Just a ‘plane’ lack of courtesy

With all the deep concern expressed about the lack of civility — often the downright rudeness — exemplified by seemingly everyone running for public office these days, we are inclined to see it as something exclusively political.

Yes, there was a time when one member of Congress would address an opponent as “my esteemed colleague from the great state of whatever” instead of “that scum-sucking pig in partnership with Satan,” but it seems to be happening more and more away from elected officials.

The most recent example of egregious, inconsiderate rudeness I personally witnessed happened Sunday night as my plane boarded its passengers for a flight from Oregon to Phoenix.

An older woman traveling with her medical assistance dog had just settled into her front-row window seat with her canine companion curled at her feet. Almost immediately, a middle-aged man demanded that same seat from the flight attendant who attempted to explain that, yes, that was the seat he was assigned, but could he not accept another window seat so the dog would have more room?

He refused, aggressively telling many of us nearby that the service dog was not his problem.

I’m sure that’s true, but we all know what his problem is, don’t we?

I’m Pat McMahon.

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