5 things a trader should not do on a plane

There are many ways to entertain yourself during a flight. Physicist Brian Cox, for example, found himself on a long-haul flight from the United Kingdom to Australia in 2015 and decided to use the time to educate his fellow passengers about the universe. He began by drawing diagrams on a napkin about everything from the Big Bang to the present day. He then used the plane’s entertainment system to display a slideshow presentation that he had prepared on his laptop.

It’s certainly great to use your time on a flight productively. However, it’s also important not to exhaust yourself or become so consumed with your work that you don’t give yourself time to rest. That’s why you should follow these “don’ts” on your next flight.

Don’t trade

For starters, the internet connectivity on airplanes isn’t that reliable or fast enough to support trading activities. You may end up with slow or failed execution of trades, and those will turn into missed opportunities and possible financial losses.

Besides, the distractions and discomforts of flying will make it even more challenging to focus on trading. Turbulence, noise, and interruptions from flight attendants are the perfect combination to disrupt your concentration. And the less concentrated you are, the more likely you are to make irrational trading decisions. 

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Don’t let trading consume your entire flight

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Let’s say you decided not to trade. But are you still going to spend the entire journey glued to your laptop or phone? Will you be obsessing over market movements and making constant trades? Well, this approach is counterproductive and even detrimental.

Remember that flying can be stressful, and trading will add an extra layer of pressure and anxiety. Instead of being consumed with financial markets, take this as an opportunity to disconnect. It’s better to miss a trade than take one you’ll regret.

Don’t discuss confidential information

You may not have access to the same level of confidential information as institutional traders or financial advisors. But that doesn’t mean you’re exempt from confidentiality concerns. You’re still handling sensitive data like your personal financial information, trading strategies, and market insights that could be exploited.

Try to avoid discussing sensitive or confidential information in public spaces like airplanes. These kinds of conversations are better left to secure and private locations. 

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Don’t type sensitive data or passwords

You never know who may be watching or listening to your activity. Whether it’s a fellow passenger or a nearby hacker, you don’t want anyone to see your passwords, bank account information, or anything like that. If you absolutely need to, consider using a password manager to generate and store strong passwords securely. But otherwise, don’t put yourself at the unnecessary risk of cyberattacks, identity theft, and other security breaches. 

Don’t be shy to use the in-flight amenities

Airlines offer a range of services and amenities to help you relax and enjoy your flight, so don’t be shy to take advantage of them! Here is a shortlist of what you definitely need to do:

• Use in-flight entertainment systems to pass the time and take your mind off work and trading. 
• Order a hot meal or snack, or choose from a range of beverages.
• Keep yourself comfortable and refreshed with blankets, pillows, and eye masks.
• Catch up on some much-needed sleep. 

Sources: 

How flying seriously messes with your mind, BBC

The no-nonsense guide to data security for travelers, Nomadic Matt