FLIGHT ATTENDANTS TOP 13 PET PEEVE LIST

The Sassy, Surly Flight Attendant…Everyone has encountered one or two during their travels in the sky. Some Flight Attendants appear miserable. They speak to passengers with a condescending tone in their voice, make smart remarks, roll their eyes at customers and give poor inflight service.

It is true, many Flight Attendants that work for some of the oldest and largest airlines in the US hate their jobs because of mergers, paycuts, and bitter changes in management.  I agree, some of the Flight Attendants could certainly use an “attitude adjustment” or should consider finding a different career that doesn’t interact with the general public.

On the other hand, you may have encountered a very pleasant Flight Attendant. At the beginning of the flight, they smiled and gave you great inflight service. He or she may have been kind enough to offer you a free drink. But sooner or later you’ve noticed he or she tries their best to avoid you during the flight.

 Have you ever stopped and asked yourself, “Did I do something to irritate or offend the Flight Attendant?”

It usually takes alot to make a Flight Attendant fly overboard like ex Jet Blue Flight Attendant, Steven Slater, that made unscrupulous remarks and bid a farewell on the PA system, grabbed a couple of beers and slid down the escape slide and called it quits.

Most seasoned Flight Attendants are used to the ups and downs of flying. They have become accustomed to dealing with rude and grouchy passengers, unruly children and people that are just “plane strange.” Like people at most jobs, Flight Attendants encounter some annoyances that can drive them nuts by the end of the day.

Certainly, most passengers don’t want to aggravate Flight Attendants. Some people are completely innocent and don’t realize their actions are actually quite annoying.

Below is a list to help you, NOT PRESS YOUR FLIGHT ATTENDANT’S HOT BUTTON.

1. Do Not Poke or Tap the Flight Attendant to get his or her attention.

Can you imagine how irritating it feels to be tapped, poked and pulled by hundreds of strangers after working 10 hours in a small confined space?  If you must get the Flight Attendant’s attention, please tap the Flight Attendant Call Button overhead or say “Excuse Me” in an audible voice.





2. Do Not Hand the Flight Attendant Disgusting Items. Wait Until he or she Walks by with a Trash Bag.

Wet, snotty tissues, baby wipes, used Diapers (even if it’s only baby pee or number1), banana peels, slimey apple cores, puke bags filled with vomit, sunflower seed shells, chewed tobacco and sticky candy and chewing gum should be placed in a TRASH BAG, not in the Flight Attendant’s bare hand.

3.  If You Have The Flu or a Contagious Illness, Do Not Whisper in the Flight Attendant’s Face or Ear that You are Sick.

The Flight Attendants are more than happy to offer you aspirin or other over the counter medications available onboard. They will certainly try their best to make you feel more comfortable during the flight, however, they do not want to share your germs or illness. Please be courteous. Cover your mouth when you sneeze and cough. Keep your distance as much as you can and wash your hands thoroughly. If at all possible, do not travel when you are sick.

4.  Do Not Snap Your Fingers, Whistle, or Shake a Cup of Ice at the Flight Attendants to Signal You Need Assistance.

There are certainly more courteous ways of getting a Flight Attendant’s attention. Again, use the Call Button overhead or say “Excuse Me” in an audible voice. When you use polite manners, you are more than certain to receive better service onboard.


5.  Turn Off Your Cell Phone and PDA devices When Asked.

When the Flight Attendants announces,  ”It is Time to Turn Off Cell Phones and Electronics,” TURN THEM OFF. Do not say, “Wait I need another 10 minutes. This is an important call. ” Do not argue and say, “Cell phones don’t interfere with cockpit instruments.” It is important to follow the instructions given to you by the Pilots and the Flight Attendants.  They are required to enforce the FAA’s regulations, no matter how senseless the regulations may appear.

6.  Do Not Bring a Heavy Carry On Bag that YOU Cannot Lift in the Overhead Bin.

Perhaps you want to avoid paying airline baggage fees, or you’ve checked luggage in the past and the airline lost your bag.  You are not willing to check your bag and it’s too heavy to lift.  Please do not ask or expect the Flight Attendant to lift your bag. They are not body builders nor do they wear back braces for heavy lifting. A Flight Attendant may assist you in lifting the bag, but if it is too heavy, please CHECK IT.

