Comments on: Memo from an angry flight attendant http://www.consumertraveler.com/today/memo-from-an-angry-flight-attendant/ The last honest travel site Wed, 17 Mar 2010 18:23:12 -0400 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.1 hourly 1 By: Eva Peregrina http://www.consumertraveler.com/today/memo-from-an-angry-flight-attendant/comment-page-1/#comment-18436 Eva Peregrina Tue, 15 Dec 2009 23:58:48 +0000 http://www.tripso.com/?p=5082#comment-18436 You should fly with Mexicana Airlines, we are quite friendly and smiling even when you fly in flipflops and look and smell like a homeless, even when your breath smells like an old beer and you treat us like we're obliged to carry your luggage, which is not our job, our airline doesn't pay my medical bills if I injure it because of the weight of YOUR luggage. We even smile when you don't even answer to our questions, this person has just written the truth. You should fly with Mexicana Airlines, we are quite friendly and smiling even when you fly in flipflops and look and smell like a homeless, even when your breath smells like an old beer and you treat us like we’re obliged to carry your luggage, which is not our job, our airline doesn’t pay my medical bills if I injure it because of the weight of YOUR luggage.
We even smile when you don’t even answer to our questions, this person has just written the truth.

]]> By: Yria Santiesteban http://www.consumertraveler.com/today/memo-from-an-angry-flight-attendant/comment-page-1/#comment-18435 Yria Santiesteban Tue, 15 Dec 2009 23:45:07 +0000 http://www.tripso.com/?p=5082#comment-18435 I've been a flight attendant for the last 23 years in a Mexican Airline, the letter is absolutely true, great and accurate. All around the world any F.A. can relate to this, I have just now retired and will be at the passenger side, but we all need passengers to stop being so self minded and more respectful to the people that offer a service, we are humans too. Excellent!!! I’ve been a flight attendant for the last 23 years in a Mexican Airline, the letter is absolutely true, great and accurate. All around the world any F.A. can relate to this, I have just now retired and will be at the passenger side, but we all need passengers to stop being so self minded and more respectful to the people that offer a service, we are humans too.
Excellent!!!

]]> By: Lori http://www.consumertraveler.com/today/memo-from-an-angry-flight-attendant/comment-page-1/#comment-13336 Lori Sat, 27 Jun 2009 22:15:19 +0000 http://www.tripso.com/?p=5082#comment-13336 Dorothy, That is a very strange comment you have made above! Regional flight attendants are trained to the same standards as main line flight attendants are. We are prepared to respond to all types of emergency situations. When we prepare the cabin for every take-off and landing we are preparing for a possible emergency situation. Dorothy,
That is a very strange comment you have made above! Regional flight attendants are trained to the same standards as main line flight attendants are. We are prepared to respond to all types of emergency situations. When we prepare the cabin for every take-off and landing we are preparing for a possible emergency situation.

]]> By: Dorothy http://www.consumertraveler.com/today/memo-from-an-angry-flight-attendant/comment-page-1/#comment-10468 Dorothy Sat, 28 Feb 2009 02:29:39 +0000 http://www.tripso.com/?p=5082#comment-10468 I know there are some good flight attendants out there. But, the young stupid ones who are there only to chase the pilots make you all look bad. Do you think that a flight attendant from a regional airline would have been able to handle the situation if her plane had to make a forced landing in the Hudson????? I know there are some good flight attendants out there. But, the young stupid ones who are there only to chase the pilots make you all look bad. Do you think that a flight attendant from a regional airline would have been able to handle the situation if her plane had to make a forced landing in the Hudson?????

]]> By: Liz http://www.consumertraveler.com/today/memo-from-an-angry-flight-attendant/comment-page-1/#comment-9079 Liz Mon, 29 Dec 2008 18:39:55 +0000 http://www.tripso.com/?p=5082#comment-9079 I am nice and polite in all the circumstances you mention, but when flight attendants are horrible to me because I'm disabled, I do lose my temper a bit. Ignorance on that count is hard for me to deal with. What I need as a traveller with a wheelchair is for people not to make assumptions and to listen for a minute to what I say that I need. * I don't want to be touched and grabbed. It's completely disrespectful. It throws me off balance. Let go of my arm. And listen when I say I don't want my wheelchair pushed. * I'm not going to give you my cane to store in an overhead compartment. It folds up and fits under the seat. * I have strong feelings about flight attendants putting their own luggage in a front cabinet where my wheelchair could easily be (and by law, is supposed to be) stored. I can break down my own wheelchair in 10 seconds and fold it up. You the flight attendant can put your bag in the overhead bin. If the airline loses my wheelchair or damages it in the cargo hold, well, think about that for a minute please. It's not like losing a couple of outfits and some shampoo. It's like *losing my $5000 legs*. Out of dozens of flights, only one has allowed me to put my chair in the cabin. I am nice and polite in all the circumstances you mention, but when flight attendants are horrible to me because I’m disabled, I do lose my temper a bit. Ignorance on that count is hard for me to deal with. What I need as a traveller with a wheelchair is for people not to make assumptions and to listen for a minute to what I say that I need.

