For most of us, travelling on planes isn’t exactly the most comfortable experience — from the hard, cramped seating to the long hours, passengers will look for anything to kill time until they get to disembark at their destination. If you’re unlucky enough, inconsiderate fellow passengers can make the experience even more uncomfortable!
Earlier today (16th July), American novelist Alafair Burke took to Twitter to share a video a friend sent to her showing a man on the flight she was on using his feet to control the touchscreen of the in-flight entertainment screen in front of him.
My friend who doesn’t have twitter sent this from her flight. It belongs on Twitter. pic.twitter.com/qG6d54V5Dd
— Alafair Burke (@alafairburke) July 15, 2019
The video was soon met with disgusted reactions from Twitter users, many of whom said that they would now wipe down their in-flight entertainment screens on their next flight. Some even shared a video of British supermodel Naomi Campbell’s flight routine, in which she is shown thoroughly wiping down and sanitising her seat and in-flight entertainment screen before getting ready for takeoff!
People in first class look at me crazy for wiping down everything. This is exactly why. Yuck.
— Tika Sumpter (@iamtikasumpter) July 16, 2019
I really look down on people who wipe everything down as fussy and overly concerned about germ exposure which is both unavoidable and necessary. And right now, seeing this, I realize how wrong I’ve been.
— Minerva (@Expelliarmoire) July 16, 2019
Everyone: “YOU CANT CALL THE COPS, WE’RE IN THE SKY!”
Me, regardless: pic.twitter.com/ScKl9Yyaeb
— X (@XLNB) July 15, 2019
Disinfectant wipes will be the new item to add to my plane bag contents. Sheesh. ?
— What Did I Miss? (@f9neye) July 15, 2019
Naomi made some points pic.twitter.com/7nmxqg6XZ9
— boop (@boopyape) July 16, 2019
This is exactly why Naomi Campbell wipes down everything she touches on a plane. I’m following her advice cuz these people are nasty. ? pic.twitter.com/h3aOEH3OZV
— Rasheedah Najieb ♊️???♀️ (@sheedahsunshine) July 15, 2019
However, other netizens were quick to point out that the passenger could have a physical disability and may not have been able to use his hands to control the screen. However, Alafair debunked that theory, saying that the person who took that video saw the passenger walk off the plane carrying his own bags.
Gonna point out to everyone being judgemental on this: based strictly on what is shown, none of us know if that person has a muscular impairment that precludes their ability to lean forward and use their hands for this.
Let’s practice less judgement and more compassion.
— It is Time! (@Chirparrooo) July 15, 2019
The photographer confirms that she saw him walk on and off the plane, carrying his own bag. He just likes to watch TV with his bare feet.
— Alafair Burke (@alafairburke) July 16, 2019
Well, if anything, this video has taught us to always carry some anti-bacterial wipes and hand sanitiser along when travelling anywhere!
Also read: Passengers Outraged as Mother Forces Plane to Wait 30 Mins While Daughter Shops at Duty-Free