Bet You Didn’t Know These 4 Surprising Secrets About Flying
Do you travel a lot, be it for business or pleasure? Do you rack up air miles or travel points like it’s nobody’s business? Have you been on all five continents… this year? If you fly a lot, then chances are you know a lot about planes and flying. But here are some secrets about flying that even the most seasoned passengers may not know.
1. They don’t get paid until you leave
Ever notice your flight attendants seem particularly rushed to get everyone settled? You probably just assumed that this was because they wanted to make sure your flight left and arrived on schedule. While that may be a part of their hurry, they also want to assure they are getting paid! Most airlines pay flight attendants by the flight hour, which means that they don’t get paid until the doors are locked, and the plane leaves the gate. So hurry up and stow that luggage in the overhead compartment already!
2. Don’t mess with your flight attendant
The obvious reason not to mess with your flight attendants is that it can get you kicked off your flight or even banned from an airline. The not-so-obvious reason is that they can probably kick your butt if they have to. Airlines require that their flight attendants have a variety of training courses and certifications in order to perform their jobs, such as CPR or self-defense. However, most airlines also ensure their staff get self-defense training for any in-air situations that may occur.
READ: 7 Tips For Long Plane Rides To Make Your Flight More Pleasant
3. Not every surface is pristine
With so many trays and surfaces to clean, the odds that every surface is being cleaned between flights (especially since so many have a quick turnaround time) are low. Remember that the tray you are eating off of may be the same one that was used to clean a dirty diaper on the flight before.
4. Flight attendants are experts on things you might not expect
Did you spill your red wine on your dress shirt? Or maybe you find the plane’s air makes your skin dry? Flight attendants have seen it all. And they are there to help. They may even have some genius ideas that you haven’t even thought of: like using club soda and a maxi pad to get out stains (since napkins can leave behind white fuzzies).
So next time you’re getting on your plane, remember these travel secrets, and also, remember to treat your flight attendants well! Happy travels!
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