Airplanes, the safest way to travel. You can be afraid of flying, but you have to admit that it is the most convenient and fast way to travel longer distances. But have you ever wondered if there’s a cost you pay for this convenience? Well, here’s a little list that should make you wary about the next time you step foot on those big iron birds and set off into the great beyond. No, not exactly horror stories, but just a few things you may not have even considered when you’re on an airplane.
Surprises and Secrets :
1.Your pilots are asleep. Yes, maybe that turbulence was due to an air pocket, or maybe it was because the people you’ve entrusted your life with, hundreds of miles above the earth, have nodded off mid-air. Must be a great view for us earth-dwellers, but they’re probably so bored of that by now. And although there are nap schedules for pilots on long flights, more than 60% have apparently, admittedly, fallen asleep when they weren’t supposed to.
2.Your oxygen masks will be useless at some point. So this is theoretical, really. If there is ever a need for oxygen on an airplane mid-flight and you obey the nice attendant’s extended demonstrations and put on your oxygen mask, you also better hope your pilots manage to bring you back to a lower altitude within about 15 minutes. Oxygen masks on airlines have enough oxygen to last around fifteen minutes, and that’s not taking into account the obvious
3.hyperventilation when your life is flashing before your eyes at 15,000 feet. So either take deep, calm breaths when descending to the earth at 700 kmph or don’t be a cheapskate, you’ve probably already skimped on the travel insurance, just shell out the extra couple of hundreds and sit at an emergency exit. If you’re lucky, no one else would bother and you’ll have 3 oxygen masks to yourself.
4.You’re being hit by lightning. This can’t be a surprise, you’re closer to the clouds surrounded by a big, conductive metal shell. If you’re flying through stormy weather, chances are that you’re being constantly struck by bolts of lightning. So, yeah, it does strike the same place twice, and that place high above the ground when it does. And you’re in that place, my friend.
5.You got some screws missing? No? Your plane probably does. In fact, there’s an acceptable number of missing screws a plane can fly without. So next time you’re seated on a runway assuring yourself the ground staff took the time to ensure all the parts of your plane were intact and working correctly and ensured all the parts were screwed in tight before your 18-hour flight, think again. They probably aren’t going to bother until another two screws come loose from your right wing. That could potentially happen at hour 7. Good luck.
5.That airline smell isn’t all that it’s cracked up to be. Yes, there’s nothing like cuddling up on some long flight, but just keep in mind next time that airplane blankets and pillows aren’t ever really washed until they need to be discarded. Bet you didn’t know that when squeezing your face into the cool, soft side of someone’s butt-padder.
6Ah, that multi-purpose tray table. A great place to keep your food, rest your head, of course, lay your laptop… to change babies’ diapers. Yep. That, too. Hmm. Food for thought? Oh, and also, they’re rarely ever cleaned either.
6.Your life jacket. You know, the one you’re taught, elaborately, how to use in case of an emergency. Have you ever checked whether it really is under your seat? No? Well, you should. People usually steal them.
7.The water you’re being served.You may not like the food on an airline, God knows it’s not that great, but the water you’re being served isn’t very clean either. You really don’t want to know what it’s potentially filled with. Tap water on airlines, the ones used in hot beverages and instant food, was tested and found to contain over one hundred times the allowed bacteria limit. So just stick to bottled water as far as possible.
8.In-flight entertainment. Sure, it’s always nice having a good show to watch on long flights. And having access to an entertainment system and ear-phones are the greatest thing ever when you don’t have your own. And be honest, you’ve thought of stealing the nice looking ear-phones for yourself. It’s okay, a lot of people have. In fact, you’re most likely using ear-phones that a lot of other people have. Yes, even the ones in the little plastic pouches. So have fun with that. Nothing like watching House of Wax with someone else’s earwax in your ear.
9.Your daredevil air hostess. Sounds like a glamorous job – travel the world, get paid to be a jet setter, save a ton of money… But we’ve all been amidst the scandals surrounding airline staff and their pay. Don’t worry, they’re all adequately compensated nowadays – as long as they’re in the air. Most aircraft staff only get paid after the flight has taken off. So if you’re in the company of airline crew who think a loose door handle is no reason to ground a plane and donate a day’s pay, you’re in for a fun ride.
