Things NOT to Do on a Flight + 50 Travel Tips

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Transcript

00:00:00Flying has long become routine for many people.

00:00:04But even frequent flyers sometimes don't know about things you should never do on a

00:00:08plane.

00:00:10No bare feet on a plane – it's one of the biggest no-no's of air travel.

00:00:15Even if we omit the topic of unpleasant odors, phew!

00:00:19The airplane floor is extremely filthy.

00:00:22People with contagious foot problems might've been walking the aisles barefoot before you.

00:00:27There's likely to be a lot of dirt left after previous passengers.

00:00:31And don't even get me started on the floor in the lavatories, ew!

00:00:35If your feet need some freedom, take off your shoes, but at least wear your socks.

00:00:40Or bring along a pair of light slippers.

00:00:43Keep in mind that the pressurized air in the passenger cabin is just as dry as it is in

00:00:48the Sahara Desert, with only about 20% humidity.

00:00:52That's why your skin may feel discomfort after a flight.

00:00:56So wouldn't it make more sense to install several humidifiers that could add some moisture?

00:01:01But this extra load would cost airlines lots of money.

00:01:04Plus, the plane's airframe is mostly made of aluminum and other metals, and humid air

00:01:09could lead to corrosion.

00:01:11So don't forget to bring a moisturizer and use it during the flight.

00:01:16Always secure your tray table as soon as the plane starts moving on the tarmac.

00:01:20And never lower it during the take-off and landing.

00:01:22It's a security measure which ensures that you and the other passengers will have a clear

00:01:27pathway in case of an emergency evacuation.

00:01:30Also, keep your seat in an upright position during take-off and landing.

00:01:35First of all, a reclined seat can seriously slow down an emergency evacuation since it

00:01:40will block a person sitting behind.

00:01:42What's more, the more backward you're leaning, the harder it is to get into the

00:01:46braced position during an emergency landing.

00:01:50Try to avoid snoozing during or right after take-off and landing.

00:01:54For one thing, it's not the best thing for your health.

00:01:57The main problem is that the air pressure inside the cabin changes very quickly during

00:02:01these phases of the flight.

00:02:03This, in turn, affects the air pressure in your ears.

00:02:07It's important to be alert during this time to relax and open up your ears.

00:02:11For example, by yawning or swallowing frequency.

00:02:14Chewing gum works for me.

00:02:16If you're sleeping, you can't do this, which can lead to permanent damage.

00:02:21And of course, there's a safety issue.

00:02:23Most accidents happen during take-off and landing.

00:02:26If you're sleeping during these stages, you might not be alert and conscious enough

00:02:30if an emergency happens.

00:02:33This next recommendation comes from the EPA, the Environmental Protection Agency.

00:02:38According to them, you might want to skip on hot drinks on a plane.

00:02:42The water used to make tea or coffee doesn't come from bottles – it's regular tap water.

00:02:47And water tanks on airplanes are often old and full of bacteria.

00:02:51In 2004, there was a study which found that more than 12% of water samples contained harmful

00:02:57bacteria.

00:02:59But if you still decide to have a cup of hot beverage on a plane, never pour coffee or

00:03:04tea on your own.

00:03:05Flight attendants are trained to handle this task in crowded aisles of a moving airplane

00:03:10and won't accidentally burn you or other passengers.

00:03:13It's probably better if you don't order Coke on a plane.

00:03:17The cabin pressure, so low up in the air, causes a lot of foam.

00:03:21For apparent reasons, flight attendants don't want to serve you a cup filled with froth.

00:03:26That's why they'll fill only half the cup, then wait for the bubbles to settle,

00:03:30and then finish pouring.

00:03:32That can take ages.

00:03:34Keep your air vent open.

00:03:35This way, you'll minimize the spread of germs.

00:03:38Airports have high-quality air filters.

00:03:40They'll catch up to 99% of all airborne germs, so you should be safe there.

00:03:46But make sure to wipe that tray table.

00:03:48With 8 times more bacteria than the toilet flush button, it's the dirtiest place on

00:03:53board.

00:03:55Another thing you should avoid is leaning your head on the window, if you have a window

00:03:58seat.

00:03:59You never know who occupied your seat before you, and, in any case, the glass is likely

00:04:04to be covered with germs.

00:04:07Say no to backless sandals and high heels on a flight.

00:04:10I do.

00:04:11There are very serious safety reasons for such a request.

00:04:15The first is that both these types of footwear make it very difficult to evacuate the aircraft

00:04:20fast.

00:04:21If you wear high heels, you will anyway have to leave them behind in case the crew is using

00:04:26emergency slides during an evacuation.

00:04:29The heels are very likely to damage the slide, so off they go.

00:04:33Now ask yourself, do you really fancy running away from the airplane barefoot?

00:04:38I'll answer that for you – nope.

00:04:40Instead, wear sturdy shoes with a solid sole.

00:04:43In this case, you won't find yourself standing on the hot tarmac or in the weeds without

00:04:48any footwear at all.

00:04:50Don't stuff heavy objects into overhead compartments.

00:04:54Your things may not stay inside during severe turbulence, and while falling out, they will

00:04:58injure you and other passengers.

00:05:00Ow!

00:05:01That's why if it feels difficult to lift something into the overhead compartment, better

00:05:05put it under the seat in front of you or elsewhere.

00:05:09Now don't blame the pilot for the hard landing.

00:05:12When you experience it in bad weather, it might be intentional.

00:05:16If the runway is covered with water or snow, the plane has to touch down hard in order

00:05:21to break the water layer and prevent aquaplaning.

00:05:24Otherwise, the water can perform the role of a lubricant, and the plane won't be able

00:05:29to break or respond to any control.

00:05:32Deploying an emergency slide when there's no emergency is a bad, very bad idea.

00:05:37It can cause hour-long delays and cost airlines thousands of dollars to pack the undamaged

00:05:42slide back into its container.

00:05:45Why would someone do it?

00:05:46Apparently, some think it'll help them get off the plane faster.

00:05:49Well, they're an idiot.

00:05:51Don't be one yourself.

00:05:52Just keep in mind that it doesn't work this way.

00:05:55Don't ignore the instructions of the cabin crew to open window shades during takeoff

00:05:59and landing.

00:06:00This way, flight attendants can see what's happening outside, assess the situation, and

00:06:05act fast, organizing the evacuation.

00:06:08For example, if there's a fire outside one exit, they will redirect passengers toward

00:06:13another door.

00:06:15Avoid carrying spray deodorants or shaving cream in your carry-on baggage.

00:06:19Both these things tend to explode mid-flight and, therefore, aren't allowed to onboard

00:06:24the airplane.

00:06:25A much better idea is to choose stick deodorants.

00:06:29You also mustn't keep power banks in your checked luggage.

00:06:32And if you want to bring one on board, its capacity shouldn't be more than 20,000 mA.

00:06:37Besides, you shouldn't use them during the flight since they might catch fire.

00:06:42In general, lithium batteries are safe to use.

00:06:45But since they're high-energy, they can catch fire if they're not treated with care, misused,

00:06:50or if there's a manufacturing fault.

00:06:53Such batteries have been the cause of quite a few fires onboard airplanes, as well as

00:06:57during ground handling.

00:06:59Do not worry about airport scanners – they won't harm your health.

00:07:03Otherwise, airport employees wouldn't be able to stay near them without special clothing.

00:07:08Even when you're passing by a baggage scanner, the risk is minimal.

00:07:12And the last one – don't act like a jerk onboard.

00:07:15Behave yourself.

00:07:16I know you will.

00:07:18Also, never try to land a plane on your own.

00:07:20Nah, don't laugh, I'm not kidding.

00:07:23In movies, they often show us that something happens to the pilots, and they can't land

00:07:27the plane.

00:07:28And that's when the main character, a very skillful person, starts their game.

00:07:33Unfortunately, it's close to impossible to do it in real life.

00:07:37Even if a person is a genius, is fond of computer simulators that match the real model of an

00:07:42aircraft 100%, and is ready to follow all the instructions from the ground, they're

00:07:47likely to fail due to one simple aspect – stress.

00:07:51It is true that there have been cases throughout history when amateurs landed smallish private

00:07:56planes after the incapacitation of a pilot.

00:08:00However, there has never been a case of a non-professional pilot landing a commercial

00:08:05passenger airplane.

00:08:06It's only in the movies.

00:08:08Ah yes, everyone loves a holiday.

00:08:11But figuring out what to pack in your luggage can be a daunting task, especially when you're

00:08:16limited on weight and baggage space.

00:08:18Not to mention, you're likely to do some holiday shopping on your adventure away from

00:08:22home.

00:08:23So, you're going to need extra space on your return for all those souvenirs you've

00:08:27collected.

00:08:28Accumulating too much weight or bulk can end up costing you a handsome fee with the airline

00:08:33if you're not properly prepared.

00:08:35But you can now relax.

00:08:37You just focus on booking your vacation, we'll take care of your luggage with these handy

00:08:41traveling tips.

00:08:43No doubt your clothes are going to take up the bulk of your luggage.

00:08:47Considering most airline standards permit one bag for most local trips and up to two

00:08:50bags for longer distances, that doesn't grant you a whole lot of space if you plan

00:08:55on being fashionable on your getaway, especially in the winter.

00:08:59However, this doesn't mean you have to turn your undergarments inside out for repeated

00:09:03use.

00:09:04The key here is to be clever with how you pack.

00:09:07Firstly, you might want to consider how you're folding your clothes.

00:09:12The most space-sufficient method to store your wardrobe in a suitcase for travel is

00:09:16to roll up each item.

00:09:18Think of your clothes like those sleeping bags you used to take on your camping trips.

00:09:22They always seem too thick for their compacted covers, but with perseverance, you could roll

00:09:27it up tight enough to fit inside.

00:09:29Now, you don't need to wrestle with your clothes quite as much, but the same principle

00:09:33here applies.

00:09:35Start by folding your shirts, pants, and whatever else you plan on packing neatly.

00:09:40Similar to how you might find them on a clothing store shelf.

00:09:44Then, when you have them in a relatively rectangular or squared-off shape, roll them up tightly.

00:09:50Now that you have your little clothes-logs, start packing them into your bag.

00:09:55And behold, extra space!

00:09:58Now, here's something we've all experienced arriving at our holiday destination.

00:10:04We drop our suitcase on the hotel bed, open it up, only to find all our clothes unfurled

00:10:09and scattered like a tornado storm through our bag.

00:10:13Your luggage has had a rough journey from your home to your holiday destination.

00:10:17It's been dragged through airport terminals, tossed around by baggage handlers, and rocked

00:10:22back and forth during in-flight turbulence.

00:10:25A simple stationary item, rubber bands, will help you keep your clothes neat.

00:10:30Now that you've got them rolled up, place a couple of rubber bands around them to keep

00:10:34them from unfurling.

00:10:35This is an especially neat trick if you want to roll an outfit together as one.

00:10:39Maybe you've got head-to-toe denim that you can't wait to rock on your getaway.

00:10:44Fold up your clothes as before, then layer the different items of your ideal outfit atop

00:10:49each other.

00:10:50Roll them up as one, then use the rubber bands to keep them together.

00:10:54You can preemptively decide your day-to-day outfits before you even board the plane.

00:10:59However, you may still prefer to fold your clothes, especially business or formal shirts

00:11:04and pants.

00:11:05Lucky for you, we have a handy trick for that, too.

00:11:08Instead of folding each item individually, we're going to lay it out all on top of each

00:11:13other.

00:11:14Start with your shirts and tops, alternating with one on top and one on the bottom, keeping

00:11:19the necks of your shirts at the center.

00:11:22Work your way down to your pants and smaller items until they're all laid out flat.

00:11:27Try to keep your pants in the middle.

00:11:29Finally, start folding your items in on themselves, with the shirts creating the outer layer,

00:11:35until you end up with a neat bundle, like a present.

00:11:38You should be able to sit your bundle squarely into your bag.

00:11:42Want to save even more luggage space?

00:11:44Instead of putting your undergarments and socks into their own section, try fitting

00:11:48them into available spaces and gaps within the rest of your luggage.

00:11:52If you plan on taking a cap with you, for instance, the inside of your headwear is a

00:11:57great space to store your socks.

00:11:59This applies to other small luggage items, too, such as phone chargers and ties.

00:12:04So keep in mind that you can also lay your ties and belts out flat across the clothes

00:12:09in your luggage to conserve space.

00:12:12And if you're really limited on baggage size, say all you have is a carry-on for a

00:12:17fortnight-long trip, here's another method.

00:12:21Get yourself some compression bags to store your clothes in.

00:12:24These bags will compact multiple sets of clothes into the size of a small laptop bag.

00:12:30Fold up the clothes you intend to pack and store them into the compression bag.

00:12:34You should be able to fit eight to ten standard clothes items, or a few bulky ones.

00:12:39Once you've filled the bag, seal it and squeeze the air out through the built-in one-way pressure

00:12:44valve.

00:12:45The easiest way to do this is either by rolling it, and you should be pretty good at rolling

00:12:49your clothes by now, or by using your knees to apply pressure.

00:12:53You should be able to fit two to four of these compression bags in your standard carry-on

00:12:57suitcase, which is especially helpful if you want to save money by avoiding checked-in

00:13:02luggage.

00:13:03And, you can take even more clothes on board with you if you stick them into a pillowcase.

00:13:09The best thing about this tip is that it also doubles as a comfy pillow for you to rest

00:13:13your head on during the flight.

00:13:16If you do have a bit more space to spare, another great way to keep your stuff organized

00:13:20is with packing cubes.

00:13:22It might not be as space-efficient as compression bags, but a lot of travelers prefer them for

00:13:27tidier and well-organized packing.

00:13:30You might like to divide them by outfits or clothes types, such as one for pants and

00:13:35one for tops.

00:13:37You can easily purchase packing cubes from most online retail services and travel and

00:13:41camping stores.

00:13:42There are also packing cubes specially designed for one or more pairs of shoes.

00:13:48This is a great way to compact the space your shoes would otherwise take up in your luggage,

00:13:53and to keep your clean clothes from coming into contact with your footwear.

00:13:56Nobody wants their tops to smell like feet, right?

