Get Premium
Dark mode theme is available exclusively for premium users. Learn more about the benefits of subscribing.
No fees, cancel anytime.
Dark Mode 
No fees, cancel anytime 
then open in external browser
and click "Open in External Browser" 
Have you ever wondered if airlines have any secrets they keep from passengers? Well, if you have, you're in luck because this Reddit user asked airline employees just that, and they delivered great and kind of concerning answers. Apparently, airlines hide more things than you would think: from not tracking aircraft movements to airplanes still flying with parts missing.
With so many people flying planes these days, it's quite crazy to think that these facts are not well known. However, if people were aware of them, most would probably choose other travel options. These stories might freak you out, even if you're not a nervous flyer.
So if you're interested to learn more about aircraft, airports, and the weirdest airline secrets being kept from you, keep scrolling! And if these are not enough, check out the previous article we did on this topic here.
This post may include affiliate links.
#1
If you checked your Dog there's about a 30% chance it's terrified before it even gets on the plane, who knows how scared it gets during the actual flight. Bag room agents will usually try to comfort a scared animal, but all we can really do is talk to it, so if you write your pet's name on their carrier it usually helps a lot.
I've never seen a cat who was scared in the bag room, cats don't give a f**k.
Richard Campbell 3 years ago
Cats manifest their emotions differently than dogs. Just because they may not be visibly freaking out doesn’t mean they ‘don’t give a f**k’. What a silly thing to say
Jessi Lovely 3 years ago
This is true. However, most humans have been conditioned to think dogs have the default behaviour, which is unfortunate as cats have a beautiful completely different language of their own.
Load More Replies...
Show thyself 3 years ago
Cats most definitly give a f**k - they're scared like sh*t. They are confined in a container - often much to small for a long travel - and can't hide or fight. ||| If you travel with your pet, try to make it as comfortable as possible for them. Fluff up the inside walls of the -big enough - container (it'll be less cold and loud, and a smooth corner to squeeze in), stuff in an appropriate pee-matress, give them some meds to relax, their favorite plushie/blankie, an item that smells like you... anything to provide a bit of comfort. ||| or - avoid flying
Judes 3 years ago
My cats are terrified in their travel cases in the car. They would be petrified in an aeroplane.
Christy Means-Stephens 3 years ago
I was just going to say the same things. Mine lose their kitty minds in a car. Though I’m pretty sure OP was going for humor, as inaccurate as it was 😂
Load More Replies...
Fajus Nedmen 3 years ago
When cats are stressed, they'll often purr as a way to calm themselves down. Unfortunately, this gives the impression that they're content.
Azolane 3 years ago
I flew my cats with me when I moved to the US from Europe. I had them with me in carriers in the cabin, they weren't too scared as long as I was close by. But I'll never forget my Mimi's face of utter panic when I had to step a few feet away to go to the car rental counter while she was on our pile of suitcases. Of course they do give a f**k, imagine being trapped in a bag and not having a clue what is going on or where you are going...
SirWriteALot 3 years ago
Because you can't take your pet into the cabin. They have special animal shipping containers ... we had to do this when we moved to another country and took our dog with us. Had to give him relax-pills.
Load More Replies...
RELATED:
#2
Not a secret, just common sense; the reason some bags miss their flight or get misrouted is because passengers don't remove old tags. It confuses handlers as well as the conveyor belt scanners. I see it happen all the time.
Robert T 3 years ago
It's pretty obvious isn't it? I mean, if you buy something in the supermarket with a reduce sticker on it and they don't cover the old barcode, you get charged full price. Same thing.
Load More Replies...
Trophy Husband 3 years ago
I work in IT, and I assumed this was obvious. That's the reason IT companies need marketing departments, because the people making the products have no idea how to take to non-technical people.
the Return of Bruno 3 years ago
Not saying this hasn't happened, but I am saying it's not how my luggage ended up in Indonesia on the first time I ever flew alone.
The Veil of Fire 3 years ago
Why do people not take off old flight tags? You clean out the old used travel items, take off the tags. Its not a travel charm luggage handle diary.
DeoManus Argentem 3 years ago
Why do the agents at baggage check-in even allow bags with old tags to be checked? Obviously, it should be the passenger's responsibility foremost, but seems silly airlines even allow this.
oktopus 3 years ago
The case on the right looks suspiciously like one I own. But yeah, removing the tags is the first thing I do before getting ready for a flight. Second thing I do is make sure it has backup identification (flight number, destination and surname) in case the baggage labels fall off (happened to my parents one). Third thing is, if not already present, to attach small colored ribbons around the handles. Makes it so much easier to spot them at pickup.
Angie Falzarano 1 year ago
I've seen ones that fall out of luggage carts and just left sitting on the tarmac (I'm former tsa)
Just here to talk nonsense 2 years ago
Every airport I have been thru, the check in counter put the tag on
#3
If you're European you have really, really good consumer protection against delays, cancellations etc.
If you're more than three hours late, your compensation starts at 250 euros, and goes up depending on the length of your flight and the length of the delay.
When I went to London a few years ago, my flight was overbooked, so I got bumped to a flight fours hours later. The compensation I got was more than the ticket I bought...round trip.
Headless Roach 3 years ago
Recently I had a return flight from EU to SE Asia completely refunded due to delays.
JG 3 years ago (edited)
I'm curious..was the cause of the delay ever brought up or used as a catch all for non-reimbursement? Ie. Upon review of your reservation, we are unable to approve your claim for compensation as the most significant reason for your flight interruption was due to an operational delay and outside of our sh**ty airlines control. You know who you are. And looking at most of the posts they are down voted. Now I'm not an expert but I find it hard to believe some person is checking this stuff to downvote less than stellar reviews.
🇳🇬 Asi Bassey 🇳🇬 3 years ago
Does this apply only to Europeans or anyone traveling on a European airline?
#4
People fake needing a wheel chair to gain boarding priority. 10 wheelchairs get on and olny 1 person needs it getting off. We call um miracle flights.
Brenda Spagnola-Wilson 3 years ago (edited)
I'm disabled. One time there were no available wheelchairs. I'm trying to walk and suddenly a worker runs up with a chair for me. Said he took it after seeing who had it was using it to push their luggage
Alexandra Davis 3 years ago
As a legit wheelchair user this is from TikTok 'hacks' and makes me so so angry!
Barbara Kayton 3 years ago
This makes it very difficult for people with actual mobility issues.
Donna Clanclan 3 years ago
Went with parents to see sick [possibly dying] relative. Parents are in their late 70's and not able to walk far. Dad was ok to the departure gate, but couldn't handle the long walk to the baggage claim. We had to wait almost 40 mins for an employee to bring us a chair. Our luggage didn't come out together. As hubby and I are grabbing some of it, dad tries to get one of the bags with his cane and ends up mostly out of the chair. The moment his butt was no longer on the seat, some non-airport person grabbed it and sat in it.Had mom's coat and purse on the back. Employee had seen what happened and rushed over to make them get up. The person kept complaining that they were tired after their flight. Mom and I are holding dad upright. It was astonishing.
Bryn 3 years ago
They could have sat on the floor. I'm sorry you had to go through that
Load More Replies...
Genericist 3 years ago
Oh, my sweet summer child. Disabled people more often than not get boarded and disembarked last. I paid for priority boarding this summer to make damn sure I wasn't stuck in some godforsaken queue as I can walk but standing still makes me faint. It was completely ignored and I started hyperventilating on the runway and had to literally drag myself up the staircase into the plane, where I was given a whole free bottle of water for the inconvenience and then ignored. My friend's husband who is wheelchair-bound got "forgotten" and was left sitting on the plane alone for 1 hour. Airports don't give af, generally.
Pink_Boba22 3 years ago
I'm sorry that happened to you. Also don't listen to Haywood, they're being rude asf
Load More Replies... Miss Frankfurter 3 years ago
For my mom and I, making stop overs and therefore on and off planes, it was first on, last off so there was more room for her to get in and out of the wheelchair. However, on a flight arriving in Toronto, I had flown back for Xmas as I had major injuries to my foot and ankle and was in a boot cast, they got me off the plane in a wheelchair, but refused to push me up the ramp and so I had to go uphill on a pair of crutches. Very very difficult with a lot of stops on the way up. There was also a man with COPD who needed to be taken up in a wheelchair. Oh no. Not even for him. Trying to walk uphill with COPD. I’m surprised he didn’t collapse. We were in wheelchairs for a reason. Even if it takes two people we get pushed up into the airport! Otherwise it’s perfect for a lawsuit.
Asphalt Bubblegum 3 years ago
PSA: Some of us people in wheelchairs can sometimes stand or walk for short times and distances. This never means that we don't need our chairs. Our neurologists encourage these bits of standing or walking because if we sat in our chairs constantly, it would shorten our lifespans *by years*. Please use your common sense. If the wheelchair clearly belongs to the person using it, and you see them get out of the chair briefly, don't give them a hard time. If you see the person able to walk or stand with ease, and especially for lengthy times, that's when you should get suspicious, espcially if the chair or scooter is provided by the business as a courtesy to their customers. I'm genuinely handicapped, and nothing infuriates me more than to see people *sprint* to intercept handicapped spaces or conveyances, especially when this displaces legitimately handicapped people.
#5
If you check a skateboard by just slapping a sticker on it, it will get ridden or used as a dolly.
Lisa H 3 years ago
If I looked out the terminal window and saw a baggage handler riding a skateboard, that would make my day 😂 Hell, I just might salute them!
Load More Replies...
Jill Bussey 3 years ago
Unfortunately, my son's got stolen and was never recovered. The flight agents just didn't want to know.
