Washed Weekly: Playlists & Plane Standing
Great moments are born from great responsibility.
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Plane Standing - Okay or Not Okay?
by
Join me on a thought exercise for a moment, if you will.
You’re on a long road trip. You’re not driving. You’re sitting in the back seat. You’re staring out the window, listening to music, and enjoying some cheddar cheese Combos or beef jerky. Three hours into the four hour drive, it’s time to stop and fill up with gas.
The car pulls into the gas station, then the driver puts it in park and shuts off the engine to get out and pump gas.
What’s your move? Do you stay in the back of the car like a dumbass or do you get out and stretch your legs a bit? At bare minimum, you’re getting out to stand next to the whip and get the blood flowing to your atrophied extremities again. More likely, you’re probably taking a stroll through the convenient store to see what’s what even if you’re not buying anything.
It feels good, doesn’t it? It refreshes you. It makes the final hour of the drive more palatable.
At the end of a multi-hour flight, when the plane finally stops at the gate, what’s wrong with standing up and stretching the legs a bit, even if you can’t yet exit the plane? Let’s talk about it.
Now, there are rules at play here. It isn’t a free-for-all. We still live in a society and plane disembarking etiquette absolutely applies. Let’s play a little Okay or Not Okay?
As an Aisle Passenger, Standing Next to Your Seat
When the plane reaches the gate and the seat belt sign turns off, is it acceptable to stand up and stay next to your seat? If that is your seat, as the passenger sitting in the aisle seat of your row, yes, it is.
It is important, however, to stay put. Your leg should actually be touching the armrest of your seat while you’re standing. That’s your home base. You have a very small plot of real estate that you’re expected to stay within. Do so, and you’re totally fine. You have to leave space for the aisle passenger sitting across from you to do the same.
Verdict: Okay
Standing Up and Moving up the Aisle a Few Rows
Some people will stand up when the plane comes to a stop, quickly grab their belongings, and will walk speedily up the aisle, skipping past rows of passengers. This is selfish, egregious behavior.
These people have no regard for others and should be shot. They’re the same people who wedge their way into the front of a long line of cars trying to exit a highway and don’t even wave. Stains on the fabric of society.
Verdict: Not Okay
Standing Up and Pulling Down a Large Carry-On From the Overhead Compartment
If you decide to stand up when the plane comes to a stop and think you’ll get a head start on your exit by pulling down either multiple carry-ons or one large one, you’re breaching plane disembarking etiquette.
As mentioned above, you’re entitled to a very small plot of aisle real estate if you choose to stand up when the plane lands. You must keep to yourself and not bother others. A large carry-on that you would set down next to you in the aisle shall not be tolerated. That’s selfish behavior. Imagine if everyone did this. They couldn’t! There isn’t enough room!
You are, however, allowed to grab a small carry-on from the overhead compartment as long as it fits on your seat that is now vacant (since you’re standing). And on your seat is where it must stay until you exit the plane.
Verdict: Not Okay
As a Middle or Window Seat Passenger, Standing Up and Moving to the Aisle
The aisle seat comes with certain perks that the others don’t get to enjoy. Easy access to the bathroom, a quick exit, and avoiding the claustrophobic feeling of being trapped are some of the reasons that make the aisle seat so desirable.
It also means you’re allowed to stand up when the plane comes to a stop. The others are forbidden. Listen, there’s simply not enough room for you in the crowded aisle. You’re a second class citizen among second class citizens (assuming you’re sitting in coach) if you don’t have an aisle seat.
Verdict: Not Okay
At 43:45 in the Circling Back episode titled “Mechanical Bulls & Cheese Rolls,” we discuss airlines in Turkey passing a regulation to FINE plane standers. It sounds like they’re having issues with people moving up rows when the plane lands, though. It sounds like total chaos.
I’ve Been Tasked With Making a Playlist For My In-Laws’ Anniversary Party
by
Great moments are born from great responsibility. The responsibility that’s been bestowed upon me this weekend is one that I wasn’t prepared for — but something I was ready for.
When I received the text, “Can you make a playlist for the party on Friday?”, I knew I had to accept the task. You only get these opportunities every once in a while and I haven’t sniffed something like this since making a 4th of July Power Hour playlist in 2009.
While compiling songs, I had to think of the subjects: Men in their 60s and 70s who spend most of their time on the golf course, and women of the same age who sprint to the dance floor when “Smile” by Pharrell comes on at a wedding.
Additionally, you have to think of the atmosphere. Outside, early June, Friday evening during sunset. While I do think I could convince everyone that “Levels” should be on the playlist, that may have to wait for the afters (aka my drive home).
Is this the most high-pressure playlist I’ve ever made? Since high school, definitely. Let me know any adds you have, but I think I’ve absolutely crushed it up until this point.
A New Golf Playlist Warning Is In Effect
by Dave
I’ve decided to prioritize my mental health this summer. Thank you, thank you. Please, no more applause. My courage here is not the story, although, it is noteworthy. Part of Dave’s Summer 2k25 Initiative (DS2K5I) is to participate in many golf related activities. This includes, but is not limited to, taking off some Fridays for 18, continuing my reign as Austin’s premier country club guest with the bag tags to prove it, sneaking in a small bucket before or after work, and just ducking out of my duties at home to chip and putt for 30 minutes. Thriving.
Part of being the ospite di tutti gli ospiti (guest of all guests) is having a charged BTS (Bluetooth speaker) and playlist ready to roll in case the host or whoever I’m partnered up with beefs it. Things happen. Chargers get lost. Speakers get left at home. That’s why I stay ready.
In the past, when my time came and I got the nod, my default was either Allman Brothers Radio, Sturgill’s Sound & Fury album, Bruce Hornsby Radio, or if we’re on the back nine: Sax House 2025 or 2000s Crunk Music: Hip Hop, Rap. Rarely did I get complaints. I’ll keep these bookmarked going into my golf busy season because there’s no need to say goodbye, but if I’m going to get this handicap back to a single digit, I need to ditch the playlist aggregation and take matters into my own hands.
I’m assembling a playlist that will be built to stand the test of time. It must play well in every potential interaction on the course. From small talk with a starter to my very specific drink orders with the cart girl, it needs to be tasteful yet edgy. I believe that what sets a great golf playlist apart from a good one is the songs that fill the gaps between the bangers. In fact, you really only need a handful of traditional “bangers,” and the heavy lifting should be done by “City of New Orleans” live at Nassau Coliseum, “No Plane On Sunday,” before jumping into Mel McDaniels’ “Baby’s Got Her Blue Jeans On,” or “Cocaine Country Dancing.” That’s a little peak behind the curtain. Are you excited? I’ll probably make this playlist public on Spotify so you can light up your local muni with me this summer.
I want to be judged by it. That’s how confident I am in what I’m putting together. When I get paired up with your uncle at the wedding scramble, I want him to leave being confused, curious, and satisfied. Sure, there was a moment on 14 when Boosie had him wondering if it was too late to change partners, but we won him back over when Duane Allman ripped up “Blue Sky” on the short par 3. It’s the juxtaposition. Wipe me down.
We’re getting this handicap back down to 9 this summer, and the first step is obviously dialing in the music. When I get a last-minute invite to fill your foursome because Tanner backed out, I want you to not only remember the Central Texas Spinners™ that had me up and down all day, but my playlist that filled the awkward lulls in our conversation. Let’s do some golf, boys.
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We have a release date for that golf playlist, hoss?