This is the ABSOLUTE truth!  You would not believe some of the situations we have had on the aircraft…or maybe you would.

I fly very little, so I am not aware of all these problems that occur.  And am too nervous to even hear anyone speaking to me as I embark or disembark.  But, I will remeber to respond to a “hello” or “goodbye” from now on.  Thank you for bringing this to the puplic’s attention.

I am always courteous when I fly.  I’m also a well dressed female, and as I’m leaving I am always complimented on my way of dress as all they see is blue jeans.  I also respond to “hello” and “good-bye” with a “thank you.” 

Most of this makes sense. But there is little you can do about snoring, except not sleep.
If you spent the last 24 hours straight through to get your business taken care of,
staying awake is not an option. Sorry folks.

BooHoo!!

Boo Hoo !!  you have a job appreciate it!!

I fail to understand what your choice of clothes has to do w/ anything here. Besides, “well Dressed” is a relative term. Am I impressed? Not really. Just think, to some people not having flip-flops on is considered being well dressed. 

I fail to understand what your choice of clothes has to do w/ anything here. Besides, “well Dressed” is a relative term. Am I impressed? Not really. Just think, to some people not having flip-flops on is considered being well dressed. 

It is disappointing the article does not make reference to domestic or international flights.
I must admit, based on previous experiences, the best services on flights have always been provided during international flights by foreign (non-U.S.) airliners. United Airlines, domestic or international, has been the worst. There is no comparison between services provided during domestic and international flights.

I am truly amazed at the patience of  flight attendants.  You folks do an awesome job !

Well one can at least try a Breathe Right strip.  A friend of mine brought her CPAP machine with her so she wouldn’t keep the rest of the passengers awake with her snoring and she had to jump through hoops to do it, but that was more because of battery issue and not with the airlines.

They do a great job!!!

A good read. I am relieved to find that I never make these mistakes. I appreciate the excellent service most attendants give, especially because I see such rudeness by too many passengers. My hat is off to all you flight attendants, EXCEPT the few American attendants who chew gum (and I am American) and many of  the British attendants who are arrogant and sarcastic (a cultural characteristic they can not help but show).

Obviously you are low-born.

I agree.  I am often upgrades on over-booked flights because I dress well. First or business class does not want to hob-nob with with street people.

Well, now we know about your background.

ridiculous

I’d be more than happy to say hello and goodbye…if I get service with a smile instead of being greeted with a scowl and a salutation that’s barely audible because you mumble instead of speaking clearly! And despite saying please and thank you, you the flight attendant, choose to treat me in a surly and rushed manner. Try smiling more often instead of acting like you’re doing ME a favor???

“A cultural characteristic they can not help but show”? Dude, your drivel here reflects upon your characteristics and dysfunction. You have yourself ineligible to have any opinion. You don’t get out much…Do you? 

 Bobby, dear you are so perceptive to determine ones background based on a few sentences. You gotta  get out of mom’s basement once in a while. OK?

If you are so capable and with the program, you should have purchased a first class or business class ticket in the first place instead of hoping for a handout buddy. That tells me a lot about your state of mind and level of insecurity. You probably wear your fancy, Sears,  off the rack dress to picnics and BK too I bet and you think people are impressed.

I HAVE THOROUGHLY ENJOYED THIS ENTIRE ARTICLE… COMMENTS AND ALL.

Flight attendant are getting high pay to do all these stuffs right?

I also want to say hello and goodbye. but there are times that they are just memorizing the lines, they are not looking on anyone’s eyes. How could we be sure that they are sayong hello and goodbye to us when they are not looking at us? Unless they say me in the eye, I don’t respond.

Agreed ……. absolute truth………..i particularly liked the last one as i usually miss this gesture in flights……….

Agreed ……. absolute truth………..i particularly liked the last one as i usually miss this gesture in flights……….

CMC1 is freaking annoying

oh no, we LOVE passengers who sleep…its the insane snorers…..imagine sitting next to that when they are also drifting onto your shoulder and drooling and farting as well;)…..

i hope to have you as a passenger someday, domestic or international!!

Oh wait , how about an upgrade , no hang on , his / her friend is travelling in coach,, can they sit up in business class for 5 mins and never go back..
what about a cheese burger for child.
I wana go to the toilet ,, its ok its the landing gear down.. 

This article makes flight attendants sound whiny.  They have a job, do it with pleasure or look for a new job.

This article makes flight attendants sound whiny.  They have a job, do it with pleasure or look for a new job.

It takes 90 seconds to get that cart by? Come on. Depending on the length of the flight, that thing is in the way for a substantial majority of the time the plane is in the air. And if I wait for it to go by, then you are between either me and the lavatory or, on the return trip, me and my seat. It’s not your fault, but it’s simply not true that carts are a minor inconvenience. They are a major obstacle.

Oh my god !  What crybabies !  When one asks me how I am doing I answer “I’m alive” .. they don’t care & I don’t care if they care.

The last time I flew (and I do mean last) they charged me for checking my bags (and it was not a nominal amount).  So, is anyone surprised the paying customers are carrying on more bags?  But when I did fly (at one time more often than a stewardess) I always said “thank you” to the crew members at the open door.  Now that I am retired, you couldn’t get me on a plane.  Not when they allow people like Alec Baldwin on.

I don’t fly that much these days since my job pretty much requires that I be available to come into work – even while on vacation. That said, in my younger days when I did travel more frequently, I always made it a point to be polite to flight attendants, even the rude one (the last word being singular by intent).

I’ve seen flight attendants treated unfairly by people with bad attitudes.I don’t know how they do it but they keep on smiling as though they were just given an award.I appreciate them and the jobs they do.Some people such as you would not appreciate it if someone gave them a million dollars because they should pay the taxes on their gift to you.GET A LIFE and see the goodness and kindness in the flight attendants and the jobs that they do.Praises to all of the flight attendants,especially the attendants for BRITISH AIRWAYS.

Do you want to get some food on a 12 hr flt or not.  Come on get a grip!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Do you want to get some food on a 12 hr flt or not.  Come on get a grip!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Street people don’t buy airline tix. Just sayin’.

