14 Flight Tips Airlines Don’t Want You to Know for Safety Reasons
Flying is an exciting adventure, but it also has many rules, regulations and industry secrets you’ll never hear about. Airlines try to keep things running smoothly and safely, but there are a few little known facts that may alter your approach to your next flight.
Sure, you might be a seasoned traveler or someone who flies occasionally, but knowing some of these hidden flight tips may make your flight experience safer and less stressful. So, buckle up as we lift the veil on what airlines would rather you didn’t know about your safety.
Pilots Often Use Autopilot
It’s no secret that planes have autopilots, but you might be surprised at just how much they use them. In fact, most commercial flights spend a majority of their flight cruising under the watchful eye of autopilot. It reduces the chances for human error, and your flight will be smoother and safer. Of course the pilots are always there should something be needed.
Turbulence Is Normal
Turbulence is unnerving, but it’s like hitting a bump in the road when you’re driving. It’s caused by air pockets and shifting weather patterns, but planes are built to take the jolts. Turbulence is always on a pilot’s radar, and they do their best to avoid it when they can.
Your Oxygen Mask Has a Short Time Limit
When you see those oxygen masks drop in an emergency, you don’t get endless time to breathe easily. They are only around 12-15 minutes long, in fact. Don’t panic, though, this is enough time for the pilots to lower the plane to a safe altitude where you can start breathing normally again.
Different Aircrafts Are Not Created Equal
Not all airplanes in the sky have the same level of safety features. The systems on some planes are more advanced than others, often because of the age of the plane and the airline’s budget. If you’re worried about safety or comfort, it might be worth checking before booking what kind of plane you’ll be flying on.
Often, Seats in the Back Are Safer
It’s not that you won’t like sitting near the restroom, but according to CNN, statistically, seats in the rear of the plane have higher survival rates in the unlikely event of a crash. No seat can guarantee safety in the eventuality of a crash, but the back of the plane has a slight edge.
Your Flight Attendant Is Also a Safety Expert
Sure, flight attendants are there to serve snacks and drinks, but their chief duty is to your safety. They’re trained to respond to emergencies on any given day: medical problems, evacuations. That’s why when they give safety instructions, you should listen—because it’s not for show, even if you’ve heard it all before.
Brace Positions Aren’t a One Size Fits All Solution
You’ve probably seen those diagrams of how to brace in the event of an emergency. Not all of the time is the brace position universal. The best position depends on your size, where you’re seated, and the situation. If you’re unsure, ask the flight attendant, as they are trained in emergencies.
Lightning Can Strike Planes
Yes, planes get hit by lightning. It happens more often than you would think. Aircraft are made to withstand a lightning strike without causing any harm to the plane or passengers. The charge travels across the plane’s surface and doesn’t cause harm in most cases. It may have even happened a few times without you realizing.
Phone Calls Won’t Bring the Plane Down
If you’ve been told to turn off your phone during takeoff and landing, you probably want to know if just using your phone will cause the plane to fall out of the sky. It’s a rule more for curbing the signal interference with the plane’s communication systems than it is for any direct safety threat. But it’s always better to stick to the rules to prevent any blunder.
The 90 Second Rule for Evacuations
Airplanes are designed to be evacuated in less than 90 seconds in an emergency. That’s why the safety demonstration always emphasizes knowing where the closest exits are. When something does go wrong, every second counts, so take those instructions seriously.
Dehydration Is a Real Risk
Humidity levels in airplane cabins are notoriously low, lower than the Sahara Desert, in fact. That’s why you can get dehydrated quickly on long flights. An essential travel tip is to make sure you drink plenty of water and don’t overdo it on caffeine or alcohol, which will only make it worse.
Airplane Doors Have No Real Keys
Unlike a car or a house, airplane doors don’t have keys to lock and unlock. When the plane is in the air, the pressure forces the doors towards the plane, locking it. In other words, there’s no need for a lock in the traditional sense of the word. The pressure difference between the inside and on the outside keeps the doors tightly closed.
Your Blankets and Pillows May Not Be Fresh
Those comfy blankets and pillows have probably been used by other passengers, unless it’s a brand new flight. They’re not always cleaned between flights, while they may have been folded nicely. If you’re a germ conscious flyer, you may want to pack your own travel blanket or pillow.
Air Circulation Is Better Than You Think
Were you ever worried about breathing the same air as hundreds of other passengers? Don’t be. Current airplanes use a high efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filter to remove 99.97 percent of airborne particles. Every few minutes the cabin air is refreshed making it cleaner than the air in most offices or homes.
Disclaimer: This list is solely the author’s opinion based on research and publicly available information.
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