20 Reasons Your Flight Attendant Might Not Be Happy-Go-Lucky
Let me break it down for you…
If your flight attendant isn’t chipper and licking your ass throughout the flight, there is probably a very good reason behind it.
The expectations of flight attendants are very high, yet the compensation and working conditions for many of us are incredibly low.
Most times we aren’t even given the proper tools to do our job to meet said high expectations.
Of course I can’t speak for every stew at every airline, but some examples of experiences at MY airline are as follows:
1. My company treats me and my colleagues like complete shit.
2. I get ZERO respect from said employer.
3. I am nothing more than a number.
4. I can work up to 14-16 hours a day.
5. I only get paid for about 6 of those hours.
6. I do not get paid a fair or livable wage.
7. I don’t always get to eat.
8. My company’s work rules are crap and my union doesn’t do anything about it.
9. I am treated like a servant by some passengers.
10. My company is intentionally stalling contract negotiations.
11. Passengers verbally abuse me on a daily basis.
12. Customers expect “Pan Am” service in a post airline deregulation & 9/11 world.
13. Many customers don’t listen to any of the PA announcements.
14. Adults take a shit or piss in the lavatory and don’t flush the toilet, forcing me to do it so the next person doesn’t have to look at it.
15. *I* am the asshole because I have to repeatedly tell adults to turn off their electronic devices for whopping 10 minutes.
16. If I call off sick and present a doctor’s excuse I am still disciplined.
17. Because of #16 I am afraid to call off even if I’m severely ill.
18. My current income is considered to be “poverty” level and I am eligible for food stamps.
19. Just like you I go through the same horrific TSA security shit (including pat-downs), only for me it is daily, and about 4 times a week.
20. I didn’t make up the Federal Aviation Regulations I am obligated to enforce, however I am constantly arguing with those that don’t want to comply with any of them.
So not only are we disrespected and treated like shit by our own employers, but we then go to work and are treated the same by some of our customers.
Please keep this list in mind the next time you fly, and cut us a little break. I promise if you are nice to us we will go out of our way to be nice to you.
Kindness begets kindness.
Feel free to comment below, you may even do so anonymously. Join the discussion!
I SWORE we work for the same airline! But clearly we don’t because mine is non union. Same shit though!
Yeah I have a problem with #14. Sometimes they don’t even flush they just wipe on the wall. It’s true I took a picture… Wanna see????
Ok I feel like we work for the same airline and seriously looking forward to seeing you on the line one day!!!
Amen!!
No matter what job you are doing, if it is in the public everyone is abused by and disrespected by customers. The majority of companies treat employees like they are a dime a dozen. Not only do I get in trouble for calling off, my company gives us no sick pay-period. I am in managemt mind you. I work 10-11 hr days and sometimes 7 to 10 days straight. Yet with all of these same resemblances I would never dream of telling my customers this. I took this job, with this company, and I choose to stay. It is not my customers fault how bad my working conditions are or how my company treats me. Yes, I would love to tell them to go *#%+ themselves when they get rude or tell me to get them something when obviously I am busy and it is not my job. I could go on and on. If a person is that miserable with their company and job than I hope for everyone’s sake, they would change careers or least companies.
The whole time I’m reading this all I can think is (1) most customer service–oriented jobs suck – if you can’t handle that, don’t work in customer service, (2) most employers treat their employees like numbers and pay dirt cheap wages, and (3) if you hate your job that much why are you still there? Go find another job – don’t rant about these issues as if you’re the only person out there who has to deal with this kind of crap. Welcome to the real world. Working for a living sucks.
Hi! I am currently a student and will not be flying forever. As far as the ranting, did you happen to see the name of this website? I am guessing you haven’t. It’s called RANTS of a Sassy Stew.
Also, you don’t need to hate your job. Working for a living doesn’t suck for everyone. Sounds like you may need to change careers, lol.
