My seat back is already upright....

My first post. I have a strange urge to get out the video camera.

I guess this first foray should be on some weighty, topical matter, like the death of the American dream, or the ethics of biotechnology, or the designated hitter rule.

But what I really want to talk about is air travel.

For the past few years, my job has required air travel about once a month. When I was younger, airports seemed exciting and exotic. All these interesting, well-dressed people traveling to attend to urgent matters. Now it just seems like drudgery, a chore to get through that involves frequent contact with rude large people. I hate to sound like a crank, but.....

Issue 1...carry-on baggage
If you're going to insist on carrying on as much as possible to save that critical ten minutes at baggage claim, please do it quickly. And if you can't lift it unassisted, you should probably check the damn bag. Don't get pissy if your Panama hat gets crushed by a laptop. Next time either wear it or leave it at home, Mr. Valdez.

Issue 2....personal space
I know the seats are cramped. But they're cramped for me, too. Don't stick your elbows into my side so you can be comfortable. Respect the armrest, for cryin' out loud. It's the DMZ of coach fare.

Issue 3....the gate stand-up
If you're too tired or weak from the flight to support yourself on your own two feet, why do you feel the need to leap up as soon as the seat belt sign is off, rip your bag from the overhead and block the aisle while leaning against my seat?

Issue 4....the baggage claim
Why in the hell does everybody feel a need to rush up next to the carousel? If everybody would just stay back ten feet, nobody would have to elbow their way through people standing with their arms folded with one foot up on the carousel, blankly staring at bags passing by. Other people's bags.

These are just my complaints about other passengers. My beefs with the actual airlines will await another day.