* I don’t want to be touched and grabbed. It’s completely disrespectful. It throws me off balance. Let go of my arm. And listen when I say I don’t want my wheelchair pushed.

* I’m not going to give you my cane to store in an overhead compartment. It folds up and fits under the seat.

* I have strong feelings about flight attendants putting their own luggage in a front cabinet where my wheelchair could easily be (and by law, is supposed to be) stored. I can break down my own wheelchair in 10 seconds and fold it up. You the flight attendant can put your bag in the overhead bin. If the airline loses my wheelchair or damages it in the cargo hold, well, think about that for a minute please. It’s not like losing a couple of outfits and some shampoo. It’s like *losing my $5000 legs*. Out of dozens of flights, only one has allowed me to put my chair in the cabin.

]]> By: Robert Johnson http://www.consumertraveler.com/today/memo-from-an-angry-flight-attendant/comment-page-1/#comment-6849 Robert Johnson Wed, 24 Sep 2008 19:57:05 +0000 http://www.tripso.com/?p=5082#comment-6849 Somebody needs a really big hug Somebody needs a really big hug

]]> By: Aussie Hostie http://www.consumertraveler.com/today/memo-from-an-angry-flight-attendant/comment-page-1/#comment-6785 Aussie Hostie Mon, 22 Sep 2008 16:25:01 +0000 http://www.tripso.com/?p=5082#comment-6785 "There is a reason behind everything we ask you to do..." As an FA I have no problem with complaints for things beyond my control. Been working in customer service too long for that. However, please, when we ask you to do something it isn't just because we are on an ego trip. As part of our training we study dozens of air crashes to drill home the importance of safety (and have plenty of nightmares during this time, and wonder what the heck we've got ourselves into). Everything is base on worse case scenarios. Sure, we probably won't crash... but what if we DID? They do happen. It could be today, this flight, all of us struggling to get out. Your reclined seatback prevents the person behind you getting out, as does your upright armrest, which could flip backwards in a crash. Obviously, this goes for your tray table too. The floorspace at your feet is part of your emergency path, as is the aisle. Your bag is going to cause you or your neightbour to trip, possibly smashing into an armrest. If it's behind your feet during impact it could break your ankles (an effect of inertia) severely impeeding your chances of getting out, and that of the person you are now blocking. None of the cabin crew have a view outside the plane during takeoff and landing. The pilots do not have rearview mirrors. Therefore we like your window shades to be open so you will be aware of any engines on fire and pass it on to crew. Your phone needs to be off because it may affect navigation equipment and also communications with the control tower. You know that noise when your phone is next to a speaker.... Imagine 400 of those. And yes, you think it's ok, because it's just you leaving your phone on, it won't matter, but everyone else is thinking the same thing. Your seatbelt needs to stay on until the aircraft STOPS. Planes can move pretty quick during taxi. Would you only tell your kids to belt up once you're going 100mph? Talking during the safety demo? Sure, you might be a frequent flyer, but what about the people around you who can't hear it because of your yapping? It could be their first flight. Your amazing story can wait the five minutes it takes. And if it's being performed by a real live FA, then it's just plain manners. I would love to run through this every time someone bitches about having to turn off their ipod or put up their seat, but apparently airlines don't like us to remind pax that they could die in a firey hell. It's a bit of a downer. So next time the mean FA asks you to do something to prepare for takeoff or landing, just nod and smile and do it, please, for everyone's sake. Chances are, it'll all be fine. But do really want to be that person that caused harm because you just had to have your handbag within reach, or check your messages the second you land? Happy travels and may all your fellow passengers never snore! “There is a reason behind everything we ask you to do…”

As an FA I have no problem with complaints for things beyond my control. Been working in customer service too long for that. However, please, when we ask you to do something it isn’t just because we are on an ego trip. As part of our training we study dozens of air crashes to drill home the importance of safety (and have plenty of nightmares during this time, and wonder what the heck we’ve got ourselves into).

Everything is base on worse case scenarios. Sure, we probably won’t crash… but what if we DID? They do happen. It could be today, this flight, all of us struggling to get out.

Your reclined seatback prevents the person behind you getting out, as does your upright armrest, which could flip backwards in a crash. Obviously, this goes for your tray table too.

The floorspace at your feet is part of your emergency path, as is the aisle. Your bag is going to cause you or your neightbour to trip, possibly smashing into an armrest. If it’s behind your feet during impact it could break your ankles (an effect of inertia) severely impeeding your chances of getting out, and that of the person you are now blocking.

None of the cabin crew have a view outside the plane during takeoff and landing. The pilots do not have rearview mirrors. Therefore we like your window shades to be open so you will be aware of any engines on fire and pass it on to crew.

Your phone needs to be off because it may affect navigation equipment and also communications with the control tower. You know that noise when your phone is next to a speaker…. Imagine 400 of those. And yes, you think it’s ok, because it’s just you leaving your phone on, it won’t matter, but everyone else is thinking the same thing.

