15 Flight Attendants Reveal Disturbing Secrets

From Redditor u/Lost_in_costco:

People tell you to put your oxygen mask on first before helping a child because children can lose oxygen to the brain for a few minutes and survive, while adults could suffer brain damage. I took a flight investigation course in college.

The seatbelt keeps your body attached to the seat for body identification.

From Redditor u/huse789:

My wife works as cabin crew. Do not eat food dropped on a tray table; they are never cleaned, and the number of people changing [diapers] on them is crazy!

From Redditor u/duke_nukem_king:

We rarely clean the pockets in the seat backings. Reach in there at your own risk.

Fron Redditor u/Boltwizard_:

A flight attendant's father, an engineer, was on a plane. The cabin filled with smoke right after takeoff. He instantly knew the smell was burning hydraulic fluid, the fluid used to raise and lower landing gear. The plane quickly turned around and landed. Instead of telling passengers the truth, they said the smoke came from cleaning fluid turning to steam after takeoff.

From Redditor u/xanaxdoo:

An ex flight attendant says if a [detonation device] is found, the plan is a controlled explosion. They place the [detonation device] by the door, rip up seats, and use luggage to build a wall around it before blowing out the door.

I cannot believe that would work.

From Redditor u/tv_junkie_75:

My stepmom is a flight attendant.

Never ever ever ever use the pillows.

From Redditor u/valeriefixit:

Having worked in animal care, live animals are common cargo. I mean scaly animals, arachnids, and invertebrates meant for the pet trade: tarantulas, weird beetles, scorpions, cockroaches, all kinds of exotic lizards, snakes, and turtles. Many snakes, like constrictors and venomous ones, are present. Their packaging looks inhumane on the ground, but they try to restrict movement as the goal; boa constrictors have escaped.

From Redditor u/HausOfDarling:

I have worked as a long haul flight attendant for six years. I have done short, long, and now ultra long haul flights. I flew economy, first class, and everything in between. My opinions are mine, not my employer's, and I only speak for the airlines I have worked for. For me, much of this is basic common knowledge.

Everyone asks about water safety. The tanks are cleaned, but that depends on what you mean by regularly. Ours are scrubbed every week at most. This is basic health and safety. Our boilers have filters before pouring tea or coffee. Some people dislike the water because it looks cloudy. This is not the water; it is due to air pressure. Tap the side of your bottle or cup, and the bubbles will disappear fast.

Never walk into a toilet with bare feet. Nine times out of ten, that floor is not water. Do not attempt intimate encounters there; you are obvious, and the place is filthy. Toilets often become disgusting and get deep cleaned only after a route ends. For us, this could cross a world. Imagine how nice they look after a twelve-hour flight with 200 people using them.

Dangerous tools exist on board; someone mentioned an axe. Most equipment aids survival, but people use it if the situation demands it.

For long flights, basic kits allow certified doctors onboard to use them. These include stents, catheters, viagra, adrenaline, IV kits, and devices that go down your throat if you stop breathing. Long haul flying means you could be hours from a hospital diversion.

For short flights, bring anti-bac wipes or sanitizer. Many airlines have crew 'turnaround' the plane. They pick up trash, fold seatbelts, file magazines, and welcome new passengers. I have counted how many times I had to tell people how disgusting it is to change a baby on the tray table or in a seat.

I always recommend you never use or put anything in the seat pocket. They are cleared of trash but never cleaned. I have pulled out dirty tissues, sick bags, knickers, socks, feet, gum, half-sucked sweets, apple cores. Then, on the next flight, you put your phone or laptop/iPad there.

My airline provides uniforms that are somewhat fire-resistant.

Take-off and landing are the most dangerous flight times. Sit near the door. This seems obvious, but studies show your survival chance drops with every row you move from the door.

You can be detained for disobeying crew instructions. The seatbelt sign is on, and a PA announced turbulence. It is not bumpy now, but that does not mean you can get up and use the toilet. You are an adult and can hold on for five minutes. I saw a passenger crack a vertebra for disobeying instructions to stay seated before hitting clear air turbulence.

Recently, there has been a big move to seek the highest damages if you assault or mistreat crew. We do not care who you are; we only care about your safety. Our safety is the only thing that tops yours.

We train for self-defense and defending the flight deck at all costs. We train extensively against threats—verbal, physical, detonation device threats, suspicious articles, dangerous goods, hijackers, and other terroristic acts. We have handcuffs on board and will use them if you need restraint.

