Flight #60 (? or something ?) - The unassuming Yank

Flight #22 - the Suit

On my way home to London from Stockholm around the 22nd of March I sat next to a super corporate woman. It's funny because they fly a 777 on the evening flights and the plane is huge. With a middle aisle in addition to the twice on the sides.

The flight was at 1930 on a Friday so I took the chance to fill up on a glass of wine which BA provide free of charge. Didnt speak to the woman but heard her speak later and she was posh as hell. She must have been a banker. No no no doubt. Have to admit - at first I thought she was a cheap cheap just buying a suit to look important but my mind changed!

Flight #21 - the Chinese woman

On My flight to Stockholm from LHR for an event in the middle of march (around 20th)I sat next to a Slightly hippie-ish woman who was from the East. She was very quiet and hardly bothered me at all. She was quite skinny and probably I'm her late twenties early thirties.

My best bet is that she was a student but I stupidly didn't write this until the 12th of April so might not remember everything. She was not intensely memorable in any event. The woman across the aisle was though. She was an elderly woman who just kept chatting and chatting and the poor girl next to her couldn't keep her quiet.

Flight #20 - the drunk Irish youth

I was flying from New York to LHR on the red eye flight the Monday after St. Paddys day. The flight home was full of Irish and it was my goal to sleep the entire way.

The first person who sat down was a woman in her 30's who quickly was told that a seat had been made available next to her Fiancé at the back of the plane. Moved to her seat was a young Irish student in his early to mid-20's.

The guy seemed chatty, friendly, educated (was reading a book whoopdy) but realised I was sleeping is didn't bother me. As soon as we took off though a steward came around and told the young guy that there was a seat empty for him in Economy plus or whatever it is called so he was moved which meant I effectively had a seat all to myself next to me. Hurrah. As I just slept this meant my sleep was better than I could have imagined:-)

Flight #19 - The Yuppie Spaniard

On my flight from London Heathrow to New York on the 15th of March the flight was full - unfortunately. Luckily I got an aisle seat as I was out early but I did get someone sitting directly next to me.

The person sitting next to me was a young man in the 35 year age who was from Spain. He had sat in the wrong seat to start out with so moved next to me just as the last passenger entered. He had left his magazines at his previous seat so he had to stretch across the aisle to get them as well and it was quite a mix of magazines. From Stuff, to Politics to Economist to Comics.

He was a nice considerate flight buddy though. While he accidently turned on the light because the light was in the seperator, that was the length with which he annoyed me which isn't bad for an almost 8 hour flight.

Raul as I will call him was dressed very properly, I think he was a consultant or a banker. Probably based in Europe but going over to work in New York. He didn't have that US loudness so that's why I think he still lived in Europe. Clearly he didn't travel all that often because he sat in the wrong seat to start out with.

Other than that, it was a bit strange because nobody seemed to be sitting in their seats , they decided to sit in others. Someone wanted a window seat, somebody wanted to sit next to their partner, there were a bunch of couples that said they were going to get married and had been seperated. Crazy huh.

Flight #17 & Flight #18 - The awesome Flat mate

On my flight to Lisbon on TAP (Portugeuse airline) I got to sit next to Jon Bird, my awesome flat mate. The best seat buddy yet. If I didn't know better I would say he was a techie gadget maestro by the use of BOSE head phones, ipad2, and reading Stuff magazine.

He didn't bother me or play elbow hockey and he was chatty. :-) The flight was fairly empty and there were loads of seats open. We flew with around 15 people from Bazaarvoice which was entertaining. They were sitting everywhere around us.

Jon sat next to me on the flight home from Lisbon to London as well on TAP. This time he slept most of the time. :-)

But this is the flight I want to write a little more about. The guy sitting in front of me leant the chair back fully. Very annoying. I don't really see the use of tilting the chair back completely on a short flight like this. So I played knee pokey pokey with him.

later on in the flight it was hilarious, three babies started a competition or choir of crying, one after another. It was surreal. None wanted to be less than the other. Luckily it didn't last too long and luckily they weren't close to me.

All in all, it's sooooo much better to travel with someone you know and it's a lot more entertaining. We could chat when we needed too and sleep when we needed too.

Flight #16 - The Industrialist

On my flight from Stockholm Arlanda to London Heathrow on Thursday night last week I sat next to the Industrialist and his wife.

It was a couple in their late 50's or early 60's. The man was clearly some kind of business man and was reading business papers. He looked like he was in INDUSTRY. Some boring industry but he reminded me of an olden day business man from the 20's or 30's. The kind that would have had a mondo nice suit.

