Gross behavior by FAM
Jan 31, 2008 | 2:51 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Jul 2001
Posts: 2,925
Gross behavior by FAM
I was seated next to a FAM in first class on a recent flight and he was really gross almost the entire flight.
Shortly after take-off, he got a pinch of smokeless tobacco out of his "little black bag", put it in his mouth and proceeded to spit every few minutes into his empty water bottle, for the rest of the flight. Needless to say, it was very difficult to sit next to him and impossible to eat my meal, which I wanted to, since I was connecting to an international flight.
Anyone know if there are any regs or policies for FAMs while they are traveling that would cover this type of behavior?
Shortly after take-off, he got a pinch of smokeless tobacco out of his "little black bag", put it in his mouth and proceeded to spit every few minutes into his empty water bottle, for the rest of the flight. Needless to say, it was very difficult to sit next to him and impossible to eat my meal, which I wanted to, since I was connecting to an international flight.
Anyone know if there are any regs or policies for FAMs while they are traveling that would cover this type of behavior?
Jan 31, 2008 | 3:03 pm
#3
Original Poster
Join Date: Jul 2001
Posts: 2,925
It was on United, but not sure that matters. I asked a UA nonrev 777 captain I sat next to on another flight and she said that she didn't know what UA's policy was regarding smokeless tobacco. Anyway, would a FA have the nerve to tell a FAM not to use it?
Jan 31, 2008 | 3:22 pm
#4
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: Somewhere near BWI
Programs: DL DM, HH Dia, SPG Gold, MR Plat, Hertz PC
Posts: 3,654
If the FA truly wants the FAM's cover to remain intact, the FA should treat the FAM exactly as the FA would treat any other pax with regards to the FA's airline rules.
Jan 31, 2008 | 3:55 pm
#6
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Dec 2003
Posts: 13,143
Shortly after take-off, he got a pinch of smokeless tobacco out of his "little black bag", put it in his mouth and proceeded to spit every few minutes into his empty water bottle, for the rest of the flight. Needless to say, it was very difficult to sit next to him and impossible to eat my meal, which I wanted to, since I was connecting to an international flight.
Jan 31, 2008 | 4:21 pm
#8
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: rural Indiana - IND
Programs: airline agnostic, Hilton Gold, IHG Plat, Jelly of the Month, DL defector, formerly NWA Plat (RIP)
Posts: 964
Remember, the FAM is there for your safety. 
Your personal disgust should be secondary to the well-being of the traveling public. Think of the children!
Your personal disgust should be secondary to the well-being of the traveling public. Think of the children!
Jan 31, 2008 | 4:34 pm
#9
Join Date: Aug 2004
Posts: 4,704
While it's pretty gross in my opinion, there's nothing which prohibits the FAM from doing it unless it's universally prohibited.
If there was a smoking flight would the FAMs be not allowed to smoke?
If it's prohibited for all then they shouldn't do it either. If it's allowed, then they get to do it too.
If there was a smoking flight would the FAMs be not allowed to smoke?
If it's prohibited for all then they shouldn't do it either. If it's allowed, then they get to do it too.
Jan 31, 2008 | 4:35 pm
#10
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: Somewhere near BWI
Programs: DL DM, HH Dia, SPG Gold, MR Plat, Hertz PC
Posts: 3,654
While it's pretty gross in my opinion, there's nothing which prohibits the FAM from doing it unless it's universally prohibited.
If there was a smoking flight would the FAMs be not allowed to smoke?
If it's prohibited for all then they shouldn't do it either. If it's allowed, then they get to do it too.
If there was a smoking flight would the FAMs be not allowed to smoke?
If it's prohibited for all then they shouldn't do it either. If it's allowed, then they get to do it too.
Jan 31, 2008 | 4:40 pm
#11
Join Date: Aug 2004
Posts: 4,704
Only number one is prohibited, but that's due to carrying a gun and being effective physically. Tobacco doesn't factor into that.
They can't recline their seat? Where in the world did you get that? And they can sleep on certain flights as well.
They can't recline their seat? Where in the world did you get that? And they can sleep on certain flights as well.
Jan 31, 2008 | 4:46 pm
#12
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: Somewhere near BWI
Programs: DL DM, HH Dia, SPG Gold, MR Plat, Hertz PC
Posts: 3,654
Got it from talking to a FAM on a recent flight.
Jan 31, 2008 | 4:58 pm
#14
Join Date: Jan 2008
Posts: 1,298
amazing how many of the untrained think that they're super sleuth enough to discern who is and who is not a FAM, and where their 'partner is seated' (indeed if there is one) or that they can quickly discern and identity heavy-duty intelligence agency LEO ... In this case, it must be that neon sign on the supposed-to-be-FAM's chest that flashed on and off, "I'm FAM I can do whatever I want and too bad you don't like it."
Or does their secret Dick Tracey decoder ring give them away ?
Jan 31, 2008 | 5:14 pm
#15
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: Somewhere near BWI
Programs: DL DM, HH Dia, SPG Gold, MR Plat, Hertz PC
Posts: 3,654
law dawgie amazing how many of the untrained think that they're super sleuth enough to discern who is and who is not a FAM, and where their 'partner is seated' (indeed if there is one) or that they can quickly discern and identity heavy-duty intelligence agency LEO ...
In this case, it must be that neon sign on the supposed-to-be-FAM's chest that flashed on and off, "I'm FAM I can do whatever I want and too bad you don't like it."
Or does their secret Dick Tracey decoder ring give them away ?
amazing how many of the untrained think that they're super sleuth enough to discern who is and who is not a FAM, and where their 'partner is seated' (indeed if there is one) or that they can quickly discern and identity heavy-duty intelligence agency LEO ... In this case, it must be that neon sign on the supposed-to-be-FAM's chest that flashed on and off, "I'm FAM I can do whatever I want and too bad you don't like it."
Or does their secret Dick Tracey decoder ring give them away ?
Make all of the smart-... comments you wish about the comments that I made to LawDawg. This is a fairly anonymous forum, where we don't know everyone's backgrounds. In my particular case, having 14 years of public safety experience, coupled with a great deal of time spent around those in the LEO world, has made me more observant of characteristic traits that can be identified.
In the particular case that I was commenting on, two things occured:
- The FAM in question was wearing a USMC ballcap, as was I. We started a discussion based on determining when each other served and what we did now. He advised that his chosen new career was as a FAM and we talked about his career for a short time while the flight was boarding.
- Prior to him identifying as a FAM, I had noticed that he was traveling under arms. Being fairly observant, I had noticed him and his partner in the gate area prior to boarding and noticed the concealed weapon in a strong-side right carry position.