A Pilot's Warning: Avoid Using Plane Seat Pockets

Pilot's Caution Against Seat Pockets

A seasoned pilot has warned passengers against using the back pockets of plane seats for a very good reason. In the cramped space of a budget airline seat, every inch counts. Once you've stowed your bag under the seat, placed your book on the fold-down table, and bunched up a jumper to rest your head on, there's hardly any room to spare. However, one spot often remains tantalisingly empty: the plane seat pocket. Steve Schreiber, a 63-year-old pilot from New Orleans with 26 years of flying experience and 5,680 hours of flight time, is urging passengers to resist the temptation to use this storage pouch. On his YouTube channel, @captainsteeeve, he shares valuable flying tips, including a warning against using the 'black hole of despair' when travelling. The reason why? It's one of the easiest places to lose items. The travel expert urged: "Stop putting personal items in the seat back pocket in front of you. If you want to lose it and never see it again, put it in that dark hole that is the seat back pocket in front of you." Many passengers return to his plane after disembarking, only to realise they've left items in the pocket. At that point, retrieving them can be a challenge. He noted: "If the airplane is still at the gate, fingers crossed that somebody who cares can go out there and find the thing that you left in that seat back pocket." The pilot advised that passengers ensure they've triple-checked their belongings before leaving the plane, which should avoid any upset at the airport. Some also fear that the part of the plane isn't as hygienic as you'd hope – and cabin crew members have admitted this in the post. On the Reddit 'Flight attendants of Reddit' forum, one wrote: "I always recommend you never, ever, ever, ever use or put anything in the seat pocket. They are cleared of rubbish but are never 'cleaned'. "I have pulled out and seen all sorts been pulled out from there. Dirty tissues, sick bags, knickers, socks, gum, half sucked sweets, apple cores, and then next flight you go and put your phone, laptop or iPad in there."