One Airline’s Version of Social Media: Stop … I Want to Get Off

Most people will tell you I’m a fairly gregarious person. Even a few might tell you I talk way too much. I’m the guy that wants to introduce everyone to everyone else. But there is one place I absolutely clam up and simply shy away from contact with the outside world – when I’m spending a few hours in the back of an airliner. I really enjoy my privacy. Perhaps I’m expecting too much, but I get kind of nutty when people try to infringe on my personal space on an airplane – all 10 sq. ft. of it – another reason I’m so relentlessly opposed to any airline approving the use of cell phones on board an airplane. Maybe it’s the close quarters or simply the opportunity to sit back for an hour or two and not respond to my iPhone or Twitter accounts.

Now comes word that one airline and I’m sure others, since they typically operate like a herd of sheep, are enthusiastically launching into the social media world with – or would this be against – passengers. Air France-KLM last week announced what I think is a simply terrible idea to create a social network and web site to alert other flyers about the people they’ll be cooped up with for a few hours, a post that will include their name and a link to their personal profile. They’re hoping this linkup will encourage people to share travel tips, entertainment recommendations and restaurant ideas. I hate this idea, despite being a Web 2.0/3.0 aficionado.

I was stuck next to an old couple on a flight a few years ago who decided that me wearing my headphones listening to music wasn’t going to stand in the way of their taking the opportunity to ask whether I’d been saved or not. This fellow pulled aside one of my headphones to see if he could talk, or preach, something I rated as dumb as talking about your preference of McCain over Obama or vice versa during a job interview. It’s just plain stupid. I’m still trying to figure out what part of “No thanks … please?” this guy didn’t understand. Then there was the woman who simply had to tell me how flying reminded her of a life-threatening anxiety disorder that she had to spend almost 45 minutes explaining to me. I just want to read my book … please.

OK, I’m Old

The PR people at Air France-KLM say the new network is a response to the demand of young people – that’s anyone younger than me I think – to see if other subscribers are on the flight. “There will of course be some – like ME – who can imagine nothing worse than meeting other travelers, especially on a flight where you could be next to someone for hours, while others will embrace it as a networking tool.” Great. Just what I want to do for hours on end. Network with someone. Air France-KLM thinks they will have 300,000 users by the end of 2009.

On a flight where my seat is assigned, I’m assuming it will be clear to all exactly where they can bother – I mean find me. So again, Southwest Airlines’ random seating saves the day once again. And I’m going to move around during flight too, just in case.

So please Southwest … you know I think emerging media is a fantastic idea. But I want to control it … please.