Flight Attendants Can't Stand This Frustrating Passenger Habit On Crowded Airplanes

Flight attendants are there to help keep us safe during flights and make the experience as pleasant as possible. This isn't an easy job, and sometimes, it's the passengers themselves that make it harder. In fact, flight attendants have a secret term for annoying passengers (the one time you don't want to get called a "VIP"), and if you'd like to avoid being a source of frustration for them, there is one important thing to avoid doing on crowded airplanes: rushing to deplane as soon as the wheels touch the ground. In fact, flight attendant Cecily Anderson tells Reader's Digest, "It's not just annoying, but it also slows everything down, making them even less likely to get what they want. ... We have rules about deplaning for a reason." In fact, it's not only irritating for flight attendants, but for many other passengers as well. 

If you've flown, you've probably seen it (if not done it yourself). The plane touches down, and the second the aircraft stops moving — and sometimes even before that — people are up in the aisle, grabbing their suitcases out of the overhead bin and trying to squeeze by everyone in front of them. They completely disregard the fact that the "fasten seatbelt" sign hasn't even been turned off and forget that the doors to the front of the plane haven't even opened yet. While there can be good reasons for people wishing to deplane as quickly as possible, it can make things difficult for flight attendants and other passengers. Plus, it can be a big safety issue. In case you're wondering, flight attendants call passengers who do this "aisle lice," an echo of the term "gate lice," which indicates travelers who line up to board the plane before their group is called. 

Wanting to get out of a plane as quickly as possible is understandable, of course. Some people are rushing to make a tight connection, which can be rough, especially if the first flight is delayed. Others are claustrophobic and desperately want to get out for some fresh air. If the flight was delayed, you may have been traveling hours longer than you expected. Or you could have a medical emergency, or just desperately need to use the restroom. We've all been there.

However, trying to deplane early, or even getting up to get ready too soon, can be dangerous. Even after the plane comes to a stop, it can still shift, start up again, or move in a way that can cause injuries. I was on a flight once where someone stood up too early and opened the overhead bin. The plane started moving again, and they were hit on the head by a falling bag. (This person also used the call button over and over again, something else that frustrates flight attendants.)

If you do have an emergency like a tight connection, or any other reason that legitimately requires you to get off the plane quickly, ask a flight attendant for help before the plane begins its descent. They may be able to get you off the plane quickly, even if it requires an announcement to have other people wait. You can also speak to the people in your row if you have a window or aisle seat and need to get out quickly, or you could try to book an aisle seat in the first place. And though this may depend on your finances, you can also book a seat close to the front of the plane so you're one of the first to deplane.