The first female flight attendant was a nurse. With COVID-19 ushering in new realities, might we be heading full circle? In 1930, 25-year-old Ellen Church became the first female flight attendant, then called stewardess, in the world. She was...
Are Flight Attendants Onboard ONLY For Safety And Security?
In the new world of COVID-19, are flight attendants onboard only for safety and security? A comment in a story I wrote earlier today, has left me scratching my head. Lisa, who presumably is a flight attendant, commented on...
Flight Attendants Feeling the Pressure
Flying is tough right now in the US with current restrictions due to Coronavirus. Flight Attendants are feeling the pressure with all the hallmarks of previous tragedies. If you are considering booking travel or signing up for a new credit card...
United Widens Pre-Flight Alcohol Ban To Flight Attendants
United Airlines has quietly widened its pre-flight alochol ban to include flight attendants, not just pilots. Earlier this week, I noted that United Airlines is tightening the rules concerning alcohol consumption for its pilots. Up until this week, pilots...
The Dotard Who Wanted It All On My United Flight
It has been a LONG time since I’ve had a bad seatmate, but this one really took the cake… Since I am quick to point out flight attendants who provide poor service, it is only fair that I single...
American Airlines Employee Unions Failing Membership
After an outpouring of messages, comments, and material evidence it is clear that American Airlines employee unions are failing their membership and it’s everyone that pays the price. If you are considering booking travel or signing up for a new credit card please...
American Airlines Flight Attendants Are Furious
Last week I wrote that replacing American Airlines CEO Doug Parker would not be enough to change the course of the airline. Many American flight attendants reached out and they are furious. If you are considering booking travel or signing up for...
The Death Of A Flight Attendant
A Hawaiian Airlines flight made an unscheduled stop in San Francisco after a flight attendant died onboard. It’s another sobering reminder that all of us will face death, sometimes when we least expect it. Flight 50 was traveling from...
U.S. Flight Attendants Really Hate The Call Button
The issue of the flight attendant call button is a sensitive one in the USA. While absolutely taken for granted and even encouraged in much of the world, it remains vexing in the USA (unless you are flying in...
Why U.S. Flight Attendants Will Now Carry Thermometers Onboard
Isn’t it true that an airline passenger cabin is usually either too cold or too warm? Welcome to the fickle world of airline thermostats. But after a baby almost died on a hot plane last year, many U.S. flight...
Be Very Afraid: United Airlines Loosens Onboard Photo Policy
Take it from the guy who was thrown off a plane for taking a picture of his seat…there is going to be stiff flight attendant resistance to United’s updated onboard photo policy. And maybe some passenger pushback as well....
United Airlines to Flight Attendants: Work on Sloppy Grooming, Uniform Standards
United Airlines has asked its flight attendants to take proper uniform wear and “personal grooming” more seriously. In a memo to flight attendants obtained by Brian Sumers of Skift, John Slater, United’s Vice President for in-flight operations, told FAs: Perhaps...
A Day in the Life of a Flight Attendant
United Airlines has created a video which recounts a “typical” day in the life of four FAs. It is highly choreographed, but I still enjoyed watching it. As much as we passengers love to complain, it has been a...
The Flight Attendant Bubble
The internet, social media, and technology in general has allowed us to more easily live within our own bubble, a world of confirmation bias and groupthink. My conversations lately with flight attendants have been quite revealing in that respect....
Claim: 75% of Flight Attendants Have Been Sexually Harassed in Last 12 Months
Sara Nelson, president of the Association of Flight Attendants (AFA), told Congress earlier this week that 75% of flight attendants have been harassed in the last 12 months! Nelson testified before the United States House of Representatives Congressional Caucus for...
Secret Government Airline is Now Hiring Flight Attendants!
I’ve written about JANET before, the “secret” government airline that transports workers to highly-classified government facilities. The airline is now hiring FAs! But this won’t be a standard job interview… > Read More: The Secret U.S. Government Airline JANET, more...
Why Flight Attendants Prefer to Work in Economy Over First Class
“I once had a forty-something male passenger who said he was a picky eater and asked me to remove the almonds from his mixed nuts, the shaved Parmesan from his salad and the cilantro from his tabouleh.” That’s from...
10 Things You Should NEVER Say to a Flight Attendant
When you fly millions of miles, mostly on one airline, you develop a kindred spirit with FAs. Although they will generally be pleasant and smile in all circumstances, I’ve learned there are certain things you just should not say...
Jet Blue Flight Attendant Exits Stage Right After Rousing Vocal Performance
Steven Slater was already having a bad day. He had just landed at JFK from Pittsburgh a tad late and his passengers were restless. One even got up to fetch her hand baggage while the aircraft was still on...