00:14:00If you're still struggling to bring all your items with you inside your suitcase, there

00:14:04are a couple more tricks that you can use for that extra bit of weight, without the

00:14:08extra cost.

00:14:10The most obvious of which is to use your own body.

00:14:14That's right, time to layer up!

00:14:16Pick out all your bulky items, and wear as many as you can manage.

00:14:20You can try wearing some shorts under your pants, or several layers of your winterwear,

00:14:25such as your sweater, jacket, and coat, all over the top of one another.

00:14:29You might be sweating a little, but most airports and planes are well air-conditioned, and you

00:14:34can always shed some layers once you've boarded your flight.

00:14:37At least you'll have some warm wear to snuggle up in if you do get cold up there in the clouds.

00:14:43If you don't want to wear all those layers, there's actually another type of bag you can

00:14:47carry on the plane with you, free of charge.

00:14:50Get yourself a duty-free bag from any of the duty-free stores in the airport.

00:14:54You can even hang on to it for next time.

00:14:57Store all your extra items in your duty-free bag, and carry it on to your flight at no

00:15:02additional cost.

00:15:03It's also worth considering what type of luggage you're using.

00:15:07More importantly, how much it weighs.

00:15:09A lot of people forget that the standard 15 pounds permitted by most airlines includes

00:15:14the actual weight of their suitcase.

00:15:16The bag itself can often weigh up to 4 to 6 pounds.

00:15:20That's a huge chunk of your weight in the bag alone.

00:15:22So when you're shopping for your luggage, take into account how much it weighs.

00:15:27Choosing a lighter bag will give you more space for the items you want to take with

00:15:30you.

00:15:31Stick to some of these handy tips, and you'll be on your way with no shortage of luggage

00:15:36and some extra money to spend on your vacation.

00:15:38Happy flying!

00:15:40Are the letters SSSS on your boarding pass a reason to worry?

00:15:45What's much more dangerous than turbulence?

00:15:48Should you really be the first to board the plane?

00:15:51You're about to figure it out.

00:15:56You might have noticed that most planes have blue seats.

00:15:59There's no mystery here.

00:16:01Airlines opt for this color because it's considered to have a calming effect.

00:16:06This color supposedly puts passengers at ease and helps even the most nervous flyers to

00:16:11relax.

00:16:12But there's also another, more practical reason.

00:16:16Stains, dirt, and scrapes are less visible on dark blue fabric.

00:16:22Never throw your boarding pass away in a public place.

00:16:25It contains tons of your sensitive information, including your name and frequent flyer number.

00:16:31This in turn may allow someone else to check your future bookings, change your seat, or

00:16:36even cancel your flights.

00:16:39So the best way to deal with a boarding pass for a flight you've already boarded is to

00:16:43take it home and feed it through a paper shredder.

00:16:47By the way, if you ever see the letters SSSS or S on your boarding pass, get ready for

00:16:53additional security checks.

00:16:56Instead of these letters, there may be a checkerboard pattern.

00:16:59Anyway, if you have any of these marks, your carry-on luggage can also undergo a thorough

00:17:04inspection.

00:17:06Why might they choose you for secondary screening?

00:17:09Some of the criteria are making a one-way reservation or paying cash for your ticket.

00:17:14In some cases, the selection is absolutely random.

00:17:18Look, your gate is open and the boarding has started.

00:17:23Where are you running?

00:17:24There's no need to hurry.

00:17:26The trick experienced globetrotters use is always board last.

00:17:30For one thing, you don't have to waste time standing in line.

00:17:33Then, there are fewer people on the jetway and in the aisle, and you spend less time

00:17:38on the plane.

00:17:39No one is going to take your seat anyway.

00:17:43There's one exception though.

00:17:44If you have a bulky carry-on bag, it may make more sense not to board last.

00:17:49Otherwise, the chances are high that all the overhead bin space will be occupied by the

00:17:53time you reach your seat.

00:17:55And then, your bag may end up in another part of the plane, and you'll have to wait till

00:17:59the other passengers disembark before you get to your luggage.

00:18:03Duh!

00:18:04Before takeoff and landing, flight attendants usually flip a small switch on the bathroom

00:18:09door.

00:18:10This prevents it from flying open when it's not supposed to.

00:18:13With the same ease, a flight attendant can open the door when someone is inside.

00:18:18Look, they only need to lift the lavatory sign and move the knob into the unlocked position.

00:18:25Pilots don't worry about turbulence.

00:18:27That's because they know that there is a thing way more dangerous than any turbulence.

00:18:32It's an updraft.

00:18:33In most cases, turbulence only drops you a couple of feet down, even though it might

00:18:38feel as if you're falling from the top of the Empire State Building.

00:18:42If the turbulence is strong enough for the pilots to ask flight attendants to sit down,

00:18:47the plane can go 10 to 20 feet down.

00:18:49The most extreme white-knuckle turbulence is super rare.

00:18:54But an updraft is a big air mass, part of a storm or some other weather phenomenon,

00:18:59moving upwards.

00:19:01Pilots don't see updrafts on their radars at night, and when a plane hits one, it feels

00:19:06like driving over a huge speed bump at 500 miles per hour.

00:19:10An updraft is also extremely treacherous because it can push an aircraft upward to dangerous

00:19:16altitudes.

00:19:20Modern planes have a special system that detects other aircraft, mountains, and different solid

00:19:25objects in their path.

00:19:28Ten miles away from another plane, and a voice in the cockpit starts chanting,

00:19:32Traffic!

00:19:33Traffic!

00:19:34Five miles closer, and the same voice begins to give pilots the directions.

00:19:40Airplanes can operate with one engine, even during takeoff and landing.

00:19:45Both engines failing simultaneously is almost unheard of.

00:19:48But even then, a plane wouldn't drop from the sky like a rock.

00:19:53Pilots would have up to 20 minutes to find a suitable place to land.

00:19:58The way the cabin is pressurized has a great effect on your taste buds.

00:20:02You lose up to 30% of your ability to taste sweet and salty things.

00:20:07In other words, it's not that airplane food isn't tasty, you just don't feel its flavor.

00:20:12That's also the main reason why airline catering companies add extra salt and spices to the

00:20:17dishes they cook.

00:20:20But you know what may help you?

00:20:22Noise-canceling earphones.

00:20:24For some reason, that probably has a scientific explanation.

00:20:27Cutting off all that noise around can help your taste buds.

00:20:32Each of those dings you hear during the flight has its own meaning.

00:20:36In most airlines, a boing soon after takeoff indicates that the landing gear is getting

00:20:41retracted.

00:20:42Three dings in a row means more urgency than just one.

00:20:46A high-low ringtone informs crew members that their colleague needs them in another part

00:20:51of the plane.

00:20:52Three low chimes means some serious turbulence ahead.

00:20:56Crew members are supposed to put away meal carts, take their seats, and fasten their

00:21:01seatbelts.

00:21:03If you're a nervous flyer, pick a seat in the middle of the cabin.

00:21:07Turbulence mostly affects the front and rear parts of the cabin.

00:21:10The middle section, which is over the wings, doesn't shake so much.

00:21:16Pilots and co-pilots eat different meals.

00:21:19The reason for this precaution is very simple.

00:21:22Imagine both pilots having the same dish and getting food poisoning.

00:21:26In this case, neither of them will be able to control the plane.

00:21:30If they still want to have the same dish and won't agree to have anything else, there

00:21:34is a safety net.

00:21:36Pilots don't have their meals at the same time.

00:21:39If one pilot ate the dish and still feels okay several hours later, the other pilot

00:21:43can brave their meal as well.

00:21:46What would you say when asked about the filthiest place on a plane?

00:21:50Nope, that's not the toilet seat.

00:21:53It's not even in the bathroom.

00:21:55Flight attendants warn that you should be particularly careful with headrests, seat

00:21:59pockets, tray tables, and seatbelts.

00:22:03Experiments have shown that one-third of all seatbelts have yeast and mold on them.

00:22:08Most tray tables are covered with bacteria.

00:22:12Seat pockets are extremely filthy too, but headrests are the dirtiest of them all.

00:22:17In most cases, flight attendants don't have enough time to change or disinfect them in

00:22:22between flights.

00:22:27If your captain announces they're finishing some paperwork, it means they're busy revising

00:22:31the flight itinerary or waiting for the ground staff to prepare the flight logbook.

00:22:37It's a journal that contains the official record of a journey.

00:22:41Some places, especially those flying long distances, have secret bedrooms for crew members

00:22:45to catch some shut-eye.

00:22:48These bedrooms, called crew rest compartments, are located either at the back of the plane

00:22:53or behind the cockpit.

00:22:55Such a compartment can have up to 10 comfortable beds where flight attendants can have a rest.

00:23:01Plane windows are made of super-strong plexiglass that can easily cope with high speeds.

00:23:07And the window panes are shaped in a special way so that the high pressure inside the cabin

00:23:11pushes them against the aircraft body.

00:23:14In other words, plane windows are very unlikely to get broken.

00:23:20Once upon a time, plane windows were square, but the pressure built up in the corners of

00:23:25such windows, making them ultimate weak spots.

00:23:29This means that each square window had four weak spots.

00:23:33This made them likely to crash under the enormous stress of high altitudes.

00:23:37Luckily, making airplane windows curved solved this problem once and forever.

00:23:43Such a shape distributes the pressure and reduces the likelihood of cracks or any other

00:23:47damage.

00:23:49Planes regularly get struck by lightning, at least once a year or once per 1,000 hours

00:23:54of flight time.

00:23:56These days, it's totally safe.

00:23:58The electric charge simply runs through the aircraft's aluminum shell.

00:24:02It doesn't cause the plane any damage.

00:24:06But did you know that airplanes not only get hit by lightning, but they also trigger it?

00:24:12When an aircraft is flying through a cloud, the friction between its fuselage and the

00:24:17air creates static electricity.

00:24:20Sometimes it can cause lightning.

00:24:24Most airports are equipped with giant kitchens where the food for passengers is prepared

00:24:28for different airlines at once.

00:24:30Since those oh-so-delightful airplane meals must be cooked about six to ten hours prior

00:24:36to the flight, the kitchens have to work 24-7.

00:24:39Besides, the menu for your flight is developed up to a year in advance.

00:24:45This is a common practice for most airlines, because every single ingredient matters and

00:24:50adds to expenses.

00:24:51In fact, American airlines managed to save $40,000 per year in 1987 after they removed

00:24:58just one olive from every salad they served on their flights.

00:25:03If you have a long layover between flights, going to the nearest hotel to rest might not

00:25:08be the cheapest option.

00:25:10There's a much better trick.

00:25:12Check if the airport or airline sells 24-hour access to the VIP lounge zone.

00:25:18In most cases, you can have free snacks and drinks there, and use free shower cabins and

00:25:24rooms for rest at a very affordable price.

00:25:27There's an actual term for the first 60 minutes after you check in, the golden hour.

00:25:33It's the time that passengers statistically spend more money in retail and duty-free areas

00:25:38of the airport.

00:25:40And having the most comfortable seats in those areas right in front of the shops is a clever

00:25:44trick to lure you in for shopping.

00:25:47Sitting in a comfy chair while looking at a flashy sign or shopping window can be tempting.

00:25:54If you ever wanted to know what happens to your baggage while you're on board a plane,

00:25:58the short answer is that airport staff don't know once it leaves their territory.

00:26:04And they probably don't really care.

00:26:06Sorry.

00:26:07Baggage is sorted automatically.

00:26:09Scanners scan the barcode and sort the baggage according to its destination.

00:26:13The three main tasks of airport baggage handlers are to move your bags from the check-in area

00:26:18to the gate, to move them from one gate to another when you have a connection, and to

00:26:24move your bags from the plane to the baggage claim area.

00:26:28And that's it.

00:26:29So, if your baggage doesn't move fast enough, it can be late for your connecting flight,

00:26:34or the exact opposite.

00:26:36Your bag gets to your destination before you do because you're stuck at passport control.

00:26:42Another problem can arise if you forget to tear off any old stickers showing a different

00:26:47destination.

00:26:48In this case, the scanner might send your baggage to the wrong country.

00:26:53You arrive at the airport, already anticipating a couple weeks away from work and all your

00:26:58daily troubles.

00:27:00Park your car in the lot and then find out that it's going to cost you a small fortune

00:27:04to leave your car there.

00:27:06Why so much?

00:27:08In fact, airport parking lots are a business just like any other.

00:27:12The land on which they're built, the construction of the lot itself, the maintenance of the

00:27:17whole thing once it's already in operation, all that costs a handsome amount of money.

00:27:22And somebody's got to pay for it, of course.

00:27:25In addition, parking right next to an airport is simply convenient, which adds to the final

00:27:30cost.

00:27:31If you're not ready to dip into your pocket for a piece of extra comfort, better take

00:27:36a cab.

00:27:38Contrails, those white trails airplanes often leave behind them at high altitudes, are easily

00:27:43mistaken for engine exhaust.

00:27:46But most are nothing more than water vapor.

00:27:49During a flight, moisture in the air collects in the engines before being vented with the

00:27:53exhaust.

00:27:54The hot, wet air leaving the engines mixes with the cool, dry air found at high altitudes,

00:28:00resulting in long, thin lines of vapor.

00:28:04Humidity determines when contrails form and how long they remain visible.

00:28:09If it's already humid up there, then there's more water and the contrail is more prominent.

00:28:14And if it's cold, the droplets might turn into ice, staying behind for a much longer

00:28:19time.

00:28:21If someone were able to open the door mid-flight, they would be immediately pulled out of the

00:28:26plane by a sudden change in air pressure.

00:28:28It could also do serious harm to the aircraft.

00:28:32Fortunately, that's almost impossible.

00:28:35The doors on an airliner open inward while the cabin pressure pushes them out from the

00:28:39inside.

00:28:41The difference between internal and external pressure makes it impossible for the door

00:28:46to open.

00:28:48It might seem odd that the flight crew cares whether your window shades are up or down.

00:28:53The main reason is so that the passengers' eyes can adjust to the outside light.

00:28:58Mostly, it's just a matter of getting people on and off quickly.

00:29:02But in an emergency, the last thing they want is people stopping to blink before they evacuate

00:29:07the plane.

00:29:09Another reason for all the shades to stay up when the airplane is about to take off

00:29:12or land is for the ground crew to see if there's any trouble on board.

