Flying has become a nightmare at 30,000 feet.
In the latest inflight pedi crime, an air barbarian used a fellow flyer’s armrest to prop up their sooty foot, as seen in a Reddit post taking off online.
“Someone dared to put their foot on my armrest,” lamented the Redditor of the incident, which occurred on an unidentified flight.
The accompanying photo shows the entitled passenger resting their sock-clad kicker atop the person’s armrest, forcing them to rest their hands in their lap.
The armchair vigilantes on Reddit didn’t take too kindly with the infraction with many offering suggestions on deterring passengers who refuse to toe the line.
“Pull the sock and hold for ransom until situation improves,” suggested one armchair air expert, while another wrote, “Take a zip tie and strap the leg to the armrest!”
“Steal their sock, slip it right off, and act like you have no idea what they’re talking about,” advised a third. “When they complain to the attendant they’ll have to explain they were resting their foot on the armrest and really think about what they did.”
“100% would accidentally spill my drink on the foot making sure to soak the sock,” declared one commenter, invoking a controversial tactic that was demonstrated in a viral video in 2021.
While it may be satisfying to give a toe encroacher their comeuppance — especially given the plethora of pedi crimes in the sky of late — flight experts advise against such confrontational tactics.
“Doing anything to intentionally hurt someone is rude and wrong,” declared California-based etiquette expert Rosalinda Randall. “In the end, you’re the one who will be looked upon as inconsiderate. Always try to work it out courteously.”
She advised talking it out with the culprit, explaining: “You can turn to them calmly and politely explain, ‘I know there’s little space on planes these days, so you understand that I also need all the space I can get.’ Or, ‘I don’t want to keep bumping your foot, so please keep it under the seat.’”
Failing that, the passenger should alert a flight attendant, per the expert.
“I would not have advised this a few years ago, but due to the increase in testy passengers, I strongly recommend it,” Randall advised.
Or, as one alleged crewmember put it on Reddit, “As a flight attendant, TELL US DON’T DEAL WITH IT. WE WILL YELL AT THEM FOR YOU AND LIKE IT.”
