If you're a frequent flyer, there are two approaches to this list of airline secrets you may or may not want to know: one, ignore it and carry on in your blissful ignorance of duct tape holding the wing or your aircraft together while flying. Or two, read about the awful things that happen on commercial flights and go in armed with the knowledge of how awful the flight you're on really is (but possibly avoid dysentery). There's no option three, so choose wisely because some of these airline worst practices can't be unseen.
From odd places you'll find poop on a plane to the things a flight attendant might overlook so they get paid, there are an uncomfortable number of things airlines don't want you to know about flying. Culled from the experiences of real pilots, flight attendants, airline staff, ground crew, and TSA officials, these are the reasons logical people are afraid to fly and even the most seasoned traveler should be at least a bit skeeved out by this list of awful things that happen on planes.
http://www.ranker.com/list/airline-secrets-flying/ranker-travel,
Guidelines Exist for the Amount of Screws a Plane Is Allowed to Fly Without
Seems you'd prefer to have zero screws missing, but apparently there's a threshold of acceptable missing screws on the plane.
Plane Water Is Disgusting And Possibly Poop-Filled
A test of tap waters from various airlines, performed by the Wall Street Journal in 2002, found bacteria levels in spigot water to be as much as 100x the allowed limit in the US.
The Toilets Can Be Unlocked from the Outside
This is more of a "Charlie from 'Lost' getting cranked on heroin" precaution than a "People in row 23 joining the mile-high club" fail safe, but the fact remains that occupied does not mean you're free from the possibility of interruption.
Nobody Washes the Blankets or Pillows
Enjoy your scabies.
Flight Attendants Are Using Their Cell Phones During the Flight
Apparently the small electronics you're forbidden to use during the flight are really quite harmless, but if you could check your email on your phone, what's going to compel you to pay for the $15 in-flight internet?
Somebody Has Probably Changed a Diaper On Your Tray Table
Why bother going to the bathroom to remove your child's sodden diaper when you could loose it on a small table that most people eat their food on?
Some Airline Employees Don't Get Paid Until the Flight's in the Air
Why is this scary for you? Let's say a pilot, flight attendant or other airline employee notices something off about the plane (torn carpet, a toilet issue, a possible technical issue) they consider negligible, they may fail to report the condition in case it causes the flight to be substantially delayed or even cancelled.
Pilots Get Served Different Meals in Case of Food Poisoning
Likely the same meals you're being offered, so hope you chose the same meal as the pilot who continues at the helm during a bout of food poisoning.
If There's A Bomb Threat While Flying Over An Ocean, You Probably Won't Hear About It
As there's nowhere to land a giant plane in the middle of an ocean, if a plane gets a bomb threat in the middle of a long haul, you're unlikely (as a passenger) to hear about it.
Planes Are Frequently Struck by Lightning
Better the plane that you.