IamA Flight attendant, here to answer all your "BUT WHYY?" AMA!

What was your worst experience with a passenger?

Sorry, sorry, overlooked it! Didnt mean to hurt you ;) Ahm, difficult question to answer, because I have different kinds of top-bad-passengers. The worst are usally those who think they are the only people around, I really cant put my finger on "worst ever". The one that I cant forget is a woman who was very persistently calling me while I was bringing another passenger a blanket and when I got to her she pointed at the trash on the floor with her FOOT, said "there" and wanted me to pick it up. Or yesterday, probably while you wrote that a woman decided she HAD to pamper her baby 3 minutes for take-off and my senior let her go. When I went into the toilet after take-off she had just left the diaper on the floor and there was babyshit all over the place.

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How sweet. Well its easy stuff really, basically: dont be a dick - we are well trained and care for your safety, not personal servents. Dont tell your flight attendant to stow your handluggage, company policy forbidds us to do so, and its also super rude. Try to pay attention to the safety video and prepare YOURSELF for take-off, dont let us ask you for each thing.

Well, my girlfriend is 1.5 m, 4 ft 11, she is not tall enough to put her luggage on, and a perfectly fit male flight attendant just refused to help by saying "Sorry, I don't do that". Are there absolutely no understanding? She was not being rude but genuinely need help, why is there such a policy anyway?

If we break anything and/or hurt ourselves or others we are not insured. Some male flight attendants do it anyways, but you have to understand - its not our job, its like asking your waitress to hold your bag because you're growing tired of it. You have to be able to "handle" your own "hand" luggage. I dont do it, but I'm a rather tiny woman so err...

Out of all the flights you've been on, how many people do you know for sure joined the Mile High Club?

A total of 0. Also, sex on an airplane is as hygienic and classy as sex on a gas station toilet.

When people are using data on their cellphones during take off, can it actually harm the functioning of the plane in any way?

It depends on the airplane kind, some older ones are very sensitive. Otherwise, one probably does nothing, also two...but if everyone messages it might disturb the electronics. But really, I forgot to turn of my phone a lot of times, and whats really shit about that is that it kills the battery, because it constantly searches for a telephone network.

It has nothing to do with messing with the "electronics". It is all about making sure people aren't playing with their phones during the safety briefing and also ensuring that in the contingency that something happens, those phones/iPads/laptops/etc that people are holding aren't going to be deadly projectiles. Avionics are not affected.

Thats actually not true, since you are now aloud to hold anything in hand and use that weighs less than one kilo and fits in the seatpockets, so you can use your ipad etc. Even though, i gotta say, i strongly disagree with that policy.

Didn't myth busters disprove this bullshit?

your right, I'd better trust myth busters on my life than the EASA.

Can you guys really keep me in an airplane (that has landed) for as long as you want?? Is there anything I can do about it?

NO...And why would we? But sometimes the airplane isnt able to connect with the airport bridges etc. after landing (could be airport malfunction, a thunderstrom...) and then we cant just let you run out on the apron. And dont try to open the door, you'll shoot a slide and pay your whole life. And if your stuck in an airplane before takeoff, its because we're legally bound to keep you in and your online way out would be through major legal issues. BUT trust me, NOBODY wants to be stuck on a crowded airplane, that counts for passengers as much as for flight attendants.

It's because once I landed in Texas from a flight from Italy, and they wouldn't let us out of the airplane because costumes weren't there, we waited 3 hours.

Thats on costume/the united states, dont blame the airline, those flight attendants probably had a crazy shit day too.

Any thoughts, comments on the Knee Defender?

Fuck that shit. Why not just be civilized human beings instead?

What got you into the industry? Do you get discounts on flying with your company? Do you enjoy getting to fly to many different places, and do you ever have any down time between flights to explore the places you fly to?

My exboyfriends sister started flying and it sounded like a sweet dream. I was also pretty fascinated in my childhood, with those gracious, pretty, multilingual people. (HA! naivity...)

We get pretty good discounts, but our tickets are then only "standby", so we only get a seat if there is space. There are a little less cheap tickets, still with discount, that are fix.

I have 6hrs to 4day stops. It doenst happen all the time though, a lot of times we just do roundtrips. I have up to 4 flights a day.

Up to 4 flights a day? Jet lag much?

nah, just never change your watch, you dont stay there anyways. The biggest trouble there is taking care of the various personal needs of up-to 800 people in one day.

One last question: If you could fly anywhere in the world..where would it be , and why?

I'm flying to China in October, I've lived there as a child but I havent been back in 12 years. I just want to take a trip down memory lane. But if I had to give somebody a recommendation, I'd say Sarajevo.

Can you please say a few more words about Sarajevo? Why do you recommend it?

