Some people are grouchy and needy. Others are loud and obnoxious. You are extremely fortunate to sit beside people that are courteous, friendly and appear accustomed to air travel. It is a pleasure to sit beside someone that is polite and quiet.
Occasionally, it's pleasing to get to know the person seated beside you for the next two to five hours of your flight. If you're single, you may be seated next to your future spouse. If you're unemployed, the person seated at the window seat may be a manager seeking to fill an open position at a growing company. Anything is possible.
No matter who you are seated next to, it is important for you and all other passengers to be courteous and respectful of one another. Use "Plane Etiquette." It will certainly make your flight more enjoyable.
DO YOU SMELL THAT?
If you've had a long day, take time to freshen up in the restroom inside of the airport or at your office. Lift your arms in the air and conduct a quick "sniff check" for musk or odor. In fact, it is important to clean and check for odors "down below." In a hurry? Use a little soap and water, baby wipes and travel size deodorant to clean up before sitting on a crowded plane.
Although it isn't customary for some foreigners to shower daily, please note, American passengers greatly appreciate it when you bathe and eliminate musky natural body odors before arriving at the airport. While it is important to smell fresh, do not wear heavy perfume or cologne. Spritz cologne and perfume lightly, hours before boarding a flight.
Do not apply fragrance at any time while onboard a plane. Many people are sensitive to fragrances. Allergy sufferers, asthmatics, and people that experience migraine headaches conditions will worsen with strong odors and fragrances. Limit the amount of fragrance and cologne you apply.
Not surprisingly, some women want to use the time on a flight to touch up their manicure. Never open a bottle of nail polish or nail polish remover onboard a plane. The fumes are powerful and it is a flammable liquid.
In addition, if you bring food onboard, please choose foods that don't have an offensive lingering odor. Fishy foods, hard boiled eggs, raw onions, powdered Parmesan cheese, and corn nuts smell horrible inside the airplane. Choose foods with a neutral odor or more pleasant aroma.
Do not pass gas at your seat. Please eliminate gas inside of the lavatory. In fact, you may think you are anonymous expelling gas on a crowded plane, but the Flight Attendants are often aware of who is passing gas in the cabin.
Stick a fresh stick of gum in your mouth or suck on a mint before you engage in a conversation with other passengers. Yes, it is always polite to offer the person beside you a mint or stick of gum.
Oh Baby You Stink......
If it smells like your baby has a dirty diaper, please change it. Changing a baby on an airplane can be quite challenging. However, do not change your baby's diaper or child's underwear inside the main cabin or on the airplane seat. In fact, it is never sanitary to change a diaper at your seat no matter if the diaper is only filled with urine.
Most definitely, do not lay your baby on a tray table and use it as a changing station. A baby changing table is often secured to a wall located in the lavatory. Please ask the Flight Attendant to point out the baby changing table if you are unsure of its location. He or she will be more than happy to instruct you on its location and operation.
A Handy Diaper Changing Tip:
If the plane is not equipped with a changing table, ask the flight attendant for two empty clean trash bags. Lay one trash bag on top of the closed toilet lid in the lavatory. Next, sit on the trash bag on the closed toilet lid to avoid germs. Last, lay the second trash bag across your lap. Now, you are prepared to change your baby's diaper on your lap in the lavatory.
Do not leave dirty diapers in the bathroom or stuff them in a seatback pocket at your seat. Also, do not place the dirty diaper in a Flight Attendant's bare hand and request he or she disposes of it. Always, place dirty diapers in a puke bag or trash bag before requesting a Flight Attendant to dispose of it, or simply place it inside a garbage can.
GET OUT OF THE WAY....please
While boarding the plane, do not stand in the aisle and block people from walking around or past you. Step into a row of seats while you chat with people or take care of important matters such as searching through your purse, luggage, or neatly fold your suit jacket or coat. Please do not leave your luggage sitting in the aisle while people are boarding the plane. Always keep the aisles clear and step aside for crew members and other passengers.
Also, do not "swim upstream" during boarding. In other words, always walk in the direction of the flow traffic.
