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Galley Gossip: Hanging business class coats (it's just a flight attendant thing)
Quickly I walk to gate 40B dressed in navy blue polyester, a tall latte in one hand, pulling my suitcase on wheels with the other hand. I flash the crew ID hanging around my neck at the frazzled agent manning the counter. Even though she's sorting out a problem with a passenger, she crosses my name off a list and barks over her shoulder "We're going to board in ten minutes!" I punch in the security code and swing the heavy jet bridge door open. Down the long ramp I go where the 767 awaits.
The first thing I do is introduce myself to the crew. "Hi, I'm Heather. I think we may have flown together before...a long time ago. I'm working in business."
Each of my coworkers will then tell me their name, whether or not they think we've flown together, shared a Kew Gardens cab or hung out around the pool on a layover...a long time ago, followed by the cabin they're working in.
After I stow my bags in my official crew bag storage location (an overhead bin in coach), I check my emergency equipment to make sure it's there and working. Then I do something the others on my crew will not do, something I always do five minutes after I board the aircraft. I head straight for the closet and count the hangers. Why? Because I'm hanger girl. Regardless of the time of year, there are always coats to be hung in business class and the last thing I want to do is run out of hangers, which is why I count - one through fifteen - just in case I need to call cabin service for more.
Over the years I have become quite obsessed with the number of hangers we have on board the aircraft. Maybe it's because I usually get stuck working in business class, the most junior position on the airplane, and hanging thirty black and blue coats during boarding is my least favorite thing to do. There's nothing worse than being trapped between business class and coach with thirty adult passengers standing in front of their cushy business class seats looking at me as if I'm not doing my job.
"Can you take this!" they often say, impatiently waving a coat at me.
Gallery: Galley Gossip: My San Francisco Trip
"I'll be there in a second!" I always reply, forcing a smile, as passengers slowly, slowly, one by one, file past me to get to their seats in coach. Though I can't force my way upstream, not without pushing passengers out of my way, I'm always ready to do my job, black plastic hanger in hand.
Today we only have fifteen hangers for thirty business class passengers. But that's okay, because if we double hang the coats (one on top of the other) we can make it work - no problem. So I di
vide them in half - seven for my coworker and eight for me - and place them in the seat back pocket of the last row in business class. Why? Because I'm hanger girl. It's just my thing.
Every flight attendant has their thing.
While James is obsessed with those thin squares of foam (that separate the dry ice from the beer and wine) that he'll use to line the inserts full of cups, napkins and sugar, making it look so nice and neat, Blake expects his first and business class mugs to be warmed at all times - not just for the dessert service, and no one in the system cracks ice like Jay - even after I've already cracked it because I'm working the galley, not Jay. If Dale is on your flight you will never, ever, run out of paper towels in the lavatory. Louise always makes sure we never run out of trash bags. That's because she doesn't dare leave the galley without a bag in hand for fear she might actually have to touch the trash. And Diane, who can't stay awake on the all-nighters, makes a point to always have freshly brewed coffee as well as cartons of warmed milk (taken from first class) to serve in coach. She also double bags it. That's why I drink her coffee.
Double bagging - the act of using two coffee packets for one pot of coffee on the airplane. Mostly found on international routes. By the way, since we're on the subject, I always double bag my hotel coffee - the decaf and the regular. Just in case you wanted to know
So tell me, all you amazing flight attendants out there, what's your thing - and why? I'm not talking about what you don't like, I'm talking about what you do, that little something special, to make sure the flight runs smoothly. I'd love to hear all about it.
Photo courtesy of (mug) Bliss
Filed under: Food and Drink, United States, Airlines, Galley Gossip
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Bailey Apr 22nd 2009 10:21AM
Well Heather, my favorite position on the 767-200's is #4...Business Galley, and on the 767-300's is #5...First Class Galley. YAY! Mainly because I'm not a fan of hanging coats...If it's not on fire, don't wave it frantically in the aisle expecting me to run and hang it right then! When I fly #4 usually the aisle flight attendants #'s 7 & 8 usually compliment me on being organised, sometimes they're like you're really too organised and clean. I like to run a tight ship and like to have a flawless service...and I've seen your work in Business and I'd love to have you as my aisle flight attendant any day! Fly safe.