Its a beautiful, lovely and quite charismatic city, the collision and combination of chistianity and islam on this small space is unique and today wonderful thing there but it also provides a vital nightlife. Also in me it brings out a lot of special feelings seeing every house covered in shotholes and in the middle of it suddenly me medieval buldings. Also chevapcici.

For those who don't know what chevapcici are, little "sticks" of minced meat grilled and served with french fries and ajvar, a sort of paprika(bell pepper) paste. Very tasty!

Also as a bartender I admire your patience. I can throw out a customer but you are pretty much stuck in the tube with them so points to you!

Source: Am Half-Croatian.

Deescalation is what everyone should bare in mind on an airplane. nono escalation.

Where in China? It's changed so much in the past 12 years, essentially all major cities are westernized now. Transportation everywhere is really convenient, unless your going to Shanghai/hangzhou area, flights in and out are heavily delayed due to "unforseen circumstances" aka military flights, =/

Beijing..I know, I've been in constant contact with people who are still there, but I'm curious to see, anyways.

What's the deal with airline food?

What do you want to know?

How's the quality?

pretty good actually, very high calories though, not exactly nutricioning but not so bad if you don't have to eat it every day.

Is the word Stewardess considered as offensive as the "N-Word"?

Since it doesnt refer back to ages of slavery, no. But its not a nice way to call us. Such as maid to your household help.

Is there an exact reason for this or did stewardess simply become unPC? I'm having trouble understanding the difference between that and flight attendant, which hold the same definition of inflight server in my mind. Not trying to come off as rude, just genuinely curious.

flight attendant wears more the connontation of a safety worker too. Steward(ess) is also the guy in the hotel carring your luggage, eh? Most flight attendants get very offended when you see them as a waitress, it may seem like that most of the time, but we are mostly trained in safety and we can do much more than serving coke. Not offended, btw :)

How often do you get to be at home? And how many days a week do you work?

I usally have 10-13 days off, some colleagues have up to 15 days off, if they fly longrange only. I sleep around 7 days a month in hotels, sometimes more in the summer.

That seems pretty manageable. I bet it's awesome to get to travel so often!

It is a lot of more off time, but you have to take in accounting that we do shift work and often have a very, very messed up sleep-schedule. I for one mostly sleep 4-5 hrs each night and then 14 once a week. Its still a great job, but physically very exhausting

What is the training like to be a flight attendant?

I once ran into the wall in the middle of the night because I dreamt I got an evacuation command. Military-ish. Trainers yelling at you to put you under stress, figher fighting, swimming blindfolded. Just to name some key-points.

Do you get sick a lot with sore throats and colds or have you built up a strong immunity breathing in all of our recycled air and germs constantly?

In the beginning I got 4 rather severe infections in a row. Quick fevers, tonsil infections, all sorts. Now I'm mostly good. Your immuno-system has to adapt. Now, I have to say though, that the modern air conditions leave less germs in the air than before, but we get the germs from touching all those things the 1000s of passengers touch every day. I eat nothing at work before disinfecting my hands.

How often does a flight attendant face sexual harassments and how are you told to, considering that you are, deal with this behavior?

The offical company policy is to file a report, if someone is very very harrasing. I face what I considering sexual harrassment every day, from passengers and every now from colleagues. In reality, nobody ever reports except if something REALLY bad happens (e.g. a friend of mine was once photographed down her skirt by a passenger, they flew straight back to the airport and called to police for an unruly). Mostly its just over the top flirting, or people who think that you understand them better when they touch you. I used to work as a bartender and I have no fear of telling people where my boundaries lie. I will politely or less politely tell everyone who does so to not touch me. But some of my co-workers are quite young and its their first job, so they are equally shy.

Hi there thanks for doing this AMA.

So I was wondering if you ever had any trouble with a passenger or co-worker while flying?

Or if there ever occurred a weird situation?

The other day on a flight to London a 17-yr-old Londoner told me "Thanks love, ye know, I'd fuck the shit right outa-ya" Er. Thanks.

Tons of weird situations. People putting their babys on the floor or in the overhead compartment, people shouting for no reason, people undressing.

Passengers make trouble all time. Almost no flight passes without somebody going nuts.

Do you have advice for combating a fear of flying?

Tell us if you are scared, for starters, we are pleased to help. Dont take any sedatives, you never know how you will react on them in higher altitude. Otherwise, rationally, there is not a lot of reason to fear, but I bet you know that. Just try to get something to distract you...and really tell us! Everybody I know always cares a lot about scared passengers and it might help to talk to the personnel.

What sort of announcement are private lingo between the captain and crew that we as passengers don't understand? Can you share some of those secret phrases?