Here’s some ideas:
    Greet the FA with a smile and warm hello.
Listen, and watch the safety briefing…it may save your life.
Have your trash ready for pick-up after service.
Fasten your seat belt.
Gate-check large bags…don’t jam them in the overheads.
Bring “quiet” games for your kids.
Try to keep the aisle clear…use the gate lav before boarding.
Try to keep your voice low…nobody wants your biz-nez!
Cross your seat belts before deplaning.
Thank and compliment the cabin crew  on their service.
Write an e-mail to your airline’s customer service dept., detailing a particular FA’s professionalism . Include, date, flight #, and name of FA.
                                Happy landings!
                                      Steve

1. This person sounds like they have a bit of an attitude. If you’re going to be dealing with the public you have to have a thick skin.

2. As mentioned, I can’t help that I snore. And I’m always tired on flights because I did twice the work to be able to take time off like everyone else.

Sorry but you won’t be snoring next to me, or sleeping, or being rude (for long) I like most travel people are tired of the special people who can’t be bothered with obeying rules..

Agreed. I fly regularly as part of my job. I am on international flights at least a few times a week, and occasionally domestic. Certain U.S. airlines have outright unprofessional, rude, mediocre flight attendants. I was once on a domestic flight, American Airlines, when the attendant handed me a bag of pretzels. I explained that I hadn’t eaten that day (and there was no food for sale on the flight), and was it possible that I could have a second bag of pretzels, please? The attendant scoffed in my face, and did not even respond. As though I asked her to personally buy me a snack. I once saw a flight attendant with a tag on her bag that said, “here to save butts, not kiss them!” …seriously? Get over yourself!

 It’s almost an insult to compare United Airline’s attendants, for instance, with Thai Airways. On Thai Airways (as one particularly stellar example), the attendants are gracious, impeccably dressed, attentive and professional. And on more than a few occasions, I have said good-bye to otherwise absorbed flight attendants who couldn’t be bothered to notice.

I haven’t flown a whole lot compared to some, but I’ve flown enough to recognize the differences in attitude between airlines.  That said, I’ll fly Southwest anytime, anywhere they go.  As far as Delta and American are concerned, I’d rather drive or take a slow boat than put up with their attitudes.

At least you have a job, stop complaining. 

But their job is not to be a punching bag to douchebag passengers. Ask the passengers from the US Air flight that landed in the Hudson River in NYC if their flight attendants are nothing but glorified waiters?  Be nice to cabin crew and fellow passengers and it should be returned! If it is NOT then have the satisfaction knowing you are the better person…

I was a flight attendant for 31 yrs. and this is the bottom line. It is about getting large numbers of people in a very confined space from point A to point B with the least amount of stress as possible. All people must be considerate of one another.

Totally agree. I have traveled frequently and almost every single time I have to deal at least one rude FA who is clearly irritable and fed up with annoying passengers. Very understandable as many passengers are annoying but just change careers, don’t take it out on the rest of us. 

My biggest pet peeve:  I am trying to listen to the safety presentation and numerous other passengers are talking loudly.  The FA does NOTHING about it.  I have repeatedly asked the FA to  ask the passengers to stop talking so that those who are interested can listen. EVERY SINGLE TIME I was told that there was nothing that they could do.  The last time, I asked the passengers myself to please stop talking so I could hear.  They responded angrily that “Everyone here has heard that speech a million times.” and then proceeded to talk even louder making sarcastic comments about me.  I don’t expect the FA to be a pre-school teacher but if they are in charge of safety then  they should certainly have the authority to ensure that passengers show respect during a short presentation that could save lives. They can’t make everyone listen but surely they are capable of ensuring that those who want to hear can do so. It shouldn’t be my job to control loud passengers during a safety briefing.  Not everyone on board has heard the speech a million times and I guarantee that if an emergency took place, most of them would have no clue what to do or where the emergency exits were located on that particular plane.

Blaire, it is hard enough to get the people on the plane happily let alone get them to stop talking during the safety presentation. We get in trouble for enough already, if we tell a passenger to be quiet during the demo, we are then reported as being rude. I try to get through the day with no confrontation with passengers as I need my job. I can only hope that one day someone in their own place of business where they work treats them with no respect and then they would know how it feels to be treated poorly.

Blaire, it is hard enough to get the people on the plane happily let alone get them to stop talking during the safety presentation. We get in trouble for enough already, if we tell a passenger to be quiet during the demo, we are then reported as being rude. I try to get through the day with no confrontation with passengers as I need my job. I can only hope that one day someone in their own place of business where they work treats them with no respect and then they would know how it feels to be treated poorly.

I once had an American attendant ask me to feel the muscles in her inner thigh- those attendant were VERY attentive.

I once had an American attendant ask me to feel the muscles in her inner thigh- those attendant were VERY attentive.

I once had an American Airlines attendant ask me to feel the muscles on her inner thigh–VERY attentive.

I have 3/4 million miles under my belt, and I agree that it must be really tough to be patient sometimes…  People in 1st class think they’re above the rules (Alec Baldwin is not the ONLY jerk to ignore instructions to turn off electronics, believe me).  Despite the mantra “please step into the aisles and let people pass” lines are held up forever while one person tries in vain to stuff his/her oversized bag into the overhead…   what about the jerks that put their bags in the compartment up front even though their seat is in the back…  then the people who bring fifty million creature comforts like air pillows and dramamine and water and their own food and books and Nooks and they stuff every available space with their toys and then spend the flights fidgeting with this and that.  

I would take ten crying babies to one ignorant, inconsiderate passenger.

I have 3/4 million miles under my belt, and I agree that it must be really tough to be patient sometimes…  People in 1st class think they’re above the rules (Alec Baldwin is not the ONLY jerk to ignore instructions to turn off electronics, believe me).  Despite the mantra “please step into the aisles and let people pass” lines are held up forever while one person tries in vain to stuff his/her oversized bag into the overhead…   what about the jerks that put their bags in the compartment up front even though their seat is in the back…  then the people who bring fifty million creature comforts like air pillows and dramamine and water and their own food and books and Nooks and they stuff every available space with their toys and then spend the flights fidgeting with this and that.  

I would take ten crying babies to one ignorant, inconsiderate passenger.