Barbara Apr 22nd 2009 12:30PM
My thing is using a sick bag, torn in half, with the torn edge folded under, making a nice, neat, stand-up bag to put the beverage napkins in. I don't wear an apron, so no pockets for the napkin package. And, if the package is just standing on the cart, eventually, it will fall over right where I need to set the carton of orange juice. Or, worse yet, will fall over the side and spill out in a white tableau down the aisle. It's a little thing that eliminates a bit of unnecessary aggravation.
Kathy Apr 22nd 2009 1:00PM
This is my pet peeve even though I usually fly purser. I ALWAYS incorporate in my boarding announcments that "if you are in rows 7 to 11, please drape your coat or jacket on your seat.....rest assured that the flight attendants will be out to gather and hang them before takeaff. As you can see the aisle are full of people and as soon as it is humanly possible we will hang your coats for you.". Alot of times they act like their coat is going to explode in their face! This cabin is soooo predictable! made me laugh Heather!
Bailey Apr 22nd 2009 1:16PM
I have also gotten to the point, if I don't have the number of hangers per each seat I need after the cockpit takes two for their coats *rolls eyes*, I'll put a coat-tag on each hanger and write the seat number down, *if time permits* and put in each seatback pocket, and I'll make an announcement if I'm flying #1 that states if you're seated in our Premium Cabin/s, and you have a jacket/coat onboard with you today, you'll find a hanger in your seatback pocket. If you'll kindly put your jacket/coat on it, Flight Attendants will be happy to take it and hang it up for you as soon as the boarding process permits....Not all Flight Attendants like this...but it's great on the wide bodies when you can't "swim upstream." Most of my pax appreciate the gesture.
Bethany Apr 22nd 2009 2:00PM
I fly to the UK. A lot. My thing (in coach) is making sure there are dedicated tea pots for both brewing and serving. Alternating tea & coffee in the same just tastes funky. Another pet peeve is the Brits frequently want milk with their coffee and always with their tea so don't give them creamers instead. I try to make sure we have enough milk saved for the breakfast service for this.
Business Class-I like to pull a few of the red wines out of the chilled carts as soon as we get going so the serving temperature is not too cool. I also always check for coat tags-it seems like you can usually find them in the coach galley so it's good to try and get that taken care of before boarding starts.
Cassie Apr 23rd 2009 1:49PM
I have two things.
1. The exit row safety information cards must be displayed neatly. Half tucked into the seat, with the front flap draped and hanging over the seat back pocket. I think it looks nice, and its encourages pax during the briefing to read a long. I do not get bent out of shape if no one looks at the safety card (because as we all know, nobody ever really does) but atleast I know that it looks nice and its ready just in case.
2. I always throw in an extra line into the departure announcement. "Ladies and gentleman at this time we ask that you turn off and stow all electronic devices *Thats right, if it has an on and off switch its time to use that switch to turn it completley off*"
I just throw it in there because lately I have noticed that pax have been turning their Blackberrys to "airplane mode" during take-off and I have been getting tired of saying "I'm sorry it needs to be totally off". People look at me like "Wait...I dont get it" so I just make sure I throw that in there. Again, no one really ever listens to the annoucements I make anyways but it makes me feel like maybe someone will hear and understand. And that just makes me smile.
Hey...its the "little things" we try to do to make the flights run smoothly even if our efforts do not work or are totally ignored. Its the things we do that are within our control to try the best we can.
Chris Apr 22nd 2009 7:24PM
Heather, I'm glad to see the following:
"So tell me, all you amazing flight attendants out there, what's your thing - and why? I'm not talking about what you don't like, I'm talking about what you do, that little something special, to make sure the flight runs smoothly. I'd love to hear all about it."
I recently commented about how your articles and how they seemed to be a constant stream of rants about what you don't like about your job and/or passengers. This comment as well as this article are a refreshing change, thanks!
-Chris
masanddjs Apr 23rd 2009 1:52AM
"After I stow my bags in my official crew bag storage location (an overhead bin in coach)" ------------ you mean you are taking valuable storage space in coach when you are working in business class? Shameful! Kind of like that poor soul who was in economy and desperately needed to use the business class toilet!
Don't get your panties in a twist. I am being facetious.
Traytable Apr 23rd 2009 10:38AM
I have a few 'things'.
1. Like Cassie, I am very picky about the exit row briefing cards. They must be writing side out, all the same way up, and laid on the seat, on top of the seatbelt, so the passengers see them right away. During the briefing, I always ask for (and get!) full attention of the passengers, and ask for them to leave their newspapers for a moment. I'm also the FA who makes them put shoes in the o/h locker if they don't want to have them on (After all, a shoe is an item and 'no items on the floor during t/o & landing' means just that!)
