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Galley Gossip: Flight Attendant Pet Peeve #1: Answer please!
I'm working the very last leg of a three day, three-leg-a-day, trip. Still with me? Good.
I'm rolling down the aisle behind a 150 pound cart loaded with ice, soda, beer, liquor, and snacks for sale, along with inserts on top filled with cups, napkins, juice, water, and a couple of hot pots of coffee and tea. Nine times out of ten, I'll probably reach your row and ask the question of the day: "Would you care for something to drink?"
And three times out of five the response will be, "Wha?" And that's a wha without the T.
Normally when faced with this type of situation, I force a smile, grab a napkin, and wave it while eyeing the tray table locked in the closed position in front of you. "Something to drink?" I'll ask again, and while I ask this question I find myself wondering why you haven't taken off the Ipod or those giant Bose noise cancellation headsets covering your ears when you see me standing at your row.
"Wha?" you ask again, scrunching your eyebrows together, because, for some reason, you're not understanding what I'm saying, even though I've been standing behind a beverage cart for the last fifteen minutes slowly inching my way towards you.
I try again, "Drink, something to drink?" now playing a game of charades as I put a pretend cup to my lips and tilt my head back, repeating the word, "Drink? Drink?"
Finally the headset comes off, you smile, and I actually hear, "I'm sorry what?"
Lately flight attendants have gotten a bad rap. Trust me, I've heard the horror stories. And I know they're out there, the bad flight attendant, because I, too, have had to work with a few of those flight attendants. It's not fun for either of us. But keep in mind there are also good flight attendants out there who really do enjoy their job. Like me. But even I get annoyed and a little short when I encounter a passenger like the one above. Remember I have now asked the question, "would you care for something to drink?" which has been shortened to "something to drink?" and shortened again to just "drink!" AT LEAST 960 times in the last three days. And that doesn't count the number of times I've been ignored, causing me to ask the same person the same question three times in a row. It's the kind of thing that could make a flight attendant go a little crazy. Or maybe a lot crazy. So crazy she may actually rip a piece of paper off the cart, grab a strip of tape, scribble a barely legible note, tape it to her airline ID and wear the thing around her neck as she rolls down the aisle behind the heavy cart.
"Something to drink?"
"Wha?"
I grab the ID around my neck, the one with the scribbled note that reads, Drink? Please answer! and hold it up with a smile.
The passenger nods, and asks, "What do ya have?"
I take a deep breath. "Coke. Diet Coke. Pepsi. Diet Pepsi. Sprite. Diet Sprite. Dr. Pepper. Diet Dr. Pepper. Ginger Ale. Diet Ginger Ale. Club Soda. Apple Juice. Cranapple Juice. Orange Juice. Tomato Juice. Grapefruit Juice. Coffee. Tea. Water. Tonic Water."
"Umm...I'll take a Coke."
Still with me?
Good.
Filed under: Food and Drink, Airlines, Galley Gossip
Reader Comments (Page 5 of 40)
Christy Jun 6th 2008 7:31AM
I was glad to read this and knowing the shortage we all ready had it sickens me that they are getting ready to cut back even more on our wonderful customer service staff that must put up with those that can't be bothered to have a few manners. Once a year I fly from TUS to MSP and back to TUS. What irritates me is this:
I am a person with fairly bad health and overweight because of my meds. I don't mind getting a can of soda I prefer it actually. It's that fear of asking for a bottle of water or juice through out the flight because my sugars suddenly start to plummet as I finally relax because of my fear of flying. Oh yeah I'm terrified but its the easiest way to get from a to b. The other hard part for me is the asking for a seat belt extender. How can one do that without being embarassed because they are to big for the tiny belt in the seat.
I escort cats from my cattery to their new homes, so it also doesn't help that I have a we little one tucked between my 6'3" frame jammed up in economy. But I just usually take pity on the steward/esses and try and be as easy as I can. Just tell me one thing. How do I get that extender without having to turn three shades of red?
TimT Jun 6th 2008 10:07AM
I understand your turning red when asking for a extension. I have found that the best way to handle that BIG problem is simply this. While boarding, ask the first FA you come across and ask for one. Normally, I find that they try to be as discreet as possible in giving you one before the seat belt sign comes on.
