I know, as I said in my post. My husband is in exactly the same boat at an essential public service so we don't get to spend those dates together either - it depends on the luck of shift patterns of course, but this year so far he's been on night shifts over New Year and our wedding anniversary, and worked all Easter weekend; him being off on a bank holiday (as I am) is a rare pleasure. I do therefore fully appreciate the significance of non-negotiable shift work on being apart and missing personal events and holidays. Of course he didn't take the job because he had a burning desire to work unsociable hours, but he does get compensated by all the things about it that he does really love - the "travel the world" equivalent if you will - so that's the deal, no presents from the public involved... I assume crew have much the same thought process when choosing their career, with the other benefits outweighing the (known) downsides.

Given the above, and my own job which is flat out over year end, I'm unlikely to ever be flying to Barbados for Christmas!

I say thank you sincerely to the crew on every flight regardless of date.