What Shoes Should You Wear on a Plane? Expert Recommends One Type as 'Durable, Comfortable, and Safe' — Wearing These 3 Increases Chances of Being Labeled a Difficult Passenger by Flight Attendants

What shoes should you wear on a plane? A senior American flight attendant has gone viral on TikTok for claiming she can judge a passenger's 'trouble level' just by their footwear. She says she pays extra attention to those wearing New Balance and Adidas sneakers, while passengers in Crocs are considered less hygienic. She even admits that seeing one particular type of shoe makes her silently mutter, 'Good luck today,' implying they are the most difficult passengers. What shoe could possibly earn such a notorious reputation?

What Shoes to Wear on a Plane? Flight Attendant's 'Shoe-Reading' Guide to Passenger Behavior

Cheryl Killough, a flight attendant with five years of experience at Southwest Airlines, has shared a series of TikTok videos revealing how she uses passengers' shoes to predict their behavior. Here are the categories she has identified:

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According to Cheryl Killough, these three types of shoes are typically worn by pleasant passengers:

New Balance: She describes New Balance wearers as 'possibly haven’t flown in 8 years,' but adds they are 'the most likable NB wearers I’ve ever seen.'

Timberland: Passengers in Timberland boots are usually handy and capable. She suggests turning to them for help during emergencies.

Ugg Boots: Ugg wearers are generally very friendly.

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Dr. Martens: Passengers wearing Dr. Martens boots often have 'overweight luggage,' according to Killough.

Boat Shoes: She claims she can instantly tell the political leanings of boat shoe wearers. These passengers also tend to drink 2–3 beers before boarding.

Tory Burch Sandals: Female passengers in Tory Burch sandals are easily influenced by TikTok trends.

Adidas: Adidas wearers typically come from college towns, either returning to university or visiting parents.

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Loafers: When it comes to difficult passengers, Killough points to men wearing loafers, usually older retirees, who 'have a high chance of urinating on the bathroom floor.'

Crocs: She bluntly states that Crocs wearers 'didn’t shower before boarding' and 'likely have at least one stain on their sweatpants,' calling them unhygienic.

Furry Slippers: The 'ultimate nightmare,' according to Killough, is passengers wearing 'furry slippers.' When she sees them, she silently prays, 'Good luck today,' indicating they are extremely demanding and difficult to serve. Based on her experience, these passengers tend to make excessive requests.

Killough’s 'shoe-reading' videos have garnered over 1 million views and sparked mixed reactions. While some viewers agree, many Crocs wearers have pushed back, explaining that they wear them for comfort and convenience, and that they don’t take up much space in luggage. They criticize Killough for being discriminatory.

What Shoes to Wear on a Plane? Expert Advice: Wear Highly Breathable Athletic Shoes

Setting aside 'trouble levels,' aviation safety and hygiene experts widely recommend wearing athletic or flat shoes when flying. Aviation safety expert Christine Negroni notes that in the event of an emergency, the cabin floor can become extremely cold or hot. Fuel leaks and broken glass could cause foot injuries during evacuation, so breathable athletic shoes are the safest choice.

This article is republished with permission from Hong Kong 01 (original title: What Shoes to Wear on a Plane? Flight Attendant Judges Passenger Trouble Level by 10 Shoe Types! The 3 Demon Shoes). Editor: Lin Li