The exact phrases vary from airline to airline, but theres always something about slide arming, and there are code-words for fire etc. to prevent causing panic

which airplane model is the most pleasant for a flight attendant to work in?

Must be a B777, altough I've never worked th A380.

How has being a flight attendant effected your health, my friends mom is a flight attendant and it has messed with her circulation, do you ever worry about stuff like that?

I worry, and I can say that you age quicker, all my collegues who have been doing the work for 10 years or so look easily 5 years older than they are. Also the lack of sleep is a huge issue and I would also like to see some long term studies about what working in 2500 m high altitude does to your body.

Can you confirm or deny the rumour of the secret Ryanair village where all the fit flight attendants go at the end of the day to eat and sleep (and lez off)?

I have never met anyone working for ryanair, but I guess its not really true. Sounds like a weird airtravel-enthusiasts sexy dream too me.....

Have you ever hooked up during a flight ?

No and I've never actually seen someone do it. But there are stories and tales and always a lot of gossip going on, about colleagues hooking-up

No Mile High Club?

non that I've ever seen.

What is the most fun European city for a layover?

Sofia, Amsterdam

I heard a good tip from a friend of mine who is working as a steward in a major airline. He told me a good way to get free goodies is to inform the flight attendant about your mate's birthday and asking you all to do something for him. They will get a cake out and sometimes champagnes from the first class cabins. How true is this and does your airline practise this too? Also, do you like doing Indians flight? My mate hates it.

Ah i'm ok with the indians, I think flight attendants are a quite racist crowd, bc we get confronted with stereotypes all the time, but I also think that you shouldnt let yourself believe too much of that. I also enjoy flights to israel, but most colleagues hate it.

That is precisely what will happen. Champagne seems a bit over the top,though

A friend of mine wants to be a flight attendant; what special training or education did you have to endure, or is this a job one can apply and hope they get picked? Basically, how does one become a flight attendant?

I dont know how american procedures are. Here in Europe you need to have to have the countries highest highschool-degree or a lower degree but a two year job-training. The following should apply to the US too: you apply for the job online, sent letter, curriculum vitae and job certificates etc., if they answer you, you do an online-test, if you pass that, you may be invited to an assessment center, and if you pass this you get into training which takes roughly about two months...you also have to pass a shitload of medical tests.

Are blankets really washed before put back in plastic bags?

gosh, I dearly hope so.

Why could 35 people not come on my flight because there was one less flight attendant available?

Is there a rule that states there should be at least 1 flight attendant for an x number of people or something?

International law says one flight attendant per 50 people. IATA regulations say one flight attendant per 50 seats, no matter if there are passengers sitting there or not.

Why don't you provide additional meals, since, I assume, there are always leftovers?

I do! I dont know what other airlines policies are there.

If the nearest emergency exit is behind me, should I really use it or am I better off going forward?

always use the one you can reach the fastest, usally the closest, but if that one is running slow or if that one is blocked, use the one that gets you out the quickest. That should be the priority, to get out asap. If the wings catch fire it takes the whole airplane 30secs to explode, so where ever you go, JUST GET THE FUCK OUT

Is there any guaranteed way to get a free upgrade on flights? :D

No. Definitly not...and my airline doesnt give any free upgrades unless the flight is highly overbooked.

I was once flying from Frankfurt to Munich and there was a pretty bad snow storm. I think it was covering most of Germany. We were not able to land in Munich immidietly and had to wait for 20 minutes until they cleared runways. Were we in any danger of running out of fuel? How long would a plane wait? Where would it go if landing in Munich was deemed impossible?

Not OP.

All aircraft carry more fuel than it takes to make the journey. The cockpit crew pays very close attention to fuel consumption (it is a major factor in whether that flight is profitable or not) so they would alert ground control if they were running dangerously low.

Europe is littered with dozens of airports capable of handling your flight. If your primary destination is no longer an option for any reason, the pilot will be given the nearest available suitable facility to land (if a diversion is necessary for any reason - like the recent American seat tilt disturbances).

Nothing more to say to that :)

What is your experience with people bringing their instrument inside the airplane? A lot of guitarists are trying to get their equipment safely to their destination, but some flights don't allow people to bring their guitar in the cabin. Do you usually allow it? And if so does it count as hand luggage?

You have to pay extra and declare, its no problems most of the time. Cellos get an extra seat+restraining device. We once hat a whole brass orchestra on board. People usally bring their instruments, rarely guitarists though.

I am USAF aircrew on a cargo plane, and I play the "flight attendant" roles on my jet. I feel your pain. We get dementia'd retirees and unruly kids just the same as you, though in smaller numbers.

But I also want to gloat that I get to yell at the passengers to sit down when I tell them to. My cargo compartment, my rules. Don't like it? Leave. You're not paying to be here anyways. It makes the job much easier, that's for true.

