Travel News - 13 Things Your FA Won't Tell You

Some nuggets in here: http://www.rd.com/slideshows/13-things-your-flight-attendant-wont-tell-you/?trkid=channel#slideshow=slide4

My favorite:

4. An all-too-common scenario?

I hand you a cup of coffee and say, ‘Cream and sugar?’ You say, ‘What?’ I say, ‘Cream and sugar?’ You say, ‘What?’ Come on, people. What do you think we’re going to ask after we’ve handed you coffee? Your favorite color?

#10 makes no sense--what are we supposed to do with someone who won't behave other than take it to authority? The FAs are the only authority we have access to.

Devil's advocate here.

#22: running an airline is YOUR company's business and figuring out how to get people with disabilities on/off the plane in a timely manner should not be a passenger's problem or concern. You can't pawn off responsibility on another company. I bought the ticket from you, told you my limitations in advance, so I did my bit.

#21: And here I thought I was doing you a favor by picking up trash and placing it in your trash bag, so that the turnaround process for the plane could be sped up. Fine, next time I'll just leave all the junk on the floor and will smile with abandon as you walk by with that bag, knowing your cleaning crew will have a field day once the plane landed.

#20: Can't really say anything here. That's disgusting.

#19: You expect the flying public to know how the bathrooms on the plane work? Also, the FAA is up everyone's arse about moving around the plane, etc. so people naturally tend to hesitate. Also, what if you're about to close the door? My Chili's-induced #2 might give a whole new meaning to a "storm-related delay."

#18: I assume this is for those people who you've yelled at and refused to let get up to pee, after a 2+ hour tarmac delay? Well, that's the consequence of those policies. Otherwise, I don't know who'd want to pee in their 32"-pitch personal space. Babies and FTers who've had one too many chit-bought drinks?

#17: I am sure those in-flight emergencies happen oh-so-frequently that a PSA needs to be made re. how one should react. Ummm...maybe if you didn't carry a facial expression all the time that made people feel like someone just died, people would know the difference?

#16: The conditions of carriage don't preclude two people to be in the lavatory at the same time. What they do there is none of your business. If they chose to do the dirty in...well, a dirty bathroom, you can question their approach to hygiene, but it's really not for you to dictate.

#15: I've never seen anyone just drop off their carry-on and sit down, assuming the FA will do the lifting. But the changes in checked-in luggage rules mean that people overpack in their rollaboards and sometimes struggle to lift them. Their bad? Yes. But also a result of the airline's nickle-and-dime policy. If you're so concerned with it, have your airline institute the draconian carry-on measurement system that Ryanair uses. I'm sure that'll win you many fans.

#14: The plane is loud. You haven't been attentive. I can't just start screaming for you, every time you fly by at high speed, choosing to ignore my raised finger, a concerned look, and an attempt to make eye contact, all the while trying to battle the engine noise, which is drowning out my "excuse me...". In the "normal" world, you sometimes tap a person on the shoulder to get their attention, and it's not inappropriate. In the normal world, you're also not confined to a seat for hours, relying on 2-3 people to help you when you need something. Part of your job hazard, I'd say. Let me tell you, as a man, I don't really feel like tapping a male flight attendant on the arse, but if that's what stand between me and my overdue drink, then so be it.

#13: You aren't owed a hello or goodbye, yet most people say it anyway. Do you say hello or good bye to the bus driver or cab driver? I do, and many others do too, but some don't. Fact of life. We live in a rude and busy world. You allow people to fire up their phones the minute the back wheels of the plane hit the ground. Guess what? People will get on their phones, start making calls, and generally wish themselves off the plane.

#12: Yes. I wish I could say that I choose when I need to relieve myself, but, just like you, I'm a human being. So, if you don't want me to violate rule #18, you're going to have to work with me on this. Sometimes, some of you are so slow, that it might take you an hour to serve the cabin. And the bathroom might be behind you, and the First Class cabin might be off-limits. So what am I to do? You'll move your cart and that's the end of that. You may not realize that people

#11: Yeah, and I'm sure the same happens to destinations like NYC or LA. People are idiots. But guess what? You airline probably makes a tidy margin on those flights.

