Stink and gossip in the plane
If you want to travel from the Netherlands to Thailand for example or vice versa of course, you will have to go by plane. There is hardly any other option.
For one, the flight is part of the holiday, for the other it is an unpleasant bitter necessity. One enjoys this more than 10 hour journey, nice and relaxed, a snack and a drink, a nice movie and the occasional nap. Before you know it, the plane will land at its destination. The other is annoyed, rightly or wrongly, by all kinds of negatives, such as delays, little legroom, whining children, bad food, bad service, etc. Is the end of this miserable journey already in sight?
Service
I belong to the first category, although a journey does not always go smoothly. Sometimes you have a crew that does an excellent job, provides a good meal and there is also a good film to watch. Other times it's all a bit less, but I don't get annoyed by the aforementioned things, after all - despite the long travel time - it's only temporary. However, there are two exceptions to the rule that I want to tell you.
Beauty
Once I sat on the plane from Bangkok to Amsterdam next to a beautiful lady of around 30 years old. She was a beauty and you saw many a male passenger thinking that if the lady did not belong to me, they would want to change places with me. The lady was dressed sporty in an outfit that made me think she was a mountain and/or jungle hiker. Such camouflage baggy pants, woolen sweater and those, what I call combat boots, but clearly were hiking boots.
Stench and snore
For some reason she must have taken the flight to Amsterdam in a hurry without – as is generally recommended – being sufficiently rested. She didn't give me a glance, peeled off the sweater, took off her shoes and squirmed into her seat with a blanket from the stewardess and fell asleep like a log. And that's where the trouble started.
She was snoring, and not so little, all the just now admiring men around me looked at her, because the volume was at its maximum, a lot of trees were being cut down. The admiration of those men quickly disappeared, because not only I, but the whole environment "enjoyed" the snoring lady and they were happy not to sit in my place anyway.
But that wasn't all. The lady also gave off a body odor of cheap perfume, mixed with sweat, and as a culmination, an unbearable stench slowly but surely curled up from her feet. She had sweaty feet and the socks she still had on she must have not taken off for days.
Stench ban?
What can you do about it? Nothing! Long ago, you were allowed to smoke on an airplane, even cigars. Gradually that became less, first a small smoking area, cigars banned and finally a total smoking ban. Why? In order not to confront your fellow passengers with the "nasty" smoke smells, it was said. Society can do nothing about the fact that people naturally have an unpleasant body odor or sweaty feet. And snoring cannot be banned, at most it can wake someone up, but the risk of recurrence is always present.
Marine solution
We had a solution for that at the navy. On board ships you also sleep with many people in a limited space, there is every chance that people snore and that there were sweaty feet in the accommodation. Someone who snored a lot could regularly count on a dot of toothpaste that was put in his mouth. Someone who did not care much about personal hygiene was thrown into the shower, clothes and all. If that didn't bring any improvement, his feet and his "wedding tools" were blackened with shoe polish during his sleep. Get rid of that with washing!
Garbage
I am always very careful and reserved in making contact with my fellow passengers. First let's see the cat out of the tree and still decide whether or not to chat. Oh, I've had some really nice trips, where I stayed in the pantry with a number of Dutch men for hours and got rid of one drink after another. We talked about each other's work, cracked jokes, and the trip was over in no time. No one bothered us, we did everything very civilized.
But you can also have bad luck. You meet your neighbor, have a drink, exchange some personal information, and before you know it, it's a one-man show. The other talks and talks and if you listen too, you know his entire medical history within a few minutes. He tells you all about root canal treatment, his ingrown toenail and much more of that nonsense. There's no decent solution for that either, the flight attendant won't tell your neighbor to shut up. You can't say yourself: "Shut up for a while", just try to pretend you want to sleep or go to the toilet for a while.
I wish everyone who will soon be flying to or from Thailand again a good journey: smooth check-in, good seat, nice film, good food and drinks, a nap and a nice passenger next to you!
Inspired by and also used text from an article “Of snoring and smelly feet” from The Nation of August 14.