#6
My partner worked for Delta for about 4 years as one of the guys who loads and unloads your luggage and waves wands. Nothing is safe in those bags. They pop open all the time and your s**t just gets haphazardly shoved back in. They get tossed around like volleyballs. TSA is a lie. A lot of decisions about boarding or switching flights, ect., are at employees discretion.
Brenda Spagnola-Wilson 3 years ago
Used to actually tie up my bags with cord so that they wouldn't open
Leo Domitrix 3 years ago
TSA is not a lie. Their employees are the ones with "discretion". Also, they are thieves. TSA currently owes me $150 cash they stole while they had me "re-X-rayed". So, yeah, they frigging suck. But we hav eknown that for 20 years in the US.
Grace and Lucy 3 years ago
Over the last 20+ years I have had articles of clothing taken from my check on bags, 2 different flights, two different airlines. Hope the folks who wore my clothes had a nasty bout of the hives on their backs. Betcha you got really friendly with the carpet.
Load More Replies...
Memere 3 years ago
OH, Delta is truly despicable. I had a bad experience with them in 2008 at the Atlanta airport (which is truly the worst airport ever!), and will never fly with them again.
Load More Replies...
Dirk Daring 3 years ago
Baggage handlers are inveterate thieves. Ever single time I ever checked baggage, things have gone missing from them. No, my luggage didn't "pop open". Baggage handlers steal. All of them.
Hey! 3 years ago
Watch out! You're getting downvoted. I upvoted but you're still in the negative.
Load More Replies... Suby 3 years ago
When I fly internationally, TSA always searches my bag, and there is never anything in it but clothes, books, etc. I always find a note from them and even thought about putting a Christmas card in there for them if I fly around the holidays, but I'm afraid they might take it the wrong way.
ShifterCat 3 years ago
This is why I close all of my double zippers with zip-ties. Once I got my suitcase back without the zip-ties, and knew immediately that it had been opened. So I sat down right there in the airport and looked through it. Sure enough, there was a notice of bag inspection by the TSA. Luckily nothing else had been added, and nothing was missing.
#7
Sometimes your pilot can be on food stamps because they only make 19k/yr.
Baggage handlers see hundreds of bags a day. No bag is treated special, unless it is OBVIOUS. Even then, depending on the person, sometimes they're not (which is rare). Bags are not intentionally harmed. They are, however, intentionally thrown, slid, jostled, stacked under hundreds of pounds of other bags, and exposed to the elements because that is the nature of the job. You can safely assume that your bag is touched and handled by at least 7-8 people, per flight segment, if you are connecting, at least 10 different people, not including TSA.
Sometimes, the vehicle that fills the potable water for washing hands and making coffee is parked next to the vehicle that is used to dump the shitters and fill the blue juice for the lavs. They're not supposed to. Sometimes, they're parked at a distance from each other, which is policy, yet the guy who is filling the water is using gloves that he hasn't changed in over 2 years.
The most power you could
probably wield is twitter. The employee in front of you has so little power to actually remedy tough situations. Baggage handlers are usually short staffed. As well, customer service agents are usually limited in their options. Also, it would help us get a message to higher ups because our work is not being supported as it should be. Hell, I'd even recommend asking an employee about the problem and say something like, "if I were to take my complaint to twitter, how could I phrase it in a way that would help you too?"
You get more customer protections buying directly from the airline. All those third party travel sites are owned by the same company, and you lose a lot of the rights afforded to you in the airlines contract of carriage.
If you're nice to people, they'll be nice back to you.
Dana Dara 3 years ago
Sorry but what pilot makes only 19k a year? That’s ridiculous, most are freaking loaded making well over 6 figures a year plus mad bonuses when they pick up flights.
Agamemnon O'Neill 3 years ago
Later in your career, when you have seniority, you make bank. But the starting salaries and the short routes you get mean a lot of hours and not great pay. (maybe not 19K)
Load More Replies...
Will Cancel 3 years ago
No pilot in the US, or most country would ever work for 19k, Maybe back in the 80s with 500hours. but not today. Most airlines are still fighting for pilots and new First Officers are making $100hr and up. (Keep in mind they spent over $150k to get that far.)
Gareth Ratcliffe 3 years ago
Use a credit card. If anything goes wrong you can claim it back off your credit card company!
Mario Strada 3 years ago
That was true as entry level in regional airlines. More recently there has been a lack of pilots, so I think they may be paying more.
Memere 3 years ago
Taking issues to social media & news outlets is the way to shine a light on it. The CEO & shareholders hate that kind of publicity! And yeah, I never use booking sites for anything except maybe checking what airline goes to a specific place from my hometown, or what hotels there are where I want to go. Then I contact the airline or hotel directly.
Mandy Delaforce (PC Girl) 2 years ago
I don't know what country you are talking about, but pilots are well paid by the time they get to flying commercial passengers around. We're talking big bucks.
#8
That there's a huge list of things that can be missing from the aircraft while still being allowed to fly.
Tarik Dursun Zorgulen 3 years ago
Nah, we have another wing on the left. Who needs two anyways?
HF_Martini6 3 years ago
whoever posted this, nice try to make the public scared of flying. Yes, there are some systems or parts that can be inoperable but they aren't required or mandatory to fly safely or to fly at all. Funniest part that can't be broken or your plane will be grounded are the exterior lights like the green/red position lights. So your plane might be grounded because of a 20$ bulb.
Auntie Bear 3 years ago
I was stuck on the tarmac for almost an hour once because there were "not enough trash receptacles on board". They made a big show of having a guy Iin a reflective vest carry one all the way through to the back of the plane. We all knew it was bullsh*t
Gareth Ratcliffe 3 years ago
There was a story about a flight that was missing an ashtray in the bathroom. It could not take off unless it was replaced as even though it's illegal to smoke, there still needed to be an ashtray to extinguish cigarettes in case someone did smoke. I think the flight was delayed for 5 hours whilst they found one.
Will Cancel 3 years ago
And there is a MEL Minimum Equipment List, and everything on that list must work.
Scott Baysinger 3 years ago (edited)
All aircraft operators (in the U.S. and Europe) are accountable to their MEL: Minimum Equipment List. If anything not on that list is broken or missing: no flying for you!
Kristy Marion 3 years ago
Actually it’s the opposite. There are plenty of things that are not on the MEL that can be inoperative, unserviceable or missing and you can still fly.
Load More Replies...
the Return of Bruno 3 years ago
I was once delayed eight hours for water for coffee, while there were stacks of bottled water right at the terminal entrance.
Load More Replies... #9
I am a gate agent for a large airline.
1 there's very little I know that I don't share with passengers during a delay. If the crew tells me the maintenance issue, I'll pass that on. I'm not hiding information from you.
2 I do fly for free, a lot. I know the major airports very well. So when you come up to my podium and argue with me that the 1/2 hour connection you booked yourself isn't going to be long enough I'm going to roll my eyes and explain that yes, yes it is. If you want time to leisurely enjoy an airport, book flights with longer connections.
3 The FAA/DOT are up the airlines asses about everything, from the handling of passengers with disabilities to how many delays we have. For this reason we take extra precautions to not have any violations, some of which I can be held personally responsible for
4 EVERYONE ON THE PLANE ARRIVES AT THE SAME TIME. SEATS ARE ASSIGNED. SO WHY ON GODS GREEN EARTH ARE YOU ALL CROWDING THE PODIUM TAKE A FREAKING STEP BACK. seriously. if you're worried about getting a space for your carry-on stop packing your carry on so full! If it doesn't fit due to bins being full I'll check it through for free
5 yes the ramp crew in the jet bridge are checking you out. they're usually nice guys/gals. you could do worse.
edit: formatting
Brenda Spagnola-Wilson 3 years ago
Being disabled, I have to say I've never had a problem. In fact, most people have been extremely helpful, even going out of their way to make it easier for me. And I DO write down names so I can let higher-ups know
Luna W. 3 years ago
Not sure why you're being downvoted. Have my upvote :)
Load More Replies...
Cathleen Cummings 3 years ago
"Checking through for free" is not always a solution. I always check a bag, but my carry-on carries my laptop, my camera, and other fragile items. I don't put it in the check-in bag because it is too fragile! Not because I am cheap or over-stuffing my bag.
David 3 years ago
ITEM 2: Maybe folks worry about connection time due to due to more and more flights being delayed / not on time. To their credit, the airlines usually TRIED to make it work, sometimes successful, sometimes not. ITEM 4: SMH When customers comply with the size limitations of carry on they should not have to be worried about having enough space in the storage bins. And yet they do have to worry about this because many airlines keep shrinking the leg room to add more seats / passengers competing for that bin space.
Adriaan Verhelle 3 years ago
The carry-on bag system desperately needs to return to the system of the 90's where you had to strictly stay within specific dimensions. Majority of people these days take bags that are way larger than what is technically allowed. Airlines simply stopped checking.
aubergine10003 3 years ago
My hot take on this is that airlines should charge for carry-ons (over a certain size) rather than for checked bags
Load More Replies... Michael Largey 3 years ago
The later I get on a plane, the less time I spend trapped in those torturous seats.
TTorrest Author 3 years ago
RE: Number 4- Yes, gate crowders (including those who try to wiggle in ahead of their boarding group) are thoroughly annoying. But it's not the *expense* of a checked bag I object to. If I ONLY packed a carry-on, it's because I'm specifically trying to avoid baggage claim!
aubergine10003 3 years ago (edited)
Uh, people want to get on the plane quickly because so many a******s try to put too much stuff in the bins overhead, OR they put their stuff up near the front even though they are sitting in the back. MAYBE if flight attendants were able to pay more attention to this happening (which I don't expect they can), then people wouldn't be so anxious to get on. I, for one, have no plans to wait for a gate checked bag, thanks very much!
