Provide personal services to ensure the safety, security, and comfort of airline passengers during flight. Greet passengers, verify tickets, explain use of safety equipment, and serve food or beverages.
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
The most important knowledge, skills, and abilities (KSAs) are listed for Flight Attendants.
Knowledge:
Customer and Personal Service - Knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal services. This includes customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction. Public Safety and Security - Knowledge of relevant equipment, policies, procedures, and strategies to promote effective local, state, or national security operations for the protection of people, data, property, and institutions. Transportation - Knowledge of principles and methods for moving people or goods by air, rail, sea, or road, including the relative costs and benefits. English Language - Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar. Psychology - Knowledge of human behavior and performance; individual differences in ability, personality, and interests; learning and motivation; psychological research methods; and the assessment and treatment of behavioral and affective disorders.
Skills:
Speaking - Talking to others to convey information effectively. Service Orientation - Actively looking for ways to help people. Social Perceptiveness - Being aware of others' reactions and understanding why they react as they do. Active Listening - Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times. Coordination - Adjusting actions in relation to others' actions. Monitoring - Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.
Abilities:
Oral Comprehension - The ability to listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences. Oral Expression - The ability to communicate information and ideas in speaking so others will understand. Speech Clarity - The ability to speak clearly so others can understand you. Problem Sensitivity - The ability to tell when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong. It does not involve solving the problem, only recognizing there is a problem. Speech Recognition - The ability to identify and understand the speech of another person.
Aircraft escape or ejection systems - Emergency exit doors and windows, Evacuation slides, Slideraft packs, Window exit escape ropes Aircraft oxygen equipment - Chemical oxygen generators, Portable oxygen equipment, Protective breathing equipment, Supplemental oxygen systems Cool containers - Refreshment carts, Refrigeration units, Storage compartments Life vests or preservers - Flotation seat cushions, Life preservers Lifeboats or liferafts - Emergency rafts, Sliderafts
Technology:
Calendar and scheduling software - AD OPT Altitude, Arkitektia Flight Itinerary, Bid Assistant, SBS International Maestro Suite, ValtamTech Flight Crew Log Computer based training software - IBM Lotus LearningSpace
For those of us who consider pets members of the family, leaving them behind when we travel often isn't an option, especially if they're a certified companion or therapy animal. Sometimes, however, we just want to bring our furry friends along. Fortunately, the travel industry has cottoned on to this fact (we hate to give Paris Hilton credit for anything, but she probably did help to facilitate this one), and an increasing number of hotels, airlines, bars, and even restaurants are cool with guests bringing along an animal.
If you're thinking of hitting the road (or skies) with your dog, cat, or even rabbit (don't laugh; the Fairmont Vancouver Airport hotel has a lot of guests from Asia who travel with their bunny buddies), here's some tips on making the journey easier for everyone involved:
Do your research Don't waste your precious holiday time trying to find a hotel last-minute that accepts pets. Book rooms beforehand, and be sure to ask about pet deposits. CNN posted an article today on the 12 of the world's dog-friendliest hotels. Many properties go to great lengths to ensure your loved one (no, we're not talking about your spouse or partner) is comfortable, well-fed, and walked regularly, even if you're busy enjoying other activities. The same book-ahead/ask questions before, not after, approach should apply with regard to airlines and other forms of public transportation.
Assess your pet's attitude The cardinal sin of traveling with a pet is toting along an animal with behavioral issues. This is especially true if you're flying or taking another form of public transit. No one is going to sympathize with you if your cat is yowling or your dog isn't housebroken. Hotels also don't appreciate pet damage. We get it, it's your baby. But be honest with yourself (better yet, ask someone unbiased, like your vet) about your pet's behavior, and whether or not they'll make a good travel companion.
Get to the vet You should always take your pet to the vet for a physical before a big trip, or if you know they're an anxious traveler. Sedatives can reduce their stress, (and in the process, that of seatmates and guests in neighboring rooms), and you also want to rule out any health issues. Try to avoid traveling with baby animals, especially those that haven't had all of their immunizations.
If you're traveling overseas or even out-of-state, certain documents such as rabies certificates will likely be required. A pet passport will also be required for certain countries, and will make traveling with your animal easier. Quarantine is also required for certain species traveling to and from specific destinations, including Hawaii (which doesn't have rabies, and they'd like to keep it that way, thanks). A clean bill of health from your veterinarian is also commonly required.
Flying the furry skies Airline policies vary, so be prepared to make a lot of calls. Pet Airlines is a handy aggregate site that directs you to the pet policies of various airlines and hotels. If at all possible, have your pet travel with you in coach. Airline travel is stressful for pets regardless, but in cargo, the temperature can reach dangerous levels (be it heat or cold), and once in a blue moon, mistakes do occur with regard to transfers or baggage handling. It's worth the extra dollars to keep an eye on your pet; you may also want to consider pet insurance.
Try to stick to a schedule As previously mentioned, travel can be stressful for pets. It's important that you stick to regular feeding times (if there's a major time change, you'll have to slowly adjust it) and your usual pet food; changing an animal's diet suddenly can result in gastrointestinal upsets. Exercise and playtime are also critical. While you're at it, suss out the nearest 24-hour emergency vet clinic.
Stupid, Crazy, or Both? By Kara On August 5, 2013 · Add Comment · In Advice, Destinations To Discover, Edinburgh, Escapades in Europe, FAQ, Flight Attendant Job, Flight Attendant Stories, Flight Attendant Travel, Humor, My Life Is Crazy, The UK, Travel
Stupid, Crazy, or Both. I’m describing those that choose to fly standby. Yup. Legitimately nuts. Ultimately, I’m describing myself. Traveling standby is how I travel so frequently, which is awesome, but behind the glamour, there has been scenes of me; crying, stressed, alone, cause all of the flights are full, and I can’t get home. If you are unfamiliar with the term standby, basically it means flying on a flight without a prior reservation for that flight. There are a couple of situations when regular paying customers travel this way, but this post focuses on The Flight Attendant Life and standby travel.
Many don’t understand or realize the inside rules and world of airline employees. Part of that world includes free or discounted travel. How it generally works is that an airline employee; pilot, flight attendant, or ground agent, can fly on their airline, or other airlines, when not working, for free, or at a discount, if there are seats available, that have not been purchased by other paying customers. Depending on which airline the flight attendant, pilot, or agent works for determines which carriers the individual may travel on, and the cost associated (if there is one). Wikipedia shares a definition to explain stand-by travel, which can also be referred to as non-revving, non-rev travel, or space available.
