CO757,

I agree with Old Gold regarding a mispronounced last name. My last name is also difficult to pronounce, however, I don't mind at all when people mispronounce my name on the first try. In my view, at least they are making an effort.

My last name is Kuenne. Try Pronouncing that... However the FA usually try to pronounce it and say 'Sorry If I'm mispronouncing this' before they start. I like the touch, It really makes you feel like a person, not just another customer... Great Job CO.

BTW, It's pronounced Key-Knee (Like a Key, and the part of your leg, knee), just in case I run into you CO757 http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif

I don't get miffed about the last name issue. You'd think TONER would be easy enough, especially with the propogation of laser printers and copy machines. Nevertheless, I am addressed as TURNER about half the time.

I empathize with the folks saying goodbye. After all, 200+ "bye bye", "bye now", "have a nice day", etc. in succession can certainly drain some of the emotion out of the phrase.

It's funny, but most passengers seem to silent as they pass. Once I pass and say thank you, the next person inevitably seems to do the same. Sometimes grown-ups need reminders on manners too, I suppose.


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"I will not be pushed, filed, stamped, indexed, briefed, debriefed or numbered. My life is my own."

ok - since I started this thread - I'll help perpetuate it a bit more.

I flew a continental flight between houston and kansas city - it was in the evening and I don't think I traded more than two words with the flight attendent in first class (ginger ale, please) - the guy next to me chatted with the flight attendent (you can probably guess it was a she) for most of the flight.

When I was checking into my airport hotel, the flight crew shows up and the fc flight attendent points to me while chatting with her friends and says something like "hey, he was in the fc cabin!" then yells over to me by my name and says hello. That really startled me that she remembered my name!

I appreciate everyones encouraging words regarding slaughtering your last names, as I mentioned earlier I will attempt them on my next lead role.

Ok, let's turn the table slightly.

Does it matter to you to know our names? If the incident in the hotel were to be played again, could you return the favor to the f/a?

Now before anyone starts BBQ me, I know that we are there to provide a service to you, but I just want to know if you remember any of the flight attendant names.

I know that when I am out to dinner/lunch with business associates I find that I try to make eye contact and extend a friendly attitude to the staff, how many here do the same?

Actually, it's funny that this thread turned in this direction. On more times than I can count, I have gone out on the town with the flight crew mainly from chatting with the First Class F/A's. I've had some of the best times with them, mainly because they always seem to know the greatest spots to visit in the city. Anyway, I still keep in touch with a few of them. (Hey Katherine! http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif) I enjoy meeting new people, and after the meal service when there's not a whole lot to do for the next few hours, why not talk to the flight attendant? I find it makes the flight go by faster, and you get to cheer someone up who is often overlooked and underappreciated, but still seems to love their job anyway.



[This message has been edited by RChavez (edited 01-03-2000).]

CO757:

Guilty. I try to catch a name, hoping the service will be good enough to write a letter of praise. But I wouldn't be able to put a face to the name after the flight if my life depending on it.


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"I will not be pushed, filed, stamped, indexed, briefed, debriefed or numbered. My life is my own."

CO757,

I've done it a few times, though I tend more to remember the gate agents at airports I frequent than to remember the FAs. Some of it is familiarity...if it's an agent I see often, I'll remember the names and faces. It's been a long time since I've been to AUS, but I still remember how well Sandy treated me back when I lived in Houston.

There are a few FA's that I do remember for the same reason. I have been on flights 120 and 125 quite a bit (SEA-EWR-SEA), so I've had many repeat FAs on that route. A couple of years ago, one even remembered me from a previous flight and made a special effort to serve me (I actually had to stop her from serving me another mimosa! They would have had to send a wheelchair for me at EWR. http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif)

Generally, it's on the longer segments that such familiarity gets built. As RChavez noted, those are the flights were you get a chance to chat with the FAs. I've had some fascinating conversations with NW FAs of late...mostly about the striking differences in culture vis a vis CO.

I had a similar experience not to long ago on Southwest Airlines. I was going to get my briefcase from the overhead bin when the f/a came running to beat me to the punch. I was really impressed! She then shook my hand and said, "Herb appreciates your business" and handed me my briefcase. Those employees really care about their company, and their boss.

In August I flew business first on CO EWR-LGH. The f/a did give me a comment card and said thank you at the time of landing, but did not shake my hand. I still thought it was a nice gesture.