Oaklands GlobalOaklands Global

United Kingdom
+44 (0) 1892 536 472
/ Executive Search
+44 (0) 1892 536 472
/ United States
+1 954 607 6882
Latest Jobs
MENU

Oaklands Global
  • Jobs
  • Clients
  • Candidates
  • Referral
  • Executive Search
  • Financial Services
  • About us
    • Our Team
    • Vision, Mission & Values
    • Work With Us
  • News & Blog
  • Events
  • Case Studies
  • Submit CV
  • Contact us
+44 (0) 1892 536 472
+44 (0) 1892 536 472
+1 954 607 6882
info@oaklandsglobal.co.uk
News Share

Flight Myths – Busted!

21 March 2018

Flight myths – busted!

From the ‘safest’ places to sit to seatbelt signs being used to control passengers, here’s the lowdown on the most popular flying myths.

Flying has always attracted conspiracy theories – probably because there’s always been an element of mystery which surrounds it. After all, rocketing through the air in a metal tube can be quite nerve-wracking for some people. We’ve all looked down into the inky blackness on a night flight and thought, ‘Goodness, we’re a long way from land – and so high up.’

The good news is that flying is statistically one of the safest forms of transport, despite all the rumours which swirl around air travel. So we thought we’d take the opportunity to debunk some of the most popular Chinese whispers for once and for all.

Can planes drop hundreds of feet during turbulence?

No. It might feel like it, especially if you’re a nervous flier – but it’s more likely that you’ve just moved around 10-20 feet. “Altitude, bank, and pitch will change only slightly during turbulence – in the cockpit we see just a twitch on the altimeter,” says Patrick Smith of Ask the Pilot. “Passengers might feel the plane ‘plummeting’ or ‘diving’ – words the media can’t get enough of – when in fact it’s hardly moving.”

Is the brace position designed to kill you instantly but preserve your dental records?

No. Despite several online blogs claiming the brace position will instantly break your neck, the brace position is designed to minimise the impact of a crash on the body. It protects your head, as well as stopping your body from jack-knifing and your shins from hitting the seat in front of you.

This rather unsavoury rumour has been doing the rounds for decades and has been debunked by Snopes.

Flight Myths – Busted! Oaklands Global

Are passengers given lifejackets so their bodies can be found if the plane lands in water?

No. Funnily enough, your life vest is there to give you the best chance of survival if your plane crashes into the water. You’ll be more visible to staff and rescue teams, you’ll be able to attract attention with the light and whistle, and it’s an extra layer of insulation when you’re in the water.

Flight Myths – Busted! Oaklands Global

Would passengers be told if their plane was going down?

Yes – passengers have to know what’s going on so everyone’s prepared if you have to evacuate or prepare for an emergency landing. Airline staff aren’t legally required to tell you about everything that’s happening on board – but if there ever was a serious problem, you’ll be told by the crew. You’ll also be informed if there are any less-serious issues, such as problems with the landing gear or a precautionary landing.

Flight Myths – Busted! Oaklands Global

Where’s the best place to sit for a smooth ride?

There’s no ‘golden seat’ to guarantee a turbulence-free flight, but as a rule, the front of the plane can feel less bumpy than the back. Some people book flights on larger planes that fly at higher altitudes, as lower altitudes are prone to turbulence, although this isn’t possible for every journey.

Why do passengers have to put on their seatbelts, even when the air is smooth?

There’s no single answer. Sometimes pilots will spot rough weather ahead, and take the necessary precautions to make sure everyone’s ready and strapped in. Sometimes cabin crew need to be able to move around the plane and it’s a lot easier if everyone’s sitting down. Many airlines make sure passengers are in their seats if the pilot or first officer needs to use the toilet or speak to staff in the galley. Just because you can’t see a reason why you have to remain strapped in doesn’t mean there isn’t one – so buckle up!

Flight Myths – Busted! Oaklands Global

Should you watch the cabin crew to see if there’s an issue with a flight?

If it makes you feel safer, go ahead – but remember they’re trained professionals who are there to make you feel safe, so it’s highly unlikely you’ll ever see them panic. Even in the unlikely event of a problem, the crew are trained at staying calm and making sure safety procedures are followed – and they’ll put passengers’ needs first.

What do the ‘dings’ after take-off mean?

There are two kinds of chimes. The first one is a phone call between the cockpit and cabin crew – they share an intercom system, and instead of ringing like a phone, the systems ‘ping’ when someone’s calling. The second kind are signals – you may often hear one, two or three chimes. Airlines have their own rules about what these mean and when they’re given. For example, some airlines ‘ping’ when they’ve reached 10,000 feet after take-off. Other airlines will use a single chime to indicate turbulence or ask cabin crew to return to their seats. Pilots have been known to ‘ping’ the cabin crew when they want a coffee. It all depends on the individual airline.

Do you get drunk more quickly on a flight?

No. A study done in the 1930s proved that higher altitudes can make you intoxicated faster, but the cabin pressure in a plane eliminates that.

