Joys of a window seat
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Nope... give me an aisle seat every time - mainly because I can be off the plane quickly, minimising the time spent queuing at immigration. Am I unusual in having almost no interest in looking out of the window when flying?
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I prefer a window seat. I find looking out quite relaxing and often interesting and it beats the view of the aisle and the people opposite, or the head of the person in front. I can lean against the bulkhead, distancing myself from the snorer/nosepicker/talker/foodflicker in the adjacent seat with his or her bad breath/BO/flatulence/inane conversation.
I am not disturbed by someone climbing over me or disturbing me to get in and out, granted I may have to do so to others but that's their problem not mine. I don't get my legs and arms banged every time the service trolley or an overweight passenger goes up the aisle, and I don't have people congregating next to my seat to use the toilets.
I can sit peacefully when the 'plane arrives instead of being forced to join the baah..... baah ... herd in the aisle who stand there until the doors open.
I can never for the life of me understand why anyone would want an aisle seat. Mrs. CT always has the aisle seat, she hates the window seat, but then I've never understood her either. Thankfully though it's one less thnig to argue about.
I am not disturbed by someone climbing over me or disturbing me to get in and out, granted I may have to do so to others but that's their problem not mine. I don't get my legs and arms banged every time the service trolley or an overweight passenger goes up the aisle, and I don't have people congregating next to my seat to use the toilets.
I can sit peacefully when the 'plane arrives instead of being forced to join the baah..... baah ... herd in the aisle who stand there until the doors open.
I can never for the life of me understand why anyone would want an aisle seat. Mrs. CT always has the aisle seat, she hates the window seat, but then I've never understood her either. Thankfully though it's one less thnig to argue about.
Paxing All Over The World
Window every time but more ... window on the Sunny Side of the machine. If departing in darkness and arriving in light, then the side where the sun is expected to be!
Always been like this - even when I travelled regularly on biz. I, too, wait until the crowd is off, and if I have checked bags then I'm often last off when in Y. These days, my lh is in Premiumn Economy and so I get out at a suitable time.
Windows are vital to see the world, the clouds, the airports, other traffic, to gain privacy, to dream. When travelling in company, it will depend on the lady and if she is very keen for the window I may well relent! On the occaisons that I have been to a destination before, then I always let my companion take the window to see the view.
I agree about London but Cape Town is usually good - although more so on departure (winds of course). I was fortunate enough to go through Kai Tak a number of times. Lac Leman looks on good on easterly approach to GVA, MUC on departure has great views of the mountains ... there are so many and I want to see them all.
Always been like this - even when I travelled regularly on biz. I, too, wait until the crowd is off, and if I have checked bags then I'm often last off when in Y. These days, my lh is in Premiumn Economy and so I get out at a suitable time.
Windows are vital to see the world, the clouds, the airports, other traffic, to gain privacy, to dream. When travelling in company, it will depend on the lady and if she is very keen for the window I may well relent! On the occaisons that I have been to a destination before, then I always let my companion take the window to see the view.
I agree about London but Cape Town is usually good - although more so on departure (winds of course). I was fortunate enough to go through Kai Tak a number of times. Lac Leman looks on good on easterly approach to GVA, MUC on departure has great views of the mountains ... there are so many and I want to see them all.
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CAPETONIAN.
If wife and I travelling together, we always try and get opposing aisle seats. Long Haul means having to get up at least once for loo, and I like to walk about and not risk DVT. I have long legs, and, particularly with South African Airways towards Christmas, find that I can have more leg room by using some of the aisle room, provided I don't trip up the FA, of course. Wife has the same argument.
I do, however like a window seat, but find the inconvenience of getting up and climbing over sleeping people not worth the view [except coming in to Cape Town of course.]
If wife and I travelling together, we always try and get opposing aisle seats. Long Haul means having to get up at least once for loo, and I like to walk about and not risk DVT. I have long legs, and, particularly with South African Airways towards Christmas, find that I can have more leg room by using some of the aisle room, provided I don't trip up the FA, of course. Wife has the same argument.
I do, however like a window seat, but find the inconvenience of getting up and climbing over sleeping people not worth the view [except coming in to Cape Town of course.]
As a frequent peer (i.e., one who pees a lot, not a lord!) unless it's a short flight the window seat is not really a good choice for me... Or the person(s) outside me.
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I've never understood why everyone (mostly everyone) stands-up just prior to the aircraft arriving at the gate. I often wish that the aircraft had to brake hard and that all of those idiots would then fall over in the aisle.
It's not as if your luggage will be waiting for you in the baggage hall! That's another issue, because the same idiots are then standing within their own alleged private space next to the baggage belt denying others to reach for their luggage.
