Tulsa and the Blue Dome District

"Another masterpiece of Art Deco along Route 66 in Tulsa is the Blue Dome. The Blue Dome was built in 1924 and served as a Gulf Oil Station. This was the first station in Oklahoma to have hot water, pressurized air and a car wash. It was also open 24 hours, seven days a week. The station attendant lived upstairs in the dome itself. "-- BestofTulsa.com

The Art Deco Blue Dome Gas Station

     On a recent long layover in Tulsa, OK my first officer introduced me to a smart phone application he had on his device. It finds "Happy Hours" in your area based upon your GPS location.  Now THAT makes for a VERY smart phone!

     We had arrived around noon and decided to try out the "app" later that day.  The first location it found was a place called "Orpha's" about four or five blocks away.  It advertised cheap beer, so off we went.  We walked in and quickly determined that it was not an "appropriate" place for us (more on that later).  
     So next, we set off for "Arnie's" another five blocks away.  It was in Tulsa's "Blue Dome District."  We surmised that if it was in a named district, it had to be decent.  We discovered a friendly place with an outdoor patio that allowed us to take advantage of the beautiful day (as opposed to the dark, smokey questionable first bar).  We sat outside with a $6.00 pitcher of Killians and enjoyed the ambiance, striking up a conversation with a couple seated near us.  After asking us where we were from, and learning why we were in Tulsa, we told them how we came to discover the place.  They laughed and were incredulous when I told them about Orpha's.  "That's where all the homeless people go!"  they laughed.  I asked why the area was called the Blue Dome district. Pointing up, they said, "that's why."
     As I peered up, I saw........a blue dome.  Arnie's is right next door to what once was a 1920s gas station that attracted Route 66 travelers with its Art Deco blue dome.  It is now the hub of Tulsa's downtown nightlife scene.  It is a great area to find pubs and good restaurants.  The district regularly plays host to the best in local bands and is also known for its annual art festival featuring local artists. For more information, here is a link: 

http://www.visittulsa.com/icons/20/blue-dome-district/

     We left Arnie's for a delicious Mexican meal at nearby El Guapo's, sitting at the bar on the roof where I enjoyed some awesome Mahi Mahi fish tacos.  We went back to Arnies, enjoyed the rest of the evening and walked back to our hotel.  Tulsa and the Blue Dome District is now on my list of places to go on layovers.

The Old Gas Station in its Heyday

Thank God Airlines Are Getting Rid of Free Pretzels

Saw this article and had to smile.  My airline still serves pretzels, peanuts, cookies and soft drinks.  Imagine the fuel savings we could realize if we got rid of THOSE items!  Remember folks, flying on an airline as a paying passenger is NOT a right, nor an entitlement.  It is a service you pay for and if you don't like what you received in return, then there are other options.

Published: Tuesday, 8 Mar 2011 | 1:48 PM ET

By: Ash Bennington
NetNet Writer, Special to CNBC.com

Fuse | Getty Images

Pretzels are the latest symbol of failure for the airline industry.

Continental Airlines has eliminated its distribution of free pretzels to coach class customers during domestic flights. When an airline stops giving away salty snacks some see harbingers of doom. For example, the New York Times writes:

"To me, the end of the free snack on Continental (which last fall was the last of the major airlines to eliminate free meals in coach) is merely the latest illustration of the accelerating decline in quality, and even availability, of cheap air service."

I must confess: It has never been entirely clear to me why airlines give away anything for free. Or—perhaps more to the point—why the media and passengers become apoplectic when they stop.

What exactly is the economic case for why I should subsidize the free pretzels distributed to my seatmates—with an increased cost to my airfare?

After all, I have no expectation of free popcorn when I go to the movie theater.

An airline isn't exactly analogous to a movie theater when it comes to getting free stuff—it's actually far worse.

Why?

Well, we don't expect movie theaters to give away popcorn to moviegoers for a very simple reason: Because popcorn costs money—and why on earth should anyone get something for nothing?

But the case for free stuff in the air is even less logical than that.

Each 'free' item that is distributed to passengers by an airline must be carried on an aircraft thousands of feet above the ground—and that comes at a substantial cost to someone.

That means that every pound—every gram of pretzel, in fact—burns additional fuel, and incurs additional logistical support costs.

Continental airlines, for example, says eliminating pretzels will save the airline $2.5 million a year.

