[Amazing] 25 Things Nobody Ever Told You About Flying On An Airplane
Flying on an airplane can be quite terrifying, especially if it’s your first time. But to all you first timers and never-flown-ers, guess what? Even the veterans get nervous. In fact, sometimes, the more you fly, the more nervous you get. It turns into a crazy cycle (one of the many things nobody ever told you about flying on an airplane). But are you ready for the good news? It’s all completely emotional. There is no rational reason for you to be scared or nervous while flying. It’s one of the safest things you can do. No joke.
However, this list isn’t going to be about calming your flying fears. We’ve already done a list like that. This list is going to be about making you a more informed flyer. We’re going to go over some behind-the-scenes tips and tricks concerning flying. These are tips coming straight from people that work on the front lines. They’re coming from flight attendants, pilots, luggage handlers, and others. These are the things they would tell you if they could. So get ready. It would be good idea for you to take out a notepad and put your listening cap on because these tips just might save you a lot of time and trouble in the future. These are 25 things nobody ever told you about flying on an airplane.
When you are out over the ocean, there is no radar tracking your plane. Once an aircraft is more than 240km (150 miles) out to sea, radar coverage fades and air crew keep in touch with air traffic control via high-frequency radio.
Source: BBC.com, Image: wikipedia
People often fake needing a wheelchair to get boarding priority. Sometimes you'll have 10 people getting on the plane with wheelchairs but only 1 of them actually needs the wheelchair to get off. Pilots and flight attendants call these "miracle flights". Federal law requires wheelchairs to be given to those who request them but airlines generally do not ask for proof of a disability before providing one.
Source: New York Times, Image: pixabay
Dogs get terrified before they even get on the plane. The handlers can try to calm the dog down but it helps if the dog's name is on the cage. Cats don't care.
Source: reddit, Image: pixabay
There is a long list of things that can be either missing or broken on an aircraft while it is still allowed to fly. It's called the Minimum Equipment List.
Source: nbaa.org, Image: wikipedia
Locks on bags are useless. You can pop the zipper with a pen.
Source: reddit, Image: wikipedia
The aisle armrests can actually be raised. Usually there is a small divot underneath it that you need to push. The flight attendant may ask you to put it back though.
Source: reddit, Image: wikipedia
Both pilots are served different meals and they cannot share. This is done to prevent food poisoning.
Source: The telegraph, Image: wikipedia
It's not uncommon for airplanes to get struck by lightning. In fact, sometimes the plane itself triggers the lightning by flying through charged clouds which results in static discharge off the aircraft. The average commercial airliner gets hit by lightning a little more than once a year. Fortunately, they are built to withstand it.
Source: livescience.com
There is a small latch inside the lavatory sign that will open the door when it is pulled, even if the door is locked.
Source: reddit, Image: wikipedia
If you don't remove old tags from your bag, there is a good chance it might get rerouted or not make it to your final destination
Source: reddit, Image: pixabay
Even though those ear buds are wrapped up, they aren't new. They were cleaned and repackaged.
Source: reddit, Image: wikipedia
Flying is one of the safest modes of travel. Not convinced? Check out this our least entitled “25 reasons why fear of flying is plane silly” for proof.
Some of your pilots (the new ones on regional flights) make as little as $19,000 per year
Source: reddit, Image: wikipedia
If you have a problem, don't yell at employees/customer service. Take it to twitter. In fact, low level employees are usually limited in what they can do, but your best chance is to get them on your side with a simple question - "if I were to escalate this situation on twitter, how could I phrase things so that it would help you too?". You'd be surprised how quickly the situation can resolve.
Source: reddit, Image: pixabay
You should always expect that your bag will be lost and pack accordingly. Don't put your medicine in your check-on.
Source: reddit, Image: pixabay
Checking in on the kiosk gives you higher priority boarding on some airlines (American Airlines)
Source: reddit, Image: wikipedia
Never order non-bottled drinks on the plane (coffee/tea). The water tanks aren't cleaned regularly.
Source: dose.com, Image: wikipedia
If you're nice to the flight attendants they can usually get you plenty of extra drinks and snacks. The plane usually ends up chucking a lot of food that wasn't used anyway.
Source: reddit, Image: wikipedia
Some baggages are left behind on purpose due to a lack of space in the cargo hold. In order to not freak out the passengers, the carts with extra baggages are typically covered up as they are driven away from the plane.
Source: cbc.ca, Image: wikipedia
Be careful with tray tables. People change baby diapers on those things.
Source: reddit, Image: wikipedia
You might be flying over millions of dollars worth of cash. The Federal Reserve transports money using passenger planes.
Source: New York Times, Image: pixabay
That "cranberry" juice has twice the calories of a coke. If you're trying to be healthy, get some water. But remember, bottled water only.
Source: reddit, Image: wikipedia
The US has a pilot shortage. This is why many regional airlines are affected by delays and route closures.
Source: Forbes.com, Image: wikipedia
Most jumbo jets have a "secret" room where the crew can sleep
Source: reddit
The pushback operator makes minimum wage. They are the ones that control a $20 million plane with hundreds of lives. The worst part? They used to require trained mechanics for the job. Due to cost cuts, however, airlines began allowing entry level people to do it.
Source: reddit, Image: wikipedia
Mobile devices do not interfere with airplane flight instruments. In fact, some airlines in Europe, the Middle East and Asia now allow cell phone use in planes.
Source: discovery.com, Image: pixabay
