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The germiest place on an airplane? It’s right in front of you

Thought the weirdo in the window seat was your biggest worry? Think again.

The CBS news station in Dallas checked the cleanliness of airplanes on two recent flights. The CBS 11 investigation revealed all sorts of ick. Serratia, Proteus vulgaris and Enterobacter were just a few of the bacteria strands stowed away around passengers.

"Nasty stuff," one traveler told the TV station.

Reporter Ginger Allen
randomly swabbed several areas on the planes and found filth on lavatory door handles and table trays.

"But the grossest of all came from right here ... in the seat pocket," Allen showed in her report. (Note to self on where not to put mints or mobile phones, huh?)

Fortunately, Dallas doctor Cedric Spak told CBS 11 that the bacteria it found on the airplanes are fairly normal and not harmful to a healthy person. To avoid airplane germs, Spak and other doctors advise travelers to wash their hands, use hand sanitizer and allow the air vents to blow above their seat.

"It is all kind of the same sort of bacteria that lives down underneath the belly button," Spak said. "Which means somebody was scratching their belly button, then scratching the tray table."

Safe travels, y'all!