Think Twice Before Asking For Diet Coke
Of course one of the best parts of a flight is when the flight attendants come around with the snack and beverage cart, free soda, coffee, tea, maybe even cookies. As strange as it may sound, one thing that really annoys flight attendants is when passengers order Diet Coke. It’s because the carbonated fizz in a Diet Coke takes a long time to settle at an altitude of 35,000 feet. Therefore it takes the most time to pour Diet Coke as compared to any other beverages on the plane!
Of course, you will still be served Diet Coke regardless of the flight attendant’s preference, it’s just something interesting to remember the next time you ask for your soda on board.
Flight Attendants Are Assessing You Once You Step Foot on the Plane
When the flight crew greets you upon entering the aircraft, do you think it is just a polite formality? Well, most people think this practice is intended to make passengers feel comfortable and show how friendly the flight attendants are. It is true to some extent, but the crew members also use this as an opportunity to assess the passengers and look for anything suspicious or out of the ordinary.
The greeting is a way to get a better idea of passengers who could possibly be problematic or may be intoxicated.
There Are Policies Against Dating Passengers
You may find it shocking but many big airlines don’t have an official policy against fraternizing between flight attendants and passengers. Unfortunately, it’s more common for flight attendants to find themselves in situations where they are actively trying to avoid unwanted attention from creepy passengers. But every once in a while, sparks fly and there is no policy that prevents a flight attendant from meeting a potential partner, or maybe the love of their life.
Flight attendants may focus more on their professional duties instead of finding potential partners on a flight, but when love strikes, why pass up the opportunity?
Your Pets Can Fly Too
There has been a never-ending debate over the most effective way to travel on planes with pets. When it comes to traveling with your furry companions, it is undoubtedly a stressful ordeal. It is best to do your research beforehand and make sure your airline can accommodate your pup. There are special parts of the cargo area that are kept at the same temperature and pressure as the cabin, so pets can be placed there.
But don’t worry, it’s also very common to have your dog in your lap or the seat next to you if they fit.
The Water Is Not as Clean as You’d Think
Researchers advise airline passengers to never drink water aboard an airplane. But what about the potable water that’s used in tea and coffee? Many flight attendants also recommend sticking to bottled water or beverages only. This is because the coffee and tea on board are filled with water from tanks that aren’t cleaned frequently. Many major airlines even tested their water and found E. coli and coliform bacteria present.
It’s probably best to ask for a water bottle next time you’re thirsty during your flight!
The Airplane Food Can Be Very Unhealthy
Sometimes ignorance is bliss, right? Well, you might’ve wondered if the pre-packaged food that is provided to passengers during their flights is healthy or not. The food tends to be processed and usually lacks fresh ingredients that wouldn’t be able to stay good during long travel. It turns out that these mid-flight meals are usually quite unhealthy for you because they have almost zero nutritional value. They are loaded with fat, sugar, salt, and carbs, and are not always the tastiest.
We would highly recommend you eat something before you board, especially if you are a frequent flyer or health-conscious.
The Job Doesn’t Pay Very Well
There is a common misconception that flight attendants live a very glamorous lifestyle. They are able to travel the world, explore different places, stay in hotels, and eat at restaurants all the time, all on the job! However, the truth is that they are almost always extremely busy and usually have very hectic schedules. Allegedly they are only paid once the main cabin doors shut too, meaning when there are delays and cancellations, they’re affected also!
Flight attendants are paid by scheduled flight times, so if a five-hour flight is delayed five hours, then they are only paid for the actual five hours on board!
Everyone Wants an Upgrade, but Not Everyone Gets It
An upgrade is like winning a lottery in the air travel world. No one has a full-proof way of getting an upgrade every time, but here’s some insight into how they are chosen. Sometimes flight attendants need to move people around for weight and balance purposes. This means moving passengers from the back of the plane to the front cabin classes to redistribute weight. So the trick is always to book your seats in the back of the plane!
Now, if they need to move people to first class, you will be the first to know!
Turning Off Your Cell Phone Isn’t That Necessary
Well, let’s clear up one thing, the airplane won’t suddenly go down if you leave your phone on or forget to put set it to airplane mode. Flight attendants simply urge passengers to turn off their electronic devices because they could potentially interfere with the frequencies that are used for air control. This is precisely why it is advised to especially turn it off during take-off and landing.
Even if your aunt is calling you to check if you are okay or you want to watch just one more Tik-Tok video, it can probably wait.
Those Blankets and Pillows On-Board Aren’t as Clean as You Think
There is no denying that the pillows, blankets, and headphones provided on airplanes are not thoroughly cleaned after each use. Even though they are repackaged with plastic wrap, airlines don’t spend money on providing new amenities to passengers every single flight. According to experts, the dirtiest part of a plane actually happens to be the tray tables. So, hopefully, this can bring you some relief knowing that what you’re using to sleep isn’t as bad as what you’re eating your food on.
On the other hand, you’re less likely to get fresh blankets and pillows in the coach class so it’s probably safest to just bring your own blanket and pillow.
You Can Tip Your Flight Attendant
Most people don’t know you can tip your flight attendant! It’s, of course, not required by any means, but they would gladly accept them. One flight attendant even shared, “If you offer me a gift, or even your used magazines, it’s appreciated, and I’ll see what I can do to take care of you!” It’s the thought that counts and can really go a long way. Maybe they’ll even give you some snacks for free.
Most service workers receive tips, so why not share them with those taking care of you on your next flight?
There’s a Reason Safety Protocols Are Demonstrated Each Flight
Some people may have noticed the same safety tactics are explained at the beginning of every flight, and this is because they are proven to work! Do you know the safety tutorials about bracing for a crash and using an oxygen mask? Well, most people like to sleep or listen to music while the flight attendants explain these procedures, but they are crucial to keeping you safe. In fact, these tactics are so important they save lives.