Bobbi Jun 11th 2008 4:13PM
What I love about JetBlue is that they serve without carts, thus making the whole drink drill less daunting (and easier if you have to go to the bathroom during "beverage service") plus they have those delicious snackettes and they smile all the time. And since I'm a diet coke addict -- even with with my Bose phones on -- I can say it loud and clear. Plus Animal Crackers.
Connie Jun 6th 2008 7:41AM
Glass or can? -- Depends on the length of the flight, how thirsty I am, and the distance to the lavatory. No big deal.
I.m sorry the flight attendant feels like a 'broken record', but that all goes with the job.
kerry wenrich Sep 8th 2008 5:10PM
comgragurlations connie your won the prize for the closest answer to my view
aaron Jun 6th 2008 7:42AM
This right up there with people who stand in line or sit in line at the drive thru at Mcdonalds and then get up to the counter or speaker to order and they have no clue what they want and look up at the menu as if they have no idea what Mcdonald's menu has. You have eaten there since birth and now your an adult and you don't know what Mcdonalds has on their menu. But if someone asked you to, you could probably recite the menu from memory. This country is creating stupid people by the millions. And folks, you can't fix stupid.
Scotty Jun 7th 2008 10:03PM
umm, I'm well into adulthood, yet have NOT 'eaten at McDonald's since birth'. What an asinine statement. Speak for yourself, Aaron. I can count on one hand the number of times I've actually eaten at McDonald's, and I'm no food 'snob'... it's just the way it is. I much prefer other 'fare'. So the rare times I found myself on line there while travelling, it really WAS a singular experience and I had no idea what to order. It was simple enough to let the person behind me order while I decided. Some of us really have NOT been brought up on 'fast food', despite your narrow beliefs.
Dr Pat Jun 6th 2008 7:47AM
Exactly Dr Frost. Does everyone think that my job is full of jollies all the time, when I am looking at teeth that haven't been brushed in weeks? Why so much angst about the flight attendant job? It's a good paying job with travel benefits.
DONNA Jun 6th 2008 7:54AM
Can you say "boring job" I don't know how you do it .. yipes shoot me but I must say I am always attentive to the fight attendants coming down the asile.. I was brought up correctly !
James Jun 6th 2008 6:21PM
Just remember that flight attendants are primarily there for safety...beverage service is secondary. The public should be more concerned with safety. If you knew of some of the things going on in the aviation industry (mainly outsourcing of maintenance) you might not fly again.
KB Jun 6th 2008 8:01AM
I am Flight Crew. I MISS being able to spend more time to connect with my passengers. Oh the job it used to be. Now the COMPANY (and I am not disgruntled so much as I have come to believe that because then don't care but linging their pockets, I am left holding the bag. Working with 3 or more less Flight Attendants with barely any supplies. I do not pass on these disappointment to the passengers. It not there fault but please don't shoot the messengers. And....l.for all the people that are clueless and treat me like a maid. I still will offer the respect first and if I don't get it I just move on. I don't have time to waste. You have no idea how a "please and thank you" go a long way in this world. Everytime I have one of those long 4 day trips with company shorting us supplies. People arrive with more stress than they needed for the lack of customer service personnel (due to company ignorance and need to line their own pockets with the pay they save......I still live for those days that people try to commnicate with my as if I am the person that is trained to save their life and will with every fiber of my being. After 13 years, what makes me happy is the interesting stories a really great person will tell me by acknowledging that I DO exist. I AM a human being and the rest of us that are still there really just wants to be there. Why else would we stay when we actually now qualify for food stamps and actually PAY to go to work through packing food to tipping each and every van driver for their service even though it will be the last few dollars before I can get home. There are such the great passengers that can easily restore my faith in the human public. I will give what I can with what the company provides, but have a little heart if I just can't accomodate your request.
Flight Attendants are facing foreclosures in droves. Most of us have had to move into our parents and actually pay a costly amount just to get to work because we all stayed bravely after 9/11 because it is a job we love.
Just like you, we are human and have bad days. So, just like I will use my sympathy for your troubles before assuming you are just a jerk and treating you as such. Please also give us the benefit of the doubt. It is all in how we talk together. Use your anger for where it counts, not to us. We don't make the rules, just enforce them. We care or we wouldn't have stuck around as long as we have.