For example, you are one of the first persons onboard the plane. Next, you leave your seat to use the lavatory in the back of the plane. Upon exiting the lavatory, you notice you can't return to your seat because several people are walking in your direction with their luggage in tow.
Do not shove or push your way back to your seat. Do not try to climb over people and their luggage. Please wait until the aisles are clear or there is a break in traffic before trying to return to your seat. Be patient and wait until you can comfortably return to your seat.
After you're seated comfortably on the plane, do not require other passengers seated in your row to climb over you to gain access to the aisle or to return to their seat. If you are seated in a aisle seat or a middle seat, please stand up, step aside and allow the person or persons entering or exiting your row to manuever to and from their seat freely. Do not remain seated and insist they climb and stretch over you.
Make sure your carryon items are completely underneath the seat in front of you. Be aware of luggage straps, legs and feet protruding into the aisle. If you place your legs and feet into the aisle, please move them while people walk past you so they do not trip or fall. People often trip over luggage straps, bags and people's legs and feet.
Also, do not throw newspapers and trash on the floor in the aisle. Please check your seating area periodically to for loose straps, trash and other articles to prevent accidents.
Most important, the Flight Attendants appreciate passengers remaining out of the aisles during meal and beverage service. If you see a flight attendant with a cart or tray, please, move out of the way and remain in your seat.
Unbeknownst to you during the flight, a crew member might be walking down the aisle to assist a passenger with a medical problem or emergency. Always give the crew members the "right of way" in the aisles at all times during the flight.
Children are restless on planes. However, do not allow your baby, toddler or small child to crawl or play on the floor in the aisles. If you need to walk up and down the aisle with your baby, please wait until the Flight Attendants have completed their meal or beverage service. Again, if you notice a Flight Attendant needing to pass you and your baby, please move aside and allow the Flight Attendant ample room in the aisle.
Always use caution while bending or stretching at your seat on in the aisle. You may accidently bump another passenger or knock over their food or drink. Always be conscientious of other's space and people needing to move around you in your seating area and in the aisle way.
MAKE ROOM FOR EVERYONE
The overhead bin is not your personal closet. You should not place all of your shopping bags, souvenirs, jackets, containers, stuffed animals, or tote bags in the overhead bin.
Keep in mind that you share the overhead bin with at least five other passengers. Store your small carryon items and fragile or delicate items underneath the seat in front of you. Use the overhead bin space for large items such as garment bags, computer bags and rollerboard suitcases.
If you are traveling during the winter, place your coat or jacket on top of your luggage or directly in front of your luggage in the overhead bin. Doing so will allow room for more luggage to be accomodated. Other passengers should not have to check their bags because you have placed too many items in the overhead bin.
Also, always make sure the overhead bin will close properly. If your bag is too large or doesn't fit completely inside the overhead bin, notify a flight attendant. The plane cannot depart if the overhead bins are not completely shut and secured.
Before you remove or move another passenger's bags from an overhead bin to make room for your luggage, always ask permission to move their items. After getting permission, be sure to let them know the new location of their belongings even when you've moved their bag to the bin directly across from it's original location. They will appreciate the gesture.
Always, share the common armrests. Armrest Wars will certainly cause tension between seatmates. Undoubtebly, the middle seat is everyone's least favorite seat. You have to share each armrest with two other passengers. Regardless of your size and no matter what seat you've been assigned, please do not elbow wrestle people's arms and elbows off of the armrest. Don't be an Armrest Hog on the flight. Allow each person room and comfort on the shared arm rests.
If you are extremely overweight or obese, traveling in Economy Class can be somewhat uncomfortable. Please speak with a reservation agent or customer service agent regarding the airline's customer of size program.
The airline may require a second seat to be purchased for obese individuals or the airline's customer service agent may block the sale of the seat beside you to ensure your comfort and the comfort of others.
Encrouching or crowding another passenger's seat is not safe nor comfortable. Please take preventative measures before boarding a flight. This information is not meant to offend anyone. But, this is a common issue faced by thousands of passengers and it must be addressed.
DID YOU HEAR...?