00:29:18For example, if there's a fire in the cabin, the ground crew will immediately notice it

00:29:22and act accordingly.

00:29:24If the shades are down, they might lose precious time they would need to rescue the passengers

00:29:28and the airplane crew.

00:29:31Ever notice the numbers on the end of the runway?

00:29:33They're actually used to show the pilot which direction the plane is facing.

00:29:37For example, the number 36 is short for a heading of 360 degrees or due north.

00:29:45Along with numbers, the letters R and L indicate if the nearest runway is to the right or left.

00:29:53Every commercial airplane you've been on has only one wing.

00:29:57That's right, the left and right wings are actually two parts of a single wing.

00:30:04The first airplanes were called biplanes because they had two wings, one on the top and the

00:30:09other going through the bottom of the fuselage.

00:30:12They were connected with struts and wires, which made a kind of box that basically allowed

00:30:17the aircraft not to fall apart in the air.

00:30:20It was necessary at lower speeds that early planes could only muster, but as the engines

00:30:25increased in power, the second wing became redundant.

00:30:29The single wing still serves as a support for the whole structure though.

00:30:35Looking out the window on the plane's wing, you can see a small yellow double hook on

00:30:39it.

00:30:40It seems strange since it might mess with aerodynamics, but it's there for your safety.

00:30:46In case of an emergency landing, these hooks are used to secure ropes that help passengers

00:30:50exit the plane via the wings.

00:30:53If they're slippery, the rope will help you keep your footing and not fall over while

00:30:56going down.

00:30:59There are several extremely fast streams of air high up in the atmosphere of our planet.

00:31:04Their paths are meandering, but they have a more or less constant flow, allowing passenger

00:31:10aircraft to use them.

00:31:12When an airplane comes close to a jet stream, it may adjust to the direction of its current

00:31:16and fly a lot faster, propelled by the flow.

00:31:20Many airlines use this to their advantage to cut the fuel costs and make air traveling

00:31:24even faster.

00:31:26Clouds, especially thunderheads, can indicate that an area of turbulence is ahead.

00:31:32But sometimes, clear air turbulence occurs when a plane can drop a few feet and start

00:31:37shaking without any warning.

00:31:39It happens when two bodies of air clash at very high speeds.

00:31:44And it's absolutely invisible, so the pilots can't tell when it would happen.

00:31:49The chances of getting into an area of clear air turbulence are higher at low altitudes,

00:31:54over mountain ranges, and near the jet streams.

00:31:58Normally, after it's hit by lightning, an airplane is sent for inspection right after

00:32:03landing, but it can still safely complete its current flight.

00:32:07The fuselage conducts electricity well enough, and like with a lightning rod, the zap will

00:32:12most probably strike one of the tips of the airplane, either one of the wings or the nose.

00:32:17Then it seeks the ground, but doesn't find it, exiting from the tail in the end.

00:32:23It's easier for electricity to roll through the surface of the plane than go inside, so

00:32:27people on board are safe from its effects.

00:32:30Still, lightning is powerful, and there can be some damage done to the airplane on the

00:32:34outside.

00:32:36Many airports have carpets at their gate areas.

00:32:39This nicety usually comes with a few other perks.

00:32:43Lower ceilings, comfortable seats, and pleasant natural lighting.

00:32:47All this costs more for airports, and carpets are not so easy to clean as hard floors are.

00:32:53But they create a cozy feeling for passengers waiting for their flight, making them more

00:32:57relaxed.

00:32:58Still, it isn't a gesture of goodwill on the part of airports.

00:33:02According to social research, calm passengers are about 7-10% more likely to go window shopping

00:33:08and actually buy something in the lounge area or duty-free zone.

00:33:11So, by investing in the passengers' comfort, airports actually increase their own income.

00:33:18If you ever wanted to know what happened to your baggage while you're on board a plane,

00:33:21the short answer is that airport staff don't actually know once it leaves their territory,

00:33:26and they probably really don't care.

00:33:28Sorry.

00:33:29Baggage is sorted automatically.

00:33:31You scan the barcode and sort the baggage according to its destination.

00:33:35The three main tasks of airport baggage handlers are to move your bags from the check-in area

00:33:40to the gate, to move them from one gate to another when you have a connection, and to

00:33:45move your bags from the plane to the baggage claim area.

00:33:49And that's it.

00:33:50So, if your luggage doesn't move fast enough, it can be late for your connecting flight,

00:33:54or the exact opposite.

00:33:56Your bag gets to your destination before you do because you're stuck at passport control.

00:34:01Another problem can arise if you forget to tear off any old stickers showing a different

00:34:05destination.

00:34:06In this case, the scanner might send your luggage to the wrong country.

00:34:11Most airports are equipped with giant kitchens where the food for passengers is prepared.

00:34:15These kitchens usually cook food for different airlines at once.

00:34:19And since that oh-so-delightful airplane food must be cooked for about six to ten hours

00:34:23in advance, these kitchens have to work 24-7.

00:34:28And however surprising it might sound, the menu for your flight is developed up to a

00:34:32year in advance.

00:34:34This is a common practice for most airlines because every single ingredient matters and

00:34:38adds to expenses.

00:34:40In fact, one airline managed to save $40,000 after they removed just one olive from every

00:34:46salad they served on their flights.

00:34:49Airport staff sometimes ask passengers to rub their hands on a piece of cloth before

00:34:53putting it into a special machine.

00:34:55It might seem kind of scary, but it's actually harmless.

00:34:59You're simply being checked by a machine called an atomizer.

00:35:03Before their working day starts, employees put samples of dangerous chemicals into the

00:35:07machine.

00:35:08The machine memorizes these smells, and in case a person's hand smells like those chemicals,

00:35:14it alerts airport staff to this danger.

00:35:17You know how it sometimes goes.

00:35:19You come to the security checkpoint, and suddenly it turns out you have something prohibited

00:35:23to take on board in your carry-on.

00:35:25Don't worry.

00:35:26All the things seized during the pre-flight inspection can be stored at the airport for

00:35:30as long as three months.

00:35:32On top of that, you have an opportunity to mail them any address inside the country.

00:35:37Things taken away by security and weren't claimed can also get sold at special auctions

00:35:42and are delivered worldwide.

00:35:44If you have a long layover between flights, going to the nearest hotel to rest might not

00:35:49be the cheapest option.

00:35:51There's a much better trick.

00:35:53Check if the airport or airline sells 24-hour access to the VIP lounge zone.

00:35:58In most cases, you can have free snacks and drinks there, and use free shower cabins and

00:36:02rooms for rest at a very affordable price.

00:36:06In multi-terminal airports, search for underground passageways connecting terminals that most

00:36:11people might not know about.

00:36:13For example, at Frankfurt Airport in Germany, there's a walking tunnel between Terminal

00:36:181 and Terminal 2 that's mostly used by employees since passengers are simply unaware of its

00:36:24existence.

00:36:25There's an actual term for the first 60 minutes after you clear check-in.

00:36:30The golden hour.

00:36:31It's the time that passengers statistically spend more money in retail and duty-free areas

00:36:36of the airport.

00:36:37And having the most comfortable seats in those areas right in front of the shops is a clever

00:36:42trick to lure you in for shopping.

00:36:44Let's admit, sitting in front of a comfy chair while looking at a flashy sign or shopping

00:36:49window can be tempting, and that's exactly what the airports want you to feel.

00:36:54If your flight is overbooked and you can't fly at the designated time, don't hurry to

00:36:58accept the first voucher you're offered as an apology.

00:37:02Normally, airlines keep raising the stakes until they have enough volunteers to give

00:37:06up their flight seats.

00:37:07And if they don't and you've been bumped in voluntarily, you can insist on a cash refund

00:37:12instead.

00:37:13Depending on your ticket price and the time of your delay, you might be entitled to as

00:37:17much as $1,300.

00:37:21Most airports have specific experts called profilers.

00:37:25These people practice what's called SPOT, or the Screening Passengers by Observation

00:37:30Technique.

00:37:31They carefully analyze facial expressions, gestures, and behavior in order to detect

00:37:37suspicious people.

00:37:39Their job is to notice the nonverbal signs of anxiety, such as people licking their lips,

00:37:44itching, or looking around a lot.

00:37:46If a profiler notices a person acting in a weird or off way, they can invite them for

00:37:51an inspection, where they can talk to a person to find out more about them.

00:37:56Profilers work in both the main halls and in passport control.

00:38:00The typical question they ask is, what's the purpose of your visit?

00:38:04Then they check the person's reaction to this inquiry.

00:38:07No matter how reserved a passenger is, if they have something to hide, TSA officers

00:38:11will find out, thanks to the tiniest cues in people's behavior.

00:38:16Before your luggage even gets on the plane, it goes through 5 security levels, and one

00:38:20of them, besides scanning the contents, includes being checked by a special dog that can sniff

00:38:25out dangerous chemicals.

00:38:27It's a well-known fact that a dog's nose is much stronger than that of any human.

00:38:32In fact, dogs distinguish smells from 10,000 to 100,000 times better than people do.

00:38:39No wonder airports take advantage of this super sense for security and regularly use

00:38:43these sniffer dogs to detect suspicious substances.

00:38:47What's really cool is that you can't even distinguish a detection dog from its civilian

00:38:52siblings.

00:38:53Unlike police dogs, the ones working at airports aren't trained to frighten or intimidate people.

00:38:58The most popular sniffer breeds are Golden Retrievers, Labs, and German Shorthaired Pointers.

00:39:05Charging your phone at a specifically designated spot can look convenient, but it's not really

00:39:09safe.

00:39:10If the charging station only allows you to plug in your cord, you might get malware installed

00:39:15on your phone with you, none the wiser.

00:39:17The only safe way to charge your phone or tablet is to find an electric socket and use

00:39:22it with your own charger.

00:39:24Same goes for free airport Wi-Fi.

00:39:27Get from the airports requiring you to authenticate yourself more often than not.

00:39:31Someone can easily access your data while you're using an unprotected Wi-Fi hotspot.

00:39:36It's safer to use your mobile data, but if you absolutely have to use the airport's Wi-Fi,

00:39:41best clear or encrypt all your important data on your device.

00:39:46It might be exasperating to take your laptop out of your carry-on at the security check

00:39:50every single time, but the airport staff need to have a clear look at your device to make

00:39:55sure nothing is concealed inside.

00:39:58On the screen of an x-ray scanner, a laptop looks like a semi-transparent object with

00:40:02a clearly visible hard drive, CD drive, and whatnot.

00:40:06But security officers can't see what's behind some of those parts, for example, a dense

00:40:11and rather large battery.

00:40:13People tend to choose the closest security line to them.

00:40:16If that line turns out to be super crowded, just look around after ID and ticket check.

00:40:22You may see another checkpoint with much fewer people.

00:40:26Some checkpoints at the airport are situated at the far edges of the terminal, and that's

00:40:30why passengers fail to notice them.

00:40:32Applying for a TSA pre-check can be a great time-saver for traveling in and out of the

00:40:37U.S.

00:40:38Being a member of this program has some great perks.

00:40:41First, getting through security and passport control happens faster.

00:40:45If you're a pre-check traveler, you won't have to take off your shoes or remove your

00:40:49belt, and forget about placing your stuff like liquids and laptops in special bins.

00:40:54If you aren't flying to or from the U.S., then you can look up similar services available

00:41:00in your country.

00:41:02If you're flying economy class but don't like it, who does, check in online and check

00:41:07out the seating options about four days before your flight.

00:41:10It's about that time that airlines typically start upgrading seats, and you might get an

00:41:14upgrade to business class for a small fee, or even sometimes for free.

00:41:19You can also ask for an upgrade when you're already at the airport.

00:41:22Most people forget about this opportunity, or simply don't care, so you might just get

00:41:27lucky.

00:41:30Hey, you've got the wrong person!

00:41:38I'm just a manager going back home for my annual vacation in Europe.

00:41:42The TSA agent pulls out a massive chunk of delicious French cheese from your hand luggage.

00:41:48Turns out, you can only grab really small amounts of soft cheese on board, since it's

00:41:52considered to be liquid.

00:41:54Fun fact, you can bring a cheese grater on board without any problems, but you can grate

00:41:59no more than 3.4 ounces.

00:42:01That's the maximum cheese amount.

00:42:03Wait, you can't grate it.

00:42:05Cheese should be safely sealed in a plastic bag.

00:42:08Good news!

00:42:09Hard cheese is fine to travel with.

00:42:11Okay, they took your cheese.

00:42:13A large bottle of water, you're bad.

00:42:16Some cream tubes, and other fancy souvenirs.

00:42:19Look at that fine Swiss knife you grabbed in Geneva.

00:42:21It now risks ending up in an auction.

00:42:24If you're lucky enough, the airport might provide a shipping service to get your precious

00:42:28souvenirs and even cheese, if it doesn't go bad, to your home for a fee.

00:42:33Still, not all the airports do this.

00:42:36So, some of the banned items will go to an auction to raise money.

00:42:40The confiscated items are usually sold in bulks, so it's gonna be pretty hard to find

00:42:44the ones that you had to leave behind.

00:42:46Some other objects with more specific purposes are donated to different organizations.

00:42:51A pepper spray, for instance, would go to a police training academy.

00:42:55As for cheese, prohibited exotic fruits, and other food and water, well, they usually just

00:43:01get disposed of.

00:43:02Some items, especially really bad and dangerous ones, may be simply melted or destroyed.

00:43:08Magic eight balls pose no danger, but they have to be checked in luggage.

00:43:12The problem is the liquid inside them.

00:43:14Yeah, it might be less than 3.4 ounces, but let's face it, it's hard to count the exact

00:43:19amount.

00:43:20Ask your ball if you can take it on board.

00:43:23It's likely to give you a, don't count on it, answer.

00:43:26Relieving gel insoles are a bit disturbing on board.

00:43:29The problem is the same.

00:43:31It's impossible to count the exact amount of liquid.

00:43:33So no gel insoles, and no gel candles either.

00:43:37Perfume and nail polish are kinda forbidden too.

00:43:40It's not only about liquid on board restrictions, but also about etiquette rules.

00:43:45Some passengers may simply be allergic to their smell.

00:43:48Plus, they're flammable.