Bec 3 years ago
2: 30 minutes wouldn't be an issue if you knew everything was going to run on time and if you are an able-bodied person.
Bec 3 years ago
The crowding at the gate, loading and unloading all drive me crazy. So inefficient
Load More Replies...
LynzCatastrophe 3 years ago
Can confirm. I consider YVR a very convoluted airport, despite how often I fly. One time, my plane was late. If I didn't make the connection than I was stuck overnight. They held the plane for me only, but literally at the opposite end of where I was. I made it without ruining in less than 5 minutes. Despite how massive an airport is, or long (looking at you YEG), you can make a connection. If you have mobility issues, I guarantee the employees will help you.
Angie Falzarano 1 year ago
I have hip dysplasia but you can't tell by looking at me. Virginia airlines tried to charge me for the handicap seats because I didn't look handicap. 6 hr flight later and I'm inso much pain because I couldn't stretch my legs out. Bulkheads for those with handicaps. Those seats during the 6 hr were empty.
#10
The coffee is absolutely disgusting because the no one washes the container that goes out every morning. The station agents who get paid way too little don't give a s**t about cleaning it. I certainly didn't when I worked for AA.
Also, because we weren't given the proper supplies to clean it. We pretty much just rinsed it out and dumped coffee into it.
Be nice to the ticket agent and they will pretty much always let you get away with overweight bags. If you were funny, I'd even not charge you for bags.
Brenda Spagnola-Wilson 3 years ago
Was flying an El cheapo airline once to my grandmother's funeral. I live in Texas, funeral was in NJ. Don't have a lot of warm clothes, but they were going to charge me for my 1 bag,like $50. Started shoving things in my carry on and putting on what I could. They called a supervisor who saw me crying. She waived the bag fee and even upgraded my seat. Deborah, you made a bad time so much better
Shyla Bouche 3 years ago
When I was released from prison, they sent me back to my state via American Airlines. I wasn't given any time to pack (by the prison, not the airline), plus I'm disabled. So I'm trying to drag a cardboard box full of my things to check as a bag. The woman told me that it would cost $35 or close to. I was already struggling, and the guard who brought me wasn't willing to help. The woman asked me what was in the box. I had some aid devices as well as the very few things I'd been allowed to keep. The lady said she was going to classify it as medical, and it could go free. I was so grateful. She made a real difference to someone that day.
Bonesko 3 years ago
I had to move across country on the fly, long story, overwhelming, but not terribly interesting story, but anyway. It was super rushed Had a week and crammed the few items I needed and a few keepsakes., Was over the limit. I started crying but told the woman working that I understood. She came up as I was hysterical and throwing away the few items so I could meet the weight requirements. She was so kind. Came back with a box and separated the rest of my belongings in 2 boxes, and that included her taking the items I had thrown out of the of trash. It was a really difficult time for me. That woman was amazing. I wish I knew your name, but to the red headed woman working on Allentown airport around 2010.....THANK YOU! You're amazing!
Oncinw 3 years ago
As a flight attendant, I want to look to the eyes of this person just because the last two sentences. You know how hard it is to place that baggage later at the aircraft?! I had a lot of situations when people were coming on board with the luggages that do not even FIT to the overhead compartments, and check in agents as well as gate agents were just closing their eyes on that fact. First of all, it makes an unwanted pain in the a*s for those people who are staying in an aircraft for more than 12 hours daily, dealing with disruptions, unruly passengers and medical cases. It also converts the discontent and fury of passengers on us, when we are taking their luggage to cargo hold, as "Nobody at the airport instructed us about it, why you are making up rules". Second of all, it endangers the safe conduction of the flight, as it can lead to the overhead compartment overload which is possibly dangerous. If airlines make rules, you need to follow it. Even if passenger is "funny".
Memere 3 years ago
That really angers me too. My dad worked for a major airline for 28 years & he taught all of us the #1 rule for flying: Follow ALL the rules, and RESPECT THE FA!! It's not hard, and makes air travel sooo much better for everyone around you, especially the FA's. I hate it when TSA & Gate Agents let this stuff slide.
Load More Replies... Jessi Lovely 3 years ago
I’m guessing this whole post is American. Coffee for other airlines around the world aren’t bad. But to be fair, they are probably paid better among other things.
Sina 2 years ago
Oh that last part is true, if you make a joke that makes the baggage drop-off agents chuckle, you'll get away with things like overweight bags. I was once flying from Athens, Greece, to Copenhagen, Denmark. We were allowed 23kg suitcase with the ticket. My suitcase was 25kg. I see the number, and I turn to the lady, and I tell her "I'm a bit overweight..and so is my suitcase", for some reason she found it hilarious (because it was true :p) so she just slapped a "heavy" sticker on the suitcase, wished me a nice flight and let me go without charging extra for the 2kg over ;)
🥔SaltyPotato🥔 3 years ago
also, something to do with the pressure and being thousands of feet up in the air but diet coke takes the longest to pour. it is so unnecessarily fizzy for no reason
Sergio Bicerra Descalzi 3 years ago
Foo Fighter's Learn to Fly taught me never to drink that coffee XD
#11
Airlines doesn't charge large or overweight people extra because they make the plane heavier, or because they hate fat people or whatever.
They do it because you are a security risk.
Jessi Lovely 3 years ago
I don’t know how charging extra makes it safer for other passengers, but m’kay
DJR 3 years ago
I think they're saying a person that's much larger than the economy section is designed for might cause a slowdown if a rapid exit becomes necessary.
Load More Replies...
Adam Jeff 3 years ago
Doesn't make sense. I don't know of any airline that charges overweight people extra, unless they're so big they need two seats, in which case they're charging you extra because you're taking up two seats, not because of security risks.
Memere 3 years ago
Exactly. Anyone who is that big knows they have to pay for 2 seats. The airline has to know how much weight is 'on board' in order to have enough fuel to get from departure to destination, and if 1 passenger is in 2 seats, that's equivalent to 2 'bodies' weight. The only security risk is in the overweight passenger being able to get off the plane in an emergency.
Load More Replies...
Kate Jones 3 years ago
This needs more explanation. Why is my being fat a security risk? Is my fat a terrorist to anything other than my own heart? I usually buy first class tickets and those seats are super comfortable and roomy. I'm not, like, 600 pounds or anything but I'm definitely fat and don't feel comfortable in the regular seats. I can sit there but I feel bad for the person sitting next to me because my fat arms are usually encroaching on them. I don't travel because I generally can't afford it but the few times I have I've saved up and gotten the 1st class seat. But I still am not making the connection between security and my fat. Safety? Maaaaybe I'd buy that as a very huge stretch. Maybe I'm slower than another passenger in a fire or something. Okay. But older people, disabled people and children may be just as slow and they aren't penalized. But security?
Rostit . 3 years ago
Security risk in that it can impede safe evacuation from a plane in an emergency, not that you are a magnet for terrorists. The use of "security risk" is kind of misleading. Medical issues are also harder to handle. Moving a person of size who is incapacitated is far more difficult. Again, this is not towards you personally regardless of the gravitational attraction you posses or don't posses. I'm not a svelte person myself but I'm getting closer. Closer to this pizza.
Load More Replies...
Becky Samuel 3 years ago
Nope, but if your obese body cannot be moved or lifted by two reasonably healthy adults then it blocks the aisle in an emergency.
Load More Replies...
PeePeePooPoo 2 years ago
How do you know if someone is overweight to charge them more if they buy their ticket online? I don't get this, but I haven't been on a plane that much.
Deborah Blair-Krosnicki 2 years ago
They do it because they can; let's not try to make out like major corporations try to do anything but the minimum when it comes to customer satisfaction.
Kevin Donegan 3 years ago
Okay, now the obvious question. Why is someone who weighs 250 pounds more of a security risk than someone who weighs 175 pounds?
#12
OK, here goes! 1. Don't pack your bags so full that they're round. Not only because the zipper will pop, but also because sometimes they roll off the belt loader right onto the tarmac. 2. really slick hard sided bags tend to fly off of the "stack" in the "pit" when the plane lands, sending your bag flying 80mph into a wall of the pit. Wonder how your wheel got broken? Fabric bags are better, because friction. 3. speaking of which, we don't cover broken handles, zippers, or wheels. 4. we learn which bags suck and which bags don't. Dakine and Osprey are some of the best. Louis Vuitton bags break just like anything else. Look for bags with recessed wheels. Also look for bags with side handles that are easy for a gloved hand to grab, and your bag will get treated better than ones that don't. 5. Rolling duffle bags are annoying. They roll down the belt loader on their own, often either onto the tarmac or right into a ramper's crotch. 6. If you miss your flight, we don't have to rebook you, but we do as a courtesy. If you come back within 2 hours we'll put you on the next available flight. This is called the flat tire rule. 7. Cargo is more important than you. We will take passengers off before cargo. Most of our cargo is important medical stuff. 8. Many of us work part time, just for the flight benefits, and are smart, successful people with businesses, degrees, etc who just want to travel for free. So don't treat us like a moron (even though we're getting paid barely more than minimum wage). 9. we didn't lose your bag. we are just taking your bag claim for you. 10. If you wait to check in, you're more likely to get an upgraded seat when you check in last minute, because likely only upgraded seats that nobody wants to pay for are available. You also run the risk of not getting a seat at all though if it's an oversold flight. 11. We really can't tell you if your 97 year old grandmother is on the flight or not. We can't disclose anything about the manifest. 12. We can't control the weather. We wish we could. We know you PAID FOR YOUR TICKET and you HAVE TO BE ON THIS FLIGHT, but the category 5 hurricane says otherwise. 13. Your pilot might be getting paid less than an elementary school bus driver. For real. 14. Only drink coffee on aircraft that have the coffee maker on board. Otherwise it's questionable.
