- I’ve been a flight attendant for nine 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 well-mannered passengers and a “please” or “thank you” goes a long way.
Having worked as a flight attendant for nearly 10 years, I have come across many misconceptions about this career.
Furthermore, the employment of flight attendants is increasing the number of people joining this field. growth is expected Over the next few years.
Whether you’re interested in joining a flight crew or not, here’s what people need to know to help you become a better, more empathetic passenger by becoming a flight attendant.
If you see flight attendants rushing to board a plane, it might not be their fault
Becoming a flight attendant requires flexibility, especially if you’re just starting your career. Many new flight attendants are placed on reserve, meaning they are only given assignments if compensation is needed.
If another flight attendant calls in sick or is unable to make the trip, a backup employee will take their place.
When in reserve, you must arrive at the airport at least two hours in advance. If you’ve ever seen a flight attendant run to the gate or show up right before boarding, that flight attendant might be a reservist.
We prioritize maintaining a safe environment, not serving drinks.
A flight attendant’s job involves more than just serving sodas and taking food orders. We are thoroughly trained to maintain a safe environment on board.
During training, flight attendants must learn how to respond in scenario-based cabin safety drills. We know how to efficiently evacuate planes, respond to turbulence, and perform CPR.
We love providing great customer service and a relaxed atmosphere, but safety is our top priority.
We value manners more than you think.
It may seem like a small gesture, but we want our passengers to know how much our flight attendants value good manners.
Many people I deal with don’t use a simple “please” or “thank you.” But hearing these words and interacting with polite passengers instantly brightens my work day.
Delays bother flight attendants as much as passengers
Some passengers believe that flight attendants don’t care about flight delays, but in reality, we want to get to our destination just as much as they do.
Contrary to popular belief, most flight attendants don’t get paid right away when they come to work. Your hourly rate starts when the plane door closes and stops when you land and the boarding door reopens.
Flight attendants work 13 hours and get paid just 6 to 7 hours, depending on the distance traveled and the time between flights. So, just like passengers, we also want our planes to arrive on time.