Short comment…have all the respect in the world for you folks that do this job…it can be thankless I’m sure.  But something to think about, some of us are hearing challenged (and not seniors) and may ask you to repeat something as it’s difficult to hear in certain situations.  We’re not trying to be ugly…just clarification.  It’s no picnic in our shoes either (as we don’t look like we’re hearing impaired and you’d be shocked at the rudeness of the general public).

They didn’t allow him on for long….

They didn’t allow him on for long….

Exactly how do you control snoring?

Exactly how do you control snoring?

How about taking your headphones off so we don’t have to ask you 3 times!  What?

How about taking your headphones off so we don’t have to ask you 3 times!  What?

I wonder if the “stewardesses” (flight attendants in the 50′s and 60′s would have whined about this…or would they just fix it in the spirit of “service”??  People don’t know “service” anymore!

I hate it when a passenger dumps their bag above say row 5 then takes their seat at the rear of the plane

Seriously? Yes, travelers are rude and unprepared and flight attendants are on the front lines every day, but we all have things we don’t like about our jobs. This just sounds whiny.

i think the issue is always courtesy. if yo see a flight attendant as your “servant’, you have a serious attitude problem. same for baristas, bus drivers, waitresses, nurses, etc. get your  stuck up heads out of your collective butts, and be nice. this person might have to give you CPR some day.

Maybe every other city? ;-)

Sympathetic to all but #10 and #12.  For #10, there are situations I would be more than happy to address on my own (if I am in the right), but poorly-mannered people tend to respond even LESS civilly to a random schmoe than they do a professional flight attendant.  It IS the job of the flight attendants to help maintain order.  As for #12 – sure, some people could wait for the bathroom, but many people don’t get up and wrestle the cart unless they have an urgent need.  Unless you like it messy, you might want to allow for the occasional weak bladder or Crohn’s sufferer.

What’s wrong with blue jeans?

Try being nice and just see how far we’ll  go to help you get a better seat, a free drink, whatever it is you’re after.  Snarl, or wear your pants half off, or ring us to take your “emergency trash” and take your chances.  Incidentally, “I’ll never fly this airline again.” isn’t getting you any brownie points, we wouldn’t fly it either if we had a choice.

We didn’t make the rules, we don’t even like enforcing them, you think you have it tough, try working here.

This person needs to find another job.  Wait 90 seconds to go to the toilet?  Since when has a cart only been blocking the aisle for 90 seconds.  Not to mention, some people cannot wait even that long and to not recognize this as a service person just shows they need to move on to something else for work.

Only 40 respond?  That’s kinda sad. . . . .

Only 40 respond?  That’s kinda sad. . . . .

Only 40 respond?  That’s kinda sad. . . . .

Only 40 respond?  That’s kinda sad. . . . .

I agree that some passengers are rude.  But, flight attendants today do nothing more than meet, greet and say goodbye.  They often begrudgingly give you something more than that – oretzels, luke warm water.   To me, they are the epitome of unionized lazy people – really, you mean once the doors close3 you have to work?!?.  As I read this list, I thought – well, shall we tend to you, you spoiled princesses?  Gimme a break already.  In lfight service is one of many reasons the airl;ien industry is on such a down ward trend. 

Granted there are lots of rude people that fly on airplanes.  Unfortunately, some of the rudest are the flight attendants and gate agents.  I fly frequently on business and am always taken aback when an airline employee goes out of his/her way to be rude, nasty or just deliberately irritating.  Much of it is passive/aggressive behavior – for example, I was scheduled to fly from Charlotte to Baltimore on an 8:05 AM flight last week, when I got to the gate, the gate display showed a departure time of 4:20 PM.  Naturally, I asked the agent “is this the right gate for the 8:05 AM flight?”  She replied, “this is flight 1234, sir”, as if that were answer enough.  I asked again, “is this the right gate for the 8:05 AM flight, the board shows the flight takes off at 4:20 PM?”.  She replied “sir, this is flight 1234 and I just made the announcement that the display is showing the wrong time.”  By this time it was obvious she was simply enjoying herself and taking out her aggression on me.  I asked no more questions, took out my pen, looked at her name badge and let her watch me write it down, then walked away.  She was clearly rattled (becuase she knew she had behaved poorly) and quickly made a nervous announcement about the signage being incorrect.  I never reported her because I didn’t want to take the chance of getting her fired.

everything is not about you.

in the ol’ days……it was done on purpose to watch the ladies stretch and wiggle getting the bin closed….nowadays I pay the excess bag fee and avoid the embarrasment !  Ah Braniff and PSA…where have you gone !

 Are you a woman?

Were you a woman at the time? If so, then it was okay to do.

 Would the captain be able to do something about it? Make an announcement to please STFU or be thrown off the plane? The FAA has rules about this, yes? Because I have had the same problem. I fly maybe once in ten years, so, no, I have not heard the speech “a million times.” I am also a bit of a nervous flier, so I want to hear all instructions and announcements.

In particular, one time I was on a flight preparing to land on one of the Hawaiian islands, and the pilot made an announcement with some special instructions about deplaning, I think at the rear of the ship or something. I couldn’t hear a word after he said “deplane,” though, because these three idiots seated nearby thought it would be witty to yell “De Plane! De Plane!” like Herve Villechaize in Fantasy Island, drowning out the rest of the announcement. Five minutes later, the captain repeated the announcement, and I thought, oh, good, now I’ll hear the instructions. But, what do you know, as soon as he said “deplane,” the Three Stooges did it AGAIN.Luckily, a FA was kind enough to repeat the instructions to me when I asked, but, geez! I could understand kids in a school bus getting their jollies this way, but these mouth-breathers were at least in their 40s..

 As I understand it, in the 50s and 60s, flying was more expensive, considered a luxury, even, and people were not crammed together quite so much like cattle. Stewardesses had a bit more room, and a few less unhappy, crammed-together people to deal with, so of course they would be able to provide better service.

 As I understand it, in the 50s and 60s, flying was more expensive, considered a luxury, even, and people were not crammed together quite so much like cattle. Stewardesses had a bit more room, and a few less unhappy, crammed-together people to deal with, so of course they would be able to provide better service.