7.   Do Not Help Yourself to Items Served on the Cart or Tray.  Do Not Dip Your Cup or Hand in the Ice Bin.

If you see something appealing on the Flight Attendant’s cart or tray, feel free to ask politely for the item. If you would like more snacks or another beverage, certainly don’t hesitate to make your request known.  The Flight Attendant will give you more if it’s available. The cart and tray are not a buffet. Do not help yourself. More importantly, the Board of Health does not allow persons that are not employees to tamper with or touch food or ice served to the public. Please be patient and ask for what you need.

8.  Do Not Ignore the Fasten Seatbelt Sign.

The Pilots are in charge of turning the fasten seatbelt sign on and off. They continuously communicate with air traffic control as well as other Pilots on their flight path about turbulence and weather patterns. Although what appears to be smooth clear skies to you, unstable air may be a few miles away.  In addition, Flight Attendants are required by the FAA to verbally remind every person to obey the fasten seatbelt sign each time a passenger moves about the cabin while the fasten seatbelt sign is turned on. In fact, a Flight Attendant can be personally fined thousands of dollars by an onboard FAA Inspector if he or she does not remind passengers to remain seated while the sign is turned on. Do not get into a verbal disagreement with the Flight Attendant.  It is not a personal attack against you when you are told to return to your seat. He or she is doing their job.

9.  Do Not Allow Your Babies and Toddlers to Crawl in the Aisle.

Everyone understands babies are restless and like to explore new surroundings and move around. However, it is not safe for toddlers and babies to crawl around the floor, and up and down the aisles of an airplane.  The baby can get tossed, thrown and severly injured if the plane encounters turbulence and suddenly shifts or drops violently. In addition, it is difficult for the Flight Attendants to perform their duties with babies and toddlers in the aisles. The safest place for babies, toddlers and small children on the airplane is in a FAA approved car seat or infant carrier secured in a passenger seat.

10.  Do Not Help Yourself to the Flight Attendant’s Newspapers, Magazines, Food or Other Personal Items.

Please do not touch or tamper with the Flight Attendant’s personal belongings. Do not move their bags, purses or any other items. Your Flight Attendant may be friendly, but he or she is not your BFF, best friend forever.  If you would like to read their magazine or newspaper, ask if he or she wouldn’t mind letting you read it when they are finished. Do not pick up their newspaper or magazine, stand in the galley, read it or take it to your seat or in the lavatory. Also, please do not help yourself to the Flight Attendant’s personal snacks or meal. If you feel hungry, ask for extra complimentary peanuts or pretzels.

11. Please Respect the Flight Attendant’s Personal Space.

If you encounter a Flight Attendant standing in the galley or eating his or her meal on the jumpseat, please refrain from performing long Pilates stretches and Yoga moves directly in their face.  It is uncomfortable to sit on a jumpseat or stand in a narrow galley with someone’s back bent and buttocks spread directly in front of you. If you need to get your blood circulating, it is best to walk up and down the aisle for a minute or two while the fasten seatbelt sign is turned off. Yoga and Pilates stretches are more appropriate in your private hotel room or at your local health club.

12.  Remove Your Headset or Earphones. 

Please remove your earphones when you ask the Flight Attendant a question or if you see the Flight Attendant is trying to communicate with you. It is annoying for the Flight Attendant to shout or to repeat the same statement twelve times, because you cannot hear or clearly understand what he or she is saying while you have your headset to your ipod, dvd player or noise cancelling device turned on. If you can’t hear, use common sense and take off the headset until you’ve finished speaking.




13.  Flush the Toilet in the Lavatory and Clean Up After Yourself.

Sadly, many passengers make a mess in the lavatory. Used toilet paper is dropped on the floor. Droplets of urine and feces are left scattered on the toilet seat and on the floor. If you “miss” the toilet, please clean up your “mess.” Also, there is a handle or large button to press to flush the toilet. Airplane toilets do not have motion sensors. They do not flush by themselves.

If you adhere to the Dos and Don’ts of the Flight Attendant Top 13 Pet Peeve List, you are more than likely to encounter friendly Flight Attendants while traveling. Flight Attendants that are treated respectfully and professionally will undoubtedly give you phenomenal service onboard.

Safe travels
~theflygirl

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Planesassy.com

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