I welcome more pleasant experiences in the face of difficult travel. I heard an old adage that they use in AA. We could all take a page from that book. Serenity to ACCEPT the things we CANNOT change.
Courage the CHANGE the things we CAN. The COURAGW to KNOW THE DIFFERENCE. I think we can all use this lesson. I am not an alcholic but sounds like sounds advice.
After 13 years in the sky I will still see you there. 13 years is a commitment to what I do.
jon Jun 6th 2008 9:59AM
KB,
First, keep up the good work; I am an infrequent flyer, but try to be as polite as I can when the cart comes around. I may gripe, but I also appreciate all that the FA does during the average flight.
When I read your use of the Serenity Prayer, I realized that it was not quite correct. Please forgive me for correcting you, but as a freelance editor and proofreader (and former OA member), I love the prayer and don't like to see it misremembered.
God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change,
the courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference.
Thanks for your post and reminding people that FAs are humans with their own problems at times, not vending machines, as some people seem to think.
May your next flights be happy and hassle free.
Jon
Toni Jun 6th 2008 8:09AM
I feel for the flight attendants. I'm a former airline reservations employee, waitress, customer service etc.
You have to be Mother Theresa to deal with the majority of crass, rude, obnoxious, ill mannered
public.
The only reason I ask for the full can of Coke is because I'm really thirsty and will drink it
before she/he gets to the next row.
I'm trying to save her an extra trip.
I myself have wanted to make a tape recording.
The constant repeating & sign language can drive a soul to drink.
On one occasion, a passenger insisted on a seat assignment up front, FACING THE PILOT!
Needless to say, after 20 yrs of dealing with
the public, I now see a shrink, on a regular basis.
The life of a flight attendant is not glamorous. They may travel, but by the time they reach their destination, it's basically hit the hotel room & the bed.
Only to start all over with the same ol' maddening nonsense the following day.
God Bless them all.
Shiralee Jun 6th 2008 8:06AM
Nonsense. This flight attendant cannot see without her glasses and she isn't wearing them and cannot see that I'm asleep and THAT is why I'm not answering her!
steelers1 Jun 6th 2008 11:34AM
Hey Shiralee,
I am a flight attendant with no glasses on. However, I can see that you have mastered the use of the run-on sentence.
K9COP Jun 6th 2008 8:04AM
As long as we are talking about flight attendants, have the weight restrictions been lifted for hiring flight attendants? I fly every week, usually Delta or ASA. Recently, there was a flight attendant on an ASA flight that was so big, she had to walk sideways down the aisle. I had the unfortunate eeperience of having an aisle seat and was forced to have he ass in my face! A man has his limitations! We have to put some limitations on these flight attendants who work the regional jets. There is very little space to move as it is!
Anne N. Prouty Jul 26th 2008 4:18PM
have you looked in the mirrow lately. I'm sure your boss would like some changes. Not all people are made to please you. We all have our place in this world and I wonder if you fit?
Yes I am a F/A and no I am not fat at this time. However I have given birth and I might been unplesant to your small mind.
Angry You Bet
Bill Jun 6th 2008 8:05AM
I rarely fly anymore because of the hassle involved. Flight attendants have a thankless job dealing with often rude and inconsiderate people. A few manners and common courtesy go a long way in making everyone's flight more comfortable and tolerable. Give them a break, pay attention and at least say Thank you, it's a tough job and you don't have to make it any tougher. You try working day in and day out with the public and you'll see why some people want to go postal on some idiot. Here's your sign!
Gary Jun 6th 2008 8:11AM
Oh, what a inconvenience for the this poor FA...stop bellyaching and just do your job...the stress must be killing you...
MALTESECROSSE304 Jun 6th 2008 8:15AM
LOVE THE REAL PROBLEM SHE HAS, WISH MOST WORKERS HAD THE SAME PROBLEM. IF YOU CANT STAND THE OZONE GET OFF THE PLANE. REMEMBER YOUR THERE TO SATISFY THE CUSTOMERS. I DONT FEEL HANDING OUT SODA IS THAT DIFFICULT. DO AWAY WITH THEM AND HIRE COLLEGE KIDS TO DO THE JOB ANDF KILL THERE UNIONS FOR THESE LAZY ADZ BYITCHES.