Have you ever wondered if the turbulence on a flight is dangerous? It’s very common and will not harm the plane, better to just buckle up and sit back until it ends.
Flight Attendants Are Trained for Any Emergency
Have you ever wondered what happens if there’s a medical emergency on a plane? Well, the flight attendants are given enough training to act as first responders! They can perform the Heimlich maneuver or administer CPR if needed. There are also first aid kits and any plane that carries over thirty passengers has defibrillators on board. Some aircrafts even have a facility called ‘MedLink’ where the flight crew can establish direct contact with a medical professional on the ground to gain advice.
Also, whenever there’s an emergency, the cabin crew asks if there’s a doctor on board. Research has shown that there are doctors onboard as many as 70% of all commercial flights, so the chances of someone being present are pretty high.
Think Twice Before Getting Drunk on a Flight
Most people get excited seeing the mini bottles of alcohol on their flight, but sometimes drinking can get carried away, even on an airplane. If a flight attendant thinks that you’re getting a bit too buzzed, she can cut you off, no questions asked. It is because getting intoxicated on a plane is actually illegal! Flight attendants are forbidden from providing more alcohol to passengers who are already drunk. And if they are caught doing so, they can face big repercussions.
If you are intoxicated on a plane and cause a major disturbance, you can face criminal charges and a lengthy federal prison sentence. It’s also good to know that because of the changing cabin pressure, each glass of alcohol can affect you much more strongly than it would on land.
Undercover Air Marshals Are Real
A sky or air marshall is someone who protects passengers and crewmembers from any criminal and terrorist attacks on board a civil aircraft. You may have watched the movie Non-Stop, in which a US air marshal receives threatening messages from someone demanding that his airline immediately transfer 150 million dollars to an offshore account. Just like Liam Neeson in this movie, air marshals must remain unnoticed and you really shouldn’t be able to recognize him or her on your flight.
You might think that there would be an air marshal on every flight however, they’re actually only on approximately 5% of flights.
Flight Attendants Must Meet Certain Beauty Standards
Some flight attendants shared that there are very rigid sets of criteria that they need to follow in terms of presenting themselves before each flight. And even beforehand, in the interview and hiring process! Things like age, weight, personal grooming, makeup, and outfit choices are all carefully considered. Although some airlines don’t make their flight staff follow these strict beauty standards anymore, they once dominated the industry.
Airlines do however continue to emphasize that flight attendants must have a professional appearance of course. They even have height parameters to ensure that the flight staff can easily perform all of their duties.
Plane Seats Really Are Getting Smaller
Many people have complained about airplane seats being way too smaller; it even feels like they’re shrinking as the years go by. Well, that’s not exactly a lie. The amount of legroom has gone from an average of 35 inches to just 31 inches today, including the seats themselves being around 16 inches as opposed to 18. Now airlines can squeeze more seats onto a plane than ever before to increase profits.
Before you know it, airlines are going to start asking for height and weight; otherwise, there’s no way people can continue booking seats and expecting to fit if they’re only getting smaller.
Here’s the Safest Place to Sit on a Plane
If we look at the statistics from studies of aircraft crashes, we’d find that the seats in the rear of the plane have the highest rates of survival. This data is so specific that it even shows us, that those in the rear third row of the plane have the best chance of survival as compared to the front or middle rows. Your chances also increase if you are sitting on the aisle seat or near an exit.
Despite your seat choice, your chances of survival severely drop if you don’t fasten your seat belt. Though this is all very scary information, the US government suggests that the majority of airplane accidents are indeed survivable.
Planes All Over the World Get Struck by Lightning Almost Daily
It’s actually incredibly common for planes to get struck by lightning! Although that sounds scary, your flight crew is used to it. In fact, aircrafts are designed nowadays to withstand lightning strikes and undergo many tests to ensure they can withstand hits. Maybe there will be a temporary flickering of the lights, but for the most part, all is fine. So if the weather is terrible, don’t be too scared to fly!
Even if the plane is hit, it undergoes complete inspections to ensure everything is perfect once it arrives at its destination.
Pilots Have The Ultimate Authority
Pilots hold a lot of power and have the ultimate authority in an airplane. This includes leading the flight crew, making command decisions, and even handling passengers who may be causing trouble. There is an urban legend that if someone on an airplane is being problematic, there is nothing you can do! Well, pilots actually can make an arrest mid-flight, they can contact authorities and have someone arrested once the plane lands.
Pilots have to undergo large amounts of training to qualify for their position, after all, they have to communicate with air traffic control and monitor the plane with hundreds of lives on their hands!
This Is the Best Time to Travel By Plane
As flight crews travel the most, they are the ones who know all about the best times to fly. The bad news is, you’ll have to wake up early. Although there is no guarantee, it is said that morning flights have less turbulence and therefore fewer cancellations or rescheduled flights. There is also usually less hassle at the airport. Your plane is even less likely to run into thunderstorms or weather issues.
The basic rule about choosing the best day of the week to fly is Tuesday or Wednesday. Since there are fewer people who would like to fly mid-week it usually ends up being the cheapest and the least busy.
Planes Don’t Carry That Much Gas
You would assume airplanes need tons of fuel for a long flight, but actually, they are only allowed to carry up to 45 minutes of extra fuel onboard. That seems concerning, but apparently, it’s because if it were to carry more fuel, the plane would be much heavier and release more carbon emissions. So it’s best to avoid this by carrying the minimum. In this case, the plane just has to fuel up more frequently!
Luckily, fuel exhaustion is not very common, so it doesn’t need to become a cause for concern. You can continue to fly in the friendly skies without worrying.