If you are looking for adventure, spontaneity, and want to experience travel like a flight attendant, travel stand-by. It’s the way that I travel most of the time. Well, sometimes travel, but more realistically stress, often waiting at airports, watching plane after plane take-off without me. In January, I was at Boston Logan International Airport, and I overheard a group of gentleman, one of which said, quite loudly, “I need to marry a flight attendant so I can travel for free.” Uniform and all, I sighed, and quietly laughed to myself. I’ll continue to let him live in his fantasy, because I had clearly woken up from mine. The reality is that I have spent sleepless nights, in so many airports, or had to drop lots of dollars to cover transportation to and from an airport, book last-minute hotels, or purchase exorbitantly priced flights to make my work trip and not get fired. Being a flight attendant doesn’t always get me anywhere very quickly.
Behind the glamour of being able to fly anywhere that I want to, whenever I want to, lies that ugly truth that it’s not often that way. Standby is a double edge sword of heaven and hell. I mean yes, I have gotten to see the world, and I have some great travel stories because of this spontaneous type of travel. Like the few times I’ve been lucky to fly first class for free, or when I decided, the day before, to fly to Iceland, or changed my mind about flying to Dublin, which led me to meeting Sweden in Copenhagen. There are definitely upsides to being a flight attendant.
Also, roughly calculated, I’ve probably already racked up the equivalent of $40,000 worth of airline tickets if I had been required to actually pay for my seats on flights. That’s significant. My salary is poverty line, but with my frequent use of my travel benefit, I think I make up for the monetary downsides of my career. Can one really put a dollar value on life experiences? Research shows the happiest individuals are the ones that spend on memories as opposed to buying things. I’ve possibly taken buying experiences to the extreme, but my choices to not buy a new car or to have my own address, have allowed for me to be able to see the world, meet people, and learn in a hands-on, in-the-moment way.
I am so happy with my travel life, but that hell aspect of standby travel is very real, and it does exist. It’s the side that causes stress, anxiety, loss of sleep, and all things exhausting. Planning is mostly futile when traveling like a flight attendant, because expecting leads to disappointment, and booking beforehand leads to lost deposits or missed hotel stays. And then there is the mad scramble to find someone to cover that work trip. Yes, it’s crazy.
I experienced the hell of standby travel this past week, and all I kept thinking was, “I must be stupid, crazy, or both to think that it was a good idea, to fly, without a ticket, in the middle of summer, to popular European destinations.” I scolded myself, saying I should know better, but really, I can’t predict the future. In life, it’s essential to take a reasonable amount of risk. If I chose to play it safe, most of my travel experiences over the course of my flying career would not have not happened. Last year, I had my heart set on seeing Tallinn, Estonia, and dreams came true when the airline of that small country let me ride in the flight deck, on the extra jump seat, for a short hour and a half flight (which, not legal for US based carriers, but sometimes allowed, although still rare, for international based airlines). I wouldn’t have gone to Croatia or experienced Oktoberfest with Emily. I wouldn’t have met some of my best friends in the whole world. I wouldn’t be who I am right now.
All that being said, would I recommend traveling standby? Absolutely not. You want to stay cool, calm, and collected, have a seamlessly smooth vacation, and know where you will end up? Answer yes, and don’t do it. Answer you want an adventure, still question your judgment in traveling standby. If you really have to be somewhere, buy your ticket, or be willing to fork out a bunch of money if everything goes to (excuse my french) shit. Having someone available to catch you when you fall apart helps too, and another word of advice is wait to fall apart till after you have solved the problem of being stuck. Getting back to Hawaii after my recent adventure to The UK turned into an absolute impossible puzzle that had me flying to Amsterdam, hoping to get from there to Los Angeles, and if that didn’t work, my last ditch plan was attempting to get to Reykjavik, Iceland, Then to Seattle. Then to Honolulu. All in the same day. Hell of a commute. Oh yes. Ridiculous.
Stand-by travel is subject to so many variables, it’s not a predictable art or science. JFK has been a hell on a random Wednesday, in January, but I got out of there right before a hurricane hit, so go figure. I often make flights I think I have no chance of getting a seat on, and miss flights that I thought was not going to be a problem. Stand-by, starting out free or cheap, can become an expensive game, of last minute hotels, unintended extensions to vacations, missed work days, and an all-around stressed out hell.
If you really hate someone, and you are an airline crew member, share one of your ‘buddy passes’ with them. Stand-by travel can be the sweetest revenge. Make sure you list them for a flight, for a date in the middle of summer, on a Sunday of a Friday. Send them to somewhere in Europe or Tel Aviv. Oh and tell them, that there is a possibility to fly first class. Their eyes will glimmer as you talk up all the places and tell the stories about that one time you just decided to fly to Paris for lunch. Send them on their vacation and see what happens. You probably won’t see them for weeks past their desired return date.
I do think that I am stupid for making standby travel such a big part of my life, crazy for thinking it will work, and a whole other level of nuts for finding some glee in all of it. I love surprises and standby can yield the sweetest spontaneity. I spent the last two weeks in The UK, and because I got stuck, missing so many flights, the extra days in Edinburgh allowed me to experience a little more of Fringe Festival. The only reason that I went to Amsterdam was because I thought I had a better chance of getting to the states through The Netherlands. It has been years since I walked along the canal streets and envied those riding the Dutchie Bikes, and because my plan didn’t work exactly great, I got one night to enjoy a nice dinner by the canal and walk the streets.
Standby teaches me faith and that miracles happen in the little things. It teaches me to hold on to peace when most of life is out of my control. There was a point in my life when I wanted to control everything, and for me, to embrace traveling, destination unknown, with fascination and excitement, is a miracle in itself.
Standby is crazy. It’s stupid, but throw in a little bit of beautiful, for it is that too.
Stupid, Crazy, or Both? By Kara On August 5, 2013 · Add Comment · In Advice, Destinations To Discover, Edinburgh, Escapades in Europe, FAQ, Flight Attendant Job, Flight Attendant Stories, Flight Attendant Travel, Humor, My Life Is Crazy, The UK, Trave
Вот как раз для Деда Щукаря Всё про желающих воспользоваться положенным и пощекотать себе нервы
Отправлено: 19.08.13 20:58. Заголовок: ну да.. так и есть) ..