 As I understand it, in the 50s and 60s, flying was more expensive, considered a luxury, even, and people were not crammed together quite so much like cattle. Stewardesses had a bit more room, and a few less unhappy, crammed-together people to deal with, so of course they would be able to provide better service.

 True. Many people will go the extra mile for you if you simply treat them like the human beings they are. There are, of course, exceptions, but with FAs, I have never had a bad experience, or even a mediocre one – they have all been gracious, and attentive.

 True. Many people will go the extra mile for you if you simply treat them like the human beings they are. There are, of course, exceptions, but with FAs, I have never had a bad experience, or even a mediocre one – they have all been gracious, and attentive.

 For #10, perhaps it would help if you let the FA know you had already tried dealing with the situation yourself, said “so sorry to bother you, but…” It won’t lessen her workload, but maybe at least she’ll feel less like a bombarded pre-school teacher, and that you respect her role.

 Dude, are you for real, or doing a bit of trolling? You come off like a caricature of a snob – maybe you should use Hyacinth Bucket as your handle.

 6. The lavatory door is not rocket science.

Just push.

It, obviously, *is* rocket science.  PULL instead.

LOL.  #6.  That lav door in the picture PULLS to open

No…. Median age for a Flight attendant is 60 old hag with bad attitude and answers to a name Helga. She has the “does not give a hoot” attitude and expect the world to revolve around  her. As soon as the plane arrives, She will be the first one out of the plane and walk around the gate like a sexy thing…..

All this article tells you is how the flight attendants just had it and they are quiting…. They do not care anymore about other people but themselves. This is a case for American flights. Have you guys been to Asian flights? They are practically your own attendants???? How ironic….

Bad title – Shouldn’t this be called, “Things Flight Attendants Really Want You to Know”?

Except it takes you 90 minutes to get that food cart by me, not 90 seconds.

I seem to remember thinking somewhere that passengers are also customers.  I’ve endured more than my fair share of bullying, short-tempered flight attendants.  You people are glorified waiters and waitresses, and you need to learn your place.  I’ve even seen one of your ilk verbally abuse a passenger, and then threaten to call an air marshal when he responded.  Bring me my drink, and be nice, or shut your mouth about the people who pay your salaries.

Someone
was full of him/herself. As if people CHOOSE to snore, loudly or otherwise! Oh,
and while I’ve heard that airline employees lose their jobs immediately if they
are late for work, someone’s sense of time must be off; I’m pretty sure it
takes way more than 90 seconds to get that cart out of the way. I suppose I underestimated how dreadfully important it was to get ALL 300 hellos and goodbyes; I’ll try to be more considerate in the future.

When I say Hello, or Goodbye, Have a nice Day or Evening; They always make it a point to studiously ignore me. But, that doesn’t stop me from being a Human Being. . .Btw, I’m a Frequent Flier.

Dr. Death: Remember Frauline, have your baby in the hospital or ze child have no bwain.

Mamma, Bubba Henry told me I was born on a Pirate Ship while holding his tongue. 

I don’t know who I am. What is an oretzel?

i Para bailar a La Bamba !

“.The lavatory door is not rocket science. Just push….”

Actually, it depends on which side of the door you are on…..apparently it may be “rocket science” for some flight attendents ( stewardesses and g@y men)
…

I travel 200 days a year. I have seen bad passengers and equally bad flight attendants. Both need to realize that the flight experience of 10 to 20 years ago is gone. Respect each other and move out of my way so I can get seated.

Most of these items are not things an attendant “won’t tell you,” they’re just examples of bad behavior.  But the person repeatedly asking “What?” after being served coffee may well be in the process of his/her ear popping, common on planes, so instead of the attendant expecting the passenger to know what’s being asked, isn’t it more the attendant’s job to have a quick way of indicating what the question is since it occurs so often?  How about pointing to the cream and sugar?

Most of these make a lot of sense, but some is just whining.  For # 4, perhaps people should know you are asking if they want cream and sugar, but it is equally obvious that if people regularly can’t hear you, you are talking too quietly.  #8, You say “snore with wild abandon.”  Really? Does that make any sense.  I’ve never heard of anyone who is able to control their snoring.  I guess on flights with whiny flight attendants, passengers who snore don’t get to sleep.

Absolutely!! There should NEVER be an empty seat with a filled overhead above it!! When boarding it should be anounced that a passenger must put their luggage in the overhead above their seat or it will be remove.checked and they will be charged a fee. This would STOP the overhead STEALING!! 

#11 is an absolute untruth.

#11 is an absolute untruth.

     The fact that this article was even written is a perfect example of one of the things wrong with our society today – entitlement. You are 180 degrees out of order here. 
     Just a thought, but flight attendants work in a service capacity. That means their position exists to serve customers, remember customers?  They’re the people who pay LOTS of money to use your increasingly poor airline service. “Starting off on the wrong foot with me”, REALLY? By saying that, you are in fact starting off on the wrong foot with me. Complaints from people who are supposed to handle the requests of paying customers with complaints, is absurd.
     Instead of focusing on yourselves, how about if you actually take a minute to listen to us and improve your service?      You think we’re rude? As your customer, I don’t care if you had a bad experience with a neighbor, your cat or another passenger earlier in the day. I’m not him, let it go when you are addressing me.      90 seconds to wait for a beverage cart to pass, are you kidding? Anyone who has ever flown knows that it takes much longer than that. Not enough room in the overheads for passenger belongings? How about creating more space in the overheads by stowing the flight attendants belongings under the plane? Oh I get it, you don’t want to take the time or bother walking to baggage claim so you just stuff it overhead right? Your desire to get to your “final destination” before paying customers do is unprofessional and selfish.     Here’s a newsflash: customers “tattle-tale” on each other in order to avoid direct confrontation and escalating anger with each other. It is proper to complain to an authority because the offender will almost always respond more positively to a person in a position of authority than to a peer who is criticizing them. Didn’t they teach you that in flight attendant school? And weren’t you told that your job might actually entail helping first time flyers with opening a bathroom door? I guess someone interrupted your “crosswords time” in the galley huh?. Sorry to be an inconvenience to you…     After all of this, you can’t fathom why most passengers aren’t in the mood to wish you a happy goodbye, Seriously?             

