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32 Airport Workers Share Behind-The-Scenes Secrets That Non-Employees Might Not Have Known
Most of us have spent hours in airports. Waiting, rushing, maybe even daydreaming about that overpriced coffee. Some of us even have our favorite airports.
Yet, for all that time we spend there, we barely notice the little quirks and the secrets that keep everything running behind the scenes.
Even though there are countless videos online promising tips and tricks — like booking your ticket on the “perfect” day for the cheapest fare. Honestly, I’m still not convinced that works.
But here, you’ll get actual insider info, straight from the horse’s mouth. Or, in this case, the people who actually work in airports and those who really know how things work.
Scroll through to find out whether your random security screening really was random, or what secret adventure your luggage goes on when it gets lost.
This post may include affiliate links.
#1
The ticket agents airline workers have a lot of power. I'm not a worker but noticed this on my last flight. I was flying out of LAX and there happened to be an explosive scare. They locked down the front of the terminal for a bit and everyone missed the early morning flights. After much waiting and watching some people in front of me implode (we had already missed flight so really there was no reason), I walked up the ticket agent. He was male about the same age as me and I usually go out of my way to be extra nice just because they dont deserve to be yelled at for something out of their control. He proceeded to get me on standby and was really upfront that there are so many people that I might not get on for a while. I said that was fine and I understood. I went to my ticket place. This is where it gets weird. I missed my first standby flight just didn't get on. But immediately after the ticket people at the gate called my name and said, " we received notice that you had been waiting the longest so youre being moved up to the front for the next flight. So we think youll get on." I know I hadn't, there were about 20 people waiting about the same time so I dont think that was true. As soon as the other flight started to load I was called first and given a first class ticket. I dont know what that guy did but I think he took a liking to me or thought it was nice that I wasn't a raging Karen and made some calls. Be nice to your flight crew. It goes a long way.
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#2
Aircraft fueler here. This is mostly American Airlines, though I've seen others do it, including Delta and United:
Don't check your pets in kennels unless you absolutely have to. I've seen them left out in the rain or summer sun (and believe me, it gets 110+ on the ramp in TX) for an hour or more at a time, 5 feet away from an APU exhaust that's so loud it can cause deafness in humans. I'm not kidding. I'm not even an animal lover, and I still think it's horrible.
Don't put anything valuable or fragile in checked luggage. I've seen bags and suitcases run over hundreds of times by tugs and belt loaders whose drivers simply did not care. I'm not kidding or exaggerating. Want to know where your bag is when it didn't arrive at your destination? It's still on the ramp in the last airport you were at, being rained on and run over by tugs.
StrangeOne 5 hours ago
Animals have no business being on a plane. I've learned so much about how they have no access to water, food for HOURS. No consoling when they're under stress. It's super stressful and scary for them. Just leave them with someone if you have to get on a plane. Some don't make it. It's cruel.
#3
I worked cargo and aircraft security at a large international airport. The company was a freight company that was shipping mostly commercial goods overseas. Most of the job was actually keeping an eye out for TSA, since they send plainclothes agents to try to sneak into the warehouses. If they get in unchallenged, the warehouse got a $10,000 fine. The rest of the time was spent xraying packages to look for explosives, but we had practically no training in how to actually identify them.
StrangeOne 5 hours ago (edited)
So, the TSA agents go where they're not allowed to go? Typical of US agents.
In 2025, nearly 9.8 billion passengers boarded flights worldwide, some of them more than once.
That’s billions of moving pieces — luggage, boarding passes, coffee cups, and people rushing to gates — all while staff try to keep the whole operation running smoothly.
And as international travel grows faster than domestic, with major hubs like Dubai alone handling over 95 million passengers in a year, the stakes get even higher.
All this movement means there’s plenty to be learned from those at the gate. For example, knowing the fastest security line or how to get reunited with your bag quickly.
#4
Most of planes are held together by gaft tape aka airplane duct tape... I worked on the smaller prop planes in Philly and the amount of tape holding parts together was insane.
