It’s time for your holiday! You arrive at the airport, check your bags, make it through security and settle in at the gate to wait for your flight. Finally, boarding is announced. The queue forms and people start making their way down the gangway.
Suddenly, you’re stopped.
Stuck standing around outside of the plane, waiting for your chance to be greeted by the crew. You step onto the plane only to stand around again in the narrow aisle, just wanting to sit down so the plane can take off. Sometimes things move fairly quickly and other times it seems like you will NEVER make it to your seat – even though you only need to get to row 9. Sound familiar?
During my last 2 flights, I started paying more attention to the hold-ups occurring around me. What were some of the things that stopped passengers getting to their seats. What were some of the annoying (and gross) things I noticed on these and past flights? So before your next trip to the airport, read these 10 things NOT to do when boarding a plane and you won’t be part of the problem!
10 Things Not to Do When Boarding a Plane:
1. Don’t stand in the aisle digging in your carry-on bag. If you need something at the start of the flight (books, newspapers, tablets, etc.), carry it or have it ready to slip out of a pocket. Or sit down in your seat, out of the way and wait for the aisle to clear.
2. Don’t take off your coat standing in the aisle. Have you been behind the person that stops, leisurely takes off their coat, places it in their seat, puts their luggage up, picks up their coat then finally sits down? Unless you’re boarding after being bused to the plane, chances are, you can have your coat in your hand or at least step into the seat row out of the way.
Prepare ahead of time – not when you’re in the middle of the aisle!
3. Don’t fill the overhead bin with coats. Where does the luggage go then?
4. Don’t bring on stinky food. I don’t want to smell your egg salad or who knows what’s in that container – fermented meat? Sure, you want an in flight snack, but be considerate of those around you.
Also, if you need that much perfume, there is a problem. I prefer to be able to breathe, thank you.
5. Don’t be impatient getting on the plane, yes people have to put their bags in the overhead bin. Getting grumpy or angry about it doesn’t move things along any faster. Give other passengers a moment and remember, when it’s you’re turn, place your bag then take a seat.
6. Don’t buckle up if you’re sitting in the aisle seat and the other passengers aren’t on board. You know you’ll need to get up so the people in the window and middle seats can get in.
7. Don’t wait until your about to slide into a row to decide whose sitting where and in which seat number(s). Discuss who gets the window, who is sitting with the kids and who sits on the aisle before stepping on the plane.
Derrick always sits with the kids and I have the aisle seat across from them. Or, Derrick sits with K and I sit with Lucy. The kids rotate who gets the window seat so there is never a questions once we’re trying to take our seats.
Tip – Seats ABC are on one side with C being the aisle and DEF are on another with D being the aisle.
8. Don’t take your shoes off or at least have socks on to keep those bad boys out of view. No one wants to see your feet and NEVER put them up on someone else’s arm rest. I mean, really! This isn’t your bedroom or living room. It’s okay to be comfortable, but still be considerate.
9. Don’t throw your hair OVER the headrest. It’s your hair, I don’t want to see it hanging over my tray table.
10. Don’t try to sneak an oversized bag on the plane. There really is only so much space in those overhead bins. It won’t magically expand. If your bag is too long or too full, it won’t fit and will just hold everyone up and potentially end up costing you more money.
A Few More Flight Suggestions:
:: Save yourself from digging around before the plane takes off by putting devices into airplane mode before boarding and having computers turned off. You’ve been sitting at the gate waiting for your flight anyway. Why not take 2 minutes to prepare before they start boarding?
:: Consider earplugs or headphones if you’re sensitive to noise. I suggest keeping a small bag to easily access these items. Eye masks are also great if want to rest. Just remember to open the window if you’re in that seat. It’s required to be open during take off and landing.
:: Research ahead of time if the onboard menu is complimentary or paid. This can help you be prepared and know if you should bring your own drink and snack on or if beverages are offered as part of your flight purchase.
:: Airlines are moving to contactless payments for inflight purchases. You may need to have the airlines app downloaded and a credit card on file to make purchases while in the air. You’ll want to set this up before you fly, so you’ll be ready to make purchases. United Airline, for example, does not accept physical credit cards or cash.
Planning ahead, being considerate of other passengers and having a bit of patience can make boarding the plane smooth sailing or should I say flying? Having everything you need for takeoff, knowing who is sitting where and not packing the overhead bin with things that aren’t luggage can help your next flight take off on time. Or at least save you stress and a headache.
While we’re on the topic of flying – read 12 Tips for Surviving Airport Layovers with Kids.
What are some off the things you’ve noticed people should not do when boarding a plane? Leave a comment below.
Clicking your gum, putting on nail polish and picking your toes
Nail polish would sell horrid on an airplane
Wow.. both both the writer and many in the comments section seem to have some heightened.. err.. sensitivities (shout out to Anna for the fat phobia, nice). I’ll start with what i liked. Arranging the stuff you need ahead of time is a very good idea. As is sorting out who will sit where.
Now, coats don’t take up much space they’re very compactible. Weird that the writer is seemingly grossed out by the human body, i don’t really notice feet. Finally coming from a mixed race background and growing up in a major multicultural city I’m pretty acclimatised to diverse food smells (it’s actually kinda pleasant) but maybe some are disturbed by unfamiar smells. I guess what I’m trying to say is that, what do you intend to achieve by this article? I spent so long raging at traffic jams full of cars with 1 person. It’d be nice if carpooling was a social value, but yknow
The article is about being considerate of others and moving along with boarding. I also enjoy the smell of diverse foods, but scents linger and are exaggerated on an aircraft. Some people also have allergies or sensitivities. And why would you want to look at (and smell) someones feet for 8 hours?
Coats can compact to a degree, yet thick winter coats actually take up a lot of space in the overhead bins. On many of our flights, the flight attendants have to take time to remove coats and small bags to accommodate roller bags. If your coat fits on top of YOUR bag then go for it, but you don’t need to take up space from other travelers.
Again, the point of this article is to be considerate of other passengers and to allow travelers to board the plane quickly and efficiently, so we can leave the gate on time.
Please be considerate those with young children. Stop them kicking the seats, running up and down aisles, we’re in public- not a playground!
Also- if you are a large person, pls be considerate of NOT pulling the seat in front, I’ve been woken up few times people pulling on my seat to get up!
For the love of God, please dress in comfortable but nice clothes, I have seen tank tops, pajamas, and dirty clothes worn by passengers. Be considerate about the arm rest if you are in a middle seat, and if you are a big person, don’t get in my space. Always bring some clean wipes to clean your fold down tray, arm rest and touch Tv screen. Ear plugs are a must even on short flights. Use the restroom in the terminal, and if you have to go to the lavatory often , book a isle seat.
I never fly in the Summer, or around holidays, I plan trips off season for vacation or to see family or friend. .
Ha yes! We have seen ALL types of attire on planes.
Don’t sit down in a seat you are not assigned to “hoping” it will not be claimed. When the person arrives you will have to move. It’s awkward for the person with that seat on their ticket to have to question why you are in their seat, delays everyone while you pack up and move, and it’s just rude! THEN… take your assigned seat, not another empty row seat again hoping it will not be claimed. I watched this happen on my last flight even after they announced it was a full flight!
Ugh, I hate that! Sit in your assigned seat and wait to see if there are openings later. Knowing the flight is full makes that even worse.