Have to say i`ve flown to some 30 odd countries in my life , with some 8 trips to Argentina and it always brings a (perplexed) smile to my face how Argentines travel.
Theres the queue for the gate 45 minutes before its open as if the seating on the plane is on a first come first serve basis. Its then you realise its every man, woman ,child and dog for themselves on this flight. And the queue always goes straight across the main lounge concourse preventing anyone from passing through unless you ask nicely which is greeted with a look of distrust that you`re actually only trying to steal their position in the queue.
Once on the plane you always seem to get sat next to the person next to the window with the worlds largest elbows and a bladder the size of a pea who insist they will make themselves as comfortable as possible on this flight regardless of your own personal space. I did once wake up on a flight with a feeling of a heavy weight on me to find the teenage girl next to me asleep , mouth open and dribbling on my shoulder. I kept that quiet from the wife.
Then as the wheels touchdown on the tarmac the collective sound of 300 clattering seatbelts being released followed by the mad scramble for the overhead lockers , only to be told to sit right back down by the air stewards until the plane stops, and the round of applause when the pilot announces they have landed in Argentina. Are they applauding the pilot for his flying skills ,god for getting them there safetly or the welcome news that they are back in their homeland and the thought of a decent meal of milanesa and none of the foreign crap theyve had to put up with??? Perhaps all of the above. Once the plane has properly stopped theres the queue in the aisles for 20minutes to get off the plane which if your stupid enough to be still sitting in your seat when it starts moving you have to try and force your way into eventually because they dont stop for nobody.
Once inside the terminal theres the free for all baggage reclaim , where everyone stands right next to the conveyor belt entrance to save valuable seconds getting their luggage and insist on placing their trolleys right up against the conveyor belts so nobody else can steal their spot. And finally, once through customs theirs a huge risk of a broken ankle from rear ending trolleys as people suddenly slam on the brakes to stop and hug,kiss and have a photo taken with each of the 100 strong horde/welcoming party of family ,friends, that guy who works in their local kiosko, who are really only there to make sure the iphone,laptop,tablet or camera they asked for arrived home safely.
put your running shoes on!
