Why online check-ins ruined my love life...
I was recently on a really long flight back home. Travelling back to Bangalore, India from San Jose, Costa Rica. There were 3 flights in total; San Jose to Miami- 3 hours, Miami to Doha (longest leg of the travel) – 15 hours and Doha to Bangalore -4 hours. And like any other normal person I wished I get to sit next to someone interesting. Maybe chat a little bit, flirt or just gawk even. (If you do not wish this secretly while travelling alone on a flight, you are too normal. Please stop reading this blog because it is meant only for people with a certain level of abnormalities).
Before my travel, I met this old friend of mine who announced his engagement and was extremely excited. As an (acting) good friend, I felt obliged to act as excited as he was and congratulate him. But it didn’t seem good enough. So I continued my (fake) excitement and asked him how they met. It felt like he was ready with not only the answer to my question but also a much practiced one. It had a story, a plot with jokes, drama, fear- the whole deal. Phew!
In a jist, he said they met on a flight while he was travelling from Bangalore to Chennai and they hit it off immediately. I stood there is shock and awe because “that” flight is 50 mins long… or short… or long.. Whatever! Moving on.... How on earth did he even start a conversation, leave alone find love on that flight?
I went back home feeling happy for my friend and feeling jealous about the fact that I have never met/ found/ seen/or even sensed anyone remotely interesting sitting beside me on a flight. It was time to do what Amazonians do best “Deep Dive” (I’m not kidding about this, it’s on a public website)
And what other great time to do that deep dive, than being on a ridiculously long flight yourself. So it began. 3 flights from Bangalore to San Jose and not one... I repeat... not ONE single interesting person sitting beside me. I was visibly upset. If it could happen to my friend, why not me? WHY GOD, WHY?
Then it was time to come back from San Jose and it was on my last leg of travel that it struck me, that it’s the bloody online check-ins that are to blame. Let me tell you how. So, I am obviously a certain level of internet savvy and I know that checking in online will not only help me land a window seat but also considerably decrease my standing in queue time at the airport. It’s an intelligent thing to do. Period.
What struck me later, is that if I ever have to find someone who I will be able to have a decent conversation with, will need to be at the same or higher level of internet savvy-ness and will do exactly what I do. Check-in online. So, if I find a guy sitting on the center seat (no matter how good looking he is) I’m immediately going to judge his savvy-ness.
And there I had it, the conclusion to the question I asked myself. That why I have never met/ found/ seen/or even sensed anyone remotely interesting sitting beside me on a flight.
Thank you online check-in, you ruined my love life!
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ROTFL - good point - never occurred to me. But then again - I have actually had interesting people sit next to me. ;) Few and far between though!!
ReplyDeletenever happened to me and i don't think it will happen either. lol.
DeleteGood one. Maybe on the next flight you should be a little more adventurous and try not checking in online.
ReplyDeleteUnfortunately Anish, I'd put my own definite selfish comfort over uncomfortably seated- probable love finding. sigh.
DeletePray that, that friend of yours doesn't get to read this!
ReplyDelete"that" friend has already read this post and commented on a private chat ;)
DeleteInteresting post ...but he could be a jet setting exec who changed his flight at the last minute. I'm pretty web savvy, but there have been several occasions when I get done with a meeting early, while visiting a city, and wind up calling the airline on the way to the airport. If it's really last minute I sometimes have to give up my business/1st seat and take whatever is available. It was on one of these short (50 minute) flights from Boston to DC that I wound up sitting next to Erika. Fast forward a few years and we are getting married in a fortnight. Moral of the story - don't let preconceived notions get in the way of your adventure ;)
ReplyDeleteThanks Rono Bhaiya, just so you know.. the story of the friend is actually yours ;) (improvised version). Remember our dinner at The Taj Vivanta in Bangalore? I remember things. haha. Thank you for the inspiration.
DeleteAwesome TG :) too funny...well I've also faced this on my many solo flights.
ReplyDelete