Flying Secrets You Probably Never Knew About

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When it comes to air travel, there are several secrets that we don’t get to know about during a simple flight. There are certain rules, regulations and recommendations that the managers and pilots on the flights know about and abide by but not everyone can be aware of them. You will be amazed by some of these. They include:

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1. Special food for the crew

In every flight, the pilot is the authority and believe it or not, they do not eat the same food the co-pilot eats. You might think it’s strange but really, the reason why this is observed is that if the pilot gets sick from that food, the co-pilot will have to completely take over the control of that plane.

You can’t afford to have the two pilots both unwell at the same time as this could be risky for all aboard the plane. This rule is taken very seriously to the extent that the two don’t even use the same dishes for eating. So all they can do is crave each other’s food but they can’t have a taste of it.


2. Without beard

Pilots are always so appropriately dressed and have to take care of their overall physical appearance. However, did you know that most airlines around the world prohibit keeping a beard? You may be wondering why.

The reason is as simple as the oxygen mask might not fit the pilot perfectly on their face if they choose to keep a beard. For the same reason pilots are required to have a good haircut to avoid any problems. When pilots are well groomed, it also gives the airline a good image.


3. What do they do with the waste?

There’s obviously always some waste on the plane but have you ever wondered where this waste goes? Well, aircrafts are all built with a special vacuum system that is found in all their bathrooms. Owing to the difference in pressure between the pipes and the toilet room the faeces and the urine from the passengers go into the tank.

This waste remains in the deposit which is found at the very bottom of the plane. It’s stored there until the aircraft lands. Upon landing, the tanks are emptied. Usually, these tanks are up to 250v liters in capacity. A hose is used to empty them. This waste is then directed into a specific truck which will dispose it off in the sewer network.


4. Coffee can be gross

You should avoid the water used to make coffee inside planes at all costs especially if the plane is an old one. This is because the tanks used to store this water are rarely washed. Even more, the water that goes to the aircraft’s toilets may not be the same as the water that goes to the “potable,” however they are stored in containers that are close to each other. To avoid any health problems, it’s best to only drink sealed beverages and most importantly, bottled water.


5. Storms are normal

For any person who has qualified to become a professional pilot, it’s normal to have electrical storms. The plane can be struck by lightning but in most cases, the aircraft does not get affected. While the planes are already built to withstand this, all professional pilots are trained and prepared for any emergencies. So while you’re in the flight, just stay calm because they have it under control. The plane will not go down.


6. What place to choose?

If you have problems such as sea sickness then you are advised to sit next to the wings. This is because in most cases, the agitation is felt around the tail or the bottom. However, should an accident occur, the situation is different. The explanation for this is that depending on how the plane goes down, the passengers sited at the front are usually the first to experience the impact. The first part to explode is the center while the queue remains the safest part of the plane.


7. Pure smiles

If you fly often you’ve probably noticed that the crew is always greeting passengers right at the aircraft’s door with big smiles on their faces. Ever wondered why? It’s because it is the work of flight attendants to reassure everyone who gets into the flight and that greeting and the smiles are a good way of doing so. That way, no one gets too hysterical in the aircraft as this could be very distracting.

As such, these flight attendants have to maintain a great mood so that they treat everyone right. Should something unforeseen happen inside the plane, it’s part of their job to transmit peace to everyone onboard.


8. Flirting with hostesses is harassment

You should respect all crew members and treat them politely. In fact, it is your duty as a passenger. So the next time you’re in a plain, do not even try hooking up with one of the hostesses regardless of how attractive they look. There have been some reported cases of flights making emergency landings just to get rid of people who have in a way caused discomfort to any member of the crew.

Imagine the shame of being kicked out of a flight! Even worse, the harassed crew member still has the right to sue the passenger. So better not try it.


9. Precautions when pilots go to the bathroom

When any of the pilots goes into the bathroom, a purser goes into the cockpit and waits for the pilot to come back. This is actually a security measure. You should also note that every single toilet in the plane can be opened not only from the inside but the outside too. That way, if someone passes away or gets injured while in the air, the manager will be able to easily open the toilet door.