What a sweet dream.

If your carrier wanted to put you on a flight to a country that was experiencing a plague outbreak like Ebola, could you refuse to go?

I can refuse flights due to fear, bc of wars, deseases etc.

Since nobody asked this, why do we have to open the sun shades?

So that in case of take-off/landing abortion and emergency, we can look out and see the outside conditions (water, fire..)

What happens if I gamble on a fart and lose? Can I sit in first class?

please specify "losing the gamble on a fart". Alsoo er...Behave in first class as if you are worthy of first class?

Well see... a lot of us, maybe a lot of us guys fart. And sometimes those farts aren't actual farts. They're solid. Or sometimes liquid. So when we're pushing out a fart, we don't always know. It's a gamble. If we lose, well... we've probably ruined the seat.

Thus why I asked if that lets me move to first class for a new seat.

get it. they will ask you to change your clothes, maybe maybe ask you to leave first class (BUT WHERE TO REALLY?! Its a goddamn airplane, impossible to bring you out of reach of anyone..) and we have airfreshers and stuff. If you pushed it too far and the smell is out of control, landing.

If you pushed it too far and the smell is out of control, landing.

wait uhhh... has this actually happened?

I can't exactly imagine somebody have so much diarrhea that it forces an airplane to land, but then again theres nothing too gross to exist and airplanes have landed a lot of times because of unbearable smell.

get it. they will ask you to change your clothes, maybe maybe ask you to leave first class (BUT WHERE TO REALLY?! Its a goddamn airplane, impossible to bring you out of reach of anyone..) and we have airfreshers and stuff. If you pushed it too far and the smell is out of control, landing.

Do you have a picture?

in contact to prove to mods just know. Cant do it publically, as my company has a very high secret-keeping policy

Do you have any story when you were assigned to accompany children?

Fortunatly not, most of them are pretty cool checked out frequent flyers.

I once wanted to become a pilot but after a few transatlantic flights, being on a plane for that sorta time becomes unbearable. So my question is(this might've been asked before, sorry I hadn't gone through every single comment): since becoming a flight attendant, have you become more comfortable being on a plane? for example aeroplane ear etc.

I dont really realise I'm flying anymore, not as a passenger or on duty, it just "feels" the same after some time. But you are, right being in an airplane can become unbearable sometimes, when you are tired e.g. After all its an unescapable metal tube.

Unescapable metal tube? Looks like I'm never visiting my sister again :D on a serious note though thanks for the AMA

I'm a real star with the aviophobiacs.

What's the scariest thing that has happened to you on a plane, like something that was a "close call" ?

Rome ATC "accidently" sending us through a thunder storm for landing, crazy turbulence, people vomiting, crying, my senior got really scared, prepared for an emergency landing. In the end we just had a go-around and went on to another landing strip and everything was fine. But we all got a good scare and the pilots wrote a long report.

What type of mental or physical training do you need to go through to work at such high altitudes? (Breathing at high elevation? Practicing balance during turbulence, meditation to deal with the beck-and-call of so many passengers?)

Thank you for all the work you do; I wish more people understood that flight stewards are there first and foremost for safety, and providing snacks is an additional duty!

I dont do any of that I only had to learn how to sleep on the spot (unfortunatly I wake-up always very soon after that). The working in the altitudes is just harder on the body, like working on a mountain, people with high blood pressure get easily dizzy. Also NEVER go to work when you're even slightly sick, is something all of us learn the hard way. I once got the flu on duty and by the time i was back on ground, I passed out on the stairs. Also no flying with blocked nose, you can seriously damage your ears, and it hurts and is painful as shit. Counts for passengers too.

What's the pay like?

Not really great, but since its a job you can do right after school, still good.

A woman that I am friends with at the dog park is a flight attendent for a private airline. She works 7-on 7-off and flies both national and international flights. I'd like to get her a little gift that would be useful while out of town. Do you have any suggestions?

Hmm, she probably has everything she needs while traveling, because she does it all the time. Better give her something she can use in those precious hours at home.

How do I get better personal service?

be charming, be nice.

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I can really not say that basic attractiveness is a big factor here in europe. Your weight must not be over slight overweight, but thats all to that. What counts a lot is the way you dress, wear make-up/beard etc.- They pay A LOT attention to that.

What is the best advice you'd give someone who suffers from anxiety and has to make a 10,000 mile journey solo soon?

I answered that question earlier, pls search for it. I wish you the best for your trip! Take a good book!

Are you hot, most of you are, please be hot, are you hot?

:D

super hot, naturally.

Prove it!

^{_^}

Oh man, if I do so, I cant talk as freely anymore because I might be breaching my contract