Wear a headset if you or your child watch a movie, listen to music, or use electronic games or equipment emitting sound. Strangely, on an airplane, the sound emitting from personal electronics appears very quiet to the person using the electronic device. However, the sounds can be heard loud and clear to passengers seated in close proximity, as well as 3 to 4 rows away. Yes, the sound is audible to others even when the volume is turned down low.
In addition, do not hum, sing, rap or recite your favorite lines to the music or movie you are enjoying. Leave the entertaining to real artists and actors.
If you are aware that you snore when you sleep, use the nose strips that help silence snoring. You may feel great in a deep sleep on the plane snoring loudly, but the people around you find it hard to relax, read or take a nap. If you feel tired on the plane stick a snore eliminator on your nose before you nod off.
Click on the link below to learn more about the nose strips.
http://www.putanendtosnoring.com/strips.htm
Do not speak in a loud voice to the people beside you or across from you. You and your seatmates may enjoy the conversation about your latest doctor's office visit, wayward teenagers, NFL draft picks, chronic constipation, or your vacation plans, but others around you don't care to hear it. Some people sound like they are speaking into a megaphone onboard the plane. Be mindful of others. Please do not shout or speak in a loud voice during a flight.
Do not discuss race, politics and religion with people you don't know. Your opinion of foreigners, government, religion, social problems or world affairs need not be shared. If your seatmate or people nearby do not agree with you, arguements may flare and the flight will become awkward and uncomfortable. Tension will certainly fill the air. Enjoy conversations about neutral subjects with people you don't know.
In addition, if you are traveling with small children, do not read your children's books out loud. Passengers seated nearby do not want to listen to the story of a fat cat that chased a rat and made a splat. If you must read to your child, please do so in a soft whisper.
Does your baby fuss, scream, and cry at the top of his lungs during every takeoff and landing? It's common for babies to experience pain in their ears due to the change in pressure during these phases of flight.
Place a pacifier or bottle in your babies mouth prior to take off and while the plane begins its descent for landing. Sucking and swalllowing will help alleviate the blocked pressure in the ears.
Always pack more than 2 pacifiers and 2 bottles for your baby while traveling. Having a few extra comes in handy in the event one becomes lost or falls on the filthy floor. And, always pack additional clean empty bottles to replace bottles that contain sour milk and need to be washed.
Frequent fliers should invest in a noise canceling headset to ensure a peaceful, tranquil flight. Noise canceling headsets are available online. Bose manufactures high quality headsets. http://www.bose.com/controller?event=DTC_LINKS_TARGET_EVENT&DTCLinkID=7913&perfsourceid=k9677&src=k9677
DO YOU SEE THAT?
If you watch a movie on your laptop or other monitor that is visible to others, please make sure the content is family friendly. Keep in mind, you are in a public place. Families with small children are commonly in close proximity. If they are not seated in close proximity, they may be walking up or down the aisle.
Nudity, sexual explicit scenes, horror, and blood bath movies aren't appropiate for viewing on the plane. If you choose to watch a movie or view photos on your electronic device with controversial content or scenes, be certain no one but you is capable of viewing your pictures,videos or movies.
In addition, magazines filled with adult pictures and content should be read in the privacy of your hotel room or inside your home. Please do not view pornographic magazines or semi porn on the plane. Again, children may be nearby and others might find your magazine's photos and subject matter offensive.
Remember, clothes are worn to cover your body. Please remain covered and wear appropiate underwear. Revealing shirts, dresses, and shorts are not appropiate for air travel. You are on a public plane, not inside of a strip club. Also, do not wear t shirts or hats with offensive slogans regarding race, religion, sex, politics, or anything else others may find distasteful.
No matter if you're heterosexual or homosexual, minimize public displays of affection. Don't have a make out fest on the plane. Hold the burning passion until you are off of the plane. Enjoy your erotic moments in the privacy of your home or in your hotel.
MIND YOUR BUSINESS
Do not spy on your seat mate. Do not read over someone's shouler. If they are reading a magazine, newspaper, or article you would like to view. Please ask them if they wouldn't mind sharing it with you when they have finished reading the material.
