Every frequent traveller has queries on the inner workings of planes. So, we answer ten of the most commonly heard aviation questions
Isn’t it a little too much to expect me to keep my seat belt fastened all through a flight? How do flight attendants manage to serve hot meals at an altitude of 41,000 feet? Why can’t I simply place luggage on the floor of the aircraft during take-off and landing ? We have attempted to answer some of the most commonly asked airline questions by passengers.
1 Why do pilots recommend you to keep your seat belt loosely fastened during the flight?
Yes, most of us are just yearning to unfasten our seat belts soon after take-off, almost indicating a sense of liberation. But, hey, there is a reason why flight crew tell you to keep your seat belts on at all times. In fact, when you do not wear a seat belt, you are directly vulnerable to injury in the event of unexpected turbulence (an air pocket). There have been cases of clear air turbulence, where unsecured passengers have been flung out of their seats, during a drop, and hit the ceiling. Ouch!
2 Why are cabin lights turned off completely during a night take-off or landing?
No, this is not done so that couples on the flight can indulge in some PDA. The simple reason why cabin lights are turned off for a night take-off or landing is so that passengers’ eyes get acclimatised to the outside low light conditions - this ensures maximum alertness and visibility in the unlikely event of an emergency evacuation. This is also so that you can easily spot the floor lights on the aisle, which lead you to the exits. During an evacuation, the last thing you need is visual disorientation!
3 Before departure, the pilot announces “crew arm doors”. What does this mean?
Most people ignore this mandatory pre-flight announcement because they simply don’t know what it means. While this is part of cabin crew lingo, it is good to know that “arming a door” basically means that before the flight, the door is made ready for use in an emergency evacuation — the escape slides are activated, so we’re ready for departure! Similarly, on arrival, the crew will disarm the doors; or deactivate the escape slides as they are no longer needed!
4 Which part of the plane is most stable, in case I am sensitive to turbulence or get airsick?
This is a hotly debated subject, with some aviation experts suggesting that the front end of the plane is where you are least vulnerable to airsickness. However, not everyone is lucky enough to be in first class. If you do have to travel in economy class, most cabin crew will often tell you that the zone over the wings is the most stable and is relatively less bumpy during turbulence. Make sure you select your seats wisely if you’re a poor flyer!
5 Why can’t I place my luggage on the floor during take-off or landing?
Ever wondered why the cabin crew is so paranoid about luggage on the floor? You are asked to stow your bags under the seat in front of you for two reasons — should anything untoward happen during takeoff or landing, you don’t want your branded tote to turn into a dangerous projectile flying through the cabin. Also, and most importantly, bags placed improperly on the floor could hamper a smooth evacuation turning the aisles into an obstacle course!
6 Why can’t I sit at the emergency exit row with my kids and pregnant wife? It’s so much more comfortable!
Agreed, that extra legroom on an emergency exit row is a luxury, however, sitting at the exit (row) comes with an obvious caveat — you would need to support the crew in the event of an emergency, or perhaps even open the door yourself. In airline lingo, the exit rows are strictly for “ABPs” (able bodied passengers). For that logical reason, the exit rows are not available to kids, pregnant ladies and elderly travellers. Next time you fly, don’t look away when the cabin crew explains to you the operation of the doors and the evacuation procedures if you are seated at the exit (row)!
7 I am a frequent flyer. Why do I need to listen to the pre-flight safety briefing? It’s so boring!
For starters, it’s not boring! It is the most important part of your flight, if you care about your safety.
Admittedly, most frequent flyers are guilty of not listening to the safety briefing — but you ought to — even though, on most short hauls, it is conducted manually by visibly robotic crew. Exits, layouts and evacuation procedures differ from aircraft to aircraft, and you need to be familiar with your plane for the day. Airlines like Brussels Airlines, Emirates and Turkish Airlines have come out with fun, eyecatching safety videos that grab your attention. We do urge more airlines to liven up their safety videos.
8 Do long-haul crew really have a secret bunk with beds for them to sleep?
Ever wondered where the crew disappears on long-haul flights, after the meal services? During a recent A380 flight from Sydney to Singapore, I stumbled into the galley and asked the crew this. Turns out, it’s true — bigger planes like the Boeing 777 and A380 have crew rest bunks with flat beds et al. They are not accessible/visible to the passengers and are located above the cabin ceiling or below the cabin floor, with a code-locked door. On long-haul flights, the crew are legally required to have rest time to ensure optimum alertness and to reduce fatigue. Rest slots and timings are usually pre-decided by the chief purser before the flight.
9 On landing, why do the crew insist that passengers remain seated till the aircraft has come to a complete halt?
Now this one is so relatable because we Indian passengers often love to make a beeline for the overhead bins, the moment the aircraft has landed and is still taxiing to the gate. Think of this — do you unbuckle your car seat belt when you move at a slow speed? You obviously don’t right? Taxiing aircraft could sometimes brake or turn abruptly, causing standees to tumble. Not to mention, bags falling out of open overhead bins due to the aircraft movement. Remember: the switched off seat belt sign is your cue to get up!
10 How do flight attendants manage to heat up and serve 200-300 economy class meals so easily?
If you observe keenly on boarding, you will notice that not all the crew are visible in the cabin. Some of them have been assigned a galley “work position” and their duty is to heat up the meals, which the other cabin crew will serve to passengers. Typically, aircraft galleys have convection ovens into which meals are stacked in racks and heated. These heated meals are then removed from the ovens and placed into meal trays for passengers. Of course, in business and first class, often, pre-cooked ingredients are heated up and then plated individually for the passengers. Depending on flights and cities, airplane food has been prepared and frozen a couple of hours — sometimes days — before the actual flight.