For instance, why do they never give me the seat next to the panda?
Must be a smart panda, as it’s sitting in the emergency exit aisle and they only let competent individuals capable of assisting others do that. Remember, in the unlikely event that the oxygen masks are released from the overhead panel, always help the panda affix her mask securely before putting on your own.
robro says
It’s also the best seat for the long legged sort, but I rarely get it.
PZ Myers says
Yeah, and how come I’m always seated in the last row, aisle seat? Every single goddamned time, no matter what preferences I give.
Rob Grigjanis says
Must be an omnivore. Eats, shoots and flies.
Katherine Lorraine, Tortue du Désert avec un Coupe-Boulon says
That is not a panda!
It is a bear.
Anthony K says
Have you tried showing up at the last minute, sweaty and reeking of last night’s boozing? They always put me up front near the cabin, so they can keep an eye on me.
Emrysmyrddin says
I’m just excited that the tumblr in question is of the Sherlock fandom. World domination!
rq says
I didn’t know bamboo shoots were on the catering list, dammit.
Rev. BigDumbChimp says
The Illuminati
Ichthyic says
try wearing a turban?
Wowbagger, Designated Snarker says
That’d be right. Corporations, always pandering to the elite…
Chaos Engineer says
always help the panda affix her mask securely before putting on your own.
Grrr, this kind of bad advice is why pandas are an endangered species!
If you do that, then there’s a risk that you’ll fall unconscious before you finish putting the panda’s mask on. You’re supposed to put on your own mask first, and then the panda’s mask. If you’re travelling with multiple pandas, then you put on your mask first, and then the pandas’ masks in order of how much you like them.
(My experience is that, in an emergency situation, it can get really stressful to figure out which pandas you like better than which other ones. So it’s best to think about this question before takeoff.)
kayden says
I would love to see a panda on one of my flights. Too cute.
sc_e94313c775e472e2749a200883fdec2e says
It could be worse: They might give you a seat next to a loud human cub.
frankb says
Last row, aisle seat? Isn’t that the closest to the bathroom. Maybe they think your bladder is weak.
frog says
I always try to get last row, window seat. Everyone else hates the last row, so I have the best (albeit small in these days of overbooking) chance of having an empty seat next to me. Yes, it means being the last person off the plane, but if I have checked bags, I’m just as happy to wait on the plane as to wait at the carousel.
hillaryrettig says
Oh come on, that can’t possibly be a real panda. (And yes I clicked through and still don’t believe it.)
Am I the only skeptic here?
Trebuchet says
I have had it with these motherfucking
snakespandas on this motherfucking plane!@#4:
It’s both! I clearly remember being told, over and over, when I was young that pandas merely look like bears but are actually more closely related to elephants, or raccoons, or lobsters, or anything that’s not a bear. That was before the era of DNA. It made me so happy when it was announced that they are, in fact, bears. (Giant pandas only, of course. Red pandas really are pretty close to raccoons.)
keinsignal says
@#16 – your skepticism is warranted, pretty sure it’s just a very realistic toy.
Chris Clarke says
No, you’re just way cooler and more hip and cynical than the rest of us.
mothra says
You were just bamboozled into sitting next to the bear. You could write a book about the whole experience. hmmm title, hmmmm title: Of Pandas and People- that has a nice euphonious pronounciation. (Ooops).
nutella says
I once flew on a Virgin America transatlantic flight and was seated near a madonna statue. The statue had its own seat (a window seat!) and had been carried on inside of a cloth case. The case was unzipped for the duration of the flight, presumably so she could see out that window. Her traveling companion had a great time explaining to people how he dedicated his life to hauling this statue around to various places so people could venerate it. I guess you can only direct prayers to statues that are physically present(?)
A giant stuffed panda is much less weird but why do the inanimate passengers always get the good seats?
thumper1990 says
@Chris Clarke #19
*doubles up laughing*