A former flight attendant from Toronto has pleaded guilty in U.S. federal court in connection with a fraud scheme reminiscent of the 2002 Steven Spielberg film, Catch Me If You Can.

Strong-smelling, messy, or bulky foods can create problems for fellow passengers even when they are permitted through security. Travel experts recommend simple, non-perishable snacks, secure containers, and considerate timing when eating on board.

There’s more going on with that window shade than you might think.

Your carry-on roller bag made it through security just fine. You packed it yourself, it fits the size limit, and it’s riding overhead for the whole flight – that’s the plan, anyway. On roughly 30% of full flights, a carry-on gets gate-checked, and when that happens, the bag you thought was staying in the cabin disappears into the cargo hold.

It feels like basic hospitality, like the aviation equivalent of a host greeting you at a restaurant. But that brief interaction is doing a lot more than it seems.

You’ve probably never thought too hard about it. As you board a plane, a flight attendant stands at the aircraft door, smiles, says “welcome,” maybe glances at your boarding pass. It feels like basic hospitality, like the aviation equivalent of a host greeting you at a restaurant. But that brief interaction is doing a lot more than it seems.

Reuters reports that the FAA is close to recertifying the aircraft after a series of crashes and in-flight problems.

Unlike some outdated aviation rules, this one has real legitimacy. It’s one of the most familiar instructions in air travel, yet this simple directive often goes ignored. As the plane prepares to take off or touch down, flight attendants ask passengers to return their seats to the upright position.