#10: No, but you're the authority on the flight and you're the neutral party. A person who tattles perhaps is right, so would you rather resolve a situation in a professional manner or allow the passengers to duke it out and have it potentially escalate?

#9: Guilty of having to ask an FA for a pen, but many times, that pen is in my carry-on luggage which is crammed inside the overhead bin and it might be easier for me to ask you for a pen than to climb over two other people, while you're trying to clean up the cabin, to get that pen. You're free to tell me you don't have it, which will prompt me to do the aforementioned people-climbing, but don't get offended if I ask. Chances are, the other two people will also ask me to borrow the pen after, saving you from having to dodge a ton of folks out in the aisle before the landing.

#8: Fair point.

#7: Yet again, fair point.

#6: Some people have never flown before. Some are kids. Some get really stressed by flying or aren't feeling well. Others are idiots. Cut them a break.

#5: Does this assume that you don't arrive when the bell is rung, and then tell the kid that he shouldn't push it? I know it's the parents' responsibility to take care of their kids, but they might be loading up the luggage in the overhead bin, since per the previous rule, you can't do it, and their kids are left unsupervised. And guess what? Kids like buttons!!!!!11111onejuan

#4: In many countries, like the UK, there is no such thing as "cream" so when you ask people what they want, they may not know what that first thing is. Not everyone was born in 'merica, so get your head out of your arse and say it more clearly and perhaps use words like "milk" instead, if the person didn't understand the first time.

#3: Could've fooled me :rolleyes:

#2: agreed, although it really does make my "holy crap, let me tell you about my flight" story more interesting.

#1: Your airline created the physics problem by letting people get away with carry-ons that rival suitcases. Why should I be responsible for the fact that you let some dope in with a suitcase like rollaboard, a "personal" item, which sometimes is a palatial laptop bag, and a suit for full measure? Do you suggest that I fight the flow of the boarding passengers with my bag or stick it up there, let people sit down, and then...yeah, have you take care of it. I mean, I can run over into 1st Class and throw it in one of the empty bins, or I can throw it in the cargo bay myself, but are you going to be happier if I did that? No? k. thnx.

Interesting article - its nice to know what you think of the customers who pay your wages. You chose this career, now stop whining about little things that crop up in everyone's day to day working lives in one form or another.

Interesting article - its nice to know what you think of the customers who pay your wages. You chose this career, now stop whining about little things that crop up in everyone's day to day working lives in one form or another.

Dont like to travel, choose another career, take the bus, stay home.

Devil's advocate here.


#9: Guilty of having to ask an FA for a pen, but many times, that pen is in my carry-on luggage which is crammed inside the overhead bin and it might be easier for me to ask you for a pen than to climb over two other people, while you're trying to clean up the cabin, to get that pen. You're free to tell me you don't have it, which will prompt me to do the aforementioned people-climbing, but don't get offended if I ask. Chances are, the other two people will also ask me to borrow the pen after, saving you from having to dodge a ton of folks out in the aisle before the landing.

thnx.

.........want my pen? What I'm free to say is NO. And, I do. Chances of getting it back are as good as a winning lotto ticket. Ask a seat neighbor for one if you're in a window seat.

Devil's advocate here.

#21: And here I thought I was doing you a favor by picking up trash and placing it in your trash bag, so that the turnaround process for the plane could be sped up. Fine, next time I'll just leave all the junk on the floor and will smile with abandon as you walk by with that bag, knowing your cleaning crew will have a field day once the plane landed.

.

SSSSMART. Trash the plane, delay the flight even more. Perhaps you might miss your connection, ohhhh, well. My connection always holds for me.

Devil's advocate here.