We should applaud them for their cost cutting initiative: If I want pretzels I will pack them in my carryon bag or buy them myself.

Customers of airlines have long complained of Soviet style service in the air—and yet they expect to fly in a magical world where all amenities are provided free of charge.

Let us move to an à la carte model of air travel.

And let the airlines concentrate on the real problems: Managing fuel costs and hashing out the economic viability of their air routes.

Fishing Is For the Birds

When my son, Joseph was fourteen he was at that age where the primitive drive of the male species to hunt or fish for something, kill it and eat it was evident.  It is that age old rite of passage.  Something male Homo sapiens cannot avoid no matter how sensitive we are.  It is a primal urge.

I have never been much of a hunter, still suffering from the trauma of shooting and killing a robin red breast with my BB gun as a boy.  I cried over its lifeless body before giving it a proper burial and eloquent eulogy.

Fishing fulfills that urge for me, though it is still hard to clean fish as I look into their eyeballs.  Some are such beautiful creatures.  But fishing is relaxing and far less guilt-inducing since I rarely catch anything and I release many of the fish I do catch.

During a week-long stay at a beach house in North Carolina, Joseph and I decided we were going to catch some dinner.  Whatever we caught that day was going to grace our table that evening.  With bait and gear, we proceeded to paddle our boat to the sandbar in the middle of the sound our beach house overlooks.  From there we would fish into the deeper part of the sound because, we knew that is where all the really big fish are according to the “big water, big fish” theory.

After casting our lines, we placed our rods into the holders stuck into the sand.  We then began to walk around searching for minnows we could net for bait.  I would occasionally glance at the poles to see if there was any action while Joseph and I discussed the merits of various minnows we spotted in the shallows and tidal pools of the sandbar.  Shortly, I glanced at my pole and saw it suddenly bend down.

“I got one!” I exclaimed excitedly, running towards it.

Disappointment and surprise greeted me upon reaching my pole as I realized that what brought the line down was not a fish, but a seagull that had flown through the nearly invisible line, becoming entangled in it.  It was flapping helplessly on the surface making a tremendous commotion, squawking and shrieking loudly.  I could see the line had wrapped around one of its wings.

I pulled the line with the attached seagull in towards the shore and reached out to free it pulling my hand away just in time to save my fingers from certain pain.  I could see that this was not going to be easy.  Meanwhile Joseph stood by watching incredulously.  The squawking created by this one seagull was deafening.  I sent Joseph to get our dip net and my pocket knife.

It was about this time that the skies began to darken.   As I awaited my son’s return, I glanced up at a scene straight out of Alfred Hitchcock’s horror movie, “The Birds.”  Jonathan Livingston Seagull’s family and friends had gathered.  A tinge of fear ran through me as I recalled one of the victims of that movie whose eyeballs were missing.

“Hey, I am trying to help him, really!  I am trying to set him free!  Please don’t attack me!” I pleaded to the gathering fowl as a new sense of urgency began to fill me.

Joseph returned with the dip net and the knife.  Looking up he said, “Wow, Dad, they look really mad.”  He was always such an observant child.

“I know.  While I free this guy, you keep an eye on them and don’t let them attack me!” I exclaimed, not really knowing how he was going to do that.  He kept vigil for me as I attempted to free the trapped gull, which I was now convinced was the leader of the pack above me.  Placing the dip net over his head to protect my hand from his snapping beak, I carefully reached for his wing and cut the line free with my knife.  The part of his wing that the fishing line had wrapped around had lost some feathers, but it didn’t look too bad.  I lifted the dip net away from his head, and after scampering across the water, Jonathan Livingston was airborne once again.

Above the gathering flock of vengeful protectors slowly dissipated, following the freed bird.

My son and I looked at each other and began laughing.  “What a catch!” I said.  “What a fish story!”

We didn’t catch any fish that day.  Instead, Joseph and I went to the seafood market and bought some nice fillets.  We enjoyed recounting the story over dinner and thought of that seagull flying around perhaps telling others of his adventure that day.  Joseph’s primal urges were somehow placated by his heroic defense of his Dad from vicious beasts.  I also felt somehow redeemed for senselessly killing a beautiful robin a long time ago.

