this morning:
Federal air marshals charged a Seattle-area man with groping a female passenger aboard a United Airlines flight that the pilot diverted to Pittsburgh because of the disturbance.
Michael Lamar Holland, 46, appeared before a magistrate on Monday on a charge of abusive sexual contact, according to Ted Hresko, special agent in charge of the Pittsburgh air marshals’ office.
Holland had been chatting with a 39-year-old woman Sunday on United Flight 917, which was bound for Seattle from Dulles International Airport near Washington D.C., he said.
“The next thing you know, he’s groping her,” Hresko said. “The flight attendants asked our (air marshals) to get involved.”
You can read the rest of the article here.
I was appalled, but not entirely surprised, by the behavior of the passenger in question. I have yet to be groped on a flight but I have certainly spent my share of flying time seated next to men who don’t understand the concept of personal space. On a recent flight from Louisville to Charlotte, the guy next to me had his elbow firmly lodged against my ribcage for almost the entire time. I was trying to get some work done on my laptop and he was so sprawled out that I had to type with one hand and contort the left half of my body in order to be halfway comfortable.
I realize that airplanes (especially the smaller regional jets) are cramped and that personal space is definitely at a premium (even in First Class) but come on. Do your best to corrall your appendages! Oh, and don’t grope.
On another note, I realize the suitcase has been a bit quiet lately — heck, this blog practically qualifies for “lost luggage” status — but I will be posting more regularly in 2008. Stay tuned!