Also, the bulk of security basically rests at TSA. One night after the plane was completely empty and closed about 35-40 mins later some little white lady knocks on the door. I swipe her in and ask "where were you?" As our zone was inactive for at least another hour. She pointed at the closed plane and goes "from there?" I was like why were you on that plane? Her response was she was looking for her cell phone. So basically the crew missed her and she was alone on this aircraft for over 30 mins doing god knows what cause looking for her cell phone on a 35 seate. So she leaves before I can even call anyone and in about 30 mins we were gonna start prepping the plane for departure. Well, I decided until a ground crew swept the plane I wasn't gonna let anyone near it. I called the tower for a potential GSI (ground security incident) and told them I needed the police, dogs etc and their response was around about "do we have to?" Umm yes! I told them no one was doing anything with that plane until it was cleared at which point the tower gave me flack bc I'd be holding up the departure process. They fought me tooth and nail until they finally relented and sent over two GSI trained managers to do a quick walk around. They cleared the plane in like 30 seconds and the tower asked "happy? Can we get to boarding now?" I was completely appalled that they treated the situation so hap hazardly and it was basically a chore to have to clear a potential explosion. so yea, not as safe as everyone makes it out to be, but I wasn't about to have something happen and then have blood on my hands for it.
Forrest Hobbs 5 hours ago
It's called speed tape. There are very tight rules on what it can be used for and how long it's allowed to be used. It's a good deal more secure than what you can buy down the hardware store.
#5
Not an airport worker, but worked in a hotel that had a few contracts with airlines so their pilots and stewards would stay with us.
Let's just say there were quite a few mornings where you would feel distinctly uneasy at the sobriety of the pilots... Our overnight girl kept a list of what hours they came back, especially for the really early flights. I would say that breathalizing pilots would not be the worst idea.
#6
At the end of the year, the airport auctions off the unclaimed lost and found to the airport employees, and donates that money to charity.
Nothing like getting a $200 bottle of single malt scotch for $25.
Lost luggage might feel personal to you, but it’s just a numbers game. And most mishandled bags are delayed, not lost forever.
In fact, about two‑thirds of misplaced baggage is reunited with its owner within 48 hours, often because of new tech like AirTags and automated tracking.
And as one airport staff revealed: “Your bags get lost because a human (usually the gate agent up front) made a stupid mistake.”
#7
I worked as an engineering contractor behind the scenes at several major airports installing new automated baggage search systems.
* Behind the scenes, the TSA agents are pretty normal, nice people. I trained several of them and had a great rapport. It was jarring to see them later, yelling at people about water bottles.
* The scanners they have now are like something out of the future. The TSA hardly ever has to open a bag any more, they're so good.
* Your bags get lost because a human (usually the gate agent up front) made a stupid mistake. The automated systems that track them are practically flawless. They have to be, in order to pass inspection.
* Some of the systems running airports are ancient by computing standards, yet they still run well. This often requires airports to hire engineers who still know VAX systems and COBOL.
* Airports take security very seriously. There is no one standard airport security clearance. Every time I went to a new airport, I had to get a brand new FBI background check. The fact that I had worked on four previous airports was irrelevant.
#8
If you're running a private charter domestic flight through a private terminal in Canada there's no law that says you need to be screened by either private security or CATSA.
I've been ground handling for 4 years at one of these operations for four years.
#9
If there is any type of security breach at the gates they announce, "paging passenger (not telling you the code) to gate (where the problem is)" in the same calm voice as usual. You weren't supposed to say anything to anyone just make sure you stay clear. Not sure if that's changed, I haven't worked there in several years.
Huddo's sister 3 hours ago
This is like the school I work at, who uses the name of a nun (catholic school) when they have to do lockdown drills (or the real thing, but that's not happened while I've been there)
There are a lot of challenges at airports, and one of the wildest is… well, wildlife.
Airports deal with bird strikes all the time. In the US alone, bird strikes average almost 61 wildlife encounters per day, though only a small percentage actually damages aircraft.
