FA's - young or old?
 

SO, do you people prefer the older 'seasoned' FA's or the younger ones who don't know what the h*ll is going on?

Me? The younger (female) ones...as I'm still single... http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/wink.gif

Dorian

Same here Dorian, of course younger single (female) ones.. http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/biggrin.gif The "veterans" seems to have some kind of attitude...

I don't care about their age. I haven't found any correlation between how old they are and how well they do their job.

this reminds me of an old episode of "Cheers"... FRESH MEAT, FREASH MEAT, FREASH MEAT, SEND IN THE YOUNG ONE!!!! (bunch of old broads in the back room calling for Woody).

As a 27 year old, single FF, I'm all for new blood.

Me? The younger (male) ones...as I'm not still single but appreciate the scenery... http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/wink.gif

Me? The younger (female) ones...as I'm married ... http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/wink.gif

It really doesn't matter to me if they are male or female from the operational aspect of the flight. Female eye candy is "always" nice....but an "experienced" FA on the receiving end of a sincere compliment about their service and/or the airline is more likely to really appreciate it and take a little extra special care in looking after you.

I always make a point to say something to them because I am in a front line job dealing with the public and I can empathize with what they must go thru day to day....or at least to some extent anyways.

[This message has been edited by Carioca Canuck (edited 02-13-2001).]

It's a tough question (and a loaded, politically incorrect question).

The more senior staff can be more proficient at what they do because of their experience, but are often less motivated to perform, because either of a lack of enthusiasm, or (more commonly) a need to conserve energy on long flights that have short turnarounds.

The younger staff often make up in enthusiasm and energy what they lack in experience and savoir faire.

It is unfortunate that the nature of the bidding system the airline uses tends to result in older (late 50's) staff working 9 hour flights out, then a 26 hour block to block layover, then a 10 or 11 hour flight back (typical YYZ-ZRH -YYZ schedule). Under these circumstances, it is difficult for the older staff to stay active and be focused on service throughout the flight.

It would be nice if the airline could somehow modify the bid system so that the older staff could still get the low number of working days per month that they want (the reason for bidding such long flights with short turnarounds), but with a less demanding schedule - perhaps domestic flights, with fewer time zone changes?

The younger ones would probably be more enthusiastic about the international trips.

I know a number of pilots who are in their late 50's who just bid Rapidair's (YYZ-YUL) - they work more days a month, but get home for dinner every night, and don't often layover.

European airlines have an entirely different attitude towards labour relations and bid assignment - instead of creating "anonymous bid lines" which the crews then pick from, with senority being the only factor that determines choice, they use a preferential bidding system, which allows crews to tell the airline what days /times /routes they want to work, and then assembles the schedule after the requests are in.

The result - you see the 20 somethings doing the really long hauls, and the more senior staff working the Monday morning local flights. Makes a heck of a lot more sense for both the staff and the passengers.

And that's why I never see young FAs in my CP YYZ-HKG flights. http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif

Does AC actually have any young FA's?

Actually AC have quite a bit of young FA lately because of the hiring spree they went on last year.. {they had 2 or 3 FA hiring sessions across Canada}. They had one earlier this year in Jan but i think they put a hold on it because of the zero capacity growth Milton implemented.

On both flights to and from LHR last week, at least 2/3 of the FA's looked as if they were under 30 or 35 years of age. Maybe because it was a newer plane (A330)?

Compared to CP flights I used to take to LHR when they were all oldtimers - and a couple looked like they should have had their wings clipped! (How's that for being ageist!?!)

As my most frequent trips are YWG-YYZ-LHR return, I have the pleasure of the young and pretty for the short flight, and the old and experianced for the long one.

But in all honesty I don't care who serves me, old or young, male or female, as long as they are friendly and reasonably competent.

Stewart.

Being a young guy, I tend to prefer the younger FAs (male or female) on longer flights because I can carry on a good conversation with them. I'm a very talkative person, and it helps the flight go by faster when I'm bored.

Did BGI return over the last 10 days and had a young crew on both segments.Their enthusiasm was great,for one it was her 1st flight.Inexperience shows.This is a long day for this crew.They have 5.5 hours down and return same day,usually means close to a 14 hour day.I thought both crews did an admirable job.