ну да.. так и есть) всегда вырубали бессмысленные правила и еще больше те, кто считает что они должны неукоснительно соблюдаться и при этом не в состоянии хоть как-нибудь объяснить их смысл.. и тем более грустнее если это инструктор или сб.. ps из той же оперы - не снимайте меня, вы не имеете права! - я не вас снимаю, вы просто в кадр попали.. - все равно не имеете права! - а где это написано? - в журнале афл, в конце - но там этого нет.. только запрещено пользоваться тем и тем во время взлета-посадки, но сейчас же на эшелоне летим.. - я не хочу чтобы вы меня снимали и все тут.. это нарушение моих гражданских прав! - а о каких правах именно вы говорите? и тд и тп ясно что не всем нравится когда их снимают, но если говоришь что-то в роде "это запрещено" или "вы не имеете права" будь готов сослаться на конкретный норму/закон/правило, а не выдумывать их.. вариант 2: - выключите пожалуйста телефон на время взлета - ok, я перевел его в режим полета - я понимаю, но все электронные устройства должны быть выключены во время ... тра-ля-ля - но ведь производитель специально предусмотрел летный режим для использования устройства на борту самолета.. - согласно правилам все электронные... тра-ля-ля - /чел сдался и переводит тел. в ждущий режим, по сути просто включает блокировку экрана../ - спасибо! результат - чел в аффекте от уровня интеллекта бортпроводника, а у бортпроводника - катарсис, благодаря своей бессмысленной, но в то же время исключительной исполнительности в вопросе соблюдения "норм безопасности". Телефон же как был включен так и остался
Отправлено: 20.08.13 00:05. Заголовок: ух ты, сколько инфор..
ух ты, сколько информации особенно круто описаны всякие инциденты из-за PED'ов в стиле
цитата:
FLT CREW OF MD80 EXPERIENCE MISALIGNED HEADING INFO ON FMS DISPLAY. SUSPECT PAX OPERATED ELECTRONIC DEVICES. ACN: 597486 (36 of 50)
цитата:
A B757-200′S L FUEL GAUGE BLANKED AFTER TKOF AND BECAME OPERABLE PRIOR TO LNDG. CREW SUSPECTS POSSIBLE PED INTERFERENCE. ACN: 673795 (21 of 50)
и тп понятно почему здравомыслие в конечном итоге побеждает. хотя я больше склоняюсь к вмешательству инопланетян. Впрочем, интересно что как раз к нашему разговору, после того как наконец с 2006 года, когда хоть что-то по делу признали (в оправдание "раз не знаем лучше запретим")
цитата:
Нет доказательств, что электронные приборы могут повлиять на работу самолета, однако мы не можем утверждать и то, что они однозначно не могут, заявил Лес Дорр (Les Dorr), представитель Федерального управления гражданской авиации США.
Исследования, проведенные управлением в 2006 году совместно с Радиотехнической комиссией по аэронавтике (Radio Technical Commission for Aeronautics) подтвердили эту позицию.
они все ж таки начали делать какие-то реальные шаги в правильном направлении. Странно что еще так долго сопротивлялись. и хоть споры все идут.. но сдвигаются качели в сторону здравомыслия уже с прошлого года, даже вот наш бОльший брат в лице дельты воюет на стороне света.. того гляди, уже в этом месяце обещали какие подвижки. А лед тронется, лет через 5 гляди и у нас будут перенимать "передовой американский опыт"
by Rob Annis (RSS feed) on Aug 16th 2013 at 2:00PM
Few things are as frustrating to travelers as a huge bank of frequent-flier points and not being able to use them. With fewer seats and routes available, airlines are making it more difficult to trade miles for free flights, knowing they can sell more tickets at a premium price. They're gambling that customers with large banks of points will stay continue to stay loyal for fear of losing the miles they've worked so hard to accumulate.
So if you can't cash in your points for flights, what can you do with them?
Donate Them At a former job years ago, a colleague needed to fly home for a family emergency but didn't have the money. A few employees quickly pooled frequent-flier points that allowed him to make the trip. Another time, some extended family members used their combined miles to send a cousin and her new husband on a honeymoon.
If you don't have a needy co-worker or family member, you can always give them to an organization that will use them to help others. The Fisher House Foundation's "Hero Miles" program has provided more than 40,000 tickets to wounded, injured and ill service members and their families over the years, while Mercy Medical Airlift provided almost 10,000 free airline tickets to patients in need, thanks to generous mileage donations. The Make-A-Wish Foundation has need of more than 2.5 billion miles in order to send kids and their families to their desired destinations around the world.
Trade Them On Points.com, you can either trade your miles from one airline for another carrier's points or even exchange them all together for various products or gift cards from retailers like Amazon or Starbucks. But the exchange rates for miles are fairly high in many cases, and should only be used if you have a large block of miles that are going to expire soon. My friend Tim Wozniak exchanges expiring miles for magazine and newspaper subscriptions. Use Them For Other Travel Needs The Wall Street Journal's Scott McCartney posted an excellent piece this week on redeeming airline miles for hotel rooms, rental cars and more. Not surprisingly, the elite-level traveler is going to score much better deals than your average flier -- the amount of American Airlines miles needed for hotel stays and car rentals is 40 percent less for platinum-level frequent fliers than the rank-and-file. A penny per mile is the typical exchange for domestic flights, car rentals and hotels for most higher-level loyalty programs. One travel expert McCartney spoke to believes mileage programs will eventually evolve into package deals, encompassing flights, hotels, cars and travel insurance.
Getting arrested is probably far down the list of most people's travel concerns. After all, we're usually focused on checking museums and monuments off our bucket list -- not engaging in illicit activity. But seemingly innocuous behavior can get you into trouble in many parts of the world, including things like wearing bikinis and chewing gum.
The British Foreign Office has released a warning about strange foreign laws after a report revealed that nearly a third of Britons seeking consular assistance were arrested or detained abroad. They say many travelers don't realize that activities that are perfectly legal at home could get you locked up or fined in another country.