A Few Good Pilots

Found this to be pretty funny.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=odu1pwMcPyw

Pilot Secrets and my responses to them

I recently saw this on Yahoo and found it interesting.  I thought that I would reprint it here and add my responses to them.  My responses are in bold.  
Reader's Digest asked 17 pilots from across the country to give us straight answers about maddening safety rules, inexplicable delays, the air and attitudes up there—and what really happens behind the cockpit door. What they told us will change the way you fly.


What You Don't Want to Know:

“We miss the peanuts too.” -US Airways pilot, South Carolina
My response: I don't. We actually still have them.

“I’m constantly under pressure to carry less fuel than I’m comfortable with. Airlines are always looking at the bottom line, and you burn fuel carrying fuel. Sometimes if you carry just enough fuel and you hit thunderstorms or delays, then suddenly you’re running out of gas and you have to go to an alternate airport.” -Captain at a major airline

My response: This has never has happened to me.  I always have plenty of fuel and have never been denied a request for more.

“Sometimes the airline won’t give us lunch breaks or even time to eat. We have to delay flights just so we can get food.” -First officer on a regional carrier

My response: True, but not often.  Usually if there have been weather delays, then we can find ourselves in a bind.  I have sometimes asked people to let me cut in a line at a food vendor by announcing that I have a flight in a few minutes.  They have always been accomodating and then I will eat my food at cruise altitude in the cockpit.

“We tell passengers what they need to know. We don’t tell them things that are going to scare the pants off them. So you’ll never hear me say, ‘Ladies and gentlemen, we just had an engine failure,’ even if that’s true.” -Jim Tilmon, retired American Airlines pilot, Phoenix

My response:  I have never had a failed engine, but I always do try to "sanitize" and ensure that I speak "civilian" to them.  I always ensure that I put passengers at ease about what's going on even as I keep them informed.  If it is a mechanical issue, I try to explain it to them in a way that will make sense and yet stay in simple terms.

“The Department of Transportation has put such an emphasis on on-time performance that we pretty much aren’t allowed to delay a flight anymore, even if there are 20 people on a connecting flight that’s coming in just a little late.” -Commercial pilot, Charlotte, North Carolina

My response:  I actually have delayed a flight under directions from our company because a large group of people were connecting on my flight from a late arriving international flight.

“The truth is, we’re exhausted. Our work rules allow us to be on duty 16 hours without a break. That’s many more hours than a truck driver. And unlike a truck driver, who can pull over at the next rest stop, we can’t pull over at the next cloud.” -Captain at a major airline
My response:  True.  We work our butts off.  When we get to our overnight destination, don't get in our way as we leave the airport to get to our hotel for some much needed rest.  We will run you over!

What We Want You to Know

“Some FAA rules don’t make sense to us either. Like the fact that when we’re at 39,000 feet going 400 miles an hour, in a plane that could hit turbulence at any minute, [flight attendants] can walk around and serve hot coffee and Chateaubriand. But when we’re on the ground on a flat piece of asphalt going five to ten miles an hour, they’ve got to be buckled in like they’re at NASCAR.” -Jack Stephan, US Airways captain based in Annapolis, Maryland, who has been flying since 1984
My response:  I don't know, if we have to brake suddenly while taxiing, anyone standing up will likely be hurt.  At altitude, we can predict turbulence about 90% of the time.


“The two worst airports for us: Reagan National in Washington, D.C., and John Wayne in Orange County, California. You’re flying by the seat of your pants trying to get in and out of those airports. John Wayne is especially bad because the rich folks who live near the airport don’t like jet noise, so they have this noise abatement procedure where you basically have to turn the plane into a ballistic missile as soon as you’re airborne.” -Pilot, South Carolina
My response:  DCA, (Reagan National) is a pain in the butt to fly into.  You put your license on the line every time you fly into there because of the restrictions.  I never have flown into John Wayne, but he's right about noise abatement procedures.  Note:  If you don't like airplane noise, don't buy a house near the airport..

“At some airports with really short runways, you’re not going to have a smooth landing no matter how good we are: John Wayne Airport; Jackson Hole, Wyoming; Chicago Midway; and Reagan National.” -Joe D’Eon, a pilot at a major airline who produces a podcast at flywithjoe.com
My response:  Totally correct.  Greasing it on is not as important as ensuring you don't over run the runway.  Key West is like that and the site of some of my worst landings.

“I may be in uniform, but that doesn’t mean I’m the best person to ask for directions in the airport. We’re in so many airports that we usually have no idea.” -Pilot for a regional carrier, Charlotte, North Carolina
My response:  I can't tell you how often this happens to me.  I may be as lost as you are if it is somewhere I don't fly into very often.

