So, this is what my experience of loading and unloading my luggage from airplane overhead bins was like on my most recent trip: "Excuse me, ma'am, do you need help with your -- oh, clearly you don't." All my shoulder rehab still hasn't quite given me back 100% normal range of motion, but on sheer strength, I have clearly surpassed where I was pre-injury.
But this got me thinking: back when my shoulder injury was at its worst, people were generally very good about offering to help me when they saw me struggling with my luggage. (Although I also checked my bag more often - sometimes you just don't want to to put yourself in a position to rely on the kindness of strangers, especially strangers on airplanes, which are not an environment that brings out the best of human nature.)
But when I think further back, back to the days when I had very little upper body strength, it was very rare that anyone offered to help me with my luggage, even when I was visibly struggling with it. I somehow doubt that we've all just gotten nicer. I do kind of feel that since the airlines started putting bigger fees on checked luggage and more restrictions on carry ons, passengers have taken a more cooperative attitude towards getting everyone's bags stowed on planes. Or maybe it's just that I'm older now, and more plausibly look like someone who might need help?
But this got me thinking: back when my shoulder injury was at its worst, people were generally very good about offering to help me when they saw me struggling with my luggage. (Although I also checked my bag more often - sometimes you just don't want to to put yourself in a position to rely on the kindness of strangers, especially strangers on airplanes, which are not an environment that brings out the best of human nature.)
But when I think further back, back to the days when I had very little upper body strength, it was very rare that anyone offered to help me with my luggage, even when I was visibly struggling with it. I somehow doubt that we've all just gotten nicer. I do kind of feel that since the airlines started putting bigger fees on checked luggage and more restrictions on carry ons, passengers have taken a more cooperative attitude towards getting everyone's bags stowed on planes. Or maybe it's just that I'm older now, and more plausibly look like someone who might need help?
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