Travel Tips from a Flight Attendant

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Question: Is there a nice way to tell the person beside you on the plane that you would rather not chat the whole flight?

I swear, this can be one of the most annoying things for me. Almost weekly, I fly to and from Seattle (where I work) and Denver (where I live). I am usually in my uniform, which is like an immediate talking point – a red flag for people to start chatting with me. About my job. About my life. About anything.

I love people, I really do. But the last thing I want to do is feel like I am already working when I am not. And usually I have a long day ahead of me as is…

But this doesn’t just happen to me.

I am sure you have been there before too. 

So, if you don’t feel like chatting for the entire 3 hour flight, but the person next to you keeps railing off the questions, here is what I suggest…

Answer:

Take notice! Do they have something to occupy them? Did they bring on anything but their jacket? If they don’t have anything, give them one of your magazines to read.

No magazines? Ok, tip number two:

As soon as you hit cruising altitude the flight attendant will make an announcement saying you can use electronics. This is your opportunity, you’ve got a short window to say, “Oh, looks like we can use our devices now! Great, because I’ve got a kindle book I am dying to finish!” or “Oh good! Now we can finally use our electronics, I’ve heard so many good reviews about this movie.’” (Hint: Don’t ask if they’ve seen it or read it! That will just encourage more conversation!)

No electronics? No kindle? No laptop? (Who are you??) 

Ok, then… tip number three:

Bring headphones. Even if you don’t listen to music. You can always fit small ear buds in your pocket! Then during a break in between questions dig through your bag and put your head phones on – as soon as you can before the next question comes flying out of their mouth! It is a universal sign of silence. Once you have your headphones on you’re in the clear.

Really? You brought nothing? (You are making this harder for yourself!) Fine, my final tip…

They might be less likely to take the hint …because you’ve got nothing to do, and they have nothing to do…but say something polite like, “It’s been nice chatting with you. But I am going to catch up on sleep. It’s the first time I’ve been without the kids in months!”

Good luck!

I am a flight attendant for a west coast airline. My occupation is very unique, therefore I receive many questions… some about my life and some about flying in general. I decided to share my knowledge with you, in my blog series, “Travel Tips from a Flight Attendant.”

If nearly nude scanners and groping creeps in the TSA were not enough… now they are leaving disturbing and inappropriate notes in people’s luggage… here is the article from msnbc about what one lady found in her luggage after it was search by a TSA screener.

TSA worker who left sex toy note will be fired

By Harriet Baskas, msnbc.com contributor

The Transportation Security Administration employee disciplined for allegedly leaving a personal note on an inspection card in a  traveler’s suitcase will be suspended, the agency said on its blog.

"TSA has completed its investigation of this matter, and has initiated action to remove the individual from federal service," the agency said.

The disciplinary action comes after New York-based blogger and lawyer Jill Filipovic, who was traveling with a small vibrator in her checked luggage, discovered that someone had scrawled “Get your freak on girl,” across the TSA paperwork left in her bag.

Under the title “Your tax dollars at work,” Filipovic posted the note on the Feministe blog on Oct. 24 and added her own comment, “Total violation of privacy, wildly inappropriate and clearly not ok, but I also just died laughing in my hotel room.”

She also Tweeted a photo of the note, adding: “Just unpacked my suitcase and found this note from TSA. Guess they discovered a ‘personal item’ in my bag. Wow.”

The TSA announced earlier this week that agency “has zero tolerance for this type of behavior" and that officials had “reached out to the passenger to personally apologize for this unfortunate incident."

Filipovic, who was in Dublin, e-mailed msnbc.com a statement on Thursday: “The note was inappropriate, the agent in question acted unprofessionally when s/he put in my bag, there should be consequences and I’m glad the TSA takes these things seriously. But I get no satisfaction in hearing that someone may be in danger of losing their job over this. I would much prefer a look at why ‘security’ has been used to justify so many intrusions on our civil liberties, rather than fire a person who made a mistake.”

I am disgusted. The TSA is such a joke. Believe me, I know…As a flight attendant I deal with them almost everyday! I can’t believe my taxes pay for such creeps, freaks and idiots. What are your thoughts?