This guy didn't have a flashy suit or didn't look overly rich or anything.

He was polite. Didn't play elbow hockey. Was quiet. He clearly let his wife sit more comfortably.

They were clearly heading to London on vacation and I saw that they were Swedish and that the man was reading a The London Guide to Politics. He didn't strike me as a politician though.

A decent seat buddy.

#15 The Cranky mouse

On my flight from London Heathrow to Copenhagen on Wednesday lunch I sat next to a woman who was quite a crankball.

To be fair she was one of the last people on the flight and someone was sitting in her seat because an elderly woman who seemed slightly senile and delusional and who actually was due to sit next to me had sat down on the wrong seat. The woman who did sit next to me - Barbara for lack of a better name - had had an aisle seat originally but was now in a middle seat next to me.

Needless to say she wasn't happy but instead of saying something you could sense that she was keeping it all inside. The kind of woman like that guy Adam Sandler plays in Anger management. Instead of saying something she was playing elbow wrestling on the divider.

Nevertheless she was probably completely fine on any other day but she had had a bad day. Wouldnt surprise me if she worked in some kind of a business as some kind of account manager or casual consultant (not one of those high end consultants who dressed in expensive stuff but one that didn't need to but still knew her stuff.

A customer had probably been an asshole to her that day. Regardless - not the best flight buddy.

Flight #14 - a typical dull Swede

So on my flight from Arlanda to London Heathrow on Thursday night I sat next to a woman who was flying with either her daughter or a colleague. The woman was Swedish and was so dull that she's the type of person you wouldn't notice if I wasn't writing this blog.

Very boring clothes. Definitely a case for Extreme Makeover or Fab Five or whatever they are called. Slightly chubby. No make-up, the conversations she was having with her colleague/daughter seemed quite boring too.

Having said all this, she seemed like a very kind-hearted person. It wouldn't surprise me if she was a mother and if so a very good mother. She was concious of me sitting next to her and accomodating as well. I think she's probably never been told she's great or pretty or anything and just gets on with it really.

Needless to say I've sat next to a lot worse people but definitely nobody that I'll remember even a week down the line.

Flight #13 - the obnoxious Swedish BRAT

It's official. I've now sat next to the biggest dickhead so far. Unlucky number 13 eh.

It was a tall late teens/early 20's spoiled Swedish Stockholms Brat. With his friend sitting one seat in front of him. Let me paint the picture

Tall. Long blond hair. Red jeans. Über lay expensive murse. Loud as fuck and talking about the most ridiculous things.

Him and his friend were some of the last to board and they were makin that kind of small chat between themselves that everyone could hear tryin to be funny.

The Brat who I will be calling Felix for lack of a better name - called his friend trying to bum a ride from the airport and used vocab and sayings like Det är Kung. Über kool kid!

Needless to say a real young dick who is handed a lot on a gold plate. My guess is he's a student and under shit load of pressure from his parents to succeed. The flight was from Oslo to Stockholm and I don't know what he was doing in Oslo. Probably spending his dads cash and or bathing in oil.

Ps. When I got off the plane and was about to take the train to town (normally takes 20 minutes) I found out its not running so need to take the bus instead which takes an hour!!! Plus the time it's taken to leave. Ie. I should have been at hotel now but we've just left! No tears for me though!

Flight #12 -Rosa - The Spanish speaking Mama

On my flight today from London heathrow Terminal 5 to Oslo I had the pleasure of sitting next to a suntanned woman in her 50's from South America. I would say Mexico or Guatemala or something like that.

Her passport was blue and she spoke not a word of English. When the stewardess asked her what she wanted to drink she mumbled looked at me and what I had and after a few seconds I said to the stewardess hat I think she wants what I'm having (tea and a water).

Her son was travelling with her and sittin behind her. He was in his early 20's and looked quite ghetto.

Rosa as I will call her seemed like a sweet and friendly lady. She smiled a lot, wore a very colourful blue short-sleeved shirt which implies she wasn't told that it was cold in Oslo. :-) and I say again, had a beautiful tan that makes me jealous.

PS. I'm writing this from the express train from the airport to Oslo and the girl next to me is stunning. She's clearly a skier (has a big ski bag) yet has the most amazing tan (I can see her feet - don't ask me how) ;-)

At least 11 flights in three weeks begins.

Song of the night...

Just heard this on the tv and I love this song... it's a great way to end the day...

It's been a good one...

God only knows what I'd be without my friends... :-) Thanks

Up up and away

Training for my marathon. This is a good upbeat song to run to... love it.

There's quite a few great new songs out there.

