This Is What Flight Attendants First Notice About You When Boarding
By CARLIE HOKE
While you may get through check-in and security with an oversized carry-on, flight attendants will know immediately if your baggage will cause them issues.
Baggage
Flights are on a tightly controlled and strategic schedule, and attendants helping direct passengers to their seats know at a glance if bags will not fit in the overhead bins.
Air pressure and altitude can make someone significantly sicker. The crew wants to avoid a medical emergency and will pay special attention to passengers looking unwell.
Your Health
Attendants will note passengers as potentially sick, look for swollen or red eyes and sweating, and keep an eye on the passenger to ensure they don't worsen en route.
If the crew suspects you are past their flight requirements for pregnancy, they may ask you to confirm or even prove how far along you are.
Pregnancies
Parents-to-be can travel on domestic flights up to around 36 weeks. Any later than this runs the very real chance of natural labor occurring mid-flight.
Flight attendants look for passengers with skills that could be useful in an emergency, such as medical professionals, first responders, and fellow airline employees.
Your Career
Even if you are not wearing your badge, scrubs, or wings, the crew may notice you reading a professional magazine, a laptop sticker, or if your bag has a title monogrammed.
Not only will the crew members notice a less-than-friendly passenger, but the lack of kindness is a big pet peeve of flight attendants.
Whether You're Nice
Neglecting to return a smile or hello will instantly be noticed, and ignoring the staff is a surefire way to get your flight attendant to hate you.