“This happens all the time: We’ll be in Pittsburgh going to Philly, and there will be a weather delay. The weather in Pittsburgh is beautiful. Then I’ll hear passengers saying, ‘You know, I just called my friend in Philly, and it’s beautiful there too,’ like there’s some kind of conspiracy or something. But in the airspace between Pittsburgh and Philly there’s a huge thunderstorm.” -Jack Stephan
My response:  True, we don't make things up just to make your lives miserable.  

“You may go to an airline website and buy a ticket, pull up to its desk at the curb, and get onto an airplane that has a similar name painted on it, but half the time, you’re really on a regional airline. The regionals aren’t held to the same safety standards as the majors: Their pilots aren’t required to have as much training and experience, and the public doesn’t know that.” -Captain at a major airline
My response:  Well, MR Captain at a major airline, I actually fly for one of those regionals.  Our Captains, have an average of 15 years experience.  We have many with over twenty-five years.  I have been flying almost thirty years.  Our training standards are the same as yours and are given to us by the FAA, same as you.  Please let me know when you get on my airplane for a free ride home sometime.  You "major" airline pilots are never reluctant to board one of our flights for a free ride home.  

“Most of the time, how you land is a good indicator of a pilot’s skill. So if you want to say something nice to a pilot as you’re getting off the plane, say ‘Nice landing.’ We do appreciate that.”-Joe D’Eon
Response:  True.  My landings are almost always good (except in Key West) :-).

“No, it’s not your imagination: Airlines really have adjusted their flight arrival times so they can have a better record of on-time arrivals. So they might say a flight takes two hours when it really takes an hour and 45 minutes.” -AirTran Airways captain, Atlanta
Response: True.

Windy Wichita, the R-Kansas River and the Old Mill Tasty Shop

One of the many whimsical sculptures found
along the sidewalks of downtown Wichita.

     True to Dorothy's Kansas Tornado scene in Wizard of Oz, Wichita always seems to be blustery whenever I fly into Mid-Continent Airport. They take full advantage of the Wizard of Oz relationship to Kansas by selling T-shirts and other memorabilia in the airport shops related to Dorothy and Toto's adventure.  We stay at the beautiful Hyatt Regency Wichita within walking distance of Old Down Town.  The Hyatt is on the banks of the river that runs through Wichita, but don't call it the "Arkansaw," here, it is the R-Kansas river though it is spelled the same as the state of the same name. The river is lined with parks and wide walkways for biking, running or strolling.

     Wichita is the home of many aviation industries. Cessna, Lear, Beech aircraft are headquartered here. Being a pilot here is rather ho-hum to the locals who are probably tired of us, but aviation certainly has and still does fuel the economy.

     Walking through the downtown area, especially along Douglas street you will encounter numerous bronze statues of life-sized figures. Adults, children and animals in various poses are randomly placed upon the sidewalks. Some of them even have water features, such as the man in a business suit with his shoes off about to wade into bubbling water coming from the sidewalk. His bronze briefcase and shoes are apart from him as separate sculptures on the sidewalk. It makes for an enjoyable stroll and really adds to the ambiance of downtown Wichita.


 As my copilot and I wandered around we encountered "The Old Mill Tasty Shop" at 604 East Douglas Ave. It piqued my interest. I knew nothing about it (though afterwards, I did an internet search and realized what a gem we had found) but it looked extraordinarily interesting from the street. It was after one pm and needing a lunch, we walked through a time portal and discovered an old fashioned soda shop complete with soda fountains, marble counter and classic round stools. We were welcomed by friendly servers and chose to sit on the stools at the counter. I watched as Dustin, our waiter made a cherry limeade for another customer, squeezing two limes into a glass, adding cherry syrup and soda and stirring it all up with a spoon. If you order a Cola, they mix it themselves: syrup and soda in a real glass. I had a chocolate peanut butter shake while my copilot got a chocolate malt. The shakes and malts are made in the stainless steel mixing cups served alongside your shake or malt so you can pour the rest in as you unavoidably slurp the last sumptuous bit at the bottom of a tall parfait glass.       You could stop there and be totally satisfied, but the sandwiches and soups are delicious. I had a simple ham and cheese with potato salad and my copilot had a Reuben on marble rye.   In our conversation with Dustin, he realized we had never been there before. Before we knew it we were being brought small samples of the other amazingly good stuff:  chicken salad, beef stew, tomato bisque soup, seafood crab salad and a "green" chili made with tomatillos that was spectacular.  We were so impressed with the flavor of each sample that they gave us. Everything have an "just made" fresh flavor and it is obvious that the Tasty Shop chefs put a lot of pride into everything they make.  The special of the day was lasagna, which I deemed too heavy for my lunch, but I did see others enjoying it.  On top of all the great food and service, the prices are extremely reasonable. I learned later that often the wait times are long during the lunch hour. We were lucky to show up when we did and promptly sit down. I would rank The Old Mill Tasty Shop as a "must see" (and eat) location when in Wichita.  I am certainly spreading the word about it to my fellow crew members.

