I recently read about a Gerrer bochur whose father passed away and he had to fly to the US. The custom among many of the good boys was not to eat food served on the plane, not because of kashrus issues but because they wanted to avoid having contact with the people serving the food. [והמבין יבין].
On this flight, however, the boy felt so emotionally and physically spent that he allowed himself to take a meal.
When he returned to Eretz Yisrael, his Rebbe, the Beis Yisrael [who saw many hidden things] took a look at him and said "you ate food on the plane?"
That is a HIGH standard of kedusha.
Let us contrast that with those '86 World Series Champion N.Y. Mets with whom so many were enamored [I stopped following sports a long time ago so I don't know any more recent examples if there are such].
They got on the plane to return home from their victory and went nuts. They wrecked the plane, drank a ton of alcohol, snorted cocaine, and were acting like animals including exchanging wives and girlfriends [who were also on the plane] with each other for their carnal pleasure.
Nu, sweet friends. This popular culture is not something that our souls want us to be part of. We should be so proud that we are Jewish and have such high standards and never be embarrassed. We have great heroes of our own so we don't have to look up to entertainers and athletes.
When you descend from the plane, you can actually be a better person than you were when you boarded. If you have a sefer and siddur with you - it is a GREAT time to focus. Nothing else to do. And you are mamesh in SHOMAYIM!!!
