Spectator by Seema Goswami: Fight or flight response
The glory days of air travel are behind us. But with a bit of prep, you can make it to your destination with some sanity left
I am always astounded by people of my generation who talk about the ‘romance of air travel’. Mostly, because I can’t understand what they are on about. I could understand if those a couple of decades older than me waxed eloquent about the ‘good old days’ when people dressed up to travel by plane, when being an ‘air-hostess’ was a glamorous profession that attracted the best and the brightest, and when passengers were feted as they flew instead of being penned together like battery hens.
But ever since I began flying I have to confess that I found nothing remotely glamorous about travelling in a steel tube, sitting uncomfortably close to strangers, and being fed re-heated food in Styrofoam containers, washed down with lukewarm Cola. Yes, it is indisputably exciting to arrive in a new destination, but as for the process of getting there, the less said the better.
Now that I think about it, I do have some stuff to say about flying in the 21st century. And it’s mostly about how I cope with flights, what I wear to travel, and what I pack in my onflight bag, and a few tricks to preserve my sanity. Here are some of those tips in the hope they come in handy when you next take a flight.
Don’t eat the inflight meal if you can help it. It’s sometimes made a couple of days before and inexpertly warmed up in the on-board oven before service – which is why it is mostly tasteless muck. Much better to just grab a snack at the airport or pack a sandwich or a stuffed paratha to eat on the plane. If that seems like too much bother, even a small pack of bhujiya or chips can tide you over until you grab a hot meal on the ground.
Always pack one change of clothes and some clean underwear in your carry-on bag. That way, if the airline fails to load your check-in luggage – which happens all too often – you will have something to wear the following day and won’t need to rush to the shops as soon as you arrive.
There are some people who never travel without a neck pillow. But I find that takes too much space in my carry-on. I would rather use that to pack a shawl or a light sweater for when the plane gets over-airconditioned – as is inevitably the case. Yes, some airlines will give you a blanket if you ask, but there is no guarantee that you will get one on every flight. So, if you don’t want to shiver for a few hours, carry one warm garment with you.
I simply cannot comprehend this new trend of people ‘raw-dogging’ on flights – that is, getting on without a book to read, a movie to watch, or even some music to listen to. As any seasoned traveller knows, the only way to survive a flight is to keep yourself entertained for its duration. So, pick a gripping book, download a new series on Netflix, or make a playlist that will keep you humming, until you reach your destination. That really is the best way to preserve your sanity on board.
From HT Brunch, October 26, 2024
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