Just got a phone call on my business line…
Person: Can i speak to the person in charge of the phone bills?
Me: This is he, but would you please take us off of your list.
Person: But you don’t know what I’m going to offer.
Me: That’s right!
Person: Enjoy your high rates.
Me: Thanks!
A measly 3hr 45min flight to St. Thomas today felt like childs-play compared to trips I’ve made to Asia. Again, I find myself spoiled by the asian airlines and less amused by the inefficiencies of U.S. airlines and airports.
While I’m on airlines, I’d like to add another airplane design flaw that I skipped over in the last design and user experience post. The bathroom sinks! Why is it that I could fit my entire head (yes, it’s shaped like a watermelon) in the sink if I wanted, but the spout is so short that I can only get my index finger wet? So, I do a contortionist maneuver to twist one hand so all of it gets wet while using the other to hold the lever to force water out. During this process I’m sliding my hand all over the back of the sink - probably just like the last person in there… if they actually washed their hands.
Ok… just one more and I’ll stop ranting. How about them there seats? I’d like the company who made the airplane seats to know that my back arches towards my bellybutton. I’m not sure how they overlooked this one but the seats are arched completely the wrong way adding more discomfort to the current sardine state.
Although, I’m venting and making this sound like a “poor me” story, life is absolutely wonderful and I’m always grateful for what I have and get to do. It has rained on and off today probably due to the tropical storm that went through a couple days ago. I took a nap by the pool and enjoyed some sun before heading inside to work. This island is a little over 31 square miles and the view’s spectacular from the room. I got a little freaked out by the 15 iguanas staring at me as I walked down to the pier but they’re normal around here.
Hope to see some more sunshine but looks a bit like rain for the next few days.
I arrived safely in Paris (my second time here) this morning after a not so restful flight. The economy class exit row seat had extra legroom but people still insisted on bumping my arms, chair, and stuffing their pillow between me and my armrest (what’s that all about?). Not to mention the icicles forming on my nose. So, the first thing I did after arriving at the hotel was take a nap.
I’m always baffled by the simple things that could make the experience so much better on flights. I know the seat recline is always an issue but I’m interested in other things. For example, I typically try to sleep during a flight in accordance with the time at my destination (if it’s bedtime I try to sleep). It helps my internal clock adjust sooner so there is less jet-lag upon arrival.
So why do people insist on elbowing you; flight attendants smashing their carts into your seat; announcements blaring over the speaker; the air-conditioning blowing at freezing temperatures (when it’s already well below freezing outside the plane); the idiot behind you slamming their tray table down so your seat bounces; the person (flight attendants included) using your seat as leverage and then launching you to a startling alertness?
As much as I’d love to change people… it’s not going to happen. Which takes me to the topic I’m really leading into - design and user experience. These concepts are something I’m always looking into whether it’s designing a web application or taking a plane ride.
Much, if not all, of my experiences could be helped by changing the design of the plane. Have a temperature setting for flight attendants that says “comfortable (25 C)” and it constantly monitors the cabin temperature and adjusts accordingly (this happens in your home, right?); make the bottom railing of the chair sit out an extra inch into the isle so that when the cart hits it instead of the arm of the chair; have the arms of the trays connected to your chair in a way that doesn’t distribute its movement directly into your head. I’m sure there are many simple and creative design changes that could make the experience better for the passenger as well as the flight crew (and hopefully giving some of them an attitude adjustment).
If only I knew someone with influence in this area… Grandpa!
