As I sat in the American Airlines Admiral’s Club Lounge at Miami International a few weeks ago, I quickly realized something. Though the customers may wear more expensive clothes and their bags may have names like Louis Vuitton or Prada, one thing seems about the same as in the regular waiting area…people are kinda dirty.  Crumbs on many of the seats, people taking off their shoes and putting their feet up on furniture, general sloppiness.  Money can buy many things…maybe even happiness…but it doesn’t necessarily buy manners.

I have noticed the same thing on flights when I’m relegated to coach.  As I de-plane, I have to shuffle through what one would imagine to be the pristine First Class section.  Instead I spy blankets and pillows strewn everywhere, food and napkins wedged in seat backs, eye masks and socks in all sorts of places. Its not much different than what it looks like behind the magical curtain in coach.  I have to say that the first class cabin before take off is a much more inviting place than after you land.

What you expect to see (Ethiad’s 1st Class Service Photo Copy: news.com.au)

I’m certainly not going to complain that my last flight home from Atlanta to Los Angeles allowed me to enjoy the spoils of first class. Full meal service, free flowing wine and clean pillows and blankets that came in sealed plastic pouches (rather than hurriedly dug out from underneath the seat and thrown in the overhead bin just seconds before the next coach passenger grabs for it). Still, I realize that people are just people and when they are in a plane they are generally going to trash it whether they are a 3 year old with a cup full of Cheerios or a 60 year old business man with a glass container full of warm pistachios.

For me, first class cabin and executive lounge access are coveted holy grails of travel (right up there with 5 star hotel rooms and luxury spa packages) and I hope to be seeing more of them in 2013. But I also hope I’ll be blessed with passengers who remember where they are and that their mamas don’t work for the airline…clean up after yourselves and keep your dirty, bare feet off of my armrest.

– Thank you!