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Galley Gossip: More flight attendant pet peeves - the summer edition
1. Deodorant - Need I say more?
2. Boarding - Just because you have kids does not entitle you to board first, especially when the ages of those kids fall into the double digits. Oh I know it takes a little longer to get settled in due to the Winnebago sized stroller piled high with who-knows-what, but airlines strive for on-time departures and the fastest way to get the airplane out is to board from back to front. Sit tight and wait for your row to be called.
3. Car seats - There are dozens of different models to choose from each year, so unless your flight attendant has a child that owns the exact same car seat, he/she will be just as clueless as to how to secure the seat properly. Review the installation instructions before you board and make sure you're not blocking other passengers from the aisle before spending a good fifteen minutes strapping it to the seat.
4. Blankets - It's hot as a mother out there, but don't come on board an aircraft half dressed and then get angry at me when I'm unable to find you a blanket. Most domestic flights don't even offer blankets anymore, and if they do, there are only a handful to pass out. Bring a sweatshirt next time.
5. Snacks - Traveling today is much like being on an episode of Survivor in that you must come prepared for the worst. Sure, you may not be hungry when the snack cart rolls by, but if there's even the slightest chance you might get the munchies an hour before arrival, buy the snack! Don't wait until it's too late. We do run out of food. Or just bring your own snacks next time. I do.
6. Kids - I know it's a long flight, and yes, your little stinker is adorable, and I really don't mind that he's standing in the aisle when the seat belt sign is off, but please, please, please, when you see us trying to get the service done, keep little Johnny in his seat. Do you really want me to fall on top of him? Or accidentally kick him down the aisle? 7. Parents - You're sitting in first class while the kids are in coach. I get it, you're worried, makes perfect sense, but don't keep asking me to move a one-hundred-and-fifty pound beverage cart so you can continuously check up on them. And don't you dare take first class service items back to coach. If you're worried that much and you'd like to share your experience, try sitting beside them next time.
8. Call lights - They're there for a reason, which means it's okay to use them. But ringing the flight attendant call button fifteen times on a two hour flight is just not acceptable, even if the person ringing that bell is under two feet tall. Lights and sounds are used as a means of communication between crew members, so if the call light is being abused don't be surprised if a flight attendant arrives at your row holding a fire extinguisher. If you're a parent, quick - learn how to turn the call light off!
9. Deplaning- The captain makes an announcement to prepare for landing about twenty minutes prior to touch down. How about using this time to get the princess dressed and the toys packed - instead of waiting until everyone has deplaned except for the crew. There's nothing worse than arriving to a city late at night with only an eight hour layover and while the cleaners wait to board, mommy is just tying the shoes while daddy is checking every seat back in sight.
10. UM's: There's been a lot in the news about airlines losing unaccompanied minors, but what about parents who show up 45 minutes late? Or not at all! It's happened. I, myself, got stuck at baggage claim with a kid who looked to be about 10 years-old. I would have asked him his age, but he didn't speak English, so we just stood there smiling at each other - for 45 minutes.
Photos courtesy of: (suitcase) Ksfc84, (Monkey) Rob, (Airplane) Woodleywonderworks
Filed under: Airlines, Transportation, Galley Gossip
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
Traytable Jul 22nd 2009 10:57AM
So true. Don't get me wrong, I love having kids travel, it broadens their experiences... but for the love of god do I hate lazy parents!!
Imagine, a 6 hour cross-country flight, and the mother asks not only for milk but for diapers. I sympathised with her running out, but she then said oh no I didn;t bring any I thought you provide all that stuff!! wtf...
frank96 Jul 22nd 2009 11:29AM
Yay....number 4.
Thank god, blankets are gone. I had a female passenger on a red eye flight ring her call bell and request a blanket. I looked in several overheads, asked several crewmembers, went to my hidden stash place, NONE anywhere. Finally, apologized and said, "sorry, I think they're all out".
She proceeds to tell me and show me that she is wearing a mini skirt and cant possibly sleep now.
I cringed at the thought of possibly encountering a "Britney" passing through the cabin, so I gave her a garbage bag to wrap her legs in. Later in the flight, I was relieved to find a blanket for her.
hello Jul 22nd 2009 12:31PM
teentraveltalk.com
if you're planning on traveling with your teens, but aren't sure where to go or what to do, Teentraveltalk.com is a great tool to help you decide. for teens by teens. it's really great. (:
Christina M Jul 22nd 2009 2:57PM
I have an issue with part of number 7. Whereas I totally understand not interfering with the flight attendant's duties and the beverage or snack service, why should a parent sitting in first class "not dare" to bring and first class service items to their children in coach? If you mean the salt and pepper shakers or utensils, that I also understand. But food? Those little goody bags that first class passengers used to get? Why not those things? First class seats cost an absurdly pretty penny and as long as the first class passenger is curteous and follows pilot/flight attendant instruction, they should be able to do whatever they want with their ammenities. Include sharing them with their own children.