CatchTheWind 3 years ago
Even those who aren't "smart, successful people with businesses, degrees, etc." aren't morons and don't deserve to be treated like they are.
Suby 3 years ago
I think they mean that they, personally, did not lose the bag, so there's only so much they can do. They'll take your complaint and pass it on through the proper channels so it can be found.
Load More Replies... Will Cancel 3 years ago
7. Wrong, Cargo is more important because it pays more. They don't know what it is. 8. I highly doubt that 10. Or bumped from the flight that was over sold. 13. Wrong, in the 80s maybe, today there is a shortage, and pay is high. Stop making stuff up
#13
Employees and their families get "ID tickets" (ID is for "industry discount"), which means they only pay taxes and fees and nothing for the actual ticket.
The airlines basically lets them fly for free. And not just with their own airline, but with every airline in any alliance. The tickets are stand-by tickets, so you're not guaranteed to get on board, but you get a seat more often than not. The family members can travel on these tickets without the employee.
My dad worked for an airline in Star Alliance, so I used to get free tickets with airlines in One World and SkyTeam as well as Star Alliance. I usually traveled in business class, all around the world. A return trip between Europe and Japan was something like 200 USD in business class, and maybe 50 USD in economy.
I don't get any perks anymore, as it was only valid until I turned 25.
the Return of Bruno 3 years ago
For those who are unfamiliar, StarAlliance is a network of international airlines which share resources, including scheduling, terminals, etc., including United and a bunch of national airlines. Delta is SkyTeam and American is OneWorld.
Memere 3 years ago
Yes, we got employee passes when my dad worked for TWA. You do run the risk of being bumped from a flight & having to wait for the next one, but sometimes you could pay a surcharge to be upgraded to a guaranteed seat. Plus the gate agent & flight attendants always knew you were an employee or employee's kid, which meant you'd BETTER be on your best behavior or your parent would get reprimanded for any stunt you pulled!
Mandy Delaforce (PC Girl) 2 years ago
Maybe in some countries, but not in Australia. I think Qantas gives you a discount.
Auntriarch 3 years ago
We had 10% standby tickets because of my dad's work. Only time I didn't get on was the day when Beirut airport was bombed, so I didn't really mind
Phoebe Bean 3 years ago
Not just families would get the ID tickets, but a friend could get one too, at least I did when a friend of mine worked for an airline. 50 bucks round-trip to Europe in the nineties...
nerdy_panda 3 years ago
my mom recently got hired to be a flight attendant for Delta. apparently me and my family get cheap tickets and sometimes first class seating. sounds pretty cool so i'm excited since we travel pretty regularly
#14
This one is pretty much on its way out as a 'secret' nowadays, but: There really is no good reason passengers need to switch off mobile devices during takeoff and landing.
The frequencies used combined with the lack of signal power in the antennae of consumer grade mobile devices means there is 0% chance of them ever interfering with the plane's sensors and instruments in any way whatsoever.
This has been tested ad nauseam since the beginning of aviation/mobile communication technology, and it has NEVER shown to be a problem.
Firstname Lastname 3 years ago
Mayhaps if they are off, you are less distracted and can focus more on applauding the pilot's skills. Could be an ego thing. /s
Jill Hojnacki 3 years ago
Pilots didn’t make the rule. The FAA did. I seriously doubt they give a damn about any pilot’s ego.
Load More Replies...
Dianna Clayton 3 years ago
Pilot here. I've seen a cell signal interfere with navigation equipment, albeit it was on a small training aircraft and the phone was right next to the instrument, but it still happened. There is a possibiliy of 5G signal interfering with radar altimeters that we use on approaches (we actually got a memo about this from the company I work for). But still, the chance of interference is extremely low. My opinion on the put your devices in airplane mode or turn them off reason, combined with have them stowed during taxi, takeoff, and landing, is so that you are paying attention to what is going on around you. Accidents are most likely to happen on takeoff and landing and you need to be paying attention to what is going on. Also, keep it put away during these phases of flight because that phone can become a deadly projectile. Just listen to your flight attendants and pilots, turn your devices off and put them away.
Greg Baxter 3 years ago
The reason is because take-off and landing are considered critical phases of flight. If S*** is going to hit the fan, it is usually during this time. Therefore, the airlines don't want you to be distracted by your electronic device in the event of a take-off or landing emergency so they can get your butts off the airplane in a timely manner. God forbid this does happen, but if so, leave your Damm carry-ons. If the plane doesn't burn to the ground, you can get it later. Evacuations have been hampered by people trying to bring luggage.
Miss Frankfurter 3 years ago
Thank you. I was going to say that. If people can walk down the street staring at their phones and walk into a light pole, for some people paying attention to their environment is apparently an issue.
Load More Replies...
Jane Doe 3 years ago
In the words of Carolyn Knapp-Shappey from John Finnemore's "Cabin Pressure ": "Finally, please keep your mobile phones switched off for the duration of the flight. Obviously they have no effect whatsoever on our navigational equipment or we wouldn’t let you have them, but they drive me up the wall."
Alexandru Bucur 3 years ago
Brilliant! I see a Cabin Pressure reference, I upvote.
Load More Replies...
Zedrapazia 3 years ago
The issue is that the one person who still has an old Nokia from 30 years ago can interfer with the signal, and that spoils the batch for everyone.
Adam Denter 3 years ago
This is not true. The chance of interference is very low but it is not 0%. This is the reason for the rule. There are conditions where we have successfully measured harmonics caused by consumer grade devices that were audible. If they were suddenly allowed by policy to remain on, the next incident involving a plane would result in litigation. Because it's a non-zero chance, it's easier to ban it than deal with it in a court room.
JosephTheBookCat 3 years ago
the problem is with the towers on the ground. your phone is only supposed to connect to three, but in the air, it could connect to dozens, and slow the whole system down.
Scott Baysinger 3 years ago
Yes. I believe it's the damn cell phone companies (secretly) demanding this.
Load More Replies... Tams21 3 years ago (edited)
An article on Yahoo news dated yesterday (1st Dec 2022) says something else. In it a Professor of aviation studies suggests that switched on mobiles might interfere with sensitive equipment, particularly during landing. While studies might not be as complete as they are in other areas, I'll rather take his word than some random person on the internet with zero credentials. It's not that great a sacrifice to switch off a phone for a short time.
M. William Bell 3 years ago
Depends on the plane. I fly small private aircraft and I can tell when my phone is ringing because I can hear it in my headset. It's hard to describe, but it's like a light squelchy sort of sound. It's not that disruptive, but I'd imagine on an aircraft with 400 people it might get distracting...which is the last thing you want when a person is responsible for the lives of 400 people.
#15
I work Revenue Management for an airline. On average, the cheapest time to BUY a ticket is Tuesday afternoon. The cheapest time to FLY is Tuesday, Wednesday, or Saturday. This applies to US flights in my experience.
🥔SaltyPotato🥔 3 years ago
tuesdays are the least busiest days of the week. idk why tho
Load More Replies... #16
You know how all the other armrests can be raised except for the one next to the aisle?
Turns out that one can be raised as well via a small button in a divot on the underside of the armrest. Useful if you want to spread out a bit more, though some flight attendants may tell you to put it back in place.
Oncinw 3 years ago (edited)
Being a cabin crew I broke a lot of nails doing it for passengers with reduced mobility. 😂 So it is possible to raise it up, but it takes some effort: at least on Airbus I am flying with it's not a button, but an in-built switch, you need to put your finger inside a hole and slide a switch, using some force as sometimes a switch can get stuck. And yes, we can ask you to put it down for: take-off, landing, or emergency situation. But never during a flight. So use it if you need it, just be careful to not get injured ☺️
rodger coghlan 3 years ago
Some guy across the aisle asked for more crackers and got them so I passed on the knowledge about the aisle arm rest button - it does make getting in and out of your seat easier
Oncinw 3 years ago
In case it is take-off/landing, we always keep them down. These are the "critical" phases of the flight and we should always be ready for an emergency which can occur. In case it is up, you can injure yourself during impact of the crash land - it can go down and hit your body. If the armrest is already down, it will not hit you in this situation and you wil keep your kidneys safe 😏
Load More Replies...
#17
Flight attendants have a list of who is who and what seat they are in. As well as what level of frequent flyer they happen to be. Or if they are employees or family and friends tickets. This is why you will see them being rude to someone or bending over backwards for jerks.
Flights are routinely overbooked because there's a estimate per route of what percentage of people tend to miss the flight. So if you don't have a seat assignment, you might not get on. Which is why they ask for volunteers. If you are a frequent flyer and know the busy times and flights you could volunteer all day from every flight going to a hub and make $1,000 in credit.
Invest in quality luggage. You are the only one that handles your bag with care. Your bag is going to take a beating in the system.
Edit: Wow this got a lot of attention. Yes I know Southwest FAs don't have a list of who is sitting where. Obviously. I have to say to any redditors out there, if you get a chance to work for an airline, take it! It was a great experience in my early 20s. Even while going to college on my days off, I was also able to fly around the world for free. I can't recommend it enough. Sure there are plenty of bad experiences like getting yelled at all day long by irrational and irate passengers whose flight you just cancelled after you had them wait for hours. Or dumping the lav on a windy day. Or knowing you're walking into a very bad day of work just because the weather is bad in your city or wherever your flights are coming from. They pay isn't great but if you enjoy traveling, work for an airline!
Kathryn Baylis 3 years ago (edited)
Yes, flight attendants have a list of passengers and their seat assignments. Some people try to take other people’s seats, and they have to be sure everyone who booked a seat has boarded. Warning! Next part is a bit gruesome: Not to mention that verifying seat assignments means if there’s a crash, your remains can be identified and sent to your family to bury you. You wouldn’t want them to receive someone else’s remains, would you?
