I had one of the odder experiences flying the other day.

One of the flight attendants working the flight appeared to be a Germaphobe.

The tell-tale signs were:

- Every now and then you would see this Costco-sized container of Lysol wipes propped on top of the jump seats in front of row 9 (B757) and she could be seen wiping down the galley area (the wall ovens, the work surfaces, etc.).

- Whenever she came through to pick up service items/trash, she would put on plastic gloves (which she would take out from another Costco-sized box).

Anyone else had a Germaphobe FA on their flight?

Good for her. Better that than she who twiddles her hair, picks her teeth, and then starts service before washing up.

As far as i recall all FA's use gloves when picking up trash. I haven't seen FA's wiping down the Galley but i think that's a good start to get the AC cleaner!

I've seen FAs wearing gloves when picking up trash, and I don't blame them. If I had to pick up trash from 150+ pax, I'd want to take some precautions..

After 152,000 miles last year, the only times I saw FAs wearing gloves were for my few segments in international Y. They always do it without gloves in domestic F/C/Y..

I've seen other FAs using gloves. In point of fact, I'd rather have the FA taking such precautions after picking up empty glasses and napkins and before plating my dinner. YMMV.

Its one thing to wear plastic Subway-style gloves when picking up trash, its another to turn into a crazy germaphobe. The hand sanitizerization of U.S. culture has gotten ridiculous.

For a while I was struggling with why wiping down the galley meant that the FA did not like Germans! Got there in the end.

That was actually the reason why I opened this thread!

I would like to have her on my flights

Btw, I often see FA use gloves before when picking up trash.

Every flight attendant should be like that. Germs are spread thru contact and with the penalties for changing tickets, there's usually more than enough sniffing and coughing and sneezing all over the aircraft.

I think I may have turned into a Germaphobe!

On LHR-SFO last week, I asked and received my usual "can of apple juice, no ice, no cup, just the can, please". Was half way finished when the LHR-based FA's (who both spoke German to each other) came through the cabin to pick up trash. The first one picked up the can with her blue plastic glove, shook it, felt it was not empty and said "oh you are not finished" and put it back down. I was mildly grossed out but said nothing. Then the other FA from the other side of the cart, picks up the can with her blue plastic glove and said "oh not finished yet" and put it back down. At this point I said "I am finished now, please take it away". They took the can and when they finished the clean up service, came back to my seat with a new can of apple juice.

I am not normally sqeamish, but it really grossed me out. So I am not sure if it was the Germs or the Germans that caused my phobia!

Funny!

+1

Maybe a comma - Germ,aphobe. Would that work?

Seeing how fellow pax treat the seats, I've been tempted to do the same when I sit down.


Wouldn't that be Teutophobia? Actually, that may be the fear of going to the ballet.

Bear in mind this is winter and Noro virus time. It can strike anywhere even in aircraft