Once again, influencers are involving flight attendants in questionable hacks.
In various posts, influencers reference “travel hacks” supposedly from flight attendants (who remain unnamed), prompting a flood of comments from actual crew members disputing these claims.
In a recent Instagram video, a content creator and self-described fitness and nutrition coach shared a hack based on a conversation with a flight attendant. She demonstrated using a hotel coffee maker to pour hot water over her underwear, followed by using a hair dryer to dry them. Notably, she did not show this process with actual clothing in her video, merely sitting next to a Keurig coffee maker while explaining the hack.
View this post on Instagram
Numerous flight attendants expressed their disbelief on a popular Facebook page for crew members, sharing humorous comments about the questionable hack. Many suggested alternatives for laundry on the road that don’t involve using coffee makers, offering tips like carrying compact laundry detergent or portable wash bags.
Many questioned why hot water from a bathroom sink wouldn’t suffice for emergency laundry. Crew members emphasized the importance of coming prepared with sufficient clean clothes for their trips, often accounting for potential reassignments or delays.
It’s important to consider that many hotels provide laundry services, a more suitable option than utilizing coffee makers for washing clothes. While crew members often have tight layover times, larger hotels may offer express service for an additional charge.
In 2024, another viral TikTok video suggested a bizarre hack, claiming to be from a flight attendant. This one encouraged people to crouch on an airline seat and fasten a seatbelt around their ankles. Crewmembers clarified that this is not only unsafe but also against regulations in the United States, emphasizing the need to follow guidelines set by licensed flight attendants.
Flight attendants and pilots typically ensure they leave their hotel rooms in excellent condition, recognizing they may return to the same accommodations for future layovers and that their colleagues will follow.
This incident also raises concerns about respecting hotel property and how it will affect guests. The original travel hack poster mentioned she no longer utilizes hotel coffee makers for their intended purpose, alarmed by the notion of others using them for cleaning garments.
Despite her claims about widespread usage, none of the commenters supported this hack as a common practice. Many expressed disgust, suggesting it was merely a way to garner attention through sensationalism.
Single-use coffee makers have become a common fixture in hotel rooms around the world.
