From the category archives:

Attendant & Pilot Stories

We’re on a trip on JetBlue from Orlando to New York. The flight was normal until 3/4 into the flight. As you might know, JetBlue has the free in-flight entertainment system. That is when my TV was encountering problems. We called over one of the flight attendants, but he couldn’t come because the pilot was using the bathroom, and he was guarding him. Fair enough.

Well, when the pilot went back to the cockpit, the flight attendant still refused to come. So, we called over the other one and he took care of the problem. I am writing this not to say anything bad about JetBlue (my favorite airline), but to tell that every airline has a couple of rude flight attendents.

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Not a story, but an observation about flight crews:

There seems to be two distinct categories of FAs: those that respect personal space and those who do not.

We have just returned from Mexico, and our carrier’s flight crew falls into the latter category. I was whacked by a FA moving in the aisle at least half a dozen times. No apologies. My wife was sprayed by opening pop cans three times, until the FA offered her a comped drink.

During the flight I was ‘assed’ by a FA three times (read as ‘butt in my face’ and elbowed once – “oh, sorry”).

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I was on a flight from London Heathrow to JFK in cattle class seats with the surliest bunch of flight attendants it has been my dspleasure to experience. I travel frequently in many parts of the globe, know what a difficult job they can have, and do my best to be a good passenger for them, but this crew had chips on both shoulders.

Nearing the final third of the flight, I needed to use the restroom and got up out of my seat to use the only ones available near the over wing position, when the food trolleys came out. This is usually no problem, I just tell the crew whether or not I want food and that I’ll be right back. Not this time.

“Sir, you’ll have to go sit down, we’re serving food.”

“Sorry? I need the restroom, what does that have to do with anything?”

“We can’t let you by, you’ll have to sit down until we’re done. We’ll only take a few minutes.”

Dark murmurs, but I return to my seat and await the passage of the Holy Food Trolley… which is moving slower than continents drift. Ten minutes pass, 15, 20… and they’re still ten rows away. Both aisles blocked by the slowest food service ever. Now bursting to relieve myself, I get out of my seat, explain my situation as politely as possible and ask to get by.

“I can’t let you do that, we’re serving food!”

“If you don’t let me by, you’ll be mopping up urine!”

“Go sit down please sir.”

“Right, go get the chief flight attendant now – I want a word!”

“I can’t do that, I’m serving food, and he’s on his break in first class.”

“Lady, if you don’t shift your backside out of my way, I’m going to take one of your cups and fill it right here in the aisle. I’m desperate.”

I noticed at this point a woman having the same argument as me with the flight attendant in the starboard aisle, getting even more upset. At this point, even the other passengers are telling these two idiots how unfair they’re being to us.

“Sir, if you don’t sit down, I’m going to get the pilot.”

“Good, do it! At least then you’ll be out of my way and I can go to the restroom!” Big mistake. “I’ll get him – once I’m done serving food!”

Oh sweet Jesus, what is wrong with this woman? There’s no way to get past the trolley and I’m going to wet myself right in front of her any second.

Passengers to the rescue! The people sitting in the aisle seats next to the food trolley, sensing my rising panic, both recline their seats, then stand up and move sideways, allowing me to stand on the armrests and walk around the trolley. This infuriates the flight attendant, who raises her voice and tries to restrain me from doing so for some demented reason, grabbing me by the arm, which I pull from her grasp and bolt towards the restroom, already unzipping as I go, while my fellow passengers are actually applauding!

After the utter bliss of relieving myself, I return to find the trolley still in my way, only in reverse – she STILL hadn’t got back as far as my seat. I stood behind her until she got as far as my seat (about another five minutes – glaciers melt more quickly) and finally sat down again. And guess what happened next? She refused to serve me my tasteless in-flight meal, as I had been “uncooperative” and service was at “her discretion.”

“And complaining and being polite to you is at MY discretion, lady. I suggest you get back here and serve me my food before what’s left of my discretion disappears and you get the one thing you don’t want – my full and undivided attention, both during this flight and afterwards.”

Food served with a grimace and all the grace and charm of a rattlesnake with an infected fang followed, and the rest of the flight passed mercifully quickly. On my way off the aircraft, the lead flight attendant asked “How was your flight?” I replied that, while perhaps not her fault for working with colleagues that had the common sense given to doorknobs, she really needed to get a grip and refresh their interpersonal skills.

