- I've been a flight attendant for 9 years, so there are a few things I think passengers should know.
- Many early-career flight attendants don't have a set schedule and may have to rush to the airport.
- We appreciate passengers with good manners, and "please" and "thank you" go a long way.
I've been a flight attendant for almost 10 years, so I've encountered plenty of misconceptions about this career.
Plus, more people are joining the field, with the employment of flight attendants expected to grow over the next few years.
Whether you're interested in joining the crew or not, here are things I wish people knew about being a flight attendant that could help them be better, more empathetic passengers.
If you see a flight attendant rushing to get to a flight, it might not be their fault
Being a flight attendant requires flexibility, especially when first starting out in the career. Many new flight attendants are placed on reserve, which means they're only given assignments when coverage is needed.
If another flight attendant calls in sick or can't make it to the airport in time for their trip, the reserve employee takes their place.
When on reserve, I'd have to come to the airport with as little as two hours' notice. If you've ever seen a flight attendant running to the gate or showing up right before boarding, they may be on reserve.
We prioritize maintaining a safe environment, not serving drinks
Being a flight attendant is more than serving sodas and taking food orders. We're thoroughly trained to maintain a safe environment on board.
During training, flight attendants must learn how to respond in scenario-based cabin safety exercises. We know how to evacuate an airplane efficiently, respond to turbulence, and give CPR.
We love providing great customer service and a relaxing atmosphere, but safety is our No. 1 priority.
We appreciate good manners more than you'd think
Though it may seem like a small gesture, I wish passengers knew how much flight attendants appreciate good manners.
Many people I've served don't use a simple "please" or "thank you." However, hearing these words and interacting with polite passengers instantly brightens my workday.
Delays annoy flight attendants just as much as passengers
Some passengers believe flight attendants aren't concerned about a delayed flight, but in reality, we want to reach the destination just as badly as they do.
Contrary to popular belief, most flight attendants aren't paid as soon as we clock in for work. Hourly pay begins when the aircraft door is closed and stops once we land and the boarding door reopens.
Flight attendants can be on duty for 13 hours and get paid for only six or seven, depending on the length of the journey and the time between flights. So, just like passengers, we want flights to be on time, too.
