The Real Reasons Behind Those Annoying Airplane Rules You’ve Always Wondered About

1. The Real Reason You Are Asked to PUT YOUR TRAY TABLE up is...

Because if there is a need to evacuate the aircraft you could be trapped behind your tray table and would need additional time to put it up, latch it and get it out of your way. Even if you do manage to squeeze out from behind your tray table, what about the person next to you trying to get out? Safety is just one of the reasons behind those annoying airplane rules.

2. The Real Reason You Have to PUT YOUR SEAT in the UPRIGHT POSITION is...

Not necessarily for your own safety but more for the person behind you. No one cares if you sleep through takeoff and landing. That won't hurt anyone, but you never know when a few inches might make the difference between the person behind you being able to get out of their seat and into the aisle or not. So again, it is for evacuation purposes. For more advice, check out our guide on essential packing hacks to make your journey smoother.

3. The Real Reason You Are Asked to PUSH YOUR BAGS and PURSES TOTALLY under the SEAT in FRONT of YOU...

Because you and the other passengers in your row could trip over it during an evacuation. So you may want to think twice before hiding your bags behind your legs while seated or wrapping your purse strap around your feet while your purse is down there. It is all about clear aisles for your safety. This is especially enforced if you're in an exit row, as per TSA guidelines. You would be blocking one of the most important egresses in an emergency.

4. The Real Reason You Are Asked to PUT YOUR LAPTOP AWAY is...

Not really for any internet connection interference or any technological reason at all. It's because of the size of the laptop. All related to evacuation. When you are running for your life you may be hindered by a big item and especially one where you'll be tempted to take an extra few seconds to close the lid then try to get rid of it from your lap in order to get out of your seat quickly. That is why you are allowed to have your phones or iPads out - because they're not as big as your laptop.

5. The Real Reason NUMBERS 1-4 on THIS LIST ARE ENFORCED at CERTAIN TIMES during the FLIGHT...

Such as up until you hear the first chime after takeoff and then again at the 'prepare for landing' is because this is the 10,000 feet mark. This means you are above 10,000 feet at the beginning of your flight and going below 10,000 feet at the end of your flight. This is the crucial phase of flight. Meaning if something were to go wrong, statistics show it usually happens either during the first 10,000 feet or the last 10,000 feet because that is when taking off and landing procedures are happening and there is more chance for error or danger.

Pre-Flight Safety Checklist

So the next time your flight attendant asks you to do certain things, maybe she will sound a little like your mother because truthfully it is for your own good... well, your own safety in this case.