The 4 Things Flight Attendants Really Want To Tell You About Flying But Can’t

Flying is a weird phenomenon when you think about it. You’re 37,000 feet up in the air, you can’t take off unless your seat is in the upright position and you and a few hundred other passengers are suspended in this weird claustrophobic space where you must keep your phones switched off at all times.

Really there are so many questions we want to ask those in the know about flying but for the most part most of our wonderings remain a mystery. Or until now at least.

See, in an interview with Business Insider, over 60 flight attendants have doled out some insider secrets about flying and it’s eye opening to say the least.

Here are just a few of the fascinating nuggets they shared.

If your flight is delayed it will mess up your connections

To quote one of the flight attendants, airlines “will not hold your flight, ever.” Sound lads, sound. The advice? Plan for delays and don’t ever book your connecting flight 30 minutes after your first one. Makes sense, we guess.

Always keep your shoes on

Apparently the airplane carpet is filthy so you might want to think twice the next time you consider kicking off your runners and making yourself at home. Other no-gos include leaving your seat in a mess after your flight has landed. Be a good human and gather up your rubbish before you go.

Airline staff aren’t there to be bossed around

Or as one staffer puts it “I’m here to save your ass, not kiss it.” Point taken. Another airline staffer adds “It’s amazing how many passengers will not say ‘please’ or ‘thank you. Oftentimes they will barely look up at you. It’s very very rude and probably my biggest pet peeve. I’m here to offer you something, Please acknowledge me. Common courtesy is a thing of the past.”

A lot of flights are seriously understaffed

Still waiting on that drink you ordered ages ago? That’s probably because most flights allocate one flight attendant for every 50 people. The message? You just gotta wait your turn and stop whining.

Other stuff we wanted to know

Why do you need to keep your phone off or on airplane mode? 

Quite simply, your phone can emit powerful electromagnetic radiation that can mess with the plane’s navigation system. Not what you want when you’re thousands of feet up in the air.

Why must your window shades be open while landing? 

It’s a grizzly thought, but the window shades aren’t left open just so you can admire the view, it’s actually to make your exit quicker should there be an emergency. More specifically, it allows emergency personnel outside of the plane to see in and assist passengers and cabin crew in exiting the plane in the event of something going wrong.

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• Flight
• flying