Hi Gringo, very recognizable. I'd rather have someone next to me who doesn't say anything, than as you describe "someone who is constantly talking". Take KLM from Antwerp lately, with a free Tallys ticket and then you can watch some Dutch films on the plane. Just as if you were connected to Missed Broadcasting. A few movies, a book, some food and drinks and before you know it you'll be standing in line at customs in BKK.
A klm flight from Antwerp? Straight to Bangkok? I can't find it, can you find some more information.
No, I like to have a chat on the plane. When I'm tired of the neighbor I just say if I want to sleep, because the journey is still long. On the last flight from Bangkok to Amsterdam there was also a chat box next to me. Can be quite fun, but after an hour I had had it. Just nicely said I want to get some sleep. He went to watch a movie. Nice is not it!
Martin; log in to KLM.com and enter Antwerp Central Station when requesting departure. As reported, you will then receive a Tallys ticket from Antwerp to Schiphol. This train journey takes 60 minutes. Take the train journey and have your ticket stamped by the inspector, otherwise you may have to pay extra when checking in at Schiphol. Good price! Good luck.
Nice story, I fully recognize it, because I worked as a steward for 30 years. When I fly as a passenger myself, I am well equipped: a galaxy tab with the latest episodes of the series I follow, books and music and a good pair of earphones.
I also don't need long conversations with a neighbor or woman. I did this sometimes in the past, but when there was such an embarrassing silence again, I wished I hadn't spoken at all.
I really enjoy a chat and on a flight to Bangkok I always meet up with a former colleague – usually a Thai and sometimes I have a chat with them, but even then I prefer to relax and enjoy my multimedia bombardment and occasional short or longer naps.
I used to have to deal with people who stank at work. And there was nothing we could do about that. When it was possible and it was really too bad, we moved passengers to another place. Sometimes from economy to business class.
But that had to be done really discreetly, otherwise a passenger five rows further would also suddenly be bothered by that passenger's stench...
I have already experienced quarrels in the time when smoking was still allowed. There was a time when the smokers booked a non-smoking place (partly because of a non-smoking partner), but then went to the smoking area to smoke there. Then they had to be able to sit somewhere. Without thinking about it, I have often helped passengers to an empty seat to light a cigarette. Until one day a passenger sitting next to such a seat complained and rightly so. The fact that you booked a smoking place did not mean that you wanted to inhale non-stop cigarette air. Because it only varied a bit in the empty seat next to this passenger.
Since then I have also been more careful. But then it was completely abolished…. A nice change for us non smokers….
Have been commuting back and forth between Bangkok and Amsterdam for over 20 years, with different companies, business class, but I've never had a good meal. Also not possible given the way of heating or keeping warm. Never understood why you can't get a cold dish like SAS serves on this flight.
Well. Olievier, if your wife serves a three-course menu every day on a linen tablecloth, adds a candle, glass of wine or often dines in a restaurant with one or more Michelin stars, then you have to humble yourself a lot to say that the food in airplanes is “tasty” to find.
I am a boy of the mashed pot, I also visit expensive restaurants quite often, but I can also enjoy a stew with a ball of minced meat. I don't despise a croquette or frikandel now and then either.
I'm just saying, you can also be satisfied with what you get!
Have a good trip next time and bon appetit!
I don't know who OliEvier (sic!) is, nor what his eating habits have to do with the subject. I also don't quite understand the comment "you can also be satisfied with what you get". There must be a reason for contentment, and the cowardly jet-practice fails to provide that reason. Instead of serving what can be served on the plate in reasonable condition (cold dish, and yes, also the croquette and the meatball!), people boast with names of chefs who would have put together “the menu” in the hope that the community falls for it or has insufficient culinary knowledge. At SAS I once got a cold dish. with roast beef, salmon, etc.: excellent!
Every Muslim, regardless of origin, education, financial background, is expected, if alive and well, to make a pilgrimage to Mecca once in his life. Recently heard a story of a "Mecca flight", where Muslims from all corners of the earth fly to their Holiest of Holies.