I'll invariably remain seated and be treated to the comedy of watching those at the rear of the aircraft attempting to deplane first
. Where have good old common sense and good manners gone... out of the window I'd surmise!
TCF
It's not as if your luggage will be waiting for you in the baggage hall! That's another issue, because the same idiots are then standing within their own alleged private space next to the baggage belt denying others to reach for their luggage.
I'll invariably remain seated and be treated to the comedy of watching those at the rear of the aircraft attempting to deplane first
. Where have good old common sense and good manners gone... out of the window I'd surmise!TCF
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Cape writes:
I can sit peacefully when the 'plane arrives instead of being forced to join the baah..... baah ... herd in the aisle who stand there until the doors open.
I can sit peacefully when the 'plane arrives instead of being forced to join the baah..... baah ... herd in the aisle who stand there until the doors open.
The last 5 or 6 times I've flown, I've been very lucky and have gotten my prized window seat. Seeing the world from cruise altitude never gets old.
Also, you don't get bumped into by the crap-carts or wobbly folks on their way to the toilet, and it's harder for numbskulls to drop things out of the overheads onto your head.
And there is a now a great treat to be had, as Cape has mentioned - the insane rush to get off the plane.
If I'm in a low-numbered seat near the front, I'll spend those few minutes standing hunched over just so I can look back and watch the process.
It is absolutely hilarious - the 3 Stooges (or the Keystone Cops) meets modern tech. These are mostly the same folks who drive aggressively in heavy city traffic, weaving and passing, only to end up caught at the same stop lights the less chaotic drivers do.
I'm also fond of the idiots who will stand in the aisle and stretch a bit, oblivious to those behind.
The last time I flew commercial, one of the FAs thanked those of us who remained seated and didn't contribute to the general mayhem.
This was prolly brought on by the idiot in the row in front of me in the window seat, who stepped all over the guy next to him trying to contort himself so he could get his stuff out of the overhead before the two others in that row could. He dropped his bloated roller case into the aisle, it popped open, and people had to wait while the person in that row on the aisle picked up all the jerk's junk.
The passengers of Greyhound, et cetera, don't show this same lack of sense - debarking is usually pretty orderly.
..?
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I'm also fond of the idiots who will stand in the aisle and stretch a bit, oblivious to those behind
Here the reasons why I choose an aisle seat:
1) I do not like to disturb, so I can stand up and take my laptop or anything else I might need from the overhead when I need it (except when belt sign is on)
2) like point 1, so on LH I can stand up and go to the toilet or to the bar behind (or in front) when I need it (same exception as per point 1 applies)
3) as soon as the cockpit crew turn off the belt sign at the gate (or at the parking stand) I like to unfast the belts, stand up and stretch a bit, whatever this "bit" is long (however within reasons). I let all the passenger who are in front of me (and it means also those seated on a window seat) to get out first, I do not jump over them and I am not in a hurry.
4) I am not disturbed by the trolley or by other passengers (or children) passing nearby
5) I know most passengers prefer window seats, so 9 out of 10 I find the seat I like most
6) I have a better view of the safety briefing (yes, I am among those Frequent Idiots, Platinum Cardholders, who listen to and watch to every safety briefing with great attention and respect).
7) I have a better view of cabin layout and, if necessary, of vacant seats (or rows) that could be of interest to me.
You can continue to call me idiot. I do not really care, I am fine with my way. Please continue to choose your window seat and thank you for remaining seated at the arrival gate.
Ciao
Ulxima
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Flying is my time out, when I've got little to do but contemplate. So it's a window seat every time for me too, but it's getting complicated. As well as the sunrise and which-side-of-the-plane-for-landing, there's also the moon to take into account. I haven't quite got to the stage of organising my flights and seats around the full moon, but if they happen to coincide, then I have to be on that side. The view at night takes my breath away every time.
Your travelling companions are very fortunate! Being one of those ladies who is very keen for the window, I have come up against this conundrum pretty often, but it's generally only been resolved by sitting in separate rows. Mind you, that was nothing to the debate which ensued one time when two of us were informed on checking in together that the flight was overbooked and one of us would need to be upgraded....
As for favourite arrivals, for me, the central London approach is great, but my absolute favourite would have to be coming in to Auckland on a clear day from the west, with a view of the snow on Mt Taranaki over 200k in the distance.
When travelling in company, it will depend on the lady and if she is very keen for the window I may well relent! On the occaisons that I have been to a destination before, then I always let my companion take the window to see the view.
