Insider Series: Is It Legal To Join The Mile-High Club?
Editor's note about our Insider Series: TPG Contributor Carrie A. Trey shares some of her most interesting stories and perspectives in this Insider Series article. Please remember that Ms. Trey's opinions and statements here are her's and her's only, and they do not reflect the opinions of the TPG Team. Disclaimer out of the way... please enjoy this installment from the one and only Carrie A. Trey!
Just in time for Valentine's Day, TPG's flight attendant insider Carrie A. Trey ponders whether one should pursue passion at 35,000 feet — or keep one's tray table in the locked position... so to speak.
Inevitably, when I tell someone that I'm a flight attendant, I'm asked: “Is it actually legal to join the Mile-High Club?”
The answer is more complicated than a simple yes or no, as it depends on which section of the plane you're sitting in, with whom you join the club and how you opt to join it. With Valentine’s Day fast approaching, I’m sure many of you are going to be traveling with a special someone (or in search of one), so in the interest of keeping your love life fresh — and both of you out of jail — let’s examine the dos and don’ts of Mile-High membership.
The most obvious — and legal — place to join the Mile-High Club is an airplane lavatory. I’ve flown for four airlines in three countries and have never come across any rule that says two people are forbidden to use the onboard bathroom at the same time. The question remains, though: Why would you want to? You’re essentially choosing to copulate in an airborne port-o-potty. Sure, a plane's lavatory may look clean, but I guarantee you that below the surface it's pretty darn dirty.
If you can get past this little detail and are still hell-bent on doing it in the loo, make sure you're both fairly flexible so that neither of you slip a disk trying to contort yourselves into human pretzels. (Airplane bathrooms are many things, but they aren't large.) And be aware that most of your fellow passengers will know what you're up to; some may give you the stink-eye, while others might offer you a big high-five.
As technology improves, in-seat entertainment has taken on a whole new meaning. Some aircraft now enable you to connect your digital tablet or smartphone to your seat port and watch your own downloaded content on your seat-back screen. Should your downloaded content be pornographic in nature, then it's decidedly not legal. Displaying porn on the airplane (and yes, I’ve seen it happen) exposes everyone around you to possible discomfort and even offense.
Furthermore, if your enjoyment of this forbidden content inspires you to indulge in some, um, self-service, know that this, too, is illegal. Airplanes are public spaces, and exposing yourself on a plane will result in the same legal trouble that it would earn you on the ground. Also, I can’t remember the last time I worked a flight that didn’t have a child on it somewhere. Exposing yourself is bad enough, but exposing yourself to a minor? You’ll undoubtedly wind up in jail, will probably be fined, and are likely to find yourself on a few no-fly lists.
The same rule applies for those of you traveling with a companion. Don’t fool around while in or at your seats — it’s considered indecent exposure. People do see you, despite the fact that you think they don’t, and getting caught may land you in some hot water with the authorities upon landing. (If you’re not seen or caught, you’re probably not doing it right — but that’s another story.)
The last place to join would be the crew rest bunks. Clean, quiet and completely secluded from the cabin, these bunks have real beds with pillows and blankets — but the FAA, JAA, CASA, etc., insist that they should only be occupied by working crew members who've been trained to both evacuate the crew rest area and use the emergency equipment therein. So you can flirt your hardest with your crew member of choice and see where it gets you, but just keep in mind that your little tryst may very well land you in jail and your crew member du jour in the unemployment line.
When it comes to crew rest-bunk nookie, crew members may have an easier time joining the Mile-High Club with other crew members — or at least it seems that they used to. For instance, back in 1985, my father was traveling on an Alitalia 747 from Rome to Delhi, and after meal service, was invited by the Captain to visit the cockpit. On the 747, the cockpit-crew bunks are located just behind the flight deck; my dad, seeing that the bunk door was cracked, noticed two pairs of feet sticking out from the blanket on the bottom bunk. When he asked his host what was, well, afoot, the Captain slyly responded, “Oh, that's Luigi, one of our First Officers — and as you can see, he's also in charge of crew morale.” A happy crew makes for happy passengers, I suppose.
Cockpits themselves have also seen their fair share of action. As just one example, a colleague of mine flew for Air Florida back in the day, and during a particularly empty flight from Miami to London aboard one of the airline's DC10s, she and two other stewardesses — respectively dating the Captain, First Officer and Flight Engineer — each took turns joining the Mile-High Club in the cockpit with their romantic partner. As I always say: what happens behind the cockpit door stays behind the cockpit door.
These days, with the advent of in-flight entertainment, it's possible that the Mile-High Club membership has lost some of its allure. However, some airlines are actually making it easier to find love in the air. KLM now allows you to link your Facebook profile to your reservation, so that you can see if any of your fellow passengers have also opted to use this service, try to choose a compatible seat-mate. On their newer aircraft, Singapore Airlines has an in-seat messaging service that allows you to discreetly ask that cutie in 17B if they’ll meet you on the ground for a drink... or in the loo for a quickie. But do exercise caution and some good judgment, as unwanted messages will likely be reported to the cabin crew and you’ll have landed yourself in trouble before you've even managed to expose yourself.
I wish you all a Happy Valentine’s Day, and urge you to do your best to not get fined, arrested or black-listed as you try to gain entry to the Mile-High Club.
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| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
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There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)Pros
- 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
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- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.
Rewards Rate
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
Intro Offer
You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after spending $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer.As High As 100,000 points. Find Out Your Offer.Annual Fee
$325Recommended Credit
Credit ranges are a variation of FICO® Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit card application.Excellent to Good
Why We Chose It
There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)Pros
- 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.