Networking and The Exit Row

If I cannot get into Row Seven, see if there is an Exit Row. Finding one in what would have been the smoking section in a bygone era; I did not mind an aisle seat. There were guests in the middle and window seats.

Shelley Brown flies a lot and has a series of posts called "Best in Row" where she showcases someone met on a flight. This is a contest everyone wins: she meets someone interesting, utilizes her time in the air and makes LinkedIn worthwhile.

I meet interesting people on flights. There are no pictures. They are private people. Actually, I am because I do not care to have my picture taken. Are conversations started on airplanes? This was a cross country flight. There are statements and I do a lot of writing.

More people recognize me for writing on airplanes than on LinkedIn. That writing is longhand in a Marble Notebook. No one would give a second glance if I wrote on a laptop. Sometimes the old ways are the most effective.

Exit Rows have extra legroom. You have to take a leadership position in an emergency. I would. My seat mate seemed like he served in the military. He was impeccably dressed. Find a good look instead of settling for comfort.

I never flew next to someone who wore pajamas in public. It was viewed in the terminal at EWR once. During the day, no less. The thought I had made this woman memorable. "Why can't you wear yoga pants like everyone else?"

Dress for function and act like you will be seen on a flight. Dressing for flights is another story, another article. During the flight, many stood in our section. For two reasons- there was space to spread their legs and we were in close proximity to the restroom.

In an exit row you can get up and not bother your neighbors. That is the disadvantage to a window seat. I don't want to make others get out of their seats. Some with active bladders take aisle seats for that reason.

There have been nice exchanges as a passenger is waiting to use the restroom. There is nothing more to say. If I were going to ask a woman out on an airplane- waiting in line for the restroom is not the right time.

It's possible, especially when someone is flying to an unfamiliar city and you have visited that city or live there. Possible, not probable. I was seated next to guys who aligned with me. We were there for the same purpose- flying to our next destination.

These guys were so good I include flights as a place to meet "Multiple Streams of Relationships." It is a one time meeting. I have never seen the same flight attendant on multiple flights. Even on the same route and flight number.

When someone is friendly, one encounter is all it takes to be memorable and resonate long after arrival. To fly in The Exit Row you have to be responsible. Hopefully you will never need to take responsibility. Enjoy the legroom and the travelers encountered. It is one more way air travel never gets old nor loses its novelty.