There are a lot of secrets that pilots know but keep to themselves. A few of them are things you're probably better off not knowing. And a few are secrets that, once you know them, can make air travel a little bit better. Flying in the coming months? Here are 12 secrets pilots won't tell you, but I will!!
1. Morning Flights Are the Smoothest
On one hand, morning flights are a drag simply because you have to get up so early. No one likes the alarm going off at 3 a.m. But if you're a nervous flyer, you should know that morning flights are the smoothest. According to the Daily Mail, lighter winds and fewer storms mean less turbulence.
2. Breakdowns Happen
Planes are no different than any complex machine in that they occasionally break down. It happens more often than you might think, but thanks to rigid inspections, these problems are rarely life-threatening. And, says the Daily Mail, more serious troubles like power failures and engine problems are either fixed before take-off or dealt
3. Pilots Sleep while flying
The Daily Mail reports that half the pilots surveyed in a 2012 study admitted to nodding off. That's not as big a deal as you might think. First, the autopilot takes care of much of the flight, and second, there's a co-pilot. On long flights pilots often take breaks and put the co-pilot in charge. Some newer planes even have designated sleeping areas
4. Pilots Eat Different Food
Another pilot secret, according to the Daily Mail, is that pilots don't eat the same food as those of us back in economy. They either chow down on special meals or enjoy the same fare as those in business class. Sometimes they even bring their own food. Another secret: the captain and co-pilot will eat different meals, just in case of food poisoning.
5. Bumpy Landings Are Often Done on Purpose
When you experience a hard landing, it doesn't mean that it was a bad landing. The Daily Mail says that if the runway is wet, the pilot will bring the plane down hard to prevent the it from skidding.
6. Planes Get Hit by Lightning
Planes get hit by lightning all the time. According to the Daily Mail, it happens at least once a year to most planes and does no damage.
7. Limited Emergency Oxygen
In case of an emergency, oxygen masks will deploy from the ceiling. But did you know that there isn't an endless supply of air? The Daily Mail says that there's enough for about 15 minutes. But don't panic, that's more than enough time for the plane to descend to an altitude where you can breathe without a mask.
8. Avoid the Coffee (and tea and water)
A pilot writing on Quora advises that you should avoid airplane coffee, calling the on-board potable water used to make it 'disgusting'. The Wall Street Journal investigated the quality of on-board water in the past and found all sorts of nasty critters swimming around. If you want to be sure that your water is just water, buck up for something in a bottle or can and avoid anything that uses airplane water.
9. Seatbelt Sign Errors
Ever wonder why the 'fasten seatbelt' sign is on, even when the flight is smooth? It's because the pilot forgot to turn it off. Whoops!..
10. Guns Are Allowed in the Cockpit on US Flights
In the US, Federal Flight Deck Officers (a program of the US Federal Air Marshal Service) can carry a firearm in the cockpit. However, they have to undergo rigorous training and screening.
11. Germs Are Everywhere!
You already know to avoid an aircraft's on-board water. But it's much harder to avoid germs in the cabin. According to Reader's Digest, they're on every surface. When people get sick after flying it's generally because of something they touched, not something in the air. Pack some disinfectant wipes to clean your tray, armrest, touch screen, and seatbelt buckle.
12. A Baby on the Lap is Dangerous
Think you can hold on to your child if there's an impact or sudden deceleration? Not a chance, reports Reader's Digest. Your kid is going to become a projectile. If you want to ensure her safety, use safety seat.
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