00:43:50As for nail polish removers, opt for an acetone-free version, since acetone is a no-go for hand

00:43:55luggage.

00:43:56Anyway, you can grab a bottle of perfume, as long as it's not too large and you don't

00:44:01use it on board.

00:44:02It would be a pity to leave a whole bottle in the trash bin before boarding.

00:44:05Still, you can sneak in the plane with more than 3.4 ounces of your favorite cream, claiming

00:44:10it's some medicine that you really need.

00:44:13But you do need to notify the airport beforehand.

00:44:15A bit weird, but it works.

00:44:18Sometimes.

00:44:19In case you need to check your body temperature on board, make sure your thermometer is electronic.

00:44:24Mercury ones are strictly forbidden.

00:44:25Who's gonna pick up all the mercury balls if you accidentally drop it?

00:44:29Bowling pins are a no-go for hand luggage.

00:44:32Seems like the air crew doesn't want anyone to have fun and play bowling in the aisles

00:44:35during a long and boring flight.

00:44:37No, it's all about our safety.

00:44:39They just think bowling pins might hurt someone.

00:44:42No sports equipment is allowed, be it a fencing foil, a bat, or even darts.

00:44:47Darts are sharp, and no sharp objects are allowed on board.

00:44:50Such items should travel in check-in luggage, unless you want them to end up in an auction.

00:44:55If you're into handmade things, and a transatlantic flight gives you enough time to knit a scar

00:44:59for a pair of socks, opt for plastic or wooden knitting needles, and wrap them carefully

00:45:04so as not to cause any damage.

00:45:06Those made of metal will probably be disposed of by melting, and they don't deserve such

00:45:10a fate.

00:45:11Snow globes, as with any other object containing liquid inside, aren't allowed through security.

00:45:17If your snow globe is as small as a tennis ball, you may be lucky to have it allowed,

00:45:21but it's better to play it safe and check the snow globe in.

00:45:24Liquid bleach is definitely a weird object for hand luggage, even if you're traveling

00:45:28in a white shirt.

00:45:29First, it's not allowed on board because it's highly flammable.

00:45:33Second, a brand new white shirt doesn't seem to be the right choice for a flight.

00:45:37Coffee and turbulence just don't mix.

00:45:40Third, the bathroom on board is far too small for laundering.

00:45:43If you're a hairdresser on a business trip, you'll probably have to invest a bit more

00:45:48when booking your flight.

00:45:49No hair bleach is allowed on board.

00:45:52Scissors aren't welcome either, unless their blades are four inches or shorter.

00:45:55By the way, scissors that aren't allowed to fly are often donated to schools, which

00:46:00is a good alternative to disposing them.

00:46:02Bad news for hairdressers again.

00:46:03Due to a gas cartridge that's filled with butane, cordless curling irons aren't allowed

00:46:08on board.

00:46:09Good news, electric curling irons are completely fine and safe.

00:46:13If you're an artist, you must have already struggled with security rules.

00:46:17You don't want your paint to get frozen or ruined in the luggage section, so you'll

00:46:20surely want to bring it on board.

00:46:23Security may be okay with your oil paints, as long as they're under 3.4 ounces, but there's

00:46:27no way you can grab your extremely flammable turpentine.

00:46:30Now, in case you don't enjoy food on a plane and failed to order a meal on board beforehand,

00:46:36you can take any pan or pot on board and cook it yourself.

00:46:39No, you can't cook, and you can't grab a cast iron pan either.

00:46:43They're quite heavy.

00:46:44That's why they're likely to be dangerous.

00:46:46If a TSA agent confiscates it, it won't end up being donated to a local kitchen.

00:46:51You'll probably be melted.

00:46:53If you want to have some fresh smoothies while flying with fresh fruit that are allowed on

00:46:57board, like an apple or a banana, bad news for you.

00:47:01Blenders are allowed only in case you remove the blades, so technically it's not a blender

00:47:06anymore.

00:47:07Hey, here's when you need that cheese grater.

00:47:09English Christmas crackers can make a wonderful atmosphere of joy and happiness during Christmas

00:47:14holidays, but it brings nothing but a mess on board.

00:47:17It makes a cracking sound when pulled, which can frighten other passengers.

00:47:21They are not allowed in checked bags, just like party poppers and sparklers.

00:47:25High heels and thick soles aren't prohibited, but they do cause some problems.

00:47:30If you're wearing one of these, you may be asked to take them off to have them scanned.

00:47:33Sure, there are some plastic shoe covers, but ugh, these airport floors are swarming

00:47:38with germs.

00:47:40Wedding dresses are a bit of a problem too.

00:47:42Some dresses just don't fit in the x-ray machine, so they might need to be double checked.

00:47:46All the fans of camping, beware!

00:47:49You probably want to check in a lot of luggage required for your trip, so make sure you check

00:47:53in the tent pegs too.

00:47:55Though if you travel light with a carry-on backpack only, you'll probably need to buy

00:47:59some when you reach your destination.

00:48:01Since they're sharp objects, tent pegs are not allowed on board.

00:48:05It's hard to imagine anyone having a drill inside their 5-pound carry-on luggage, but

00:48:10anyways, these are not allowed.

00:48:13So if you're a creative person who wants to bring a drill home as a vacation souvenir

00:48:16because magnets are lame, you'll have to check it in.

00:48:20If you want to sneak in a plane with a dry ice DIY fridge, you're almost sure to fail.

00:48:25It's flammable, so safety regulations definitely prohibit it on board.

00:48:29You can bring up to 5.5 pounds of dry ice, but airline permission is required.

00:48:35Anything with an uncovered blade is not allowed through security.

00:48:38Instead, a disposable razor or cartridge blades can be taken on board.

00:48:43Box cutters and knives, with a teeny-tiny exception of a smooth butter knife, should

00:48:47be in checked luggage.

00:48:49Soap bars are allowed on board, but don't panic if a TSA agent wants to double-check

00:48:53your bag after scanning it.

00:48:55It just may look a bit odd on the screen and mislead them.

00:48:59Liquid soap, instead, follows the universal liquid rule.

00:49:02Rules for batteries may vary.

00:49:04Spillable batteries are allowed neither in carry-on nor in checked luggage, and lithium

00:49:09batteries also can't be carried on board, only because if damaged, they can cause a

00:49:14fire.

00:49:15Okay, you travel with your Mr. Scratchy, and yes, a laser pointer is your furry friend's

00:49:20favorite toy.

00:49:21But you gotta make do without it this time, buddy.

00:49:23Laser pointers are not allowed in carry-on nor in checked luggage.

00:49:27A walking stick can be used as a mobility device and then let on board.

00:49:31But surprisingly, TSA may prohibit this item sometimes.

00:49:35Stay safe, and notify your airline in advance.

00:49:38Bon voyage!

00:49:40You can easily remove post-it notes because their adhesive is not even.

00:49:44Sticky notes feature a plastic adhesive.

00:49:46It's spread out in blobs across that sticky part of the paper.

00:49:50When you slap a post-it onto a bulletin board, not all the blobs, that are technically called

00:49:54microcapsules, will actually touch the surface to keep the paper stuck there.

00:49:59You can easily unstick it.

00:50:01And then, when you want to reattach it to something else, those blobs of glue that are

00:50:05left unused will take over the role of the adhesive.

00:50:08Eventually, you'll use all the capsules of glue, or they'll simply get clogged with dirt.

00:50:13So the note won't stick anymore.

00:50:15It's very satisfying to chew gum because it's made of rubber.

00:50:19Gum from before had an elastic texture because of something called chicle, a natural type

00:50:23of latex rubber.

00:50:25Now you can chew your bubble gum easily because it's made of synthetic rubber.

00:50:29Some of these are used in car tires, too, while others are used in Elmer's glue because

00:50:34they mimic the effect of chicle.

00:50:37Office buildings are a bit taller during the night.

00:50:39When the employees are finished with work, they all go home.

00:50:43Tall office buildings get slightly taller.

00:50:45For example, a 1,300-foot-tall skyscraper will shrink about 0.03 inches under the weight

00:50:52of 50,000 people inside, assuming they're all an average weight.

00:50:58You could actually heat your house with just 70 people.

00:51:01If you've ever been trapped in a small, crowded room, you know people give off body heat.

00:51:06So you'd need about 70 people in motion to warm up your home in the winter using just

00:51:11their body heat.

00:51:12Or maybe 140 people standing still, if you consider the house uses four electrical storage

00:51:17heaters and humans radiate approximately 100 to 200 watts of heat in normal conditions.

00:51:24Why does glass break so easily?

00:51:27It's because its atoms are not very tightly arranged.

00:51:30Unlike other solid material like metal, glass is made up of amorphous, which basically means

00:51:35structureless, loosely packed, and randomly arranged atoms.

00:51:40These atoms can't rearrange themselves that quickly to retain a firm structure, so glass

00:51:44collapses and fragments shatter everywhere.

00:51:48Do you know why airplane passenger windows are mostly below eye level?

00:51:53Aircraft are way cheaper, stronger, and easier to build without windows, but they're there

00:51:57because many people like the view, particularly about 100 years ago when flights were often

00:52:02conducted at low altitudes.

00:52:04Also, if some passengers are feeling sick, looking out the window can help them reconnect

00:52:09their sense of balance, as their eyes are continually reporting what's going on around

00:52:13them.

00:52:14Windows in this position also help distribute the load around them more evenly.

00:52:18The floor of the cabin where people sit isn't all the way at the bottom of the aircraft,

00:52:23which is why windows end up being quite low compared to both the overall volume of the

00:52:27cabin itself and the eye level of the passengers sitting down.

00:52:32Water feels colder than air at the same temperature because it's denser.

00:52:36Because of that, your body loses heat 25 times faster while surrounded by water than it would

00:52:41if it was surrounded by air that was the same temperature.

00:52:45Since it's so dense, water has a high heat capacity, which means it takes a lot of heat

00:52:49to raise its temperature just a little bit.

00:52:52Water is good at both retaining heat and cold.

00:52:55That's why the ocean is way cooler than land, and at the same time, the hot soup stays hot

00:53:00for a long time.

00:53:02Water is also a pretty good conductor, which means it effectively transfers either heat

00:53:07or cold to the human body.

00:53:10Have you ever wondered why water cleans so well?

00:53:13It's because of its asymmetrical molecules.

00:53:16They are made of two hydrogen atoms stuck to a single oxygen atom, which means they're

00:53:21triangular.

00:53:22That's why they have a slightly different charge on their different sides, similar to

00:53:26a magnet.

00:53:27The oxygen end of the molecule is slightly negative, while the hydrogen is slightly positive.

00:53:33Because of this feature, water is great at sticking to other molecules.

00:53:37So, when you want to wash away dirt, water molecules will stick to the dirt.

00:53:41They'll pull it away from the surface the dirt was on, no matter what it is.

00:53:45This is why water has surface tension.

00:53:47It's capable of sticking to itself, too.

00:53:53House cats share some similarities with big wild cats, but one of the things that sets

00:53:58them apart is their vocalization.

00:54:00The majority of large cats, like tigers and lions, will roar loudly so everyone knows

00:54:05they're coming to defend their territory.

00:54:08But with house cats, most of the time, you'll just hear purrs and meows.

00:54:13That's because of the physiology of their throat and voice box, which helps create these

00:54:18feline vocalizations.

00:54:19So a cat can either roar or purr, but no cat can do both.

00:54:24Bobcats, cougars, house cats, cheetahs, they purr.

00:54:28Purring is specific because a cat creates it when it breathes in and when it breathes

00:54:32out.

00:54:33Roaring has evolved in a particular lineage of big cats, which includes tigers, lions,

00:54:38jaguars and leopards, except the snow leopard, who lost this ability.

00:54:43They are capable of roaring because of the bendy bones in their throat.

00:54:48Mammals have their voice box in the throat, where air passing by its structures produces

00:54:52sounds.

00:54:53The vocal cords in the hyoid bones are the two main parts of the larynx that create different

00:54:58vocalizations in cats.

00:55:01You probably also prefer the pulse setting on your blender.

00:55:04And why wouldn't you?

00:55:05It just works better, and that's because of turbulence.

00:55:09When a blender stops chopping up food and starts spinning it around in circles only,

00:55:13everything you put inside is spinning at the same rate.

00:55:16It's not really about blending ingredients together, but about something called laminar

00:55:20flow.

00:55:22That means all the layers of liquid are continuously moving in the same direction.

00:55:27When you use the pulse function, your blender adds turbulence, so the fruit chunks are not

00:55:31just rolling around the sides of the blender, but they are falling into the center, which

00:55:36is when it's easier to blend them.

00:55:39So you'd like to open your window during a warm spring or summer day.

00:55:43It's so nice to hear the birds singing, and even when you come back an hour later, you'll

00:55:47probably still hear them singing the same song.

00:55:50They're hard workers, and the males are most likely guarding their territory and trying

00:55:54to attract a female.

00:55:57And other animals have their own tactics.

00:56:00Some like to rub their scent everywhere, but birds use a song to send the message, hey,

00:56:05I'm letting everyone know, especially other males in the area, this is my space.

00:56:11So they'll continue singing the same song over and over again.

00:56:15During the winter, they will most likely sing fewer notes to each other, or just one note.

00:56:20They want to let others know that where they are is their space, plus they're trying to

00:56:25figure out if there's any food somewhere nearby.

00:56:29Why do cats like small spaces?

00:56:32First of all, they are solitary animals, which is why they always search for a safe hiding

00:56:37place to take a good nap.

00:56:39And if you see a cat curled in a tiny box, it was probably just trying to find a nice,

00:56:43warm spot to sleep and avoid the cold floor.

00:56:47Cats prefer room temperatures to be about 57 degrees Fahrenheit.

00:56:51A bit cooler than this is comfortable for us.

00:56:54And if there isn't a convenient sunbeam to lie in, they will look for other solutions,

00:56:59like a cozy shoebox.

00:57:01Cats are pretty lazy.

00:57:02They can sleep up to 18 hours a day, most average between 10 and 13 hours on a daily

00:57:07basis.

00:57:08The majority of cats are most active during dawn and dusk.

00:57:12They're not the nocturnal animals that some of us think they are, but a specific category

00:57:16called crepuscular animals, together with other creatures like hamsters, ferrets, and

00:57:21stray dogs.

