As we all know, flying is one of the safest ways to get to a destination. But even though you may consider yourself a hardened traveler by now, chances are that you may still be harboring a few misconceptions when it comes to your favorite way to travel. Here are some of the most common airliner myths that travelers tend to believe.
1. “Snow Is a Problem, But Rain Isn’t”
Time and time again, blizzards and snowstorms have put a real snarl in air traffic. But as our planet contends with more abnormal weather conditions than ever before, it should be noted that heavy rainfall is becoming more of an issue than most flyers realize. When airports are besieged by this type of weather, chances are decent that flights may be delayed or even canceled.
Time and time again, blizzards and snowstorms have put a real snarl in air traffic. But as our planet contends with more abnormal weather conditions than ever before, it should be noted that heavy rainfall is becoming more of an issue than most flyers realize. When airports are besieged by this type of weather, chances are decent that flights may be delayed or even canceled.
2. “It’s Easy for the Pilot to Navigate Around Thunderstorms”
It’s a bit more difficult than the movies might lead you to believe. When a thunderstorm is occurring, ATC staff will need to route all air traffic around the storm. This is a considerably daunting task, and planes can’t fly over storms like these. With many storm systems reaching heights of up to 60,000 feet and airliners topping out at about 40,000 feet max, planes do have to circumnavigate storm systems by flying around them. However, you don’t need to be in the direct path of the storm to feel the effects; many times, turbulence can be felt for miles away.
It’s a bit more difficult than the movies might lead you to believe. When a thunderstorm is occurring, ATC staff will need to route all air traffic around the storm. This is a considerably daunting task, and planes can’t fly over storms like these. With many storm systems reaching heights of up to 60,000 feet and airliners topping out at about 40,000 feet max, planes do have to circumnavigate storm systems by flying around them. However, you don’t need to be in the direct path of the storm to feel the effects; many times, turbulence can be felt for miles away.
3. “The Pilot Knows When It’s Going to Get Bumpy”
Although technology has improved turbulence detection somewhat, there is so surefire way for a captain to know when a turbulent pocket of air is about to make itself known. Changes in air pressure and other factors can play havoc with a plane’s ordinarily smooth ride. This is just one of many reasons why it is a good idea to keep your seatbelt on whenever you’re sitting down on a plane. Although turbulence rarely causes injuries, it does tend to shift around items in the overhead compartment. In some cases, it may even cause objects to fall out of these compartments, so flyers are urged to take care and be observant during all portions of their flight.
Although technology has improved turbulence detection somewhat, there is so surefire way for a captain to know when a turbulent pocket of air is about to make itself known. Changes in air pressure and other factors can play havoc with a plane’s ordinarily smooth ride. This is just one of many reasons why it is a good idea to keep your seatbelt on whenever you’re sitting down on a plane. Although turbulence rarely causes injuries, it does tend to shift around items in the overhead compartment. In some cases, it may even cause objects to fall out of these compartments, so flyers are urged to take care and be observant during all portions of their flight.