Carrie Jul 23rd 2009 1:02PM
Firstly, an FA can easily get in trouble if that happens on his/her shift, and it's presumed that they gave the darling little brats the first-class goodies. Second, if you can afford to fly yourself first class, let your kids do it, too, or suck it up and deal with the coach seats. I cannot stand selfish parents, and it's no less selfish to force your brats on the coach customers and crew unattended than it is to force the same children to ride in coach while you get first class. The way the world is today, if I had kids, there is no way in hell I would let them fly alone in coach if I were in first. I just don't trust people anymore.
Plus, if someone sees Soccer Mom Judy bringing back the meal, goodies etc. from first for her kids, there is going to be an inevitable stink from some other, similarly spoiled and selfish passenger who wants it as well, leading to even more grief for the FAs.
I had to deal with this on my last flight, and I must say that I agree with the poster who says that children flying alone in coach should have a nanny or something (which I am glad to say, the FAs are NOT for you to use as such) of the like. It's a blatant discourtesy to your fellow passengers and everyone involved to allow children, alone, to run amok in an unsupervised environment, expecting people who are not trained for such things to babysit them. I cannot stand parents who refuse to take responsibility for their barely-human offspring that make everyone else miserable, be it on a plane or on the ground.
frank96 Jul 26th 2009 8:52AM
Christina M
Jul 22nd 2009 2:57PM
I have an issue with part of number 7. Whereas I totally understand not interfering with the flight attendant's duties and the beverage or snack service, why should a parent sitting in first class "not dare" to bring and first class service items to their children in coach?
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I agree with Christina. I've had Freq. flyers ask if I would "comp" a drink to an associate in coach. I've never had a problem with that, it's being nice. Service items sent back to coach for kids? The coach passengers will witness the tray of goodies coming from first and given to CHILDREN in coach will hopefully surmise their parents are "taking care of them". The dividing of classes on a aircraft has always been scruntinized. Champagne flowing in first. Peanuts in coach. Just the size of the seats cause some people to try to sneak up there for free. It's the dividing of classes when you fly. People are always interested in what they're NOT getting.
Years ago, when I served ice cream sundaes in first, when I had left-overs and the flight attendants didnt want them, I would visually go through coach and search out small children. Ask their parents, and plant an ice cream sundae into the tray of a smiling child. Most passengers smiled at my kindness.
jharking Jul 22nd 2009 3:41PM
I don't mind children on flights, even if they're crying, as I've been there, done that.
At least not if the parents are doing their best. But I've had parents of two year olds show up for a four hour flight with not ONE toy, crayons, etc..! What do they expect their child to do other than kick my chair and scream? We used to save all the wrapped toys that came with kids meals (not my idea, but a good one) and let our toddlers unwrap and play with them one at a time. Each one had about a 15 minute boredom factor, but a dozen of them will keep kids happy for hours.
Red Jul 22nd 2009 4:11PM
#4! My airline has removed all blankets and pillows, for the time being, due to the swine flu. I wish they'd permanently get rid of the nasty, dirty little disease spreaders.
Shannon Jul 27th 2009 7:17AM
Number 7 Flight Attendant Pet Peeve: Mom of 4 gets first class seat and sends hubby to the back of the plane with all children. 20 minutes into the flight, she asks the flight attendant if she can bring 2 of her darlings to first class to be with her so her husband can rest, "since there's so many empty seats, I was sure you wouldn't mind." He says yes. For the remainder of the flight, my special treat of upgrading to first class is filled with loud screams with Mom's "Shhhhhhh" falling on deaf ears.
Traytable Jul 22nd 2009 8:08PM
Little Johnny presses the call bell over and over and over and OVER again. Coincidentally to the tune of 'I need help' crew signal. Mom/Dad gets annoyed when we keep rushing down (because we have to assume each time it's for real)
When I come down and ask nicely, 'Do you need anything' they snap and say stop bothering me, or my kid didn't press it. Um, lady, this plane has CALLER ID, it tells me what seat pressed the bell fifty thousand times, and guess what... it's YOUR KID!
How hard is it to put your hand over the call bell, or better still, tell little Johnny he is NOT ALLOWED to touch it? I remember a time when parents actually parented their kids. Usually if you tell them what to do, they listen! And before all the parents start on me because I'm not a mom, YES, I HAVE travelled with 2 kids under 6! On my own!
Just need to tell them from the get go what is and is not allowed on the plane. You haveno idea how frustrating it is wasting our time trying to parent someone's kids all flight because they can't be bothered, and then everyone else is peeved because they think we are just chatting in the galley all flight.
PS- Love you parents who actually try to control your kids, am not talking about you!
frank96 Jul 22nd 2009 9:53PM
Traytable
Jul 22nd 2009 8:08PM
Little Johnny presses the call bell over and over and over and OVER again. Coincidentally to the tune of 'I need help' crew signal.
================================================
Traytable makes an excellent point. Touching the call bell (numerous times) may indicate to other crewmembers that an emergency situation exists. Example: Emergency evacuation or even a hijacking.