🥔SaltyPotato🥔 3 years ago
But if the plane crashes in some water, if you are already dead, the crew is not allowed to get your body to bury you. That's what I heard. If I am wrong Please let me know. I don't want to spread misinformation. :) thx
Load More Replies... Gareth Ratcliffe 3 years ago
You should always sit in the seat you booked. When you crash, this is how they know who you are. Also why they tell you to wear your belt, then your dead body doesn't come out of the seat. Bracing with your head between your legs before impact is to preserve your dental records to identify your burnt corspe.
#18
On larger aircraft, there are secret compartments where your cabin crew and flight crew are able to get much needed rest. [This is the flight crew rest on a Boeing 777 and it's located above the ceiling of the first class cabin.](http://i.imgur.com/vDBMa0s.jpg) There are two beds behind the seats as well as [personal entertainment screens for each seat.](http://imgur.com/LcRRLDJ) [This the the cabin crew rest of a Boeing 787 located above the economy class.](http://imgur.com/pG7n4eu) Older Boeing aircraft have crew rest areas within the passenger cabin and I've been told some Airbuses have crew rests under the floor.
Two_rolling_black_eyes 3 years ago
This is necessary for longer flights. Its 19 hours from Singapore to NYC. Its flat out illegal for the same pilot to fly the entire time (a two pilot team is allowed to fly 10 hours) and its stupid to expect a flight attendant to remain vigilant the entire trip without any rest.
Barbara Skolly 3 years ago
I was seated near the very discrete door in a 777 from Toronto to Singapore, at first I thought they had their own lav but noticed they were disappearing for hours and returning looking rested.
#19
Αerospace fastener production here. Nobody еver asks what is actually holding thе plane together. Don't worry аbout it.
HARRY KOPPERS 3 years ago
I used to work for Douglas Aircraft (remember them?) and will state that each airplane is held together with tens of thousands of permanently installed steel and aluminum pins that don't break. (i.e. rivets)
Load More Replies...
Eric Lafleur 3 years ago
Aerospace structural parts and various parts for other systems machinist here, I know and I don't worry. Altho, if some airplane model I won't name here is still assembled in the south of the USA, I might prefer flying on Airbus.
Hotdogking 3 years ago
Aaaaaaaand there’s the increase in my fear of flying. Why am I even reading this?
Tjoori Vids 2 years ago
I can't count the times I was told "They use duct tape on the wings!!" and had to explain Speed Tape. FFS people, it's not duct tape. Speed Tape is like $300-400 a ROLL and designed for this.
BoredNoof 3 years ago
I used to work in aerospace engineering, and worked with engineers to design repairs, reconfigs, and refits on commercial and military aircraft. There's a lot of math involved in making sure the modifications can tolerate the most brutal forces working against it (but I still take a quick scan of the craft I'm boarding to look for warps or other anomalies on the fuselage).
Debbie 3 years ago
Husband works in a factory that makes buisness and first class seats plus economy , im a cleaner in it so see the whole process of the lines for different airlines they cater for , your seats are built to a high standard they have to pass a strict inspection before they are shipped out but I hate flying with him as if they didn't manufacture for that airline he pokes at the seat and gives a commentary on his opinion of it
#20
I'm an outstation mechanic for multiple airlines. I cover all flights at a major US city airport--by myself. Where to start? If your flight has a maintenance delay and there is no on station mechanics for that carrier I get called. If it's a quick fix, I fix it. If not we check to see if it can be deferred to get fixed later. Either way, most of your delay is spent waiting on me to do all the paperwork to clear the aircraft or for me to finish the other seven calls I'm out on to get to your plane. There is also constant pressure on both me and the pilots to clear/fly aircraft that have some fairly significant problems. I have airlines try to get me to sell some pretty sketchy stuff to the pilots to get them to fly and avoid a costly delay. I have no problems telling a pilot to call his controllers/dispatchers and tell them to f**k off if I'm not comfortable with whatever concoction of deferral action I was asked to perform. Don't get me wrong, the airlines would never willingly fly an unsafe aircraft. But if there is say an engine vibration that is just right at a c**t hair under the limit they will fly it. If the oil is super low but servicing it will cause a delay--service it at the next stop. If the pilot encounters something at altitude that I can't duplicate on the ground--sign it off and see if it happens again. Those are the ones I usually push back on depending what it is. Also, if you have to get out of your seat so a mechanic can fix something don't b***h about it. I get harassed all the time by passengers even though my sole purpose is to get them in the air. Besides, I tell gate agents all the time not to load pax until I get out there but they never listen so go b***h at them. This is turning into a soapbox so I will stop.
louie foster 3 years ago
Great post imo. Whenever my flight is delayed for maintenance issues, I think “take as much time as you need to the job right”.
Dianna Clayton 3 years ago
"Unable to duplicate fault. Ground tested serviceable". Soooo many snags I've seen cleared this way.
Flora Yost 3 years ago
Great info, and thank you for doing what goes as thankless but is CRITICAL to our safety! I always say Airplane Mechanics & pilots should be some of the highest paid professions!
#21
There is no philange.
the Return of Bruno 3 years ago (edited)
I didn't want this episode of Friends, but a f****e is one of a pair of collars used to bolt things such as pipes together. Planes have lots of flanges; if a f****e is missing, the plane falls apart.
the Return of Bruno 3 years ago (edited)
OK... Someone PLEASE PLEASE PRETTY PLEASE tell me why "f-l-a-n-g-e" is censored? (Or do I not want to know?)
Load More Replies...
the Return of Bruno 3 years ago
Since apparently f-l-a-n-g-e means something dirty to Bored Panda, I have to wonder what Regina rhymes with (h/t Seinfeld).
Load More Replies... 
#22
There are a number of tools out there to help you have a good flight experience: [Seat Guru](http://www.seatguru.com/) will give you information on seat selection so you know if your seat has a misaligned window or extra legroom, etc. [Route Happy](https://www.routehappy.com/) aggregates some key factors aggregating data on aircraft type, seat pitch, on-board entertainment, connections, etc to help you select a good flight. [Flight Stats](http://www.flightstats.com/go/FlightRating/flightRatingByRoute.do) has data including information on the historical on-time performance of your flight. Some fun airline websites include: [Flight Radar 24](http://www.flightradar24.com/) which shows you all flights in the air around the world. You can click on a plane to see its origin and destination. You can filter by airport to see all flights headed to/from your city. It's a lot of fun to play around with. [Airline Empires](http://www.airline-empires.com/) is a web game that lets you run your own airline deciding where to open routes, how to price them, what aircraft to purchase, etc. and compete against other real people running their fictional airlines.
TKA 3 years ago
You can point your phone at any plane or helicopter and it will almost always give you the details. I use it a lot for planes that seem lower or larger than I usually see (I don’t see many) or choppers as I always hope it’s not a medivac. The whole app is so interesting. I also like to follow the Cleveland Fox 8 News sky chopper during rush hour in the morning as I watch traffic updates on TV. It’s cool to see where all they went checking out traffic and where they are since I don’t know the streets very well since I live 2 hours away.
Load More Replies...
Gustav Gallifrey 3 years ago
FlightRadar24 is very good, but shows aircraft which have an ADS-B transponder working. There's a surprising number of commercial and private aircraft that don't show up, and neither do a very great number of military aircraft.
Powerful Katrinka 3 years ago
Fascinating! I can see that I'm not going to get anything done today.
Heather Menard 3 years ago
This sounds like a good way for terrorists to decide what t plane they want to go after. Not good
#23
There is a small latch hidden inside the lavatory sign on the bathroom door, which will open the door when pulled, even when it's locked. Airplane Peekaboo!
EDIT: I don't work for the airlines. Credit for this goes to [The Oatmeal](http://theoatmeal.com/comics/airplane_peekaboo).
Oncinw 3 years ago
And this is also potentially dangerous to open it by yourself 😉 Sometimes we store in the lavatories such things as: - burnt portable devices to make the spread of fire less dangerous in case of re-ignition; - possibly hazardous waste, such as body liquids, after a sick passenger(-s); - sometimes we even lock one lavatory for a specific passenger who may be suffering from contagious disease discovered in-flight to prevent other passengers from getting ill. And on top of that, it can be locked if there is no water available in this specific lavatory (so you will not be able to flash after yourself or wash your hands there) or it can be locked if somebody else is using it. 😉 Don't even mention that they are locked in case of turbulence, as well as for the take-off, landing, and even during refuelling on ground. The morale: don't you dare to open it by yourself. Ask cabin crew, we will open it or instruct you if it is not possible to use this specific lavatory for a moment.
Kathryn Baylis 3 years ago
I would think the secret larch—which isn’t a secret now—is for the crew to get in the bathroom if someone is in there too long, isn’t making any noise, and doesn’t respond when anyone knocks and calls out for them to open the door. They may be passed out, overdosing, or dead, so someone needs to open the door and intervene.
Rodney McKay 3 years ago
What airline is that lavatory from? It's the nicest (least crowded, anyway) that I've ever seen.
Alan Williams 3 years ago
Yes, on one flight some flight attendant opened the door while I was in there. God knows why because it was locked. Some silly cow had been staring at me for some reason. I don't look like Osama bin Laden so I have no idea what her beef was. Her name was probably Karen.
