U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy has been omnipresent during the first year of President Donald Trump's second term.
A former reality TV star, he even recently competed in a pull-up contest with U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport.
More notably, Duffy has used his platform to urge the American people to usher in the golden age of travel by behaving better, dressing nicer and minding their manners at every turn.
In a scene straight out of a Borat movie minus the comedy, Duffy enlisted the expertise of Elevate Etiquette founder Alison Cheperdak to help educate travelers on proper flying etiquette.
Cheperdak's advice was shared in a three-minute video posted to Duffy's X (formerly Twitter) account on Monday, with the etiquette expert sharing some red, green and beige flags when it comes to air travel.
Red flags are common sense no-nos for the most part and include things like taking off your shoes, watching or listening to phones or devices without headphones, carrying on loud conversations and blocking the aisle to fidget with overhead bin items.
Cheperdak also advises against traveling with loud, messy or smelly foods.
Green flags include helping others get their luggage into and out of the overhead bin and collecting it from baggage claim, providing words of encouragement for parents traveling with children and being conscious of your travel attire.
"You can dress in a way that is functional and practical and comfortable and also really respectful," Cheperdak says.
The most interesting advice pertains to the beige flags, which include switching seats. Cheperdak recommends having the courage to ask to switch seats if necessary but respecting the answer.
And when it comes to the great debate over reclining seats, the etiquette expert says, "it depends." She advises travelers to take a quick look to see if the person seated behind them is working or eating. Don't recline in that case.
However, if their seat is reclined or they're sleeping, it's more than likely fine to recline.
"Take a peek behind you and make a judgment call," said Cheperdak.
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