- 2 hours ago
- #brightside
- #brightsideglobal
Traveling by air can be stressful and expensive, but there are some tricks and tips that can make it easier and cheaper. In this video, we'll show you 25+ tricks airports don't want you to know. From how to get free upgrades to how to avoid long lines, you'll be able to travel like a pro with these hacks.
#brightside #brightsideglobal
TIMESTAMPS:
0:01 How airports watch us
3:27 How to keep sharp objects found at the security check
6:56 Why airports have so many mirrors
8:42 Things you should never do on a plane
19:48 How to save on a hotel during a long layover
This video is made for entertainment purposes. We do not make any warranties about the completeness, safety and reliability. Any action you take upon the information in this video is strictly at your own risk, and we will not be liable for any damages or losses. It is the viewer's responsibility to use judgement, care and precaution if you plan to replicate.
#brightside #brightsideglobal
TIMESTAMPS:
0:01 How airports watch us
3:27 How to keep sharp objects found at the security check
6:56 Why airports have so many mirrors
8:42 Things you should never do on a plane
19:48 How to save on a hotel during a long layover
This video is made for entertainment purposes. We do not make any warranties about the completeness, safety and reliability. Any action you take upon the information in this video is strictly at your own risk, and we will not be liable for any damages or losses. It is the viewer's responsibility to use judgement, care and precaution if you plan to replicate.
Category
😹
FunTranscript
00:00Airports are some of the most visited and, at the same time, mysterious places out there.
00:05So, let's see what's going on behind the scenes and what secrets airports hide.
00:10At some airports, there are special people called profilers.
00:14Such people bring to life a special program called SPOT, screening passengers by observation technique.
00:22They analyze your mimics, gestures, and behavior in order to detect suspicious people.
00:27Their job is to notice non-verbal signs of anxiety, people licking their lips, itching, or looking around a lot.
00:36If a profiler notices a person acting in an unusual way, they can invite them for an inspection.
00:42There, they talk to this person, trying to find out more about them and confirm, or not, their suspicions.
00:50Airport agents might also be watching you all the way from the security check to your gate.
00:55Some airports have facial recognition scanners that can easily track you.
00:59They're equipped with special software that compares passengers' faces with their IDs.
01:05Keep in mind that if you don't charge your laptop before the flight, it may be confiscated.
01:12It's not uncommon for an airport security officer to ask you to power your device up.
01:17If you fail to do it, your gadget can be taken away for an additional check.
01:22For safety reasons, it's crucial to make sure that it hasn't been tampered with or modified in a way that
01:28can cause harm during the flight.
01:31Packing an electric brush in your check-in luggage may land you in trouble.
01:35Brushes produced by some brands have lithium batteries inside, and those can potentially lead to serious problems in the air.
01:44That's why leaving your electric brush in your check suitcase isn't an option.
01:48But you're allowed to store them in your carry-on bag.
01:51At the same time, if your device runs on AA batteries, you can put it wherever you want.
01:57Anyone who's ever traveled by plane knows about the no liquids rule.
02:02But not everybody knows that this rule also applies to peanut butter, toothpaste, creams, lotions, liquid makeup, lava lamps, snow
02:11globes, some kinds of medications, deodorant, and even gel shoe inserts.
02:18Now, let's go outside for a while and look at those landing spots.
02:23Airports charge airline companies huge fees for landing on their runways on certain days and at particular times.
02:30But the most interesting thing is that the landing spots can be bought and sold.
02:35For example, in 2016, Oman Air paid Air France around $75 million for one early morning arrival slot at London
02:44Heathrow Airport.
02:46You must have noticed that airfare has increased over the past decade.
02:50That's because of the extremely high prices of landing slots.
02:55Dispatchers don't only control the planes in the sky, as you can often see in the movies, but they also
03:01look after their movements on the ground.
03:03They also control the lighting on the runways.
03:06There's three types of air traffic controllers, en route, terminal, and tower.
03:11Each of these dispatchers has their own area of responsibility.
