Decoding Airline Lingo
Updated: Mar. 20, 2019
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.
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.
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.”
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.
