Why Flight Attendants Fly Differently
Working as a flight attendant changes your perspective on air travel, according to Francesco Lentini, a flight attendant with a major U.S. carrier. “You learn that many people are traveling for different reasons, whether it be vacation or a funeral, so you learn to be empathetic. You also realize that some people can be inconsiderate and are not thinking about their fellow passengers.” To combat that lack of consideration, HuffPost asked Lentini and other flight attendants what behaviors they always avoid when they fly as passengers.
Never Go Barefoot on a Plane
“When I’m a passenger on a flight, you’ll never catch me taking off my shoes, walking barefoot, or casually putting my feet all over the walls and seats,” said Jay Robert, a former flight attendant and founder of A Fly Guy Travels. Hygiene is a major concern. “Having witnessed what goes on behind the scenes, I’m not about to expose my bare skin to the floors of an aircraft,” Robert noted. “I’ve seen the effort the crew puts into ‘cleaning’ the toilets on flights, and that damp bathroom floor isn’t damp from sink water.” He added that airplane carpets are typically spot-cleaned, if at all, and cleaners often just mask the smell.
Respect the Crew’s Workspace
“As a passenger, I would never stand in the aircraft galley for a lengthy period of time,” Lentini said. “This is the flight attendant’s workspace where we work and eat. Last thing we want is to have a passenger doing yoga poses in our faces while we are having our lunch.” Robert echoed this, noting that on long-haul routes like London to Dubai, crew free time in uniform was a mere 15 minutes within a 15-hour time frame. “As a passenger now, I make a conscious effort not to intrude into the crew’s spaces, ensuring they can have a peaceful meal break.”
Save the Call Button for Emergencies
“When I am on a plane as a passenger, one thing I would never do is ring the call light button unless it’s an emergency,” said Christa Treat, a flight attendant with a major U.S. airline. “Most people think that button is for extra drinks and snacks. But in reality, call lights should be saved for emergencies.” She noted that flight attendants frequently come through the cabin for safety checks, so passengers can ask for drinks then, or go to the galley if the seat belt light is off. Heather Poole, a flight attendant and author, added, “Get up, stretch your legs and walk to the back to say hello.”
Don’t Hand Trash to Crew During Boarding
“I would never hand trash to the flight attendant as I’m boarding the airplane — which happens quite often,” Lentini said. Flight attendants perform important preflight checks and manage the boarding process. Passengers should dispose of trash in airport receptacles before boarding.
Avoid the Lavatory During Boarding
Similarly, Lentini advised against using the aircraft lavatory during boarding. “There are dozens of restrooms in the terminal to use. Using the lavatory during boarding can delay departure because then passengers are going against the flow of traffic to get back to their seat.”
Respect Carry-On Bag Limits
“I want passengers to know if you can’t lift your bag in the overhead bins, chances are I can’t either,” Treat said. “We are glad to check your bag and help get it to your final destination, but there’s no need for either of us to get a shoulder injury just because you want your bag above you. We’ll check it for free!”
Don’t Rely on Airline Food
Poole advised passengers to bring their own food and water. “I don’t depend on an airline to take care of me. I buy water in the terminal and make sure to bring food from home, or I buy something to eat before the flight. Travel is more enjoyable when you take care of yourself. Airplane food is like astronaut food. Not worth getting upset over.”
Get Organized Before Boarding
Sif Björnsdóttir, a senior cabin crew member at Icelandic airline Play, emphasized preparation. “I have everything I need in my seat ready to go and everything else goes in my in flight bag so that when I board, it takes me seconds to get to my seat.” She noted that one slow passenger can delay everyone else.
Be Kind to Crew Members
“Working as a flight attendant will change your perspective the same way working as a waiter changes your dining experience,” Poole said. “You make eye contact, you say hello, please, and thank you, and you treat workers with respect.” Flight attendants’ primary job is safety, not service. “Obviously as a flight attendant, I want everyone to be comfortable and hydrated and have a great flight, but it’s our job to keep everyone safe first,” Treat said. Flight crews in the U.S. are not paid until the airplane doors shut, meaning their boarding and deplaning efforts are uncompensated. “A flight attendant has no control over why the Wi-Fi is not working, or an aircraft maintenance issue, or whether or not you will make your connection,” Lentini said. “But at the end of the day, a flight attendant will bend over backwards for you as long as you’re kind and treat them with respect.”