A family thought they had a solution for their in-flight catering. They didn't like lukewarm sweets either, but their own local pot. Let's say: their variation on our stew or meatball...
So during the flight at 10 km altitude, a few stood up. One took a small stone oven from the hand luggage, the other some charcoal, the next a pan. And another family member a chicken and onions. And so they started to light a fire in the middle aisle to start manufacturing something tasty.
Perhaps an idea for the next trip?
Their fire was quickly extinguished. You can't do anything these days!
Olivier, then you have never flown with Lufthansa. The meals are of the better class and it is (especially business and first class) famous chefs who prepare the meals. And also taking into account the conditions on board. Maybe you were always tired or you are just very picky. With a full business class there was always someone who didn't like the wine, didn't like the food or whatever. Perhaps you were one of those few guests who was so bad at speaking….
I should know, because there were always meals left over, which were then divided among the crew. Sometimes I don't eat that well at home. In recent years you could request the recipe and try it at home...
I must admit that the Asian food (except for the special menus such as Muslim food) often left much to be desired. These were too much aimed at Western customers.
But if you flew to Japan or India, you could also desire a Japanese or Indian meal. Delicious!!!!
Hi shaq. You talk about the Lufthansa and their so-called chefs?. My boyfriend has worked in Lufthansa catering in Frankfurt for years. ? It might have been better if you had talked to him beforehand, then you would have known how things work in Lufthansa catering. TIP for everyone. Take a look at the ranking of airlines and especially the top ten. You may see airlines there that you have never heard of, but that I fly with frenquently. Perhaps you are looking in vain for companies that you know, but do not appear in the top ten?. That could very well be. The Lufthansa is not listed, Another TIP for Olivier: If the SAS makes such good cold dishes, you just fly with SAS again and your food try is over?. We wish you a tasty meal and a good flight
Great tip, "just nice" flying with the SAS. And when boarding, pop into the cockpit to tell them where you want to go.
Olivier,
Judging by your response, it seems you don't know that SAS flies to Bangkok or you know how to hide it well.
It is therefore not necessary to ask the pilot to take a detour.
I myself made this flight with them last year.
I can't remember if we got a cold dish, but the flight was good and cheap (600 Euro).
So I can agree with the advice – just fly with SAS and you have your nice cold dish.
I don't know if this will also immediately rid you of stench and gossip, because no company can guarantee that.
Are the gentlemen aware that the SAS no longer flies directly to Bangkok since last year? It's just a knowledge for those who have been made enthusiastic by Olivier.
SAS has never flown ASD-BKK direct, and indeed there is no longer a direct Copenhagen-Bangkok flight, which is now operated by Thai Airways. To be able to enjoy the now famous Cold Dish, you really have to ask the pilot if a short detour is not a problem…
Gringo, Oliver
Strange because I just found the following at Connections –
I just entered a random date and the company SAS - The following data appeared
Mon 02/09 10:40 – 12:10 Brussels (BRU) – Copenhagen (CPH)
Mon 02/09 14:25 – 06:00 Copenhagen (CPH) – Bangkok (BKK)
Thu 03/10 01:20 – 07:40 Bangkok (BKK) – Copenhagen (CPH)
Thu 03/10 11:15 – 12:45 Copenhagen (CPH) – Brussels (BRU)
Price 1166,69
Of course the flight is via Copenhagen and not directly from Schiphol or Zaventem
But maybe it is indeed no longer a SAS device physically, but in collaboration with Thai.
Could be.
At the beginning of last year and the year before, I can guarantee that it was a SAS aircraft because I made the flight with them 4 times, although the price was more reasonable.
Maybe then she got their profit from the cold dish because it makes a difference in warming up..... 😉
http://www.connections.be/home-nl.html
Martin, this ranking depends on many factors. The food on board is part of it. The price for a flight is a further component. Personal experiences count. The number of new and newly equipped aircraft as well. Too many factors are just around the corner. If Lufthansa is no longer in the top 10, it doesn't mean they're bad.
