Urban myths are everywhere these days and there are many related to air travel. I have heard so many before and have always wondered if they were true or not. Below, are some common air travel myths you need to know about.
Common Air Travel Myths
The most Common Air Travel Myths is the one about getting sick because of recirculated air on planes. It’s a myth. There is no evidence that you are more likely to get sick after air travel than in any other situation where you are in close contact with lots of people.
Yes, some of the air is recirculated but it’s another myth that the airlines deliberately turn the air valves down to save money so that we are all breathing each other’s germs. In fact, the air is a mixture of fresh, sterile outside air plus the air from the cabin.
Any time you are in a crowded environment, you may be exposed to germs and infections but you are no more likely to get sick in an airplane than you are in a concert hall or a sports stadium or any other crowded environment.
Another common myth is that air travel is safer than ground travel. That depends on what form of ground travel you are considering. It is true that you are more likely to have an accident on the way to the airport if you are traveling by car than on the plane trip itself. However, I more apt to travel by a vehicle then by airplane only because I am terrified to fly!!
But other forms of public transport such as trains and buses are actually safer than air travel, according to a recent study by the American National Safety Council.
There are several modern myths regarding mobile phones, computers, and air travel. First, using your mobile phone on a plane will NOT interfere with the aircraft’s navigation system any more than it is going to make the gas station pump explode.
Maybe they made that up to keep you from using your phone on the plane but it just isn’t true. It also isn’t true that your computer’s hard disk is in danger of being wiped when it goes through the x-ray machines at the security checkpoints. Or your exposed film, for those of you who still use such obsolete technology.
Speaking of security checkpoints, it is a myth that anyone can take a tube of liquid such as could be carried in a toothpaste tube and turn it into a bomb on the plane. So all that messing about putting your perfumes and hand creams in plastic bags is just a waste of time and energy, to make it look like we are being protected from terrorists.
It’s also a myth that anyone could hijack a plane using a butter knife or a fingernail file, but don’t try to carry one on board anyway. You might as well save yourself the hassle.
These are just some of the popular Common Air Travel Myths that I have always been worried about. What about you? What air travel myths have you heard of before and proved to be wrong?