2. I like to give mums an extra briefing as well as how to use the infant seatbelt. I ask if they have flown before, explain where to change baby & what to do with the nappy (some think they should NOT use the bin in the lav as it will smell, they really want to be helpful) and how to use bassinets. If they haven't flown with baby before, I reassure them that crying etc is normal and offer to heat bottles. I check if the parents want to take turns eating meals and if mum/dad is travelling on their own, I let them know to tell us if they need us to watch baby while they use the bathroom.
3. When I flew as a cabin senior, on the very short sectors (40min or less) I ad-libbed to the standard after take-off PA that there is a drinks menu in the seat pocket, as this is a very short flight your crew appreciate correct change and if possible, please make your selection prior to the crew arriving at your row.
4. I put extra sugar/milk/stirrers on the trash cart because someone always wants extra for another coffee later.
And finally, on international flights, when handing out water I point out the pax around the lavs that there is a water fountain there which they are free to use at any time & to sttretch their legs if they don't want to wait for us to bring more water around.
There are HEAPS more but that's all I can think of right now (Aside from carrying extra kids' kits, ear plugs, eucalyptus sachets etc because they are never in the amenity drawer when you need them!)
Lucila Apr 24th 2009 11:08AM
I'm not a flight attendant, but I would like to fly with all of you that left comments here and it would be perfect if you all were in the same flight at the same time. You guys do a great job and thank you so very much for that!
skygal89 Apr 23rd 2009 7:40PM
Heather:
Love your blog. I spread the word about it on all my flights. For me the flight starts before I even board the aircraft. First impressions, like it or not, have a big impact and I find if I keep my head up as I walk through the gate area and make eye contact/smile with a few of my soon to be passengers it helps set a positive tone. I also prefer to be the greeter at the boarding door. It gives me a chance to see who may need extra help during the flight and who may be having a negative experience that I can try and turn around. A simple "welcome onboard" and smile make a world of difference.
I also like to bring little trinkets I get from the Oriental Trading Co. catalog for any young passengers I may have onboard, nothing expensive... just something to help mom and dad keep their charge entertained.
One item I use on a regular basis is a headphone splitter. I bring a couple in my bag. It is always nice to be able to help a passenger who's video/audio isn't working at least tap into their neighbors working audio to watch the movie (although wouldn't it be nice if the audio worked consistently on all our aircraft :) ).
I find most of the people I work with enjoy their jobs and are very good at what they do. I also find most passengers are a pleasure to serve and kind and considerate of their surrounding seatmates. Always nice to read some positive stuff!
DJ Apr 24th 2009 5:09AM
Don't why we ALL pull suitcases on wheels?
M Apr 25th 2009 8:06PM
Trash Management! That's my thing. I always double bag (ok, sometimes triple or more) the trash cart and when I pick up trash I dump the contents in the cart and neatly stack the cups, food trays, etc. I became obsessed with this when I was new and did a lot of international flights. We'd always run out of trash space and wind up shoving bags of trash in empty carts that would then start to leak... Even if I'm not picking up with a cart, I use an empty trolley bin: place a white trash bag in one end to dump contents and stack cups. I put newspapers and empty cans in empty cart bins, not in the trash. I have a really hard time restraining myself from MAKING my flying partners do it this way. I show them and hope for the best--its best if I can get them right out of training and program them.
I'm so bad that I could be doing a Milwaukee-Minneapolis turn and I just can't not stack my trash.
I am totally on with Jay about the ice cracking too. I can't stand icebergs in my drawer.
OH! And I can't take a passenger (no matter what class of the cabin he/she is in) anything--not so much as a pack of snack mix, without it being on a linen lined tray. I think it comes from when I always worked business class and was required to pick-up and deliver with a tray.
I'm pretty aggressive about second coffees after the service and water walks every 15--especially on international flights where people are always dosing and waking in intervals.
I'm ALWAYS in the aisle. And I constantly pick up trash. Its my thing.
Lindsay Apr 27th 2009 11:22AM
When I'm working back galley I always flip our two Sprite Zeros upside down to make them easier to find...
Up in the first class galley I add a couple of lemons to the hot water I use to make my hot towels...
And I, too, always have a trash bag in hand whenever I head out into the aisle.