03:16One dispatcher has about five monitors, and the information on them is constantly changing, since the monitors show weather conditions
03:24and information about other planes.
03:27You know how it sometimes goes.
03:29You come to a security checkpoint, and all of a sudden, it turns out you have something prohibited in your
03:34carry-on.
03:35But worry not, you still have a chance to save your favorite pen knife.
03:40At some airports, there are on-site postal services, and you might have an opportunity to mail your belongings to
03:47any address you provide.
03:49But the mailing fees are pretty high.
03:52Plus, certain items are prohibited, and the postal service won't deliver them.
03:57Airports can be selling your lost luggage right now.
04:00Of course, I don't say that there's no chance for you to get back your suitcases that's traveled to a
04:05different destination,
04:06but just as likely, you might not see it again.
04:10In this case, an airport has the right to sell your misplaced belongings at an auction.
04:15Most airports have an annual lost luggage sale.
04:19After paying an entry fee, you can bid on electronics, clothes, bags, and other stuff.
04:26While flying, you might have a celebrity on board, but you won't know it.
04:30Large airports have separate check-in and security procedures for celebrities.
04:35They often board the plane directly through a hidden door located beside the jet bridge.
04:40Some airlines also use cool cars to transfer VIP passengers from the terminal building to the plane.
04:48At the same time, most people come to the airport well ahead of time.
04:53And the most popular activity while waiting for a flight is wandering through the duty-free zone.
04:58And even though people rarely plan to buy anything there, different products end up in their shopping baskets.
05:05That's because lots of airports are designed in a special way that makes people feel relaxed and at ease.
05:12I'm talking about all those huge windows, a lot of light, massage chairs, and comfortable seating areas.
05:20And statistically, calm passengers are 10% more likely to spend money on retail, duty-free, and food.
05:28Designers put a lot of thought into airport layouts.
05:31It helps to ensure the smooth flow of travelers.
05:34And the main point here is easy navigation that can prevent people from getting lost.
05:40This is achieved through subtle but very effective design cues.
05:45And placing duty-free zones between security checkpoints and boarding gates is one of them.
05:51They supposedly help you relax after clearing security and lead you where you need to go.
05:57But speaking of food, a celebrity chef restaurant at the airport might not be as good as it would be
06:02if you were visiting the real thing.
06:05Not chefs themselves, but special restaurant companies are responsible for airport outlets.
06:11One of the reasons is the extremely strict security that surrounds airport deliveries, including food.
06:17You may still have a nice meal, but it won't be the same.
06:21Now, I'll tell you about one more way airports manipulate you into spending your money.
06:26They make you walk through the shiny duty-free stores straight after the security check.
06:31But the most curious thing is that the walkway through such stores usually veers to the left.
06:37That's done because most people are right-handed, which means they use their right arm to pull their luggage and
06:44are more likely to look to the right while passing through the stores.
06:47And the duty-free zone veering to the left leaves more space on the right, where passengers are more likely
06:54to look.
06:55Oh, and have you ever noticed how many mirrors there are at airports?
07:00Mirrors are strategically placed there to make airports appear larger and create an illusion of more space.
07:06This, in turn, helps to reduce the feeling of claustrophobia and makes the airport experience more comfortable for travelers.
07:14If you have an opportunity, don't exchange cash at the airport.
07:18You'll never get a good rate there.
07:20Those who didn't buy local currency in advance can instead order it online and collect it at the airport.
07:26Some services only need a few hours' notice for such an order.
07:31Or it might even be better to use an ATM to withdraw some cash at your final destination.
07:38Now, have you ever paid attention to airport codes?
07:41The most often used are three-letter codes.
07:44Why this number?
07:46Back in the 1930s, in the USA, pilots used the National Weather Service's two-letter city codes to refer to
07:53airports.
07:54But soon, the number of airports in the country outgrew the number of such codes.
07:59That's why airlines expanded this system by adding the third letter.
08:04It was usually X.
08:05That's how LA, Los Angeles, turned into LAX.
08:10But even though there shouldn't be two airports with the same code,
08:13some of these codes sound so similar you could easily mistake one for the other.
