Summertime means travel time. For folks who don't fly often, I'm here to help make your trip a teeny bit smoother. Two words: Flight Attendants.
About half a century ago, being a flight attendant--a "stewardess" back then--was about the most exotic occupation a girl could hope for. Glamorous, elegant, able to travel the world. Flight attendants were young, beautiful, and within the narrow height and weight range requirements. Who can forget the exquisite creatures chosen to wear those avant-garde "helmets" in the 60's? Sexy, no?
Yeah, well forget all that, along with full meals and passengers who actually took time to get dressed. Air travel was special...and fun. Now, it's a cattle car experience.
But I digress. Let's get back to what is now the thankless job of trying to soothe the masses of crabby travelers. Planes with every seat taken. Extra costs for earphones to watch the movies, as well as for the movies themselves. Aside from a free small glass of soda, coffee, or water, it's all extra. There may or may not be blankets--but you really should avoid those, anyway. (I've written about this before. Click here if you need a refresher.)
Your flight attendant's mood is the key to your trip's success. Do NOT mess with him or her. Instead, read these three hints and everyone will be happy.
- Plan ahead, people! Boarding time is tight. Everyone needs to get on, stow luggage, be told a hundred times to turn off their cell phones, and be ready to back out of the gate on time. This means YOU, the folks who get to your seat and suddenly remember that you're going to be on a plane for the next five hours, and might like a diversion. YOU, the guy who needs to dig out your noise-reducing earphones from the bottom of your briefcase, then delicately fold your suitcoat to store overhead--even though you've been asked to wait. YOU, the woman who can't think ahead to just carry those People and E! magazines with you, instead of rummaging through your carry-on...while you juggle a Venti-size Frappuccino. Get out of the aisle, already! The flight attendants are trying to herd passengers along, but no one can get past YOU. There are many more hints to share here: Bring things for the kids to do, but nothing with tiny pieces that can be thrown; if you're sitting in the back, don't rely on the plane's small meal inventory to feed your family; in fact, look up the airline's catering options for your flight before you go. For Pete's sake, know what you want before they get to your row. It's orange, apple, cranberry or tomato juice. Always has been.
- Don't make the flight attendants' job harder. Let's get this straight: the flight attendants really are there for your safety. Not to be your servants. They work tirelessly, sometimes without breaks, for less money than ever. And they don't get fed unless they bring their own meals. It is NOT their fault that passengers have to pay for everything, that the catering truck forgot Fresca, that one of the toilets is broken, that the movie player is kaput, or that air traffic control in Atlanta has put the plane in a holding pattern. No, they don't know the gate number for your connecting flight to Timbuktu. They're human, just like you. When a flight is delayed, they have to pay extra for day care or miss their child's recital. They stress over unpaid bills. They worry about their sick mother. They work in a tiny space, pushing a 200-pound cart down an 18-inch wide aisle. Do you really need to ask them to back up ten rows because you suddenly decide it's a convenient time to visit the loo?
- Make their day! You know what makes a flight attendant happy? Say "hello" when you step into the plane--don't ignore them when they greet you. Say "thank you" when you leave. Have your credit card ready when you order something. Check your bag if you can't lift it; they've had too many back injuries from trying to help. Some airlines no longer allow them to assist. And if you really want to make them feel appreciated, bring them a treat. Abbie Unger, a former flight attendant for three major airlines, says, "I run to the Dollar Store and pick up a bag of candy bars for each leg of my flight. Giving the flight crew a little something is special to them. Believe me, they will remember who you are and will return the favor any way they can."
We can't control the weather, the plane repairs, or the crying baby that every flight seems to require. But we can be polite and patient. And, as with hotel clerks and waiters, be thankful that there are people willing to take on a difficult career.
It never occurred to me to give the flight attendants little presents. They would probably just think I was a dotty old lady if I did! But I think I'll try it out anyway, just to see what the reaction is.
Posted by: Hattie | 06/26/2015 at 11:11 PM