Travel tips actually confessed by employees of airlines can be hard to come by these days. Below are some of the secrets of pilots, flight attendants, and engineers when it comes to flying that travelers do not have knowledge of as compiled by Viralquake.com. The questions answered by these airline employees were posted on Reddit. Here's to hoping these flying travel tips will help travelers broaden their knowledge and be just as courageous traveling our wonderful world.
1. Oxygen masks
If the oxygen masks drop down, passengers only have about 15 minutes of oxygen from the point of pulling them down. However, that is more than enough time for the pilot to take the plane to a lower altitude where people can breathe normally.
More importantly, at high altitudes, people have 15-20 seconds before passing out. Put yours on first, then do your kids. Passing out for a few seconds won't harm the kids.
More importantly, at high altitudes, people have 15-20 seconds before passing out. Put yours on first, then do your kids. Passing out for a few seconds won't harm the kids.
2. Water in lavatories
Whatever you do, do not drink the water in the lavatory. It is bad enough to "wash" your hands in it. Airlines sanitize the water tank at selected maintenance intervals, however parasites build tolerances to these cleaners.
Check the outside of the aircraft when walking in. If the paint isn't in good condition, then the plane is most likely not in good condition as well. Skydrol (hydraulic fluid) is a nasty fluid and will dissolve everything. So if the paint is missing, it's most likely from a skydrol leak. No one wants a hydraulic leak at 35,000 ft in the air. As you can't just pull over and top the reservoir off.
Check the outside of the aircraft when walking in. If the paint isn't in good condition, then the plane is most likely not in good condition as well. Skydrol (hydraulic fluid) is a nasty fluid and will dissolve everything. So if the paint is missing, it's most likely from a skydrol leak. No one wants a hydraulic leak at 35,000 ft in the air. As you can't just pull over and top the reservoir off.
3. The lights on the airplane dimming when landing
When a plane is landing at night, they dim the interior lights in case you need to evacuate upon landing... your eyes are already adjusted to the darkness so you'll be able to see better once outside the plane.
4. The Captain's authority
If a passenger is causing a scene in the jetway, he can refuse to let them on and take off without them.
The captain has almost limitless authority when the doors are closed. He is allowed to arrest people, write fines and even take the will of a dying passenger.
The captain has almost limitless authority when the doors are closed. He is allowed to arrest people, write fines and even take the will of a dying passenger.
5. Lavatories can be unlocked from the outside
Airplane lavatories can be unlocked from the outside. There is usually a lock mechanism concealed behind the no smoking badge on the door. Just lift the flap up and slide the bolt to unlock.
6. Flying with pets
While your airline will take the best possible actions, some things cannot be avoided, like the noise on the ramp. I cannot stand out there without ear protection, and imagine your pet sitting out there on the ramp waiting to be loaded onto the plane being exposed to the same amount of noise I am. Please people, think twice before flying your pets.
7. Never drink water on a plane that didn't come from a bottle
The reason is that the ports which purge lavatory wastes and refill the aircraft with potable water are within a foot of each other and sometimes serviced all at once by the same guy. This doesn't always happen, but if you're not on the ramp watching, you'll never know.
8. Lock your bags
Look online or in a travel store for TSA-approved locks. The TSA has keys to open those locks in case they need to further inspect them (and hopefully not steal from them). Most people don't think to lock their carry-on, but especially now with load factors very high, more and more people are having to gate check bags. Once you drop your bag at the end of the jetway for gate-checking, anyone from a fellow passenger, to a gate agent, to a ramp agent has access to your bag.
9. Hard landings
Hard landing in bad weather isn't because of a lack of pilot skills but is in fact intentional. If the runway is covered in water the airplane has to touch down hard in order to puncture the water layer and prevent aquaplaning.
"Landings are nothing more than controlled crashes", according to a pilot.
"Landings are nothing more than controlled crashes", according to a pilot.
10. How to tell if a plane is being hijacked
If the plane is being hijacked when the pilot lands they will leave the wing flaps up that slow the plane down, this is to signal the airport that there is something happening in the plane.
Travel tips above confessed by airline employees aren't meant to scare or freak you out. Spread the knowledge and fly safe!