Ok. I believe you. Airline customers leave trash and behave badly - and it is gross. Good story. Now for the flip side. I fly constantly for business. I cannot remember a time when airline stewardess were more rude, demanding, and lacking in customer service skills than today. The friendly skies have never been so unfriendly. After being practically stripped searched in security you get the pleasure of being served on by the crankiest people on the planet - all while being stuffed into your seat like a sardine. It's not an excuse for people to leave a mess but I'm just not ready for any more whining by airline staff.

Nothing like flying out of Salt Lake City where people don't have the sense to leave their screaming babies at home. The change in pressure is torture for a kids ears! And seriously don't just sit there while your brat repeatedly kicks my seat. Its not a flying stake center.

I'm not so sure it's an "acting out" issue. A lot of times people have nowhere to put their garbage and the flight attendants aren't around.

Why don't the airlines leave plastic garbage bags in each seat pocket, then go around and collect them after the flight?

Interesting. This brings to mind a story about some English 19th century publication that hosted a contest for people to submit articles concerning the theme, "What's Wrong with the World?". The winner? G.K. Chesterton. His article? Two words: "I am."

to frequent flier:

First of all you need to call your TSA if you don't like being strip searched. It's not the fault of your flight attendant that security is so tight getting on an airplane today.

Secondly, just so you know we're Flight Attendants. Not Stewards or Stewardess' anymore. That went out in the 70's.

Finally. Just as you are crammed into that seat like a sardine being served by a "surly" staff you need to try and remember that most flight attendants were hired because they are friendly and service oriented but just as you are crammed into that seat for an hour or more...we are locked into that aircraft with over 100 needy, whiny, people who think the world revolvers around them for 8 to 16 hours a day.

Do you mean to tell me that after being on an aircraft for 16 hours straight that you would be chipper and happy to serve drinks to a group of demanding travelers who think that they are the ONLY people on board that aircraft?

The explanation is simple: People today simply lack a fundamental appreciation for common courtesy. There is NO excuse for shoddy, unkempt, and downright rude and offensive in an airplane.

When you decide to board an airplane to travel someplace, you know exactly what you're in for...from the strip search at the TSA checkpoint, to the crammed, tight quarters of an airplane cabin, to the potential for flight delays and other anomalies. If you don't like that environment then make alternative travel arrangements....Nobody is forcing you to fly the airlines. And what better way for the consumer to express their frustration by deliberately choosing NOT to patronize the offending airline(s). Hit 'em in the pocketbook...that will get their attention for sure!

But don't take it out on the airline's equipment. It's not your property to do with as you please...you've only bought a ticket that permits you to occupy one seat on one flight between two points. That's all! Imagine how you would feel if a passenger in your car took off their smelly shoes & dirty socks and clipped their toe nails on the seat of your car? You wouldn't like it, would you?