I’m sure you get some sort of compensation for those 10-11 hour work days. Most airlines don’t pay the cabin crew until the door is closed and the airplane is pushed back. If the flight is delayed, that is also unpaid, so even after being checked in, in full uniform, and having to deal with passengers for ohhhh 15 hours, your crew is only being paid for the 4 hours (or how ever long the flight actually is). I’m sure you would never dream of working for free. If they all quit, who would keep you safe, which is the real reason they’re there, not to pick up after you
If we all quit or strike, I guess everyone will be doing a LOT of driving. haha
Also as far as the 10-11 hour work days, I actually said 14-16 — and I DID state that I get compensated.
blah, blah, blah, blah, blah…
Speaking as a former flight attendant, you get what you pass out. I worked this job for nearly 18 years, yes the days are long, yes working with the public can be difficult and yes, there is a bit of truth in most of your 20 points listed, BUT almost any creative accountant can put a pilot in the poverty level, many of my co-workers had the attitude of the “woe is me” whiner. If you truly hate the job so much, just leave! Who is forcing you to stay?? If your pay, work rules, lack of respect is so bad, why aren’t you looking for another job in your 15 (or more) days off each month? I’m sure the company you work for would be able to find someone to replace you. Talk to some of your passengers, like the respectable adults that most of them are, and find out what they do. The grass is NOT always greener, which I’m afraid you probably know, or you would have had the guts to leave. If you don’t like where you are in life, but do nothing to change it, who’s fault is it?? I could go on, but I’m afraid that you won’t get the points I would make through your tears. Choose to have your pitty party for the next 20 years, or choose to be happy that you have a job, it’s your choice…
I don’t need to defend myself to you or anyone else, however I would like to point out that most of your assumptions are incorrect.
First, you gotta love the “just leave” mentality. Apparently you’re not living in the same country with the recession and the near impossibility of finding another job in our current economy.
The post is not meant to be a fucking pity party. This is the REAL SHIT that some of us deal with on a daily basis. I thought the public might be interested in the “behind the scenes” of who is flying them around.
I am currently on reserve with 11 days (not 15) off per month, and a family. So there’s that.
Also, it doesn’t take that “creative of an accountant” to cook up the fact that a pilot flying a plane is making $16-$18K per year. I’m sure you can do that math and then also check out your local Job and Family Services website to see that it is indeed considered a “poverty wage”.
In the end all I can say is WOW. Never thought I would hear such ridiculous shit from a former flight attendant — I guess I should have added “un-supportive stews with a holier than thou attitude” to the list. I mean shit, you get it from the company, the passengers and now even your own colleagues.
Although thank you for helping to prove my point.
“I don’t need to defend myself to you or anyone else”… um, if you don’t want to defend yourself to anyone, don’t whine in a public forum. Having to respond to adverse opinions kinda goes with the territory when you do that.
This “public forum” is MY website. I can do and say whatever the fuck I wish.
Also in your reference to me “not having the guts”, you can back the fuck up right there. As a former police officer and paramedic that dealt with incredibly horrific situations on a daily basis I think you’re somewhat off on that statement as well.
We all can’t be the perfect FA like you WERE.
The point is, if you have to make your point using obscenities and “attitude”, who’s mind are you going to change? Put out the facts without the attitude and you will likely change peoples minds. Keep up the attitude and you confirm the public’s image of you.
You do realize that no one is forcing you to be on this website, right?
Trust me, there are THOUSANDS that visit weekly and love it, “obscenities” “attitude” and all. You know, the ones with a sense of humor that “get it” and don’t have a huge stick up their ass? Oh wait, disregard, you wouldn’t understand. My bad…
Anon, can you please google the difference between “who’s” and “WHOSE” PLEASE.
Ex: “Who’s [translation: who is] mind are you going to change?” MAKES NO FUCKING SENSE. (Or did I mean since, LOL JK YA’LL)
Thank You.
http://rantsofasassystew.com/2012/01/i-like-my-fucking-job/
Anonymous “former flight attendant”,
Obviously, you just like to lie down and take the sh*t that is thrown at you- Am I right? Well, back in the Pan Am days that might have flown; but now you have to get off your ass and fight for things to change.
Let me make this perfectly clear to the people who say, “just leave”: WE LOVE our jobs. HOWEVER, that doesn’t mean that WE LOVE being abused by our company or passengers.