Your travelling companions are very fortunate! Being one of those ladies who is very keen for the window, I have come up against this conundrum pretty often, but it's generally only been resolved by sitting in separate rows. Mind you, that was nothing to the debate which ensued one time when two of us were informed on checking in together that the flight was overbooked and one of us would need to be upgraded....
As for favourite arrivals, for me, the central London approach is great, but my absolute favourite would have to be coming in to Auckland on a clear day from the west, with a view of the snow on Mt Taranaki over 200k in the distance.
Paxing All Over The World
Ulxima
I hope that no one in this cabin does that. Otherwise they will be sitting on the naughty step which, in our case, is the bottom step up to the L1 and everyone will walk past and bash them with their hand case. 
Pohutu
That is kind of you to say but, as a middle aged bloke, I have learnt one or two things about women. But I do mean ONE or TWO, it would be madness to presume that any man could learn more than two things about women.
That said, there was an occasion when I was on biz (My first ever Upper Class LGA~EWR, that's how long ago it was!) and the days of companion tickets. My wife, as was, willingly took the Y companion as it was not possible to get her into the big seat. Since she had a totally free flight and a week's accommodation in the Vista Hotel at WTC, as was, she did not complain!!
You can continue to call me idiot.
Pohutu
Your travelling companions are very fortunate
That said, there was an occasion when I was on biz (My first ever Upper Class LGA~EWR, that's how long ago it was!) and the days of companion tickets. My wife, as was, willingly took the Y companion as it was not possible to get her into the big seat. Since she had a totally free flight and a week's accommodation in the Vista Hotel at WTC, as was, she did not complain!!
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As we tend to travel as a couple [and, yes, rottenray, I'm possibly a "wobbly" in your books] the OH always takes the window to avoid all the grubby people that mill around the cabin. I just trip them up if they annoy me, but she's too nice for that.
I don't care about the window - I've seen clouds for decades, and I really don't get excited by them any more. Access to the lavatory is, however, a good thing ... and being close to the FA/CC so that when she she/he says "Tea or Coffee" I don't mis-hear some sexual suggestion.
I agree 100% with the "panic evacuation" mentality before the doors are even close to being open. Immigration and bag delivery will take forever - I always hope I live long enough to achieve both
I don't care about the window - I've seen clouds for decades, and I really don't get excited by them any more. Access to the lavatory is, however, a good thing ... and being close to the FA/CC so that when she she/he says "Tea or Coffee" I don't mis-hear some sexual suggestion.
I agree 100% with the "panic evacuation" mentality before the doors are even close to being open. Immigration and bag delivery will take forever - I always hope I live long enough to achieve both
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MPN11
Sounds like you must have had some eventful flights! 
TheChitterneFlyer
The best (though probably apocryphal) solution I heard was the cabin announcement on landing "Welcome to London Heathrow. Due to our late arrival, we've got a very short turnaround time, so we're looking for volunteer passengers to assist with cleaning the aircraft on arrival. If you'd like to volunteer, please make yourself known to the cabin crew by standing up during our taxi to the gate."
...and being close to the FA/CC so that when she she/he says "Tea or Coffee" I don't mis-hear some sexual suggestion
TheChitterneFlyer
I've never understood why everyone (mostly everyone) stands-up just prior to the aircraft arriving at the gate. I often wish that the aircraft had to brake hard and that all of those idiots would then fall over in the aisle.
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POHUTU
Sounds like the cabin announcement was a Southwest Airlines flight in the USA. Always amusing to travel with, they never seemed to take flying seriously, although, of course, in reality they did.
Sounds like the cabin announcement was a Southwest Airlines flight in the USA. Always amusing to travel with, they never seemed to take flying seriously, although, of course, in reality they did.
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I agree 100% with the "panic evacuation" mentality before the doors are even close to being open. Immigration and bag delivery will take forever - I always hope I live long enough to achieve both
TV
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MPN11 writes:
[and, yes, rottenray, I'm possibly a "wobbly" in your books]
[and, yes, rottenray, I'm possibly a "wobbly" in your books]
A number of years back, I was clunked in the side of the face by a Sony Walkman which became detached from some drunk fratgirl who had fallen out of her sandals.
Walkmans are heavy, and I would have preferred being clunked by any number of other softer things.
Chit writes:
I often wish that the aircraft had to brake hard and that all of those idiots would then fall over in the aisle.
I often wish that the aircraft had to brake hard and that all of those idiots would then fall over in the aisle.
Sign me up!
I've never understood why anyone is in a terrible hurry to get off the plane and back into the terminal - generally speaking, that is where the most unpleasant part of air travel happens, at least in my opine.
RR