The Top 20 Unofficial Airplane Travel Rules
There are thousands of people who have never stepped foot onboard an airplane. Eventually, an opportunity to travel will present itself and these first time flyers will enthusiastically pack their suitcases and embark on their maiden flight. But will you be guilty of making these mistakes on your first flight? As a Flight Attendant, I see these airplane travel rules being violated by first timers and even frequent flyers. First off, I’m aware that the majority of people have misconceptions about the role of Flight Attendants. I once gave a talk to a group of 10 year olds for career day. I posed the following question to the group. “What is the reason for Flight Attendants on the plane?” One young man immediately raised his hand and said, “a maid?” OK. It’s time to nip that perception in the bud. A Flight Attendant’s primary job responsibility is to save your life in the unlikely event of an emergency. The likelihood of an incident occurring is upon takeoff and landing. It’s one of those rare jobs you continuously train for and pray that you never
AIRPLANE TRAVEL RULES
TVs aren’t working while in the air. These actions are limited to resetting the system, aka, the control-alt-delete trick you use on your computer or turning it off. If that doesn’t work, become annoyed that you can’t watch TV and ask if you can get a refund on your airline ticket. It’s pretty difficult to smuggle a set of tools through the security checkpoint. But if we could, we’d love to. 10. Continuously Ring The Call Button. Who can resist the
temptation of that little button? Just think about the power lying dormant in that tiny button. If you push it, they will come. Imagine, someone will appear to fetch you whatever your heart
desires. Ringing the button is acceptable when you use it for valid reasons. But those of you sitting in an aisle seat and ringing the call button when the seat belt sign is off, you get the Mile High award of the day. 11. Take It Personally If We Skip You. Don’t use this as a reason
to round up your fellow passengers and attack the Flight Attendant if he or she skips you or your row. In this occurrence, it’s OK to ring your call button. Flight Attendants are human just like everybody else and on occasion, they may miss you, so don’t take it that they’re out to get you. However, if you’ve been designated a VIP, that may simply be payback for prior actions.
AIRPLANE TRAVEL RULES
12. Refer To Flight Attendants As Stewardesses. This is a splendid way to date yourself and let everyone around you know your last flight was in 1972. This is a dated and politically incorrect phrase. The male Flight Attendants don’t like this term as it’s used to refer to a female. Employees who work on a plane are usually referred to as cabin crew, cabin staff or Flight Attendants. 13. Remove Books, Magazines, Or Food From a Flight Attendant’s Bag. Do you have sticky fingers? Not everything on board is public property, and that includes your Flight Attendants’ personal items such as newspapers, magazines, books and food. It’s not that we don’t like to share. When we’re done reading it, we’d be more than happy to recycle and give it to you. 14. Say „What?‟ While Wearing Your Earphones. We know you
AIRPLANE TRAVEL RULES
request. We usually get anywhere from 5-7 requests every time we pass though the cabin and on occasion, your request may have slipped our minds. 16. Hand Us Your Trash During Service. If we’re in the middle of
serving you a beverage, a meal or a snack, now is not a good time to hand us your trash. Also, think twice about handing us your trash and say you've got a present for us. I’m 100% sure it’s not any present I want. 17. Give Us Your Kid’s Diaper. Really? I’m sure your baby is the absolute cutest, but human waste isn’t. Please dispose of it either in the lavatory or take it with you to dispose of properly. And no parting gifts in the seat-back pocket either. Yuck! 18. Try to Get a Free Ticket By Complaining. Oh yeah, the stuff
AIRPLANE TRAVEL RULES
connecting flight number or your departure time and you didn't indicate your destination. What does the Magic 8 Ball Say? “Cannot Predict Now”. 20. Forgetting To Enjoy The Journey. Obviously, this is a lighthearted look at today’s mass airplane transportation. Taking time out to sometimes laugh at ourselves and not take things so seriously can actually diffuse less than desirable situations thus making them easier to handle. As with anything in life, it’s always your perspective that will change our view. Keep in mind that we don’t see that world as it is, we see the world as we are. Now you’re aware of the Top 20 Airplane Travel Rules, hopefully your fellow passengers and Flight Attendants will thank you for complying with this 'Unofficial Etiquette Guide'. Fly Safe!
Want to reprint this article? Please make sure the following paragraph and hyperlinks are kept as is. Michelle Greene is the founder of GetCheapAirlineTickets.com, a travel site dedicated to helping people save money while traveling. You can get a FREE copy of her exclusive Insiders Travel Secrets video to help you become a savvy traveler and find insanely cheap flights in the process.