1. Count the seats to your nearest exit (both ways)....it might one day help you get out when all is not well
2. Keep your shoes on until after take off and put them back on before landing....sharp red hot metal is a poor companion for flip flopped or socked feet
3. Read the safety card, even if you've flown 1,000 times before....I'm not ashamed to admit that a dropping oxygen mask has a certain startle factor
4. If you can, enjoy the view....its a privilege. Distant night time thunderstorms, sunsets and sunrises, the vast empty spaces of the oceans and continents, familiar cities and landmarks and of course those lovely fluffy clouds
5. Play the take off game by estimating the time between application of take off power and rotate and see how it compares with the actual.....although again not ashamed to admit that on one very hot Jo'burg departure I really did begin to think about the brace position (see safety card above)
6. Take a picture of your aeroplane....in 20 odd years time it will be "a classic"
7. Agree with Less Hair; seat belt always
8. When you are in a bit of chop, just be glad you are flying in 2021 and not 1951