Flying

When was the first time you traveled on a plane?

I don't remember the first time, I was very young. It was sometime in the early '80s. Flying when I was a kid always seemed like such a luxury to me. Most of the flying I did was as an "unaccompanied minor". So I got to board the plane first, the aircrew took amazing care of me, and except for the one time they forgot about me between flights even the security people took extra time to make sure I was ok. 

Flying for me has always meant that I was on an adventure. Lately, it is a cramped adventure when all there is to look forward to is a bag of pretzels, being way too close to strangers, and for some reason Ginger Ale that tastes like manna from heaven. Covid has even removed food for purchase on flights unless you're in first class. 

I think as planes have crammed more seats onto planes, and some of the nice touches (food, space, not feeling like cattle) have faded away there has been a shift in how flying is perceived. Not to blame the airlines themselves, there has also been a cultural shift. 

There is a news story out right now of a chartered flight from Quebec to Mexico. The news stories shared with us social media posts of an out-of-control party flight, no one is in their seat, everyone seems to be drinking and smoking, and there is a generally chaotic and unsafe feel to all of the footage. No flight staff can be seen and the plane makes it to its destination. Now the airline is refusing to fly the party in sky people back. As are two other major airlines in the country. 

This news story has sent me thinking. We live in a different world flight-wise since the events of September 11, 2001. To get through security you have to take off your shoes, and no liquids above 3oz (I think) are allowed through either. If you buy duty-free, you aren't allowed to crack it open on the flight and go to. You can't smoke, you must be seated. For the most part, you try to keep to yourself and avoid causing problems for any of the other passengers. 

As this was a chartered flight, are the rules different? Or is there another issue lurking? Is this another cultural shift towards the entitled? The passengers on this flight are "influencers" young people who live their lives online and not a moment or product that goes by is undocumented. A number of them are also reality tv "stars". At what point did these people become the arbiters of how life should be led? These people are given power by their followers to lead shallow lives. Now they face consequences the likes of which they have never had to deal with. 

The other question is whether their behavior will open the door for more people to believe that they are the only people that matter. Add this to the smaller seats and narrower aisles, there really is no room on an airplane for some egos as large as these. Not only is it a safety issue, but the staff on board shouldn't have to deal with this as well. Between having to monitor for masks, keep on top of seatbelts, and then intervene between seat kickers, seat stealers, and the all-together rude, they shouldn't have to be the law as well. Also, how did the flight not get turned around? They have grounded flights for one person acting up, let alone the whole plane. Flying is something that should be approached with a level of consideration, there are a lot of people on board, everyone had paid, and everyone deserves to be treated well. By the airlines, the aircrew, and by their fellow passengers. 

Now onto the music part. I know there are a lot more issues going on in the world besides people being jerks on flights. But, that is all I have energy for right now. So in the spirit of having so many problems, I am going to write about a song called 99 Problems By Hugo. 

This is a cover of the original 99 Problems by Jay-Z. Hugo's version is far more bluegrass than rap. Funnily enough, Hugo is actually signed on to Jay-Z's record label, and this album was released from there as well. Hugo is the name under which Thai musician Chulachak Chakrabongse performs. 

In the Jay-Z version, the hook is taken from a conversation between rapper and SVU actor Ice-T and Brother Marquis, who is a member of the group Two Live Crew.