I did a bunch of air travel earlier this week for work. I used to fly a lot for work a few years ago doing 104 flights one year and 62 flights the following year so I am well experienced in air travel. However, I haven’t had to fly for about 4 years.
There was something very different about these flights that I couldn’t put my finger on until today.
I realized that on every single flight, nobody was talking to each other. Total silence, except for brief answers to the flight attendants when they were serving beverages and snacks.
It took me until today to realize it. Now I think I understand why.
All the planes these days have WiFi including the smaller ones. Everyone was using their cell phones, tablets and computers during the flights and had isolated themselves into the digital world. No conversation or even notice of the people sitting next to them. Even families sitting together didn’t talk, just disappeared into their devices.
I didn’t mind the silence since I like to read during flights...but it was a very odd thing for it to be that quiet.
It was quite remarkable.