What your friend has to say won't be much different than elsewhere. In addition, this service is called LSG and is an independent catering service separate from Lufthansa, which supplies various companies all over the world.
I worked for thirty years with Lufthansa on the plane on Inter-Continental flights. I don't want to claim that everyone was 100% satisfied, but that is also a thing of the impossibility. However, every effort is being made to grow as close as possible to that.
I have flown with Iberia, KLM, Varig, Vasp, Thai Airways and other Airlines. Every time I came back from such a flight with the feeling that my (former) company had nothing to be ashamed of.
Just one more thought. LH is one of the few Airlines that survived the various crises on its own. Without financial injections from the government. Where is Sabena? Who is KLM assigned to? Swissair?
That will certainly not have been due to the fact that LH was bad. They fought hard to survive.
Pffff… now I have had enough….
Thank you Shaak. A fine story. Did I say somewhere that LH would be bad?. But if you fly Singapore, Qartar, Ethiad or Emirates, you know what you could be getting on board. And that applies not only to the food, but also to entertainment and friendliness. .Thai airways, in the top 5 for years, was 2 36 years ago. KLM, LH etc are no longer in the top 20. Of course there are several criteria that influence a place in the top 10. But that goes for all of them. I am a frequent flyer of Emirates and Qartar Airways. It will be some time before others can meet the standards of this company. But completely apart from the nagging and misery at Schiphol. But that's on a different page. I fly Arabians and that from Hamburg or Düsseldorf. Have a nice day.
Now to compare an airplane meal - which I have always appreciated - with what you can eat in a Michelin-starred restaurant, seems out of the question, but to compare that same meal with the level of a mincemeat and that of a (from pulled the wall?) croquette is grossly out of place.
No, you cannot compare those meals with a ball of minced meat or a croquette.
I wish airplane meals were this good.
Well, a ball of ground beef.
Totally agree. No airplane meal can match a GOOD croquette or a GOOD minced meat ball. Wouldn't it be the ultimate treat to cheer up the trip to the Netherlands?!
I'm not going to say that I'm going crazy because the food is coming, but I often think it's not too bad considering the options one has on a plane. I have had worse food in restaurants before.
On a flight I prefer to be left alone . Usually my wife sits next to me and I hardly ever sit next to another passenger, so I have strange or rare contact with other passengers (can be an advantage or a disadvantage).
I take the flight as it comes but I'm glad when it's over.
I find flying (just like driving a car) a necessity to get around and if I can avoid it I do it. However, with air travel the alternatives are limited so I will still have to deal with it a lot.
In Flanders we sometimes say – A fair is worth a flogging so….
@ Oliver
Then just fly with SAS or check with the airline. You can often order customized meals.
Adjusting is often unsavory lead around equally unsavory old iron. I make sure I have eaten well before boarding the plane. And if I still use the airplane meal, then only the starter and dessert. Better for the mood.
Let me also put a penny in the bag. I like the meals on board on the outward journey (to Thailand) better than on the return journey, even if it is the same dish. How could that be?
The flight is part of it and is only a fraction of your total holiday. You may have bad luck with whoever is sitting next to you, but in general it's not too bad. You also have to be somewhat flexible, as you will all be in a small space for a number of hours.
I generally find the food mediocre, but perhaps it is also due to the fact that you get food at a different time than you normally eat and what I really don't like is a warm snack when I just wake up. But I just solve it by putting some cadets / raisin buns in the hand luggage and then eat them when we get hungry along the way.
The flight…. I've already forgotten about that when I'm in Bangkok!
I have read all the comments here, everyone tells me what they experienced during the flight. I'm just trying to sleep; But everyone also has an opinion about the food. I look at the accompanying picture and notice that the people I see are eating, with the exception of the fat sleeping gentleman. I myself have experienced many times where people just let me sleep and I suddenly notice that everyone has already eaten. If I ask for something to eat afterwards, they say they can no longer provide it.
