I'm a pilot - here's why you should NEVER use the pockets on the back of plane seats
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A veteran pilot has revealed the simple reason passengers should avoid using the back pockets of plane seats.
Steve Schreiber, 63, from New Orleans, U.S., has had 26 years of flying experience - including eleven as a captain - which has seen him spend a total of 5,860 hours navigating the skies in 60 different aircraft.
Also known by his pseudonym Captain Steve online, the former United States Navy officer often shares safety tips on all things flying to his Youtube channel, @captainsteeeve, where he boasts over 440K subscribers.
On 24 May, the seasoned pilot took to the video-sharing platform to warn passengers against using the 'black hole of despair' when flying.
In the clip, Captain Steve explained that seat-back pockets are one of the easiest places to lose personal belongings during a flight.
He jokingly described them as a 'black hole of despair,' where items such as phones, passports and wallets frequently disappear - often permanently.
The pilot advised: '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.'
The pilot explained that it's a common occurrence for many passengers to return the gate in a panic after realising they've left something valuable behind in the pocket - but by the time they notice, having the item returned can be nearly impossible.
Steve Schreiber, 63, from New Orleans , U.S, revealed the simple reason passengers should avoid using the back pockets of plane seats
He said: '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.'
However, he warned that the odds of retrieving the item 'diminishes with every minute that tickets by,' especially once cleaning crews or new passengers board, which could be within minutes of the plane emptying.
The pilot concluded by urging passengers to triple-check they have all of their belongings in their possession before disembarking.
It comes as Captain Steve recently shared one surprising skill that makes a good captain - and it has nothing to do with flying.
In April, the seasoned pilot took to his Youtube channel to reveal the lesser-known skill required of a captain: the ability to build a strong repour with one's co-pilot.
In the clip, the pilot first shared he is not permitted to read whilst in the air unless it is in relation to the aircraft itself, or aviation as a whole.
Though he stressed the importance of paying attention to ensuring a safe and successful flight, he insisted another crucial skill boils down to how the conversation unfolds between he and his co-pilot.
From finding out where one another is from, to warming stories about their families, to uncovering their interests and hobbies, Schreiber highlighted how a natural exchange between co-pilots is key.
Captain Steve explained that seat-back pockets are one of the easiest places to lose personal belongings during a flight
He recalled his first interview with his current airline, explaining: 'When I first got interviewed at my airline, they just talked to me for about 20 minutes in the interview - they didn't ask me much in the way of technical questions.'
Though the captain was left 'scratching his head' at first, it soon struck him that he had already been considered a 'good fit' by his hiring managers and he was being tested on his ability to hold a 'good' conversation for a significant length of time.
He added: 'That's a big part of the job. You'd be surprised how many people can't hold a conversation for very long. I appreciate my co-pilots when we get into a good discussion about anything - it makes the flight go by a lot quicker.'
Over 190 viewers were left intrigued in the comments, with many asking follow-up questions about potential issues that could arise in the cockpit.
Daily Mail
