Air travel can be stressful and nerve-wracking, especially because we don't know what's going on behind the scenes. When we're driving a car, we generally know if that noise is just the normal clattering of an old vehicle or if it's something that requires us to pull over right now, but when you entrust your travel plans to an airline, you're putting your trip and your life into their hands. So what kind of stuff really happens beyond the few inches of legroom we have on our flight? The answers probably aren't what you'd expect.
The men and women in charge of handling our flights are trained professionals who know how to prevent and manage just about any problem that comes with traveling in the air. Although this pilot's life-saving decision was probably felt by all the passengers on board, most crucial choices that the on-board crew make are left undiscovered by passengers. And believe it or not, many of the things that can cause us to panic on a flight are way safer than these seemingly harmless holiday laser lights. Who knew?!
If you're curious about what your airline isn't telling you, check out these secrets that were revealed by some people who have been in the flight industry for years. I had heard rumors about number 7 for a while, but I was devastated to learn that it's completely true. Which of these surprised you the most?
Make sure you SHARE these helpful flight facts with everyone you know!
1. Your plane gets hit by lightning more often than you think.
In fact, some estimates say that the average commercial airline gets zapped about once a year. But being as there hasn't been a plane crash that directly resulted from lightning since 1967, it's safe to say that it's actually not that big of a deal if your aircraft gets hit by a bolt.
2. Your oxygen mask probably only has about 12 minutes' worth of air.
This gives the plane just enough time to descend from an altitude of 40,000 feet to 10,000 feet, which is a much easier altitude to breath at. Don't worry, your pilots have a greater supply of oxygen.
3. Your bags will probably be mishandled.
The small wage that baggage handlers get paid often isn't enough to give every suitcase love and care. A "fragile" sticker might prompt them to take a bit of extra caution with your stuff, but if you have anything really valuable, it's best to take it in a carry-on or have it shipped to your destination.
4. Unless you can't avoid it, don't take your pets on a flight.
Airline staff are much kinder to pets than they are to inanimate objects, but flying is still a traumatic experience for animals. Not only do they have no idea what's going on, but all the loud noise and cramped space can make them extremely stressed out. Many airport employees say that the animals they handle are usually terrified, so unless you have no other way to transport your pet, do them a favor and leave them off the plane.
5. Treats for the crew pay off.
Being a flight attendant is often a thankless job, so if you bring an unopened box of chocolates with you and present them as a gift to the plane's crew, you could end up getting rewarded. Passengers have reported receiving free alcohol or even upgrades to first class after winning over the flight attendants with a thoughtful treat.
6. The reason for that flight delay probably isn't the weather.
Remember what I said about planes and lightning? There are very few instances in which the weather is actually the reason for takeoff being delayed. While some conditions like excess snow or severe storms can be hazardous enough to delay takeoff, the problem is more often related to a mechanical issue or a crew member arriving late. But of course, passengers will be much more content if they hear that the reason they won't be getting to their destination on time is something out of other people's control.
7. Your pilot doesn't get paid as much as you think.
Some airlines pay their pilots a decent wage, but many more barely give the people flying their planes enough to get by. Many pilots have a starting salary of under $25,000 even though they're trained to control a flying vehicle and keep hundreds of passengers safe every day.
8. Your flight attendants don't have it easy, either.
Flight attendants only get paid from the time the cabin door closes to the time it opens again. So if your flight has a three-hour delay, that's three hours that your uniformed emissaries are sitting in the airport making exactly zero dollars for the time they're spending away from their families. Seriously, they deserve that box of chocolates.
9. You can surprise an unsuspecting bathroom user.
Inside the lavatory sign on the outside of the bathroom door is usually a small latch. When pulled, it opens the lavatory door. Please don't actually pull this unless the pooping person you're walking in on has already consented to lavatory peek-a-boo.
10. Turbulence won't bring down the plane.
Most turbulence, even the "bad" kind that makes your stomach drop, isn't enough to make pilots and flight attendants bat an eye. There has only been one recorded instance in history when turbulence might have contributed to a crash, and that's a very big "might." The biggest risk during bad turbulence (the kind you see in disaster movies) is that if you're not wearing your seat belt, you could severely injure yourself if your head hits the ceiling. Seriously, wear your seat belt on the plane.
11. It's a requirement for the two pilots to be served different meals.
And they aren't allowed to share. Why? In case one of them gets food poisoning and is left unable to fly the plane.
12. You travel with dead bodies more often than you know.
Human remains are pretty common on commercial planes, both as a whole corpse and as separate parts. Sometimes they're being transported for funerals, other times they're being transported for science, but either way, if you see a long white box being loaded onto the plane with all the luggage, try not to feel too uneasy.
13. There's a good reason why your window shades have to be up during takeoff and landing.
It's so that if the plane happens to crash, emergency personnel can see inside the plane and save more lives.
14. There's almost always something broken on the plane.
But don't worry — there's a lot of extra stuff on the plane, too, so even if one thing is missing or broken, chances are there are plenty of safety nets to prevent it from being an actual problem.
15. If your flight is cancelled or delayed, don't wait in the customer service line.
Instead, call the airline's 1-800 number and most of the time, your problem will be solved much faster.
16. Be nice to the workers.
Seriously. Pitching a fit over something that is not in the workers' control will only ensure that you get the worst possible treatment. Even if you don't go above and beyond to make them happy, just smiling at them and being polite can help things go your way even when trouble strikes your travel plans. With all the terrible customers these workers have to deal with on a daily basis, your kindness will stick out in the best way possible.
Don't forget to SHARE these flying facts with everyone you know!