Please note, never pick up someone else's reading material without asking permission. If you see a magazine or newspaper on a seat, first ask permission to read it before you pick it up. Passengers and Flight Attendants become irritable when others take their belongings or read their magazines, books, and newspapers without asking permission.
In addition, if your seatmate is typing away at his or her laptop computer or is writing in a notebook or pad. Do not try to stare at their laptop or try and decipher what they are writing on their notepad. Do not ask, "What are you doing? What is that about?" Nine times out of ten, it does not concern you. Please mind your own business.
If you are a frequent flier, purchase a privacy monitor blocker available at most electronic stores. This will darken the computer screen or block leering eyes and nosy people from viewing your computer.
Click on the link below.
http://www.computersecurity.com/privacy_filters/notebook_filters.htm?utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_term=computer+screen+filters&utm_campaign=privacyfilters
Eavesdropping on people's conversations is sometimes entertaining, but it isn't polite. Don't eavsdrop in a conversation and shortly after, offer your opinion or ask questions about what you think you've heard. If passengers or crew members want to include you in a conversation, they will speak to you.
DO YOU FEEL THAT?
Do not kick seats, shake your legs, or tap fingers and nails on the window, traytables, seats, armrests or headrests. People seated beside you and in front of you can feel the vibrations of the constant drumming, tapping and shaking. They can also hear it. Please don't do it.
If you are a nervous flier, take a sleep aid to help you relax or find a way to distract your mind. Read a book, watch a movie, or listen to relaxing music.
Everyone has preferences on temperature. Some prefer a cool blast of air blowing on them from the air vent located on the panel above the seat. Others prefer less air like a soft whisper blowing from the air vent.
Please make sure your air vent is not pointed or directed at others. If you notice someone's hair blowing, papers rattling, or if they suddenly appear cold, please adjust your air vent or ask your seat mate if they are comfortable with the position and flow of the airvent.
KEEP IT SANITARY
Cover your nose and mouth when you sneeze and cough. Germs spread easily in a confined environment. Keep in mind, hundreds of people with weakened immune systems travel daily. If possible, do not travel if you have a cold or flu.
Do not clip your nails or toenails. Nor, pluck your eyebrows, floss or pick your feet, teeth, nose, scabs, and dandruff. It isn't polite to comb, brush or continuously flip your hair at your seat. Hairs and particles tend to fly around and scatter. Please take care of pesonal hygeine matters in the privacy of the lavatory.
Taking your shoes off is fine if your feet don't have an offensive odor. If you lay across a row of seats to take a nap, do not let your feet stretch out into the aisle.
Also, do not place your bare feet on seats, armrests, or on bulkheads. Defiitely, if you are seated in a row of seats with others, no matter if your feet are covered with socks or are completely bare, always keep your feet on the floor in front of you.
Always, clean up behind yourself in the lavatory. If you drop female sanitary wrappers or items, toilet paper or accidently sprinkle the toilet seat or floor, do not ignore it. Wipe it clean and dispose of hygenic items and all paper in the trash compartment.
Flush the toilet in the lavatory. If you can't locate the handle or button to flush the toilet, please ask the flight attendant to point out its location. If a flight attendant is unavailable, close the lid on the toilet. The next person to use the lavatory doesn't want to discover what you've left behind.
PETS ONBOARD
It has become fashionable to take Fido and FiFi everywhere you go, including your vacation. Before the plane pushes back, always ask the people you are seated next to if they have an allergy to cats or dogs. It is also courteous to ask if they have a fear or aversion to animals. If they do, notify a Flight Attendant to help reseat you or the other passengers.
If you bring your pet onboard, please give your animal a sudsy bath the night before you travel. Your seating area on the plane should not smell like a zoo.
No matter how cute and fluffy Fifi is, do not take your animal outside of its carrying case. Many passengers are allergic to animals. Others have a fear of cats and dogs. Your animal should remain in its carrying case underneath the seat at all times.