08:18For example, look at this airport with the code CGP in Bangladesh.
08:24And here we have CPG.
08:26It's the code of an airport in Argentina.
08:29It's dangerously easy to fly to the wrong place.
08:32Now, flying has long become routine for many people.
08:35But even frequent flyers sometimes don't know about things you should never do on a plane.
08:42No bare feet on a plane.
08:43It's one of the biggest no-nos of air travel.
08:46Even if we omit the topic of unpleasant odors.
08:50Phew!
08:50The airplane floor is extremely filthy.
08:53People with contagious foot problems might have been walking the aisles barefoot before you.
08:58There's likely to be a lot of dirt left after previous passengers.
09:02And don't even get me started on the floor in the laboratories.
09:06Ew!
09:06If your feet need some freedom, take off your shoes, but at least wear your socks.
09:11Or bring along a pair of light slippers.
09:14Keep in mind that the pressurized air in the passenger cabin is just as dry as it is in the
09:20Sahara Desert.
09:20With only about 20% humidity.
09:23That's why your skin may feel discomfort after a flight.
09:27Hmm.
09:27But wouldn't it make more sense to install several humidifiers that could add some moisture?
09:32But this extra load would cost airlines lots of money.
09:36Plus, the plane's airframe is mostly made of aluminum and other metals.
09:40And humid air could lead to corrosion.
09:42So, don't forget to bring a moisturizer and use it during the flight.
09:47Always secure your tray table as soon as the plane starts moving on the tarmac.
09:51And never lower it during the takeoff and landing.
09:54It's a security measure, which ensures that you and the other passengers will have a clear pathway in case of
10:00an emergency evacuation.
10:02Also, keep your seat in an upright position during takeoff and landing.
10:06First of all, a reclined seat can seriously slow down an emergency evacuation, since it will block a person sitting
10:13behind.
10:14What's more, the more backward you're leaning, the harder it is to get into the brace position during an emergency
10:20landing.
10:22Now, try to avoid snoozing during or right after takeoff and landing.
10:26For one thing, it's not the best thing for your health.
10:28The main problem is that the air pressure inside the cabin changes very quickly during these phases of the flight.
10:35This, in turn, affects the air pressure in your ears.
10:38It's important to be alert during this time to relax and open up your ears.
10:43For example, by yawning or swallowing frequency.
10:46Chewing gum works for me.
10:48If you're sleeping, you can't do this, which can lead to permanent damage.
10:52And, of course, there's a safety issue.
10:55Most accidents happen during takeoff and landing.
10:57If you're sleeping during these stages, you might not be alert and conscious enough if an emergency happens.
11:03Now, this next recommendation comes from the EPA, the Environmental Protection Agency.
11:10According to them, you might want to skip on hot drinks on a plane.
11:14The water used to make tea or coffee doesn't come from bottles.
11:17It's regular tap water.
11:19And water tanks on airplanes are often old and full of bacteria.
11:23In 2004, there was a study which found that more than 12% of water samples contained harmful bacteria.
11:30But if you still decide to have a cup of hot beverage on a plane, never pour coffee or tea
11:36on your own.
11:37Flight attendants are trained to handle this task in crowded aisles of a moving airplane and won't accidentally burn you
11:43or other passengers.
11:45Now, it's probably better if you don't order Coke on a plane.
11:49The cabin pressure so low up in the air causes a lot of foam.
11:53For apparent reasons, flight attendants don't want to serve you a cup filled with froth.
11:57That's why they'll fill only half the cup, then wait for the bubbles to settle, and then finish pouring.
12:03That can take ages.
12:05Keep your air vent open.
12:07This way, you'll minimize the spread of germs.
12:10Planes have high-quality air filters.
12:12They'll catch up to 99% of all airborne germs.
12:16So you should be safe there.
12:17But make sure to wipe that tray table.
12:20With 8 times more bacteria than the toilet flush button, it's the dirtiest place on board.
12:26Another thing you should avoid is leaning your head on the window, if you have a window seat.
