Playing by the rules helps everyone have good flight
In Tuesday’s “Airlines respond to battle for overhead carry-on space,” flier Terry Buchen complains when other passengers find it necessary to re-position his carry-on in an effort to accommodate more in the overhead bin (Money).
Perhaps if he had a smaller carry-on that fit perpendicular to the aisle as it should, he wouldn’t require taking up more than his share of the overhead space, and he wouldn’t have to be concerned with such altercations.
I fly frequently, and I marvel at the selfishness of passengers who won’t play by the rules. This is especially frustrating when it’s obvious that one of those two items could easily fit under the seat. Such fliers hog the overhead space and ignore the needs of others. If passengers such as Buchen weren’t concerned only with their own needs, traveling by air could be a more enjoyable experience. It would also help if the airlines would be more proactive in enforcing their rules so passengers who play by them don’t have to run the risk of getting into an altercation with those who don’t.
Gary Nudd Scottsdale, Ariz.
Preventing concussions
My 14-year-old son is a die-hard football fan and, like many boys, has big NFL dreams. He bristles at my concern about concussions, but he knows that playing is not his decision alone: It’s up to my husband and me (“Not safe for kids? Parents weigh risks of youth football amid concussion debate,” Cover story, Sports, May 23).
We set the ground rules: If he doesn’t make weight, we will never let him play up with heavier, older boys. We insist on a concussion-reducing helmet, whether the league issues it or not. Football is his joy, and I want him to embrace it. I’d like mandatory concussion training for all little-league coaches. I’d like a rule that requires a referee to suspend a boy who does a helmet-tohelmet hit for at least a full game. I’d like all boys to sign a pledge on safer hitting. Last season, our team witnessed real progress: When a player in the huddle was acting confused, his teammate asked, “What’s your address?” When the boy couldn’t answer, the teammate called a timeout, telling coaches about a possible concussion. I’d like to see all players, coaches and teams equally committed to minimizing concussions. Cindi Michael Howson
Sparta, N.J.