Think that because you’re a frequent traveler that you know what’s going on behind-the-scenes in the airline industry? Think again! Here are 10 amazing things that airlines won’t tell you:
- There’s a very good chance that you’re traveling with human remains that are packed in wood-framed boxes. Airline staff refer to these cadavers as “HR” (much to the chagrin of human resource professionals who would rather they picked a different acronym).
- While most airlines do a good job of taking care of pets while traveling, one major gap is when pets are outside on ramps. Unlike runway staff, they don’t have ear protection and the volume levels can be extreme.
- If you’re rude or aggressive with check-in staff, then you’re likely to end up with a seat that is encircled by small (and noisy) children. Beware and be nice!
- Don’t be so eager to join the “mile high club” with your traveling companion. Airplane bathrooms are remarkably filthy. And besides, they’re really small, and designed for other purposes!
- Airline crew hate delays more than you do, because they only get paid when the main cabin door is closed. So don’t get mad at them if you’re running late. You’re losing time, but they’re losing money.
- You can indeed use the business class or first class line at security. Airport security authorities (e.g. TSA) don’t create these separate lines —airlines do, and they’re totally arbitrary.
- If you get bumped from a flight, you don’t have to take the airline’s offer a voucher or settle for nothing. You can insist on cash compensation, and use that money to get a flight on another airline.If you have to wait a while, you can also use the money to purchase a day pass to an airline lounge, which features all of the amenities of modern office design like fast Wi-Fi, workstations, and so on.
- Bring sanitizing spray or wipes with you, and give your food tray a good cleaning the moment you sit down, along with the seatbelt fasteners and arm rests. These areas are usually loaded with bacteria and are not disinfected by cabin crew.
- Speaking of hygiene: for your sake (and frankly for the sake of your fellow passengers), don’t go barefoot inside a plane. The carpets don’t get a steam or chemical cleaning unless there’s a stain. Besides, if something untoward happens and you need to move fast, you want to have your shoes (or at least your socks) on.
- You don’t have to eat the sodium, sugar and calorie-laden food that airlines give you (you’d think for all of that sodium, sugar and calories it would at least taste good, but alas it doesn’t). You can bring your own food on the flight. Just remember to pick a dish that isn’t going to fill up the plane with a scent of garlic or other strong odor, or else you’ll be the center of attention for all of the wrong reasons!
The Bottom Line
Whether you love flying or would rather have a root canal, you can use the information above to make your future flights better — or at least, less stressful and miserable. Good luck and bon voyage!
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