It’s hard to believe, but spring break is just around the corner! Have you made your travel plans yet? According to the US Travel Association, there are approximately 50 million K-12 grade students in the U.S. and most of them have a spring break between mid-March and mid-April. DISD will be off from March 11-15. Whether you are packing for the mountains or the beach, be sure to pack a little extra patience and kindness.

 

When packing into a cramped row, be mindful of those around you and respectful of their personal space. Nobody likes an armrest invader. In a triple seat row, the middle passenger has the right to both arm rests. As for reclining your seat, it's every passenger’s right to do so but show respect during service. 

Our sense of smell is strong and it’s hard to know what smells can be offensive to others either due to preference or sensitivities. It’s best to avoid wearing perfume or cologne when flying. Even strong scented sanitizers and hand lotions can waft far. Also, be considerate about any food you bring with you to enjoy at your seat. 

Whether it’s the order in which you board the plane, or the order in which you exit, understanding when it is your turn and following those rules helps ensure harmony for everyone. Airlines vary in the way that they board, if you have any questions, you can always ask a gate attendant ahead of time. When exiting the plane, we must wait our turn and let the passengers in front of us get off before we do. 

With courtesies in the friendly skies, strangers become seatmates and seatmates become friends.

***BIO FOR END OF ARTICLE*** 

Tara Darby Rasheta is a Lakewood resident. She is the Director of Development and a Certified Instructor for JDW Social Education Programs and acts as the local Chairwoman for the East Dallas Cotillion. She serves as Managing Director for the charity she founded in 2018, A Model Patient 501c3, where she delivers care packages to breast cancer patients around the country.