Several years, my children and I had travelled around or ON Christmas Day or New Year’s Eve/Day.  I always made sure to look my attendants and pilots (as well as any airport ground employees) in the eye and thank tham for working on a holiday so we were able to visit with family.  From this single mom on a budget who otherwise may not have had the chance to spend time with her parents, I thank every one of you for the work you do, the troublesome passengers you put up with, and for giving up holidays/birthdays/etc with YOUR loved ones so I could be with mine!  Bless you!

I detest “business” fliers who bring several smaller carry-on pieces and then take up an entire overhead bin with their luggage stroller and bags. 

Stop the whining! Sh** comes with every job. I think passengers pay more than enough for their cramped little seats while they try to eat the food they had to bring themselves. Just do your job like the rest of the employed. Your lucky you’re among them.

No doubt these childish events take place on a regular basis; but are these professionally trained flight attendants commenting, or high school wanna-be’s?  You are supposed to have professional training in how to deal with the “public!”  So do you expect to be treated differently than any other service professional – maybe some of whom you deal with moronically as well?  Like the nurses, the police officers, the bank tellers, etc., etc.  Get real, or get another job!  DUH!

Granted, I’m sure 90% of these complaints are valid and inexcusable on the passengers part.  BUT….first off, we’re no longer allowed to carry pens in our carry-ons to fill out forms (all that pesky anti terrorist drama you know) – and, well I don’t know about you, but I don’t think I’m able to “control my snoring” because I’m ASLEEP!!!   Dear God, who wrote this thing???

What a bitter, unhappy woman. It sounds as though she has contempt for her passengers. I suggest she find another line of work outside of the service industry.

“personal business under a blanket!”???  You have got to be kidding!

usually these types of articles annoy me because they sound arrogant. But this one is just funny and i know so true! Everyone hates rude/dumb passengers!

I have said hello to people passing me in the park while walking and they will not answer. so I whisper to myself,  YOU SNOT!

I’m shocked that more people don’t respond to the attendants when getting off the plane.  Well, not really.  So that means less than half of us were raised right?  

In the last decade or so, I have only noticed testiness and snarkiness from flight attendants.  They have only made my cramped, expensive flights more miserable.  They truly overestimate their own importance.

Good for you.  I will make a point of addressing flight attendants by name, so I will remember later to write about their condescending behavior.  i have not had a single pleasant encounter with a flight attendant since before my honeymoon in 1984.

If you hate your job so much quit. There are many people who would love to have it. I’m very polite and try to be as low maintenance on a plane and there are some real jerks out there but you know what you were getting into when you signed up.I work at a five star hotel and I know how much being supper polite takes out of you but I knew that going in. 

I was an airline wife for 20 years. I know exactly what they say and what many do on their spare time. They have affairs with the idiot pilots. I am sure lucky they have one another and I am free from the abuse and humiliation of the airline business. My kids have not seen the pilot DNA donor for 10 years and they are surely wonderful and successful. They always say they would not ever work for the airlines, it just is not a good environment for fidelity, kindness or honesty. That’s too bad. The only good thing is that they are hiring more mature women who know better and will actually say what they think without the phony blond hair. 

 Passengers are always coming up to me and tattling on each other.
‘Can you tell him to put his seat up?’ ‘She won’t share the armrest.’ What am I, a preschool teacher?
What would you have us do when two passengers are at a crossroads and a compromise (or other solution) cannot be reached? Fisticuffs? In this case, you are being asked for your AUTHORITY, not necessarily your wisdom. Don’t get bugged by this, Michelle. Just add it to your list of duties.

11. I hate working flights to destinations like Vail and West Palm Beach.
The passengers all think they’re in first class even if they’re not. They don’t do what we ask. And the overhead bins are full of their mink coats.

Sheesh! Jealous much?

12. Do you really have to go to the bathroom right now, while we’re wrestling a 250-pound food cart down the aisle?
You can’t wait 90 seconds for us to pass?

You were behind us and we were reading/watching a movie/chatting. We don’t keep tabs on YOUR activities. The call of Nature is just what it is. When you have to go, you have to go. Pardon me for having to answer a biological imperative while you block the isle for 30-45 minutes in order to serve a meal.

13. Is it that difficult to say hello and goodbye?
We say it 300 times on every flight, and only about 40 people respond.

I always greet the flight attendants. Half the time, I get nothing back. What’s your point here?

Please, this article is a joke. If you don’t want to be treated badly you should’ve went to college. Until then, I’ll treat you like crap and make you move my bags. You’re getting paid to do it and I dropped $1,200 on this flight so, “Get me a beer woman.”

Get a real job and you won’t have to deal with my crap. No sympathy from me. I’m paying more for this seat than you make in a week, so you for sure will get me a sandwich and move my bags. Thanks for this article though. It wil make me treat you guys even worse next time.

No body’s job is perfect, especially when working with a cramped, tired public.  Maybe these stewardships should find another job.  Where there are no people.

Boy do I have some stories because I am a flight attendant and while some of these statements are true I would have to say they didn’t sound like they came from a flight attendant. Inwould love to be interviewed for free. I would love the public to know exactly why we ask them to do this or that, then reply to the most dumbest thing people do that are so gross. Why oh why….please contact me for an interview. Not all passengers are bad I also have some aaammmazzzing stories!!

I HATE having to listen to people popping their chewing gum.

passengers don’t have to “be nice” to get the service we are paying for. airline personnel are being paid with our money, not to mention taxpayer dollars for subsidies and bailouts.

it is the job of a service person to provide that service, whether you like doing it or not. just don’t let us know it because we have our own problems, like paying for the ride in the cattle car with the possibility of a terrorist nutjob on board. the service flight attendants provide, since none of them seem to know, is the safety and well being of everyone on the flight.

get real.

It’s very possible I can’t wait the 90 seconds (I’ve never seen one go this fast). Sometimes, my bladder IS in charge.

It’s very possible I can’t wait the 90 seconds (I’ve never seen one go this fast). Sometimes, my bladder IS in charge.

