PEOPLE HAVE TOO MUCH TIME

My dear co-worker is in my office ranting about the issue of a passenger’s bill of rights. This is an issue I had never heard of but apparently this woman who had to wait nine hours in an airport decided this was maybe necessary. In the wake of the Jet Blue delays, she has many more supporters. Now my little co-worker is the most precious little thing ever. She is talking with her hands and making forceful gestures about the insanity of this proposal. She is emphasizing the spoiled and obviously entitled-feeling people who think that legislature is needed to make sure their flights aren’t delayed. She is making very valid points about how long it took to get a medical bill of rights and how our constitution almost didn’t even have a bill of rights. It is not a right to fly. Why I am not surprised that she is leaving me alone in this office to go to Georgetown Law in June?

Now I understand the frustration of being left at an airport or on the plane but not moving for hours. Cancelled flights are even worse and I try not to think of that horror. However, I know that when something really bad happens on a flight, people can usually get something free out of it. No you aren’t getting a free flight for a minor delay of a few hours, it happens. It’s one of those things that you know when you decide to travel by plane. However, if your light is cancelled, you are probably going to get another one and not have to pay for it. If you are stranded somewhere, the airline may very well pay for your hotel room. To me, these solutions are pretty much all an airline can do to help you along. The point is flying is not a right. It is a choice. You could drive, take a train, or even a bus. Instead you opt to fly. If something goes wrong maybe you should consider another option.

The scary thing is that many people will support this lady and her passengers bill of rights. This is something that will occupy our legislators time rather than things like healthcare, education, or the war. This is stupid. I wonder what she is planning to include in this bill? Personally, I would like more frequent updates on the status of a delayed flight, maybe very ten minutes or so. That would eliminate my need to ask the customer service people and their need to tell a plane full of individuals the same thing over and over, thus getting a bad attitude. I wouldn’t mind some free snacks and/or beverages when things get really tedious. I would like for all size planes to be equipped with TV screens so I could catch an in-flight movie when things are delayed while I am on the plane. I certainly want a refund or another ticket if I am not able to go where I planned on going. These are all great things. Do I think our legislators need to get involved? Not in the slightest. These are things airlines should just do. Many of them do these things already. People who seriously think a bill is needed to deal with this issue have too much time on their hands and think they are far more important than they are.

Now it is time for music for that will calm me. I just thought this issue was funny when I started writing and now I am a little perturbed. Thanks dear friend. Since I downloaded so much music this weekend we’ll only go with songs that are new to my library. I think they are going to be very hard. Sorry.

1. Hey little boy you’re not allowed to stay/ You have to evolve inevitably/ And I’ve sure come a long way.

2. He said “I’ll protect you like you are the crown jewels” /Yet/ Said he’s feeling sorrier for me the more I behave badly/ I can bet.

3. Love is a dress that you made long enough to hide your knees/ Love to say this to your face/ I’ll love you only.

4. And I will stroll the merry way/ and jump the hedges first/ And I will drink the clean clear water/ For to quench my thirst. Sweet Thing, Van Morrison. Identified by Brooke.

5. They love me like I was their brother/ They protect me/ Listen to me. Nice Dreams (a.k.a No Strings) by Radiohead. Identified by Brooke.