Give your animal a sedative prescribed by a vet. This will help calm your nervous dog or cat and keep them quiet. Passengers become annoyed listening to constant barking and meowing on a plane.
DON'T BE A CHATTERBOX
KNOCK BEFORE ENTERING
If you need to use the lavatory, knock before entering. Some people forget to lock the door. If the door to the lavatory is locked or occupied, do not shake and rattle the door handle. Do not try and open the door. Do not yell, bang on the door or try to rush the person occupying the lavatory. If you sense an emergency, use an alternative lavatory in the front or back of the plane.
Also, if you notice the curtain to the Flight Attendant's galley is closed, do not swing the curtain open and begin talking to the Flight Attendants. Please announce your presence to let the Flight Attendants know you need assistance, a beverage, or you have a question. Say, "Excuse me or Hello" from the other side of the curtain. They will hear you. Please respect their limited privacy and do not stick your head through or open the curtains.
USE CAUTION
Make sure your lugguage and personal items are secured properly in an overhead bin. And, use caution while opening overhead bins or retrieving items from the overhead bin. If your computer or tennis racket appears like it may fall out or slip, it probably will and can possibly injure someone.
If you need to dispose of food, drinks, cups of ice, wrappers, crumbs, or papers please be courteous and use caution passing these items across your seatmates.
Do not stack several items on top of one another leaving a chance for the items to tumble on the person seated beside you. If you are handing trash to the flight attendant, be courteous and hand the flight attendant a little bit at a time to avoid spills and accidents.
Here's a simple tip for passing a cup, napkins and wrappers to the Flight Attendant. After you've finished your beverage and snack, secure the napkin and wrappers deep inside the cup. Now, pass the cup to Flight Attendant. This will alleviate crumbs and liquid spilling on your seatmates.
If you are traveling with children, bring extra napkins and wipes in case they spill food or drinks. Clean up the crumbs, food and papers your child throws on the floor to prevent your seatmate's clothes and belonging from getting soiled.
CONTROL YOUR KIDS
Children are restless, please try to keep your child's movement and noise to a minimum. Many people do not instruct their children on proper behavior in public. Please be a responsible parent and stop your child from behaving poorly on the plane. It is not acceptable for your child to kick seats, scream, or throw toys and food.
If your child begins to misbehave, please TRY to discipline your child and cease the behavior. Many people ignore their children behaving badly in public. Most people understand you can't control everything your child does, but everyone appreciates the parent that tries to take measures to calm down their child.TAKE CARE OF IMPORTANT ISSUES BEFORE BOARDING
Before boarding the plane, double check to make sure your small carryon bag contains your books, batteries, electronics, medication, sweater, water bottle, food, laptop or other items you will want to use during the flight.
It's convenient for you and your seatmates if you place the carryon bag underneath your seat in front of you to have access to your important items during the flight. Please do not get up from your seat every 10 minutes to search in the overhead bin for items you need.
Do not delay your flight's departure because you suddenly need to use the lavatory before the plane pushes back from the jetway or takes off. When the flight crew says it's time to pushback or depart sit down and buckle up. Wait until the plane takesoff and the seatbelt sign is turned off before walk ing to the lavatory.
Planes are on specific schedules and have rigid time slots to take off from busy airports. The pilot is forced to stop the plane when you stand up or move around during taxi. Your "potty break" may cause a 30 minute delay for your flight because your plane has lost its scheduled take off slot or position. Please use the restroom and handle personal matters before boarding the plane.
USE YOUR MANNERS
Please, thank you and excuse me will take you a long ways when you're traveling. Also, if you accidently offend or upset another passenger or crew member, apologize immediately. Show others respect and usually they will give you respect in return.
Always be courteous and polite to your flight crew. Don't forget to use your manners and say please and thank you. If you are kind to the Flight Attendants, they will certainly take care of you.
Practice "PLANE ETIQUETTE." You and other passengers and the flight crew will certainly have a more enjoyable flight while showing each other respect and consideration.
Safe Travels~
theflygirl
COPYRIGHT 2010
planesassy.com
This article may not be reprinted or duplicated without the author's written permission.
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