According to flight attendants
In most service jobs, there is an underlying fear of having to deal with difficult customers. People frustrated and irritable whose disappointments boil over into confrontation. This concern increases tenfold for flight attendants, as a negative interaction isn’t necessarily fleeting. They may be stuck in the air with rude or disorderly passengers for hours at a time.
But experienced cabin crews can also detect cues that indicate whether someone will be easy to accommodate. This allows them to adjust their approach accordingly. It also helps make their jobs easier—and create a more enjoyable flight experience for everyone. Thus, we asked a few aviation professionals about what tips them off and how we, as travelers, can do our part to make flying more pleasant.
Kindness can make a big difference.
Never underestimate the power of a simple greeting or the flash of a smile. “When a passenger comes on, makes eye contact, and says ‘hello,’ I generally feel at ease.” An anonymous Alaska Airlines flight attendant also told Travel + Leisure that “If they have acknowledged my existence, then I feel pretty confident they will be good passengers.”
A Southwest Airlines flight attendant echoed these sentiments, noting that moods set the tone from the second you enter the boarding door. “Traveling is stressful, but stress is contagious,” he said. “Friendliness goes a long way. We go above and beyond to maintain a positive demeanor and always appreciate when this is reciprocated.”
Don’t underestimate thoughtfulness—or a well-timed “thank you.”
While the action may be considered excessive by most travelers, purchasing mini gifts for flight attendants shows them that you’re definitely a passenger with gratitude. “Little gifts like a bag of chocolate or $5 Starbucks gift cards are so, so nice.”
“If someone goes out of their way to spend hard-earned money to brighten our day, then that is a telltale sign of an easygoing, very chill, and all-around wonderful passenger. We often work long, grueling schedules and have to forgo proper meals and caffeine. The thoughtfulness makes our days just a bit easier.”
Of course, a basic “thank you” will also do the trick in practically every circumstance. “I can’t tell you how many people didn’t even say ‘thank you’ when we would hand them a drink or answer questions,” a retired United Airlines flight attendant told T+L. “Yes, we are doing our jobs, but it shouldn’t be thankless.”
Practice self-awareness.
You may be dealing with short layovers, lost luggage, or any manner of life stressor, but it’s important to remember you’re not the only person on the aircraft.
“Those who board frantically and immediately ask questions about luggage and connections are the ones who usually give us the biggest problems,” confirmed the Alaska Airlines source. “Take a beat and understand that we will do everything possible to get you to your destination safely and comfortably. We aren’t miracle workers, though, and there are many factors that impact flights and schedules that are out of our control.”
The biggest red flag for cabin crew, however, is intoxication. Keep the preflight drinks to a minimum to avoid annoying flight attendants. Or worse, getting yourself removed from the plane. “There is zero tolerance for being drunk on a plane. If I see someone slurring words or swaying during boarding, they will be removed. I don’t want to deal with them 40,000 feet in the air.”
At the end of the day, consider the Golden Rule: treat others the way you’d like to be treated. A positive demeanor and common courtesy can be the difference in whether or not a member of the cabin crew has a good or bad day at work.
Source: Travel & Leisure©
Related: The Best Times to Book Flights for the Cheapest Airfare per Google Data – TUTORING YOU
Discover more from TUTORING YOU
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