To reduce risk, airports invest millions into habitat control and deterrent tech — that’s why you might see staff dispersing birds rather than photographing them.
When all else fails, the technicians have shotguns in their trucks.
#10
Briefly worked at a major intentional airport. 90% of the keypad-locked doors have the same code. That has not changed in 8 years. You could walk from the public parking-lot on to an airplane in 5 minutes.
#11
The only real fast track in an airport is travelling with someone disabled. Honestly takes all the stress and queuing out of the equation.
I'm not saying throw yourself down the stairs for the sake of 20 mins but when you're planning your next trip...
#12
If you pack anything that's not a carry on and may be delicate such as electronics or glass, make sure it's packed nicely because other luggage will be packed on top of it which could be heavy or angled directly on to that item.
Also, keep in mind your luggage is in direct contact with others. So, if they had bed bugs or was in maybe an infested hotel and their bag is right on top of yours...
Also, this should be fairly obvious but take disinfecting hand wipes and disinfect everything you may touch on the plane because I guarantee they don't. Also don't drink the water unless it's bottled. The potted water is safe to drink but.. eh it's kind of gross IMO.
StrangeOne 5 hours ago
I would never pack anything so valuable and expensive. I don't trust luggage handlers. My first trip my suitcase showed up bent. When I got home from my trip I the sliding handle wouldn't slide out. I need a new suitcase. Those things are not cheap.
With so much at stake, it’s remarkable how some airports still manage to make the experience feel seamless, and sometimes even enjoyable.
The annual Skytrax World Airport Awards — a massive passenger satisfaction survey covering over 575 airports worldwide — consistently ranks Singapore Changi as the world’s best.
And that’s for good reason. The Changi airport has a lot of amenities, from the world’s most impressive shopping mall, to a butterfly garden and even a movie theater.
The airport is also spotlessly clean and for those with longer connections, it has several transit hotel options, and some solid lounges.
“It is a great achievement for Singapore Changi Airport to receive the highest award as the World’s Best Airport 2025, this being a record-breaking 13th time in the awards history that they have scooped this award,” Edward Plaisted, CEO of Skytrax, said.
Doha’s Hamad International and Tokyo’s Haneda follow close behind, proof that the airport experience can feel less like a chore and more like a mini destination.
#13
Oh another interesting thing...apart from undercover air marshalls, there could be armed police officers escorting a criminal on board. They're supposed to make themselves known to the gate agent so that they can alert the crew that armed police forces are on board. I had dozens of flights where there were two armed police officers in street clothes escorting a prisoner or two.
Forrest Hobbs 5 hours ago
Hmm - I suspect that there aren't many nations other than the US which allowed gun-toting folks on board. Too many things can go wrong, and properly trained people can suppress most non-firearm threats close-up without the need for firearms.
#14
Airport hospitals are free in some countries!! I hope I never have to use the airport hospital again, but I was travelling from a country I live in (with free medical care) to my expat country (where I have medical insurance), so it never even occured to me that I would need to buy travel insurance for a 12 hour flight......until I got an angina attack mid flight. Whilst my heart was in no way behaving, it was the least of my worries as they carted me through the terminal on a trolley.....my focus was on how I was going to pay for it if i lived, ..turns out they fixed me up and made me better in the airport hospital. Thank you to Dubai International Airport.....I am forever grateful.
Zig Zag Wanderer 6 hours ago
Universal healthcare is always a surprise to Americans. It's not a communist conspiracy, really!
#15
Counter/ground agent here. If there is a delay for the love of God it's not our fault. I get that you might need to vent at someone, but we are having to deal with a LARGE amount of angry passengers, rebook them in a timely manner, most likely missing our lunch break, pulling and re tagging checked bags, all the while we have other flights we still need to check in for, load bags, prep the ramp and board. We will help you as best we can but we have a lot of other things going on at that moment than you getting into Tampa at 344p instead of 255p which for SOME reason is the end of the world because you won't have that extra hour In Disney world.
