Decoding Airline Lingo

On a flight, pilots and airline staff often have their own way of speaking, using interesting jargon while on duty. Here’s a glossary of terms used by pilots and airline staff that can help you decode what they’re saying.

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When you travel, don’t be surprised if you overhear hear pilots or airline staff use special jargon while they’re on duty. Read on to uncover the secrets behind airline lingo.

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A Few Airline Lingo Terms

A Few Airline Lingo Terms

Blue juice: The water in the lavatory toilet. “There no blue juice in the lav.”

Crotch watch: The required check to make sure all passengers have their seat belts fastened. Also: “groin scan.”

Crumb crunchers: Kids. “We’ve got a lot of crumb crunchers on this flight.”

Deadheading: When an airline passenger flies as a passenger for company business.

Gate lice: The people who gather around the gate right before boarding so they can be the first on the plane. “Oh, the gate lice are thick today.”

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A Few More Airline Lingo Terms

A Few More Airline Lingo Terms

George: Autopilot. “I’ll let George take over.”

Landing lips: Female passengers put on their “landing lips” when they use their lipstick just before landing.

Pax: Passengers.

Spinners: Passengers who get on late and don’t have a seat assignment, so they spin around looking for a seat.

Two-for-once special: The place touches down on landing, bounces up, then touches down again.

Working the village: Working in coach.

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