And, NO, I didn’t have to go two minutes ago! We all have things we have to deal with. Think job change. I did.

comment # 3.  COUGARS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! MEOW!

A man tried to bring a lawn mower on board (disguised  in a huge box)and expected us to find a place for it ! The carry on lugage has gotten ridiculous .

The airlines go into bankrucy and steal your pension and everything you worked for and you are suppsed to be happy.Think not

Thirteen things this passenger will tell you:

1. It’s not my fault your company is so cheap that it crams too many passengers and their luggage into too small a place. Plus maybe I don’t fly much and don’t even realize I’m causing a problem.

2. Some flight attendants are incredibly rude, too.

3. Are you bragging or complaining about your love life? Either way, I don’t care.

4. Traveling is a bizarre and troubling event for some people. They go through things they seldom experience, get poked and prodded by surly TSA agents, and wind up sealed in a metal tube strapped to several incredibly loud engines. That might disorient some people so they aren’t as sharp as they are usually. Touchiness about having to say “cream and sugar?” a couple times won’t help.

5. You think you have problems with kids on a plane? Trying being in a seat one of them is kicking for six hours. Or try being a mother traveling with two or three of them.

6. See 4.

7. See 4.

8. I don’t know anybody who decides how loudly to snore, and considering the treatment airline employees like you meet out, falling asleep may be the best way to deal with flying.

9. See 4.

10. No, but you are a representative of the company you work for, and you are on-board in part to keep the peace among passengers. Appealing to you beats punching out a rude seatmate, don’t you think? Disturbances that get out of hand might lead to an unscheduled landing and mean we’ll have to spend even more time together, something we both don’t want.

11. I doubt many people in minks travel in coach. Envious much?

12. Yeah, maybe I do have to make it to the toilet RIGHT NOW. Traveling can play havoc with the digestive systems of some people.

13. Could the low rate of civility among your departing passengers have anything to do with the on-board experience they just had?

someone get this person some cheese to go with their whine

I am sympathetic to the dual nature of the work the flight attendants have to perform (safety and service). But look at it from my perspective as a passenger. This might be my 2nd or 3rd flight in a row as I am heading to Asia or Europe, so I may not be thinking the clearest. Is it really that hard to show me how to open the darn restroom door or tell me again my condiment choices? And here is the kicker – for the same amount or a little more I can have a fantastic flight with a foreign airline like Cathay Pacific or ANA where flight attendants actually help you load bags into the overhead, where I have personal AVOD in the back of the seat in coach instead of the looped movies on the overhead, where flight attendants let me sleep and check on me afterwards if I miss a meal, where it is ok to use the restroom during meal service and, yes, they have plenty of pens and pencils for those pesky immigration forms.

True…I feel sorry for flight attendants.   How about a list now of some comments we frequent travelers would like to make?

A simple Good Morning when you enter the aircraft will help ! During festive seasons such as Christmas – a box of chocolate to the crew members will be deeply appreciated but don’t expect to be moved to First Class – if you have that intention, save your chocolate ! Dealing with human being is not an easy task especially at 35000 feet. 

I chuckled to myself when I saw a lot of people doing this on a recent flight. Little did they know: this flight disembarks from the rear of the craft! So these people were stuck even longer, waiting for those in front to leave before they could retrieve their bags!!

I chuckled to myself when I saw a lot of people doing this on a recent flight. Little did they know: this flight disembarks from the rear of the craft! So these people were stuck even longer, waiting for those in front to leave before they could retrieve their bags!!

I wanted to THANK Michelle Crouch for writing this story!  I expected it to be a very serious piece with revelations like, “Forget all the safety instructions we’ve just taught you because, if this plane crashes, there’s a 99.999999999975% chance that we’re all gonna die!” and, “In the hour prior to take-off, 25% of pilots have taken some medication or had an alcoholic beverage which may impair their ability to operate this aircraft!”  To my delight, the story was much more ‘tongue-in-cheek’ and humorous than I ever expected!

To be sure, I often feel sorry for Flight Attendants, what passengers put them through and expect of them.  In essence, they are both ‘preschool teachers’ who must referee passenger disputes, maintain the flight schedule, and make sure all the students depart the plane with the same coats, galoshes, and luggage they brought on with them, AS WELL AS being the very people tasked with saving the lives of passengers, in the event that there is a true emergency!  For all this responsibility, most of them probably earn less than a first year preschool teacher!

I got a kick out of reading their complaints about passengers and I understand how dealing with the same issues, day after day after day, might become frustrating for them.  However, I do take particular exception to #12 – that 250 lb. food cart spends a heck of a lot more than 90 seconds in the aisle between me and the bathroom!  By the time it gets to my end of the plane, the people who were served first have already begun ‘elimination mode’ and started queuing up for bathroom time.  When you’ve gotta to, you’ve gotta go, and there isn’t much logic or reasoning you can apply to the issue.

Personally, I’ve both benefited from incredible acts of kindness and professionalism from flight crews, and I’ve been treated rudely by overly tired, overworked ones.  I’m sure the same can be said of any person who’s spent much time on planes.  A lot of frustration could be eliminated, on ‘both sides of the fence,’ if everyone just acknowledged that we’re all tired, harried, frustrated, forgetful, and are dealing with our own personal problems away from that plane. Show the same respect for other people that you want for yourself and TRY to overlook the minor incidences of rudeness that we ALL sometimes inflict on other people (simply because we’re tired, frustrated……..).

Mostly, I just wanted to thank everyone – Michelle Crouch and all who’ve taken the time to comment – for giving me a chance to laugh really hard today.  If these are the worst issues we have to complain about, I thank God for creating Flight Attendants and passengers – and for endowing me with the sense of humor to appreciate the folly of their ways!

HeraSentMe,  Thank you for being alive and expressing your opinion!  I laughed until I cried – TRULY!!!

Come on now, blah, Hkl’s poor spelling skills can’t possibly have made you forget your identity…….play nicely with the other passengers and eat your oretzels.

West Palm Beach is not Beverly Hills, Ca. There are a few wealthy people who live in a small strip of land between the ocean and the inter-coastal. The rest of West Palm Beach is more like a mixture of Harlem, Havana, and Tijuana. 

