Flight Attendants Reveal One Of The Worst Airplane Habits Passengers Should Avoid

Flight attendants often put up with a lot. While most passengers are considerate, kind, relaxed, and easy-going, plane travel can be a stressful and tiring experience, and sometimes people don't behave as well as they should. There are plenty of passenger behaviors that flight attendants find frustrating, from treating them like waitstaff to rushing to board the plane.

Flight attendants pay attention to the behavior of passengers from the moment they board to the moment they get off. And there's one thing that many passengers do that really grinds the gears of most flight attendants: rushing to deplane before it is time to do so. This behavior might seem harmless, and even be something that passengers feel they have to do in order to make a tight connection or get to where they are going on time, but in reality it is often unsafe, makes flight attendants' jobs harder, and can even actually slow things down!

Passengers in a rush to deplane often remove their seatbelts and stand up before the plane has stopped moving and the captain has switched off the "fasten seatbelt" sign. They also might start trying to get their bags from the overhead bins while the plane is still taxiing, or pushing past other passengers to get closer to the door, before it is even open. All of this behavior can be annoying for crew and passengers, and has the potential to be dangerous and cause delays.

There are three main reasons why passengers in a rush to deplane are so frustrating. Firstly, it is inconsiderate and rude to other passengers. Passengers sprinting down the aisle, not waiting their turn, or pushing past other passengers are ignoring the unspoken airplane etiquette that makes air travel manageable. It is common courtesy to stand when requested and exit row by row. Of course, there are circumstances that sometimes make this seem impossible, like when passengers have a tight connection or the plane is delayed. But the best way to deal with this is to mention it first, as flight attendants and other passengers will almost always be empathetic to the situation and let you pass.

Secondly, standing, moving around, and opening the overhead bins before the crew has said it is safe to do so can be dangerous. If the plane is still in motion, unexpected or sharp movements can cause passengers to stumble or luggage to fall out of the overhead bins if they are open. This can be extremely dangerous. Even if the plane has stopped, it doesn't always mean it has reached its final destination, and it may start taxiing again without warning. The seatbelt light is there for a reason, and it is important to wait until the crew has made an announcement.

Thirdly, passengers rushing to get off the plane can actually slow down the deplaning process. If flight attendants have to make extra announcements asking people to adhere to the safety regulations, this means they will be slower with their other tasks and may delay the process. Similarly, if passengers start to push and shove, it makes it harder for everyone to deplane quickly and efficiently.

The golden rule of air travel is to pay attention to what the cabin crew asks you to do. They are there to look out for you, to ensure your comfort and safety, and to ensure the flight runs as smoothly, efficiently, and quickly as possible. So if they ask you to remain in your seats until the plane has stopped and the seatbelt light has been turned off, there's probably a good reason! Flight attendants say the best way to deplane is to move out row by row, and to let the row in front of you get their luggage from the overhead bins before you try to get yours. Then just wait your turn to move down the aisle.

If the flight is delayed, flight attendants might make an announcement asking passengers to allow anyone with a tight connection to go first. And if you are concerned about your connection, or are in a specific hurry for another reason, it is worth mentioning to your fellow travelers and to the cabin crew, as they will be able to help you get off the plane as soon as possible. But pushing past other passengers and trying to rush to the front is rude, counterproductive, and can be risky.