#15: I've never seen anyone just drop off their carry-on and sit down, assuming the FA will do the lifting. But the changes in checked-in luggage rules mean that people overpack in their rollaboards and sometimes struggle to lift them. Their bad? Yes. But also a result of the airline's nickle-and-dime policy. If you're so concerned with it, have your airline institute the draconian carry-on measurement system that Ryanair uses. I'm sure that'll win you many fans.

.

.....then you havent been on my flights. Apparently, after packing it, dragging it to the car, lifting it up on the security belt, etc..etc....you assume the flight attendant's job is to lift those MAYTAG freezers. Nope. And, yes, have had some princesses stroll up, leave the bag and say, Find a place, would ya? and walk away. Try getting on a PBI flight from NY. The media age is 70 and everyone has a rollaboard. And, NOPE, the changes in baggage rules didnt bring the bags onto the aircraft, the invention of the rollaboard did. It meets current baggage rules. size, width, length.



#5: Does this assume that you don't arrive when the bell is rung, and then tell the kid that he shouldn't push it? I know it's the parents' responsibility to take care of their kids, but they might be loading up the luggage in the overhead bin, since per the previous rule, you can't do it, and their kids are left unsupervised. And guess what? Kids like buttons!!!!!11111onejuan

.

.... Parent your children!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Unfortunately, there are a couple of folks who want to make this personal or make political characterizations that are OMNI/PR fodder.

Stop.

cblaisd
Moderator, Travel News.

SSSSMART. Trash the plane, delay the flight even more. Perhaps you might miss your connection, ohhhh, well. My connection always holds for me.
it isn't about trashing the plane - it was about the tone of that particular whinge in the article making no sense.

Better phrasing might have been "I don't need to get ALL the rubbish in your area now, just give me what you can quickly grab, cleaners will take care of the rest later."

They're collecting the rubbish early to make teh turnaround quicker, thats OK - but the people who're trying to give them all the rubbish are just trying to be helpful, don't get angry with them.

it isn't about trashing the plane - it was about the tone of that particular whinge in the article making no sense.


..........made perfect sense to me. That person was taking their time and the reasoning behind the remark was at 10,000 feet, MULTIPLE responsibilities come into play. Garbage pick up being one. Getting seats up, baggage stowed. electronics off. Galley's secured. Liquid and food sales inventoried. Passengers seated. ADD SOME TURBULENCE in and you're rushed to accomplish it all. In other words, WE'RE IN A HURRRRYYYYYY. I've landed in the aisle due to trying to secure everything.
(I know a flight attendant who broke her neck in turbulence).

Devil's advocate here.

#22: running an airline is YOUR company's business and figuring out how to get people with disabilities on/off the plane in a timely manner should not be a passenger's problem or concern. You can't pawn off responsibility on another company. I bought the ticket from you, told you my limitations in advance, so I did my bit.

#18: I assume this is for those people who you've yelled at and refused to let get up to pee, after a 2+ hour tarmac delay? Well, that's the consequence of those policies. Otherwise, I don't know who'd want to pee in their 32"-pitch personal space. Babies and FTers who've had one too many chit-bought drinks?


Your comment on #22 is spot on. Even if they do contract it out, it's still their responsibility.

#18 - uhhh, I don't want to pee while sitting in my seat, but it is darn near impossible to get to the lav. I bring an assistant who takes the bottle that I use to the lav. to clean it for next time. It's just life with a disability.

#22: running an airline is YOUR company's business and figuring out how to get people with disabilities on/off the plane in a timely manner should not be a passenger's problem or concern. You can't pawn off responsibility on another company. I bought the ticket from you, told you my limitations in advance, so I did my bit.


well, you may have told someone your limitations, but NOT everyone does. They show up at the gate and request wheelchair assistance, and in many cases it's to USE THE ADA rule to preboard. In reality, they dont need the chairs. They simply want to get on the airline first. overtax the system and the gate agents. Because your wheelchair isnt there in 5 minutes, well guess what, other people exist. wait your turn. Your turn may be number TEN. Hire more people? That'll end up in your ticket costs. (labor costs)

The tone of this article is the same I feel while traveling with Continental.

