Spontaneous Act of Kindness

8. October 2011 by PawBill.

Surprisingly, spontaneous acts of kindness can still be found in everyday life despite the seemingly ugliness of the present generation of ungodliness that is permeating every element of American society; the “me first, I’m entitled,” generation as I like to call them.   This past Tuesday evening my wife and I experienced one of those acts while traveling on US Airways flight 1447 from New York to my home via an interconnecting flight through Charlotte, NC.

Most air travelers try to carry on as much luggage as they can to avoid the baggage charges that are now being collected by most airlines; in my case, the total came to eighty-five dollars for my flight.  For most business passengers it is also a matter of avoiding the baggage claim areas and the possibility of lost or damaged luggage; I only had one wheel broken on my three checked bags and fortunately no lost luggage.

I am going out on a limb here but it has been my observation that most women’s carryon luggage pushes the airlines maximum guidelines.  It is not unusual to see other passengers assisting women with the lifting and placing of their luggage in overhead compartments.  My wife is no exception when it comes to packing her carryon bag which she complains has more of my stuff than hers. I might agree with her so I never complain. 

Let me describe our experience on US Airlines flight 1447. Prior to boarding an announcement was made requesting passengers in rolls five and six to come forward and have their carryon luggage checked because there would be no overhear compartments available in their area. I should have expected that there might be a problem (who in their right mind would go forward), but I promptly forgot about the announcement assuming I would not be affected.

My wife and I were assigned to roll seven in section two.  When section two was called to board we proceeded with the “herd” that had already grouped around the doorway entrance.   Once onboard we found our seats but our carryon luggage could not be placed overhead above our assigned seats.  There was only room above roll sixteen—ten rolls further back.

I knew there would be a delay in our un-boarding, but we had an hour and a half until a connecting flight on the same carrier, and I assumed time would not be a factor. I was just glad I had checked my carryon in New York so I did not have to deal with two bags. Some men treat or refer to their wives as “old bag’s,” but that is another story for another occasion.  When we landed my assumed time frame had quickly diminished; there was now only forty-five minutes until our connecting flight. 

When the seat belt sign was turned off upon arrival at the gate, the herd stood throughout the plane and the process began.  All the overhead doors were opened and luggage was being removed. The aisles were crowded and time was beginning to tick away.

Quickly, a strategy plan was placed into action.  My wife would make her way off the plane and proceed to the terminal and once there verify the gate location of our connecting flight.  I in turn would work my way to roll sixteen and retrieve our luggage.  It was going to be a daunting process, and I had to be graceful and not belligerent because there were many others who were also trying to make connecting flights. I know because that was the small talk as people stood waiting for the plane’s door to be opened.

As a vacant spot became open I would move back a roll. I made my way slowly to the seating over the wings where the emergency exits were located and stood, apparently, looking “old and helpless” as other passengers were beginning to exit.  There was now no way to go back any further and I had six rolls to go.  I would have to wait.

As I stood patiently, a young gentleman standing at roll sixteen suddenly asked if the remaining bag in the overhead compartment was mine.  I said yes and without any further discussion he reached up and lifted the bag out of the compartment.  That’s when the team work began.  As he held the bag over his head, he passed the bag forward and one by one the passengers, both men and women, ahead of him took my bag and passed it forward over their heads until I was able to take it.  I stood amazed at the spontaneous teamwork involved.  I offered my thanks and proceeded to exit the plane.

As I passed a flight attendant that was witnessing the courtesy I remarked to him that the “spirit of helpfulness” was still alive. He remarked that maybe the Christmas spirit was starting earlier this year.  He must have been a Christian to say Christmas instead of Winter Holidays but again, that’s another story for another time.  

I have been on many flights but I have never witnessed the courtesy of the “passing of the bag” before.  Maybe the young gentleman had witnessed me helping two older ladies with their luggage as I made my way toward roll sixteen and decided to offer his assistance.  Or maybe, he was just a gentleman and his parents had taught him common courtesy. The book of Proverbs in the Holy Bible has a lot to say about man’s interactions with others and also about the raising of children.  It is a short read and you would enjoy not only its humor but its common sense advice.

There was a recent television commercial that portrayed spontaneous acts of courtesy as one courtesy led to another and to another.  It just goes to show that people will help other.  I do not remember who the sponsor of the advertisement was, but I remember the ad and what it was supposed to represent.   

My thanks go out to the men and women on flight 1447 that passed our luggage over their heads down the aisle that day.  My wife and I arrived at the gate of our connecting flight just as they started the boarding process with no time to spare.  On the connecting flight I was able to place my carryon bag in the overhead compartment directly above our seats.  But this time, it did not matter because there would not be a need to hurry once we reached our final destination.

May your days be blessed as mine continue to be.

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