12:31You never know who occupied your seat before you.
12:34And, in any case, the glass is likely to be covered with germs.
12:39Say no to backless sandals and high heels on a flight.
12:42I do.
12:43There are very serious safety reasons for such a request.
12:46The first is that both these types of footwear make it very difficult to evacuate the aircraft fast.
12:52If you wear high heels, you will anyway have to leave them behind in case the crew is using emergency
12:58slides during an evacuation.
13:00The heels are very likely to damage the slide.
13:03So, off they go.
13:05Now, ask yourself.
13:06Do you really fancy running away from the airplane barefoot?
13:10I'll answer that for you.
13:11Nope.
13:12Instead, wear sturdy shoes with a solid sole.
13:15In this case, you won't find yourself standing on the hot tarmac or in the weeds without any footwear at
13:21all.
13:22Don't stuff heavy objects into overhead compartments.
13:25Your things may not stay inside during severe turbulence.
13:29And, while falling out, they will injure you and other passengers.
13:32Ow!
13:33That's why, if it feels difficult to lift something into the overhead compartment,
13:37better put it under the seat in front of you or elsewhere.
13:41Now, don't blame the pilots for the hard landing.
13:43When you experience it in bad weather, it might be intentional.
13:48If the runway is covered with water or snow,
13:51the plane has to touch down hard in order to break the water layer and prevent aquaplaning.
13:56Otherwise, the water can perform the role of a lubricant,
13:59and the plane won't be able to break or respond to any control.
14:03Deploying an emergency slide when there's no emergency is a bad, very bad idea.
14:08It can cause hour-long delays and cost airlines thousands of dollars to pack the undamaged slide back into its
14:15container.
14:16Why would someone do it?
14:18Apparently, some think it'll help them get off the plane faster.
14:21Well, they're an idiot.
14:23Don't be one yourself.
14:24Just keep in mind that it doesn't work this way.
14:26Don't ignore the instructions of the cabin crew to open window shades during takeoff and landing.
14:32This way, flight attendants can see what's happening outside, assess the situation, and act fast, organizing the evacuation.
14:40For example, if there's a fire outside one exit, they will redirect passengers toward another door.
14:47Avoid carrying spray deodorants or shaving cream in your carry-on baggage.
14:51Both these things tend to explode mid-flight and, therefore, aren't allowed to onboard the airplane.
14:57A much better idea is to choose stick deodorants.
15:00You also mustn't keep power banks in your checked luggage.
15:04And if you want to bring one onboard, its capacity shouldn't be more than 20,000 milliamps.
15:09Besides, you shouldn't use them during the flight since they might catch fire.
15:13In general, lithium batteries are safe to use.
15:17But since they're high-energy, they can catch fire if they're not treated with care, misused, or if there's a
15:23manufacturing fault.
15:24Such batteries have been the cause of quite a few fires on board airplanes, as well as during ground handling.
15:31Do not worry about airport scanners.
15:33They won't harm your health.
15:35Otherwise, airport employees wouldn't be able to stay near them without special clothing.
15:39Even when you're passing by a baggage scanner, the risk is minimal.
15:44And the last one.
15:45Don't act like a jerk on board.
15:47Behave yourself.
15:48I know you will.
15:50Also, never try to land a plane on your own.
15:52Nah, don't laugh.
15:54I'm not kidding.
15:55In movies, they often show us that something happens to the pilots and they can't land the plane.
16:00And that's when the main character, a very skillful person, starts their game.
16:04Unfortunately, it's close to impossible to do it in real life.
16:08Even if a person is a genius, is fond of computer simulators that match the real model of an aircraft
16:14100%,
16:15and is ready to follow all the instructions from the ground, they're likely to fail due to one simple aspect.
16:22Stress.
16:23It is true that there have been cases throughout history when amateurs landed smallish private planes after the incapacitation of
16:31a pilot.
16:31However, there has never been a case of a non-professional pilot landing a commercial passenger airplane.
16:38It's only in the movies.
16:40Many airports have carpets at their gate areas.
