"Planeguage": Delta Gives Defintion to Etiquette in the Friendly Skies

I travel an awful lot for work. While I'm not always the most patient person, I'm a surprisingly copacetic traveler--almost zen-like in my "what will be will be" attitude about delays and lost baggage.  (At least I like to think so.) The one thing that gets me: Listening to the safety announcements. "Please direct your attention..." I think I can recite them in my sleep, and I would dearly love to opt out of listening to them several times a week. (Much as I know they might save my complaining behind some day.)

When I was asked to do an interview with the Associated Press for an article on some new videos Delta Airlines produced on travel etiquette, I was expecting to see something stodgy. Something preachy. Something that would be a token effort only to show passengers "they care".

Boy, was I wrong. They get it. I mean, they really get it. Currently there are four videos, all animated and about a minute or so long. (After viewing the first one, there are links to see the others.) Called "planeguage" (plane + language), they present common, frustrating situations that travelers often find themselves in, and most interestingly, they don't pose the solution. At first I thought, "Wow, I wish we could get our hands on these at Emily Post and give the answers!" But my colleague Matt wisely pointed out that leaving them unresolved was spurring comments below the videos--and it was fascinating to see how united people were in their reactions to the annoying situations.

In the AP article I talk about how raising people's awareness helps to alleviate the problem: if you're aware about a problem, chances are you won't do it to someone else. I love that the series is called "planeguage"; of all words to pick, language is great. By offering definitions to these problems, and asking the public to comment, Delta is opening communication. And good communication is one of the biggest keys to good etiquette.

Plus, it's always nice to know that the giant machine that is corporate airlines actually does get the frustrating situations in which fliers find themselves. It feels like they're on your side after all.

What do you think of the videos? Have you been in these situations? I know I've been caught in the middle, and I've had a kid kicking the back of my seat all the way from Heathrow to Dulles. What video would you most like to see made?

Comments

[Stephen]

I commend Delta for this video. It is sad that people have bad manners on planes, and I feel that it is good that an Airline is doing something about it.

I wonder if Delta will air this in a "Commercial Break" during their in-flight video . I think if they did, it would be a good idea.

Now, I wish Airlines would bring back the service they used to offer in flight prior to the 9/11 attacks (i.e. Meals, Pillows, Blankets, etc). Unfourtanely, high oil prices and many airlines losing money has forced cutbacks.

[BabsieD]

Hi Anna,
I just wanted to say hello! I'm the publicist/event person who is throwing your Washington event on Saturday at Harriet Kassman, and I look forward to meeting you on Friday!

Best,
Barbara Martin