I fly to Uganda at least once a year. These two, very long flights actually give me time to get to know a few of the flight attendants. There’s always that one that I’ll connect with. People know when you are a truly kind person and they appreciate it. A compliment, a smile, friendly words; they go a long way.
We used to fly a LOT. My pet peeve was the kicking kid in the seat behind me. I always admonished our young daughters to never touch the seat in front of them, except to pull down the tray table. I actually wrote an article, somewhat humorous I thought, about the different types of passengers. The old yeller, the kicking kid, the seat shaker walking down the aisle, the male armrest hogger, etc. But I never found a flight magazine to publish it. Not surprising actually. Nobody wanted to read about themselves in the magazine!
Thank you for this post. I am not a flight attendant but I have acquaintances who are. I’ve spent a little time in the not so friendly skies and have seen flight attendants take untold and unnecessary abuse. Flying is not really fun for anyone nowadays but no one should make it worse by being a jack ass.
30+ yr corporate cross country road warrior - seen it all...not glamorous thinking back to long hair draped backwards; baggage smacking you in aisles; armrest battles; seat backs being pulled back by the unfit; gross seat back trays; yutes kicking seats; and big shots conducting loud “look at meeeee” bidness calls, etc.
The one constant bright spot (exception being the career authoritarian battle axe type) were the mostly angelic flight attendants who could empathize & encourage.
So we all smiled a lot. We asked how our days were going. Where to, from, and who’s waiting on you. Try offering them individually wrapped high end chocolate. Better yet - get the flight crews’ and gate attendants’ coffee orders & run to the closest shop. If crew members are behind you in line for coffee prepay for them. Oh and don’t forget to smile.
Totally agree Sean. I was ground staff in Northern Rhodesia aka Zambia many years ago. It’s amazing how some people spoil things for everyone. Treat all staff, supermarket staff, bank staff, nursing staff especially. People are doing their best to serve the public cheerfully, sometimes in the grimmest tasks. Be cheerful, be kind and BEHAVE.
Pone, I too give the Flight Attendents all the props they deserve. But on the other side of the story, please read the above letter if you'd like a few yucks to brighten your day...
Only way to stop the abuse of these lovely people is to land the plane on the nearest level surface and encourage the offenders to walk to their destination i.e. take a hike, asshole. Forcible removal may be required, but no doubt there'll be enough peeps offering to help oust 'em.
Hogs at the Nativity……..now there’s a mental image. I know I’m a weak person but that does absolutely nothing to curb my lifelong addiction to all things pork. I promise you I could drink pork renderings out of a long handled gourd dipper and smack my lips upon finishing. As my granddaddy once told me, “ there’s nothing quite so Devine……..as a swine”. Words for a southern man to live by.
I'm not a frequent flyer, but I've flown enough to get the gist of your homage to flight attendants, Sean. Dadgum, you a fine job respecting them in their friendly skies!
I am wondering if airlines could find a better way. Flight attendants are unionized, right? If so, maybe the unions can help change something. Currently, flight attendants ARE like our mothers. They can do just about anything — some have even landed the plane. I think ….
This retired flight attendant thanks you for this tribute. On behalf of flight attendants everywhere-YOU ROCK!
Angels really do fly!
I fly to Uganda at least once a year. These two, very long flights actually give me time to get to know a few of the flight attendants. There’s always that one that I’ll connect with. People know when you are a truly kind person and they appreciate it. A compliment, a smile, friendly words; they go a long way.
We used to fly a LOT. My pet peeve was the kicking kid in the seat behind me. I always admonished our young daughters to never touch the seat in front of them, except to pull down the tray table. I actually wrote an article, somewhat humorous I thought, about the different types of passengers. The old yeller, the kicking kid, the seat shaker walking down the aisle, the male armrest hogger, etc. But I never found a flight magazine to publish it. Not surprising actually. Nobody wanted to read about themselves in the magazine!
Thank you for this post. I am not a flight attendant but I have acquaintances who are. I’ve spent a little time in the not so friendly skies and have seen flight attendants take untold and unnecessary abuse. Flying is not really fun for anyone nowadays but no one should make it worse by being a jack ass.
Hogs at a Nativity! There’s a Jeff Foxworthy joke in there somewhere. Clearly there were no Pharisees exclaiming, ‘unclean, unclean!’
It’s an image enough to make you ‘snort’ in laughter.
Thank you from the thousands of flight attendants, that put on a uniform,and go to work knowing they’re a sounding board.
To all of you passengers, you have know idea how much a genuine smile means to us.
As a former Flight Attendant (Piedmont-Usair-UsAirways) I say thank you and Amen!
Yes, flight attendants deserve respect for what they do. Also, the people you described have no home training.
30+ yr corporate cross country road warrior - seen it all...not glamorous thinking back to long hair draped backwards; baggage smacking you in aisles; armrest battles; seat backs being pulled back by the unfit; gross seat back trays; yutes kicking seats; and big shots conducting loud “look at meeeee” bidness calls, etc.
The one constant bright spot (exception being the career authoritarian battle axe type) were the mostly angelic flight attendants who could empathize & encourage.
So we all smiled a lot. We asked how our days were going. Where to, from, and who’s waiting on you. Try offering them individually wrapped high end chocolate. Better yet - get the flight crews’ and gate attendants’ coffee orders & run to the closest shop. If crew members are behind you in line for coffee prepay for them. Oh and don’t forget to smile.
Totally agree Sean. I was ground staff in Northern Rhodesia aka Zambia many years ago. It’s amazing how some people spoil things for everyone. Treat all staff, supermarket staff, bank staff, nursing staff especially. People are doing their best to serve the public cheerfully, sometimes in the grimmest tasks. Be cheerful, be kind and BEHAVE.
https://lettersofnote.com/2011/03/04/seat-29e/
Pone, I too give the Flight Attendents all the props they deserve. But on the other side of the story, please read the above letter if you'd like a few yucks to brighten your day...
Your friend,
Pubert
Only way to stop the abuse of these lovely people is to land the plane on the nearest level surface and encourage the offenders to walk to their destination i.e. take a hike, asshole. Forcible removal may be required, but no doubt there'll be enough peeps offering to help oust 'em.
Hogs at the Nativity……..now there’s a mental image. I know I’m a weak person but that does absolutely nothing to curb my lifelong addiction to all things pork. I promise you I could drink pork renderings out of a long handled gourd dipper and smack my lips upon finishing. As my granddaddy once told me, “ there’s nothing quite so Devine……..as a swine”. Words for a southern man to live by.
I'm not a frequent flyer, but I've flown enough to get the gist of your homage to flight attendants, Sean. Dadgum, you a fine job respecting them in their friendly skies!
I am wondering if airlines could find a better way. Flight attendants are unionized, right? If so, maybe the unions can help change something. Currently, flight attendants ARE like our mothers. They can do just about anything — some have even landed the plane. I think ….