How to Keep Your Flight Attendant From Using the Emergency Exit on Your Flight

When I started this blog, I didn't really intend it to be a place to vent about dumb things that I witness airline travelers doing. I really love my job and yet, as you can imagine, there are times when it frustrates me. I am always professional, but there are times when instead of my usual, pleasant PA introducing myself and welcoming passengers on board, I just want to say: " Get in, sit down, strap in and shut up!" But I don't.
So, in light of the recent incident involving the now famous Flight Attendant for Jet Blue, Steve Slater, I am posting these simple "Airline Rules for Knuckle Heads," or "How to Keep Your Flight Attendant from Using the Emergency Exit Slide to escape passenger stupidity."

Rule #1: Don't call them a "stewardess" or "steward." They are "Flight Attendants (FA's)" and are there because the FAA (Federal Aviation Administration) mandates it. They are there to ensure that you can safely exit the aircraft in the event of an emergency and that you obey FAA mandated regulations. They don't just "make up" rules. Your massive purse or carry on cannot be on the floor in front of you. This is so people can actually walk out of the seat and into the aisle instead of tripping if they have to get out quickly. It would be cheaper to put self service soft drink machines on each flight and let you serve yourself if FA's weren't required.

Rule #2: Flying is not a right. It is a privilege that you pay for. Airlines are in the business to make money, not cater to your every whim. If you are not happy with the service, choose another airline or mode of transportation. Write a letter to the company president. Do not take it out on the flight crew. Chances are they are just as sick and tired as you are, possibly having flown three to five legs that day. If you are running late, they are too. We are just as anxious as you are to get to our destination, which might be where we can rest in a hotel room or actually go home after being away for four days. We hate delays probably more than you do. After all, you are traveling at over 500 mph in the sky while sitting down in relative comfort! Stop whining or go greyhound!

Rule #3: Listen to what the FA or the pilot says on the PA! Yes, we all know how to buckle our seat belts, but there are other things that are said that are actually relevant and pertain to you. There may be a useful nugget of information that will actually help you. Pull the ear buds out, postpone your cell call, and donate five minutes of your precious time to listening. You just might learn something, like: how long the flight will be, what gate we will arrive at, where your carry on bag will be when you deplane if you are on a smaller plane that requires a plane side check. What beverage options you have when the FA comes around to ask you what you want, so he or she doesn't have to repeat the list of options to every passenger because they weren't listening.

Rule #4: Don't be a pig! Please try to collect your trash and dispose of it. FA's are not "trash ladies" as one child innocently called a FA once. If you have small children, pick up after their mess. I once saw a young boy with a huge trash pile on the floor in front of him. His mother sat across the aisle and did nothing. This kid drank four or five soft drinks during a one hour flight and monopolized the only lavatory on the plane, inconveniencing everyone else. Planes fly constantly and don't often sit during the day. Often the "turns" are less than 30 minutes and do not allow time for real cleaning. DO NOT CHANGE YOUR CHILD'S DIAPER ON A SEAT. Don't even think about handing a crappy diaper to the FA. In fact, try to take care of all of your business before you board the plane. I personally avoid using airplane lavs if I can. I know that is not possible on longer flights, but it is amusing to see people board then head straight for the lav.

Rule #5: Cell phones and smart phones: No one wants to hear you screaming into your phone. Text quietly, then put it in "airplane" mode or shut it off. Does it really affect navigational devices? Consider that all cell phones have GPS capability. Our airplanes use GPS (as well as other things for navigation). Fifty to one hundred cell phones left on, all seeking a GPS signal CAN ACTUALLY AFFECT THE NAVIGATION. Besides, who cares? It is an FAA regulation that we are forced to enforce. What makes you so special that you have to be an exception to that regulation?

