A TikTok video posted by @cops.compilation2 on September 13, 2026, has garnered more than 2,300 likes after listing six common passenger habits that flight attendants say can create problems during flights. The clip, tagged with #traveltips, #airportsecurity, and #airporttips, outlines behaviors ranging from crossing legs to storing valuables in seatback pockets.
Crossing Legs Restricts Circulation
According to the video, crossing your legs while seated compresses the femoral vein and restricts blood flow. Over the duration of a flight, this can lead to muscle stiffness, ankle swelling, and joint fatigue. The creator recommended keeping both feet flat on the floor, shifting body weight periodically, and performing ankle circles to maintain circulation.
Closing the Air Vent Reduces Fresh Airflow
The TikToker advised against fully closing the overhead air vent. They reasoned that shutting the vent cuts off a passenger’s only direct source of moving air, especially when ground climate systems operate at reduced capacity. The suggestion: keep the vent open at a low flow rather than closing it completely.
Removing Shoes Mid-Flight Creates Safety Risks
Taking shoes off immediately after sitting down was flagged as potentially problematic. The creator explained that feet and ankles swell during flights due to prolonged immobility and fluid shifts, making shoes that fit easily during boarding difficult to put back on by landing. They described this as less of an etiquette issue and more of a safety concern, since struggling to force swollen feet into shoes during an emergency evacuation could slow down an entire row. The TikToker suggested loosening laces or wearing slip-on shoes instead of removing footwear entirely.
Covering a Buckled Seatbelt With a Blanket
Pulling a blanket or jacket up over a fastened seatbelt can prevent flight attendants from visually confirming a passenger is secured during turbulence. The creator noted this may require crew to wake a sleeping passenger or disturb their belongings to check. They recommend buckling the seatbelt over the blanket so the buckle remains visible.
Storing Valuables in the Seatback Pocket
Placing passports, phones, or boarding passes in the seatback pocket was identified as a common mistake. The deep fabric pocket is easy to forget about during the rush of deplaning. Flight attendants routinely find phones and passports left behind after flights, and the video recommends keeping such items in a single pouch that stays on the passenger’s body instead.
Commenters Share Pushback and Personal Experiences
The video sparked discussion in the comments, with several users challenging the practicality of the advice.
“You can’t cross your legs, there’s no room. I’m lucky to get my legs in at all.”
Another commenter questioned why flight attendants do not share these tips more openly:
“Isn’t it unfair saying that the flight attendands [sic] knows all this and they don’t tell u.”
A different user pushed back on the air vent recommendation, citing a medical condition:
“I have severe dry eyes condition, the air vents do not help at all with tha dryness. Best to shut it for me.”
Disclaimer
The Daily Dot was unable to independently verify the flight attendant expertise cited in the video or the medical and safety claims made. Readers seeking health or safety guidance should consult qualified medical or aviation professionals. The details above reflect the TikTok video as shared by @cops.compilation2.