00:57:22Over millions of years, cats have evolved to become low-light predators.

00:57:27Their eyesight is adapted for activities during twilight.

00:57:30And since that's when they're most active, they save their energy for dusk and dawn.

00:57:35Before they became domesticated, cats would have had to expend large amounts of energy

00:57:40at these times, finding, going after, and catching their prey.

00:57:44House cats no longer need to hunt before each meal.

00:57:47But their natural instincts still encourage them to conserve energy for twilight periods.

00:57:53Why are four-leaf clovers so rare?

00:57:56Similar to animals, plant genes are located in small packages of DNA in the nucleus of

00:58:00each cell.

00:58:01They're called chromosomes.

00:58:03More chromosomes come in matched pairs, but clovers have four copies of every chromosome

00:58:08per cell.

00:58:09There's a gene responsible for four-leaf clovers, and it's recessive.

00:58:14That means this plant will create four leaves only if it has a four-leaf gene on all four

00:58:20chromosomes.

00:58:21And that's pretty rare.

00:58:22Also, some environmental conditions like soil activity and temperature can also affect whether

00:58:27the four leaves appear.

00:58:29Interestingly, these anomalies tend to happen in clusters.

00:58:33So if you find one, look around you – there might be more of them!

00:58:41Have you ever noticed that one of the flight attendants hides their hands behind their

00:58:45back when you enter the plane?

00:58:48Are they crossing their fingers for a safe take-off?

00:58:49Nah.

00:58:50At this moment, they're counting the passengers as they board.

00:58:54They have a special little counter for this.

00:58:57There are lots of stories about how bad airplane food is.

00:59:01In fact, it's not that bad.

00:59:03It's your sense of taste that's on the fritz because of the dry air.

00:59:08It dries your mouth out of all its saliva and dulls your sense of smell, which helps

00:59:13to feel 80% of what you taste.

00:59:16So airline companies add more spices into the food so you can feel the taste.

00:59:22Seatbelts are located on the stomach because of the turbulence.

00:59:26When that happens, the plane sort of jumps up and down.

00:59:29Your waist belt holds you so that you don't crash into the ceiling of the aircraft.

00:59:33The shoulder seatbelts in the car protect against horizontal collisions.

00:59:39By the way, flight attendants also have shoulder seatbelts.

00:59:43It's because they always sit facing the passengers to keep order.

00:59:48While all passengers are flying face forward, the cabin crew sits backward.

00:59:53If the plane goes forward sharply, passengers get pushed into seats, and the flight attendants

00:59:58are held by shoulder and waist belts.

01:00:02Even if lightning strikes a plane, the passengers won't feel it.

01:00:06The entire aircraft is covered with an aluminum layer that conducts electric current without

01:00:11passing it inside the plane.

01:00:14Good thing.

01:00:15And all electronics and fuel tanks are equipped with additional protection.

01:00:19Before any plane is released from the factory, all this protection is tested by simulating

01:00:25lightning.

01:00:27Many passengers get a headache during the flight, especially right after takeoff.

01:00:31This happens because you're getting up to an altitude higher than Mount Everest in about

01:00:3510 minutes.

01:00:37The air up there is thin.

01:00:39Your brain gets less oxygen.

01:00:41By the way, chewing gum or candies can help.

01:00:45The main reason why the seats on the plane are so uncomfortable is profit.

01:00:50Airlines want to make more money, so they try to fit as many passengers on the plane

01:00:54as possible.

01:00:56Because of this, there's so little space between the seats.

01:01:00Two additional rows in the cabin provide 12 new passengers.

01:01:04Also, companies make airplane seats lighter to spend less fuel.

01:01:08Seats become smaller and less comfortable.

01:01:11You can feel cold inside a plane, but when the plane is flying at high altitudes, the

01:01:16conditions resemble those in the Sahara Desert.

01:01:19It's all because of very low humidity.

01:01:22Every hour of flight, your body loses a lot of liquid.

01:01:26Stay hydrated, but only choose bottled water.

01:01:30Many companies don't show movies because they can make passengers too sad or emotional.

01:01:35Even if a movie doesn't have a dramatic story with incredible characters, it can still be

01:01:39heartbreaking for passengers.

01:01:42The thing is that our body experiences stress, and we take everything close to heart because

01:01:48of the lower oxygen levels.

01:01:50Also, we're sitting in seats at a high altitude and very far from home.

01:01:55Our brain realizes we're out of control of the situation.

01:01:59This feeling of helplessness can throw a person's emotions out of whack.

01:02:03So companies only show positive movies and comedies.

01:02:08Some passengers say they feel like they can't think straight during the flight.

01:02:12This happens because of a lack of oxygen.

01:02:15So your mind isn't in top form.

01:02:17Well better not do any important tasks or make any important decisions.

01:02:23Your corneas are the one part of your body that doesn't have a blood supply.

01:02:27The only way they get oxygen is from the air.

01:02:30So worsened eyesight and dry eyes are common problems on airplanes.

01:02:36The best solution here is to take with you eye drops along with gum.

01:02:42That worsened vision is the first reason the crew dims the lights and asks you to open

01:02:46the windows during nighttime takeoffs and landings.

01:02:50Your eyes need to be adjusted to the dimness in case of an emergency.

01:02:55The second reason is the plane crew needs to be able to see out the window.

01:03:00There's a theory that hair grows faster during the flight.

01:03:04Some people notice that little stubble appears on their faces after the flight, even if they

01:03:09shaved a few hours before they got on the plane.

01:03:12Anyway, this theory is not confirmed.

01:03:15Some say the cabin pressure, lower temperature, or even heightened stress levels can accelerate

01:03:20hair growth.

01:03:23If you experience stress and get nervous right after you step on the plane, your best solution

01:03:28can be a little training.

01:03:30Go to the gym or make a set of squats before boarding to prevent stress.

01:03:35Also, a good workout compensates for the hours you spend sitting still.

01:03:42Airlines lose and send in the wrong direction several million lost bags a year.

01:03:47Almost half of the lost luggage is lost because of transfer issues.

01:03:50They may not deliver your suitcase just because of lack of time.

01:03:55A plane can fly away before loaders put your luggage there.

01:03:58When this happens, they might carry these bags to another flight.

01:04:02And when your bag goes to the wrong place, it can be taken by other passengers accidentally.

01:04:08If you want to find your lost luggage quickly, take a photo of it in advance and then show

01:04:13it to the airport workers.

01:04:15You can also buy a special GPS tracker and put it in your suitcase.

01:04:19It works for 6 days, and you can use your phone to locate your luggage wherever it is.

01:04:27Airport staff take unclaimed luggage to a special center.

01:04:30If the owner doesn't show up within 3 months, the things inside the bags will be put up

01:04:35for sale in specialized stores.

01:04:38There you can find clothes, jewelry, and electronic devices.

01:04:42And of course, it all comes with a big discount.

01:04:46The rumbling noise you hear after boarding is not my stomach.

01:04:50It is luggage being loaded on the plane.

01:04:52The compartment is right under the cabin of the aircraft, so it sounds quite loud.

01:05:00Aircraft tires can withstand pressure 4-5 times more than a plane actually gives them

01:05:04during landing.

01:05:07The metal wheel is more likely to break than the tire.

01:05:11Pilots also have different meals.

01:05:13This is necessary to reduce the risk of food poisoning.

01:05:17The flight can go well even if one of the pilots feels bad because of a stale burrito.

01:05:23If two pilots ate the same burritos, they could lead to problems.

01:05:28Oxygen masks drop down when the air pressure changes.

01:05:31At a certain height, there can be less air in the cabin.

01:05:34To prevent passengers from feeling this, they should put on oxygen masks.

01:05:39When pilots descend to a safe altitude, you can breathe without the mask again.

01:05:44By the way, masks only have oxygen for 15 minutes.

01:05:48This is enough for the pilots to descend to a safe altitude on which passengers can breathe.

01:05:54The wings of most passenger planes are located at the bottom of the plane.

01:05:59It's built this way because of the engine.

01:06:02It should be installed under low wings because it's closer to the ground and easier to repair.

01:06:08Another reason is that the wings should take a big part of the blow during a bad landing.

01:06:13And if the plane falls into the water, then the wings become a life-saving pillow.

01:06:19Fuel tanks installed in the wings are empty after the flight, and it helps to stay on

01:06:23the water too.

01:06:25The wings of cargo planes are located at the top to make it easy to load the cargo since

01:06:30the hull is located very close to the ground.

01:06:33Also, it helps to avoid getting debris into the engines in case when airfields aren't

01:06:38clean.

01:06:40This wing location has less aerodynamic resistance during the flight.

01:06:44Little triangles on the aircraft walls are special labels for flight attendants.

01:06:49The triangles mark special windows.

01:06:51You can see flashing indicators through these windows.

01:06:54It signals the landing gear is retracted and the flaps are closed.

01:06:59But for ordinary passengers, this is the place with the best view of the wings.

01:07:05Turbulence is a common thing during a flight, but usually it's so insignificant, most

01:07:10passengers don't even feel it.

01:07:13Strong turbulence is rare.

01:07:15By the way, turbulence is just hot and cold air affecting a plane.

01:07:20For better understanding, imagine a big balloon people fly on.

01:07:25Remember the flamethrower installed under the ball?

01:07:27It heats up the air, and the hot air raises the ball up.

01:07:32So turbulence is the hot air created by nature, and it makes the same thing with a plane that

01:07:37it makes with a balloon.

01:07:39Also, turbulence can occur if the plane gets under the hot air stream left by another plane.

01:07:51That little yellow hook you can see from the airplane's window if you're sitting next

01:07:55to the wing is there to help you in case of an emergency landing.

01:08:01Those slides can only be deployed from the emergency exit doors in the front and the

01:08:05tail of the plane.

01:08:07In the middle, the passengers would have to walk right out on the wing and get to the

01:08:11ground from there.

01:08:12But jumping from the plane wing isn't safe because it's just too high.

01:08:17And here's where those little yellow hooks come in handy.

01:08:20The flight attendants tie ropes from the doors and through the loops for the passengers to

01:08:24hold onto.

01:08:26This way, everyone can safely get to the ground without injuries.

01:08:31Now you want to try to avoid cozying up under airplane blankets.

01:08:35Some airlines only wash them about once a month.

01:08:38Better use your own travel blanket, a scarf, or a jacket.

01:08:42And always remember to wear your shoes while walking around the plane.

01:08:46That carpet on the floor can't and won't be cleaned to perfection between flights.

01:08:50It's just too much time and effort for the cabin crew.

01:08:55The dirtiest place on a plane isn't the bathroom – it's your tray table.

01:09:00It has 8 times more bacteria than an on-board toilet flush button.

01:09:06Now in case of emergency, oxygen masks only have enough airflow to last for about 15 minutes.

01:09:12Luckily, it's just the amount of time a plane needs to find a suitable landing place

01:09:17or to at least descend to the altitude where people won't need oxygen masks anymore.

01:09:24You may wonder why you're asked to lift your seat back and close your tray table before

01:09:28take-off and landing, but it's for your own safety.

01:09:32A reclined seat is comfy for you, but it makes it harder for the passenger behind you to

01:09:37get out of their seat, which is crucial in case of an emergency.

01:09:41The lower tray table is the same way, only this time it's you who won't be able to

01:09:46stand up fast enough if anything happens.

01:09:49Besides, the tray table prevents you from assuming the secure position in the event

01:09:54of an emergency landing.

01:09:56This position requires you to bend over in your seat, put your head between your knees,

01:10:01and cover the back of your head with your hands.

01:10:04Imagine doing that while your tray table is open!

01:10:08If you look around the cabin, you'll notice little black or red triangles around the mid-section

01:10:13of the plane.

01:10:14These stickers let the flight attendants know where the airplane wings are located so they

01:10:19can immediately look out the right window to see if something is amiss outside.

01:10:25You shouldn't lower the window shades while taking off, taxiing, or landing for two reasons.

01:10:30First, the flight attendants must always be able to monitor the situation outside, and

01:10:36open shades help them with that, obviously.

01:10:38Second, if something's gone wrong on board the plane while it's on the ground, for

01:10:43example, a fire, the ground crews won't be able to see it and evaluate the situation

01:10:48before going in unless the windows are open.

01:10:52That tiny hole you see at the bottom of any airplane window isn't there to scare you

01:10:57nuts.

01:10:58In fact, it helps keep the pressure from the inside and the outside of the window equalized.

01:11:04The hole itself is only made in the second layer of glass, and there are three of them

01:11:08overall, which also helps with security, by the way.

01:11:12Even if the outer glass breaks, there will still be two more to keep you safe.

01:11:18You might see flight attendants touching the overhead compartments while they're walking

01:11:22along the aisle, but that's not exactly what they do.

01:11:26Right beneath the compartments, there's usually a handrail that goes all the way through the

01:11:30cabin, so you can also use this trick to stay firmer on your feet in the aisle.

01:11:36The pilots dim the lights in the cabin during nighttime not for you to get cozy and sleepy.

01:11:42Our eyes have a hard time adjusting to darkness in the first few minutes of sudden lights

01:11:47out, and in the case of emergency, every second matters.

01:11:51So the lights get dimmed to let you get used to darkness in case something happens and

01:11:56you have to act fast.

01:11:59Pay attention to the aisle floor too.

01:12:02If there's an emergency landing at night, there will be two luminescent strips along

01:12:06the aisle showing you the way to the exit.

01:12:09Follow them to get safely out of the plane.

01:12:12Flight attendants also suggest counting the seats between you and the emergency exit once

01:12:17you're seated.

01:12:18This will help you navigate in case there's no other guidance available.

01:12:23If a lightning bolt hits the plane, the passengers won't feel it.

01:12:27The entire aircraft is covered with aluminum coating that conducts electrical current and

01:12:32doesn't let it inside.

01:12:34This protection is tested using a lightning simulator.

01:12:39Airplane windows are round because the air pressure is evenly distributed this way.

01:12:43If the plane's windows were square, strong air currents would accumulate in the corners

01:12:48of the windows, depressurizing the cabin.

01:12:51And that's bad.

01:12:54Don't think you become untouchable if you go to the airplane toilet.

