On my last AE RJ fligt the attendant said to push the call button if we needed anything(snack box or drink) or else he would remain seated for the rest of the flight. This was a great move since he would only come if you needed something rather than stand in the aisle with a cart. So I pushed it and within seconds I had my Diet Pepsi.

On an oversea flight when I wanted something to drink and a snack I pushed it and within a short amount of time they came. I said to the attendant thanks so much for coming promptly may I please have something to drink. And then I thanked her after.

You see some attendants don't heed the calls. I think there should be a law in the operation manual to attend to any call. That is why they installed these buttons or else why did the airlines spend $$$ putting them in. What if a passenger is sick? What if something bad happened? If I need a drink? Think of it this way you pay the staff to serve you like at a restaurant. The waiter comes to see if you'r ok? If the attendants dismiss the passaengers no matter how tired they are they could loose some valuable revenue.

If I were a flight attendant or a pursuer I would attend to the needs of anyone who rings the call button no matter if I'm sleeping. You see it's like at a hotel if you call to the front desk for something they will bring it up without a problem. I stayed at a Hilton and needed some toothpaste,extra towels and pilows they came right away and it was at night.

Call buttons can and should be used since attendants need to "attend to the needs of the passenger". If you look up the word "attendant" in a dictionary it says one that attends to others. Maybe we need the PTVs to make the orders instead of the call button.

We need someway to make our requests for drinks and food heard via the PTV.

Any takes on this post?