Airplane observation

When I was flying home from my visit with Nola, I was on a new plane.  I was on the same type of new plane going out to her house.  I had reserved seat 15C for the ride home.  But I noticed there was no window on that row.  No window...ACK! Although I don't sit in the window, I like to be able to look out a window.  It helps me with some of my motion sickness and I like to see were we are.  I always sit in the aisle seat because I like the freedom to get up whenever I want.  I also like to be able to stick my shoulder in the aisle.

The flight was completely full.  In fact, it was overbooked so there were zero options for a new seat....until about 30 minutes before my flight left and suddenly a bulk head seat opened up in the window seat.  I thought for a moment and figured I could do it.  So I did.  So when I boarded, I squished over to the window seat and settled in.  First thing I noticed is the shoulder room is less because of the pitch of the plane.  And because we were in the bulk head seats, we had little TV screens that came out from the armrest.  As I settled in, the guy for the middle seat plunked down and the aisle guy sat. 

As usual, about the time the plane is buckled up and ready to take off, I get the feeling I have to pee.  As always, I told myself that was just anxiety and I would have to wait because I literally had to wait.  But this is a 4.5 hour flight.  I tend to drift off to sleep while we take off.  Something about the bump of the plane and the sound of the engines is like a sleeping aid to me.  When I woke up, the two guys pinning me against the wall of the plane had their TV screens set up and watching movies.  It wasn't long until the drink carts and food for purchase came.  So we all had our trays out too.  So I concentrated on watching a movie on my personal screen "Captain Philips".  After the movie, I really had to pee.  But another round of drinks came.  I  got a Sprite.  It was then that I realized I should not be drinking anything because it was making it very difficult to sit there....but I didn't want to be that girl that make everyone stop their movie, hold their drinks, and balance their other materials so I could go to the bathroom.  There was 2 hours left in the flight.  I was cussing my decision to sit in the window seat.  I started another movie although I could barely tell you what it was because my mind was elsewhere.  (Visions of peeing in my Sprite cup, etc)

All of a sudden, the middle seat guy put his screen away and started making the "move".  It took me about 3.5 seconds to follow suit.  As he launched to the back of the plane to the bathrooms, I practically vaulted to the front bathroom.  All I could think is "Thank God".  I beat him back to my seat.  When he got back, he asked if I wanted out.  I told him I already went and how thankful I was that he got up because I wasn't sure I could make it the entire flight.  He said he was trying to wait too but just couldn't.  Frankly, I was relieved it was a guy in the middle that made the move instead of the old lady in the window with the overactive bladder.

I think this experience will change my behavior when I am sitting in the aisle seat.  I am always happy to let someone up but I wait for them to let me know they need out.  Going forward, I might just offer somewhere around the middle of the flight so they aren't worried about bothering me.  I doubt anyone can go a 4 hour flight without a restroom break.

I can say I loved being in the window because I got to see that gorgeous sunset.  I also enjoyed looking down at all the city lights under us and trying to envision were we were.  Colorado Springs was particularly pretty.