A few of the unusual foreign laws they highlighted include:
Venice: It's illegal to feed pigeons here.
Nigeria: Taking mineral water into the country could land you in hot water.
Singapore: Chewing gum on public transit is a big no-no.
Japan: Watch out if you have allergies. A lot of nasal sprays are on this country's black list.
Wondering what other laws could get you locked up abroad? Here are a few more we rounded up:
Dubai: Kissing in public could land you in jail in this conservative country.
Thailand: Stepping on the local currency -- which bears the image of the king -- is seen as disrespecting the monarch and could get you arrested.
Greece: Wearing stilettos at archaeological sites in Greece will get you into trouble. The pointy shoes are banned because of the damage they cause to the historic monuments.
Germany: It's against the law to run out of gas on the autobahn. Stopping unnecessarily on this fast-paced high way is illegal, and that includes those who forget to fill up their tank.
by Sean McLachlan (RSS feed) on Sep 4th 2013 at 10:30AM squat toiletsSean McLachlan Chances are your morning glory isn't good for you.
In the Western world we're second place when it comes to doing Number Two. A growing number of medical experts agree that our seat toilets aren't nearly as good as squat toilets, which are what's used on the majority of places in Asia, Africa, the Middle East and Latin America.
It all comes down to positioning.
The medical textbook Gastroenterology, the definitive reference to the subject and written by three MDs, states, "The ideal posture for defecation is the squatting position, with the thighs flexed upon the abdomen. In this way the capacity of the abdominal cavity is greatly diminished and intra-abdominal pressure increased, thus encouraging expulsion ..."
In plain English, squatting releases pressure on your rectum and makes it easier to poop. Sitting in a Western style toilet is means you're pushing against your own muscles. Many doctors say that using squat toilets reduce the chances of constipation, hemorrhoids, even bowel cancer.
Neuroscientist Daniel Lametti writes that wile there haven't been any smoking gun statistics for cancer, it makes intuitive sense that people would be less constipated if they squat and less likely to put strain on their anus that would cause hemorrhoids.
Having spent a great deal of time in countries where squat toilets were the only option, I can testify that squatting is easier on the bum, if not the thighs. You get through your business quicker, and it does feel easier and more natural. It's how we're built, after all. Interested in learning more? Check out this article on how to use squat toilets.
Flight Attendant~ “To the Flying Public, We’re Sorry”- author unknown August 22, 2010 By Martha's Whirled News
To the Flying Public: We’re sorry
We’re sorry we have no pillows.
We’re sorry we’re out of blankets.
We’re sorry the airplane is too cold.
We’re sorry the airplane is too hot.
We’re sorry the overhead bins are full.
We’re sorry we have no closet space for your oversized bag.
We’re sorry that’s not the seat you wanted.
We’re sorry there’s a restless toddler/overweight/offensive smelling passenger seated next to you.
We’re sorry the plane is full and there are no other seats available.
We’re sorry you didn’t get your upgrade.
We’re sorry that guy makes you uncomfortable because he “looks like a terrorist”.
We’re sorry there’s a thunderstorm and we can’t take off.
We’re sorry we don’t know when it will stop.
We’re sorry you’re crammed into a space so small that if you were an animal PETA would protest.
We’re sorry our plane has no music or video entertainment for your 3 hour flight.
We’re sorry we ran out of your favorite soda.
We’re sorry there are no more sandwiches.
We’re sorry that Budweiser costs $6.
We’re sorry we don’t have diapers for your baby.
We’re sorry we don’t have milk for same baby.
We’re sorry you can’t hang out by the cockpit door waiting to use the bathroom.
We’re sorry you can’t hang out at the back of the airplane.
We’re sorry you have to sit down and fasten your seatbelt.
We’re sorry you have to put your seat up for landing.
We’re sorry we don’t know when we’re going to land.
We’re sorry we don’t know whether your plane to (substitute any city in the world) will be waiting for you when we land.
We’re sorry we’ve been diverted because we ran out of gas waiting to land.
We’re sorry for these and so many other things that we have absolutely no control over but which we are held accountable for EVERY SINGLE DAY.
Please understand. Flight attendants are not the enemy. We share your space. More than anyone – we want to have a nice, pleasant travel experience.
There is a reason behind everything we ask you to do. It may be a FAA directive. It may be security related. It may be a company procedure.
We don’t just make stuff up. We don’t spend 8 weeks at the flight academy learning how to pour a Coke. There are many things that flight attendants are watching for constantly on every flight FOR YOUR SAFETY. It’s not because we’re bored or so controlling that we just enjoy telling people what to do. I, for one, would like to have one flight where I didn’t have to repeatedly tell people to put their seats up for landing. Seriously. Can’t you just do what we ask sometimes? Without the glares, eye rolling and disdain? For the record – putting your seat up for landing may not seem that important to your personal safety. However, it is very important for the person sitting BEHIND YOU. If you have ever tried to get out of a row where someone has their seat back you know it can be a challenge. Try grabbing your ankles (emergency brace position) or getting out of that row quickly with smoke in the cabin.
Understand a little better now?
Many of the things we ask passengers to comply with are FAA directives. Like carry-on bag stowage and exit row requirements. When we can serve drinks (in the air) and when we can’t (after the aircraft door is closed or on an active taxi-way). We are only allowed to move about the cabin during taxi out for safety related duties. We can’t get you blankets, or hang coats, or get you drinks. It’s not because we don’t want to. It’s because we are held personally responsible if we fail to comply with FAA directives. Meaning that the FAA can fine us personally up to $10,000 if we fail to comply or enforce an FAA Directive.
Like no bags at the bulkhead. No children in the exit row. No one moving around the cabin during taxi. Perhaps now you know why flight attendants get a little testy when people move about the cabin when they’re not supposed to. It’s not the company that gets in trouble for that. It’s us.
Personally, I wish the airlines would show worst case scenario safety videos. Like what happens if you walk through the cabin during turbulence. There could be a guy who has just fallen and smacked his face on the metal armrest and now has a bloody, gushing broken nose. Or an elderly lady who now has a broken arm because someone walking to the bathroom fell on her.
Maybe a passenger with a broken neck becaus e somebody opened an overhead bin during turbulence and a suitcase fell out and onto the person sitting beneath it. These things can easily happen in a fast moving, unstable air environment.