Bravo! I left the $13.00 per flight hour job years ago and now make $39.07 an hour. Took some schooling and years of training, but I’m glad I did and have no regrets.
Well, just the flight benefits, but even those are terrible given yield mgt. and reduced capacity anymore.
I am right behind you, I am in school now.
Omg it really sounds like we work for the same company, thought it was just my airline that treats its cabin crew like shit, I often see the base supervisors treating the cleaners of the crew room/office better than they treat the crew, we are made to feel like the least important part of the company. And of course it’s anti union, if we’re found to be in one we’ll get disciplined or sacked. Is all airlines really the same shit?
From a Pax Service / Ramp monkey whose worked in the Airport/Airline industry for 18 years. All of this is spot on and I’ve seen it with my own eyes the traveling public has become more rude and mean and keep getting worse year after year.
People in general are more rude, inconsiderate and “poor me” than they were 25 years ago. Many in our society are only concerned about what they will get rather than what they can do to provide for themselves. Would you have heard this banter, this language from a WWII era employee?? This is not just isolated to actions on the airplane. Most service employees who deal face to face with the public see a decline in the respect they should receive from their customers. Ask around, you’re not alone.
You are correct. Everyone has an overly-entitled sense of self, as well as a raging case of extreme narcissism. Trust me, I see see it every day. Most don’t give a shit about anyone but themselves.
It’s sad and unfortunate — and it also makes my doing my job properly incredibly difficult.
As far as “asking around to see if I’m alone”, I have never stated that my rants are exclusive to the airline industry. I realize you may be new here and have not read any other posts or listened to my guest spots on various podcasts, however many mention that just about ANYONE that deals with the public on a daily basis can relate, hence the popularity of this website.
I like how you end your post. Kindness begets kindness. Why can’t it start with you? It’s about attitude. Change yours, and you might be surprised at your results.
Evidently you didn’t read the sentence immediately preceding the “kindness” one.
Wow…I’m amazed at the “get another job” comments. I’m not in the airline industry but I spend a fair amount of time on airplanes and am constantly amazed at the behavior of my fellow passengers towards gate agents and especially flight attendants. No one, regardless of the industry they work in, should be subject to disrespectful and downright rude behavior. I don’t care if you’re a triple-platinum-diamond-encrusted-super-duper elite business traveler or Ma & Pa Kettle taking your first flight, courteous and respectful behavior is not an unreasonable expectation. Or, in simpler terms, “Stop being a fucking jerk wad”. This traveler appreciates and values the work you and your fellow airline workers do (and your sense of humor).
Wow, to Ms Anonymous used to be a stew up there… 15 days off??? The most we get on reserve at my airline is 11, and no “bonus days” sitting at home waiting for the call. Due to staffing issues and extremely poor management, we are so short on stews it is fucking ridiculous. Must be nice to have had 18 years and get what you want? Just imagine what you would be holding if you had stayed, but evidently, you didn’t have the balls to keep going.
And sometimes Sassy just needs to use “obscenities” because regular words just aren’t enough!
And as far as the traveling public being unconcerned for the servants they treat us as, I would like to direct the asshole who dropped his rollaboard bag not only on me, but on another stew (without even realizing it or apologizing because, ya know, we are invisible slaves) last night to review some of Sassy’s rules.
If people would just act like decent human beings (and get a sense of fucking humor) the world would be a much better place!
I’m going to guess that this person worked at a legacy carrier and the hire date was sometime in the early 80′s. (When and where captains actually could make a decent living for their family.) Creative accounting didn’t put us at the povery level…the airline did. In fact, when contract negotiations got contentious, the pilots and FAs started wearing their uniforms to fill out food stamp apps. The company and union actually issued a request for them to stop. I’m not whining. This is my husband’s chosen profession, and it’s a good one, all things considered. But, I think a reality check for people who aren’t associated with the airlines is important. We’ve heard MANY times how well off we must be, how many trips we must take, how surprised people are that we don’t have a bigger house…that’s so 20 years ago, people. There are no uniform allowances, huge paychecks (until you’re much further along-like 15 more years for us-at a legacy carrier), or “Catch Me If You Can” lifestyle. The hours are long, the layovers short, and I laughed out loud when someone called my husband’s job “sexy”. Would we leave the airlines? No way. Are you kidding? Stories like these keep us around! Keep it up, Sassy! I LOVE the FA stories.
