You won’t believe what passengers are stealing from planes
- Replies 13
From sudden flight changes and lost suitcases to dealing with passengers’ bad behaviour – a flight attendant’s job seems to never end. Not to mention they have to provide emergency medical support and keep people safe and comfortable during times when circumstances are less than ideal. It’s safe to say that these people face a lot of difficulties while on the job.
However, one flight attendant revealed that they have a new responsibility to be mindful of, after it has become increasingly common for travellers to do this one act while inside the plane.
It seems like it’s not enough for people to be disruptive at the airport or during a flight. Others are allegedly stealing some items while inside the plane and keeping them as a ‘souvenir’.
And now, it’s become part of a flight attendant’s job description to stop this bizarre behaviour.
According to one flight attendant, not only is this act ‘incredibly stupid’, but it can also be ‘very dangerous’.
The reason is that one of the main items that travellers try to take from the aircraft is the life jacket.
The flight attendant shared: ‘If you have even just a quick glance at eBay, you’ll see loads of people flogging them on there, for sometimes as much as £100 (AU $175) a pop, so it’s easy to see why people take them.’
‘And this is probably the worst thing you can take from the plane for many reasons.’
The most obvious reason (according to the flight attendant) is that you’re depriving someone of a vital life saving kit.
‘If the flight after yours has to land in the sea, then you’re quite literally putting someone’s life at risk, which seems a little unfair for the sake of £100 (AU $175),’ they explained.
The flight attendant also shared that they know where passengers sit while in transit and will know if you are the culprit.
‘Not having enough safety equipment on board could land the airline with a big fine if an auditor found out, so any thieves shouldn’t be too surprised if they get a call from us afterwards asking for it back,’ they warned.
Another item that passengers often steal are the safety cards found at the back of each plane seat. Though slightly less dangerous than stealing life jackets, it’s still not ideal.
This is because the information found on the safety cards are something that every passenger should have access to at all times, in case something unforeseen happens.
‘So, we’d appreciate it if you left them where you found them,’ the flight attendant explained.
Allegedly, the people who take these cards are ‘aviation geeks’ who collect them from each plane they board.
‘I’m not sure why, but it’s a bit annoying to have to go around and replace them, which often ends up being my job.’
Aside from stealing the safety equipment (which has a motive behind it), passengers will often take things simply because they feel entitled to them.
According to the flight attendant, during longer haul flights, economy class people will often pass through business class seats and sometimes walk past the galley – the place where the crew often prepares for the flight.
While there, the flight crew will often have slices of fruit, glasses of champagne and ‘other bits and pieces’ ready to hand out to the passengers in business class seats.
‘However, the passengers passing through regularly pick them up for themselves and take them back to economy class with them, which they really shouldn’t,’ the flight attendant admitted.
‘Sorry, but you do have to pay extra to get those kinds of perks on board our flights.’
But there are some things that flight attendants ‘don’t mind’ passengers taking away from planes, including pillows and blankets.
‘Just make sure you’re not taking too much and nothing hugely important, or life-saving, and you’ll probably be alright,’ they advised before adding that they know other flight attendants who are just as bad as passengers, if not worse.
‘I’ve been to visit friends who have almost kitted their homes out with things they’ve nicked from work. From the soaps and lotions in the bathrooms, the salt and pepper shakers and even cutlery and wine glasses, if it’s not nailed down to the plane, they’ve taken them.’
The flight attendant said they half-expected to find drink trolleys in there the next time they visit their friends’ homes.
Have you witnessed someone stealing from a plane? Let us know in the comments below! And don’t forget to share your thoughts about this story in the comments section!
However, one flight attendant revealed that they have a new responsibility to be mindful of, after it has become increasingly common for travellers to do this one act while inside the plane.
It seems like it’s not enough for people to be disruptive at the airport or during a flight. Others are allegedly stealing some items while inside the plane and keeping them as a ‘souvenir’.
And now, it’s become part of a flight attendant’s job description to stop this bizarre behaviour.
Please don’t steal anything inside an aeroplane. Credit: Pew Nguyen/Pexels
According to one flight attendant, not only is this act ‘incredibly stupid’, but it can also be ‘very dangerous’.
The reason is that one of the main items that travellers try to take from the aircraft is the life jacket.
The flight attendant shared: ‘If you have even just a quick glance at eBay, you’ll see loads of people flogging them on there, for sometimes as much as £100 (AU $175) a pop, so it’s easy to see why people take them.’
‘And this is probably the worst thing you can take from the plane for many reasons.’
The most obvious reason (according to the flight attendant) is that you’re depriving someone of a vital life saving kit.
‘If the flight after yours has to land in the sea, then you’re quite literally putting someone’s life at risk, which seems a little unfair for the sake of £100 (AU $175),’ they explained.
The flight attendant said that stealing life jackets from an aircraft will put someone else’s life at risk. Credit: Pew Nguyen/Pexels
The flight attendant also shared that they know where passengers sit while in transit and will know if you are the culprit.
‘Not having enough safety equipment on board could land the airline with a big fine if an auditor found out, so any thieves shouldn’t be too surprised if they get a call from us afterwards asking for it back,’ they warned.
Another item that passengers often steal are the safety cards found at the back of each plane seat. Though slightly less dangerous than stealing life jackets, it’s still not ideal.
This is because the information found on the safety cards are something that every passenger should have access to at all times, in case something unforeseen happens.
‘So, we’d appreciate it if you left them where you found them,’ the flight attendant explained.
The safety cards have information that can potentially save someone’s life. Credit: Pew Nguyen/Pexels
Allegedly, the people who take these cards are ‘aviation geeks’ who collect them from each plane they board.
‘I’m not sure why, but it’s a bit annoying to have to go around and replace them, which often ends up being my job.’
Aside from stealing the safety equipment (which has a motive behind it), passengers will often take things simply because they feel entitled to them.
According to the flight attendant, during longer haul flights, economy class people will often pass through business class seats and sometimes walk past the galley – the place where the crew often prepares for the flight.
While there, the flight crew will often have slices of fruit, glasses of champagne and ‘other bits and pieces’ ready to hand out to the passengers in business class seats.
‘However, the passengers passing through regularly pick them up for themselves and take them back to economy class with them, which they really shouldn’t,’ the flight attendant admitted.
‘Sorry, but you do have to pay extra to get those kinds of perks on board our flights.’
But there are some things that flight attendants ‘don’t mind’ passengers taking away from planes, including pillows and blankets.
‘Just make sure you’re not taking too much and nothing hugely important, or life-saving, and you’ll probably be alright,’ they advised before adding that they know other flight attendants who are just as bad as passengers, if not worse.
‘I’ve been to visit friends who have almost kitted their homes out with things they’ve nicked from work. From the soaps and lotions in the bathrooms, the salt and pepper shakers and even cutlery and wine glasses, if it’s not nailed down to the plane, they’ve taken them.’
The flight attendant said they half-expected to find drink trolleys in there the next time they visit their friends’ homes.
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I had a look on ebay and couldn't really see the ones they use on planes
