ACROSS THE MILES

THE BEST SEAT ON THE PLANE

I was reading an article in the LA times last week about getting the best seat on the plane.I for one have been always particular about where I sit on the plane. Sometimes if I was lucky enough I got the window seat, at other times I had to do with whatever was available. I remember not so long ago before the advent of online booking, one had to go early to the airport to secure a good seat. Now with online booking we can to a certain degree control where we sit and this is very important especially if you travel economy. Here are a few tips......

1..Try to book your flight early.This way you can reserve the best seat in the house. The diagram of the plane shows you exactly where the seats are in relationship to different parts of the plane. Hopefully by the time you take your flight there are some empty seats next to you which will give you extra elbow room.

2..It is a myth that the safest part of the plane is the back, because if the plane nose dived you were safe and also the seats next to the wing is the best because it is the strongest part of the plane. I think most important is that you know where the exit doors are which will save your life .

3..There are a few who will say that the bulkhead or the seats near the emergency exit is the best because of more leg room.That may be true but the bulkhead seats are usually reserved for parents with children or the physically disabled. And the seats near the emergency exit for those who are physically fit.(You should be strong enough to open those doors.

4..Then there are the passengers who like the seats near the lavatory the ones who have to make frequent visits and don't want to wait in line. I for one don't like those seats because there is too much noise and a lot of small talk while waiting .

5..Business travelers who are traveling economy usually like the aisle seats for more leg room, but have to be careful that your feet don't get hit by the food cart or by passengers walking to and fro. And there is the extra arm rest , the one you don't have to share can lie your laptop on it ,or your newspaper or your weary head.
And it gives you access to the overhead compartments.

6..The row your seat is in is just as important.The front of the plane is furthest from the engines so it is quieter. Also often the food carts start from the front of the plane so you don't have to wait long especially if you are dying to have a drink and are extremely hungry.

7..The rear of the seat is least desirable of all because it takes longer to exit and takes a long time for the food cart to get to you and you have to put up with the passengers visiting the lavatory. But then there are few who like the rear of the plane because you get to board the plane first, you can claim as many over head compartments as you want and maybe an extra blanket or pillow.(you may be leaving a passenger with none, but very few think about that.)

8..I think the four empty seats in a row is what everyone has their eye on.They are like an eagle watching and waiting to descend on its prey eyes darting in and out and as soon as the exit doors are closed they stake their claim. They make themselves comfortable and don't wake up even to have a meal. Honestly I have never had luck with this.

As for me the window seat is the best.I don't know why I like the window seat so much, because apart from watching the plane land and take off there is not much to see. Maybe its because I can curl up ,and rest my head and pretend its my own little space. Nobody is going to be in my way, and there are no "excuse me" from passengers wanting to leave their seats, either because they have had too much to drink or they have small children. And if you have a person who likes to talk to much,(I am sure all of you have come across someone like that) you can retrieve into your corner and pretend to sleep. "J" he prefers the aisle seat so he can stretch his long legs .
Sometimes when you have not reserved a seat you find yourself right smack in the middle of four seats, this I think is the worst seat in the house.

What is your best seat on the plane and why?