Airport alert: This is how crew members determine whether you are allowed to fly!

Airport alert: This is how crew members determine whether you are allowed to fly!

With the start of the summer holidays in Germany, the anticipation of the holiday grows. But the safety aspect of flying is often the main focus. Flight attendants form their first impression of passengers as soon as they enter the aircraft. According to Jörg Berlinger, spokesman for the Swiss cabin crew union, the crew observes special “peculiarities” in passengers that could potentially speak against a flight. The reasons why passengers are not allowed to fly include, but are not limited to, noticeable aggressiveness, high alcohol levels and the presence of visible illnesses or injuries.

In aviation, alcohol consumption poses a serious safety risk, especially during emergencies. Drunk passengers can jeopardize the safety of the entire flight. However, the crew not only pays attention to people with potential dangers, but also to passengers who need special assistance, such as families with small children. Another criterion is the presence of medical professionals who can help in an emergency.

A look at the clothing

The clothing of the passengers also plays a role in the overall impression. Sporty sneakers are viewed positively, while high heels and passengers flying barefoot are considered undesirable. Flying barefoot is not just a question of style, but also of hygiene - the floor on the plane harbors a lot of bacteria. Passengers who are fit, sober and appropriately dressed are referred to as “Bob” (Best on board). In contrast, there are the passengers categorized as “Philip”, who are rated less positively due to their behavior and stand for “Passenger I’d like to punch”.

Alcohol and its effects on airplanes

The effects of drinking alcohol on a plane are also concerning. A new study by the German Aerospace Center (DLR) has shown that alcohol further reduces oxygen levels in the blood. In addition, the blood oxygen levels of healthy people, which are normally above 95 percent, can drop to around 88 percent on a plane. With about two glasses of wine or two cans of beer, this value can drop to an alarming 85 percent.

The study, which involved 48 people between the ages of 18 and 40, shows, among other things, that alcohol consumption in combination with low blood pressure poses health risks. This can lead to an increased heart rate as the heart tries to compensate for the lack of oxygen. Headaches, increased blood pressure and cardiac arrhythmias are possible consequences. People with previous illnesses are particularly at risk, and young healthy people are not out of danger either.

In order to prevent the risks of alcohol consumption on a plane, cardiologist Sabine Genth-Zotz recommends both raising awareness of the dangers and giving tips on how to improve sleep on the plane. These include conscious breathing, calming techniques and light food. These measures could ensure the well-being of both passengers and crew during the flight.

While some people start their summer holidays in a relaxed manner, airlines remain responsible for ensuring the safety of all travelers and paying attention to the different aspects that have an impact on the flight experience.

For more information about the flight attendants' observations and assessments, it's best to look here: Mercury reports. For more information about alcohol and its effects on airplanes, see ZDF today.