A flight attendant has revealed 12 rules for summer travelers while describing the worst things a passenger can do in the sky.
Kristie Koerbel offered advice on proper flight etiquette ahead of summer trips in a New York Times piece that reads, ‘Never a reason to take your socks off’: A flight attendant’s 12 rules of etiquette.
Koerbel exposed her biggest pet peeve as a stewardess, including when passengers aren’t flushing the toilet. She also revealed who is entitled to the middle armrests and if it is necessary to change seats.
Kristie Koerbel has exposed her greatest pet peeve as a stewardess, including when passengers aren’t flushing the toilet. She also revealed who is entitled to the middle armrests and if it is necessary to change seats.
What bags can fit in the luggage bins?
Koerbel urged passengers to remember that their largest carry-on is supposed to be stowed in an overhead bin while their smaller item goes under their seat.
Since trash cans are first-come, first-served, Koerbel insisted that travelers must adhere to the unspoken rule of not removing luggage from other passengers in an effort to accommodate their own.
“Dragging bags to maximize space is fine, but avoid complex puzzle solving for the flight attendant,” Koerbel wrote in The New York Times.
What is the correct way to recline my seat?
While Koerbel reassures flyers that everyone can recline their seat, she warned them to be careful of who sits behind them.
“Before you lay down, look behind you and see what the situation is, and ask nicely if that person cares,” she wrote.
Koerbel shared that the rush to bow can lead to spilled drinks and damage to electronics. These common incidents often led to physical arguments, according to the stewardess.
What if I forget my helmet?
A flight without headphones can be dreadful, but Koerbel insisted that passengers refrain from FaceTime chatting, watching a movie or listening to music without headphones.
And yes, that also includes children.
What’s the best way to handle children on a flight?
Koerbel wrote that children should also be widely supported. She pleaded with parents to be careful what they give their children and urged them to pick up after them.
She added that dealing with a disruptive child can be tricky and advised always talking with a parent rather than a toddler or even a teenager.
“A good way to approach this is to ask parents calmly and with a smile if they realize their child is kicking your seat. So say it’s embarrassing; is there a way to make the child stop? she wrote in the New York Times article.
Koerbel spoke of disruptive children and advised passengers to always chat with a parent rather than a toddler or even a teenager.
Can I take off my shoes?
Comfort is key to a stress-free flight, which means passengers can be eager to kick off their shoes, sit down and relax.
Koerbel reassured travelers that they could remove their shoes on flights, but urged them not to go so far as to remove their socks.
While insisting that passengers should keep their feet directly in front of them and on the floor, she warned that travelers put their shoes back on when heading for the bathroom.
Who is entitled to an armrest and how to stop a talkative neighbor?
Travelers can’t always choose who they sit next to on an airplane, which can lead to unpleasant experiences if proper flight etiquette isn’t followed.
The armrests tend to serve as a divider between each passenger, but they have sparked debate over who gets them.
As for the middle armrest, the traveler in the middle seat automatically gets dibs on both in exchange for being crushed in the middle of two people during a potentially long flight, Koerbel wrote.
When it comes to how to stop a neighbor talking, slipping on the headphones tends to do the trick.
Koerbel settled the armrest debate and claimed that middle seat passengers were entitled to center ones since they had to be crushed in the middle.
What is the best way to deal with sitting problems?
Regarding seat requests, Koerbel recommended that travelers speak with gate agents before boarding.
Agents have access to seats on the plane and can accommodate families.
She adds that once on board, it is not necessary to accept a change of seat.
Should I flush the toilet?
One of Koerbel’s biggest pet peeves is when she has to throw out other people’s trash.
‘If you can’t find the button, look for it: I guarantee it’s there. On every plane,” she wrote.