*Also, I make my kids stop everything, read the card, read the menu, be ready with their request, and pay close attention to the emergency demo every. single. time. we are on a flight. I also pay close attention to the rows that don’t listen. Because those assholes will be the roadblock I have to climb over in the dark.
I truly appreciate your comments, thank you so much for your support. Sing it, sister!! xx
I am always amazed at the treatment that Flight Attendants (and other airline employees) receive at the hands of travellers. I always try to be nice and pleasant because I know it can’t be easy being away from your family so long and so often.
I really appreciate this. Thank you so much!!
Thank you!!
I just realized how incredibly poorly written my comment was. I’m really not an idiot, just hadn’t had my coffee, yet. Love your rants, cursing is fun to do, and flushing a stranger’s poop is gross-I don’t care who you are or what you do. The end.
I was just about to reply to it, loved it!
People have no sense of HUMANITY. We should stick together as human beings and as WORKERS who are almost allways the victims of ruthless corporations (and CEOS making 400 times the basic wage in their company !) To the person who used the word “OBSCENITIES”; I find you and your peers who have put this world into this misery OBSCENE. With your attitude (and probably your voting ballot) you have created a monster called ultraliberalism which is empoverishing not only your beautiful country but also the entire world ! What is the next step ? When will we have the right to complain ? Should we pass out after each work-day (which is almost the case) and get paid for 2$ an hour in order to get your commiseration ?
Keep it up Sassy Stew ! We are all on the same rocky boat at every corner of this planet…
Most importantly, as GANDHI used to put it “Be the change you want to see in the world”.
You speak the truth!! Amen!
I loved your post Sassy…. Work for a regimental, non union Asian carrier where the employee has no say in the matter. Reassuring to to know that others out there feel the same where. A sense of solidarity. Anonymous is so lame, she must have been one of those self righteous bitchy senior chief stewardesses that we have to suffer at the start of our careers.mThanks for your posts Sassy…love each and every one…
OOops sorry I meant ultra-capitalism (I am spanish and over here our use of the term “liberal” is opposite of yours ? !!!) Sorry for this puzzling mistake
Dear Anonymous,
I’m a junior stew that works for a legacy airline, I speak 4 languages fluently, I would easily fall under the “weight restriction requirements” and I have quite a bit of time off every month (only because our reserve system is a bit different from the rest). What I’m getting at is, I would have easily been hired as the “classic stew” which is when (i’m assuming) you were hired? Yet I wasn’t, and I still love my job. I get what you’re trying to say with the “attitude is key” message.
What I think you’re failing to understand is that your image of the “perfect stew” was a direct reflection of “how the passengers used to be”. Back in the magical time where I would have traveled the world and make at 5 years what I now make at 9. (thank you 9/11 and all you inhumane terrorists.) I’m not saying I hate my passengers always, because again I really do love my job, but how great would your attitude be if you slept for 2 hours and had to wake up at 3 in the morning just to make your commuter flight to work, and have a random passenger come up to you like they had a question AND STRAIGHT UP CUSS YOU OUT WITH 15 F-BOMBS AND OTHER ASSORTED DELIGHTFUL WORDS JUST BECAUSE YOU’RE IN UNIFORM. Because I’m pretty positive your attitude wouldn’t be that great. Oh and I’m pretty sure you have never had to get a TSA patdown because you never had to go through TSA. Or how about when you have an early morning wake up just to sit for 14 hours because of a mechanical, decide to WAIVE your duty day because you knew it was the last flight out of the night, AND THEN BE GLARED AT THE ENTIRE TIME LIKE YOU BROKE THE PLANE. (I mean come on people, as if I’d want to spend ANYMORE TIME THAN I HAVE TO with angry people?!)
