7 things you shouldn’t do on an airplane

Posted on 5 October 2018

The silent chaperones of the air have to keep a tight lid on their tempers, put a huge smile on their faces and maintain calmness on crowded flights, and they never get enough credit for their peace-making roles. Passengers find something wrong with just about everything, and it is an air stewart’s job to maintain their composure and deal with it rationally.

Lest we forget this is what they deal with on a daily basis. You can believe that they’ve gathered some hairy stories – here are a few things they beg of passengers NOT to do.

1. Go barefoot on a flight

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If this is you on an airplane, know that you are nasty, gross, and disgusting. I used to work for a major US and I can tell you that being barefoot on a plane is as nasty as waking barefoot in the men’s room at a Greyhound bus station. #BarefootOnAPlane #Gross

A post shared by Anthony Bradley (@drantbradley) on

Walking around barefoot on a plane is seriously unhygienic. Chances are the water on the toilet floor is not really water. Flight attendants can’t tell you to not walk around without shoes, but if you consider the amount of germs on a plane, you should refrain from doing so.

2. Attempt to get a free upgrade to Business Class

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#businessclassupgrade ✈ #newzelandvacations 🤩

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A stewardess from London explained this impeccably: “We get asked for upgrades all the time and my attitude is that you wouldn’t dream of going into a store and saying: “I bought this bottle of water, any chance I could switch if for champagne without paying extra?” Case closed.

3. Don’t change seats without asking first

You see a row of free seats and make a run for it as soon as the doors are closed. What you don’t know, is that seats are blocked off to help balance the weight evenly across the plane for take off. It is courteous to always ask before you relocate from your allocated seat. The flight attendants have the manifesto and they should dictate if groups can sit together, if they have been split up. Alternatively, you can stay where you until after take off, then scout for a seat.

4. Don’t cut your nails or toenails on a plane

It is not okay, on any level, to cut your nails or toenails on a plane. How did you even get a nail clipper on the plane? It is disgusting to watch someone clip their nails, let alone their toenails. Some common decency should be practiced here, there are things you should never do in public, and this is most certainly one of them.

5. Don’t drink excessively

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I’ve officially gotten #DrunkOnAPlane #VacationMode #JackDaniels #Whiskey #Vegas #PappeltWedding

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There is no shortage of alcohol on a plane, but the altitude does affect your intake even if you thought this was just a myth. Flight attendants have had to restrain drunk passengers because they become a nuisance to those around them. You should also beware that this is a criminal offence. If you drink too much and become a handful, the pilot could land at the closest airport to dispose of you, to the police, in a foreign country.

6. Don’t help yourself in the galley

There is generally just enough food for the passengers and the crew in the galley. You can’t walk in an help yourself to the food. If you would like extras and if there is enough, the crew will gladly assist you. Also, stay out of the crews’ way, it is their space to work and they don’t particularly like being bothered when they are busy in the galley. They wouldn’t bother you in your work environment and you shouldn’t bother them in theirs.

7. Don’t disrespect the crew

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As I was going up the aisle serving drinks on my flight today, I heard a lot of noise coming from the row behind me. A male passenger had a show playing on his phone very loudly. I took a moment to kindly say to the gentlemen ” I apologize, but we require that headphones or earbuds be used when watching shows sir. Do you have any?” He said ” Yes, I know, I took my headphones off because I was waiting to order a drink from you.” I replied, “Oh! Well if that’s the case, could you please put your show on pause or turn the volume down? I’ll be there shortly. Thank you!” Well I guess the passenger was not happy about that because 2 minutes later when I got to his row he was back to watching his show with his headphones on and he refused to respond or look at me. Seriously people, the world does not revolve around you. 🙄 #flightattendant #flightattendantlife #rude #grumpygrumperton #rudepassengers #really #passengersbelike #itsnotaboutyou #berespectful #mannersmuch #nodrinkforyou #yourenottheonlypersononthisplane

A post shared by Hannah (@hannersnersners) on

The flight staff are there to make your travel comfortable, this doesn’t give you the right to be rude or disrespectful. An air hostess said that even a greeting or a smile means a lot to them. Another said most people don’t say please or thank you, and even blame them for the bad food. A little respect goes a long way, especially if you want that last piece of pudding.

 

Pictures: Instagram and Suhyeon Choi/Unsplash






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