Have you ever flown on Southwest before? If you have, you will certainly be able to relate to the situations Marty Thompson points out in his humorous look at the airlines.
It has always reminded me of a cattle car. I feel like I should “moo” when I’m getting on. There is never enough space for two people to share an armrest. Sitting on the emergency exit aisle is best, but EVERYONE knows that. Getting there early does mean better seating, but it’s no guarantee.
Marty walks through each of these marvelous experiences and offers you tips. Most are just tongue-in-cheek, but some are valid. Can you figure out which?

Many will make you laugh out loud.
First he introduces you to Irma, the very first flight attendant. She worked as one for over eighty years, retiring in 2002 from Yucatan Airlines. Uh huh…
He discusses strategies for getting the seat you want (many of them include cheating or lying), how to use your luggage as a battle weapon, and ways to discourage others from sitting next to you.
He tells you how to steal the armrest from the other fellow. How to mash others carry-ons out of your way so your bag will fit in the overhead container. How to leave the overhead container doors open so it slows the others down getting on the plane…
He explains that peanuts they serve you are part of a conspiracy. He also spends a goodly amount of time on ways to get free drinks.
He gives you hints on the best way to block the aisle upon deplaning so that no one gets out ahead of you. He even advocates stepping on feet to slow others down.
My very favorite part of this book was the last chapter. “True” stories about fellow travelers and what they’ve seen on flights. Some of these are outrageous enough they have to be true. A guy proposing to the flight attendant asking her to either marry him or let him on the plane first? A little boy boarding alone scoots off the plane and makes it back to his mother saying: “They tie you down onto these big chairs, but I got away!” Or how about the flight attendant who tells folks anything left in the overheads will be sold by Gate B1. The old lady who asks if they have anything is told it was a joke. So she had to go fetch all her friends who were waiting for the sale…

I have a signed copy of this book that I am giving away. Just email at [email protected] and tell me why you’d like to have the book. After about a week, I’ll do a drawing and pick a winner.
Book Review written by Jo Ann Hokola, for butyoudontlooksick.com 2009