01:12:58The bathroom door can be opened from the outside.

01:13:01There's usually a small latch at the top of the door that allows cabin crew to get

01:13:06you out of there.

01:13:07It's useful for both getting to people doing something suspicious in the bathroom and helping

01:13:12those who don't feel well and, for example, collapsed while in the toilet.

01:13:17Yeah, let's avoid doing that.

01:13:20The plane's wings flash red and green lights at night to show the direction the plane is

01:13:25heading in.

01:13:26A green light is always on the right wing, and a red one is on the left.

01:13:33Aircraft tires are designed to withstand 4-5 times more pressure than they actually experience

01:13:38upon landing.

01:13:39The wheel is more likely to break than the tire.

01:13:44Pilots always have different meals.

01:13:46This is necessary to reduce the risk of food poisoning.

01:13:50The flight can still go well if one of the pilots has gone down because of a stale burrito,

01:13:55but not if it's both of them.

01:13:58And try not to both of you eat the fish.

01:14:02Some airlines don't allow pilots to have beards.

01:14:05Facial hair can prevent securely fitting the oxygen mask.

01:14:09And pilots must always remain conscious.

01:14:13The seats are blue in most aircraft because this color soothes people.

01:14:18It's also easy to keep clean.

01:14:21The rumbling noise you hear after boarding the plane is luggage being loaded on the plane.

01:14:26The compartment is right beneath the cabin, so it can sound quite loud sometimes.

01:14:32On most flights longer than 7 or 8 hours, pilots have access to a specially designed

01:14:38rest seat in or near the cockpit.

01:14:41Flight attendants typically have a section of the cabin reserved for them, and it's

01:14:45sometimes separated from the passenger areas.

01:14:48Some larger aircraft even feature private crew quarters above or below the main cabin.

01:14:55The wings of most passenger aircraft are located at the bottom of the plane.

01:14:59It's called a low wing.

01:15:01Firstly, if you install the engine under low wings, it'll be closer to the ground and

01:15:06easier to repair.

01:15:08Secondly, the wings will take on part of the shock in case of a hard landing.

01:15:12And if the plane falls into the water, then the wings become a life-saving pillow.

01:15:18By the way, a plane can stay afloat for 10 minutes to 60 hours.

01:15:22It all depends on the model of the plane, weather conditions, and pilot skills.

01:15:29Most airplanes are white because this color best reflects the sun rays, and the aircraft

01:15:34body doesn't heat up as much.

01:15:36Also, the damage is best seen on white, and white paint is simply cheaper.

01:15:43Shoulder straps seem more secure than just a waist belt, but not in the case of planes.

01:15:49When the plane gets into turbulence, it's tossed a bit in the air.

01:15:52The waist belt will simply hold you in place in case of a more severe shake.

01:15:57Shoulder straps would require more space between the seats, and this is not justified on a

01:16:02plane.

01:16:03But in a car, the impact is usually much stronger, so you need that shoulder strap not to whoosh

01:16:09through the windshield.

01:16:12Flight attendants' seats do have passenger straps, but that's because they are much

01:16:16less comfortable than passenger ones.

01:16:18They're narrower and positioned facing the passengers.

01:16:22Flight attendants need extra protection simply not to fall off their seats if the plane shakes

01:16:27hard enough.

01:16:28Also, they have to help and direct people during potential evacuation.

01:16:32And for that, they need to be in top shape.

01:16:37Maybe you've noticed that you always enter the plane from its left side.

01:16:41Firstly, the captain usually sits on that side.

01:16:44This way, it's easier for the captain to align the plane with the terminal jet bridge.

01:16:49Also, the aircraft is fueled and loaded with the baggage on the right side.

01:16:54If passengers come from the left, the crew can do their job undisturbed.

01:17:02Hotels are places where you know for sure lots of people stay every day.

01:17:07And not all of those places pay attention to cleanliness as much as they should.

01:17:11There can be bedbugs and other pests around that you won't notice until it's too late.

01:17:17So here's the deal.

01:17:18When you arrive at a hotel and open your room, don't rush to open your bags and put all

01:17:23your clothes onto the shelves and especially the bed.

01:17:27Better place your bags into the bathtub for the time being and go check the room for those

01:17:32pesky bugs.

01:17:33Check out all the rugs, soft furniture, cushions, and all other places that pests could live

01:17:39in.

01:17:40Only after you've done that, take your bags out of the bathtub and unpack.

01:17:44The bathtub is the safest place because no bugs are able to survive there.

01:17:49Still, naturally, none of them will crawl into your stuff while you're not looking.

01:17:54You may want to throw that comforter on the floor at once, by the way.

01:17:57While sheets may be cleaned regularly, the comforters are not.

01:18:01Some hotels wash them every week or so, but others don't even bother.

01:18:07Same goes for your bedding.

01:18:08Most high-end hotels will change the sheets daily, but a lot of budget ones don't change

01:18:13the pillows or bedding after a guest checks out.

01:18:17Definitely a good idea to request fresh pillowcases when you arrive.

01:18:21It's also best not to drink out of that glass in the bathroom, as many glasses aren't cleaned

01:18:26properly.

01:18:27Some workers even use disinfectant or furniture polish to get the glasses looking spotless.

01:18:33Ever wondered why they never use fitted sheets in hotels?

01:18:37They might be convenient, but they're impractical for hotel use.

01:18:41The sheets are changed much more often than you do it at home, and the elastic becomes

01:18:45worn out all too soon.

01:18:47Besides, it's a nightmare to store fitted sheets.

01:18:51They have to be of two different sizes, one for either type of bed.

01:18:55It's just easier to take two universal flat sheets per double bed and get on with it.

01:19:00Speaking of sheets, you must have noticed that bed linen and towels in hotels are almost

01:19:05always white.

01:19:07The first reason is convenience, of course.

01:19:09When everything is white, it's easy to wash it all together and use bleach to get rid

01:19:14of any possible stains.

01:19:15The second explanation, however, is customer experience.

01:19:19According to public polls, people perceive a white color as luxurious and fresh, which

01:19:25makes their stay more pleasant.

01:19:27If you see an unusually attractive price for a room on a website, be careful.

01:19:32It might not include a mandatory resort fee.

01:19:36If you have an option to pay for a room in advance, you'll see the final cost of the

01:19:40checkout.

01:19:41It'll normally list the initial price you saw before booking and all the extra charges,

01:19:46resort fee included.

01:19:48If you decide to pay at the hotel, though, you might be up for a surprise when you check

01:19:52out, so always make sure to read the fine print.

01:19:56You may have seen a rather weird thing in many hotels, a phone in the bathroom, especially

01:20:01just next to the toilet.

01:20:02You'd probably be surprised to know that it's an actual requirement for hotels to receive

01:20:07a four-diamond rating from AAA.

01:20:09But this also makes pretty good sense.

01:20:12For example, if you slip and fall on the wet floor of the bathroom, a phone can be handy

01:20:17to call for help.

01:20:19Returning to bathrooms, hotels typically don't provide plungers in rooms.

01:20:23You see, hotels want you to have a feeling that you're the first person ever to enter

01:20:27the room you're staying in.

01:20:29It's a question of your comfort, which is the primary concern of any respectable hotel.

01:20:34And a plunger in the bathroom, according to anonymous polls, makes people think that the

01:20:39toilet may malfunction at some point, which doesn't help the image.

01:20:43If your hotel has card keys with magnetic strips, make sure you put your card key apart

01:20:48from your cell phone and wallet.

01:20:50The problem is that key cards are rewritten quite a lot, and they're designed for that

01:20:55process to be quick and easy.

01:20:57So a fairly strong magnet, like the one in your cell phone, could erase your key card,

01:21:03and you wouldn't be able to get inside your room.

01:21:06The hotel will surely provide you with a new card, but that's still inconvenient.

01:21:11Many hotels only accept credit cards as a form of payment, and without one, you won't

01:21:16be able to book a room directly or use the paid services provided by the place.

01:21:21Booking a room is just the first step of your stay at a hotel.

01:21:24During your vacation or business trip, you might use the minibar or other paid services

01:21:29that you'll only have to pay for at the checkout.

01:21:32If your debit card doesn't have enough funds on it to cover all your expenses, the hotel

01:21:36has no means to get their money apart from suing you.

01:21:40If you pay with a credit card, however, all the additional costs go to the bank, and everyone's

01:21:45happy.

01:21:46The time of check-in and check-out is fixed not to annoy you.

01:21:50It's done so you don't barge in onto guests who stayed in the room you've booked, and

01:21:55the hotel staff can clean the room and prepare it for the next guest's arrival.

01:21:59By the way, the checkout time is normally about 11 a.m. to 12 p.m., because hotels actually

01:22:05care about your well-being.

01:22:07They not only let you have your breakfast, but also give you some time to prepare for

01:22:11departure without hurry.

01:22:13Isn't it kind of annoying that many hotels don't have a socket near the bed?

01:22:17In fact, time is to blame in this case.

01:22:20Lots of hotels around the world were built before mobile phones and other portable devices

01:22:25became so popular and widespread.

01:22:28Back then, of course, they didn't need bedside sockets, and many of them haven't yet caught

01:22:32up with the times.

01:22:34You can avoid this issue if you stay at a hotel that's been built relatively recently.

01:22:39Once you're at the check-in desk, it's likely that the hotel staff already recognize you.

01:22:44Many hotels, especially higher-end ones, will do a little research of their guests' social

01:22:49media.

01:22:50While this seems a bit creepy, it's only so they can see who you are to make your stay

01:22:55more comfortable.

01:22:56At check-in, you'll also be given an initial key which will reset the door lock and cancel

01:23:01any existing keys.

01:23:03But make sure to be respectful to your receptionists.

01:23:06Sometimes, they may play practical jokes on rude customers by key-bombing.

01:23:11This is where they give you two of the initial keys.

01:23:14Either key resets the door, so once you use the second one, the first will no longer work.

01:23:20Toothpaste is one item you probably won't find in the hotel room's bathroom.

01:23:25For budget hotels, it's often too expensive to order, as it's classified as a medical

01:23:30supply.

01:23:31For luxury hotels, it's the opposite.

01:23:34They often can't find a toothpaste manufacturer that's fancy enough to be present in their

01:23:38rooms.

01:23:39While the staff clean hotel rooms frequently, disinfecting smaller items is not on the top

01:23:44of their priority list.

01:23:46Remote controls and phones are some of the dirtiest things in a hotel room, so do yourself

01:23:51a favor and bring some disinfectant wipes to clean them before use.

01:23:56If you're thinking about putting your valuables in the safe for security, you may also want

01:24:00to think twice.

01:24:02Hotel locks use passcodes instead of locks, so there's a high chance someone in the hotel

01:24:07will know the master code, and who knows who else could get their hands on this information.

01:24:13Hotels usually overbook themselves, as the average daily no-show rate is around 10%.

01:24:18This means there's a chance that you won't actually get your reserved room.

01:24:22If you show up and there are no available rooms, chances are you'll get walked.

01:24:27This basically means the hotel will pay for a room at another similar hotel in the area.

01:24:33There's a surprising amount of items left in rooms that hotels don't want you to know

01:24:37about.

01:24:38In one hotel in Portugal, a worker even found a shark that was left behind.

01:24:43No idea how it ended up there, the shark was eventually returned to its natural habitat,

01:24:49safe and sound.

01:24:50Most, if not all, hotels have fully carpeted floors, and there's a couple of very good

01:24:55reasons for that.

01:24:57First of all, it's your safety.

01:24:59You're far less likely to slip and fall on a carpet than on a wooden or tiled floor.

01:25:04Secondly, it's much more cost-effective, because it's faster and cheaper to replace a spoiled

01:25:09carpet than change the whole flooring in a room.

01:25:12And finally, carpets add to the room's soundproofing, which you'll be thankful for if you have overly

01:25:18active neighbors.

01:25:20Ever wondered what a continental breakfast is, and why it's called that?

01:25:24In fact, the name comes from the UK, which is a group of islands, and it means a breakfast

01:25:30that's served in continental Europe.

01:25:32It may include pastries, sliced bread with different toppings, meat, cheese, fruit juice,

01:25:38and hot beverages.

01:25:41Check around the corner, under the bed.

01:25:44Wait, what's that hiding over there?

01:25:47Hotels are supposed to be your home away from home, but do you know what secrets they're

01:25:52keeping?

01:25:53Here's what no staff member or manager would ever tell you.

01:25:58Some hotel owners are very superstitious of the number 13, or they know guests might be.

01:26:04Whatever the case, you may find room 13 or the entire 13th floor completely missing.

01:26:10In the Far East, the same can be said about the number 4.

01:26:14You can easily get an upgraded room without any additional charge if you have a birthday,

01:26:20anniversary, or wedding.

01:26:22Just call ahead of time and warn them about the upcoming event.

01:26:26You might be checking that bed for stains and bugs, but you're probably overlooking

01:26:31the dirtiest thing in the room – the TV remote.

01:26:35It doesn't get disinfected between guests.

01:26:38Put it in a plastic sandwich baggie before using it.

01:26:41Plenty of other filthy things in that room, but we'll touch on those later.

01:26:47Every hotel has a place where housekeeping stores forgotten things.

01:26:51The most frequently lost items are phone chargers, but more interesting discoveries have been

01:26:56found.

01:26:57False teeth, glass eyes, and even boxes of worms.

01:27:02If no one comes for these strange treasures after 5 or 10 years, yes, they're nice enough

01:27:07to wait.

01:27:08The cleaners raffle the lost items among themselves.

01:27:12Some luxury ones may have hidden cameras built in for safety reasons.

01:27:17The most common place for this is the door peepholes, so always put a piece of masking

01:27:22tape or putty over the one in your room.

01:27:26But hidden cameras in the room itself are never okay.

01:27:29To check the place, turn off the overhead light and switch on your phone's front-facing

01:27:34camera.

01:27:35When you fully scan the room, your front camera will pick up their infrared light.

01:27:41Common spots are near the bed and in the bathroom, so check those areas thoroughly.

01:27:48Hotel owners often let their friends and family stay for free.

01:27:51You wouldn't know it since they usually leave before peak season starts.

01:27:56The employees and cleaners also get in on some perks.

01:28:00They keep towels, slippers, bathrobes, and shampoos.

