If you’re going on vacation soon and want to avoid some common mistakes, here’s what you should stop doing.
A flight attendant shared the common mistakes many travelers make and why they should stop doing them.
The expert, who has been in the role for almost 10 years, has shared what you should avoid doing the next time you hop on a plane. On TikTok, Ale, also known as @wonderfullyale, shared that while many people may feel tired after a long day, there’s a good chance you’ve made one of these mistakes too. So, from when you fall asleep to what you drink, here’s what you need to know.
1. Sleeping on the plane
The expert warns against taking a nap as soon as you sit down: “The first piece of advice is to try not to fall asleep before takeoff. I know that travelling can be exhausting and that sometimes all you want to do is get on a plane and go to sleep.”
“So not only is it not good for your ears to fall asleep before takeoff, but you also need to remember that taxiing is one of the most crucial phases of flying, so you need to make sure you are fully conscious and fully awake in case of an emergency, should you need to evacuate.”
2. Drinking on the plane
Before boarding a plane, it’s important to check with the airline about their policies regarding bringing your own alcoholic beverage. While you are allowed to bring small amounts of alcohol in your carry-on or checked luggage, some regulations prohibit passengers from consuming their own drink on board unless it is served to them by a flight attendant. Therefore, you will need to wait until you reach your destination to enjoy your drink.
The attendee explained in her video: “Do not consume your own alcohol. Consuming your own alcohol is against federal regulations because we need to make sure that you drink responsibly and if you drink your own alcohol we can’t really trace it.”
For example, in the UK, if you are flying with EasyJet, it says: “You may bring alcohol purchased in the airside departure lounge into the cabin, as long as it is unopened. The alcohol must be under 70% alcohol and be packed in an airport shopping bag or in your hand luggage.
“It is strictly forbidden to drink any alcohol that has not been purchased on board the aircraft and those caught consuming their own alcohol may be prosecuted.”
Always check with your airline and the airport at your final destination to see if you can bring or drink alcohol.
3. Never go barefoot on a plane
Her third and final piece of advice – and the “most obvious” one – is to never walk around barefoot. “If you decide to take your shoes off on the toilet, that’s a different story, but don’t go into the bathroom barefoot. You never know what you’re stepping on and the floor isn’t always the cleanest,” she says.