16:43This nicety usually comes with a few other perks.
16:46Lower ceilings, comfortable seats, and pleasant natural lighting.
16:50All this costs more for airports.
16:53And carpets are not so easy to clean as hard floors are.
16:56But they create a cozy feeling for passengers waiting for their flight, making them more relaxed.
17:02Still, it isn't a gesture of goodwill on the part of airports.
17:05According to social research, calm passengers are about 7-10% more likely to go window shopping
17:11and actually buy something in the lounge area or duty-free zone.
17:15So, by investing in the passenger's comfort, airports actually increase their own income.
17:20If you ever wanted to know what happened to your baggage while you're on board a plane,
17:25the short answer is that airport staff don't actually know once it leaves their territory.
17:30And they probably really don't care.
17:32Sorry.
17:33Baggage is sorted automatically.
17:35Scanners scan the barcode and sort the baggage according to its destination.
17:39The three main tasks of airport baggage handlers are to move your bags from the check-in area to the
17:44gate,
17:45to move them from one gate to another when you have a connection,
17:48and to move your bags from the plane to the baggage claim area.
17:52And that's it.
17:53So if your luggage doesn't move fast enough, it can be late for your connecting flight.
17:58Or the exact opposite.
17:59Your bag gets to your destination before you do because you're stuck at passport control.
18:04Another problem can arise if you forget to tear off any old stickers showing a different destination.
18:10In this case, the scanner might send your luggage to the wrong country.
18:14Most airports are equipped with giant kitchens where the food for passengers is prepared.
18:19These kitchens usually cook food for different airlines at once.
18:22And since that oh-so-delightful airplane food must be cooked for about 6 to 10 hours in advance,
18:28these kitchens have to work 24-7.
18:31And however surprising it might sound,
18:33the menu for your flight is developed up to a year in advance.
18:37This is a common practice for most airlines because every single ingredient matters and adds to expenses.
18:43In fact, one airline managed to save $40,000
18:47after they removed just one olive from every salad they served on their flights.
18:52Airport staff sometimes ask passengers to rub their hands on a piece of cloth
18:57before putting it into a special machine.
18:59It might seem kind of scary, but it's actually harmless.
19:02You're simply being checked by a machine called an atomizer.
19:06Before their working day starts, employees put samples of dangerous chemicals into the machine.
19:12The machine memorizes these smells.
19:14And in case a person's hand smells like those chemicals, it alerts airport staff to this danger.
19:20You know how it sometimes goes.
19:22You come to the security checkpoint, and suddenly, it turns out you have something prohibited to take on board in
19:28your carry-on.
19:29But don't worry.
19:30All the things seized during the pre-flight inspection can be stored at the airport for as long as 3
19:35months.
19:36On top of that, you have an opportunity to mail them any address inside the country.
19:40Things taken away by security and weren't claimed can also get sold at special auctions and are delivered worldwide.
19:48If you have a long layover between flights, going to the nearest hotel to rest might not be the cheapest
19:53option.
19:54There's a much better trick.
19:56Check if the airport or airline sells 24-hour access to the VIP lounge zone.
20:01In most cases, you can have free snacks and drinks there,
20:05and use free shower cabins and rooms for rest at a very affordable price.
20:09In multi-terminal airports, search for underground passageways connecting terminals that most people might not know about.
20:16For example, at Frankfurt Airport in Germany, there's a walking tunnel between Terminal 1 and Terminal 2
20:23that's mostly used by employees since passengers are simply unaware of its existence.
20:28There's an actual term for the first 60 minutes after you clear check-in.
20:33The golden hour.
20:35For example, it's the time that passengers statistically spend more money in retail and duty-free areas of the airport.
20:41And having the most comfortable seats in those areas right in front of the shops is a clever trick to
20:46lure you in for shopping.
20:48Let's admit, sitting in front of a comfy chair while looking at a flashy sign or shopping window can be
20:53tempting.
20:54And that's exactly what the airports want you to feel.
20:57If your flight is overbooked and you can't fly at the designated time,
21:01don't hurry to accept the first voucher you're offered as an apology.