Huddo's sister 3 hours ago
I don't really get people getting angry at people for this. It's frustrating, but they don't just do it for fun. I would rather wait and have an aircraft that's safe and not trying to fly through bad weather or whatever.
We usually only care that our flight is on time and our baggage delivered safely. But airport employees have a lot more to do — check-in and security checks are only the tip of the iceberg.
They’re also the ones making sure planes are ready to go on time — coordinating refueling, cleaning, catering, and parking.
Security teams aren’t just checking bags either; they patrol restricted areas, run the screening machines, and work closely with law enforcement to keep everyone safe.
#16
Your friend who gets randomly selected to be screened isn't randomly selected.
#17
Don't eat the food. Like, ever. Unless it's pre-packaged stuff like a bag of chips.
Airports make a lot of money off of charging airport retailers and restaurants sky high rent. It's in their best interest to make sure that nothing bad happens to these retailers. As such, they are essentially never inspected by the health department. I've worked for one of the largest airport restaurant companies in the US at several different locations and can confirm that they don't care about health and safety standards. I've worked in kitchens where raw meat sits on mold that has caked onto the shelving and is inches thick. Nothing is cleaned, ever. Any name brand restaurant you see is actually just another company paying for the right to use that brand's name, it isn't the brand itself, so the food quality is usually not the same either.
What goes on in the kitchens of most restaurants would probably turn most people off forever, but the airport ones are really, really bad.
Zig Zag Wanderer 6 hours ago
Having travelled all over the world I disagree. Perhaps only in America....
#18
Dogs are not cold when flying, they can actually get quite toasty below with the luggage, so don't wrap them up in all sorts of bloody coats like some people tend to do.
Of course, not all airports are perfect. Some hubs are infamously slow.
Certain US airports, on an average, see departure delays and taxi times add up to nearly an hour of wasted time before you’re even airborne.
This means that you’re in your seat and ready to go, but the plane might be stuck at the gate, or slowly driving on the runway.
So, even if one traveler might rave about the sushi bar or the butterfly gardens at an airport, another might grumble about standing in line at an overcrowded transfer hub.
#19
Just because it's an airport does not mean that when you order from a restaurant like Chili's that it will be fast.
#20
Volunteered at the Winnipeg Airport in Manitoba, Canada about 6 years ago as a general hand, saw how everything worked.
Every airport has a religious spot of some kind, somewhere quiet to worship, do not sleep there.
If you need sleep, use the observation decks.
Most hotels offer a free shuttle from the airport. There's probably a billboard right after you get off the plane with phone numbers, if not, ask the information desk.
Don't leave luggage unattended. Either someone will steal it or you will get searched.
Getting searched really isn't a big deal, usually it takes 5 mins unless you piss someone off. Maybe this is worse in the US.
Do not transport pets on public airlines. Just don't. Use the expensive specialty companies designed for it.
Westjet>>>Air Canada>>>Delta.
Oh, and one last thing, do not try and smuggle anything. Think: If you would have issues presenting it to the airport security, then do not bring it.
My airport has a public museum with fascinating ways people tried to smuggle contraband and exotic weaponry. I guarantee you'll get caught, but I recommend you be clever and you might just end up with your work on display.
StrangeOne 4 hours ago (edited)
I'm so paranoid of what I bring back, I mention every souvenir and pence I bring back to Canada, just in case. Banana flavoured Nesquick mix in my checked luggage? No problem. Weird look from the agent, though.
#21
I worked at an airport for years. One thing that I can’t quite explain is the feeling of the airport feeling almost like a different country with its own rules and culture. Like once you go through the door its just different. One thing is how seriously they take having your ID visible at all times. All the restricted areas (where passengers aren’t allowed) are super strict. Every employee has to keep their airport ID visible at all times and if you see someone walking around without it visible you are required to “challenge” them. They would occasionally send people around purposely without ID and if you didn’t stop them they could revoke your ID. The culture is also hard to explain- its kind of a city within a city with its own law enforcement, fire department, restaurants and shops (just like a real town everyone knows which one is the “good starbucks” etc)- we even had a chapel. When I left the airport it was like moving away from a town and never being able to visit parts of it again. Whenever I meet someone who has worked at my airport or at an airline in general I often find us talking shop at length, its like being part of a club. Again kind of hard to articulate why it feels that way but ask anyone who has worked at an airport and I think they’d agree with me that the airport is just a different kind of workplace and it’s hard to compare to anything else.