Rule #6: Be extraordinarily polite to your crew, regardless of the situation. You get more flies with honey than vinegar. I don't care how many bizillion miles you have or what your frequent flyer status is. None of us responds well to rudeness. One time we were told to delay a flight because of a large group of people coming from an international flight that was running late. If they missed our flight, the last one that evening, they would have had to spend the night at the airport. We left about thirty minutes late. About half way through the flight, my single FA calls me and is in tears because a passenger who had been on board while we waited for these people to arrive was not happy about it and started taking it out on her. Now, I have to worry about her, this unruly passenger AND fly the airplane. I radioed ahead and had the police greet him. I wanted him thrown in jail. "Interfering with the duties of a flight crew" has a broad interpretation. In any case, you as a passenger are going to lose. Don't mess with my crew! You are affecting the safe operation of that aircraft.

Rule #7: DON'T EVER JOKE ABOUT DRUNK PILOTS OR FA'S! We take our job very seriously. If you board the aircraft and say something like "I hope the pilot isn't drunk" that is just like joking about a bomb being on board. I have actually had passengers say things like that as they were boarding and I'm standing there greeting them. My response to them is a serious deadpan face and the statement, "Sir, ma'am, we don't even joke about that." My other response could be this: I leave the plane, the flight is cancelled or delayed while I go get a urinalysis to clear my reputation and protect my job. Think about it. If a passenger hears you say that, they may not know that you are joking. Now a sliver of doubt is in their mind and they may actually believe that the pilot is drunk. They may relay this to other passengers and before you know it....well you get the picture. If something were to happen, then this may even be brought up in the media when passengers are interviewed. There have been well reported incidents of "drunk pilots." These are infinitesimally rare, but they make good press. We are all extraordinarily strict about this. Despite the frustrations of the job, we love what we do. I would never jeopardize it by breaking that rule.

Rule #8: Weather is beyond our control. Air Traffic Control (ATC)delays are beyond our control. Mechanical delays are beyond our control. I don't fly non-airworthy airplanes. I do not have a death wish. I don't fly through thunderstorms. I will not take off without permission from ATC. As I said, I love my job. We follow rules. We fly safely. Once, I had a mechanical delay in upstate NY. We were able to get the issue resolved and were finally cleared to go. A woman passenger told the flight attendant she wanted to speak to the pilot. She came to me and wanted me to assure her that the plane was "safe to fly." I believe I masked the incredulous look on my face pretty well and politely told her that I had a wife and children that I wanted to see when I got home and that I would not fly the airplane if it was not safe to do so.

Rule #9: Do not try to board your flight if you are drunk. You will be denied boarding. The FAA prohibits us from boarding drunk passengers. If you are drunk and get past the gate agent and onto the plane and you are a "quiet" drunk who falls asleep right away and makes no commotion, then you might get away with it. If you are an "obnoxious" drunk and bring a lot of attention to yourself, then I will personally see to it that you are removed from the flight. The FA's have enough to do with out having to worry about obnoxious drunks. Besides, in the event of any emergency, you will be a liability. Also, do not get drunk on an airplane. If you become unruly, the police will greet you upon arriving at your destination.

Rule #10: Wear appropriate clothing. If you are a hairy, overweight man, do not wear a wife beater undershirt. No one wants to see that. Tank tops in general are not a good idea because temperatures are often difficult to precisely control inside an airplane. Blankets are becoming rare. Flip flops are not a good idea. Consider that if you have to evacuate the aircraft in flip flops there is a good chance that you will be doing so barefoot because it is likely that you will lose them in the process. Business casual is always the most practical dress. You can stay warm, or get cool. Your footwear is solid and will keep you safe in an egress. You don't offend any one.

Finally: Share the air! You are in a pressurized tube. Though air circulates through the cabin, we are in a confined space. I have actually made a PA advising a passenger in the back to please put away her (or his) fingernail polish as I could smell it all the way up in the cockpit. Be considerate. Bathe. Use deodorant.
Hold your flatulence until you can go to the lav. Avoid getting really obnoxious smelling foods.

OK. I hope these nuggets of wisdom will help. Meanwhile, enjoy your flight and don't be THAT PASSENGER that we all talk about after work.