Here is a a suggestion to lessen the amount of crying and wailing from kids during takeoff and landing. Most young 'uns cry 'cos they can't take the air pressure at these times. Could cabin crew possibly offer a free sweet or a small drink to these kids since sucking helps relieve the pressure? Or perhaps at the very beginning, before the plane taxies, you could offer the parents of these young kids some earplugs at a low price.

I have been taking my son everywhere since he was a year old and these "tricks" have helped keep him quiet - we travel several times a year so I was really reading up on all kinds of tips that would ease a child's travel. Now, at 13 years-old, with sinus problems, he just relies on silicon earplugs to help him easily get through landing and takeoff. They really work.

Since joining AirAsia as a cadet pilot several years ago, I have learnt much – not only about the strange and wondrous workings of commercial flying, but also from the many close encounters with our dear guests. Answering guest queries personally is important to me as that’s when I get to provide that much needed ‘personal touch’ to our guests.

Here is a crash course folks (pardon the bad pun) on my flight FAQs.

Q: Why do we need to open the window shades for takeoff and landing?
A: Basically, for safety. Do remember that if there were to be an accident it is likely to occur during take off and landing. Opened window shades allow both passengers and crew to access the situation outside of the aircraft (as well as first responders to assess the situation inside).

Q: With autopilot on, what’s so difficult about flying?
A: The Autopilot cannot make the plane take off by itself. (It can land by itself but this is not allowed due to calibration problems). Though used extensively, note that like any other computer, it operates on a GIGO (garbage-in, garbage-out) principle. The Autopilot cannot make critical decisions like abort a take-off, perform a go-around etc. Man still rules, ok! (read more...)

When I sit facing the passengers during take-offs and landings, I couldn't help but take notice of this: sleeping style. I have nothing better to do then but to place them under categories:

1) The Chinese Poet
the kind where the head turns a complete circle, or sometimes swings a little like a pendulum, just like how a Chinese poet shakes his head when he recites a good Chinese poem!

2) The Elevator Needle
you know, those old-fashion elevators where the location of the elevator cabin is indicated by a needle? These sleepers' head will slide slowly, either left or right...and then goes right back to starting position [straight up]. And the process goes on and on and on...until we wake them up!

3) The Venus Fly Trap
he he....in typical fashion, this type of sleeper sleeps with their mouth hanging open - once or twice, you may even see the drool...yeap, just like a Venus Fly Trap!

4) The Fisherman
oh, this is rather common, where the head bops up and down. Just like the fishing rod when you go fishing. Especially when using the Apollo. You gotta jerk it up and down to get fish!

5) The Yoga-Neck
ouch..this is rather painful to watch. The head starts of like the elevator needle, only difference is that it'll stop when the head reaches the shoulder. And it stays there! So you can really see the stretched muscle [read : feel the coming pain] on the neck. Ouch!

6) The Troubled Sleeper
this type of sleeper gives me the impression that they have the world on their shoulders. They frown when they sleep! Their forehead is wrinkled, and their eyebrows almost meet in the middle... a little disturbing to watch, actually

So which one are you??