Since I received so many comments from readers about my previous post (directly, not on the blog — what’s that all about?!), I thought I would write about my return trip from Los Angeles (LAX).

Everything was great until a man sat down in the window seat next to me on my Delta flight from LAX to Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport (CVG). He seemed like a likable chap; he had a hard time getting his flimsy bag in the overhead bin and gave up, stuffing it under his seat. When he sat down, he removed his sandals and crossed his leg. His big toe was within inches of my knee cap. On top of that, his feet smelled. He began to rub them and brush them on the seat in front (remember that next time you touch airline seats).

I said, “Gross,” loud enough for him to hear a few times, and I know he heard me. I buried myself in my work, as the entertainment in my paid-for seat was out.

Throughout the flight, he was rude to the flight attendants. He often switched and re-crossed his legs, so I could get the best view of his stinky feet. Hey, I am not perfect, but can we please wear socks on flights? And sandals in the winter? It was cold in Los Angeles, too — come on!

He also closed the tray by letting it drop into place, rather than easing it into the compartment. I wondered if he would do that with his furniture at home. Why people treat this equipment like it is theirs to break is very odd. Perhaps “barbarian” is too kind a word.

— Fran Gallagher, publisher and CEO