Please just trust that we are looking out for your best interest and stop fighting with us about everything we ask you to do. It is exhausting.
Finally, please, please direct your hostility and frustrations in the direction where they will be most effective: The customer service department. They are the ones equipped to handle your complaint and implement procedures for CHANGE.
Think about it. Complaining to the flight crew about all your negative travel experiences is about the same as complaining to the office janitor because your computer isn’t working. It may make you feel better to vent about it – but it really won’t fix anything. More than anybody we are already aware of the lack of amenities, food, service and comfort on the aircraft. Please share your concerns with the people in the cubicles at corporate who need that information to make better decisions for the flying public.
It’s frustrating that so many people are in denial about what the travel industry is about now. The glory days of pillows, blankets, magazines and a hot meal for everyone are long gone. Our job is to get you from point A to point B safely and at the cheapest possible cost to you and the company. So be prepared. If you are hungry – get a sandwich before you get on the plane.
If it’s a 3 hour flight, anticipate that you may get hungry and bring some snacks. If you are cold natured – bring a wrap. Think for yourself and think ahead. Otherwise, don’t complain when you have to pay $3 for a cookie and are left with a crusty blanket to keep you warm.
We hear often that the service just isn’t what is used to be. Well, the SERVICE we provide now isn’t what it used to be. When I was hired, my job was to serve drinks, meals, ensure that safety requirements were met and tend to in-flight medical issues.
Since 9/11 my primary job is to ensure that my airplane will not be compromised by a terrorist. 9/11 may be a distant memory now to many, but be assured that EVERY DAY a flight attendant reports to work he or she is constantly thinking about 9/11. We feel a personal responsibility to ensure that something like that never happens again. We can never relax. We can never not be suspicious about someone’s intentions.
It is difficult to be vigilant and gregarious at the same time. Especially when most of us are working 12 hour days after layovers that only allow 5-6 hours of sleep. Not because we were out partying and having a grand time on the layover – but because the delays that you experience as a passenger also affect us as a crew, so that what was a 10 hour layover is now 8 hours which doesn’t leave a lot of time to recover from what has become an increasingly stressful occupation.
Despite everything, I still enjoy being a flight attendant.
I am writing this letter because I do still care about my profession and about the public perception of flight attendants. In the increasingly challenging travel world it is becoming more imperative than ever for people to just be decent to each other. I can go through an entire day without one person saying anything remotely civil. I will stand at the aircraft door and say hello to everyone who enters and maybe 50% will even look at me and even less will say hello back.
I will try to serve someone a meal who can’t be bothered to take their headsets off long enough for me to ask them what they want. Most of the time the only conversation a passenger has with me is when they are complaining.
Is it any wonder why flight attendants have shut down a bit? After suffering the disdain of hundreds of passengers a day it’s difficult sometimes to even smile, much less interact. We are human. We appreciate the same respect and courtesy that passengers do.
The next time you fly, try treating the flight attendants the way you would like to be treated. You may be surprised how friendly your flight crew is when they are treated like people.
A new tool for processing meal orders is flying at Delta Air Lines. The transactions are conducted by flight attendants using a Windows Phone connected to Microsoft Dynamics for Retail. This week, the airline announced that its more than 19,000 flight attendants will be using Nokia Lumia 820 handsets running Windows Phone 8, connected via Wi-Fi and AT&T's 4G LTE network to the Dynamics for Retail mobile point-of-sale platform . The solution was jointly developed by Microsoft, Avanade, AT&T and Nokia.
The system utilizes the Connected Stores Solution from global business technology and managed services provider Avanade, which enables mobile devices to conduct in-store sales and provides advanced analytics to assess performance by employees.
Avanade Mobile Airline Platform
The system, which began testing in June, is based on a customized-for-Delta version of the Avanade Mobile Airline Platform, an end-to-end retail platform developed with Accenture, Avanade's parent company, for Microsoft Dynamics for Retail software . Avanade was founded in 2000 by Accenture and Microsoft.
Avanade integrated the solution into Delta's operational structure, and, for the next three years, will provide ongoing support, maintenance and solution enhancements. By the end of this month, Nokia Lumia 820s will have been distributed to all Delta flight attendants.
Dan O' Hara, Avanade's mobility vice president, said in a statement that "companies in all industries need to enable an end-to-end customer experience across multiple channels." He added that Delta, in particular, wanted to "enable its employees with new ways of working that can drive greater productivity and better engagement with customers."
In addition to handling customer orders on board the aircraft, the system also handles passenger manifests, frequent flyer information, updates about connecting gates, scheduling updates for flight attendants and other dynamic information. The Live Tiles interface offers local weather information and flight tracking data from Delta's Fly application.
Seating Upgrades, E-Receipts
The solution can process credit cards at near real-time speeds for on-board purchases, which can also include upgrades in seating. E-receipts can be sent via e-mail to customers, and the airline plans to add the ability to read coupons displayed on a customer's mobile device. The faster operational times available through the mobile-enabled system are expected to allow more transactions by attendants and more time to attend to passengers' needs.
Additionally, Delta said it will roll out the ability for flight attendants to view customer-specific information, enabling a greater personalization of service. The airline is also expecting to adapt the system for the newest Nokia devices.
Delta has been busy developing technology for customers and employees. Last year, it released the Fly Delta travel app for the iPad, and it launched the new Delta.com in December, 2012. Self-service kiosks, rebuilt for better customer service and expanded capability, were also unveiled last fall.
A vacation is supposed to be your time away from the crazy. Remind me never to travel to any of the same vacation spots these people have booked. I'll take that upgrade and trade you a bus tour of "OH MY GOD THESE PEOPLE ARE NUTS!"
--
These are actual complaints received from dissatisfied customers by Thomas Cook Vacations (based on a Thomas Cook/ABTA survey):
1. "I think it should be explained in the brochure that the local convenience store does not sell proper biscuits like custard creams or ginger nuts."
2. "It's lazy of the local shopkeepers in Puerto Vallarta to close in the afternoons. I often needed to buy things during 'siesta' time -- this should be banned."
3. "On my holiday to Goa in India , I was disgusted to find that almost every restaurant served curry. I don't like spicy food."
4. "We booked an excursion to a water park but no-one told us we had to bring our own swimsuits and towels. We assumed it would be included in the price."