The sign “no smoking” has a security mechanism behind it. It’s part of the mechanism that makes it possible for one to open the door from the outside.


10. Reinforced door

If you’re wondering how pilots communicate with the flight attendants, well you’ll be happy to know that they do this through an armored door and an intercom. The reporting has to be done at least once every 40 minutes during the day and every 20 minutes during the night.

This is one way of ensuring that the pilot is working just fine. Should something happen inside the cabin it’s the work of the flight attendants to use the emergency code they have to get into the cabin and look into sorting the problem out.


11. The light is intentionally turned off

During takeoff and landing, the passenger cabin lights will usually be dimmed. This is a deliberate move to make the passengers get used to the dark. In case of an emergency the passengers will also be able to see the different emergency exit signs with more clarity.

In some cases though, some of the crew claim that this is a way of saving energy.


12. Passenger food

Food is served in flights and while a lot of people think it’s only to keep the passengers from feeling hungry, the crew gives people food also to help keep them entertained during the flight. Notice that time moves faster when you’re eating.

That said, it’s not easy to feed everyone onboard. As such, the production process is a complex one involving preparation, the storage and also the logistics. This is done by large reputable companies with thousands of people working in them at a professional level.


13. Do I really need to turn off my phone?

Once you get into the plane, you are immediately advised to turn your phones off. This is because during take-off or landing, your phones could cause communication interference between the pilot and the control tower. However, after research it has been proven that when you use your electronic devices, you will not in any way shoot the plane down.

That said, provided you’re not sure of the effects your phone has while you’re up in the air, it’s best to prohibit its use.


14. Temperature in the plane

According to research there is a connection between pressure and the temperature in the plane, and consciousness loss caused by a lack of oxygen usually referred to as hypoxia. The reason for this could be overheating of that air found in the plane’s cabin. As such, the pilots ensure that the temperatures in the aircraft are at the lowest levels which is why many complain of freezing in planes.

So the next time you’re flying, make sure you carry a warm jacket with you. In case you want to be even warmer, the warmest places in the plane are in the queue.


15. The pilots only speak what is necessary

You may have noticed that pilots speak very little. Well, professionally they only say what is necessary only contacting the passengers when there is some turbulence or to give warnings related to flight time and the weather. They have to do this to avoid any scares inside the flight. They only tell the passengers what they need to know.

They don’t give you too much information, for example should the engines fail, they won’t tell the passengers that. Last thing the pilot wants is to have screaming passengers on board as this can be distracting even for them.

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16. Backrests in vertical position

All the seats in the flight are in an upright position. This is to help passengers in case of impact. It helps them avoid any back issues or risk of injury. This position also helps to avoid obstruction of the passage should there be an emergency during the flight.

The other reason is that this position ensures the passenger’s weight is supported on their legs area. When this happens, the strength with which the seat is attached to the cabin floor is increased. In turn, everyone’s safety is favored should the need for a sudden deceleration arise.


17. Oxygen masks

In emergency situations, oxygen masks must be worn. The oxygen is only available for 15 minutes but you shouldn’t panic. What you need to know is that 15 minutes is enough time for the plane to be brought to safety. The pilot will be able to bring it safely to a place where you can breathe in properly.

In addition to this, the flight attendants will be able to help you out during an emergency should you need them.


18. Can someone get sucked out of the plane?

When a window or a door suddenly opens when the aircraft is on air, people and objects can be sucked out. However it is almost impossible for anyone to open the window or the door during a flight thanks to the pressurization and format in which they have been created. That said, accidents can still happen.

One Jennifer Riordan was partially sucked out of a plane recently. Her window on the Southwest Airline flight was smashed. There was an explosion of one of the plane’s engines which is what damaged the fuselage and the debris of the damage reached the window.


19. They help predict the weather

You probably already know this, but just in case, did you know that the contrails or the tracks that are left by planes are actually made of water vapor? These can actually help in weather prediction.

When thin lines disappear soon, it shows that the weather is more stable with low humidity. When they are thick and last longer, it means a storm is likely to come. So tell a friend about this so that they also know.


20. Never in a straight line

During any trip, the passengers are shown a map with the flight path. You will notice that the plane never flies in a straight line. It flies in an arc. In other cases, the plane flies in a zigzag pattern.

