<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by basejumper:
I really was going to just ignore this because I know whatever I say will just become an invitation to more ridicule, but the part about how flight attendants have never made a difference during an emergency is so untrue that I just couldn't.
http://www.afa27.org/unsung_hero's.htm
http://www.warroom.com/nyterrorism/flightattendant.htm
http://www.planeinsanity.com/column2001_09b.html
The list goes on and on. I myself, have saved two lives using CPR and an AED on flights that had no doctors onboard. We don't all treat our passengers like babies, even when they act like babies. I treat my passengers with respect, and have the skills and experience to protect them from harm while providing warm customer service at the same time.
I am sorry that you've had the experiences that you must have had in order to feel this way, because it makes it more difficult for those of us who take pride in our careers.
NWA Purser</font>
No ridicule from me. I'm sure there are plenty of examples of FAs saving the day.
Had there been no flight attendants on board, would those pax have died? Nobody knows.
When compared to the millions of flights each year in the US, however, it is clear that at least some of your training borders on the useless.
My main point is that perhaps it is time to examine the role of flight attendants from a cost/benefit standpoint. Flight attendants cost the airlines many billions of dollars each year. Should that continue forever?
Of course, we might disagree on the answer (after all, your very career hinges on the outcome).
You needn't feel sorry for me as I've had no bad experiences with FAs in over thirty years of frequent travel.
Happy flying.