...want my pen? What I'm free to say is NO. And, I do.

Ramada is now charging crews when they take pens? :p

#10 makes no sense--what are we supposed to do with someone who won't behave other than take it to authority? The FAs are the only authority we have access to.

You could always try asking the FAM sitting in 2C. :D

3. We don't have a boyfriend in every city. And our median age these days is 44.
I swear I've flown with the FA in that picture. And what's the big deal about being 44? Cougars rock. http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c267/743bd7/sm/dd6f62b6.gif

6. The lavatory door is not rocket science. Just push.
I wish FAs would quit :rolleyes: about that. The same thing would happen if I put an accordion door with an ashtray in it in the guest bathroom at home.

7. If you have a baby, bring diapers. That way, I’m not trying to make a diaper out of a sanitary pad and a pillowcase

15 years as a FA and I've never heard of that trick. Seriously? :confused:

8. Just in case you hadn’t noticed, there are other people on the airplane besides you. So don’t clip your toenails, snore with wild abandon,
Tell that to the guys I would fly with that would chew tobacco while sitting on the jumpseat. :eek:

11. I hate working flights to destinations like Vail and West Palm Beach.
Then don't bid those trips, and enjoy your long overnights in SYR. http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c267/743bd7/sm/2ee3b212.jpg

13. Is it that difficult to say hello and goodbye? We say it 300 times on every flight, and only about 40 people respond.

Meh, so what? But then I'm from the rust belt.

14. Do not poke or grab me. You would never grab a waitress if you wanted ketchup or a fork, would you?
And here I thought some FAs hated being compared to waitresses.

16. I don’t care if you want to be in the mile-high club, keep your clothes on.
Never seen anyone try joining the club, and never heard about it such as "You'll never guess what happened on my last trip!"

18. The only place you are allowed to pee on the airplane is in the lavatory. Period.
Is random urine something I should be looking out for, or are you saying that to R Kelly? :eek::D

19. Don’t ask us if it’s okay to use the lavatories on the ground.
Starting with the TSA's consistent inconsistency at the checkpoint, long winded PA announcements from some FAs about everything that's not allowed, stupid rules like nothing in the seat pocket but the inflight magazine, why wouldn't some infrequent flyers ask?


20. You really expect me to take your soggy Kleenex?
Yes, and if the pilots don't get a better altitude out of this chop, you'll be coming back for my seatmate's barf bag. :eek::D

21. Sure, I don’t mind waiting while you scour the seatback pocket and the floor for candy wrappers and other garbage, then place them in my bag one by one.
Glad you feel that way, because you do realize at smaller stations you no longer have cleaners, so it's up to FAs to tidy up the cabin between flights, right?

Ramada is now charging crews when they take pens? :p


................dont care where my pen came from, what matters is that I have one when I need to fill out required paperwork for the immigrations/customs process on international flights. How about an emergency situation? Again, required paperwork. I'm responsible enough to bring a pen, a traveler should too. (NOT MY PROBLEM).

Honestly this seems just like more of a FA whining then helpful tips for the customer. This is the only one that is helpful:

9. If you’re traveling overseas, do yourself a favor and bring a pen.

You would not believe how many people travel without one, and you need one to fill out the immigration forms. I carry some, but I can’t carry 200.

I always try to bring my own pen, since I'd rather get it filled out ASAP and go back to what I was doing rather then waiting after I get off the flight or having to try and get a pen from a FA.

Honestly this seems just like more of a FA whining then helpful tips for the customer.


Imagine that, they can sound just like passengers, at times. LOL.

Does anyone have something new and constructive to add to the discussion of this story? A word to the wise....

cblaisd
Moderator, Travel News