Staying Safe At Airports: A Comprehensive Guide

Airports are sites of adventure, excitement, and anticipation for many, but they can also be places of stress, anxiety, and unusual behaviour. In recent years, there has been an increase in air rage incidents and flight diversions, with some airlines calling for a reduction or ban on alcohol sales at airports. Understanding the unique psychological effects of airports and implementing safety practices are crucial steps towards ensuring a safe airport experience. From managing stress triggers to navigating complex airspaces, staying safe at the airport requires addressing various factors that can influence human behaviour and aviation systems.

Be aware of your surroundings, especially crowds and noise, which can cause stress and anxiety

Being aware of your surroundings is crucial for ensuring your safety at the airport. Airports are often crowded and noisy, which can be overwhelming and cause stress and anxiety. Here are some tips to help you manage your surroundings and reduce anxiety:

• Arrive Early: Give yourself ample time by arriving at the airport early. This helps you avoid rushing and feeling overwhelmed. It also eliminates the fear of missing your flight, a significant source of anxiety.
• Opt for a Quieter Time: Airports tend to be quieter during early morning hours, so booking an early flight or arriving at the airport before 9 am can help you skip the crowds.
• Use Airport Lounges: Airport lounges provide a relaxing escape from the chaotic and crowded terminals. They offer comfortable seating, food, drinks, and even shower facilities. Anyone can access these lounges, and you can book them online in advance.
• Plan Your Outfit: Wear comfortable and easily removable clothing to the airport. Many airports require you to remove hats, coats, scarves, and boots during security checks. Choosing slip-on shoes and avoiding metal accessories can streamline this process.
• Stay Entertained: Boredom can amplify anxiety. Bring items to keep yourself entertained, such as a book, podcast downloads, or a colouring book. You can also take advantage of airport services like streaming a movie or shopping.
• Deep Breathing and Relaxation: Practise deep breathing exercises to calm yourself. Additionally, walking around the airport or doing laps in the terminal can help shift your mindset and reduce feelings of being stuck.
• Use Airport Apps: Most airports have their own apps that provide valuable information such as maps, arrival and departure times, and restaurant listings. These apps can help you navigate the airport with ease and reduce feelings of confusion and overwhelm.
• Manage Your Stomach: Airport anxiety can lead to an upset stomach. Be prepared with stomach settlers, such as medication, cola, mints, or mint-flavoured chocolates.
• Pre-pack Toiletries: To avoid the stress of rummaging through your bags and displaying your belongings at security checks, pre-pack your liquids and toiletries in clear plastic bags.

Avoid alcohol, which can increase the risk of anti-social behaviour

Airports can be stressful places, with the crowds, noise, and anxiety of flying all contributing to a sense of overload. This can lead to irritability and anger, and for some, a desire to take refuge in alcohol.

However, drinking alcohol can increase the risk of anti-social behaviour. Alcohol can lower inhibitions and allow our primitive instincts to take over, leading to behaviour that is out of character. This can be especially true in the unique environment of an airport, where people are in a different frame of mind, eager to begin their holidays and leave their normal routines and identities behind.

The disorienting nature of airports can also play a role in encouraging anti-social behaviour. Airports are liminal spaces, where national borders and the concept of time and place become hazy. This can create a sense of disorientation, and when combined with alcohol, can lead to a loss of inhibitions and an increase in anti-social behaviour.

Given these factors, it is recommended to avoid alcohol at the airport to reduce the risk of anti-social behaviour. This can help ensure a safe and pleasant travel experience for all passengers.

Additionally, airports and airlines have started to recognize the role of alcohol in encouraging anti-social behaviour and are taking steps to address the issue. For example, Ryanair has called for a two-drink limit at airport bars to prevent drunken incidents on planes.

Dress appropriately, adhering to airline dress codes to avoid removal from your flight

While there is no universal dress code for airlines, it is important to dress appropriately and adhere to the airline's dress code to avoid removal from your flight. Most airlines have clauses in their contract of carriage regarding attire. Generally, you must wear appropriate clothing, be properly clothed, and not be barefoot or emit a strong odour unless due to a medical condition. Clothing that is lewd, obscene, offensive, or revealing is typically prohibited. Some airlines, like Hawaiian Airlines, have more specific dress codes, such as prohibiting bathing suits and requiring clothing to cover the upper part of the torso. It is important to review the specific dress code of your airline before your flight to ensure you are dressed appropriately and avoid any issues during boarding or your journey.

