We’ve all been there – struggling to either fit your luggage in the storage chambers above your seats on a plane, or lift it above your head.
Well, apparently there’s a good reason why flight attendants stand there and watch you wrestle your hand-luggage into the overhead compartment – and it’s not because of the slap-stick comedy that ensues, with the suitcase fighting back at you in front of a plane full of people all staring into your soul.
We’d all be smiling it it was that easy to put a suitcase in the overhead compartment of a plane… where are all the other suitcases? (Getty stock)
No, the real reason makes a whole lot of sense, although I’d argue it is still rude – help a brother out, I’m sweating here.
Kat Kamalani is a flight attendant of six years, and she’s offered her expertise on the matter – including some knowledge that you probably never even knew.
Taking to TikTok to share her wisdom, she said: “I have three tips that are going to help you with your anxiety in the luggage and they’re going to be life-changing for you.
“The first rule of thumb I always say is, if you can’t lift it, don’t bring it – so try at home first to see if you can even lift it above your head, if you can’t take some stuff out.”
The practicality of it makes sense 100 percent, but surely there will be someone on the plane sitting near you who would be happy to help.
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♬ original sound – Kat Kamalani
Kamalani continued: “Second tip, most airlines have these little placard cards that are going to show you how to store your luggage, so it’s going to go horizontal or vertical, so if you can just take a look at that, it saves so much time and it’s so much easier.”
Now, I feel like you’ve just been holding the plane up doing this (which in turn would lead to more anxiety), just ask someone to help!
Finally, the flight attendant revealed the real reason why people in her job in the aviation industry don’t help putting your bags into overheard compartments.
She explained: “Okay, crazy fact, everyone thinks that it’s the flight attendants job to lift your luggage into the bins, but it’s not.
“Actually, our airlines and a ton of airlines tell you ‘do not do this’ because there’s so many injuries with it, so if we get injured, it’s not even covered.
The TikToker revealed you can ask flight attendants to help you fit it into a space but asking them to lift it is a no-no (Getty stock)
“So, just ask the flight attendant to assist you, and they will totally help you put it up there.”
Well, I agree with the sentiment that you shouldn’t ask someone to help who looks like they’d clearly struggle getting the case up themselves, so maybe only ask the stronger-looking flight attendants?
But for the airlines to say don’t help because we don’t want to cover your medical bills – that seems a bit absurd!
What do I know anyway?