West Palm Beach is not Beverly Hills, Ca. There are a few wealthy people who live in a small strip of land between the ocean and the inter-coastal. The rest of West Palm Beach is more like a mixture of Harlem, Havana, and Tijuana. 

“So don’t clip your toenails, snore with wild abandon, or do any type of personal business under a blanket”
I don’t try to snore. Snoring is a process that I can’t control. 

I fly fairly  frequently, and honestly, I know flight attendants have a people demanding job, but they could be a little kinder and smile a little more.  If I ask for water to take a pill, please don’t look at me like I’ve asked for the moon. Not all of your passengers are comfortable flying which is why we aren’t doing your job, so we may not be handling our fear very well…try to be a little more understanding and if your job is so un-pleasant, maybe you should try another one…just saying.

Some passengers, in fact, cannot wait 90 seconds for you to pass.  After having cancer surgery, if I think I have to pee, I have to do it very soon.  If I don’t, my clothing will be wet and I’ll smell like a litter box.

I not only acknowledge the flight attendant when I get on and when I leave the plane.  I thank them for providing a pleasant flight.  Even if the flight wasn’t pleasant.

They are doing a pretty much thankless job and it just isn’t the glamorous job that so many people think it is.

Oh come on.  First of all I can’t help it if I fall asleep and snore so get over yourself.  2nd, I bet if I tried to bring my inhaler or a syringe I would be handcuffed.  Third, it’s just possible that while you are blocking the aisle with your bloody cart someone has a big intestinal problem due to anxiety or your airline food so yes they  might need to get by immediately.  Yes, sometimes we have to tattle.  We’ve had seat mates who fondled each other while chugging vodka they brought on the plane.  Hardly appropriate in front of our children and also we don’t want them throwing up on us.  Don’t try to harrass us into taking all kinds of crap we shouldn’t have to deal with.  Just ask us to be reasonably considerate. 

Some Airports ,as in Canada are gouging airlines in landing fees,and airlines cannot charge extra for fat slobs,so they charge for bags,that makes people carry on more.,some airlines do not charge for bags but the ticket price is 50 bucks more for return ,,these are facts,Landing fees at Toronto are about  20 thousand dollars a pop

I disagree with the snoring part. Snoring is not something that can be controlled, nor is the volume of the snore.

 after working as a nurse for many years I can honestly say these complaints are nothing compared to what nurses and doctors put up with every day! Yes people can be annoying but it’s not the end of the world you just have to remember the people that lightened your day! As to the comment about asking for nappies/diapers yes I have had to ask this service of you. I packed 30+ nappies but the plane was delayed and unfortuately my baby had a wee feast! It was embarrassing for me to have to ask but the Malaysian airline handled it with curtesey and yes I did say thank you!

Try to work 13 hours day…with people who does those crazy thing none stop…then tell me about people who ask for a glass of water, when they just boarded the plane…and same passenger complaint about being in the terminal for 3 hours doing nothing…maybe they could have take that pill before boarding? There is water fountain all around the terminal…so why wait until you get onboard with 200 people needing 3000 demands…this is not pre-school.
Get organize before you travel.

Try to work 13 hours day…with people who does those crazy thing none stop…then tell me about people who ask for a glass of water, when they just boarded the plane…and same passenger complaint about being in the terminal for 3 hours doing nothing…maybe they could have take that pill before boarding? There is water fountain all around the terminal…so why wait until you get onboard with 200 people needing 3000 demands…this is not pre-school.
Get organize before you travel.

Try to work 13 hours day…with people who does those crazy thing none stop…then tell me about people who ask for a glass of water, when they just boarded the plane…and same passenger complaint about being in the terminal for 3 hours doing nothing…maybe they could have take that pill before boarding? There is water fountain all around the terminal…so why wait until you get onboard with 200 people needing 3000 demands…this is not pre-school.
Get organize before you travel.

Try to work 13 hours day…with people who does those crazy thing none stop…then tell me about people who ask for a glass of water, when they just boarded the plane…and same passenger complaint about being in the terminal for 3 hours doing nothing…maybe they could have take that pill before boarding? There is water fountain all around the terminal…so why wait until you get onboard with 200 people needing 3000 demands…this is not pre-school.
Get organize before you travel.

Try to work 13 hours day…with people who does those crazy thing none stop…then tell me about people who ask for a glass of water, when they just boarded the plane…and same passenger complaint about being in the terminal for 3 hours doing nothing…maybe they could have take that pill before boarding? There is water fountain all around the terminal…so why wait until you get onboard with 200 people needing 3000 demands…this is not pre-school.
Get organize before you travel.

Try to work 13 hours day…with people who does those crazy thing none stop…then tell me about people who ask for a glass of water, when they just boarded the plane…and same passenger complaint about being in the terminal for 3 hours doing nothing…maybe they could have take that pill before boarding? There is water fountain all around the terminal…so why wait until you get onboard with 200 people needing 3000 demands…this is not pre-school.
Get organize before you travel.

Try to work 13 hours day…with people who does those crazy thing none stop…then tell me about people who ask for a glass of water, when they just boarded the plane…and same passenger complaint about being in the terminal for 3 hours doing nothing…maybe they could have take that pill before boarding? There is water fountain all around the terminal…so why wait until you get onboard with 200 people needing 3000 demands…this is not pre-school.
Get organize before you travel.

Try to work 13 hours day…with people who does those crazy thing none stop…then tell me about people who ask for a glass of water, when they just boarded the plane…and same passenger complaint about being in the terminal for 3 hours doing nothing…maybe they could have take that pill before boarding? There is water fountain all around the terminal…so why wait until you get onboard with 200 people needing 3000 demands…this is not pre-school.
Get organize before you travel.