01:28:04What you might not know is that hotel chains are fine with you taking things from the room.

01:28:10Stationery, toiletries, coffee mugs, umbrellas – anything with their name and logo on it.

01:28:16This will serve as free advertisement when you take those things with you.

01:28:21Those beautiful bright vegetables and fruits near the hotel restaurant's entrance aren't

01:28:26just a decoration.

01:28:27They trick your body into feeling full before you even get your plate.

01:28:32You eat less, and the company saves money.

01:28:36They may give you extra bottles of shower gel or other toiletries, but there are ones

01:28:41that charge you for grabbing too much food during the breakfast buffet.

01:28:46To avoid upsetting the cooks with the amount of discarded food, some hotels in certain

01:28:51countries make their guests pay for anything left uneaten on the plate.

01:28:57No hotel chain would willingly tell you how to get the biggest discount for your stay.

01:29:02So if you have a limited budget, make a reservation after 6 p.m.

01:29:08This is when the sales department tries to sell all canceled reservations at the last

01:29:12minute.

01:29:13That often means cutting the price down, sometimes in half.

01:29:18The first Sunday of the month is the best time to check in.

01:29:21Vacationers are leaving, business travelers haven't arrived yet, so most of the best

01:29:26rooms will be available.

01:29:28To get the top pick, use a special service called Rooming.

01:29:33You can view everything in the hotel and choose which room you like the most.

01:29:38Just ask the receptionist about it.

01:29:41They won't willingly speak up about other free services unless you ask.

01:29:46Free phone chargers, hair irons, bottled water, and board games are among them.

01:29:51They can also order a transfer for you, book concert or theater tickets, and wake you up

01:29:56at a specified time.

01:29:59Hotels can refuse you a check-in, even if you've paid for a booking in advance.

01:30:04They can cancel your reservation if you don't show up before 6 p.m.

01:30:09If something's holding you up on your way, call and let them know in advance.

01:30:15Even if you arrive on time, you can still be denied a room.

01:30:19It usually happens when the hotel is overbooked.

01:30:22In that case, they might redirect you to a different one.

01:30:26Even more surprising, the chances of this happening depend on who you are.

01:30:31Young single men, couples, and groups of friends will usually get the boot before a family

01:30:36or a single older woman.

01:30:39It's because the first group is usually more flexible about the unexpected move.

01:30:44Before you pounce on that minibar, better check to see if those drinks are sealed.

01:30:49Hotel workers say they've had cases where guests finished all the provided beverages

01:30:54and then filled the bottles up with tap water to avoid paying for them.

01:30:58Shh!

01:30:59You didn't hear it from me!

01:31:02Large chains often have their own special transport for meeting important guests or

01:31:06getting around town.

01:31:08Their own taxis are usually cheaper than city ones, so if you want to save some money, check

01:31:14the cost of their transport at the reception.

01:31:17But don't ask the receptionist to recommend where you should have a meal.

01:31:21The hotel clerk will point you to a local place that pays them for their recommendations,

01:31:27even if it's overpriced and tasteless there.

01:31:31Guests don't really pay for the room itself, but for the hotel's location.

01:31:35Proximity to the airport, the beach, downtown, and famous sights will cost you an additional

01:31:41amount.

01:31:42Yes, even if it doesn't have any stars at all, and the conditions inside aren't

01:31:47great.

01:31:48Think twice before handing over your keys for valet parking.

01:31:52There have been cases when hotel workers took an expensive car for a joyride and even filmed

01:31:58it.

01:31:59My car?

01:32:00No.

01:32:01A famous person could be staying in the room right next to you.

01:32:05Nobody would know it since they get to use made-up names to conceal their identity.

01:32:11For the rest of us common folk, that's not allowed.

01:32:15You requested a single room with a big bed and a nice view of the beach.

01:32:20What you got?

01:32:21A room with two small beds and a lovely view of a brick wall.

01:32:24It happens all the time.

01:32:26But they're supposed to give you compensation or some free service to make up for the difference.

01:32:32Know your right to this if the manager doesn't offer.

01:32:36The safe in your room can be anything but safe.

01:32:39If you have some valuables, ask the receptionist to put them in the main hotel safe up front.

01:32:45This place is usually much more secure since all the staff doesn't have access to it.

01:32:51Although hotel chairs and sofas look clean, wait till you see one under a microscope.

01:32:57Don't sit on them without first laying down a towel or blanket.

01:33:01You don't know if the guests before you had their feet up on the furniture.

01:33:05Their feet would certainly be filthy since the room's carpets are rarely shampooed, maybe

01:33:11once a year or even less.

01:33:13That being said, don't walk on them barefoot.

01:33:17If you use slippers or keep your shoes on, make sure to put shower caps on the bottoms

01:33:21when you pack them into your suitcase before leaving.

01:33:25Same story with that bed.

01:33:27Before you lie down on it, know that the cleaning staff might launder the linens between guests,

01:33:33not that big, beautiful, germy bedspread.

01:33:36Don't touch the drinking glasses either.

01:33:39Even if they get it wiped out, it was probably with the same cloth used to clean other surfaces.

01:33:44Why?

01:33:45Well, because staff have only 20-30 minutes to clean each room completely.

01:33:51So they need to do it quickly, not thoroughly.

01:33:55Things that often get overlooked?

01:33:57Light switches, door and drawer handles, remotes.

01:34:00Ironically enough, it's the things that get touched most often.

01:34:04Experts have found that these items have as much germs on them as the toilet.

01:34:09Solution?

01:34:10Always bring plenty of antibacterial wipes.

01:34:14And if you ask about the hotel's cleaning practices, remember, cleaning doesn't mean

01:34:19disinfecting.

01:34:20Choose your words wisely, and don't give the manager a loophole.

01:34:27Airports are some of the most visited and, at the same time, mysterious places out there.

01:34:32So let's see what's going on behind the scenes and what secrets airports hide.

01:34:37At some airports, there are special people called profilers.

01:34:41Such people bring to life a special program called SPOT, Screening Passengers by Observation

01:34:47Technique.

01:34:49They analyze or mimic gestures and behavior in order to detect suspicious people.

01:34:55Their job is to notice non-verbal signs of anxiety, people licking their lips, itching,

01:35:00or looking around a lot.

01:35:03If a profiler notices a person acting in an unusual way, they can invite them for an inspection.

01:35:09There, they talk to this person, trying to find out more about them and confirm, or not,

01:35:15their suspicions.

01:35:17Airport agents might also be watching you all the way from the security check to your

01:35:21gate.

01:35:22Some airports have facial recognition scanners that can easily track you.

01:35:26They're equipped with special software that compares passengers' faces with their IDs.

01:35:32Keep in mind that if you don't charge your laptop before the flight, it may be confiscated.

01:35:38It's not uncommon for an airport security officer to ask you to power your device up.

01:35:44If you fail to do it, your gadget can be taken away for an additional check.

01:35:49For safety reasons, it's crucial to make sure that it hasn't been tampered with or modified

01:35:54in a way that can cause harm during the flight.

01:35:58Packing an electric brush in your check-in luggage may land you in trouble.

01:36:02Brushes produced by some brands have lithium batteries inside, and those can potentially

01:36:07lead to serious problems in the air.

01:36:11That's why leaving your electric brush in your checked suitcase isn't an option.

01:36:15But you're allowed to store them in your carry-on bag.

01:36:18At the same time, if your device runs on AA batteries, you can put it wherever you want.

01:36:24Anyone who's ever traveled by plane knows about the no-liquids rule, but not everybody

01:36:29knows that this rule also applies to peanut butter, toothpaste, creams, lotions, liquid

01:36:35makeup, laval lamps, snow globes, some kinds of medications, deodorant, and even gel shoe

01:36:43inserts.

01:36:45Now let's go outside for a while and look at those landing spots.

01:36:50Airports charge airline companies huge fees for landing on their runways on certain days

01:36:55and at particular times.

01:36:57But the most interesting thing is that the landing spots can be bought and sold.

01:37:02For example, in 2016, Oman Air paid Air France around $75 million for one early morning arrival

01:37:10slot at London Heathrow Airport.

01:37:13You must have noticed that airfare has increased over the past decade.

01:37:17That's because of the extremely high prices of landing slots.

01:37:22Dispatchers don't only control the planes in the sky as you can often see in the movies,

01:37:27but they also look after their movements on the ground.

01:37:30They also control the lighting on the runways.

01:37:33There's three types of air traffic controllers, en route, terminal, and tower.

01:37:38Each of these dispatchers has their own area of responsibility.

01:37:43One dispatcher has about five monitors and the information on them is constantly changing

01:37:48since the monitors show weather conditions and information about other planes.

01:37:53You know how it sometimes goes, you come to a security checkpoint and all of a sudden

01:37:58it turns out you have something prohibited in your carry-on.

01:38:02But worry not, you still have a chance to save your favorite pen knife!

01:38:07At some airports there are on-site postal services and you might have an opportunity

01:38:12to mail your belongings to any address you provide.

01:38:16But the mailing fees are pretty high, plus certain items are prohibited and the postal

01:38:21service won't deliver them.

01:38:24Airports can be selling your lost luggage right now.

01:38:27Of course, I don't say that there's no chance for you to get back your suitcases

01:38:31that's traveled to a different destination, but just as likely, you might not see it again.

01:38:36In this case, an airport has the right to sell your misplaced belongings at an auction.

01:38:42Most airports have an annual lost luggage sale.

01:38:46After paying an entry fee, you can bid on electronics, clothes, bags, and other stuff.

01:38:53While flying you might have a celebrity on board, but you won't know it.

01:38:57Large airports have separate check-in and security procedures for celebrities.

01:39:02They often board the plane directly through a hidden door located beside the jet bridge.

01:39:08Some airlines also use cool cars to transfer VIP passengers from the terminal building

01:39:13to the plane.

01:39:15At the same time, most people come to the airport well ahead of time, and the most popular

01:39:20activity while waiting for a flight is wandering through the duty-free zone.

01:39:25And even though people rarely plan to buy anything there, different products end up

01:39:30in their shopping baskets.

01:39:32That's because lots of airports are designed in a special way that makes people feel relaxed

01:39:38and at ease.

01:39:39I'm talking about all those huge windows, a lot of light, massage chairs, and comfortable

01:39:45seating areas.

01:39:47And statistically, calm passengers are 10% more likely to spend money on retail, duty-free,

01:39:53and food.

01:39:55Designers put a lot of thought into airport layouts.

01:39:58It helps to ensure the smooth flow of travelers.

01:40:02And the main point here is easy navigation that can prevent people from getting lost.

01:40:07This is achieved through subtle but very effective design cues.

01:40:12And placing duty-free zones between security checkpoints and boarding gates is one of them.

01:40:18They supposedly help you relax after clearing security and lead you where you need to go.

01:40:24But speaking of food, a celebrity chef restaurant at the airport might not be as good as

01:40:28it would be if you were visiting the real thing.

01:40:32Not chefs themselves, but special restaurant companies are responsible for airport outlets.

01:40:38One of the reasons is the extremely strict security that surrounds airport deliveries,

01:40:42including food.

01:40:44You may still have a nice meal, but it won't be the same.

01:40:48Now I'll tell you about one more way airports manipulate you into spending your money.

01:40:53They make you walk through the shiny duty-free stores straight after the security check.

01:40:58But the most curious thing is that the walkway through such stores usually veers to the left.

01:41:04That's done because most people are right-handed, which means they use their right arm to pull

01:41:09their luggage and are more likely to look to the right while passing through the stores.

01:41:14And the duty-free zone veering to the left leaves more space on the right where passengers

01:41:19are more likely to look.

01:41:21Oh, and have you ever noticed how many mirrors there are at airports?

01:41:27Mirrors are strategically placed there to make airports appear larger and create an

01:41:31illusion of more space.

01:41:33This in turn helps to reduce the feeling of claustrophobia and makes the airport experience

01:41:38more comfortable for travelers.

01:41:41If you have an opportunity, don't exchange cash at the airport.

01:41:45You'll never get a good rate there.

01:41:47Those who didn't buy local currency in advance can instead order it online and collect it

01:41:52at the airport.

01:41:54Some services only need a few hours' notice for such an order.

01:41:58Or it might even be better to use an ATM to withdraw some cash at your final destination.

01:42:04Now, have you ever paid attention to airport codes?

01:42:08The most often used are three-letter codes.

01:42:11Why this number?

01:42:13Back in the 1930s in the USA, pilots used the National Weather Service's two-letter

01:42:18city codes to refer to airports.

01:42:21But soon, the number of airports in the country outgrew the number of such codes.

01:42:26That's why airlines expanded this system by adding the third letter.

01:42:30It was usually X.

01:42:32That's how LA, Los Angeles, turned into LAX.

01:42:36But even though there shouldn't be two airports with the same code, some of these codes sound

01:42:41so similar you could easily mistake one for the other.

01:42:45For example, look at this airport with the code CGP in Bangladesh.

01:42:50And here we have CPG, it's the code of an airport in Argentina.

01:42:55It's dangerously easy to fly to the wrong place, so pay attention!

01:43:00It's your first trip to Egypt, and your new friends there invited you for lunch.

01:43:06The food seems a bit dull, so you decide to spice it up with salt and pepper.

01:43:12You don't see it on the table, so you ask the host for it, and you notice everyone's

01:43:17shocked.

01:43:18It turns out, it's a huge insult to the cook when someone wants to change the original

01:43:23taste of the food on their plate.

01:43:26The cook made it that way for a reason, and wanting to spice it up means showing that

01:43:31the dish wasn't good enough.

01:43:33You're used to doing it as a kind gesture around the world, but don't tip waiters, taxi

01:43:39drivers or hotel workers in Japan.

01:43:42They can get offended because they already get paid for providing you with good service,

01:43:48and there's no need for extra money to make it any better.

01:43:52If you really want to show appreciation, just say thank you.

01:43:57It's okay to tip private guides, tour companies and interpreters.

01:44:01You can put any amount that feels right to you in an envelope and hand it down to them.

01:44:08If you want to impress your new Japanese friends or colleagues, take some time to study chopstick

01:44:13etiquette.

01:44:15When you master the art of holding chopsticks, remember not to rub them together.

