Flying home Friday night on DL between CVG and ATL, I was seated in F next to a pilot (probably Comair, but not in uniform) and was enjoying the conversation. I was parched and pushed the FA call button to request another bottled water. A FA came by and stared at me wordlessly. I nicely asked if I could trade my empty for a full bottle. A moment later, she came back with 2 full bottles and took my empty. Again, no words escaped her lips. The pilot looked at me a little funny and we continued talking.
Saturday morning, coincidently, I'm reading the last Budget Travel magazine and come upon an article, "Journal of a FA", or something similar which is a Q&A interview with an anonymous FA. The headline reads, "Basically, don't ever push the call button" and her A to the Q expresses how annoyed she is when someone pushes the button ... usually to pick up trash right after she's passed through the aisle 6 times.
I did not feel like I did anything wrong, but the look and silent treatment told me I had, in her eyes. Next time, should I go to the galley and help myself?
The call button is put there for a reason. Whether or not it makes the FA mad, makes her give you a bad look or not, it is there to call for attention. It is not a 911 number type deal where you only use it in emergencies. You press it to get assistance. If the airlines didn't want you to do it then it wouldn't be there or they would warn you on when to use it. Press it when you need to. Also, when you're sitting in F, the FA is supposed to be at your beck and call within reason. Certainly, asking for more water is well within what is considered reasonable. Don't beat yourself up over it.
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I've never gotten a bad reaction and I use the call button maybe not every flight, but frequently. However I usually spend some time prior to that trying to catch the FA's eye and being aware of when s/he is passing by.
I think it depends on the airline. For example, during their 'welcome message' over the PA, United's FAs make it *very* clear that they're there 'for your safety' and to 'assist you in an emergency' - Everything else is secondary and their attitude makes that clear. I've seen them snap at pax who have pushed the call button to ask for a drink or pillow.
However, on a more customer-oriented oriented (and, coincidentally non-union) airline like WestJet I probably wouldn't have a probem pushing the button as they're more 'VFR'-oriented ('visiting friends and relatives') and don't cater to business travellers as much. Southwest may be the same - I'm not sure as I've never flown them.
I've also seem similar cultural differences between Lufthansa and British Airways, i.e. I wouldn't push the button on LH but would on BA (however, that may have changed, as I haven't flown BA in five years).
And I was so put off by the article I didn't even bother posting it or a thread about it. The basic attitude conveyed in the article and in the OP's experience was that FAs DO NOT want to be bothered with you no matter what it is. I have had great FAs and really sucky FAs but I have been noticing that the average is sliding downhill.
Flying Alitalia MIA-MXP, the FAs hid in the back galley for the entire flight, and people kept pressing those pesky call buttons, once in a while an FA would emerge and clear the calls on the main control panel
Flying Alitalia MIA-MXP, the FAs hid in the back galley for the entire flight, and people kept pressing those pesky call buttons, once in a while an FA would emerge and clear the calls on the main control panel
YOu did write a letter to the company president identifying the crew and what happened did you not? Otherwise, you're pretty much as bad as they are.
Wow. What garbage. Don't push the call button and here's how to get around the rules of not tipping us. And my favorite: "Sometimes we party with staff from another airline in someone's room, the hotel lounge, or poolside. Snacks and cocktails are always provided by the airline (wink, wink)."
So she's bragging about her embezzlement as she trashes her job.
I'm surprised the magaizne published that. I'm not surprised the confessor was anonymous.
I never use the call button simply because I like to get up now and then.
I have heard a lot of stories about pax being glared and stared at ... and I believe them.
But Sunday I was in coach ( ) AA SFO - ORD, and the pax ahead of me inadvertently pushed the call button. The FA came and very pleasantly asked if they needed something. Turned they didn't and the turned out the light.
Actually, though I am lucky ( or good ) enough to be able to fly up front most of the time, I have had nothing but pleasant experiences with AA FA since they adjusted to the last pay cuts.
I never use the call button simply because I like to get up now and then.
I have heard a lot of stories about pax being glared and stared at ... and I believe them.
But Sunday I was in coach ( ) AA SFO - ORD, and the pax ahead of me inadvertently pushed the call button. The FA came and very pleasantly asked if they needed something. Turned they didn't and the turned out the light.
Actually, though I am lucky ( or good ) enough to be able to fly up front most of the time, I have had nothing but pleasant experiences with AA FA since they adjusted to the last pay cuts.
Well this attitude caught me by surprise. I fly a few carriers, but most of my miles are on DL metal. DL FA's are generally pleasant, often downright friendly. Who knows where the anonymous Budget Travel FA is employed.
I'm not losing any sleep over it, and would do it again and expect a different, more appropriate reaction.
robb, thanks for posting the link. Everyone should read this, it's only one page of print. Again, in my experience, it's not representative. Gawd, I wish I knew who employed that b**ch!
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Why Not Dispense with FAs?
Given that they're slacking off these days, in the U.S. at least, I suggest the FAA re-visit the need for more than one or two FAs per mainline aircraft. There's generally no food offered in Y, and pax could easily bring their own drinks.
Safety? What do FA's do? There's virtually no chance of an airline crash these days, with aviation now outstripping rail as safety champ. Traveling by car you're 20 times more likely to die or be severely injured. Do you carry a personal assistant to help with evacuation? I submit not.
On-board security? I vote for sky marshals.
The once-every-few-years U.S. air crash will kill you. There's nuthin' the FA's can do to help you. They're goners too.
I don't think airline passengers should pay the costs of transporting flighty, dim wanderers out for free travel bennies.
Really FA's need to lighten up, especially when working in F or C. My personal experience flying CO is that I never have to push the call button. There Is never reason to use it especially in BF but even in Y. FA's are walking back and forth, and askign if they can help, sometimes even "too much."
) AA SFO - ORD, and the pax ahead of me inadvertently pushed the call button. The FA came and very pleasantly asked if they needed something. Turned they didn't and the turned out the light. 