If you’ve always wondered about this, the explanation is as simple as the earth has a circular shape while the map that’s on your screen is flat. To add to that, the weather conditions also have an effect on the flight path.


21. Prison sentences on the plane

In case you committed a crime, you can actually receive a prison sentence when you’re inside the plane. In order to ensure maximum safety or to protect the journey, the flight pilot has the authority to order for a passenger’s arrest. Fines can also be applied in the middle of a flight which is very interesting.

In the unfortunate event that a passenger is about to pass away in a flight, they can also register their will. It will be considered legal. Based on the hierarchy while in flight to a given destination, the copilot is second in command after the commanding pilot. So should anything happen to the captain, this copilot will take full control of the plane until it lands safely.


22. Choose suitable shoes

When you’re about to fly somewhere, make sure you choose the most appropriate clothes. Choose shoes that have great soles so that in case of an emergency evacuation you will be able to walk properly. Such evacuations often involve walking on asphalt and other types of floors that could damage or injure your feet.

To add to this, going for comfortable shoes helps you when it comes to ascending or descending the stairs on the aircraft. Avoid wearing tight clothes since your body could swell and you will become uncomfortable in them.


23. What are the quietest seats?

If you usually have difficulty falling asleep or often experience dizziness whenever you travel by air then you might want to pick the seats that are closest to the wings. In the air, aircrafts are like swings. So the seats that shake the most are the ones that are on the far ends.

Therefore, if you want to feel more calm while in the air and reduce agitation, it’s best to sit in the middle, especially near the wings. This is also the quietest place.


24. In case of kidnapping

Fortunately, it’s rare to find any kidnapping or plane hijacking place. Think about it, when did you last hear of one? However, in case this actually happens, the pilots have sufficient training to avoid making the problem bigger.

They have different techniques for sending signals to the airport staff. The employees receive this signal through a special device and this way, the authorities know something’s not right on board.


25. Air-conditioning

In case you suffer from respiratory issues, you’ll be glad to know that the air in airplanes passes through the same system that’s used to filter air in hospitals. You can therefore rest easy knowing that you’ll be breathing very clean air as you fly.

However, this does not apply to the food tables. Those are filled with germs and well nothing can stop the person sitting next to you from becoming sick. Sadly, not everything can be perfect.


26. Autopilot

For most of the flight, autopilot is usually turned on. This is a good thing as it allows the computer to make the most accurate adjustments which leads to better use of fuel except in the event of turbulence. When this happens, the pilot will fully take control of the aircraft.

The autopilot is seldom used when the plane is taking off or landing. These two processes depend on the pilot’s expertise.


27. When do more accidents happen?

We know it’s a bit scary to share this information, but if you’re a big fan of flying you’ll be interested to know when most accidents happen. According to research, the first three minutes after flight takeoff and the last eight minutes before the plane lands is when most flight accidents happen.

In other words the pilot faces the most difficulty when the plane is barely in the air.


28. Only in the movies

In a lot of the action movies that have been on our screens, we see crew members taking control of the airplane once problems arise during the flight. However, in real life, this cannot happen. Even if you’re a big fan of video games, flight stimulators, or if you’re an aircraft mechanic, at no point will you be in a position to command the plane.

It is also likely that should you find yourself in such an emergency situation you will not be able to handle the stress that comers with it.


29. A bit of a hard landing may be intentional

Yes, you read that right! In some cases, when there is a harder than normal landing, but it’s not a result of incorrect actions by the pilot. It may be intentional owing to bad weather conditions.

For example, if it’s rained and the runway is as a result covered by water, it is necessary for the crew to land hard so as to break that layer. This is to prevent aquaplane, a situation whereby the plane slides uncontrollably.


30. Why are airplanes white?

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Have you ever wondered why planes are usually white? The reason for this is that the white color absorbs less heat. It’s cheaper for airlines to go this way and it’s also better for passengers. The white color is also useful in preventing the plane from colliding with different birds. This is because birds can easily see white surfaces well so they never hit the airplane.

Also, with the white color, it’s easy to notice any scratches, cracks and other damaged areas that may bring about problems.

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