Originally Posted by Transpacificflyer

We may not have the same passions, skills or opportunities, but that does not mean that a person need not be polite or courteous. I disagree with your sentiment and offer that you are instead providing a cop out, an excuse for the inexcusable.

Originally Posted by Transpacificflyer

We may not have the same passions, skills or opportunities, but that does not mean that a person need not be polite or courteous. I disagree with your sentiment and offer that you are instead providing a cop out, an excuse for the inexcusable.

I cannot just change my job over night. I am subject to a strict non compete contract and all the joys such a contract brings. I offer that there are many people on FT who count on their job incomes because they are supporting families, whether it be a parent in need of elder care, or a kid in university, or paying for a decrepit slum in Vancouver or Toronto that is available for the super low cost of $700,000 (sic).

Some FAs are indeed miserable people. They were awful people before they started working as an FA and it bubbles up with their inability to maintain a stable personal life or family relationships. Unfortunately, the anger/resentment/frustration is misdirected towards innocent people. The worst aspect of these folks is that their co-workers usually have the same opinion of them as the customer who has suffered their wrath. The co-workers are often on the receiving end of their abuse as well as customers. Because we do not see the ham handed treatment does not mean it is not there. Unfortunately, outside of workplace violence, there is little that a co-worker can do to change the obnoxious behaviour and that's why it is important for the customer to speak up. The customer isn't just acting on his/her behalf, but for the other crew members, especially the younger ones who are most likely to suffer the abuse.

There's a side thread about the FA who burns/overcooks food. Some people were overly understanding or in denial about the cause of the behaviour. It is intentional and not inadvertent. AC invests time and money in the training of its crews and there are refresher courses along with memos and reminders. The AC crews take it seriously. One would have to be a mental deficient to not be able to operate the ovens properly. On the referenced TATL there are other crew who would be involved in the preparation of meals and they most likely would have said something. They are either intentionally ignored or they are too intimidated to say something. There is no excuse for consistently burnt food, just as there is no excuse for consistently rude FAs.

Fortunately, the FAs on AC are overwhelmingly benign. My experience is that outside of the older FAs who are still working because they love their jobs (and the pax love them), AC FAs on a full flight are too over worked to interact with pax.

Originally Posted by SparseFlyer

Most of us on this forum are blessed with the chance to get up and change line of work the same day. For many though, leaving a job could mean months of unemployment, with the very probable risk of a worse job/pay.

Originally Posted by xray

Interesting comment... why would you think that the majority of people (on or off this forum) could quit their job and find a new one the same day ? A little naďve, I think.

In fact, I would say that the further along you are in your career path as well as the higher income you make, the more likely you are unable to get up and switch jobs.

Originally Posted by superangrypenguin

And IMO if they can't handle it or they're bad at it, they need to find another line of work!

Originally Posted by eigenvector

With respect to how easy it is to find a new job, I don't think anyone is asking for an FA or frankly any AC employee to be fired for a single off colour remark. I'm sure we all understand that customer service isn't the easiest gig particularly when you are managing other tasks at the same time not just greeting people with a smile or whatever.

None of that changes the fact that being deliberately rude to a customer isn't acceptable. It's something that, if brought up by the customer to management, should be discussed with the employee so they can improve and be aware that what might not seem like a big deal to them was actually a big deal to the customer. And maybe if, after many repeated incidents they are still receiving complaints, it's not unreasonable to say that they might be best employed in a non customer facing role.

Originally Posted by filthycasual

To boarding passengers:
"If you don't put your smaller bags in the seat in front of you, I will hunt you down."

Originally Posted by yyznomad

Knowing, Sparse, I can tell you that Sparse meant this figuratively, not literally. I know he knows that we can't just, on a flip of some switch, find another job in one day.

He actually meant 2.5 days. Oh silly Sparsey.

Originally Posted by cooleddie

Why can't they be normal, respectful, polite, unintrusive and welcoming?

Originally Posted by irishguy28

And what was the passenger assigned to the seat in front supposed to do when they find another passenger's bags occupying their seat?

Originally Posted by Wpgjetse

"I will hunt you down", maybe a joke?

Originally Posted by DrunkCargo

Also, I'll note that YYZ-SFO and SFO-YYZ are my most hated markets ever. I'll always force myself through YVR, LAS (yes, YYZ-LAS) to avoid the YYZ-SFO direct. I have my reasons.

Originally Posted by DrunkCargo

Also, I'll note that YYZ-SFO and SFO-YYZ are my most hated markets ever. I'll always force myself through YVR, LAS (yes, YYZ-LAS) to avoid the YYZ-SFO direct. I have my reasons.