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Galley Gossip: Airline Bashing, bringing the world together
"So what do you do for a living?" asks...oh...whoever it is asking that day, which on this day happened to be a client of my husband, a very important client with a very impressive job.
"I'm a flight attendant," I say with a smile.
The two second pause, that's usually the initial response from the person asking the question about my job. During this never ending pause, I always find myself holding my breath, because the pause is always followed by one of two responses, and nine times out of ten it's not the good response.
- The good response: Is full of excitement and ends with an exclamation mark. It goes something like this; "I've always wanted to be a flight attendant!" or "My sister is a flight attendant!" And always leads to a very nice conversation about travel, which then leads to other interesting topics related to travel.
- The bad response: Always starts with the same four words, "On my last flight..." which is then followed by another pause, accompanied with a weird look, which of course leads to a very bad story about the last flight. Needless to say, the conversation usually doesn't go so well after this. How can it? I've now been linked to the worst flight this person has ever had. No matter how well we'd just been getting along.
"Computers," said a friend, and CEO of a well known watch company that I worked for thirteen years ago. "I always tell people I'm in computers and then they leave me alone. Try it."
"Oh I hate telling people what I do for a living," said Mark, a fellow coworker, as we stood in the first class galley of a New York to Los Angeles flight, a flight I wasn't working. We were talking about the job, and what people tend to think of those of us who do the job, which is the main reason Mark hates talking about the job with those who work on the ground.
Flight attendants aren't the only ones who dread talking about it. On a flight a few years back, when things weren't nearly as bad as they are now in the aviation industry, a super 80 co-pilot once confessed, "I never wear my uniform outside the house. I don't want my neighbors knowing what I do for a living. When I get to the airport I change clothes."
"Really?" I asked the first officer who, at the time, seemed a little...well...weird. I mean this was a pilot - A PILOT! Something to be proud of.
Now, years later, I often think of that guy when I'm dressed in my uniform and not on the airplane, the guy who may not have been so weird after all. Perhaps somehow he knew something about the future of aviation we could not imagine back then when things were...well...good, even though back then we still didn't think things were all that great.
Like most flight attendants, I miss the good old days, but I still love my job, even if I'm selling sandwiches down the aisle and constantly apologizing because we don't have this and we don't have that to a full flight of miserably cramped passengers. Otherwise I wouldn't do it. I certainly don't have to do it. Really, I don't. I want to do it and I like doing it. Which is why I'm going to tell you something I told my husband five years ago while we were seated across a dimly lit table from each other on our second date. I won't quit. Ever! Oh yeah, I'll be one of the ones using the drink cart like a walker forty years from now. Why? Because I love my job, remember? So it's a shame that talking about the job has become such a sore spot with so many people.
"You're the new whipping girl," said Margo Candela, one of my few friends who does not work at 35,000 feet for a living. She said that after I had told her how people usually react when I tell them I'm a flight attendant.
"Whipping girl?" I repeated, because this was news to me. I'd never been called that before. In fact, I've been called everything BUT that, so whipping girl sounded nice, for a change, and also kind of exciting. "Whipping girl," I said again, because I just liked saying it, and couldn't stop saying it, as I imagined myself, the girl, actually holding the whip, as I stood in the aisle surrounded by passengers. "So what do you mean, exactly, by whipping girl?" I asked Margo, even though I had a pretty good idea what she meant, which I knew wasn't at all like what I was fantasizing about.
"What I mean," said Margo, the writer. "Is nowadays the dislike for airlines and ticket prices are the only thing people can agree on. It brings the world together. Trashing airlines, customer service, you name it, is a fairly safe and enthusiastic topic of conversation. For instance, I won't talk religion or politics with some people, but airline complaints are fair game."
It was an ah-ha moment. Everything Margo said made sense. And guess what, she actually made me feel better, so much better, in fact, I could go on with my day and face whatever negativity that might come my way with a first class smile on my face.