5. "The beach was too sandy. We had to clean everything when we returned to our room."
6. "We found the sand was not like the sand in the brochure. Your brochure shows the sand as white but it was more yellow."
7. "They should not allow topless sunbathing on the beach. It was very distracting for my husband who just wanted to relax."
8. "No one told us there would be fish in the water. The children were scared."
9. "Although the brochure said that there was a fully equipped kitchen, there was no egg-slicer in the drawers."
10. "We went on holiday to Spain and had a problem with the taxi drivers as they were all Spanish."
11. "The roads were uneven and bumpy, so we could not read the local guide book during the bus ride to the resort. Because of this, we were unaware of many things that would have made our holiday more fun."
12. "It took us nine hours to fly home from Jamaica to England. It took the Americans only three hours to get home. This seems unfair."
13. "I compared the size of our one-bedroom suite to our friends' three-bedroom and ours was significantly smaller."
14. "The brochure stated: 'No hairdressers at the resort'. We're trainee hairdressers and we think they knew and made us wait longer for service."
15. "There were too many Spanish people there. The receptionist spoke Spanish, the food was Spanish. No one told us that there would be so many foreigners."
16. "We had to line up outside to catch the boat and there was no air-conditioning."
17. "It is your duty as a tour operator to advise us of noisy or unruly guests before we travel."
18. "I was bitten by a mosquito. The brochure did not mention mosquitoes."
19. "My fiance and I requested twin-beds when we booked, but instead we were placed in a room with a king bed. We now hold you responsible and want to be re-reimbursed for the fact that I became pregnant. This would not have happened if you had put us in the room that we booked."
By cabincrew.com on Monday 14th Oct, 2013 at 16:37
By Patricia Green
It’s an unpleasant thought, but cabin crew can sometimes be seen as a target by criminals around the world. It does not happen often, but the more you are aware, the safer you will be.
From the airport
While in uniform when you are at the airport, always watch your luggage and crew bag, as someone may steal something from them. This could happen at the airport or at the hotel, so keep an eye on those bags. Always stay with your crew at the airport and don’t wander off. This is not just for security but also the ‘uniform standard’. In some countries, there maybe necessary measures taken to stay safe during your journey on the crew bus from the airport to the hotel - this may mean closing all window curtains so no-one can see who is on the bus and sometimes having an armed guard onboard!
At the hotel
Once you are at the hotel and go to your room, prop the door open with your suitcase make sure there is no one behind you and check your room - make sure there is no-one hiding there. Check under the bed, the wardrobe and in the bathroom/shower. If a stranger gets into your room with a key card report it immediately to reception. One way to prevent this is to buy a small plastic door wedge that will stop the door opening – but remember you must be able to find it to get out in an emergency! Use all door locks whilst you are sleeping. Do take a look to see where you nearest emergency exit is, in case of fire and any special instructions for example, what to do in an earthquake. Luckily, in most hotels cabin crew stay in rooms next to each other, so it is much safer for everyone and you should never feel isolated. At reception, take the hotel room numbers of a few of your crew members, so you can stay in touch and report any issues - some hotels will provide you with a crew list and room numbers.
Out and About
Even when you are out and about - locals will know that you are crew even if you are not in uniform! They will see a bunch of people of the same nationality and accents and probably in the same places… they will often know what days crew will be there and what time… and this is not always a good thing. From personal experience, I was talking to a market trader in the Grand Bazaar in Istanbul - a market that thousands of people pass through every day. He said he thought we had more money and could afford a higher price for the items. I asked him why, he said ‘Because you are with..... airline!’ ‘How do you know?’ I asked. He explained that about the same time of day, almost every day 3 or 4 girls would be together looking for gifts and they always had the same earrings, even though the faces were different… And of course he was right about the airline - but not that we were rich like he thought!
Taxis can be a problem is some countries so always set a price before you leave or if it is metered (these can be fixed though) ask for a price he thinks it will be. If possible try not to travel alone in a taxi, unless you are confident about it.
Sometimes, they may say the meter is not working or something and try and charge you extra. Another scam is that he will change a note in his hand and insist you gave him a smaller note, so watch what money you are handing over.
Finally, many crew do like to go out and have a few drinks after their flight - again in some places we become recognizable as crew and may become a target for drink spiking, so do watch your drinks and if you don’t feel well, tell the crew immediately and they will get you back to the hotel. This is essential, as it can be reported to all crew that maybe they should not go to xxx bar as this has taken place.
Now, you know what to look out for - stay safe and have fun!
About the author:
Patricia Green has been Cabin Crew for major airlines in the UK and Middle East for seven years and also an SCCM. She has also worked as a VIP Flight Attendant working for very high profile clients and world leaders on their private jets. Recently Patricia moved to flying on a freelance basis in order to concentrate on working as a freelance instructor as well as setting up as a Cabin Crew Consultant.
She advises potential crew how to get their dream job and helps experienced crew move from commercial to corporate flying. In response to many requests from fellow crew and students, Patricia has written a series of E-books to help guide new crew with lots of insider advice and useful hints and tips.
For more information please visit www.cabincrewconsultant.weebly.com
Browse cabin crew jobs on www.cabincrew.com today.
The company’s standard hiring contract also mandates that women tell a supervisor if they become pregnant and gives the airline the right to fire them upon the discovery.
he International Transport Workers’ Federation (ITF), which represents around 4.5 million transport workers in 150 countries, released a report Tuesday alleging that Qatar Airways violates the basic labor rights of its 70,000+ employees. The organization is in Canada to lobby the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) to take action on the “flagrant abuses of aviation workers’ labor rights” by carriers based in Qatar and the United Arab Emirates.
“More than 90 percent of their employees are non-UAE/Qatari nationals – all of whom have to rely on obtaining temporary work visas under a sponsorship program,” the ITF said in a press release. “Although these foreign workers are vital to the success of the airlines, they do not enjoy the basic labour rights (including freedom of association and the right to collective bargaining) which apply in their home countries.”
Female Qatar Airways employees are held to particularly strict standards. ITF released these extracts of what it claims are part of the terms and conditions of a standard hiring contract for female workers:
“You are required to obtain prior permission from the company, in case you wish to change your marital status and get married.
The employee shall notify the employer in case of pregnancy from the date of her knowledge of its occurrence… Failure of employee to notify the employer or the concealment of the occurrence shall be considered a breach of contract.