In addition to adhering to the airline's dress code, it is also important to consider your safety when choosing your in-flight outfit. Nick Leighton, an etiquette expert, suggests that passengers choose clothing that would be appropriate in an emergency situation. He recommends natural fibres, long pants, sleeves, and closed-toe shoes. Leighton also advises passengers to respect the personal space and comfort of fellow passengers by avoiding clothing that may be considered offensive or inappropriate.

While comfort is a priority for many travellers, it is crucial to balance it with modesty and cultural sensitivity. Dressing in layers can be a good option to adjust to changing temperatures and ensure you feel comfortable yet appropriately covered. It is also wise to be mindful of cultural norms and religious sensitivities, especially when travelling to or from more conservative regions.

If you are unsure about the appropriateness of your attire, it is always better to err on the side of caution and choose something more conservative. By dressing appropriately, you can help ensure a smooth boarding process and a comfortable journey for yourself and your fellow passengers. Remember that airline staff has the final say in enforcing the dress code, and it is important to respect their decisions to avoid any disruptions or delays.

In summary, to ensure a safe and pleasant travel experience, it is important to dress appropriately, adhere to the airline's dress code, and consider your safety, comfort, and the comfort of those around you. By being mindful of these factors, you can help create a positive travel experience for yourself and your fellow passengers.

Be mindful of personal boundaries; strangers may share intimate details

Airports are "liminal zones" where people are in a "no-man's-land" between countries and time zones. This can lead to a sense of disorientation, as people lose their usual markers of identity, such as nationality and daily routines. As a result, personal boundaries become blurred and strangers may share intimate details about their lives.

In these transitional spaces, people are more open to connecting with others. The heightened attention we experience during travel, combined with the intensified emotions of flying, can make us more susceptible to sharing personal stories. The anonymous nature of these interactions can also contribute to this phenomenon, as people feel freer to express themselves without the constraints of their everyday lives.

While this can lead to meaningful connections and acts of tenderness between strangers, it is important to be mindful of personal boundaries. Not everyone is comfortable with the same level of intimacy, and it is essential to respect the wishes of those around us.

If you find yourself in a situation where a stranger is sharing intimate details and you feel uncomfortable, it is perfectly acceptable to politely excuse yourself or set boundaries. Conversely, if you are the one sharing personal information, be mindful of the other person's body language and respect their boundaries if they indicate that they would like to disengage from the conversation.

Additionally, it is worth noting that alcohol consumption can further lower inhibitions and impact judgment. If you choose to consume alcohol, do so in moderation and be aware of how it may affect your behavior and interactions with others.

Be cautious when navigating complex airspaces, like D.C., to avoid collisions

The airspace around Washington, D.C. is congested and complex, with commercial planes, military aircraft, and restricted areas around sensitive sites. Even in peak flying conditions, the airspace around Reagan Washington National Airport can challenge even the most experienced pilots.

To avoid collisions in such complex airspace, pilots must be aware of the following:

• Hundreds of other commercial planes and military aircraft traverse the airspace, so pilots must be vigilant in monitoring nearby aircraft.
• There are restricted areas around sensitive sites, such as the Pentagon and the White House, where commercial planes are prevented from flying.
• Helicopters in this area are supposed to fly along a designated route, no higher than 200 feet, to stay out of the way of commercial jets.
• The routes of aircraft routinely criss-cross one another, so pilots must be prepared for last-minute requests to switch runways.
• Planes approaching Runway 33 fly at a lower altitude while crossing the helicopter route, often less than 200 feet, so pilots must be aware of the increased risk of collision.
• The bright lights of the city can make seeing oncoming aircraft more difficult, especially at night.

By being aware of these factors and staying cautious, pilots can help avoid collisions when navigating complex airspaces like D.C.

Frequently asked questions