I’m A Former Flight Attendant & There Are 8 Things I’d Never Do On A Plane

This Opinion article is a part of a 4Uetc Media collection. The views expressed are the writer’s personal and don’t essentially mirror the views of 4Uetc Media.

After graduating from college, I made a decision it was time for an journey, so I “received my wings” and have become a flight attendant. For over a yr, my job with a world airline took me to locations in Europe, North America, and past, and day by day was a brand new expertise.

In fact, it wasn’t all simply enjoyable and exploring. Being on the aircraft was plenty of work, and I discovered some beneficial “do’s and do not’s” when flying.

Listed below are eight issues I’d by no means do on a aircraft primarily based on my expertise as a flight attendant.

Ask the flight attendant to raise my bag

Flight attendants haven’t got tremendous power, and it is not their job to stow your baggage. In case your bag is just too heavy so that you can raise your self, you should not deliver it on the aircraft, as a result of it’ll probably be too heavy for the flight attendant too.

The very last thing anybody needs is to get damage, so so as to maintain you and the crew protected, pack gentle and be certain you’ll be able to stow your bag by yourself. In fact, the crew is there to assist in sure circumstances, like when an damage is stopping you from lifting your baggage, however in any other case, you need to care for your luggage your self.

Sit with my limbs within the aisle

I get it… flights are lengthy and there is not a lot legroom. It may be tempting to relaxation your leg or arm within the aisle, however this may very well be extremely harmful and painful.

Not solely can crew members and different passengers journey over you, nevertheless it’s additionally arduous for the flight attendants to see over the foods and drinks carts, so you can danger getting hit by considered one of these heavy trollies. If it’s good to stretch, it is best to rise up between providers and take a fast stroll across the aircraft.

Ask for meals or drinks earlier than takeoff

The lead-up to takeoff is a particularly busy time for flight attendants. From boarding to security directions and checks, the crew would not have plenty of time for requests like meals.

Plus, scorching drinks and meals shouldn’t be handed out previous to takeoff, as this might result in spills and burns. It is best to attempt to wait till the aircraft is within the air and the seatbelt signal is off earlier than asking for a snack or drink, except it is pressing.

Depart my seatbelt off in the course of the flight

Even when the seatbelt signal is off, it is a good suggestion to maintain yours on all through the flight. You by no means know when turbulence may hit, and it is best to remain on the protected aspect and stay strapped in.

It is an particularly good thought to maintain your seatbelt on if you happen to plan on sleeping. This manner, the crew will not must wake you up and let you know to buckle up if the signal does go on throughout your relaxation.

Arise earlier than the aircraft is parked

Regardless of a number of bulletins about staying seated till the aircraft is totally parked, there are all the time passengers that can arise and begin reaching for baggage whereas the plane continues to be taxiing.

To begin with, that is harmful for you and the passengers round you. Ought to the aircraft make a sudden flip or cease, you can fall and presumably land on others as properly. Plus, when you’ve got the bags compartment open, it may trigger luggage to topple onto these sitting beneath. There is no want to face up and race to get off, as you may nonetheless have to attend for the door to open, and it actually will not prevent a lot time.

Hand around in the galley

A galley is a busy place on an airplane. It is the place all of the meals prep takes place and the place most objects are saved. Whereas it might be tempting to face up and chat with associates, you can get in the best way of crew members.

It is okay to face up and stretch, particularly throughout lengthy flights, however if you happen to’re loitering within the galley space for lengthy durations of time, it’ll make issues troublesome for the flight attendants.

Take your footwear off

Anybody who’s been on a aircraft has probably handled the horrible scent of somebody’s toes. Whereas it is tempting to free your toes on board, it is simply not good to the crew and others round you.

Belief me, nobody needs to be smelling your toes for the complete journey.

Hand my rubbish to a flight attendant

From napkins to tissues to empty snack luggage, there are all kinds of rubbish that may accumulate throughout a flight. The crew will come round to gather trash a minimum of as soon as per flight, relying on how lengthy it’s.

That is the best alternative to do away with your rubbish, because the flight attendants could have gear like gloves and plastic luggage for a sanitary assortment. You’ll be able to maintain your trash in one of many paper luggage within the seat pocket if it makes issues simpler.

Keep away from handing your rubbish to flight attendants between rubbish providers, although. Nobody needs to the touch different individuals’s soiled napkins or tissues (I have been handed a used diaper earlier than), they usually probably will not be sporting gloves on the time. If you cannot watch for the rubbish pickup, you can all the time politely ask a crew member for the perfect place to throw away your rubbish. It is a nicer gesture than handing it on to them and anticipating them to take care of it.