01:44:20People do it to remove splinters, so it might look like you're unhappy with the quality

01:44:25of the pair that your host provided you with.

01:44:28Don't put your chopsticks vertically in your bowl of rice.

01:44:32This way, it can be seen as an offering to the deceased.

01:44:36Don't wave chopsticks in the air or use them to point at things.

01:44:40Both are considered really rude.

01:44:43The same is with moving things with your chopsticks or the hand holding them.

01:44:47It looks disrespectful, plus you're likely to spill things.

01:44:53When in Italy, don't order a cappuccino after noon.

01:44:56The locals don't do it because they believe the milk and foam turn this drink into a meal

01:45:01and it's not good for digestion.

01:45:03Also, be prepared to enjoy your coffee standing at the bar and pay for it before you even

01:45:09order it.

01:45:10First, you pay the cash register, then show the receipt to the server to get your drink.

01:45:17Are you a big fan of chewing gum?

01:45:19Well, you'll have an uneasy time in Singapore.

01:45:22Using, selling, and importing chewing gum is banned there and you'd have to pay up

01:45:27to several thousands of dollars for doing it.

01:45:30This law was introduced in the 1990s to make the city cleaner and keep the local fast trains

01:45:35up to schedule.

01:45:37When they launched a new transit system, passengers stuck gum onto train door sensors causing

01:45:42some serious delays.

01:45:44With the new rules, this problem was solved.

01:45:47The no-gum policy, along with many other strict rules, did help to make Singapore a really

01:45:52clean and fine city.

01:45:54Pun intended.

01:45:56If you absolutely can't imagine your life without chewing, the local authorities recommend

01:46:01replacing the gum with bananas.

01:46:05When someone asks you to pass them something, like salt, at the table in Bolivia, don't

01:46:09give it directly to them.

01:46:11Hand it to the person sitting next to them and they'll pass it for you.

01:46:15If the person next to you is asking for that little favor, you still can't hand it straight

01:46:19to them.

01:46:20The person next to you will have to help.

01:46:23This table etiquette comes from a superstition that handing something to someone directly

01:46:27into their hands brings bad luck.

01:46:30For the same reasons, you can't reach across the table or stand up to pass something or

01:46:35toss it to someone.

01:46:37And don't forget to keep both hands on the table when you aren't eating.

01:46:41It might look like you're trying to hide something if your hands aren't visible at all times.

01:46:46When you arrive for a meal in Jordan, the hosts may give you some bitter Arabic coffee

01:46:51as a warm welcome.

01:46:53Don't try to stretch it for the rest of the evening.

01:46:55The polite thing to do is empty it fast.

01:46:58Only when everyone's done with the drink do people go back to socializing.

01:47:02As you pass the empty cup to the hosts, make sure to jiggle your wrists.

01:47:06If you just pass it without jiggling, it will mean you're asking for a refill.

01:47:12Don't rush to arrive at an event on time in Venezuela.

01:47:15People might think that you're rude or greedy.

01:47:18The polite thing to do is to be 10 to 15 minutes late.

01:47:22Events scheduled for 7 o'clock will often begin at 8 o'clock or later.

01:47:26A popular story goes that in the 1980s, a foreign reporter arrived at a press event

01:47:32more than an hour late.

01:47:33When he saw the room was mostly empty, he went to apologize to the host for missing

01:47:38the event.

01:47:39The host then told him he was the first reporter to arrive.

01:47:43It's quite interesting because the clocks in this country have officially been 0.9 seconds

01:47:47ahead of the rest of the world for years.

01:47:51Are you planning to travel by bus in Ireland anytime soon?

01:47:56Don't forget to thank the driver for the ride on your way out of the bus.

01:47:59You'll hear an overwhelming majority of locals do it loudly as it's basically not optional.

01:48:06Choose the gift wisely if you've been invited to a home in Vietnam.

01:48:11It's okay to bring fruit, sweets, or incense.

01:48:14Handkerchiefs are believed to be a symbol of a sad farewell, and cutting tools are a

01:48:19sign of cutting relationships, so don't bring those.

01:48:23Wrap your gift in colorful paper and don't opt for black.

01:48:27The locals believe this color to be a bad omen.

01:48:30When you present the gift, hold it with both hands.

01:48:33And don't be surprised if the hosts don't open it right away.

01:48:37It's done after the giver has left.

01:48:41Don't leave anything on your plate in India.

01:48:43It's a sign of disrespect for the food you were served.

01:48:47Food is considered sacred in the country, so it would upset your hosts a lot.

01:48:52So, wash and dry your hands before starting the meal.

01:48:55Don't forget to praise the cook, and wait for the eldest to stand up before you leave

01:48:59the table.

01:49:00In South India, it's common to serve food on a banana leaf.

01:49:04You gotta fold it over from the top when you're done with the meal.

01:49:08Folding it from the bottom means you weren't satisfied with what you got.

01:49:13It might be a good conversation starter elsewhere, but don't brag about your achievements in

01:49:19Denmark.

01:49:20The locals believe that everyone is equal, so you won't hear them talk about their successful

01:49:26careers or talents, or how special they are.

01:49:29And they expect the same from you.

01:49:32If you're looking for a good topic, they'll gladly talk to you about the greatness of

01:49:37their country.

01:49:38The Danes are really proud of it and all its wonders.

01:49:43If you're going on a trip to Germany and plan to drive on the famous Autobahn, make sure

01:49:48to tank up before you hit the road.

01:49:51Stopping, parking, making U-turns, and backing up on this super speedy highway is illegal.

01:49:59Yes, even if you have to stop because you've run out of gas, you'll have to pay a fine

01:50:04since you were supposed to plan things better.

01:50:07And although the Autobahn technically doesn't have a speed limit, watch out if you're passing

01:50:12by urban areas like Frankfurt, Berlin, and Munich, or construction works and heavy traffic.

01:50:20There will be special speed instructions for these spots.

01:50:25In case you're planning to explore Cyprus by car, quench your thirst before you start

01:50:30the vehicle.

01:50:32Drinking anything, including water, isn't allowed while driving on the island.

01:50:37So if you can't resist snacking or drinking behind the wheel, prepare to pay a fine.

01:50:44In Ethiopia, you gotta think twice before choosing a gift for someone.

01:50:49They see it as a debt they'll have to repay in the future.

01:50:53So if you bring something really expensive, the receiver will either have to spend a lot

01:50:58of money on a return gift or feel indebted to you.

01:51:03If you're going on vacation, I'm sure you forgot to pack a couple of useful items, like

01:51:07a crayon or a pillowcase.

01:51:09I have collected the best travel tips for your ultimate vacation.

01:51:13You should carefully think about when you are planning to go somewhere.

01:51:16In case you have some kind of flexibility, just forget about going on a trip in July.

01:51:21You don't need to travel during the busy season.

01:51:23It's too expensive and there are way too many people.

01:51:25The best time to travel is during the shoulder season, which is between the high and low

01:51:29seasons.

01:51:30In Greece, for example, it's April and May, in September-October.

01:51:34The weather is already or still great, but there are fewer people and the accommodation

01:51:39is way cheaper.

01:51:41When searching for flights, always do it in incognito mode.

01:51:44If you do it in the regular mode, the saved cookie files will track your searches and

01:51:48cheaper flights will be less likely to pop up since you've been searching for a while.

01:51:52Don't give yourself away.

01:51:54Always go incognito.

01:51:56Another trick is to pick a different home country and currency.

01:51:59The one with a better exchange rate.

01:52:01This way you can buy tickets in different currencies that will be way cheaper.

01:52:05Next, when buying the ticket, make a flyer account.

01:52:08No matter the airline you travel with.

01:52:10Airlines gift you miles and when enough, you can get a free flight.

01:52:14Even if you travel with different airlines, there is no need to miss out on an opportunity.

01:52:18And yes, don't dispose of your plane ticket after the trip until you saw that your miles

01:52:22were posted on your flyer account.

01:52:24Also, if you ever need to cancel a non-refundable ticket, just don't cancel it and don't

01:52:29show up.

01:52:30In case something happens and the flight gets cancelled, you will get your money back because

01:52:34no one knew you weren't going to fly anyways.

01:52:37As for picking the seats, if you fly with someone, don't pick the seats next to each

01:52:40other.

01:52:41Keep the middle seat between you and there will be a higher probability that it won't

01:52:45be booked unless the plane is full.

01:52:47If you're lucky, you'll have three seats for the two of you.

01:52:50But if you end up getting a neighbor, you can just ask them to switch seats with you

01:52:53so that one of you can sit next to each other with whoever you're traveling with.

01:52:57Most people will be happy to switch.

01:53:00If you have a long layover, use it to your advantage.

01:53:03Six hours layovers aren't cool.

01:53:05Too long to chill in the airport but too short to get out.

01:53:08In this case, better opt for longer layovers and use them to explore the city before your

01:53:12next flight.

01:53:13If you're booking a hotel, always join their loyalty program.

01:53:17Just like with plane tickets, it won't hurt.

01:53:19But you will still be treated like a special guest.

01:53:22Also, when checking in, ask for an opportunity for an upgrade.

01:53:26You can get a better room for the same price and always make sure to let the hotel know

01:53:29if there's any special occasion.

01:53:32Like a honeymoon, anniversary, birthday or anything.

01:53:35You'll probably end up with some nice perks from the hotel staff.

01:53:39Even though websites for hotel search are cool to use, once you pick the hotel, just

01:53:43call them directly for booking.

01:53:45Websites take fees for posting offers so everything that appears there will be more expensive.

01:53:50Call the hotel directly to book a room and you'll get it for cheaper.

01:53:53But don't feel limited by hotels.

01:53:55Airbnbs are a great option and often you can get luxurious places for cheap.

01:53:59Also, if you don't mind hostels, they can be fun too.

01:54:03You can meet and befriend travelers from other countries.

01:54:06And maybe you can even stay at their place if you ever go to their country.

01:54:10Now off to packing.

01:54:12First off, always make a packing checklist and keep it on your phone.

01:54:16It's hard to remember everything you need right away.

01:54:18So put together the list in a couple of days and add another item as soon as you remember it.

01:54:23This way, you don't forget anything important when packing.

01:54:26To fit more stuff in your suitcase, roll your clothes.

01:54:30This way, they take way less space.

01:54:32Roll all the shampoos and other things that can spill over in a shower cap.

01:54:36This way, even if something explodes, everything inside will still be protected.

01:54:41Also, use packing cubes.

01:54:43They help to organize everything and save a lot of space.

01:54:46Learn to organize your stuff efficiently.

01:54:48A tic-tac box can be a good storage for bobby pins, and they'll all be in place.

01:54:53Use a carbine to keep all hair ties together.

01:54:56Have you packed a pillowcase?

01:54:57You should.

01:54:58It doesn't take much space, but in case you get uncomfortable when traveling, you can

01:55:02just stock the pillowcase with some clothes.

01:55:04Voila!

01:55:05You got yourself a pillow.

01:55:07Also, put a dryer sheet inside your suitcase.

01:55:10This way, your clothes will smell nice, even on long trips.

01:55:13Don't forget to make a copy of your passport and carry it in your wallet just in case.

01:55:17And you can also have a scanned copy of it on the cloud.

01:55:21Another good item to keep is a power bank.

01:55:23Those outlets in airports and airplanes don't always work.

01:55:26Also, get a crayon.

01:55:28It'll be handy if you need to write something down.

01:55:31Pens don't work well in planes because of the air pressure, and pencils break.

01:55:35A crayon will always be there for you.

01:55:38Also, a clothespin is another little thing you might want to have.

01:55:42You know when you arrive and want to keep your toothbrush from touching any counters?

01:55:45If you attach the pin to it, it can serve as a stand.

01:55:49Another little but useful thing is a bread clip.

01:55:52Those serve so many purposes.

01:55:54You can use it as a bookmark, attach it to the end of the tape roll, or keep in place

01:55:58your rolled cords in.

01:56:00But most importantly, they are a must for your flip-flops.

01:56:03The V-shaped part often comes out through it.

01:56:06To avoid it, just slip the bread clip underneath the bottom.

01:56:08It'll serve as a plug stopper, and your flip-flops will last.

01:56:12What to wear?

01:56:13Of course, comfort is the first priority.

01:56:16Sweatpants and leggings are way more comfortable than jeans.

01:56:19A comfy jacket will ensure you don't get cold.

01:56:21A fringe scarf is nice to have, too.

01:56:23They're fancy, and they turn into a cover.

01:56:26Also, make sure you're wearing compression socks.

01:56:28They will spare you from feeling swollen during the trip.

01:56:32Another important part of your outfit could be noise-canceling headphones.

01:56:35They will be a game-changer if there happens to be a screaming little human on the plane.

01:56:40And an ultimate trick, mark your luggage as fragile, even if there's nothing fragile

01:56:45in there.

01:56:46This way, it'll be treated better and your luggage will come out in the first batch

01:56:49after the flight.

01:56:51Most people either sleep or surf their phones while traveling, but some travelers can even

01:56:55play board games.

01:56:56But if you need to roll a dice, here comes a problem.

01:56:59If you roll it not carefully enough, you might end up either losing it or crawling under

01:57:03the seats looking for it, which is inconvenient.

01:57:06Just keep the dice in a little transparent plastic container, then shake the container

01:57:10and see what you got.

01:57:12To find cool places to visit, go on social media, check out photos and videos people

01:57:16post from your location, and go to any place that caught your attention.

01:57:21Pickpockets are definitely a thing, but there is a trick.

01:57:25Just make your valuables less attractive to them.

01:57:27Do you have an expensive camera?

01:57:28Put some tape on it as if you fixed it, and the pickpockets will think that it's broken.

01:57:33Do the same with your phone and laptops and whatever else you don't want to be stolen.

01:57:37Have you ever ended up with a bunch of foreign coins after your trip that are totally useless?

01:57:43Some coins and bills are cool to keep from trips as souvenirs, but too much is too bothersome.

01:57:48To avoid it, just donate your leftover coins before you leave the country.

01:57:51A good deed and also less weight in your pockets on your way home.

01:57:55That's it for today!

01:57:56So hey, if you pacified your curiosity, then give the video a like and share it with your

01:58:01friends.

01:58:02Or if you want more, just click on these videos and stay on the Bright Side!

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