During an emergency, the pilot prioritizes getting the aircraft on the ground fast and safe. Aviate, navigate, communicate is their motto; your safety as a passenger is not their first concern.

Many people say it, but often, there are many horrific things in the cargo. Air travel moves things from A to B fast. Only the flight deck (pilots) and the Manager/Senior Crew member usually know. Dead cadavers, organs, and blood are obvious. We also carry everything, from Formula One car parts to exotic animals, marble tables, and oversized televisions.

From Redditor u/SnoWFLakE02:

I am not a flight attendant, but I know they won't tell you if an engine fails because they are technically fine without it.

From Redditor u/Writingd3sk:

Since I am apparently the only flight attendant on Reddit, I will list things I have seen in this thread and elsewhere. I work for a large low-cost carrier in the US.

The tap water is gross. You can drink from the lavatory taps if you really want, but... ew.

I have never seen or heard of pilots drinking in the seven years I have worked this job. One crew member actually called a halt to board a flight for a pee test because a passenger suggested he had been. (GREAT "F*ck you", by the way)

The plan avoids a controlled incendiary device detonation. Planes have a "Least Risk Detonation device Location" where an explosion causes minimal damage, usually near an exit. Check YouTube videos showing the difference between blowing a detonation device there versus mid-cabin.

The tray tables are gross. I cannot remember how many times I have seen babies changed on them, people puke on them, people bleed on them. They must be cleaned nightly, but I would not put food directly on them. Nope nope nope!

Joining the mile-high club is not illegal; it is just very rude. Do not try it on a plane with only two lavatories heading to Vegas at 10:00 AM. If you want to, take an international redeye. The plane will be bigger, the lights will be off, and there are curtains around the eight lavatories. Have a party in that gross, gross lavatory. They are grosser than the tray tables.

Do not bring your own alcohol. It is a federal offense. If I see it, I will take it and stop you from buying more from us. If you are annoyed, I will have you hauled in when we arrive. You do not want that.

If you are drunk before boarding, you cannot fly. That is a federal law. If you look intoxicated, you do not board. Stop singing and trying to high-five every passenger you pass. They will throw you out.

You cannot go check the flight deck while we fly. Nine-eleven happened almost 20 years ago. What planet are you living on? Wait until we land.

You must pay for things. You bought the cheapest flight available. What did you expect?

Turbulence is not a problem for the plane. Have you ever driven over a gravel road in a truck? It is the same.

We hate delays as much as you do. Most US airlines stop paying employees for delays (unless they are really bad). I have been in this metal tube for ten hours already. If we have a weather delay and you yell at me, you are an idiot. Call God. If we have a mechanical delay and you yell at me, do you want a [demise]? I do not want to be on a plane with broken parts that were not checked properly, and neither do you. Keep this in mind: many things can break, and the plane stays safe to fly. Tests and paperwork handle any maintenance issue, and that takes time.

I actually like my job. It pays bills, and I get cheap or free flights anywhere. It is not glamorous, no matter what movies suggest. But it can be fun. Cheers!

From Redditor u/unimproved:

As mentioned in the last thread, there is a large list of things that can break, yet the aircraft can still fly.

Often, a dead body appears in the cargo hold.

An axe lies in the cabin. It will open your skull (untested), but it will not break through the aircraft skin or windows (tested).

You can open lavatory doors from the outside. Lift the metal plate marked "lavatory" and pull the pin underneath.

Pilots may not eat the same meal, but they might eat at the same time while the plane flies itself.

From Redditor /uflyingrum:

I am not a flight attendant, but I quote a fact:

When a plane lands at night, cabin crews dim the interior lights. This is because if the landing goes badly and passengers need to evacuate, their eyes will already be used to the dark.

From Redditor /upraks458:

Sometimes the planes lack phalanges.

From Redditor u/Sparky_321:

I am not a flight attendant, but the biggest risk of a [tragedy] happens during takeoff and landing.

From Redditor u/cadaver46:

We do not have a disturbing secret. People must know our job is not easy. We are not your waitresses or waiters. We are highly trained in first aid, health, safety, and plane configuration. We also know self-defense. Serving you is only part of our work. We protect you and the aircraft in an emergency. People must stop treating us like a 'trolly dolly.' We are not dumb; we complete intensive training that many people fail.