#24
Former ramper here. The amount of graffiti on the inside of airplane cargo bins is absurd
#25
I worked for a US regional for a few years in various departments. Here's some s**t: * If your flight is delayed or cancelled for things that cause the airline to be at fault, the airline is responsible for accommodating you. For example, they cancel the last flight out to your destination because the pilot called in sick, they now have to get you a hotel for the night and rebook you on the first flight out the next day. However, things that they aren't at fault for, like weather, ATC system delays, etc, they don't accommodate you. We ran very old aircraft that would constantly break down and cancel tons of flights, but we would routinely blame cancellations on "ATC" or "en route weather" because the passengers don't know the difference and not only do we not have to accommodate them, now we can charge rebooking fees. * Don't spend a lot of money on your luggage. Buy something that is cheap but durable. Those plastic-ish ones are the best in my opinion. Any kind of soft material will be destroyed by the rampies (guys who load the planes). Especially if they have *FRAGILE* written on them, they will toss them and drop them on purpose. * If you ever hear a gate agent or flight attendant say "delta-bravo", that's phonetic for the letters DB. You might hear the gate say to the crew, "We have a delta bravo in one-one-charlie." Look over and see who's sitting in seat 11C, yeah that's the douchebag they're referring to. * The stuff other people said about traveling is absolutely true. It is hands down the best perk of any job around. I went from the US to Italy for $54 round trip. Almost went to Dubai but that fell through, but it would have been $36 round trip. Tokyo was also $36. Anywhere in the U.S. was free. I've been around the world and back, i wouldn't change a thing if I could do it all over again. Edit: spelling
the Return of Bruno 3 years ago
The first point is certainly true: The airline pilots went on a strike of sorts against plans to fire all unvaccinated pilots; the vaccine was blamed for lots of people fainting within a few days of getting the shots, which would be insanely dangerous if pilots started fainting. Strangely, on each of the strike days, the airlines had to ground hundreds of flights due to dangerously pleasant weather.
the Return of Bruno 3 years ago
(Please don't downvote me for being a vaccine heretic; I'm only reporting the concerns of some of the pilots.)
Load More Replies... #26
ALL airline employees fly standby for free. Gate agents, rampers, mechanics... if they're an employee for the airline they get unlimited free standby. So does their spouse/parents/children.
Any time you're at the gate and you see a list of standby passengers, chances are they're an airline employee.
Also, you'd be surprised by how much stuff actually breaks on an airplane. (Hint: A lot)
Most of the broken stuff is insignificant, but every once in a while something big (Like an APU, or a flight computer, or the autopilot) will break and the mechanics defer it to get the aircraft airborne. It's not *unsafe*, it's just more work for the pilots usually.
Leo Domitrix 3 years ago
And sometimes that "problem" will mean you lose 15K-plus feet (or, if you prefer metric, 4 and a half kilometers!) in about 120 seconds, and you only avoid being on "Air Disasters" b/c the pilots compensated for not compensating for the issue to start with.
HF_Martini6 3 years ago
cool photo of Zurich airports check-in 3 located in the basement next to the parking garage 3
OneHappyPuppy 3 years ago
Can confirm, my aunt works at the biggest airport in my country at the lost and found office and I got signed on for the standby flights, I've only ever used them twice and the price was easily 25% of the original price of the ticket
Steve Robert 3 years ago
I always thought that if something happens to APU, he just closes the Quickie Mart and goes home for the day.
#27
Locks on zippered bags are useless. You can pop a zipper with a pen and drag the locked zipper pulls around the bag to close them back up. I've done this many times to identify bags that are tagless and locked.
Edit: [Exactly like this.](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tbpKhHwwtiY&t=0m46s) Thanks /u/adma1987.
kathoco 3 years ago
I don't put a lock on my bag to prevent theft, I put it on my bag in hopes that it will stay closed better during the flight. I also put a strap around the bag.
Thomas Bentley 3 years ago
i can hear the shink of switchbaldes being drawn
Load More Replies... Leo Domitrix 3 years ago
Go ahead. Check my bag. You'll discover I pack every item in a ziploc bag, tightly rolled up if it's clothing, and the bags are held closed by hair elastics. And that's how I can travel with just a carry-on.
Memere 3 years ago
Same here! And tbh, I don't bother with a lock at all - TSA can unlock or cut any lock they need or want to & they absolutely will. My checked luggage only has items I can replace & everything valuable is in my carry-on.
Load More Replies...
#28
Stewardess stopped giving a s**t a long time ago. If people knew how planes are held together they wouldn't feel safe even though they totally are. Planes are actually pretty strong m***********s that can fly in a middle of a hurricane (of course most don't take the chance because it is still a f****n hurricane you know).
Daria 3 years ago
I'm still afraid of flying. Never did it, actually, and probably never will.
Michael Largey 3 years ago
I'm not afraid of flying. I'm afraid of crashing.
Load More Replies...
Isidien Gudmundsdottir 3 years ago
As a passenger, flying to Amsterdam in a thin aluminum pressurized tube at 500 Miles per hour at an altitude so high, the only thing I worry about is those unforeseen cornfield landings.
#29
Worked on military aircraft but it's something I've noticed pretty universal about jet engines in general: you have your auxiliary engine that runs while the aircraft is parked, providing power, hydraulics, ac, etc while you're at the terminal. When getting ready to depart, you turn on your main engines. It takes a lot of power to get them started. As such, most of the auxiliary power goes to starting the engines. This is the point where usually you may see the lights flicker, and you will hear the whine of the main engines start up. The environmental control unit (or whatever they want to call it), stops cycling air during this start sequence. Without fail, if you watch for it, numerous hands will stick up and check or adjust the air conditioning vents as this happens. The air will kick back on when the engines are up and running. Edit: okay, TIL (and had forgotten), jet engines use pneumatic power to start engines. I worked on jet turbines for turboprop. I have my manuals in storage, so I can't completely erase all doubt, but I do believe we used a hydraulically actuated starter.
DJR 3 years ago
That's a lot of words to say "apu produces sufficient bleed air for ground air conditioning OR engine starts, but not both".
Brocken Blue 3 years ago
😂 True… but that’s a sentiment not a lot of people would understand without more context
Load More Replies...
#30
Almost every commercial flight you ride on has a dead body on board. Possibly 2 if you're on a wide body (large) air craft.
General Anaesthesia 3 years ago (edited)
According to other sources 50,000 bodies are flown worldwide *per year*. The American Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) services 45,000 flights *daily*. So no, "almost every commercial flight" is probably a slight exaggeration. Another statistic: 3.38 million people die in the US every year, 9,260 per day. Again, 45,000 flights. Almost every flight? Lies, darn lies, and statistics.
Just_for_this 3 years ago
Most cruise ships on the other hand have their own morgues. Especially the longer trip expensive ones; and have even been known to have to squeeze dead bodies next to the frozen peas (tongue in cheek) when the morgue is full before they reach a suitable port to disembark them.
Load More Replies...
J Adams 3 years ago
Not true at all, how many commercial flights take off every hour across the world? Multiply that up by the hour and the number of dead bodies being transported would soon be at the population of a small country so the numbers just don’t equate to the claim. Of course some flight will have them and on some flights people will die whilst in the air but some is very different to almost every
Michael Largey 3 years ago
No, it's always the passenger in front of me with the seat pushed back.
Load More Replies... 
Charlotte 3 years ago
People pass away not in their home country and need to be repatriated home so they can be buried etc.
Load More Replies... #31
Decided to make a throwaway for this even though I'm really late and this will probably go unnoticed. I work for American Airlines as a station agent - meaning I do everything from ticket counter to the gate to baggage service - and there's honestly not much that hasn't been mentioned in this thread but I've got a few things. * Checking in on a kiosk will give you a higher boarding priority as opposed to checking in with an agent. If you check in at the kiosk, you get group 2 boarding. If you check in with an agent, you get group 3. You will even get an option on the kiosk to upgrade your boarding group to group 1 for about $15, which is something an agent can't do at the counter. And no, I don't have any way of changing your group number for any reason. * Contrary to popular belief, we aren't trying to give you a hard time about your carry-on bag during boarding. If we ask you to try your bag in the sizer, just do it -- it takes five seconds! I understand that there's a big problem with consistency across the system so some bigger bags will make it on board in one city but get checked at the gate on the way back. It's honestly really hard to catch every single bag when you're boarding 160 people. However, if it doesn't fit easily into the sizer, it will not fit easily into the overhead bin. If you force your bag in and break the bin, that's a canceled flight + a $10,000 fine from the FAA towards the airline and the station for letting your fat bag get through in the first place! * On the same note, it's a complimentary check at the gate for your carry-on. That doesn't mean sneak a checked-bag sized bag to the gate to get it checked for free (I've seen this happen). Also, don't whine to me about how it fit on the way down. You are bound to add stuff to your carry-on or even pack it differently, therefore making your bag too fat to fit into the sizer. * I'm not sure if this is system-wide but I know at my station, we don't announce pre-boarding. I'm sure this is because just about anyone will jump up and say they need to pre-board because they've got a kid or something which, one, isn't fair and, two, just causes a huge crush at the start of the boarding process. If you're traveling with children, chances are we won't let your preboard, especially if it's a full flight and there are other families with children who haven't requested to preboard. Again, not fair to the other passengers. * If you or someone in your party needs wheelchair assistance at any point during your journey, please let an agent know, either at the ticket counter during check-in or at the gate! An accurate wheelchair count makes a world of difference for everyone -- helps you get onboard during preboarding, helps make sure you've got a wheelchair waiting for you at your connection and destination if you need it! * When a flight's delayed coming in - meaning, the inbound aircraft was delayed at its origination station, making it arrive late at the airport you're leaving from, which then causes it to be late leaving for your destination - we honestly don't know much about why it's delayed. We get a short blurb in the flight information in our system, like "delay due to aircraft maintenance" or "delay due to weather between board-point and off-point", but that's about it. If the estimated time of departure is 4:15 and I tell you the plane is due in at 4:05 don't give me s**t about how unrealistic the time is. Yes, I know that. No, I don't have any say at all in what time they put up on the screen! But we usually get a lot of manpower in those situations - called "quick turns" - so while we don't have much control over the deplaning of the previous passengers, we can get on that plane in a drove of like ten agents and clean that bad boy up in no time. *One more since this is running long - a little tip about what to do if you get your bag off the claim belt and it's looking beat up. If a handle (a telescoping handle on a roll-aboard bag or one of the cloth ones on the side) or wheel/wheel-well is broken, we don't cover that. It sucks, but we don't cover it as it can be seen as normal wear-and-tear as those parts protrude naturally. If there's a huge gaping hole in your bag and the contents are falling out, go ahead and report it. You can report the un-covered damages as well, but it's not likely that you'll get any compensation for it. Those big damages, though, will most likely get your bag sent to Texas to be repaired or a whole new bag if it's so bad that you can't even take the bag home. We have replacements in our backroom. This is probably going to go unseen but if anyone has any other questions that haven't been addressed in my comment or in the thread feel free to ask!
