This another example of the same concept: take a job with low-status and rename it to make it sound better. Another one: secretary. There aren't too many of them any more, except officers of corporations and federal government cabinet members. The staffers in office buildings are now administrative assistants (some are senior executive administrative assistants).

I'll play along, as I don't want to get yelled at, but it sure seems silly to me. If the point is to have others treat you more respectfully (and I wholeheartedly support that concept), there are more direct and effect ways to do that.

I don't think the shift from steward/stewardess to flight attendant has done anything to alter public perceptions of the job. It just adds more letters and syllables.