As an aside, lots of people enjoy a couple of drinks to calm any nerves – but you shouldn’t drink too much on a flight. Alcohol dehydrates you and the cabin air’s already very dry, and you’ll feel terrible when the buzz wears off.

Flight Myths – Busted! Oaklands Global
Image credit: Flickr/Sarah_Ackerman

Is it dangerous to fly over the Bermuda Triangle?

No, it’s not, planes fly over it all the time. Check out FlightRadar 24 – the triangle between the southern tip of Florida, Bermuda, and Puerto Rico will always have some air traffic. If you’re on a flight which is heading over the Bermuda Triangle, relax – you’re in safe hands!

Can someone open a plane door mid-flight?

Not unless they’re Superman, and even then, the caped crusader would have a tough time. Cabin pressure won’t allow it, and when the plane is cruising, there are up to eight pounds of pressure pushing against every square inch of the door. That’s one less thing for you to worry about.

Flight Myths – Busted! Oaklands Global
Image credit: Flickr/Laura

Is the air on planes totally filthy? Does it spread diseases?

No – it’s probably much cleaner than the air in your office or gym. Cabin air is refreshed about 20 times an hour. It’s drawn in from outside the plane via the engines and sucked through a high-quality filter before it reaches the cabin. It’s dry, so long-haul flyers can find their skin suffers after a flight, but that’s pretty much the only issue.

If you’re worried about germs, make sure you give your tray table a wipe with an antibacterial cloth – it’s one of the grubbiest things on the flight you’ll come into contact with, with the exception of the toilet.

Flight Myths – Busted! Oaklands Global

Share this article
Back to blogs
Find your dream job

If you have a role you are looking to fill, or are interested
in any of our positions please contact us on

+44 (0) 1892 536 472 or email us on info@oaklandsglobal.co.uk

News & blogs

11 January 2022

The Benefits of Diversity in Aviation and Aerospace

READ MORE
01 September 2021

✈️WOW 30,000 Followers on Linkedin!✈️

READ MORE
01 September 2021

Congratulations Dave Edwards

READ MORE
20 July 2021

Executive Search vs Contingency Recruitment

READ MORE

Events

  • | London Excel

    Helitech Expo 2022

    Find out more
  • | ExCeL London

    MRO Europe – 2022

    Find out more
  • | Malta

    MACE – 2022

    Find out more

Partner with a Reliable & Experienced Recruitment Consultancy

Enter your details and we’ll be in touch to discuss your requirements

ben.herbe@oaklandsglobal.co.uk

Legal Disclaimer

This scheme may be terminated at any time by Oaklands Global with no liability for any future payments and Oaklands Global retain the right to change the conditions of the scheme without notice. Referral rewards are payable at the discretion of Oaklands Global and only where reasonably applicable.

Request a Vacancy Consultation

To request a consultation with one of our Executive Search specialists, please enter your details below. If you are a candidate interested in registering your details or applying for a senior role, please visit our jobs page.
  • Please select all that apply.

Newsletter Sign up

4.9

Read Reviews
  • Clients
  • Candidates
  • Our Team
  • Executive Search
  • News & Blog
  • Contact us
  • Our Job Map

© 2022 Oaklands Aerospace Limited. Registration No. 08345388
T: +44 (0) 1892 536 472 / +44 (0) 1892 536 472 E: info@oaklandsglobal.co.uk
Terms of Use | Privacy Policy | Advice & Resources | Privacy Notice | Data Protection Policy
This website stores cookies on your computer. These cookies are used to improve your website experience and provide more personalized services to you, both on this website and through other media. To find out more about the cookies we use, see our Privacy Policy.

We won't track your information when you visit our site. But in order to comply with your preferences, we'll have to use just one tiny cookie so that you're not asked to make this choice again.
Accept Decline
Manage consent

Privacy Overview

This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience.
Necessary
Always Enabled
Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. These cookies ensure basic functionalities and security features of the website, anonymously.
CookieDurationDescription
cookielawinfo-checkbox-analytics11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Analytics".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-functional11 monthsThe cookie is set by GDPR cookie consent to record the user consent for the cookies in the category "Functional".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-necessary11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookies is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Necessary".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-others11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Other.
cookielawinfo-checkbox-performance11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Performance".
viewed_cookie_policy11 monthsThe cookie is set by the GDPR Cookie Consent plugin and is used to store whether or not user has consented to the use of cookies. It does not store any personal data.
Functional
Functional cookies help to perform certain functionalities like sharing the content of the website on social media platforms, collect feedbacks, and other third-party features.
Performance
Performance cookies are used to understand and analyze the key performance indexes of the website which helps in delivering a better user experience for the visitors.
Analytics
Analytical cookies are used to understand how visitors interact with the website. These cookies help provide information on metrics the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc.
Advertisement
Advertisement cookies are used to provide visitors with relevant ads and marketing campaigns. These cookies track visitors across websites and collect information to provide customized ads.
Others
Other uncategorized cookies are those that are being analyzed and have not been classified into a category as yet.
SAVE & ACCEPT
Go to mobile version