The employer shall have the right to terminate the contract of employment from the date of notification of the pregnancy.
In addition, laws in Qatar forbid employees from forming trade unions or collectively bargaining for better wages or conditions, a practice that Qatar Airways’ boss defends. “If you did not have unions you wouldn’t have this jobless problem in the Western word,” CEO Akbar Al Baker said in a June interview. “It is caused by unions making companies and institutions uncompetitive and bringing them to a position of not being efficient.”
“If you go and ask the politicians in most of the countries in the Western world they would love to have the system we have: where the workers have rights through the law but they do not have rights through striking and undermining successful institutions that provide jobs.”
Putting your oxygen mask on first is a great lesson you probably learned from a flight attendant. I know I've learned many life lessons from my colleagues over the years. Airline crews are away from home and family sometimes half the year or more. Staying safe on the road is a priority. Here are the tips I've learned along the way that may benefit you as a traveler as well!
Buckle up! You may have heard this announcement from a flight attendant at the end of a flight, "Now that the safest part of your journey is over be sure to buckle up and drive safely!" Whether your in a rental car or a hotel van be safe, don't text and buckle your seat belt. Well, I guess you can text in the van!
Never talk about your plans or where you are staying while on the plane or anywhere in the airport. Especially if you're traveling solo. You never know who is listening. This means paying attention if you're talking on your phone sometimes you can forget that there are others around listening. Same holds true when you arrive where you are staying. Don't announce your room number to your fellow travelers. Instead write it on a piece of paper and hand it to them.
Prop your bags against the door of your hotel room and inspect it before closing the heavy door behind you. Thankfully, I have never encountered a stranger in my room but, I know flight attendants who have.
Use the deadbolt! I have walked in on people sleeping because the hotel inadvertently gave me a key to a room already occupied. This will also stop housekeeping from coming in while you're in the shower should you forget the do not disturb sign.
Knock at the door, but you didn't order room service or call for anything? Do not open the door for anyone you're not sure of. Call the front desk when in doubt.
Have plans? Leave your television on when you leave your room. A thief is less likely to enter if they think the room is occupied.
Also, leave a note on the night stand when you head out with a description of yourself and your plans. This way if something did happen the police have something to go on.
Know your exits! Leave a travel flashlight and a room key on the floor close to the door. In case of a fire grab both on your way out. A frequent flier friend had this great tip. If you encounter thick smoke or fire down the hall at least you can re-enter your room and call for help.
Taking these simple steps and staying aware of your surroundings will go a long way in keeping you safe! What are your safety tips? Did I miss anything? Let us know in the comment section.
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Отправлено: 08.11.13 12:01. Заголовок: You've been a fl..
You've been a flight attendant too long if....
1. You can eat a 4 course meal standing at the kitchen counter. 2. You search for a button to flush the toilet . 3. You look for the "crew line" at the grocery store. 4. You can pack for a 2 week trip to Europe in 1 roll-aboard. 5. All of your pens have different hotel names on them 6. You NEVER unpack 7. You can recognize pilots by the backs of their heads-but not by their faces 8. You can tell from 70 yards away if a piece of luggage will fit in the overhead bin 9. You care about the local news in a city three states away 10. You can tie a neck scarf 36 ways 11. You know at least 25 uses for air sickness bags-none of which pertain to vomit 12. You understand and actually use the 24-hour clock 13. You own 2 sets of uniforms: fat and thin 14. You don't think in "months"-you think in "bid sheets" 15. You always point with two fingers 16. You get a little too excited by certain types of ice 17. You stand at the front door and politely say "Buh-bye, thanks, have a nice day" when someone leaves your home 18. You can make a sentence using all of the following phrases: "At this time, " "For your safety, " "Feel free, " and "As a reminder" 19. You know what's on the cover of the current issues of In Touch, Star, and People magazines 20. You stop and inspect every fire extinguisher you pass, just to make sure the "gauge is in the green" 21. Your thighs are covered in bruises from armrests and elbows 22. You wake up and have to look at the hotel stationery to figure out where you are 23. You refer to cities by their airport codes 24. Every time the doorbell rings you look at the ceiling. 25. You actually understand every item on this list
Want to be an awesome airline passenger and have the flight attendants fawning all over your awesomeness? Discover your inner Up In The Air by following my awesome tips.
1. Acknowledge the crew’s existence.
When you board the aircraft and a smiling flight attendant kindly greets you, reciprocating the pleasantry is all it takes to start your trip off on an awesome foot. While I’m aware that this sounds incredibly rudimentary and a matter of basic manners, it isn’t uncommon for passengers to completely ignore the crew during boarding. We truly make an effort to ensure that you feel welcomed and sincerely want you to enjoy the flight. When we say “Hello”, “Welcome aboard” or the like, and get zilch in return – it gets old. Quickly. Sometimes it can even make my head want to spontaneously explode.
If a passenger is kind enough to make eye contact, I can at least use that simple act to confirm to myself that I am in fact not an apparition living in some sort or parallel universe. So hey, thanks in advance if you give me a quick glance. It may not seem like much but I will take anything I can get on days when every other person is ignoring me, plus it potentially saves me truckloads of money on crazy pills.
2. Pay Attention.
I can promise you that we do not make announcements just to listen to ourselves speak. Okay, full disclosure here, some FAs might, and we all hate working with them. It’s embarrassing and we’re stuck listening to them along with you. Not for nothing, by the end of a trip I can barely stand the sound of my own voice (let alone most times), but I digress.
As most of you are already aware, the safety demonstration is something mandated by the Federal Aviation Administration; and with this it is required to take place prior to every flight. So, you say that you travel a lot and have watched our little safety dance more times than you care to count? We totally get it, however, we do ask for a little graciousness. Be awesome by setting an awesome example for future awesome passengers. If that 3 minutes of fake-watching is an impossibility for you – at the very least kindly sit quietly and give your fellow (awesome) passengers the opportunity to watch and listen if they wish to do so.
And to those passengers who think it’s cute to blurt out “if we crash we’re all gonna die anyway” during the middle of me doing my thing – stop it. It isn’t cute, funny or remotely accurate. Out of the collective 53,487 people involved in plane crashes in the U.S. from 1983 to 2000, 51,207 survived. That is a 96% survival rate. Yes. NINETY. SIX. PERCENT.
