An Invitation to 'Step Back From The Baggage Claim'

How about starting off the New Year with a wonderfully inspiring book titled, Step Back From The Baggage Claim? In this book, author Jason Barger uses different points in a journey, including the dreaded baggage claim, to highlight the inconsiderate behaviors and actions of passengers in airports throughout the country. He then uses these situations as reflection points to achieve greater self-awareness and then ultimately challenges readers to step back from the "metaphorical baggage claim in life."

In one example, Barger humorously writes about the human wall surrounding baggage claim; "Their knees are bent in an athletic stance, ready to pounce on the first bag that dares to look even slightly similar to their own. They do not budge an inch until they get their bags from the spot they earned." Meanwhile others resort to peeking through cracks in the "human wall of entitlement" in a frantic search for their bags lying on the conveyor belt.

What can we learn from this?

Even while the collective conscious around baggage claim may be anxious, frustrated and tired, there is an opportunity to step back and recognize the needs of others. Maybe it's the Mom with two kids running around who needs a bit of help pulling her bag off the conveyor belt. Or a couple just arriving on their honeymoon who just want to get away. Yield to others, help others, be the person in the crowd who takes a step back from baggage claim. It might even become contagious and inspire others to do the same.

Although the airport is a playground of opportunity to carry out these acts of kindness, it is just a starting point. Throughout the book, Barger provides examples on how people, in their everyday lives, have the capacity to step back from the baggage claim and change the world; it all starts at the airport.

Two thumbs up to this enjoyable read!

Visit www.stepbackfromthebaggageclaim.com for more information or to order a copy of this book. While there, read how the author spent seven straight days in airports throughout the United States and conducting roughly 10,000 minutes of observations of people's behaviors.

(Special thanks to Jason Barger for providing a copy of this book for review)

Six Ideas Toward Peaceful Flights for All

By Mike Grasso
mike@inflightout.com

Let's face it, even in the midst of long lines at airport checkpoints, overly crowded airplanes, and a lack of overhead bin space, passengers remain fairly civil with each other at 40,000 feet. But compared to last winter, there will be fewer flights in the coming months, meaning fuller flights, and with the nickle-and-diming game by the airlines charging for everything from pillows to soft drinks, tensions may be running a little high up in the sky.

But, there are some steps you can take to make the flying experience a little more enjoyable for both you and others seated around you. I've come up with some ideas, partially inspired by the Live Aloha movement, intended to show how very basic actions individuals take can result in a positive cumulative result.

1. Smile, say hello, acknowledge your seatmate and the people around you. No need to become best friends here, but you are traveling together some distance, why not exchange neighborly greetings?

2. Help passengers boarding the plane who seem lost or a bit distressed. If someone is uncertain where their seat is located, help them. We sometimes forget our fellow travelers can be international tourists, or others not accustomed to the American boarding procedures and aircraft types.

3. If you encounter a passenger having difficulty lifting their luggage into the overhead bins, give them a hand. It's tempting to ask questions such as why someone packs their carry-on bags so heavily in first place knowing they can't lift them in the bin, but regardless, the passenger still needs assistance at that moment. It is a nice gesture to lend a hand.

4. Once you have located your seat, step in and let other passengers through. The flight attendants preach this common courtesy because it really does help. It could mean the difference between an on-time and late departure.

5. Be cognisant of passengers with tight connections. On particularly late arrivals where several passengers may misconnect, the flight crew should ask folks to permit those with onward connections to deplane first. But in other instances where only a few may be impacted by the late arrival, no such announcement may be made, so listen for others commenting on their concern and invite them to proceed off the plane ahead of you.

6. As you deplane, thank the flight crew. Many crew members have taken pay cuts, been stripped of their pensions, and find themselves working in a economically suffering industry. Despite these setbacks, many continue to provide service with a smile.

Helping others need not be performed on a grand scale. Simple individual courtesies and favors to others are almost always appreciated, both by the recipient and often by nearby onlookers - wanting to help, but failing to step forth. Plus, who can dispute the great feeling attained from simply lending a helping hand to a stranger? Putting these ideas (and others) into action will help everyone toward a more peaceful journey.