Sorry, but this is a bit strange. I fly mostly C class with paid Y mileage upgrades, sometimes a paid First Class. Every C class flight I fly, I am traveling alone and I am polite, self-effacing and patient. I say "please", "thank you" "if it wouldn't be too much trouble", etc. Sometimes my attitude is appreciated, sometimes I feel invisible, as if I *should* have been more demanding!

I would like to post something in response to skymaid80's comments.

I tend to spend most of my time up front, but do wind up in coach on about 2 out of 10 flights. And I, too, have noticed how very infrequently people in FC thank the FAs for their work. But I have also notice about the same percentage of thanklessness in coach. I don't know why this is, and would not care to speculate.

But, like blairvanhorn, I always thank them and try to be appreciative; they have a difficult, difficult (and too often thankless) job.

To all the good and wonderful and caring FAs: Thanks for everything!!!!

I think most F passengers fit into maybe four basic groups, of course with a few exceptions.
1. Working
2. Sleeping (sometimes the same as 1)
3. Splurging
4. Airline employees

Every airline employee I've seen in F has been well-behaved, more than I can say for the passengers. The "working" group tend not to want to be interrupted and can be abrupt, not rude exactly, but distant. The "sleeping" group sleep, often after the third drink, and don't ask for much. The "splurging" group are who IMHO are most often rude and difficult -- people who don't understand that the folks around them want to work or sleep, and that the FAs aren't just apparatus.

I'm interested in whether FAs categorize passengers in this -- or any other -- way.

If I had a chance to chat with a FA I'll always thank them when I exit the aircraft. I will usually say something like "You Rock!" or "Peace in the hood" which will make then laugh since its coming from a average white guy in a suit.

hmmm...i think we need to be fair to the 1st class pax...most are business men, and are working during the flight...i don't expect 1st class pax to talk much...they are busy, they are concentrating, they are occupied...most have type 'A' personalities...direct, to the point, desiring concise information concerning their service...they expect us to be as professional as they are...i don't have a problem with this at all...of course, flight attendants by nature are outgoing, talkative, extroverted, gregarious...we are 'people oriented people' or we wouldn't be flight attendants...i think it's possible that some flight attendants don't realize that they are dealing with a different personality type...

Yes, but I don't think it's asking too much for us to give them a simple "Thank you" when they do something for us.

Sure, we're often busy, tired, or frazzled, but it only takes a fraction of a second.

I agree that using good manners is indicated no matter which class of service you are in or the reason for flying. It goes a long way to make everyones flight much better.

Thank you very much.

I agree, being snotty with the Fas is not only uncouth but an own goal. They are there to serve you, help you, and ultimately save you if God forbid there were an incident. Like most things what you give to life you usually get back in abundance.

Come on, Ishah, stop trying to kiss up LOL
I've been at this for over 20 years and am not the most outgoing personality in the sky. I am very sensitive to the needs of my passengers and will do what I can to accomodate them. I don't think looking me in the face for a split second while giving a drink order is too much to ask. Or not blowing a gasket if I run out of beef before I get to them. It all boils down to common courtesy and it goes both ways. I choose to concentrate on the majority who are like these folks here who have manners and are not afraid to use them. What goes around, comes around!

OK, FA's, here's my diatribe:

I end up in first when I travel last minute and pay the full coach fare; this happens usually on NW and TWA, as they publicize this policy. Besides the way better seat, the preferential boarding, no risk of running out of overhead, etc, I appreciate the additional services that are offered. I do get disappointed, however, when the usual courtesies of 1st are ignored, or worse, I have to ask for what I "think" 1st service is (I'm not making it up, have experienced all of these in the past, but in some cases, all of that's out the window). Examples:

- Offering to hang up your coat.

- A WAY BETTER meal than what is served in coach, particularly one that some big wig chef has invented for the airline. (This one is probably the most important to me).

- The "pre take off" cocktail, and the refills throughout the flight. I'm not there to get loaded, but after a horribly long week, a few nice cocktails over a few hours is appreciated; FYI, I don't drive after imbibing.

- Good availability of reading materials.

Other things that your management provides (you obviously don't have any control over these but nice to have) includes real china, glass, silverware, etc. Free headsets, good video, etc.

My midwestern background and upbringing has taught me to always say please and thank you, not only in 1st class, but at the gas station, grocery store, etc. (What on earth can be so important for the folks on board who are working furiously that they can't say a few acknowledgements of not only your presence, but also your services?). This indicates probably how they treat their subordinates at work, or even worse, their family. Keep this in perspective: these people are NOT in their office where they can shut the door. Airplanes are just a form of public transportation. You have a job to do, and frankly, interrupting them to do so is just part of it.

If you're offended by this lack of common courtesy, you have a right to be, and there is no excuse for crappy treatment of those who are there to serve you. Consider yourself fortunate that, after a few hours, the offending parties all hustle off to their next gig. The old David Spade Saturday Night Live skit "ba buy, ba buy" could not be more relevant, or appropriate, if you ask me!

[QUOTE]Originally posted by jtrader:
[B]Can't say generally but, a friend who is a FA with AA once told me they call domestic first class (especially at rush hour) "12 Angry Men"

We refer to First Class as the ICU (intensive care unit) and Business class as Bitter/Busy class.

I am qualified to fly purser at AA. If I could fly any position regularly it would be as position number 9 on a 767 or 12 on a 777. This position is main cabin extra. You don't have to go outside and pull tickets and you hang out in the back while somebody cooks the meals, sets up the food service, and finally throws you your cart to do the meal or beverage service. It's a complete no brainer.

I hate Bitter class. No matter what flight you are on, this section sucks. If I can't be in the back, I'll take purser. It's fun. People in first and people in coach are usually pretty fun. If I fly business, I'm the business class chef. The only thing I won't do, and most senior FA's won't, is business class aisle. Though, there are some sicko's who prefer it.

Let's turn this around to the passenger's perspective, for a moment, if we may. My attitude as a customer tends to reflect the attitude projected by the FA's. If someone looks at me when making requests so I know who's being addressed, and waits for my answer when taking my beverage order instead of immediately resuming their conversation with their colleague so they can't hear my answer, then I can be very pleasant and even, at times, charming, or so I'm told. But if the beverage cart consistently crashes into my elbow just before I'm warned to watch my elbows (I don't have radar, and I've probably got the headphones on... I have no way to know when the **** thing is coming down the aisle beind me), and the FA jams the adjustable headrest into my shoulder blades without asking me to lean forward first (or, God forbid, waiting for me to put it down myself), or the first request to put the seat back up for landing is accompanied by the FA reaching into my seat for the button as if I don't understand how to do it myself, then I can be just as cold and distant as the next BC passenger.

Rich,

I'm sure you can be a very nice passenger. It is not that the people in business are bad or all bad. There seems to be some middle child phenomena that happens only in business. Most people get on the plane cranky and many stay that way because of the lack of room in this cabin for all of the junk they bring on. 28 out of 30 people bring a roller bag a big tote and a computer.

I've never seen anyone of my colleagues deliberately roll a cart into someones leg, nor have I seen one ignore who they were talking to and start a conversation with their cart mate. That defeats the point of getting the service finished. Your headset comment was a big pet peeve of all flight attendants. If you see us coming and you see us standing their with the cart than A. the cart will come back down the aisle at one time and B. we are going to need your full attention for 2 seconds to get your preferences.