Pilot shares the safety tips you REALLY need to know in the air

Aircraft safety is a hotly debated topic, but one commercial pilot is out to break the record once and for all.

Speaking anonymously to DailyMail.com, the flight expert, who has been a pilot for 10 years and currently works for one of the world’s largest airlines, addresses some of the hottest debated safety issues.

From the best footwear to the safest seat, the frequent flyer offers his verdict on a range of hot topics.

Slide down to learn how to make your next flight trip less dangerous.

Wear shoes that allow you to move quickly

When choosing flight shoes, the pilot recommends choosing “something with the worst-case scenario in mind.”

The majority of people will wear comfortable shoes, but some people may want to dress a little with heels or dress shoes. However, when choosing your flight shoes, I would recommend choosing something with the worst-case scenario in mind. You want to wear a comfortable shoe that allows you to move quickly and cover long distances in an emergency. Airplane floors aren’t always the cleanest, so covered shoes are always better.

The orthotic position could save your life

While there are rumors that the support position is designed to kill passengers faster, this is not true. As described by the US Federal Aviation Administration, this position is designed to limit the impact on your body in the event of a collision.

Knowing this as a motor skill could save your life. It’s good to practice if you can.

Seats in the back of the plane are the safest

When it comes to the safest seat on the plane, I would choose a seat in the last two-thirds of the plane. This is because this area is the strongest part of the aircraft and is therefore more likely to survive an impact.

ALWAYS buckle up in turbulence

In turbulence, you should wear your seat belt. Ideally, you’ll have your seatbelt on before you set off. I’ve seen videos of people not wearing seat belts securely fastened and banging their heads on the roofs of airplanes. The light and air conditioning connections can prove to be very painful! When the turbulence is stronger, it’s best to tip your hot drinks onto the ground and stow any loose items in the front back pocket. Anything loose can become a rocket and cause serious injury.

Seats in the last two-thirds of the plane are the safest, reveals the pilot

A glass of water should be drunk with every alcoholic drink, says the flight professional

Do not push bags into the bin as they may jump out

Keep everything loose in a bag. If you have duty-free items such as alcohol bottles, make sure they are securely stowed under a bag in the overhead compartment. It’s surprisingly common for people to break bones from chunky bottles rolling out of lockers. Also, never try Squeeze sacks in gaps as they will fly out when the bin pops open and this sometimes happens on landing.

Drink a glass of water with every alcoholic drink

Due to the higher flight altitude, you have a lower oxygen content in your blood. This means you will find that you get high much more easily. A glass of water should be drunk with every alcoholic drink. Dehydration also accelerates this process, and lack of moisture in the aircraft causes dehydration.

Watch out for sharp edges in the toilet

Toilet areas on airplanes are pretty gross, with urine often seen on the floor. They’re just really unsanitary places, so always proceed with caution! Even with mild turbulence, it’s best to avoid going to the bathroom altogether. The cubicles often have sharp corners, with the countertops and shelves protruding. If the plane is bobbing up and down there is nothing to back yourself to and you could get a nasty bump.

The pilot says he has seen videos of people not wearing seat belts securely fastened and banging their heads on the roofs of planes during turbulence

“Never try to squeeze bags into gaps as they will fly out when the bin pops open.”

Avoid the kitchen area as much as possible

Another spot on the plane that you should avoid as much as possible is the galley. The cooking area is full of sharp objects ranging from knives to bottle openers and if these are not properly secured they become instant hazards. Boiled water for hot drinks and warm food poses another risk. I’ve also seen wine bottles break when there’s more turbulence. It can get pretty messy.

Lightning is generally not a problem

While it may seem scary to see flashes of light flashing through the sky from your airplane seat, 99.999999 percent of the time, lightning isn’t a problem. The aircraft simply derives the illumination through its skin. As a rule, only a small on-site inspection is required after the event. Recently, however, some modern carbon fiber composites used to build aircraft have had major problems with lightning strikes. There have been instances where lightning has caused the carbon to delaminate.