boo says "Beware of 6 year olds"

I started taking flights by myself since I was 6. But for my very first flight Ipoh - Kota Bahru my aunt accompanied me so I could spend school hols with my parents stationed there. The adults worried I would freak out & needed acclimatisation for my first flight. I didn't protest because I was too young to know to freak out. The Fokker engine did sound alien. There were moments of air turbulence. But the nice pretty stewardesses all doted on me! Travelling kids wearing the "Young Passenger" badge always got the first and best of anything! I was the first to get settled in by the nice "cheh cheh" stewardesses. I was the first to get refreshments. And any amount of refills. More! I got served for-kids-only treats like special complimentary sweets and toffees in baby blue MAS sweet wrappers (still remember the colour)

Here comes the part that assured my doubting aunt I was more than capable to travel on my own after that. This also turned out to be the source of acute embarrassment. And she HATES to be embarrassed!

Shortly after takeoff, a nice "cheh cheh" stewardess offered me candy from a wide tray filled with candy. At that moment, my 6 yr old brain processed "MAS = Candy Land!"

Without a word, I opened my aunt's handbag. With both hands I relieved the stewardess of the tray and poured EVERY SINGLE LAST CANDY into the bag. Then politely returned the empty tray with a soft, "Thank you, cheh cheh". If she was stunned, she was very professional about it. Not a gasp. Not a single raised eyebrow. Not a hint of anything. She simply smiled and went to refill her candy tray. Talk about killer customer service. And it was a domestic flight, mind!

My aunt was silent for the rest of the flight. She cringed. I binged.

During subsequent flights alone I continued to leverage my "Young Passenger" status. Each time I landed my parents and aunt were greeted with a grinning kid, arms clutching all sorts of MAS 'souvenirs' - face towels, cutlery, cups, stationery, toys, snacks, cookies, cushions and of course candy! Anything that was removable, I pretty much asked to keep as souvenir! And the nice "cheh cheh" stewardesses always fell for my 'innocence' and good manners. They even pack the stuff I ask for into cute doggie bags, throwing in goodies I didn't even ask for. I really enjoyed air travel as a child. Seriously I loved MAS because MAS loved kids! :)