Suche
Mein Konto
To fly or not? This is how airline teams assess their passengers!
Learn how flight attendants rate passengers and the role alcohol consumption plays when flying - important insights for travelers.
To fly or not? This is how airline teams assess their passengers!
With the warmer temperatures, the desire for adventure and travel comes back into our lives. The summer season is just around the corner and is starting to look forward to your next vacation. In this context, it is interesting to know that flight crew plays a crucial role in determining whether passengers are ready for the flight. As Merkur reports, flight attendants observe the passengers as they enter the aircraft in order to gain a first impression. This is done not least for security reasons.
The crew's eyes are particularly keen on four specific criteria that could potentially prevent a passenger from flying: aggressive behavior, high alcohol levels, being wanted by the police or visible illnesses and injuries. As Jörg Berlinger, spokesman for the Swiss cabin crew union, points out, drunk passengers can pose a significant safety risk, especially in emergency situations.
Alcohol and its effects
But what really happens when it comes to drinking alcohol on a plane? A study by the German Aerospace Center shows that moderate amounts of alcohol not only affect health, but can also reduce oxygen levels in the blood. According to ADAC, this represents a particularly high risk for older and sick passengers.
The study examines the effects of alcohol consumption on the oxygen levels in the blood and on the quality of sleep of passengers. It was found that subjects who had consumed alcohol had an oxygen level of just over 85 percent, while healthy, sober people had an oxygen level of around 88 percent. This is certainly worrying, as the normal value should be over 95 percent, as [ZDF today](https://www.zdfheute.de/ratgeber/ethanol-im- Flugzeug-effekt-schaedlich-100.html) makes clear. Low oxygen levels can lead to hypoxemia, a dangerous condition that can cause both headaches and serious heart problems.
For example, the heart rate in alcoholic subjects increases to around 88 beats per minute, which is higher than the normal values for healthy adults of 60 to 100 beats per minute. These findings should encourage us to be more careful with alcohol while flying. Cardiologist Sabine Genth-Zotz therefore recommends considering alternative relaxation techniques such as conscious breathing or listening to calm music.
What makes a “Bob” or “Philip”?
In the world of flying, terms have become established that describe how passengers are perceived by the crew. Anyone who is fit, sober and appropriately dressed is called “Bob” or “Best on board”. On the other side are those who may seem problematic and have to bear the title “Philip”—Passenger I’d like to punch. The choice of clothing also plays a role here: high-heeled shoes are impractical, while sporty sneakers are a positive eye-catcher, as Merkur states.
With these insights into the dynamics of a flight, travelers can make better-prepared decisions to fully enjoy their vacation. Because the key to a pleasant flight lies not only in the destination, but also in the way you prepare for the journey.