Big Floppy Straw Hat Dupes Flight Attendant
I always travel with a floppy, ribboned straw hat. It serves several functions including - shelter from the sun, cuteness as an accessory and occasionally, camouflage during flights.
I’m traveling gypsy style right now with a large rolling duffle, a box, a cat in a carrier and medium-sized bag/purse. I checked the duffle and the box, leaving me with room for one personal item and one carry on. Frank in his travel bag is my carry-on. My purse has all critical items in it when on the plane such as my laptop and camera.
My purse doesn’t close, though and since Frank gets shoved underneath the seat in front of me while on the plane, this leaves me with nowhere to put my purse. I don’t want to put it in the over head bins because my fear is that all my stuff including sensitive electronic equipment would fall out.
Enter big floppy straw hat.
I put Frank under the seat and slipped my purse behind my legs, which you are not allowed to do, according to some FAA regulation. So, I just put my big hat in my lap and let it dangle a bit across my legs and voila! The flight attendant doesn’t see the contraband stowed behind my legs.
July 12th, 2008 at 7:19 am
You sound as if you think it’s cute to break the law. That “some FAA regulation” thing is a Federal Law. Cabin crew are required to enforce those laws. Interfering with crewmember duties is also a federal offence (another broken law). I’d just replace the open purse with a computer bag - the kind with LOTs of pockets - that could hold all the items in your purse as well as your laptop.
July 12th, 2008 at 8:39 am
What are you, the fuckin’ FAA minor infringement police force?
I don’t think it’s ‘cute’ to break the law. I do think, however, that some laws are created because the masses don’t know how to handle themselves. I think that in a world like ours, if I can break a useless law in a harmless way, like putting a bag behind my legs when I’m not supposed to, then that is a small triumph.
Had the crewmember noticed and asked me to move the bag elsewhere, I would have done so with no complaints and I’d have done it with a smile.
I have no desire to purchase a specialized bag when the one I currently use is *almost* perfect for my needs. You’ve got a good point, though, I think I will modify it and put a heavy-duty clasp on it.
Thanks for reading. Thanks for commenting. And thanks for helping me figure out a lawful solution.