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.