Whether you are new to air travel or you are a veteran flyer, certain actions can get you kicked off a plane in minutes.
When it comes to flying, following the rules is crucial for obvious reasons. The crew members’ role is to ensure your safety and comfort. But there is another side to the coin – they can yank you off your flight if you misbehave. The funny thing is, what you would consider a minor offence can be a breach of safety.
Unsurprisingly, there’s a lot of stuff you can do on a plane that can earn you the boot.
So, fasten your seatbelts, and read on to find out the 10 things that can lead to an eviction from your flight.
1. Wearing provocative clothing
In airline etiquette, wearing provocative clothing is not just about showing too much skin. For instance, wearing a t-shirt emblazoned with politically provocative words may land you in trouble. Such action may offend the sentiments of another passenger and cause a quarrel which is against the rules.
In the same vein, carriers like American Airlines say they have the right to remove passengers who “…are clothed in a manner that would cause discomfort or offence to other passengers.” Even though such judgement had controversies in the past, you can save yourself the stress and reserve the eye-popping see-through dress for another event.
2. Defying Crew Instructions
Flight attendants are your air travel guardians. Their primary mission is your comfort and safety. Ignoring their instructions, whether it’s about your tray table, your seatbelt, or wearing your mask, is a surefire way to get deplaned before arriving at your destination.
For instance, here is a classic rule of thumb. When the seatbelt sign is on, be seated and fasten it. It is a safety rule as the azure blue skies can turn turbulent in an instant, and you don’t want to be caught off guard.
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3. Excessive Drinking
Sure, enjoying a glass of wine or a cocktail in-flight can be a pleasant way to pass the time. However, tipping the scales into intoxication is a recipe for disaster. It can lead to disruptive behaviour, and that’s a guaranteed ticket out. So take our advice and keep it to a few moderate tipples.
4. Displaying Disruptive Behaviour
Keep your cool at 30,000 feet. Flying can be nerve-racking, sometimes. It is also pretty common to be displeased about just anything in flight. Cursing loudly or being verbally aggressive with fellow passengers is a no-no. Even if you realize that you left your favourite travel companion novel at home, stick to cursing under your breath in, the meantime.
Loud, obnoxious behaviour is a fast track to getting removed from the plane.
5. Using Your Phone During Takeoff/Landing
This is Plane Safety 101. If you are the kind of passenger who will insist on using your phone during the process of take-off or landing, you should probably stay back at home.
Cell Phones can emit strong electromagnetic radiation that may affect a plane’s navigation system. So using them at these crucial moments is not allowed.
6. Tampering with Emergency Exits
You might think it’s just a harmless latch, but tampering with an emergency exit can trigger alarms and even emergency slides, causing chaos and potential danger to everyone on board. Restrain yourself – and your curiosity.
7. Threatening Behavior
Making threats about bombs, hijacking, or any other form of harm is not only in bad taste but also a federal offence. Airlines and authorities take these matters incredibly seriously, and you’ll find yourself kicked off the plane in no time.
8. Using a Knee Defender
A Knee Defender is a pair of devices that can be attached to the tray table in front of you to make sure your fellow passenger in front can’t lie back.
You are not guaranteed enough legroom in a plane especially if it’s economy class. You will need to take this in good stride for the duration of the flight. Each passenger can recline their seat if they choose. But if you decide to act disgruntled by using a ‘knee defender’ gadget, you can be kicked out. When a passenger used this sneaky legroom gadget on a flight from Newark to Denver in 2014, the disruption to the female flyer in front caused the plane to be diverted to Chicago to let him off board.
9. Having a crying baby
Travelling with babies is generally tough. And air travel is not any easier, especially for new parents. But what could prove tougher is having a baby who decides to scream her lungs out in a flight continuously. You can either pray that the baby has mercy on you, or else the flight crew may ask you to get off and catch a later flight. This sucks, we know.
10. Getting Freaky
Remember, a plane is still a public space. Making out on a flight or attempting to have sex is prohibited. Forget the movies and music videos, if you are caught indulging in such behaviour, you will leave the plane on the next stopover. While this is not illegal, don’t take this as a green light. You may get an embarrassing lecture and could be de-boarded. Thankfully, such a behaviour is rare
What if you are booted from a plane?
If you feel like you were wrongly removed from the flight, you can file a formal complaint. But for starters, comply immediately when you are kicked out of the plane. You can ask for another ticket after you’ve been removed, especially if it was for a “mild” reason. Being yanked off the plane is an “involuntary denied boarding.” This means you are entitled to compensation as long as you didn’t do anything against the law. But make sure to check with the rules that apply in your area.
Similarly, research your airline’s restrictions beforehand to avoid disappointment such as weight limits.
Also Read: Don’t Make These Rookie Travel Mistakes in Dubai
Conclusion
Being a courteous and responsible passenger ensures that flying is enjoyable for everyone. Don’t over-drink, don’t yell at fellow passengers or crew members, buckle your seatbelt. In plain English, stay away from trouble by avoiding these 10 actions that can get you kicked off a plane in minutes.
