THERE is a hierarchy of airplane passengers depending on accommodation class.
Before the popularity of budget flights, the hierarchy was simpler with cabin sections divided between the economy class and first class.
The entry of new airlines, the opening up of routes and the flexibility of fare pricing created more opportunities for travel but made some arrangements complicated.
Cabin sections grew to more than two and became economy, premium economy, business and first class. Those in economy have to wait in line and pay extra for their bags. Some airlines have “BusinessFirst” class and there was one with a cabin section for the “Upper Class.”
Then, there are in-between categories depending on how much extra a passenger is willing to pay.
You may have an economy ticket but you can choose to be in the front rows where there is more legroom and larger seat, for a fee.
With these complications, some decorum rules have to be created and followed.
Actress Melissa Mendez was forced to deplane after she got mad at another passenger who refused to give up his seat despite her plea that she be allowed to stay in his place to get photos of the clouds on takeoff. Reports said she slapped the passenger when he answered back at her in a not-so-nice way. The pilot decided to turn the plane back and ordered security to take Mendez.
The rule is you take your assigned seat. If you want to move to a different seat, you break the hierarchy and you will have to ask the permission of the person who has been assigned to it.
Senior citizens and their companions usually want to sit close to each other for practical reasons but may not get the seats they preferred on check-in. Once inside the plane, they may appeal to the affected passengers, and may get what they want. Sometimes, they don’t.
When the choice seat has been paid for, chances of getting it become slimmer because the extra payment is assurance for the other passenger.
In the case of Mendez, using a better view of the clouds as excuse for changing seats will never fly.
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“Manny” or “Money?” What will you chant?
Boxing fans usually shout “Manny! Manny!” during a fight of Manny Pacquiao to motivate the Filipino boxer into beating his opponent in the ring.
Floyd Mayweather, the American fighter who will battle with Pacquiao this May 3, is nicknamed “Money.” Reason for the name is his being a huge money-making machine for his boxing promotions company. He calls his group “The Money Team.” Mayweather has been unbeaten in his professional battles.
When Pacquiao meets Mayweather in the ring, how will the chanting go?
Pacquiao is also called “Pacman” after the computer game where the pacman eats the pellets through a maze. It is like Pacquiao eating his opponents one after the other.
Mayweather used to be called “Pretty Boy” until he dropped it for “Money.” His name, he said, reflected on how fast he could earn big bucks.
Accent is important when rooting for Pacquiao or Mayweather this May 3.