John Apr 28th 2009 2:51AM
- I used to be all about meal cooking management:
Oven 1:
Fish on the bottom racks, bread in the top racks (keeps fish from overcooking)
Oven 2:
Mixed nuts on the bottom, beef in the top racks
- Warming the silver service with hot water before filling with coffee/tea
- Premixing MaiTais on Hawaii flights and adding extra guava juice to kick things up a notch
- H20 bottles in the ice drawers to get it cold
- Leftover ice cream dished into plastic cups and then passed to the kids in Y
- Coffee cup with water and dry ice on the dessert cart...if I was feeling especially cheesey
- Removing linens from bags and folding them all correctly, so they were easy to pass out
- Putting a couple of Cognacs in hot water prior to the dessert service, so that people had the option of drinking it warm or cold
- 2nds and 3rds of water/OJ/tea after the bev service. (Why should it just be coffee drinkers who get the privelege of getting unsolicited seconds?)
-
Annette Apr 28th 2009 12:23PM
Hi Heather,
My *thing* is noise--I try to eliminate what I can of it, especially on long-haul flights. Slamming cart doors, oven trays or even FAs talking loudly. I want my passengers to be able to be as comfortable as possible and sleep if they want. It makes the time go by faster and makes for a sort of quiet respite while traveling...(I did say "sort of"!!)
Annette
danny Apr 29th 2009 11:51AM
noise reduction!! great and thanks especially when i am in row 4 on a 777 the business galley can be loud
danny Apr 29th 2009 11:51AM
i double bag in hotels too...
PS after 3 million miles on AA i guess i have sat/slept in every seat in that fleet.. i still am not a fan of AAs aging 767s.. regardless of where my coat is..
BUT i have on several occasions had F/As follow me off the plane and find me with the coat i let behind!!!
thanks for all you do for us!!!
Diana Apr 29th 2009 3:44PM
Hi Heather,
My thing is: I always check the lav's when I get on board. Since I'm always on a S-80. To make sure they are dumped & clean, I just won't stand for being on a plane with a dirty lav. It's not right for the passengers our us! Also, I too only walk down the aisle with a trash bag. I can't understand that passengers want to give my their dirty kleenex & napkins when I don't have a bag! So, I just always have one with me, even when I do a seatbelt check!
MzJFlys May 7th 2009 4:56PM
Hi Ms. Heather,
I'm not a new reader, but I've felt more compelled to respond to one of your blogs than now. First off, it's quite refreshing to realized no matter what airline, we all basically do the same things, even though we all think we're being original:-). I guess "birds of a feather really do flock together", no pun intended.
My things I'm big on are these; I fly mostly allnighters, as I'm a commuter. I normally fly purser. In my briefings, I stress keeping conversations at a reasonable level. I also stress, stress, stress not coming to the first class galley at 3/4am, and speaking like we're on a lunch flight. I am known to "gently" throw my wonderful flying partners out of my first class galley when they're not getting it:-). I make all my flight information PA's on the ground, and I brief my pilots to keep their chatter to a minimum, until initial descent. I play the feature film, once that's over, the the video system is shut off. My apologies to those onboard who are not able to sleep on planes, but in all fairness, allnighters are big nap flights. Whether a sleeper or not, I would hope in this day and age, most travelers are savvy enough to plan accordingly....For those who can't sleep on allnighters, feel free to hang out with us, (for a little while), in the back galley. Just remember to use your inside voice:-))). Also, adding in the boarding announcements making sure their bags are stowed and fitting properly in the overhead bins. Making sure the bulkhead passengers have all their belongings off the floor, and knowing we are there PRIMARILY FOR THEIR SAFETY...however, blah, blah, blah:-))))
What I loved seeing from all my other flying partners who posted comments here are these;
-double bagging the coffee
I hope you're not sharing the double bagged coffee with the pax though. That
should only be crew coffee:-)
-never going out in the aisle without a trashbag
The things people expect you to touch and haul off. Eeeek!
-Folding the linens in order to handle them better:-))))
I'm like 5"4" with tiny little hands. I always lose my hands under the linens if they
haven't been folded in the middle and placed uniformly over each other. I will do
do that myself if I'm not lucky enough to be the galley queen.
-the ice-cream to kids in economy
Amen to that. I usually write a note in my bright pink sharpie, (because a proper
galley queen has their sharpies ready), asking the parent if they'd mind the little
one having a cookie and milk. We don't want no screamin' babies:-(
I'm glad to know I'm not as anal as I thought, as it seems there are more of us out there who thrive on doing it right and not doing it as quickly as possible.
Keep up the good work Heather, you always make me chuckle!