21:05Normally, airlines keep raising the stakes until they have enough volunteers to give up their flight seats.
21:11And if they don't and you've been bumped in voluntarily, you can insist on a cash refund instead.
21:17Depending on your ticket price and the time of your delay, you might be entitled to as much as $1
21:22,300.
21:24Most airports have specific experts called profilers.
21:29These people practice what's called spot, or the screening passengers by observation technique.
21:35They carefully analyze facial expressions, gestures, and behavior in order to detect suspicious people.
21:42Their job is to notice the nonverbal signs of anxiety, such as people licking their lips, itching, or looking around
21:49a lot.
21:49If a profiler notices a person acting in a weird or off way, they can invite them for an inspection,
21:56where they can talk to a person to find out more about them.
22:00Profilers work in both the main halls and in passport control.
22:03The typical question they ask is, what's the purpose of your visit?
22:07Then they check the person's reaction to this inquiry.
22:10No matter how reserved a passenger is, if they have something to hide,
22:14TSA officers will find out, thanks to the tiniest cues in people's behavior.
22:19Before your luggage even gets on the plane, it goes through five security levels,
22:24and one of them, besides scanning the contents,
22:26includes being checked by a special dog that can sniff out dangerous chemicals.
22:31It's a well-known fact that a dog's nose is much stronger than that of any human.
22:36In fact, dogs distinguish smells from 10,000 to 100,000 times better than people do.
22:42No wonder airports take advantage of this super sense for security
22:46and regularly use these sniffer dogs to detect suspicious substances.
22:51What's really cool is that you can't even distinguish a detection dog from its civilian siblings.
22:56Unlike police dogs, the ones working at airports aren't trained to frighten or intimidate people.
23:02The most popular sniffer breeds are golden retrievers, labs, and German short-haired pointers.
23:08Charging your phone at a specifically designated spot can look convenient, but it's not really safe.
23:14If the charging station only allows you to plug in your cord,
23:17you might get malware installed on your phone with you none the wiser.
23:21The only safe way to charge your phone or tablet is to find an electric socket and use it with
23:26your own charger.
23:27Same goes for free airport Wi-Fi.
23:30Apart from the airports requiring you to authenticate yourself more often than not,
23:34someone can easily access your data while you're using an unprotected Wi-Fi hotspot.
23:40It's safer to use your mobile data, but if you absolutely have to use the airport's Wi-Fi,
23:45best clear or encrypt all your important data on your device.
23:49It might be exasperating to take your laptop out of your carry-on at the security check every single time.
23:55But the airport staff need to have a clear look at your device to make sure nothing is concealed inside.
24:01On the screen of an X-ray scanner, a laptop looks like a semi-transparent object
24:06with a clearly visible hard drive, CD drive and whatnot.
24:09But security officers can't see what's behind some of those parts,
24:13for example, a dense and rather large battery.
24:16People tend to choose the closest security line to them.
24:19If that line turns out to be super crowded, just look around after ID and ticket check.
24:25You may see another checkpoint with much fewer people.
24:29Some checkpoints at the airport are situated at the far edges of the terminal,
24:33and that's why passengers fail to notice them.
24:36Applying for a TSA pre-check can be a great time saver for traveling in and out of the U
24:41.S.
24:41Being a member of this program has some great perks.
24:45First, getting through security and passport control happens faster.
24:48If you're a pre-check traveler, you won't have to take off your shoes or remove your belt,
24:53and forget about placing your stuff like liquids and laptops in special bins.
24:57If you aren't flying to or from the U.S.,
25:01then you can look up similar services available in your country.
25:06If you're flying economy class but don't like it, who does?
25:09Check in online and check out the seating options about four days before your flight.
25:13It's about that time that airlines typically start upgrading seats,
25:17and you might get an upgrade to business class for a small fee or even sometimes for free.
25:23You can also ask for an upgrade when you're already at the airport.
25:26Most people forget about this opportunity or simply don't care,
25:29so you might just get lucky.
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