Air Hosting

You have the right to host people in any space you occupy. You may not have the right to set them up for a night’s stay or a gourmet meal, but you can welcome people into your space. If I occupy a seat on an airplane, I can offer my welcome and influence to anyone on that row or near me. We’re flying for the holidays and it has brought to mind the amazing opportunities to host while traveling. If you’d like to give it a try, here are some things that have worked for me.

Bring Toys and Distractions!

I’ve been struck in heart-wrenching ways by people’s helplessness when traveling. I’ve watched adults weep openly and beg for help while boarding an overbooked plane. I’ve watched a parent cry silently while their little one had a screaming melt-down during a five-hour flight delay. Part of that helplessness is the reality of being surrounded by so many strangers who pretend they don’t see the pain. Don’t be dramatic, just acknowledge another human. If you are stuck in the boarding area, set your children up in their own row and go over to the parent of the melting child. Invite them to your space, set up with toys and snacks. Pass toys to bored children around the plane. No toy is better than someone else’s. Offer your charger to the person freaking out over their cell phone battery. Offer a smile to anyone who makes eye contact. Influence the sphere you occupy.

Pack Sandwiches!

My children and I aren’t able to eat most of the food on airplanes and in airports, so we pack lunches and dinners. We’ve realized from experience that just because the plane is scheduled to land at 6pm at the Dallas/Ft Worth airport, there are real odds that it may land at 6:45 at the Austin airport, and then sit for 90 minutes while some thunderstorms pass by. Such occasions are perfect opportunities to host in your space. While the flight attendants hand out complimentary pretzels and cheese crackers, you have the ability to offer your neighbors turkey sandwiches or peanut-butter and jelly. Your airplane neighbors will NOT accept if you say “Would you like some of our sandwiches? We have plenty.” They will for sure turn you down.

Here’s a conversation that actually happened.

Another passenger to the stewardess “Excuse me miss, can I have another cheese cracker? My blood sugar is going down.”

The stewardess to my seat neighbor, “I’m sorry, I need to give these out to all the other passengers. We only have enough for everyone to have one. If I have extra, I may be able to come back.” She moves along quickly.

Me to my seat neighbor, “Excuse me, I got carried away with sandwich making this morning. (truth!) We have too many. Would you take one?” Sandwich accepted.

Here’s another offer that has worked while I assembled ham sandwiches for my family, “I brought some for you. Can I just make it for you now?” Sandwich accepted.

People feel like less of an imposition with small, distinct portions.

• Chopped fruit (“We have too much”)
• Sticks of cheese (“Won’t you take one? I don’t want to carry all this around.”)
• Sandwiches work quite well.

All you have to do is think of what will work best for your family and then expand your image of who will enjoy things with you. Random acts of kindness are nice, but planned ones can happen more often.

 

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