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National Post

Flight attendants and gate agents reveal 11 things you should never do when flying

Article content From cutting in line to swapping seats at the last minute, poor travel etiquette has a way of testing everyone's patience. We asked flight attendants and gate agents to spill the tea on the habits that drive them (and your seatmates) up the cabin wall. Here's a flight plan for cultivating mile-high manners that can make flying more pleasant for everyone. Article content Article content Licence to fly Article content Article content That panicked pat-down of empty pockets at the check-in counter is an airline agent's recurring nightmare. Airlines require a valid government-issued photo ID matching your ticket name precisely — not your nickname, maiden name or creative spelling variation. Article content Article content While airlines can typically correct minor name misspellings (often up to three characters), anything more might incur fees. Expired driver's licences don't fly, passports need six months' validity for many destinations and countries like the U.K. and Australia require pre-approved digital travel permits. Article content The golden rule of air travel documentation? Check everything twice before heading to the airport. Without a valid government-issued photo ID with your full name and date of birth, there's very little the airlines can do to help. Article content When passengers arrive at the airport unaware of their fare's baggage allowance, it creates a domino effect of delays throughout the boarding process. Gate agents forced to explain policies, process unexpected payments and tag last-minute checked bags are pulled away from other pre-departure tasks. Article content Article content Having to deal with a passenger who has blown way past their baggage allowance can be 'incredibly frustrating and has consequences,' said one gate agent working out of Calgary International Airport, who spoke on the condition of anonymity. Article content What begins as one passenger's confusion can result in a pushed-back departure time, affecting everyone's connections and plans. Understanding your specific baggage allowance before arriving at the gate helps ensure a smoother journey for all.