Next time I will follow Ingrid's advice and try to bring something from home. The flight is too long for me to continue without anything to eat.
Personally I don't think the food is supper but good. But you can wake me up when you go around with the food distribution. Remember that the catering department of an airport has to prepare thousands of meals every day.
Dear Daniel,
If you find yourself sleeping a lot on a flight, let the staff know you want to be woken up before dinner. I used to wake people up when distributing meals, but that was unpleasant for many colleagues.
There were two reasons why you didn't get anything for a while after the distribution. A meal once heated should not be heated a second time and the main reason was that the crew probably ate it themselves.
So, just a warning.
My wife gets her (diabetic) meal earlier than the rest of the passengers. This taught me that you should not argue with the passenger in front of her to straighten his seat, just ask the steward(s). ) have it arranged..
That applies to several things, by the way.
About the meals: wouldn't avoiding long queues at the toilet be more important than excellent taste? I think the dietician takes precedence over the cook here.
Dear Rhino,
The traffic jams at the toilets are not permanent, but just like in real life, there are rush hours. Such as: after the seatbelt signs go out (although they now remain on permanently) and after meals. In the past and on planes where there is no inseat video yet, even after the feature film.
If you want to avoid the traffic jam, use the toilet at other times.
In itself no objection to a chat, but when someone starts to whine and complain about how bad everything is in the Netherlands or take the person who keeps talking about his Thai family and acquaintances, which always includes someone who holds a high position in the government , police or in business life and then hear it said with a lot of fuss 'if there is anything I just have to say his name and it will be arranged for me'.
I abruptly break off such conversations by informing him that he has bad breath.
Answer to Sjaak: Meals in airplanes wouldn't even reach the level of an ordinary ball of minced meat. This is really crazy for words. Perhaps people who say so don't like being cooped up in an airplane for half a day, mostly in the dark at night, deprived of a good night's sleep and saddled with an onset of jet lag. Feelings of unease are always treated with food, as was invariably the case in military service. That was understandable there in those relationships, but that - that grumbling about the food - to do where the airline and its crew do their best - and succeed - to serve you, that is just rude.
I don't think anyone has mentioned an "ordinary" meatloaf, I myself called it a GOOD meatloaf, with the word GOOD apparently in vain in capitals. And explained again for the third time that an airplane meal CANNOT meet culinary requirements. Not because of the cabin crew doing their best or not, but because of the warm-up/keep-warm procedures. Finally, once again: the Copenhagen-Bangkok flight is operated by Thai Airways. We're all back! 🙂
Nobody blames the crew, but when I open the aluminum of such a container and find a dried out or drowned portion of food there, it doesn't make me happy.
I once had a good meal on an airplane.
That was then with Martin air, when they still flew to Thailand.
It was spinach with mashed potatoes and indeed a minced meat ball.
I still think back on it fondly.
A long time ago you could also order a special meal cold plate at Thai airways.
But that is also a thing of the past.
It is incomprehensible that people fly from AMS to BKK and crave a meatball on the plane. If you like to eat that so much, you can pull this off the wall cheaply every day if you just stay at home. or buy a can of halal ball at AH, which has already been canned for approx. 1 year. Enjoy your meal. At the Emirates Airways (and others) you can choose from a whole palette of different meals for free. You can record this very comfortably from home via your PC up to 72 hours in advance. This only applies to the economy class. In the Business you can eat a la carte. That also applies to the wines. In the economy class you can also get wine with your meal - completely free of charge. But have you ever seen someone eating a meatball with a glass of wine? Yes, why not. If you like it, you can also eat vanilla ice cream with mayonnaise. You still have to find a carrier that serves that. Oh yeah. The Emirates also have halal food for our Muslim friends. They can then leave their spirit burner at home. Tasty food at KLM and LH where that is not possible. Let alone that you get a glass of wine for free there. At the Emirates you even get your wine in a picolo bottle - Cheers
We close the comment option. Thanks everyone for the comments.