Flying Economy Sucks

My holiday has begun. I left Beijing on Monday at 9am or so (well, actually our flight was delayed due to impenitence in the control tower) . I was pleasantly surprised to experience a super quick checking/immigration/security process - from taxi to lounge in under 15 minutes. Luckily, the delay didn’t cause a problem in Tokyo for the connection. I just arrived at Minneapolis airport and am waiting for my connecting flight to Chicago. The flight from Tokyo was pretty crappy. Here’s why: Alcohol not FREE I fly Northwest, so as of sometime last year, no more free alcohol on any Intl flight to/from Japan. (That’s pretty much all their Asian routes.) On top of that, I totally forgot and didn’t change any money to USD or Yen - I only had RMB - and of course the flight from Tokyo to the U.S. only accepts Yen or USD. damn. Had to do it sober. The negatives of an exit row seat I normally get exit seats as they have lots of leg room. See this page for the seat map. My seat was 35B. So, the guy in 36A would often slip in between me and the door so he wouldn’t disturb his neighbors in 36B and C. Well genius, you disturbed me. Oh, and the seat felt a bit slanted - i.e. not totally flat. So it was quite uncomfortable - that on top of the already slightly narrow design due to the tray table being located in the arm rest. The stupid thing is, I sat in this seat once before (last year sometime) and experience similar shortcomings. I told myself never again. What did I do? I chose the dang seat again. So, word to the wise - don’t sit in that seat! Asshole neighbors The guy next to me in 35C was an American, mid to late 60’s. Real piece of work. That means, he’s annoying. Big time. You see, I decided to be social this time, as I usually sit in my seat and not say a word because I hate giving the whole “why I live in China story”. But, when he came to sit down (he was the last one on the plane as his connecting flight from Bangkok to Tokyo was late), he seemed like a nice guy, so I said"Hello". Hah. I learned my lesson. He immediately said “Hey, you’re a big guy, I don’t want to share my seat with ya - make sure you stay on your side.”. O.k., he said it in a slightly positive way, but, I’m sorry… You just don’t say shit like that. Period. So, I decided not to say a word to him the rest of the flight. Asshole. As this was an exit row, the flight attendants have a bench to sit at during take off and landings. Well, Mr. A-Hole was pleasant to them, talking about what their travel schedules were, how long they’ve been with the airlines, etc.. You know, useless conversation points. He then proceeded to mention to them, in a comical way, what he told me about staying to my side of the seat. This guy’s a freaken comedian. I looked at him, smiled, then rolled my eyes and went back to watching whatever was on my ipod. For the record, when he was asleep, I noticed he encroached on my side a few times. At that point, he reminded me of Senator Craig - you know the gay Senator (who claims he wasn’t propositioning the undercover police officer, and that no, he isn’t gay), coincidently in a men’s room at the Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport, the very airport we were flying to. Must be something in the water? Any way, from the eavesdropping I did, he apparently travels to Bangkok twice a year to see “friends”.  Sure… I bet he’s a sex tourist, probably one who targets underage lady-boys.  Sicko. Done with that crap, for now… Any way, my next flight is first class - free upgrade.  But, it’s only an hour, so…