Learning to Fly

"Safety is our highest priority. We appreciate your attention while we share some important safety information."



So you have decided to go on a trip and you bought your ticket. The day to leave is approaching and you start to pack your bags. Some of you might fly a lot and know-how and what to pack. Some of you might look up tips on Pinterest or YouTube. Now that you have figured out what you will check and what you will bring on board, it is time to head to the airport. This is where everything changes...

at least in our eyes 😳

As a flight attendant, I have learned so much about flying and what is to be expected. I can not speak for all airline crews but I can say there would be a huge group that would agree with some of the tips I want to share with you.

Let's get into it.  ⤵

1. Listen to your crew. When we do our safety demo, it is for you! We know what to do in an emergency and we can not give instructions to each and every person if something happens. We are showing you and telling you so that you can be prepared. If you already know what to do, do not talk while this important announcement is happening because the person around you might've not heard/seen it before. 
2. Do not bring on a suitcase that you can not put in the overhead bin yourself. If the bag is heavy, you can always check it at the gate for free. Most airlines will check the luggage for you because overhead bin space does become limited. If you struggle to put it up, so do we. We do not want to get injured just like you do not want to.
3. Backpacks/purses/laptop bags, go under the seat. If it can fit under the seat, please just put it there. It leaves space in the overhead for the suitcases. Bonus, you always have what you need near you!
4. Take your headphones out of your ear. When we come through the aisle with drinks and food, it would be so amazing if you could take your headphones out of your ears. We can not compete with the sound that is coming out of your headphones. Give us eye contact, speak clear, and speak loud enough for us to hear what you are asking for. It is just rude to leave your headphones in when we are asking you something or talking to you.
5. Have your payment ready. This is just a helpful tip. It helps the process go smoothly when you are purchasing food or drinks. This way there is not that awkward moment of the flight attendant staring at you while you dig for your credit card. 
6. Don't poke the flight attendant! This is just a common courtesy. It is not nice to poke someone you do not know or even someone you do know. If you need our attention, just say excuse me ms./mr. and we will be right with you. If we are helping someone else, no need to keep trying to get our attention. Say it once and when we are done helping the other person, we will be there to help you. Unless it is a medical emergency, of course!
7. Do not go into the bathroom barefoot or even with your socks! This is just nasty on so many levels. We have no clue what the liquid on the floor could be. This is the same for walking down the isles. Those floors only get vacuumed. So if something was spilled (i.e. soda, water, spit, vomit) it will be vacuumed. Vomit, the cleaners will wipe down but it is not a thorough cleaning. 
8. Close the bathroom doors! If you had to close it to go in, why not close it when you get out. We do not want to smell whatever just happened in there.  
9. Be prepared for your kids. You can not get mad at us because we do not have what you need for your kids. Just be prepared with snacks, water, and activities for them. The snacks we have is what we have. We do not carry milk (it is very rare if we have it). These are things you can buy at the airport since you can no bring liquid through TSA. 

These are just a few tips that might make things a little bit easier on a flight. If I did not mention anything, ask me whatever you want. I will answer everything as best as I can. 

P.S. 

Use your manners (i.e. please and thank you!!!!)

Happy Flighting!!!