:-)

Flight #11 - the Cranky feminist

I've got to be careful because I'm writing this on the flight as the person is sitting next to me. Scary huh. :-)

The flight is from Helsinki to LONDON heathrow at 1930. It's not a super full flight do the middle place is free but someone is sitting in my row (10f) in the aisle.

She had an English accent when she answered whether she wanted tea or coffee but she didn't give the stewardess the light of day. Looked down and seemed downright unhappy. She has über short hair. Is rounder shaped. Dresses quite poor. Quite old womanly. It's definitely a case for one of those makeover shows.

Listening to some Pulp music. I wouldn't be surprised if she works quite high up for some charity or education maybe some governmental organisation or UN? I'm sure she's very clever and driven and talented. She gives off that aura.

I'm also fairly sure she's not too bitchy but probably quite nice if you get to know her.

When I say she's feminist I don't mean that in a bad way. She's a strong woman.

She reminds me a bit of the chubby German girl from earlier. :)

Flight #10 - the Romanian luxury whore

On Sunday night I left from Arlanda Stockholm to Helsinki. The flight left at 2250. The flight was pretty empty so here was nobody sitting next to me or on my half of the row actually.

On the other side of the row there was a couple. The one closest to me was a woman and as she came on the flight I saw her passport. Romanian. She was dressed in a white coat but you could see it was supposed to look fancy but it wasn't really.

She looked a bit like a mail order bride. The guy looked Nordic and quite normal. It looked as though he had ordered this woman online. She was super touchy feely with him and he seemed to like it. And seemed to feel comfortable. It seemed like a comfortable happy relationship. :-)

I know one thing though - if they get cold in Helsinki they have eachother to heat themselves up.

Flight #9 - the female entrepreneur

Annie's was her name and as fast as I wrote that only men talk to you on flights I realise that I have to eat my words.

I was flying from Heathrow terminal 3 to Arlanda Stockholm on SAS and it was a Sunday evening. The woman that sat down next to me looked to me to be a politician.

I thought she was probably a feminist for some reason or an extremely strong woman. She was nicely dressed and quite commanding.

Just before take off she put her head in her hands and said oh no. She had forgot her iPhone charger. I offered to charge her phone on the flight as I was working on my laptop anyway.

So we got to talking. Great conversation. She was no politician. She was a female entrepreneur. Smart woman. She had started her own Company dealing with company laws. Employment law etc over cultures.

She was very encouraging to me. Asked me what I wanted to do. Talked bout her son and what he does and just told me to keep smiling. So I have and will!!!

Flight #8 - The Managing Director

So flight number 8 between Stockholm Arlanda and London Heathrow terminal 5 was another good flight and another good plane buddy.

His name was Gary and this was one of those trips where I actually spoke to the person sitting next to me. And we spoke the entire time. He was the MD for a Swedish company called SystemAir that does ventilation.

It was an extremely interesting 2 hour flight with lots of insightful as well as funny stories. I won't tell you them on the blog because it has to be told but ask me about it. It includes one story about him wondering about someone he was sitting next to on a train (a bit like this) and making his mind up about them. They were acting in a very strange way and hence he was staring at them but the story ended with her thinking he was the creep. :-)

We're all intrigued about other people.

Gary was well dressed, clearly not a city-dweller (he lived in Oxford) and had an interesting background including being a stutterer, losing his parents at an early age and being a very sympathetic guy.

He was a Leeds fan although he had lived in Oxford his entire life. He is a great sales guy, generally interested, well-spoken, great eye-contact, leant in at times. Friendly.

One trick he used when he spoke in front of big groups of people who were loud and roudy and wouldn't shut up was he would open his mouth as if to speak but would appear to stutter. People all wanted to hear what he had to say so they all shut up. :-) Interesting tip.

He had two young kids (18 months and 4 years old) and had had them quite late (when he was in his fourties). His wife was also in her 40's). He had been working for that company for 25 years.

Interesting how people generally speak a lot more when it is in the evening or lunch time and when they are going home and it's weekend. It's also strange how up until now I've had more conversations with guys.

Very interesting chat and there are some great people out there in this world with great stories and sharing them is fun.

Flight #4 - The Big Boss man

To date, this is my FAVORITE seat buddy or flight partner.

His name was Steve and he was the Head of Sales for Scania in the UK. We were flying a 767, a big plane from Stockholm Arlanda to London Heathrow and the flight was delayed by 90 minutes.

We spoke the entire journey which is the first time in a while I've sat next to someone I've genuinely been interested in and him me. It didn't look like he was irritated by it.

He was a man in his 50's with kids in their teens. He had worked in the Trucking world for 20-30 years and had a lot of great insight. Travelled to Sweden quite a lot.