Catherine Miklavic 3 years ago
The crushed bag thing..... I had this happen yo me and they didn't even put it on the roundabout just called me to the room and found a bag the same size for me to transfer my stuff... hastle but pretty easy considering
#32
Worked at multiple airports as a consultant and this is common at almost all I've worked at.
Mechanics love to take their coffee breaks right behind the security checkpoint. This is where you will see women in a rush with their outermost garments off and bending over to put their shoes back on. The "jackpots" are passengers that didn't know a sweater or hoodie they are wearing had to come off until they are told to remove it by the TSA, so they have very little underneath.
I wasn't part of this so don't downvote me. Just telling the tales of the trade.
Kathryn Baylis 3 years ago (edited)
It is. I worked for TSA for five years, and we had a 360 degree curtained privacy area for pat downs when someone requested it or advised us of something like their hoodie was their shirt. Only same sex officers (two of them, to verify there were no improprieties by either the agent or the passenger) were allowed in that curtained area with the passenger. No one could see inside that curtained area. NO ONE. Though there are plenty of bad apples in TSA, most agents are people who also go on flights with their families, and have to pass through security too, so won’t do to other people anything they wouldn’t want to happen to them. Including allowing anyone to peep at passengers being patted down. Same would go for passengers carrying valuables in their carryon luggage. We had one regular passenger who was a jeweler. He would carry hundreds of thousands of dollars’ worth of jewelry, gold, and unset gemstones in his carryon. If something alerted on the x-ray, we’d open and inspect the bag with him behind that curtain. No need to let anyone else know what he was carrying.
Load More Replies... #33
I work for a company that delivers the luggage the airlines lose, so not really for airlines per se, but I can tell you these things: Airlines lose way more luggage than you realize. Seriously. Whenever there's a delay, or a cancellation, or bad weather, whatever, we end up with hundreds (yes, hundreds) of bags that we need to deliver just for the area we cater to (the south east US from LA to MS). Bags that are lost most often are duffel bags and awkwardly shaped or extremely heavy bags. If your bag doesn't fit conveniently into the Tetris-style arrangement the airline employees have going on wherever they put the bags, you're probably going to have to wait to get it. Southwest is run by d***s. Just saying. We get more cash on delivery bags (meaning that the passenger is paying to have the bag delivered, NOT Southwest) from them than any other airline we have a contract with. Also, DON'T PUT YOUR IMPORTANT MEDICATIONS IN YOUR CHECKED LUGGAGE! Just don't do it! You should EXPECT that your bag will get lost, and prepare accordingly, whether that means having a supply of meds on your carry on, or leaving a few days' worth of medications at home.
Brenda Spagnola-Wilson 3 years ago (edited)
I ALWAYS carry my meds, any electronics and breakable stuff, as well as jewelry and money with me.
Luna W. 3 years ago
Someone keeps downvoting you...I keep upvoting you. I got you, Brenda :)
Load More Replies... Alexandra Davis 3 years ago
I'm on 22 medications and you are allowed an extra check in bag for medical needs. Some airlines require a doctors note but most don't. Also makes it easier going through security as they are all in one place as many of mine are liquids over 100ml (also allowed but again nearly always need a note) so no excuse to check them in
#34
A little late, but oh well. I used to work for a major airline in Philadelphia International (PHL). Theft amongst workers is horrible. Workers would open suitcases while inside the cargo area, waiting for the next cart of bags to pull up. They'd rummage through and find small electronics to take. This wasn't something that only happened a few times, there was at least one guy on every team that did it. I reported a few people, but the bosses didn't care. Eventually, I got into a position where I could direct which employee did what and I kept the bad ones out of the plane. Some workers would walk around the break rooms trying to sell what they just stole, some traded items, and others took them home. Always keep valuables in your carry on. If possible, don't even check a bag.
#35
Paramedic here. If you switch on your alarm lights on the ambulance while being on the inner field of the airport (because...well you just get there sometimes) they will totally shut down all incoming and outgoing flights until they know exactly what's going on.
My Buddy learned this the hard way. Needless to say people got mad at him...
DJR 3 years ago
Oh look another lie. Emergency vehicles responding to an emergency have priority over everything else on the airfield except... wait for it..... aircraft!
Donnie Mc00 3 years ago
they will totally shut down all incoming and outgoing flights until they know exactly what's going on....they didnt say in an emergency.
Load More Replies... #36
When flying overseas there are generally no systems tracking the movement of your aircraft for several thousand miles i.e. how they go missing.
Alexandra Davis 3 years ago
They usually are 'tracking' based on predicted course and speed. Why some show planes are much closer to land miles away from where the plan actually is and only seen as the case when the flight appears on real tracking and has had to divert etc and suddenly the tracker refresh's the plane miles from where it was on screen a second ago
Load More Replies...
#37
My horse loves to fly! Most people don't know but on the big jets that fly overseas, especially KLM to Amsterdam, the plane is only about 1/2 - 3/4 full of people. The wall across the back has a door and the horses are in containers on the other side. The owners/riders/trainers sit in the back row for access. There is a jump seat next to the door and a KLM horse attendant sits there as well. When the Olympic team flew a few years ago there were lots of horses so they rented an entire Fed Ex plane. Most of them do very well and don't mind at all. Sometimes take off and landing is hard for them because of the G force and they sit down, but they go right back to eating after. Here are a few pics from our most recent trip... http://imgur.com/a/iOvOh 1st pic is after a 8 hr drive to JFK Airport. We wait for about 6-8 hrs in a hangar for a mandatory, rest period, vet exam and paperwork. Then they are loaded into containers which roll and lock into the floor of the plane. The people go through security while the horses are loaded in the side door (pic 2) Then it's lots of hay and cookies for the in-flight service until they land and we all go through customs and they have another vet exam. Then we get on a truck and go to the farm. The total cost is $3800 for my seat, the horse, and customs. Depending on where you go and how long determines the quarantine period. Quarantine , pre flight paperwork, and trailering to and from airport can cost as much as $5000 extra.
Akshara Panduga 3 years ago
IM SORRY WHEN I READ "MY HORSE LOVES TO FLY I THOUGHT OF A HORSE FLYING OVER THE MOON"
#38
As shown in some movies like Executive Decision and Passenger 57, there is a secret hatch on every plane that allows people to travel freely throughout the aircraft.
Also, Wade Boggs once drank 50 beers on a cross-country flight and then absolutely destroyed the Seattle Mariners the next day.
Richard Campbell 3 years ago
There’s a great Always Sunny episode where they try to break Boggs’ record.
Hugh Cookson 3 years ago
Who da F is Wade Boggs - sounds like an interesting chap but hardly well known outside an obviously insular little circle.
#39
Used to be an ATC. I know some horror stories about controllers who have cracked. Also about a time both the pilot and co pilot fell asleep at the controls. Post 9/11 so the rest of the flight staff couldn't get into the cockpit to wake them.
Oncinw 3 years ago
Actually we can - at leas on Airbuses. In case they are not answering our frequent calls (we do it several times during flight to check their well-being) we can suspect that both of them are incapacitated and we have a right to enter the cockpit with the emergency code
User# 6 3 years ago
Really? So, how did the A320 Airbus flight 4U 9525 crash happen?
Load More Replies... #40
When the drink cart is coming through, you can ask for a full can of pop instead of the tiny little cup filled with mostly ice.
#41
If you are flying with someone and you're not seated together, wait until you get to the gate to ask to change seats. The airlines always have "blocked" seats that they want people to pay for. If nobody purchases them, they are usually given away to standbys. If the agent looks busy, just stand and wait patiently. Source: Been doing this for a looooong time Edit:F**k your downvotes. Do I look like I care? Clearly if you don't agree with this then you probably need to find another job. I've been doing this for a long time and it never bothers me. Guess I'm one of those rare people that doesn't mind helping out passengers.
Concept-Peter Roosdorp 3 years ago
I downvoted because of the hostility. Only thing I downvoted.
Load More Replies... #42
Pilot here. Not really secrets but here are some tips. When you book on sites such as Expedia you may only have 30 minutes to catch a connecting flight. At busy hubs this is too short I promise. We will not hold flights for you even if you are 2 minutes late. Wave through the window wildly and we'll just wave back. If we are running late don't stand up to pack up your things, we have to stop the airplane and every one has to wait until you buckle up. Unless I'm working your flight I have no idea what gate your flight is going out of or if it has left yet any more than those huge boards with departures on them. If you are on a smaller regional jet and the flight attendants ask you to gate check your bag do it. If you say "I know it will fit" we will still make you put it under the plane. That is usually not the reason it has to be put under. If have to get out of my seat because you are harassing our flight attendants about it, your bag and you are not making it on this plane. The best things to make your trip go smooth is read signs, give yourself extra time and sit down and shut up.