I don’t think i need to go on, so yes. Attitude IS key, but you lady, are wayyy outdated. Sassy Stew is merely finding the sadistic comical humor in order to make these disgusting types of events endurable. You totally don’t have to read the blog.. But if you do, can you keep your higher than thou bs out of it? Cuz at the end of the day we know all of the great, happy times in flight you’re trying to represent, but you have no idea how ugly the ugly has gotten. THANKS! =)
Keep it up, Sassy! Love it! And for all of those critics out there, must I remind you that the title of this blog is “RANTS of a Sassy Stew”, not “Polite, Politically Correct and Non-cursing Observations of a Sassy Stew”! She’s told you she loves her job time after time, this is just her forum to let off steam. If you don’t like it, DON’T READ IT!!
“choose to be happy that you have a job, it’s your choice…”
Bwaaaaaahaaaahaaaa! That’s the same bullshit you see on the No Way AFA page!!!! It’s sooo Stockholm Syndrome over there!!!
Sassy, you should come up with an alter ego stew for all of those weenie’s that comment on your blog. You should call her Sissy Stew and she can be the spineless doormat that they all want her to be. They can go read Sissy’s blog and get their fill of the bullshit smoke blown up their asses they seem to want so much.
i laughed so hard when i read your blog…this job isn’t something you can walk away from. once you start it’s in your blood for life! 8, 16 & 17 ring a bell for me girl! a fucking union is a joke! i paid over $500 in union dues last year, i was recently physically and verbally harassed by a co worked and i’ve been off the line for 14 days now…you know how much we need that per diem!!! I had 3…count them one, two, three sick calls all at once because my ears were blocked and i was threatened to be put back on probation after a year of service! the company and the pax are assholes but the good does outweigh the bad!! happy flying! (insert high pitched fake happy sarcastic voice here)
I’m hearing the same thing from all the FAs on here about the crappiest job in the world and how everybody’s just venting, but seriously — and you can jump down my throat or crawl up my ass about it like you have with anyone who dares question you — but yes, even in this economy, get another job if you hate it that much. If you’re making the kind of chump change you’re alluding to, then even in this economy you can get a gig making that somewhere else. I could see if you were raking in big bucks your hesitance to quit, but you’re barely surviving, according to what you say. So why do it? And I get venting to cope with the gig. All people do it to some extent. And, yes, people are complete assholes when they fly. But did you really not know this going into it? I swear, all I hear from stews is acerbic bitterness for their jobs and many just exude it like it’s coming out of their pores and sometimes thinly veiled when they’re on the job. And the worst are the male FAs. Talk about tude! Don’t do it and get another gig where you’re treated better and you can be civil in return or get over it. Like the bumper stickers that say “We’re here to save your ass, not serve it.” Wow, k. So you all hate your customers is what this open mic night approach is saying, and probably not helping your cause with the public, who are all painfully aware of how you feel these days and it probably doesn’t help your cause. But I’d bail, if I were you — and, yes, even in this economy. I just did it this year after being fed up working in the service industry and sick of how I was treated and under appreciated. Has it been easy? No. Was I scared? Yes. But did I have any more right to bitch about it if I just kept sucking it up and doing it? Hell no. Personally, my here is the FA that told his passengers to get bent, grabbed the mini booze bottles and popped the emergency slider and said tally-ho and shoved off after sayin, fuck it, I’m over it. He’s a rock star in my book and always will be. I told my boss in no uncertain terms to bite me in September after being berated and treated like shit in front of coworkers and customers for the 3rd and final time. Three strikes and you’re out. Did I have another gig lined up? Hell no. Did I wish I did? Hell yes. But self respect is more important. Having said that, if you have kids to support, then suck it up til you can make the change, but make the change or quit bitchin.
I do have children. And how the hell would you get anywhere when all FAs go on strike or quit? Prepare yourself, because it won’t be far off. Start fueling up your car now.
Click here: http://rantsofasassystew.com/2012/01/i-like-my-fucking-job/
Awful, awful, awful. You deserve much better for putting up with all that.
I like the photo posted for this rant – I like to think they they are not doing some kind of welcome dance, but more like demonstrating the karate they will use if you act a fool on their flight. I will defend your use of karate.
