Air travel has become very common but unfortunately the habits followed in buses and trains are carried forward to air travel. There are some mannerisms we observe among travelers, sometimes we ourselves might be party to it. Here's my list of 10 habits we should avoid, right from our next flight.

1. Arriving late and fighting with counter staff:
There’re some pre-defined and well known cut off time as to how late passengers can be issued a boarding pass at check in counter. Factor this time, factor for traffic jams and keep some buffer while planning your airport transfer. You can save some time if you do web check-in etc- Make use of that. All airlines have SMS/App alert facilities for delays – make use of that. Arriving late and fighting with counter staff to let you in is not right. Some airlines like Air India are introducing policy to penalize ground staff who cause delays. It is not fair on rest of the 300 passengers to wait for few who came very late. Reach airport on time.

2. Fighting with counter staff over excess luggage:
3. Arguing with security over banned items:
Pay attention to what’s allowed in a hand baggage and what is not. Move such items to check in baggage or don’t carry at all. Security staff won’t care how expensive it is or how harmless its- if it is a banned item, it will not be allowed inside.

4. Not pre-ordering your meals:
5. Standing in queue several minutes before boarding is announced:
What are you gaining by this? You don’t have to reserve a seat by boarding the aircraft early- your seats are decided, there is no risk that late comers will have to stand during the flight. You don’t reach early just because you boarded early. What practical benefit you will get by standing in queue way before boarding is announced and impatiently waiting to cross the gate? Only benefit I see that you might get luggage space right on top of your head if you move in early, else you may have to keep it little away. Is that worth all the trouble? Why not simply relax on the chairs till the boarding opens?

6. Not honoring boarding sequence:

7. Shouting at ground staff for delay:
Airline staff who man the gate do not have any control/influence on arrival and departure of aircrafts. At best they can communicate information they have. Shouting at them for delay in boarding will not help in any way. An aircraft shuttles several cities in a day (domestic) and sometimes delays are not possible to avoid. Be mentally prepared for some delays- carry a book or something to keep you occupied.
8. Packing things not meant to be taken off aircraft:

9. Getting up as soon as plane stops taxing:
Again doesn’t really help.
- Your check in baggage won’t arrive on priority because you jumped out of the craft first
- The ground transportation will wait for the bus to be filled before moving, so at best you might get a seat, but will still have to wait
- Even if you stand up, you will still have to wait as everyone else also have stood up and crowded the aisle long before aircraft doors are open
Why not relax in your seat for few more minutes?
10. Being restless at luggage belt:

· If you have a boarding pass in hand, your seat is confirmed, so there’s no need to go early and reserve a seat
· Do not worry about cabin luggage space. Crew will make some provision for you if you don’t find space.
· Once you have boarding pass, plane will not depart without you. Even if you fall asleep some announcements will be made and they will take you in. So don’t waste time and energy standing in super long boarding queues.
· Lot of things are not in the control of ground staff. Arguing with them and cursing them will not be of any good. Airline is a complex operation. Respect the rules and guidelines laid out. If there’re some small delays, please be patient. But if you’re facing issues again and again, then avoid flying that airline. Fighting with helpless ground staff won’t get you anywhere.
· Stop being a petty thief.
Did I miss anything? Do you agree with above observations? Share your thoughts.
Author Shrinidhi Hande works as a Business Analyst with an MNC. In his free time, he pursues blogging as a hobby and passion. He currently lives in Chennai, India. Follow his blog at eNidhi. (Reprinted with permission, and without major changes or edits to text.)
Photo credits: Airplanes in the sky: Krishna Kumar. All others, Jennifer Kumar.
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