Relax - Avoid these: Pet peeves of a flight attendant

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Behind that svelte figure, perfectly fitted uniform and angelic smile is a person who has been working 8 hours straight on a turnaround flight in 2-inch heels or on a 18-hour non-stop flight without much proper rest in between.

So it is probably a not a good idea to be in the bad books of the person who serves you food, brings you drinks and keeps you safe when you are on a plane at 30,000 feet, according to a CNNGo report.

An anonymous flight attendant who reportedly works for a renown commercial airline in Asia compiled a list of nine things about passengers that drive her crazy. One minute, they are happy after a big win at the roulette table, and the next minute, they are upset about 12-hour-long flight delays.

The airline crew member said that the "worst of all crimes against aviation are so common sense - yet they happen on every single flight."

1. Adopt an 'I paid for my ticket so I can whine all I like' attitude

"My seat is too cramp."

"The flight is delayed - again."

"The coffee is lukewarm."

"The cabin is too cold."

"The seats are so uncomfortable."

Seat too small? Next time upgrade to first class.

Plane delayed? Blame it on your fellow passenger who just couldn't decided which bottle of whiskey to buy, so he was 30 minutes late in getting to the gate.

Keep complaining and be careful that your next drink will be a gin and tonic stirred with a high heel.

>>Next: 2. Play it like Nintendo

2. Play it like Nintendo

Pressing the flight attendant call button a gazillion times will not zap your problem away.

CNNGo reported that one flight attendant is responsible for up to 50 passengers, according to international regulations. That means, worst-case scenario, the cabin crew could be giving someone CPR or delivering a baby while you keep jamming that button.

Why not do this instead? Get up and walk to the nearest galley and ask for what you need. Taking a walk around the cabin can apparently also help improve blood circulation.

>>Next: >3. Pretend you're in a restaurant

3. Pretend you're in a restaurant

The options on the menu are lemon chicken or roast beef but you ask for fish.

Do take note that the plane is not a kitchen and does not have one. Flight attendants cannot whip up at dish at your whims and fancies.

But here's how to get your fish: send the request when your book your flight if you wish to have a specific meal.

>>Next: 4. Ask unintelligent questions

4. Ask unintelligent questions

When faced with a glass full of dark liquid with fizzy bubbles and ice, what is it? That's right, it's a cola. How about that clear liquid? Yes, that's water.

Imagine the whole row asking mundane questions and repeating them even though the neighbouring passenger had just asked the same question. After 50-plus passengers have done the same thing, don't blame the cabin crew for ignoring you.

>>Next: 5. Laugh and whisper

5. Laugh and whisper

Talking behind someone's back is rude. But when a passenger laughs at a flight attendant in his/her face and then begins to whisper/giggle to the person beside in their own language, that's even ruder, reported CNNGo.

>>Next: 6. Talk on the phone after the plane has left the gate

6. Talk on the phone after the plane has left the gate

Not turning your phone off is a sure way to make the cabin crew go berserk.

The fact is: communicating with the control tower is difficult enough. Pilots are trying to take off carefully and not get struck by another plane that might be landing seconds later, all while your phone's signal is potentially interfering with communications.

>>Next: 7. Be an irresponsible parent

7. Be an irresponsible parent

Do not ask the flight attendant to put coffee creamer in your baby's bottle - there's always formula milk that can be carried on the plane.

Do not get flight attendants to babysit the kids while you do something else, like nap or watch a movie.

That is not their job description, says the anonymous flight attendant. "Babysitting you is already hard enough," she said.

>>Next: 8. Complain that your bags are too heavy

8. Complain that your bags are too heavy

You came all the way from home, dragged your bags down the stairs to the door, put them in the trunk of the car, drove all the way to the airport, dragged them through security and all the way to your seat.

Suddenly, the bags are too heavy for you to put into the overhead compartment by yourself.

"The deal is: you brought it, shove up there yourself or we throw it out the door and under the plane," said the anonymous flight attendant.

According to CNNGo, passengers need also realise that flight attendants don't get compensated for any injuries that come of common situations like this.

>>Next: 9. Ignore the seat belt sign

9. Ignore the seat belt sign

The instructions are clear: when the seat belt sign is on, please be seated and fasten your seat belt.

But apparently, that isn't obvious enough for some passengers who would blatantly get up and go to the washroom or go talk to their friends. This is typical passenger behaviour on every single flight, reported CNNGo.

When the sign is on during takeoff, landing or during turbulence, it's very dangerous to be wandering off, said the same report. You don't want your face could be smashed into the sink or another passenger's head, now, do you?

relax@sph.com.sg

Source: CNNGo; Photos: AFP, ST, TNP, Leong Chan Teik, Emirates, SIA, Internet

Avoid these: Pet peeves of a flight attendant

AsiaOne | Thu, Sep 8 2011

An anonymous flight attendant compiled a list of nine things about passengers that drive her crazy.