Thelife- I worked as a flight attendant on domestic and international flights for four years.
- Passengers frequently made ill-advised, and sometimes dangerous, choices in the air.
When I worked as a flight attendant, I always wished that airlines played a video about mandatory in-flight etiquette as a prelude to the aircraft safety demonstration.
Because the pandemic has heightened many people's social anxiety and violent behavior on planes, I think a general reminder about how to behave on planes is long overdue.
After four years spent working on domestic and international flights, I strongly advise passengers against doing the following things when they're in the air.
Stand up when the plane takes off, lands, or experiences turbulence
Flight attendants' instructions can seem redundant over time, leading some passengers to ignore them.
However, they constantly remind fliers that the seatbelt sign is illuminated, signifying that people should be seated and strapped in, to keep them safe.
The sign is usually on during unpredictable or delicate periods of a flight, such as takeoff, landing, and turbulence.
Be aware that flight attendants will probably deny your requests to stand during these periods for your own safety.
Attack crew members or other passengers
In recent years, it seems that respect for crew members' instructions can be as difficult to find as lost luggage.
When I began my flying career in 2016, the Federal Aviation Administration reported 102 investigations into unruly passengers that year. In 2021, when more normal operations resumed in the midst of the pandemic, there were over 1,000 investigations into unruly passengers.
Some onboard incidents included punching flight attendants, fighting with other passengers, and refusing to comply with crew instructions.
In response to the uptick in disruptive and violent behavior, the FAA passed stricter policies with a zero-tolerance approach for passengers who assault, threaten, intimidate, or interfere with crew members. The policy bypasses warnings and counseling and gives the FAA the ability to pursue legal enforcement action instead.
So, treat the crew members and your fellow passengers with respect.
Attempt to disrupt the flight or damage the aircraft
I've seen some nervous fliers tap the aircraft door for good luck, but keep in mind that getting physically violent with any part of the aircraft will raise concerns.
Once, on a flight to Cancun, Mexico, I saw a passenger punching the air vents on the ceiling to try and quiet the people behind him.
I warned him that any serious attempt to damage the aircraft is a federal offense and that further disruption could result in legal action.
Bring bigotry and prejudices on board
Tolerating entitled passengers is bad enough, but bigotry will not fly.
If there's one unwritten fact that people should understand, it's that airlines, pilots, and passengers rely on flight attendants to be the cabin's eyes, ears, and moral compass.
Passengers must practice tolerance and understand that they're going to occupy a small space with people from all walks of life. They should do so with respect.
If the crew feels like bigotry or discrimination is afoot, there could be significant consequences.
Smoke cigarettes or e-cigarettes on the aircraft
In the air, my biggest fear isn't hijacking or crashing. It's smoke and fire. Even sneaking a puff of an e-cigarette can set off the lavatory's fire alarms.
When I worked as an international flight attendant, passengers would frequently ignore the smoking rules on long flights. It was a weekly occurrence that served as a gut check for the crew and sent us rushing down the aisles.
Our extensive training informed us that if a fire occurs, the air in the cabin can quickly become toxic smoke, or worse, the fire can be uncontrollable. Crew members have only seconds to contain flames using the onboard equipment.
Most oxygen masks provide up to 14 minutes of protection. However, an uncontrollable fire can completely consume the entire aircraft within minutes depending on the plane's size and the location of the fire.
If a crew member catches a rulebreaker smoking, they shouldn't be surprised if they get fined or reported to the authorities.
Board an airplane drunk or consuming alcohol from home
If a passenger smelled like alcohol or appeared unable to control their motor functions on one of the airplanes I worked on, the crew members had the ability to turn them away at boarding.
Per FAA regulations, the crew must also keep a close eye on who's sneaking shots from their duty-free packages. Opened bottles that aren't served by the airline are likely to be confiscated until landing, no questions asked.
Mix prescription medicine with cocktails
Mixing medications with alcohol or other drugs can be dangerous, and I've seen many people do it, especially on long international flights.
Ideally, flight attendants can remove an unruly passenger from the plane before takeoff. However, the effects of a mixture of drugs may not appear until a few hours into a long-haul flight.
This exact situation presented itself when I spotted an intoxicated woman sitting on the lap of another passenger's husband. The couple was confused and laughed off the moment as I escorted the woman away to the last row of the aircraft.
For several hours, the inebriated woman was incoherent and requested to call her mom. I had to say, "Yes, of course, in a few minutes," over and over again just to calm her down.
At her seat, I discovered a stash of orange pill bottles and empty wine containers that did not belong to the airline.
Ultimately, I had to watch her like she was a toddler on the loose and even buckled her into her seatbelt several times over the course of the 11-hour flight.
I confiscated the rest of her alcohol and told her not to use the lavatory without assistance. After putting on a movie and forcing her to drink water, she finally fell asleep,
Forget essential items that make the trip more comfortable
When I was working on planes, I typically kept the cabin cold, not only because I was constantly moving around the aircraft but also because I wanted to combat the intense odors in the cabin. On top of the plane's chilly temperatures, the cabin air is sometimes dry, and the people around you are sometimes loud.
That means passengers' in-flight essentials actually go beyond identification documents, medications, and cell phones. Flying without warm clothing, moisturizer, and entertainment can leave people underprepared and uncomfortable during their journey.
Be sure your carry-on bags contain essential items like a jacket, a scarf, and socks. Bring hand cream, chapstick, and a water bottle as well. And of course don't forget snacks, a book, and headphones to ensure an enjoyable and peaceful experience in the air.
Walk around the cabin without shoes or socks
Lavatory floors are less clean than you may think.
The stains on the carpeted aisles are probably not dried-up cola, and the galley floors have seen various forms of waste and the bottoms of thousands of dirty shoes.
At the very least, wear socks, and if necessary, bring hotel slippers to walk around the cabin.
Fly while showing signs of being sick
Flight attendants are trained to watch for passengers exhibiting general signs of viral pathogens.
In addition to adhering to all of the unique international COVID-19 regulations, please take all necessary precautions to stay safe and get well before flying to avoid spreading any harmful germs.
Use tray tables as diaper-changing stations
Tray tables are designated areas for people to eat and work, not to wipe babies' bottoms.
If you're traveling with multiple children and don't want to leave them alone to help one in the bathroom, I recommend asking a crew member for assistance. It's our pleasure to take a break, hold babies, or hang out with kids for a few minutes.
Flight attendants are caretakers, spouses, and family members who understand what it means to be away from home. Expecting passengers to have proper aircraft etiquette and listen to instructions is not about a power play. Rather, our instructions comply with federal regulations and promote peace on planes.