They ARE doing self-defense. We all learn that in training. It’s a sad state…
All i can say to Anonymous is… “bitch be trippin’”.
We all read Sassy’s page because its FUN. Dont like it? Heres an idea, STOP reading it. Take your finger out of your ass and close the damn browser!
Whaaaat an idiot.
If it is that F*%#ng bad, than quit, there is a thousand others who would be glad to have your job……..
It’s actually then, not than, and are not is — but thanks!!
i love your blog sassy. As a constant traveler, then fa and now back to traveler it amazes me the shit (literally/figuratively) fa’s have to put up with.i actually did quit but that was after i was called the n word and neither my crew or company had my back and i realized i was going to kill the guy (literally) on the plane. I decided that if go back i would rather work over seas. americans have an entitlement attitude. Me me me. And i am glad that fucking pan am was canceled. There is nothing glamorous about the industry these days. Just bend over take it..that’s how it his..
Thank you!! xx
Sassy simply states what we all feel from time to time. I have moments when I cherish my job as a flight attendant and times when I curse the day I took the job. Guess what? You could replace F/A with about any job out there. The internet has given us a way to vent and for that I am thankful. And while I agree that sometimes my fellow F/A’s can bitch a lot, I also know the flying public has created much of the problems with their self centered, give me everything for nothing mentality.
There are times I would love to move on, but the jet fuel got in my blood. I have found other outside interest have centered me. I also have a life outside of my airline, so I am less likely to be around a constant source of airline conversation that many times can go south.
I put up with the bad stuff knowing other jobs have BS as well. Venting on line and laughing at blogs like yours as helped me to not take it all so seriously.
Thanks for keeping it real, Sassy Stew!! AND making me laugh!
If I could fly around on repo flights all day I would. O and btw don’t open my fucken curtain to hand me your trash when it’s closed up front. Assholes!!!!
My original comment got eaten by my lousy interwebs connection, but seriously, you hit everything that we complain about on the jumpseat head-on. I’m so glad that someone is saying what we’re all thinking.
For all the haters in the comments saying “find a new job”, here’s the deal: we don’t hate our jobs. At all. But damned if there aren’t passengers who find a way to make us FAs hate our life choices.
I can’t believe that I’m just now discovering Sassy Stew, as she’s saying what a whole lot of the FAs out there are thinking. Rock on, Sassy Stew.
I am currently looking for another job where I am paid a non-poverty wage, but I thank you for your concern.
Also I am guessing that you missed this post: http://rantsofasassystew.com/2012/01/i-like-my-fucking-job/
You may want to give it a look. I wrote it especially for YOU.
xx
Love this rant and just have to say some days I love to fly it is the people I dislike. 20 years as a FA I have seen it go down hill. To those of you who do not like the rant, my guess is, it is you she is talking about and it hits home. Keep saying what the rest of us wish we could. Much love from a sister stew!
By the way, do you work for spirit airlines?
I’m sorry, but I will never reveal where I work (for obvious reasons, lol).
xx
So true so true. The haters here are clearly the assholes you speak of. As for “former FA’s” being haters they re probably just jealous someone has the balls they never did to speak the truth !!
You’re a doll, Sarah! xx
sassy ,,. would you please buddy bid with me.. i love all of these “former stews” yeah right since it was so fucking amazing why are you former.. oh got a life? a husband? a kid? and gee the luxury or option of not working.. sorry sista not everyone can sail away on a pink cloud to retirement.. it is apparent you love your job.. duuhhhh.. sassy stew website.. hello?? only someone that has a passion for this profession and a love for her coworkers would admin such a daunting endevor.. you take the time effort and balls to say think and feel what most of us are not willing nor have the time to verbalize.. you go girl.. and former stew.. i am a 30 year vet with a carrier that used to be a regional that morped into a legecy that is now the big mama on the block.. seen it all so if you don’t like it…hmmm suggestion.. start your own “former stew” page and leave the working at it the fuck alone.. gee someone stil hanging onto memories..lol
You know it’s time to quit when… you happen to see a chicken come running up the aisle. If not, then please carry on, and as you were.
