Janelle's Blog

Occasionally I am able to upgrade my American Airline ticket to First Class, using my air miles, which means I can fly for a minimal $5 fee. But, I have discovered that First Class isn't what it used to be. This picture is of a guy sitting in front of me in First Class with his stinking bare feet propped up during the flight. I just wanted to clear that up in the beginning of my story so you wouldn't think those were my feet.

What Has Happened to First Class?

Since the weather was cold in NYC, I had to travel with my winter coat. When you board the plane, shortly after you are seated, the flight attendant in First Class hangs up your coat. This time it didn't happen. Buried under a pile of wool, computer, and enough reading material to last three days instead of the 3 ½ hour flight, I finally asked the flight attendant if she could help me out. I got the "attitude" look when she said, "I'll get it later."

The stage was set for a bumpy flight.

[BREAK]

We Needed a Gag Order

Since I was seated on the row behind the bulkhead, I had a full view of the barefoot guy who perched his feet on the bulkhead and kept them there the entire flight. Come on, now! First Class isn't what it used to be.

My attention turned to lunch, which used to be proceeded by a fluffy, warm wash cloth scented with lavender. Today I held the unscented square up to the light, and it looked like my mother's 20 year-old wash cloths with no tread.

Meals used to be luxury meals. Today I was served a questionable piece of meat that I think was chicken, except it didn't taste like chicken.

AA was cutting back on costs, so they did not serve bread with the meal. I guess butter is the next thing to go, but I won't give up my pepper! As I spread my packaged cheese on a cracker, I gagged to see the barefoot guy with feet still perched like a sleeping owl.

At the end of the meal, my food didn't get picked up. The attendant walked by several times and picked up one item at a time from other people. I turned on my call button and finally got her to take most of the food. I ended up hand delivering the rest on the way to the exclusive First Class restrooms. By the way, there were no bathroom perks in First Class.

On the next trip, I headed back to Coach, where you can identify what you are buying to eat. You may be overcrowded, but if you are insulted by the flight attendant, you don't mind as much.

My Faith in Flight Attendants Restored

On this flight, the attendant could not have been nicer. She was sweet and attentive. My husband and I struck up a conversation with her and told her the story of the barefoot wonder. She laughed and told a similar story, which was the talk of the airlines. A man in First Class did the same thing. He took his socks and shoes off and paraded his bare feet in the air, against the bulkhead, during the flight.

The woman across the aisle from him was thoroughly disgusted at his rude behavior and asked the flight attendant to please have him take his feet off the bulkhead, at least during the meal. The flight attendant did so, gently and pleasantly, but was rebuffed by his comment, "I WILL NOT. I have you know, I washed my feet this morning, and these feet are clean."

A burly man sitting on the row behind him blurted out, "Well, I washed my bum (not his exact word) this morning and it's clean, too, but I'm not going to show it to you." With that, the barefoot man slinked down in his seat and kindly removed his feet from view. First Class isn't what it used to be.

Life Isn't What it Used to be, Either

Your encounter with breast cancer has changed your life. You have the choice to either live in a cave or get involved with life. Actually, you don't even have that choice. Life surrounds you and can be wonderful if you participate in it. Get your feet back on the ground. Learn about your disease, take care of yourself, and stay healthy. Life may have you flying Coach for a period of time, but laugh a little at even the odd things that happen to you.

Thought for Today:

"At the height of laughter, the universe is flung into a kaleidoscope of new possibilities." – Jean Houston

Live Life,

Janelle