Other important announcements will be made throughout your flight including those regarding beverage and meal options. If you’re jamming to some tunes on your iPhone and out of the corner of your eye you notice a flight attendant standing in the the aisle with their hands on a large metal beverage cart – I can pretty much guarantee that they aren’t stopping at each row to inquire what everyone’s favorite movie or color is.
Kindly remove your earbuds when addressing or responding to said flight attendant. Also that look of bewilderment (as to why we’re there as we hand out drinks to all of your neighbors) confuses and annoys us. This is a huge pet peeve of crewmembers.
And on the same “pay attention” tip – this is the part of the article where I beg you to listen to the announcement and/or read the Inflight Magazine/Menu. This will help to prevent us from saying “Coke, Diet Coke, Coke Zero, Pepsi, Diet Pepsi, Sprite, Diet Sprite, Sprite Zero, Ginger Ale, Orange Juice, Apple Juice, Cranapple Juice, Tomato Juice, Spicy Tomato Juice, Club Soda, Seltzer Water, Tonic Water” 150 times to people sitting within earshot of our reply to “What do you have?” from their neighbors. This tip will also assist you in getting your favorite drink in a more timely manner. So here I am begging you. BEGGING. Have a heart, fellow human beings.
3. Keep your hands and feet to yourself.
Please don’t touch, poke, pinch, tap, or pull at our clothing. Yes this actually happens. Flailing your arms in the air, yelling, snapping your fingers (oh HELL no!) or shaking the ice in your empty cup will not work either. A simple “excuse me miss/sir” works wonders.
As far as feet go, please keep them off of the bulkheads, tray tables, and the seats and armrests of fellow travelers. It is rude and inconsiderate. While we do expect you to get comfortable, purchasing a ticket does not entitle you to treat the cabin like your home. It is a multi-million dollar piece of equipment that we would like to keep awesome for as long as possible. Plus, feet.
Also please keep in mind that the aisle of the aircraft is not an extension of your seat, or the area designated to read your USA Today. It is the workspace of your hardworking flight attendants. We don’t want to fall on our face after tripping over your foot, nor do we want to cause a compound tib/fib fracture after accidentally running into your leg with that 250-lb cart we’re schlepping around.
4. Recognize that you are not the only person on the plane.
When placing requests with the flight attendants kindly keep in mind that you are not the only person on the airplane. If it takes a few minutes to have your request met, it could very well be that while on our walk to the galley 38 people stopped us to ask for a refill, snack, pillow, etc.
On all commercial carriers there is 1:50 flight attendant to passenger ratio.
5. Wear socks.
Flying commercially is a method of public transportation. The keyword here being public. The airplane isn’t your living room. Please don’t be these people.
6. Keep it moving.
We’ve all been stuck behind “that guy”. You know, the one who plops their suitcase down in the middle of the aisle, unzips it, then riffles through its contents searching for any possible item they think could be of use during their flight. Not only can that behavior cause a delay in leaving the gate, but it will also make you not awesome (and an enemy of your fellow fliers).
Trust me, no one expects you to get completely situated in a matter of seconds, however a minute’s worth of pre-planning can save the day for all involved. If you know that you will be using your sweater, book, iPad, etc., prior to boarding place them in an exterior, easily accessible pocket of you bag. Once you reach your row, pull out said items and throw them onto your seat, then quickly stow your luggage in the overhead bin. Hey! Look at you, you’re practically a travel expert now!
7. Be aware of your surroundings.
If you see sweaty crewmembers frantically running up and down the aisles whilst carrying medical equipment and asking if there is a physician on board, more than likely they are unable to get you that refill on your Coke right away.
Moreover if you happen upon one of us performing CPR on a fellow passenger, you’re on your own locating a pillow.
8. If you are traveling with a small child, don’t change their diaper at your seat or on a tray table.
Most plane’s lavatories are equipped with fold-down changing tables. If you are unsure about your specific aircraft, just ask.
Yes, it may be close quarters – however do the rest of the passengers a solid (!!) by not forcing them to inhale human excrement fumes while attempting to consume their meal. It’s an enclosed cabin with recirculated air. Meals are served inside of said cabin on said tray tables. Do the math, folks.
BONUS TIP: Please dispose of diapers properly. Hint: the seatback pocket is not considered proper disposal.
9. Flush the toilet.
For the love of all things holy, please do this. Also if you could close the door behind you that would be awesome too.
10. Go with the flow.
We can’t do anything about the weather, running out of your first meal choice mid-flight or excessive air traffic.
While we totally understand being frustrated; there is nothing that a flight attendant at 35,000 feet can do to rectify your seat pitch, available legroom or the pop-up thunderstorm the pilots are attempting to avoid. While I appreciate that some passengers feel we are powerful enough to control the weather, airplane configuration and air traffic, unfortunately we are not.
Hang tight and go with the flow. Ultimately we all have the same goal in mind – to arrive at our destination safely.
BONUS: Give thanks.
A sincere “thank you” from a kind traveler can truly make a difference. And trust me when I say this – we are incredibly thankful to have awesome passengers like you on board!
While I am not by any means suggesting that the following is compulsory, I receive numerous requests from thoughtful passengers who ask me what they can bring to express their gratitude to flight crews. At the request of stews across the globe I would like to share this information. I have posed the aforementioned question to my Facebook followers on many occasions, and it always seems to produce the same few responses from both the passengers who bring gifts and the flight attendants who love receiving them. They include, but are not limited to: Chocolates of any kind, Starbucks gift cards (many a frequent flier stated they bring $5 cards to hand out to crewmembers), and healthy snacks such as fresh veggies and/or fruits.
Just to reiterate, passengers should never feel obligated to bring gifts and they will not be treated any differently for not doing so. When the occasional gift is received. it is only an added bonus for already doing a job that most flight attendants truly enjoy.
EXTRA CREDIT: Make us laugh. We could really use a good one.
Shawn Kathleen (better known as “The Sassy Stew”) is a self-proclaimed travel expert, freelance writer and know-it-all that served time in the air by doing the flight attendant thing. You can read more about her exploits at the popular website Rants of a Sassy Stew, in her own column on Zooey Deschanel’s website HelloGiggles, or by following her on Twitter.
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