Husband’s responsibility takes flight

Dear Jasminda,

When I travel with my partner on a plane, he ignores the safety announcements and instead reads a book. I feel like if something goes wrong, I’m the only one who will be able to assist.

Bettina L.

Dear Bettina,

I’ve come across a range of different travellers over the years. Because I am a nervous flyer, my pre-flight observation skills are heightened and so I take mental notes of passengers. They fall into a few broad categories – those who look as though they’ve consumed three wines before their 10am flight; the confident business people who fly twice a week; the over-prepared passengers with their travel pillows, eye pillows, weighted blanket, rosewater spray, face mask, fluffy socks and lightweight baggage; and the mellow husbands who have left every part of the itinerary to their wives. I’m putting your partner in this category. He’s already relaxed by the time he’s on the plane. He doesn’t have any of that residual “did we pack the passports and visas?” panic, because he’s offloaded that to you. Once he’s seated, your partner may as well be dosed up on Valium. He is in an oasis of calm that will not be interrupted by instructions for an event that has next to no chance of eventuating, particularly since you booked Etihad due to its outstanding safety record.

Let your partner be. I’m sure his adrenaline will kick into action if an emergency situation develops. You, by contrast, will be in full control, knowing exactly how many steps to the emergency exit, your life jacket will be on but not inflated as per the instructions, and you will have the oxygen mask affixed to your face while your partner is madly navigating the situation, blowing his safety whistle, getting caught in his seatbelt, fighting with another passenger, and ultimately being restrained by the flight attendant.

Keep up your efficiency, Bettina. Flight safety relies on people like you.

Carpe Diem,

Jasminda.