Bottom. Line.
If you don’t like Sassy’s rants. Don’t fucking read them!
Have a wonderful day
Why would anyone work under these conditions? Are the travel benefits that lucrative? Just quit & work somewhere where you’ll be appreciated. What you describe is abusive & borderline illegal!
I am in school now
For most of the last 35 years I have worked in the airline industry. A lot of that time was on the ramp, but I also worked at the ticket counter, gates, air freight and catering. I have been through several mergers, paycuts and furloughs. I love the SassyStew website…you tell it like it is. Although I have never been a flight attendant, over the years I became friends with several. For almost 2 years now I have been working for the TSA as a screening officer. I make it a point to be friendly and accomodating to crewmembers, because for the most part I know what they (and you) go through. The airport does not have the Known Crewmember program in place yet, but we do have a dedicated lane just for pilots and flight attendants. I was just wondering why you have to get patted down. As for the other TSA shit you experience, I’m not surprised….at least half of my co-workers are rude, insensitive morons.
Sassy,
You’re rant is awesome! I am a former stew and I all to vividly remember some of the crappy things I went through. It is one of those jobs that you love as much as you hate. I went through cleaning up poop in the lav, and don’t get me started on the dirty diapers that really awesome parents shove in the seat pockets. Ew! The pax that have children that listen to you better than they do. Not to mention the ones that think you are their personal nanny.
But, as all stews out there know we also have our days that pax does something that reminds us of way we love our jobs. Or the trips with amazing flight crews when you laugh until your side hurt and for those 3 or 4 days those crew members become like your family. Those are the times that make it tolerable that you work less then minimum wage, and have to deal with people that treat you like you are gum stuck to the bottom of their shoe.
People need to remember when flying a stews job is NOT to kiss your ass, it is to save your ass! People forget that stews are more than “sky waitresses”. They work hours that are exhausting, they deal with BS from passengers, their company and sometimes their crews. They are away from their families for days. All they want from you is for you to be quiet when they are making announcements and turn off your electronics when you’re asked to. Is that really asking TOO much? We learn this simple things in kindergarten!
*likelikelikelike*
Sassy, reading the above just made me very grateful for the airline that I work for, that actually treats it’s stews like people.
Of course I have bad days and people are douche nozzles on occasion, so to that end, I feel ya!
What are you taking in school?
You just exactly described the conditions at the St Joseph Fire Department where my husband works and probably the conditions of many workplaces post 9/11. I think that in order to keep the terrorists from continuing to have a possibility of winning, we should all stop and think how we treat the employees everywhere we go.
I ALWAYS take care of people who are providing me a service. PArtly out of gratitude, and partly because I’ve seen Fight Club… you people can truly make my life better or worse in ways that much more powerful folks can not, and you are usually willing to make my day for a bit of common courtesy. Question though… I was on an airline the other day… they only accepted credit cards…. there is no receipt or tip line to sign on… so I offered her a cash tip and she refused. She was twice my age so I wasn’t hitting on her… it was a $20 because she took great care of us…. and she seemed embarrassed so I didn’t question her refusal. Anyhow… WTF? can you guys not take tips… or was it just such a shocker that she was trying to mentally control an impending heart attack?
Oh for God’s sake, people. If you don’t like her posts, GO TO ANOTHER FUCKING WEBSITE!!! How hard is it? Everyone needs a forum to vent about the shitty aspects of their job. This is hers. Vent away, Sassy McSassypants. Write whatever the fuck you want, and include as much profanity as you please. Those of us with a sense of humor appreciate it. Those with a massive stick up their asses need to be beaten with said stick, but they will never get why this is so damn funny.
P.S. I love my flight attendants. I will never forget the first time I was on a plane at 8 years old, crying, and sobbing about how I didn’t want to die. The flight attendants did their best to make me feel better. They gave me AND my stuffed animal wings. From that day forward, flight attendants were my buddies. Rock on, kick ass, and continue to enforce the FAA regulations. Dip shits who can’t turn off their phones for 10 damn minutes can (to borrow a phrase from Kathy Griffin) suck it.