#43
Ex-F/O here... you wouldn't believe how often airlines will load big bags full of cash into the cockpit or in the front hold of the aircraft. It's usually to pay off a plane charter, or the takings of the previous sectors duty-free... but often, we will have between £10-100k in cash sat next to the S/O in a nice little bag handed put there by the ground crew. EDIT: F/O = First officer. S/O = second officer. Every A380 flies with an S/O. Paying off plane charter means some times cash is given from one agency or airline sharing the flight if they do not wish to bank transfer to be handed directly to management (Assuming your flight is heading to a cash counting office or head quarters). Previous duty free takings is the money made on the previous flights for that day (assuming you're on the last leg of the day, or conversely the first of the following day). Many reasons for cash rather than bank transfer = liquidity, immune to losses against bank forex rates (remember most of the large companies have future options to cash rather than pay a local bank an on-the-day spot (exchange rate). Better folks!?
Akshara Panduga 3 years ago
when I read the first 2 sentences I thought the airlines kept the cash to give to the like thief s like on the airline like d j Cooper
#44
Not particularly a secret but one time I was upgraded to business class on a plane that was delayed for maintenance. Just settling into my middle row/aisle seat up at the movie screen/bulkhead when a hatch in the floor of the cabin right at my feet flipped open and the maintenance engineer climbed up. He had a clipboard of paperwork for the pilot to sign, then climbed back into his hole, tipping his hat to the passengers before closing the hatch over his head. If you look for it you can see a recessed pull ring in the cabin floor in front of the first row seats behind cockpit. 757 wide body I think. ---EDIT-- Yeah, yeah I get it 757 is narrow body. That was the I think. Must have been a 767 then as was before 777s started flying
#45
Flight crews will have meetings before flights, where they discuss things like flying conditions, weather at the destination, alternate runways, etc. This usually takes five minutes. Whatever time is left before the flight, they talk about whatever they want. Some of them talk about how drunk they plan on getting later, how hot the flight attendants are, stories about passengers, and so on. Others choose to talk about hypothetical situations, like what would they do if the plot of the movie Non-Stop happened on the plane. Also, there's a very good chance that if you wear a skirt onto a plane, a rampie is standing under the bridge looking up it. Just something to keep in mind, ladies.
oktopus 3 years ago
This would be a problem if airbridges commonly had transparent floors, but otherwise?
Christof Irran 3 years ago
They also have articulating joints with grated decking as floors.
Load More Replies... #46
I was flying to a wedding and my flight was canceled. I needed to get to the destination at a specific time to catch a boat to get to the wedding, which was very important to me. All flights were sold out. I placed a call to a high up friend. They called me back and said go to this unmarked door in the airport and knock. I do this and behind the door is a full room of people and computers. I state my name and they ask what flight and where I want to sit. I see their screen and ask for an aisle. They literally randomly pick a person and kick them OFF the plane and put me there. They print me a boarding pass and say do not check in with the gate agent prior to boarding. Apparently this happens often for famous people, athletes, etc. etc. I actually felt pretty bad, but made it to the wedding on time.
#47
Ramp agent currently bored and eating breakfast in the bagroom here. If passengers are deplaning and we've already downloaded the aircraft then I know two guys who will go hang out on the jetbridge and see who can find the hottest passenger. Theres a lot passengers probably don't notice or know about those dudes on the ground tossing bags around
#48
Flying at dawn and dusk and generally at night is pretty dangerous. These are the times that wildlife moves around a lot and has the highest strikes on aircraft. I always fly middle of the day because of this. You know those flocks of starlings that can be massive? Well even though airplanes are built to take hits from birds these can damage a plane because of how dense they are. Geese took down the plane Sully was flying and that was just a few birds. Planes have hit elk on the runway while landing and completely destroyed the plane (everyone got off and lived). People taking over a plane don't scare me, a goose does.
Ryan-James O'Driscoll 3 years ago
This is scaremongering. It is not "pretty dangerous" at all. An animal strike that actually endangers an aircraft is very rare, and Sully's flight was a freak event that was caused by both engines ingesting multiple birds. Bird strikes do occur from time to time, usually without causing any problems. Though the pilots will usually land just to be cautious.
Tjoori Vids 2 years ago
I can't watch Die Hard 2 without yelling at the screen. NO ONE is going to stand on the wing of a 747 hurtling down a runway for take off. And even if you were able to, you'd be blown backward, not forward. So really wouldn't end up in the engine...and if you did, that engine would be shot to pieces and no longer function. Seriously, I can't watch that c**p. (And please show me ANY runway that has a manhole cover!!!)
#49
If you knock twice, then twice again the cockpit will open.
Ryan-James O'Driscoll 3 years ago
Different airlines have different ways of gaining access to the cockpit and keep them secret.
General Anaesthesia 3 years ago (edited)
That's no secret, every terrorist knows it. Knock knock knock, Penny, knock knock knock, Penny, knock knock knock, Penny.
Explore more of these tags
What do you think ?
Leo Domitrix 3 years ago
Unsurprised by most, and baggage handlers arent gentle on the job. While the pay's not bad, nor benefits in some cases, in the US at least, they are exposed to hard physical labor and fumes, etc., all day, while having to hustle like Amazon warehouse workers. And you can't make the whole thing work on just computers, scanners, and conveyer belts, b/c the cost is prohibitive to get such systems to every gate in every terminal. (Imagine the cost added to your ticket so that a conveyer belt extends magically to the plane cargo hold, which will be differently located on different planes... Yeah, no.) So, I don't blame 'em. End of a shift like that, I'd be lucky to lift a cuppa, let alone another suitcase.
Mandy Delaforce (PC Girl) 2 years ago
In australia, most of this stuff is not even remotely true - especially the part about flying free. I worked for an airline for 2 years and chatted with others who had been in other airlines - the most you could expect was a slightly discounted fare.
Rocco MZ 3 years ago
I read once that if you take a gift for the staff on the plane, candy or something, they will appreciate it. I've tried it twice and with a box of chocolates and both times they told me they weren't allowed to receive gifts. I'm a good passenger. I'm polite, I say please and thank you. I've found just being a good person has gotten me upgrades. Once they were walking down the aisle asking someone to move to the back of the plane. I said I would. The flight attendant helped me move all my stuff and then moved my carry on to the front to the plane to make it easier for me. Once I was seated, they said to choose a boxed meal and that drinks were on them. It was SUCH a great flight. Treating the staff nicely won't always get you perks, but it certainly makes their life easier. And why be a d**k anyway?
Crystal Pearson 3 years ago
I need to make friends with an airport worker because not only would I have a new friend but I'd also have the means to travel to a country in Africa I can't afford to see a family member I haven't seen in so many years
Freya the Wanderer 3 years ago
Some of these have a place on my Very Long List of Reasons to Drive Instead.
Hey! 3 years ago
When we pack our luggage and carry-ons, we have a list and we know exactly what goes where (not where in the luggage but which one) and how many (i.e. 3 t-shirts etc.). If we would ever be struck by thieves (**crossing fingers**), I would know what would be missing and it would be easy to make a claim. We bought the hard covers after our material ones were beyond repair and we actually didn't trust the zippers on those ones either.
Leo Domitrix 3 years ago
Unsurprised by most, and baggage handlers arent gentle on the job. While the pay's not bad, nor benefits in some cases, in the US at least, they are exposed to hard physical labor and fumes, etc., all day, while having to hustle like Amazon warehouse workers. And you can't make the whole thing work on just computers, scanners, and conveyer belts, b/c the cost is prohibitive to get such systems to every gate in every terminal. (Imagine the cost added to your ticket so that a conveyer belt extends magically to the plane cargo hold, which will be differently located on different planes... Yeah, no.) So, I don't blame 'em. End of a shift like that, I'd be lucky to lift a cuppa, let alone another suitcase.
Mandy Delaforce (PC Girl) 2 years ago
In australia, most of this stuff is not even remotely true - especially the part about flying free. I worked for an airline for 2 years and chatted with others who had been in other airlines - the most you could expect was a slightly discounted fare.
Rocco MZ 3 years ago
I read once that if you take a gift for the staff on the plane, candy or something, they will appreciate it. I've tried it twice and with a box of chocolates and both times they told me they weren't allowed to receive gifts. I'm a good passenger. I'm polite, I say please and thank you. I've found just being a good person has gotten me upgrades. Once they were walking down the aisle asking someone to move to the back of the plane. I said I would. The flight attendant helped me move all my stuff and then moved my carry on to the front to the plane to make it easier for me. Once I was seated, they said to choose a boxed meal and that drinks were on them. It was SUCH a great flight. Treating the staff nicely won't always get you perks, but it certainly makes their life easier. And why be a d**k anyway?
Crystal Pearson 3 years ago
I need to make friends with an airport worker because not only would I have a new friend but I'd also have the means to travel to a country in Africa I can't afford to see a family member I haven't seen in so many years
Freya the Wanderer 3 years ago
Some of these have a place on my Very Long List of Reasons to Drive Instead.
Hey! 3 years ago
When we pack our luggage and carry-ons, we have a list and we know exactly what goes where (not where in the luggage but which one) and how many (i.e. 3 t-shirts etc.). If we would ever be struck by thieves (**crossing fingers**), I would know what would be missing and it would be easy to make a claim. We bought the hard covers after our material ones were beyond repair and we actually didn't trust the zippers on those ones either.
You May Like 160 Motivational Quotes For Work To Get Those Projects Done "What Is The Creepiest Thing That Ever Happened To You But Never Told Anyone?" 124 Motivational Gym Quotes Better Than Protein
Aivaras Kaziukonis
Jonas Žvilius
Saimonas Lukošius
Related on Bored Panda