So go ahead, say what you like about me, my job, my coworkers, it's okay. Because we're doing great things with our lives. Yeah, I said it, great things, people! I mean how many of you are actually bringing this crazy mixed up world together by creating a unified hatred not based on religion, race, or political belief, but by working in an industry that's struggling just to stay afloat? I mean who would have thought that one job could spark so much emotion? From so many people. And from all walks of life!
Now seriously, why can't we all just get along?
Please!
Because we're all stuck in the flying tube together.
Filed under: Food and Drink, Airlines, Transportation, Galley Gossip
Reader Comments (Page 4 of 6)
brett Jul 8th 2008 6:17PM
Dont like the cost of the flight....DRIVE for days..See if you like the price of that !!
Rachel Jul 8th 2008 6:04PM
I, for one, like flight attendants, and still think they have a cool job. I feel bad for them now that they have to take so much abuse from people, over things they have not control over. I couldn't imagine being trapped in a tube 35,000 above Earth having to deal with unruly people. I had to deal with a-holes as a hotel front desk clerk, but at least I could call security and have them escorted out. In a plane, you're stuck with them.
So flight attendants have nothing but my utmost respect and admiration, and 9 out of 10 times when I see a FA that may seem like a b1tch, I just say "hi", or smile and say "thank you" and that usually puts a smile on his/her face. More often than not they are having a tough day, have just gotten yelled at by some idiot, and a friendly "hello" is all they need.
Molly6 Jul 8th 2008 6:05PM
I have yet to meet an airline attendant I disliked. I may have LIKED some more than others, but none I disliked. Some have been boring and looked bored to tears, but they still did their job. BUT AS A WHOLE, AIRLINES have turned to crap in the past 10 yrs. Years ago, there were less flights and it was more expensive to fly, but I was never late and my luggage was never lost. Now I lose baggage once a year and I'm late every third flight, and I nearly lose my mind if that makes me miss my connecting flight. I feel trapped and yes, dealing with TSA is as bad as the IRS, but I just try to get it over with as quickly as possible. The trip Delta made 25 families wait all day in Baton Rouge, leading us to believe we'd fly out when they knew we wouldn't get out till after 5 PM ruined me completely for airlines. I don't wish the personnel any harm, but when I hear of any airline having trouble or maybe going broke, I have absolutely no sympathy at all. My hard feelings stem from uncaring airlines.
KB Aug 4th 2008 11:40PM
I too am a Flight Attendant, and although everything Heather is saying and we all know is sooo true...I am still proud to tell the truth of what I do. 23 years...sure it has its ups and downs...but where else can you fly to Cabo for a 18 hr layover, take several weeks off by combinding your trips together, and have friends from around the world. One of my friends would tell people she is a Customer Service Representative for a Major Transportation Company. It is what it is
Tinkah Jul 8th 2008 6:25PM
I was a flight attendant for 37 years and always enjoyed the work inspite of the long hours, rude behavior of the more recent flying public, and constant jet lag. Believe me, there will become a time when you will know it's right to retire. There are many aspects of the job that I miss but the airline system today is in such a tail spin that many aspects are just plain stressful. Good luck to all you wonderful flight attendants that go to work and do your job every day! Best wishes and happy contrails!
Ann Jul 8th 2008 6:34PM
I remember my days growing up, when the job "Flight Attendant" was very popular among girls, because the Airlines would only hire pretty, slender girls with reasonable foreign language skills.
Then I went on my first flight, and a totally different picture played before my very eyes: the hitherto so admired ladies were nothing more but glorified waitresses, and some didn't even look so pretty (if not downright pitiable, in their late 40s, trying to use lots of makeup to hide their sagging skin).
Watching them dispense packs of salty peanuts and wagging their arms in all directions to point out the emergency exits, I couldn't help but think, "do they wave their arms in their sleep? Do they hover around their husbands with coffee urns?"
Alas, I have traveled this year on an air plane and will do so in the future, and if you tell me you're a flight attendant, it's OK, honey! I won't bash ya!
