Last week I was traveling to a conference, and realized (due, in small part, to my "companions" on the flight home) that it might be worthwhile to write-up my personal etiquette rules for airline travel. Whether it's for work or leisure, there are a few rules that everyone should keep in mind.
(Read my tips for making the most of conference travel)
Regardless of whether you’re traveling for leisure or business, always walk onto a plane expecting to see someone you know. In particular, your boss. Expecting to see someone you know will help ensure you are always on your best behavior, which everyone - from the flight crew to the passengers - will appreciate.
Unless you’re in business class on an 8-hour flight to London, you should only have one drink (I'm talking about alcoholic beverages here). There are a couple of reasons for this. First, since you should always behave as though your boss is on the plane with you, drinking yourself under the tray table probably isn't the way you want to go. Second, the last thing you want to do is spend the first half of the flight repeatedly bugging the flight attendants for more mini-bottles, and the second half of the flight standing in line repeatedly waiting for the lavatory.
Speaking of the airplane lavatory, use the restroom in the terminal before you board. I don't know how many times I've seen other passengers attempting to use the on-board lavatory while the plane is boarding, but I do know that it annoys the flight crew. Plus, if you can take care of business before you board and you happen to have a short-haul flight, you can potentially skip the water closet (and that's being generous) altogether. You don't want to be like the passenger I once saw slip into the bathroom when the plane was on final approach - that seems like a really uncomfortable way to experience a landing.
If your trip is more than two nights, seriously consider checking a bag. The overhead bins get really crowded, so don’t be the annoying person trying to cram an over-stuffed carry-on bag into the overhead compartment. Plus, it's really hard to look professional while hauling 5 days of clothes stuffed into a roller bag through the terminal - especially when you use the bathroom!
Try not to use your laptop on a plane. I know it seems like a convenient time to get work done, but let’s be honest, at a certain point your work is covered by non-disclosure agreements and other restrictions, so working on a plane near strangers who can see your every keystroke is not recommended, regardless of whether or not you put a privacy filter on your screen. On top of that, if you are more than 18 inches wide then laptop work on an airplane resembles watching a T-Rex do data entry. It's uncomfortable, your typing speed is probably 1/5th of what it would normally would be, and your text is likely to be error-prone and require correction later, anyway.
Do you really need to be in board shorts and flip-flops on the plane? Remember that you should expect to run into your boss when you fly, and you would never go to work dressed like you're ready to spend a day at the beach. Also remember that you are in someone else’s place of work. Flight attendants and pilots are at their jobs!
Greet and thank your flight crew. They kept you safe and deserve appreciation for their tough jobs. If you board the plane acting like a miserable grump, you’re going to have a miserable flight, and that’s on you. Be grateful that your flight crew is professional.
When it’s time for airplane mode, use it! Don’t be that person desperately trying to send one last text message while the nose of the plane is already in the air. Follow instructions from the flight crew.
Some of us have really good memories. People may not know your name, but if you are acting "memorably," then someone is bound to remember your face. Remember, these people could be on your hiring committee in the future.
If you have a layover, make sure it’s at least an hour long. There’s nothing more stressful than being stuck in row 26 of a plane and having a 15-minute layover (I may have experienced this before). Plus, being in a rush usually clouds your judgment, and you may act like a jerk. No one can be professional while sprinting from terminal A to terminal C, so avoid the situation whenever possible.
When you have to travel, try to make it as enjoyable as possible. But from my experience, business travel is more enjoyable when you treat it like a part of your job. Don't be afraid to dress up when you fly, it's actually rather comfortable and leaves you set to go out to dinner when you land.
Don't forget to subscribe to the blog to get the most recent updates straight to you inbox. Also, be sure to follow me on LinkedIn and Twitter!
(Read my tips for making the most of conference travel)
Expect to be Traveling with Someone You Know
Regardless of whether you’re traveling for leisure or business, always walk onto a plane expecting to see someone you know. In particular, your boss. Expecting to see someone you know will help ensure you are always on your best behavior, which everyone - from the flight crew to the passengers - will appreciate.
Limit Yourself to One Drink
Unless you’re in business class on an 8-hour flight to London, you should only have one drink (I'm talking about alcoholic beverages here). There are a couple of reasons for this. First, since you should always behave as though your boss is on the plane with you, drinking yourself under the tray table probably isn't the way you want to go. Second, the last thing you want to do is spend the first half of the flight repeatedly bugging the flight attendants for more mini-bottles, and the second half of the flight standing in line repeatedly waiting for the lavatory.
Go Beforehand
Speaking of the airplane lavatory, use the restroom in the terminal before you board. I don't know how many times I've seen other passengers attempting to use the on-board lavatory while the plane is boarding, but I do know that it annoys the flight crew. Plus, if you can take care of business before you board and you happen to have a short-haul flight, you can potentially skip the water closet (and that's being generous) altogether. You don't want to be like the passenger I once saw slip into the bathroom when the plane was on final approach - that seems like a really uncomfortable way to experience a landing.
Check Bags on Long Trips
If your trip is more than two nights, seriously consider checking a bag. The overhead bins get really crowded, so don’t be the annoying person trying to cram an over-stuffed carry-on bag into the overhead compartment. Plus, it's really hard to look professional while hauling 5 days of clothes stuffed into a roller bag through the terminal - especially when you use the bathroom!
Just Leave the Laptop in Your Bag
Try not to use your laptop on a plane. I know it seems like a convenient time to get work done, but let’s be honest, at a certain point your work is covered by non-disclosure agreements and other restrictions, so working on a plane near strangers who can see your every keystroke is not recommended, regardless of whether or not you put a privacy filter on your screen. On top of that, if you are more than 18 inches wide then laptop work on an airplane resembles watching a T-Rex do data entry. It's uncomfortable, your typing speed is probably 1/5th of what it would normally would be, and your text is likely to be error-prone and require correction later, anyway.
Dress Like You Have Somewhere to Be
Do you really need to be in board shorts and flip-flops on the plane? Remember that you should expect to run into your boss when you fly, and you would never go to work dressed like you're ready to spend a day at the beach. Also remember that you are in someone else’s place of work. Flight attendants and pilots are at their jobs!
Be Courteous to the Flight Crew
Greet and thank your flight crew. They kept you safe and deserve appreciation for their tough jobs. If you board the plane acting like a miserable grump, you’re going to have a miserable flight, and that’s on you. Be grateful that your flight crew is professional.
Put the Phone in Airplane Mode
When it’s time for airplane mode, use it! Don’t be that person desperately trying to send one last text message while the nose of the plane is already in the air. Follow instructions from the flight crew.
People Might Remember Your Face
Some of us have really good memories. People may not know your name, but if you are acting "memorably," then someone is bound to remember your face. Remember, these people could be on your hiring committee in the future.
Avoid the Terminal Sprint
If you have a layover, make sure it’s at least an hour long. There’s nothing more stressful than being stuck in row 26 of a plane and having a 15-minute layover (I may have experienced this before). Plus, being in a rush usually clouds your judgment, and you may act like a jerk. No one can be professional while sprinting from terminal A to terminal C, so avoid the situation whenever possible.
When you have to travel, try to make it as enjoyable as possible. But from my experience, business travel is more enjoyable when you treat it like a part of your job. Don't be afraid to dress up when you fly, it's actually rather comfortable and leaves you set to go out to dinner when you land.
Don't forget to subscribe to the blog to get the most recent updates straight to you inbox. Also, be sure to follow me on LinkedIn and Twitter!