Why There Are So Many Mirrors in Airports, and Other Tricks They Use

Let's look at what goes on behind the scenes and what secrets airports hide. At some airports, there are special specialists called profilers. Airports are among the most popular and mysterious locations in the world.

Such individuals bring a specialized program known as "spot screening passengers" to life by using observational techniques; they examine or emulate gestures and behavior in order to identify suspicious individuals. Their task is to look for nonverbal indications of anxiety, such as people licking their lips, scratching, or looking around a lot. If a profiler sees someone acting strangely, they can invite them to an inspection where they talk to them in an effort to confirm or disprove their suspicions.

Airport staff may be keeping an eye on you from the security checkpoint to your gate. Some airports have facial recognition technology that makes it easy to monitor you; these scanners are outfitted with special software that compares travelers' faces to their IDs.

Keep in mind that if you don't charge your laptop before the trip, it might be taken away; if you don't, an airport security officer might ask you to turn your device on. For safety reasons, it's important to ensure that your gadget hasn't been tampered with or modified in a way that could hurt you during the trip. Your gadget may be taken away for a second inspection.

Putting an electric toothbrush in your checked luggage might get you into trouble. Leaving your electric toothbrush in your checked luggage isn't an option because some brands have lithium batteries inside, which could cause serious issues in the air. However, you are allowed to store them in your carry-on bag at the same time if your device runs on two batteries, so you can put them wherever you want.

Anyone who has ever taken a plane knows about the "no liquids" rule, but not everyone is aware that this rule also applies to electronic devices. lotions, liquid cosmetics Lava lights, globes, certain types of drugs, even gel shoe inserts, and deodorants.

Let's now spend some time outside and examine their launch areas. You may have noticed that airfare has increased over the past ten years due to the extremely high costs of landing slots, but the most intriguing thing is that landing spots can be bought and sold. For instance, in 2016, Oman Air paid Air France approximately $75 million for one early morning arrival slot at London Heathrow Airport. Airports charge airline companies enormous fees for landing on their runways on specific days and at specific times.

As you can frequently see in movies, dispatchers oversee not only the movements of the planes in the air but also their movements on the ground. They also manage the lights on the runways. On Route Terminal and Tower, there are three different kinds of air traffic controllers, and each one of them has a specific area of responsibility. One dispatcher has about five monitors, and the information on those monitors is constantly changing because they display weather information and data about other planes. You've probably experienced this before. You arrive at the security checkpoint and all of a sudden realize you have something prohibited in your carry-on, but fear not, you still have a chance to save your favorite pen knife.

At some airports, there are on-site postal services, and you might have the opportunity to mail your belongings to any address you provide, but the mailing fees are pretty high, plus some items are prohibited, and the Postal Service won't deliver them. Airports can sell your personal items, including your pen and knife. Celebrities must follow special check-in and security procedures at large airports, and they frequently enter the aircraft by a covert entrance next to the Jet Bridge.

Most people arrive at the airport well in advance, and the most popular activity while waiting for a flight is wandering through the duty-free shop. Even though people rarely plan to buy anything, different products end up in their shopping baskets because many airports are designed in a special way that makes people feel relaxed. Designers put a lot of thought into airport layouts to ensure the smooth flow of travelers.

The main point here is easy navigation, which can prevent people from getting lost. This is achieved through subtle but very effective design cues and positioning. I'm talking about all those huge windows. A lot of light massage chairs, comfortable seating areas, and statistically calm passengers are 10% more likely to spend money on retail duty free products and food. One reason is the extremely strict security that surrounds airport deliveries, including food. You may still have a nice meal, but it won't be the same.

Now let me tell you about another way airports trick you into spending your money; they force you to pass through the gleaming duty-free shops right after the security check. However, the most curious thing is that the walkway through such stores typically veers to the left; is this done because most people are left-handed? Have you ever noticed how many mirrors there are at airports? These mirrors are strategically placed there to make airports appear larger and create the illusion of more space, which in turn helps to reduce the feeling of claustrophobia and makes the airport experience more comfortable for travelers. Zone veering to the left leaves more space on the right, where passengers are more likely to look.

If you have the chance, avoid exchanging money at the airport because you will never get a good rate there. Instead, those who did not purchase local currency in advance can order it online and pick it up at the airport because some services only require a few hours' notice for such an order. It may even be preferable to use an ATM to withdraw money at your destination.

Have you ever been cognizant of airport codes? The most popular are three-letter codes, which is why this number was chosen in the USA in the 1930s. When the number of airports in the country outgrew the two-letter city codes used by the National Weather Service, airlines expanded the system by adding a third letter, usually X, which is how Los Angeles became LAX. However, even though there shouldn't be two airports with the same code, some of these codes sound so similar that you could easily mistake one for the other. For example, take a look at this code.

So if you enjoy traveling, you probably spend a lot of time in airports. You have a right to know the information that airports and airlines are withholding from you. In some airports, trained personnel known as "profilers" examine your mimicry, gestures, and behavior to find suspect individuals. Along the trip from the security checkpoint to your gate, airport staff members may be keeping an eye on you. Bon voyage on your next trip to the airport!