Jim Jul 8th 2008 6:34PM
I'm a mathematician and college math teacher. If I make the mistake of telling people that, 99.9% of the respondents (I'm qualified to use that statistic, btw) all say the same thing: "Oh... I've always hated math." It took me a few years to get used to essentially everyone who asks responding to my statement of profession with abhoration for the field in which I work. Since I don't lie, though, as a rule, I deal with it. Collecting the statistic became something of an informal, clandestine hobby, in fact.
EVP Jul 8th 2008 6:56PM
I used to take pride in saying I worked for the phone company - until divestiture, then the rates sky rocketed and customer service went into the toilet. People would rant at me as if I wasn't aware of the mess. After that I'd say I was a "car hop at the Sonic". I loved the look on their faces! lol
Debby Jul 8th 2008 6:41PM
I am in the animal field and the minute somebody finds out, I hear, "I could never work there or I would take all the animals home, how do you do it or you people kill everything "(which we don't by the way but people's old preceptions). I am like you where I DO love my job. You should be proud of what you do. It is not your fault the tickets are high or they run out of something-it is the airline. I am so impressed how professional flight attendants are and love the fact that they now come in my sizes ,shapes ,and sexes-not like it was when I flew in the 70s.
nico Jul 8th 2008 6:43PM
I work in the tattoo industry, but I tell people I am a waitress. People either get in to a moral debate with me or drop their pants and show me their 15 year old drunken regret. Between the hours of 1-10 and only 1-10 Monday through Friday will I pretend to care!
Lynda Jul 8th 2008 7:00PM
Just remember, FAs are there to save your a$$ not kiss it! FAs are NOT waitresses but rather highly trained professionals. Treat them with respect please.
AL Jul 8th 2008 7:23PM
Imagine having to tell someone that you work at Motor Vehicle Division! You know, those wonderful folks who issue driver licenses and register your cars. I would not want to admit that one and turned down a number of job interview opportunities at my state's MVD.
Sam Jul 8th 2008 7:20PM
While on a cruise 5 years ago, we had drinks after dinner with one of the couples at our dinner table. They were about our age and a lot of fun. During the evening, the conversation naturally turned to occupations. the gentleman told us he was a mortician. We found that facinating, not the turn off he was expecting. He later confessed to us that he was a dentist. He said we were the only couple that never asked him to "look at this tooth for me" which is why he never tells anyone his real profession. We are still friends with them even though the live many miles from us. Guess it's all in who you meet.
memaw2287 Jul 8th 2008 7:27PM
Flight Attendants? They are the only kind souls who get me through flying! (I HATE IT, but only because I'm a coward when I'm higher than my kitchen stepstool.) I appreciate you and applaud you for the service you provide. Thank you and try not to take it personally when the baboons speak.
noomzers Jul 8th 2008 7:35PM
I know how you feel, I work for the Post Office.
mark L gatto Jul 16th 2008 6:57PM
Well I worked for a majior airline , Back then when people knew I worked for a airline , the first thing they asked me was can I get them a free ticket , . I was proud of my job and my airline , I was not a flight attent, but my remarks was things stolen out of my bags , suitcase all busted , waiting , like everything was my fault . Another Question that use to make me laught and punch someone in the head was , you work outside , NO I always use to say , we bring the planes inside {DA} I miss my airline days , but to still travel today it's still all the same stupid things that are still said and done .
chuck39nj Jul 8th 2008 7:40PM
A friend of mine who flew for 20 years always said, "I'm in aluminum tubing." That usually shut people up pretty well. Now he's an RN like myself, so he can get the "other" negative comments people reserve. LOL
noomzers Jul 8th 2008 7:39PM
I know how you feel, I work for the Post Office. As soon as they find that out, I hear all about every letter and package that ever got lost or damaged or delayed.
PJ Iovino Jul 8th 2008 7:53PM
I tell people I'm an unemployed Sheperd. Very hard to find works now a days.
skydad Jul 8th 2008 7:51PM
I am a retired airline pilot and I feel sorry for the F/A's and the stuff they have to put up with. By the way, when people who didn't know me would ask what I did for a living, I would tell them I was a heavy equipment operator.