That’s the beautiful chaos of air travel.
From the moment you walk into the terminal to when you land, there are layers of processes and odd little secrets lurking behind the scenes.
All so your flight can take off, your coffee can be overpriced, and your suitcase can hopefully arrive at baggage claim.
#22
The secret to enjoying working at an airport is getting to know the janitors. They'll tell you which bathrooms stay the cleanest/have just been cleaned, you will always have someone to talk to if working late/alone, and sometimes you get items people couldn't take through TSA. I've gotten some nice beard oils, vape stuff, a cool pocket knife, and a few board games. Added bonus: most janitors I've met have a great outlook on life, or at least a fun-yet-crass sense of humor.
#23
If you have SSSS on your boarding pass you get a little extra attention during security. Sometimes the gate agent will write it, other times it is random and is printed on there.
StrangeOne 4 hours ago
I got a stamp on my passport in Germany because I couldn't find the international gates. I saw USA one way, and then an arrow pointing up. There was an elevator. So I assumed it was pointing to go up. There was a door that looked forbidden to the public. Apparently that door was where I had to go and the USA was actually the gate for all international people. I thought the USA had their own area of gates because they do in Canada, for the TSA. When I showed my passport to an agent she said I was in the wrong terminal and even asked how I found myself in that terminal. She stamped my passport, told me to tell the next terminal/gate agent I was cleared and show them the stamp. She told me to turn around and go down to the basement floor. (I guess the elevator also went to a lower floor than I started from.) I was supposed to go down not up. When I found the right terminal and gate, the agent there was confused why my passport was already stamped. It was an awkward situation.
#24
Former airline employee here. I worked for an airport as a ramp agent for 4 odd years. Where to start......
TSA is a joke. It's all for show. Yes you have to get screened, the pilot gets screened, the flight crew gets screened, it all seems secure. What you don't realize is some guy who just turned 18 who only had to pass a background check can scan his badge through a door and have full access to the ramp, airplane, anything besides the private hangers and the flight control tower.
It's a necessity of the job though, I need to be able to receive your bags, have them go through TSA, load them on a cart, marshal in the plane, unload and reload it, then push it back out, along with drop off your bags to the carousel sometime between that. It was up to 3 of us to have all this done in the 40 minutes the airplane was supposed to be on the ground.
Any questions, I have stories and can answer most questions.
#26
Air traffic controller here. The guys on the ground directing the planes to the runways with lights and reflective gear, are not air traffic controllers. They're airport maintenance or work for the fixed base operators.
Not really a secret just misinformation lol.
StrangeOne 4 hours ago
Not the only workers out there. There's also the ones shooting flares to scare away the birds. I have a family member who does this. He lost the tips of some fingers while at work. Very dangerous work.
#27
Pilots are not like in the movies. They're essentially taxi drivers of the sky.
Tucker Cahooter 5 hours ago
In that case, as an Aussie it's my duty on the next flight to sit in the seat next to the pilot and make chitchat
#29
Pair of pilots I know play Mario Kart on the switch while flying the plane
Zig Zag Wanderer 6 hours ago
That is not a massive problem since a lot is automated after taking off.
#31
I work in a UK international airport on the ramp(baggage handling), a small tip, alot of the main UK airlines give you a free gate bag to take on board, however these have to fit in the overhead and is a first come first serve deal. So get to the gate as early as possible, when we count to a certain number of bags they then go in to the main hold. I see a lot of people get pissy when we take their bags off them.
#32
There are secret passage ways where you can get from the front door to any gate on the concourse in about 60-90 seconds.
Forrest Hobbs 5 hours ago
Yeah, no. Really no. Just look at how big most international airports actually are.
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