From My Perspective…

Yes, I am 100% aware that without paying customers, those of us who work in any form of the service industry wouldn’t get paid.  I get that.  I am grateful to those people who buy tickets to fly with my airline. I even have a favourite “blurb” at the end of every flight! “On behalf of WS, but ESPECIALLY this inflight Crew, we’d like to thank you for flying with us today.  If you weren’t in your seat, we wouldn’t be in ours, and we sure do appreciate that you chose to fly with us today” and I completely, 110% mean it.  I love that people choose to fly us, in fact.. to them… I say…  KEEP DOING IT!  FLY! FLY! FLY!!

That being said…..

I have a few minor annoyances that I’d like to air.  As part of my campaign to make air travel that much friendlier for us all.

1.  The aisle.  I know you are sitting in the aisle SEAT…  however…  the actual AISLE isn’t part of that seat.  Your bags shouldn’t be laying where people can trip on them, nor should your feet be stretched all the way out, able to play a quick game of footsies with the person across the aisle.  (No.. I don’t care HOW cute she is…  try chatting her up instead!!) Now, if you choose to ignore the previous piece of advice, and a Flight Attendant gently reminds you to pull your feet or elbows in, as a cart is coming thru – don’t glare at him/her!  Trust me – they are doing you a FAVOUR.  Being hit by an aircraft service cart HURTS.

2.  The Seatbelt Sign.  This is a valuable information tool.  It’s there for your SAFETY.  While we are all in the cabin, happily serving or sipping drinks, watching TV, reading a book.. the pilots are in constant contacts with ATC (Air Traffic Control).  They get all sorts of information from those ATC folks..  things like TURBULENCE REPORTS.  So while yes, it might be quite smooth right now – chances are if the Captain has turned that Seatbelt Sign ON…  you should probably return to your seat, and remain seated, with your seatbelt securely fastened…  well…  you know the drill.  On the off chance that it’s honestly an oversight on the Captain’s part, the turbulence is over… and you REALLY have to go…  and you sheepishly make your way in the direction of the lav..  your Flight Attendant is going to remind you that the Seatbelt sign *IS* on, and that the safest place for you is in your seat.  That is ALL s/he is going to say to you.  Repeatedly, if you ask permission to use the washroom, or go into a huge story about how and why you need in there.  It’s best to just remain seated…

3.  Eye Contact.  MAKE IT.  Your Flight Crew is made up of HUMAN BEINGS.  Like you, they appreciate good manners.  Now, I completely understand that the book you are reading is the read of the century.  I totally get that some girl is about to hand a rose to some guy, or better yet – someone is about to get voted off the island.  But, my friend, it’s a sad state our society has gotten to if you can’t raise your eyes for 5seconds, use the words “please” and “thank-you” and look me in the eye.  Even if you don’t want a coffee or any snacks..  it’s just a respect thing.

and while we are on the topic of good manners… please use them.  Have your children use them.  Really, your children should be using them all the time – but this isn’t a parenting blog….  so I will leave that one alone.  You have no idea what a difference to my day it makes if you, a guest on my plane, use manners and show respect.  I don’t expect respect because of my job, I expect respect as a fellow human being.

Now, please know that this post is very tongue-in-cheek.  It’s not meant to offend anyone in anyway.  Just a little rant or vent, as they say.  I certainly ensure that I follow the above “airplane etiquette” at all times.  I shower daily, I come to work with a smile on my face.  I enjoy what I do, and love meeting the Guests we have the privilege of taking from point A to point B.  I do my best to not hit you with my carts, even if your feet ARE dangerously close to the cute girl across the aisle.  I joke, I laugh, I smile.  I hope that you can see the love I have for my job and my industry whenever you encounter me.

Safe Flying to Everyone.