ONCE is ENOUGH.
Soitis Jul 22nd 2009 8:52PM
If parents ride in 1st class then they should be required to have any children under 12 with them or have a nanny riding in coach with them. This is from a customer that doesn't need to put up with undisiplined children or be an unpaid babysitter. Just as the attendant should not be overburdened and unable to do their jobs due to selfish parents.
Sam Brennan Jul 23rd 2009 12:11AM
#2 re: Boarding - Unfortunately most US airlines haven't used the board from back to front in quite some time...instead they use the board by group system, which is absurd! This system requires you to wait on passengers in the rows in front of you while they are in the aisles, climb over people who boarded in a group before you or vice versa, to name just a few problems. I wonder what rocket scientist came up with this system! I am in my late 60's, and I have been flying both domestically and Internatinally in excess of 60 years, and I have never seen this new system provide faster boarding than the previous back row first system!
George Gray Jul 23rd 2009 11:12AM
I know you have listed these as FA pet peeves but they resonate strongly with business travelers. I would add a few of my own:
a) Please don't bring the "kitchen sink" bag on board, it won't fit in the overhead and pushing and shoving still won't make it fit.
b) Please don't rearrange evrybody's luggage to find room for your PC bag - put it under the seat in front. Leg room an issue, don't bring so many items on board.
c) Don't drink to "be happy, it's my vacation" enough so you become obnoxious to your fellow passengers and the crew.
I could go on and on but whatever happened to simple common courtesy
Consumer007 Jul 23rd 2009 11:45PM
Parents sitting in first class and putting their kids in coach should be illegal, and either shouldn't be allowed by airlines in the first place, and / or rewarded by CPS taking the kids away at landing.
It is just not fair to subject all the other people to that, because the parents are too cheap to treat their kids as nicely as they treat themselves. You had kids, deal with it. Sit everyone in coach if you want to save money, or pamper yourself later in a limo when you land.
Shut your damn kids up.
LONDONSKYGODDESS Jul 24th 2009 10:44PM
I've been a flight attendant over 33 years......international flying over 15 of those 33 years. I've had my share of "cookie crumblers" and "rug rats" on my flights! One Mother left a stinking, dirty diaper on the floor at her seat when she deplaned. I chased her on the ramp and gave her the dirty diaper. If she had told me during flight,she needed to dispose of the diaper, it would have been no problem. Don't think she pulled that stunt again!! One Mother read a magazine while her child continued to scream "Mom", "Mom", "Mom" dozens of times. She continued to ignore the child, while receiving nasty stares from businessmen and other passengers. I asked her if she could hear her child calling her? Her response was "WHY"? I answered...."Because everyone else on the flight could hear her kid and we all wondered why she couldn't hear the child calling her"! The cabin broke out in a round of applause!!!!!! Needless to say...she stopped reading the magazine! Just because you give birth, that doesn't make you a "Mother".
I love these men....so called "Dads" who sit at least 2 rows away from the kids and the Mother. These guys don't want anyone to know they are part of the family and are "free" to flirt and check out the young women. Not all men are in this group, but I have seen my share. We Flight Attendants can spot these "losers" a mile away, so they are not fooling any crewmember.
Sue Jul 25th 2009 9:14PM
You have all had you feelings vented about kids and their parents, and I wholly agree.
Now, what about that adult passenger who won't shut-up even though there is no one listening to her except the passenger (stranger) next to her. This woman was so annoying and maddening that her co-passenger didn't say a thing, but I had to listen to her sexual views of her teenagers and her problems on her "ranch". I wanted to step into the aisle and strangle her. Just shut-up I wanted to yell. could I have asked to have my seat moved?
HappyTraveler Jul 25th 2009 5:31AM
On flights with open seating, some of us would appreciate having the screaming baby family board first. That way, we can choose not to sit near them and avoid unnecessary irritation.
Jack Jul 25th 2009 9:55AM
Probably the best comment I ever heard from a flight attendant (after the passengers put up with a 4yo having a screaming temper tantrum for 20 minutes) was, "Those of you traveling with small children...WHAT WERE YOU THINKING???". The entire cabin roared, and the stress was forgotten!
Anton Jul 25th 2009 10:03AM
I have been in the airline industry long enough to know these are all valid points. Whats with the need to have 5 cocktails and be rude? Why Ignore your child if you dont want to pay attention theres always putting them up for adoption what a novel idea. Why Do people feel the need to take everything with them in large bags from? are you afraid your friends and family will use it or sell it while your gone. Last but not least please Shower and wear clothes that dont look like what you slept in the night before. Or show the crack of your back end guys and girls that is uglier than you think. We or the some passengers should not be exposed to your muffin top or your ink stamp or any other unsightly part of your body. Dress with a little respect for yourself. be modest its called TRAVELING not CLUBING or off to bed. One more thing guy's dont wear your pants around your thighs in prison that means you are the prisoners squeeze. Plus we as FA's would rather see you in nice tight pants.