Well dressed, well spoken and very friendly. It was clear why he was in Sales. We discussed everything from Football to Technology and his only negative was that he was an Arsenal fan.

He definitely looked like he enjoyed life and was a very humble and down to earth kind of guy. So far my favorite.

Flight #3 - I just can't remember.

Flight #3 was from London to Arlanda on a Wednesday morning. It was early and I was tired and I slept most of it. I must admit I've got a very very very foggy recollection of who I sat next to on this flight.

Somehow it rings a bell that I sat next to a couple but it could easily have been a business dude as well. I'm going to leave this one open because for the love of me I don't remember. :-) Sorry

Flight #2 - a young professional

My second flight of the year was my flight from Frankfurt to London City (the second leg of my trip home from Turkey from Christmas).

I flew Lufthansa and it was a small plane. The person I sat next to on this plane was clearly a business man, fairly young, well dressed. And would have worked in the City.

I don't remember all that much more about him as I didn't think about it too much at the time. So that was all for this dude.

Flight #1 - a chubby German woman.

As I hadn't thought of this idea before my flight this week I am writing in retrospect and didn't pay attention as much as now but here it is in retrospect.

Flight #1 for the year was from Istanbul to Frankfurt. I had a window seat for the 3 hour flight and had quite a lot of work to do.

My seat buddy on this trip was a chubby nerdy unfashionable 30-something German lady. She was travelling with a friend who was slightly more attractive in my eyes and an even better looking friend who was sitting behind her.

They were speaking German and I was in no mood to listen to their chat so I had my ear phones on.

This was a case of playing arm wrestling for the divider. She was not going to give up this easily and after an hour of the flight she pretty much had her back to me while she was talking to her friend.

Needless to say I didn't like this lady much.

Once again, here goes a stereotype... my guess is that she worked for some state organisation. Very possibly in education still or some kind of science. She was probably quite a smart girl but her idea of fun would probably be knitting, baking, and reading. Nothing wrong with that but that's the impression she gave me. A 30-something that acted like a 50-something.

I don't think she got a very good impression of me as I don't think I gave a good one - partly because I was fucked off by having to go through 3 security checks in the space of 30 minutes with 3 laptops, a belt, and the jackets and liquids that you normally need to take out.

Flight #7 - the empty seat and the looney in front

My flight AY649 from Helsinki to Stockholm at 2005 was empty. I'd be sugar coating it if I said it was 25% full. Think there might have been 30 persons. So needless to say - I got a seat alone!!!

I was in row 15 I around 25 and I was the furthest back guest.

With no one sitting next to me I guess I still need a story and the person sitting one row ahead and across the isle can do it.

An older gentleman with an awesome moustache. Well dressed but clearly caught in the 60's/70's corporate dress sense. His bag (which i saw when we landed) must have had a ver proud history of travelling!!! It was ancient. His travelling companion had a Finnair sticker on his old school briefcase that must have been handed out on Finnairs first flight.

They were both Finnish and they were some of the last on the plane and spoke finnish with strangers around. They felt like this was the first time they'd flown for a while. Dressed up to the extreme but clearly travelling on Business. They flirted with the flight stewardesses as well.

Funnily enough for an empty flight. The guy was standing up before we'd even reached the gate and was walking around.

All in all one of my favourite characters so far. I will call him Pekka.

Flight #6 - the lumberjack

On Monday i flew Arlanda to Helsinki.

This time I sat next to a Swede. I could tell because I saw his Swedish drivers license and he was reading a Swedish newspaper.

Later in the flight he took out a magazine and although I don't see the title of the mag I did see that every article article was about lumber/timber/ wood.

He was quite a well dressed semi casual looking dude. Definitely in the business of wood rather than a lumber jack.

Flight #5 in 2012

So the guy I sat to on the flight from LHR terminal 5 to Arlanda Stockholm was a tall tall tall guy who could barely fit in the seat he was that tall.

He had a sailing/ skiing jacket and was quite a sporty type. He was working on a presentation the whole trip about sales and team work. To me he seemed to be a motivational/ sales trainer.

We didn't speak many words together as I slept most of the flight. Flight was delayed and only got into Stockholm at 0015.

More news and an update of flights 1-4 soon

A new idea for a new year.

So at Heatrow Terminal 5 with time to kill before my flight which was due to leave at 2010 but is delayed until 2035.

Got the idea that I might write a note on everyone I sit next to this year on flights. Would be interesting. Already have four to write about and will be a fifth. Doesn't have to be long notes but just some observation as I normally don't talk to them:-)