Try to work 13 hours day…with people who does those crazy thing none stop…then tell me about people who ask for a glass of water, when they just boarded the plane…and same passenger complaint about being in the terminal for 3 hours doing nothing…maybe they could have take that pill before boarding? There is water fountain all around the terminal…so why wait until you get onboard with 200 people needing 3000 demands…this is not pre-school.
Get organize before you travel.

re: “Do you really have to go to the bathroom right now, while we’re wrestling a 250-pound food cart down the aisle?”  While I also admit I’ve seen many people behave incredibly ignorantly in this regard (and many other regards), the attendants are typically not just in the aisle for 90 seconds.  They are there often for 20 minutes. Consider that we have probably been waiting a long time to go between delays and confusion at the airport and on prior flights and waiting for the fasten seat belt signs to go off.  We can only hold is so long.  : P

A couple of things…..a passenger really can’t control how loud he/she is snoring because he/she is asleep so I’m a little confused about that complaint…..and I have flown to Vail at least 15 times and have never seen people in mink coats…the times that I have been on those flights, they were exactly like flights to Atlanta, Chicago, etc and people for the most part were polite…….that being said, flight attendants definitely help make or break a flight to anywhere, and their services should be appreciated by everyone.

A couple of things…..a passenger really can’t control how loud he/she is snoring because he/she is asleep so I’m a little confused about that complaint…..and I have flown to Vail at least 15 times and have never seen people in mink coats…the times that I have been on those flights, they were exactly like flights to Atlanta, Chicago, etc and people for the most part were polite…….that being said, flight attendants definitely help make or break a flight to anywhere, and their services should be appreciated by everyone.

Yes, in the airline business, those that are well dressed often get upgrades if there is no room in economy.  Some people wear such skimpy outfits and then complain that they are cold.  Of course you would be – but for the rest of us the nice cool air is necessary – bring a sweater or wear long pants, it is always colder in the higher altitudes. 

This is so condescending. Anyone with a job in a field that relates to customer service or client interaction could make a list of things that they wish their customers/clients would do differently. If you can’t tolerate the different types of people out there (including the difficult ones) then you shouldn’t work in this type of field. Yes, it’s rude that passengers store overhead bags wrong or don’t say hi or bye back, but that’s our society’s lack of  consideration and manners which you’ll encounter no matter what situation you’re in. Yes, they might feel under-appreciated and overworked and underpaid, but guess what? So does most of America! You have the freedom to find a different job. If it comes down to making a list like this, obviously you can’t deal with the job and everything that comes with it.

Boom!

Boom!

This article had to be written by a flight attendant. It is spot on. I am a flight attendant (have been one for 24 years) and am 44 years old. It felt like being at work when I read this list. Too funny!

If you are treated like trash all day every day by passengers Daisey, it is very hard to “be a little kinder and smile a little more.” Do you really expect that I am going to turn around to you and be sweet as pie when another passenger just yelled at me and called me a b***h for just doing my job and what the FAA requires me to do? You wouldn’t make it even one day as a flight attendant. By the way, being upset over abuse from passengers is called “being human.” It has NOTHING to do with whether or not I like my job. I don’t tell you how to act or how to do your job. Don’t tell me how to do mine. Walk a mile….

This one is a bit unfair.  It’s not a matter of 90 seconds when you’re in coach.  Quite often the cart blocks the isle for at least half an hour, and you can bet your wings that YOU would be the first one fussing at us if we dare try to use the restroom in first class.

# 8 is the best. You are NOT the only person on the plane. Please stop acting like you are!

I come from scotland mate. nobody puts “cream” in their coffee here.

If the door is so easy… SIGNAGE is JUST as EASY… Put a sticker on there that says “PUSH”.
Really that needy for a hello/goodbye? Want a pat on the back too? 
I try to be quiet and undemanding, no trouble… but if you don’t speak up fast enough, an attendant will make a surly remark that you didn’t JUMP to respond. Thanks

“don’t snore with wild abandon” what a ridiculous thing to say, who ever snored intentionally?

More like “13 complaints of Flight Attendants”

yes, being nice is an art that bankers and most professionals can do. It works. If someone else is in a bad way maybe they have had a hard time and if they blow their lead it helps to be calm and pleasant.

I know it muist be hard for stewardesses. I mean they see you with the cart and they see you asking others fish or steak and they get to you and you can’t decide. I always take the fish or seafood. Or they ask you what you would like to drink. I always know in advance. I know it must be difficult to wait on people hand and foot.

I know it muist be hard for stewardesses. I mean they see you with the cart and they see you asking others fish or steak and they get to you and you can’t decide. I always take the fish or seafood. Or they ask you what you would like to drink. I always know in advance. I know it must be difficult to wait on people hand and foot.

Some people on planes are pure arseholes, but for the most part they know what to do. I wish the stewardesses were not as attractive, because they turn me on with those uniforms and it would be nice to get a room and have her lying naked th you in the sack.

Some people on planes are pure arseholes, but for the most part they know what to do. I wish the stewardesses were not as attractive, because they turn me on with those uniforms and it would be nice to get a room and have her lying naked th you in the sack.

Some people on planes are pure arseholes, but for the most part they know what to do. I wish the stewardesses were not as attractive, because they turn me on with those uniforms and it would be nice to get a room and have her lying naked th you in the sack.

I once had an Air Canada sit beside me and give me a kiss.  We necked the rest of the way across the country.  Never saw her again!

So, this is less an information piece and more of a 13 things flight attendants want to gripe about, but can’t to your face and expect to keep their jobs.

So, this is less an information piece and more of a 13 things flight attendants want to gripe about, but can’t to your face and expect to keep their jobs.

I’ve encountered a couple of flight attendants who were belligerent from the get-go, almost as if they wanted me to respond in a way so they could say I was disruptive.  I’m very polite to flight attendants — always have been — so that was a rude disappointment.

I’ve encountered a couple of flight attendants who were belligerent from the get-go, almost as if they wanted me to respond in a way so they could say I was disruptive.  I’m very polite to flight attendants — always have been — so that was a rude disappointment.

Well their median age of flight attendants in the USA may be 44, but not in most of the rest of the world(young, attractive and have a love and excitement for the job, while most American FS’s are worn out and bitter). Id say the USA has the most unattractive, surly and lazy FA’s in thew world. I hate taking an American airline. Always choose an Asian carrier first !

some people get a severe case of hearing loss due to cabin pressure differences, especially people who do not fly much, lets give the passengers a little credit, maybe they are foreigners who dont speak english, or just ears numbed due to pressure.

American FAs are not rude, but can become so if pushed even the slightest….just like US cops.