The long detailed letter I wrote to American Airlines extracted no more than a form apology letter with no concessions at all, the sort they send out whatever the complaint they receive. I have thus voted with my wallet and gone out of my way to avoid flying with AA ever again.

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In 2004 we were traveling from Boston to Ft. Lauderdale on American Airlines; my wife, my 4 year old son, and my mom and dad. We had the 3rd row in coach (5 of the six seats across).

There was a business class on this flight with 5 rows of 2 seats, and a curtain separating the classes (only 3 people were in that area).

About 45 minutes after takeoff, my son had to pee. I looked to the back where the lavatories were for our class and there were 5 people lined up. I looked forward and there was no line, so I took my son to the front “business class” lav. He peed, then I brought him back to the seat and I went to do my business and upon my return, the FA rudely said “that lavatory is not for you, you are in coach and didn’t pay for the use of that lavatory, it’s for business class only.” I replied OK, but my 4 year old had to pee and wasn’t able to wait in line, and I went because I was already there.

The FA then said…”repeat after me… I WILL NOT USE THE FIRST CLASS LAVATORY.”

I said, “you are kidding right?”

“No sir… repeat after me… I WILL NOT USE THE FIRST CLASS LAVATORY.”

I said “no,” and her response was “I will have to notify the captain.”

My response was “I hope he would have more important things to do than be the lavatory police on this plane.”

A while later my wife went to the rear lav and it was disgusting, smell, paper on the floor, etc. She informed the nearest FA (same one) and was told “FA’s are on this plane to keep you safe and prevent people from trying to takeover the plane, like 911, and keeping you alive, we are not here as your servants or cleaning people” then walked away.

Again, my son had to pee so I walked him up front, and again the FA came back to our seats and told me that TSA would be waiting to arrest me when we land for disobeying the FA.

We landed, I saw the FA point me out to the pilot, who then pointed me out to the TSA folks at the door. The pilot had a “heated discussion” with the FA, and waved off the TSA folks.

We waited in the gate area for the pilot, and I apologized for causing a problem and that I understood, but a 4 year old can’t wait in line. He apologized for the FA’s attitude in both situations.

I also told him that at the time I was a Computer Systems Integrator working for the TSA and was prepared to pull out my ID if necessary and we both had a good laugh.

Bottom line, I wrote to AA and explained in detail, got their standard apology letter, then a call from HR explaining that the FA had been reprimanded and suspended for mentioning 911 on the flight.

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Miss Moody

June 17, 2010 Attendant & Pilot Stories

I was once on a return trip home to the UK with friends and family after a fab trip abroad in the sun. The flight itself was fine and actually quite pleasant. However when we touched down and stopped at the end of the runway, everyone immediately stood up and started to grab their luggage. [...]

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Flipped Off By Flight Attendant

June 16, 2010 Attendant & Pilot Stories

On a flight from Grand Rapid, MI to Atlanta we all boarded the small Comair plane and were immediately asked to get off because there were “mechanical problems.” We all went back into the gate lounge and waited for the problem to be resolved. Two hours later, we were allowed to re-board.
I was sitting in [...]

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Condescending Flight Attendant

May 18, 2010 Attendant & Pilot Stories

I recently flew from Charlotte, NC to Charleston, SC to visit family. I always select the aisle seat when I have the opportunity, and had done so on this flight. However when we boarded, there was a woman a few rows ahead of me in the middle seat of the exit row who was complaining [...]

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The Bulldog Flight Attendant

April 18, 2010 Attendant & Pilot Stories

My wife and I went on a Caribbean Cruise, and took a nonstop flight back home, Puerto Rico to Los Angeles, on American Airlines.
On this return flight, we encountered one of the BATTIEST flight crews around.
It started in the airport. First off, they neglected to do any pre-boarding. We saw this poor old lady, who [...]

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Do Not Disturb

February 25, 2010 Attendant & Pilot Stories

I’m in the back of coach, on Singapore Airlines from Colombo to Singapore, sleeping. Suddenly, I was being pushed. I opened my eyes to see an SQ blue girl (most junior) above me. Her statement “just tidying up the wrapper for your blanket, sorry to wake you.” I didn’t sleep the rest of the flight.
I’m [...]

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Getting Even With Bad Attitude FAs

February 4, 2010 Attendant & Pilot Stories

I want to start off by saying that after flying over 2 million miles in the past 20 years, that 99.9% of the flight attendants that I have flown with were fantastic professionals who deserve our respect and admiration for doing a tough job. However, once in a while you get one with a really bad [...]

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