Your seatbelt needs to stay on until the aircraft STOPS. Planes can move pretty quick during taxi. Would you only tell your kids to belt up once you’re going 100mph?

Talking during the safety demo? Sure, you might be a frequent flyer, but what about the people around you who can’t hear it because of your yapping? It could be their first flight. Your amazing story can wait the five minutes it takes. And if it’s being performed by a real live FA, then it’s just plain manners.

I would love to run through this every time someone bitches about having to turn off their ipod or put up their seat, but apparently airlines don’t like us to remind pax that they could die in a firey hell. It’s a bit of a downer. So next time the mean FA asks you to do something to prepare for takeoff or landing, just nod and smile and do it, please, for everyone’s sake. Chances are, it’ll all be fine. But do really want to be that person that caused harm because you just had to have your handbag within reach, or check your messages the second you land?

Happy travels and may all your fellow passengers never snore!

]]> By: Banker http://www.consumertraveler.com/today/memo-from-an-angry-flight-attendant/comment-page-1/#comment-6760 Banker Sun, 21 Sep 2008 21:17:55 +0000 http://www.tripso.com/?p=5082#comment-6760 I completely agree with everything the author said in the article. FAs have to deal with a lot of crap about things that aren't under their control. They should always be cordial and offer a smile; however in this day and age of "it's all about me," it gets harder and harder to do that. Having worked with the public for many years I have come to realize that customers are not willing to be personally responsible for their behavior. It's the bank's fault, the cashier's fault, anyone's fault except their own. Working with the public is EXHAUSTING, no matter how much you enjoy your job. In all the times I have flown there was only one time where I encountered an FA that was less that friendly. No matter what I did she just wouldn't smile or engage. She seemed like a very cold person to begin with. She was the exception though. And I have never seen a poorly groomed FA. Not sure where the other posters are seeing these people. I completely agree with everything the author said in the article. FAs have to deal with a lot of crap about things that aren’t under their control. They should always be cordial and offer a smile; however in this day and age of “it’s all about me,” it gets harder and harder to do that. Having worked with the public for many years I have come to realize that customers are not willing to be personally responsible for their behavior. It’s the bank’s fault, the cashier’s fault, anyone’s fault except their own. Working with the public is EXHAUSTING, no matter how much you enjoy your job.

In all the times I have flown there was only one time where I encountered an FA that was less that friendly. No matter what I did she just wouldn’t smile or engage. She seemed like a very cold person to begin with. She was the exception though. And I have never seen a poorly groomed FA. Not sure where the other posters are seeing these people.

]]> By: Colleen Brownlee http://www.consumertraveler.com/today/memo-from-an-angry-flight-attendant/comment-page-1/#comment-6490 Colleen Brownlee Fri, 12 Sep 2008 06:56:47 +0000 http://www.tripso.com/?p=5082#comment-6490 I realize that this will be read by other people like me, ie, pay your fare and put up with everything. THere are always 2 sides. I travel a good bit, internationally and domestically. I am often struck by how lacking in grooming and manners travelers are. Is it to much to that a passenger will wear clothes instead of jammies when they are flying? THe over heads are full because very few people actually adhere to policy, and the gate agent does not enforce policy-1 personal item one other carry on not larger than---. I see people with three carry ons, duty free bags, etc. THen I have been on aircraft where one of four available toilets are out of service and the others are constant lines, where you are told sit down do not que, but gee how else can you use the toilet on a 12 hour flight? Civility and adherance to policy would be a good answer. If a customer doesn;t like it they can fly another airline. IF a flight attendant stays up all night on a layover and is kinda of hung over (yep, I have friends in the biz) that is not an excuse to behave badly to a customer. I realize that this will be read by other people like me, ie, pay your fare and put up with everything. THere are always 2 sides. I travel a good bit, internationally and domestically. I am often struck by how lacking in grooming and manners travelers are. Is it to much to that a passenger will wear clothes instead of jammies when they are flying? THe over heads are full because very few people actually adhere to policy, and the gate agent does not enforce policy-1 personal item one other carry on not larger than—. I see people with three carry ons, duty free bags, etc. THen I have been on aircraft where one of four available toilets are out of service and the others are constant lines, where you are told sit down do not que, but gee how else can you use the toilet on a 12 hour flight? Civility and adherance to policy would be a good answer. If a customer doesn;t like it they can fly another airline. IF a flight attendant stays up all night on a layover and is kinda of hung over (yep, I have friends in the biz) that is not an excuse to behave badly to a customer.

]]> By: Rebecca http://www.consumertraveler.com/today/memo-from-an-angry-flight-attendant/comment-page-1/#comment-5661 Rebecca Fri, 22 Aug 2008 01:37:38 +0000 http://www.tripso.com/?p=5082#comment-5661 I am not traveling via jet plane unless I have an absolute need. The airline industry has devolved to such an extent that it is not worth my money to travel with them. I am not traveling via jet plane unless I have an absolute need. The airline industry has devolved to such an extent that it is not worth my money to travel with them.

]]>