Alex

Is it my imagination, or does it seem to anyone that some flight attendants have become increasingly surly, hostile, unhelpful and unfriendly? I'm not asking for much here, maybe just the same level of civility one expects from the person who bags my groceries, rings up my bill, answers my phone call, etc. I am in the service industry, and if I barked orders at people and made no attempt to help them, I would be dispatched. I know they have a hard job, and there must be a lot of nasty customers, but I think that is true of other service professions, and other professionals seem to me to handle it better. What's going on?

merriem

You are telling the truth. They are really suffering from "bad attitude syndrome". Just talked with some friends that travel a great deal, and when they got on the United flight from Miami to Rio, the lady sat down in her seat, and it was WET. Not damp, but so wet her clothes were a mess. She pushed her way to the nearest flight attendent and told the problem, and the response was "Well, what do you want me to do about it?" My friend set her straight, and the problem was resolved. What a great way to start a 35 day vacation. <BR>On our recent flight from San Francisco to Sydney, the flight attendents were the "mature" ones.....about my age, and they looked like anything was a real imposition. They served a meal after take-off, one little single serving of wine, and came back so infrequently, we thought they were all asleep. On the return from Singapore to Tokyo, the United flight was all Asian attendents, and you would have thought you were in first class...From Toyko to Chicago we got the crabby flight attendents again.....just a different bunch. They were loud, rude, would wake sleeping people up, and frankly looked like they had just crawled out of bed on a bad night. My feeling is, if they cannot do a good job, then they should quit.

Carol

I flew Delta round trip to Madrid. When I boarded in Madrid, my seat was soaked. I told the flight attendant and they called for someone to come get my seat and they brought me a new cushion. I had to wait about 20 min but it arrived before the plane took off. I found the attendants on Delta to be great. They also seem better on the smaller planes like the United commuter planes with only one flight attendant. Seems that the attendants on Southwest are always friendly from my experience but other airlines have a lot to be desired. <BR>Carol

Kathy

You're right. However, I think it also depends on the airline. <BR> <BR>When I flew on Singapore (one of the best airlines, I might add), a female passenger was experiencing severe cramps in her foot and lower leg. One of the flight attendants actually took the time to massage her foot and lower leg until she felt better. During this whole time, she never looked inconvenienced. In fact, she appeared and sounded sincerely concerned about the passenger's discomfort. <BR> <BR>On a United flight, the airline overbooked and the plane was completely chaotic. We were over 15 minutes late for departure and people were hurriedly looking for their seats. All of a sudden, the flight attendants YELLED at the passengers to sit down b/c we were leaving the gate. <BR> <BR>I appreciate the fact that many flight attendants cannot assist passengers who insist on bringing 50+ pound carryon Rollerboard suitcases but cannot lift them into the overhead compartment. However, why can't they just check them in as people are boarding? Seems a bit simple to me.

merriem

I was wondering if one of the reasons they are so unhelpful while you are boarding the plane, is that they do not get paid until the door is shut!

Neville Fleming

Try flying Emirates,even economy has great cabin staff and they treat every one as you should be treated with courtesy. I have been fortunate to use the Airline since 1986 and I do not have any complaint. In Feb we (my wife and I) went to India we booked buisness class and on the outward was up graded to first. So I can tell you that all three classes were great. <BR> <BR>Hope you have better luck next time you fly. I have used many other carriers, but find Emirates the best. <BR> <BR>Regards, <BR> <BR>Neville

julie

On our way from Philly to N.O. a flight attendent poured a bloody Marry in my lap (white dress, only dress). As it pooled in my skirt, I tried to stand and he shouted "don't stand up! it will run all over the floor!!" My husband jumped up and spoke clear to him..demanding an apology and a reimbursement for a new dress, both of which we received. Just don't sit there and take it. I realize that there are added stresses both ways, customer, and hostess/host/steward. But one has rights to expect decent service.

Had-It

Have flown several USA domestic carriers in the past 5 years. United has some of the very worst flight attendants in the air. <BR>From now on, I URGE all passengers to do the only things that will put a stop to the type of behaviors complained of in the previous posts. <BR>1. When confronted with less than courteous behavior on the part of any of the flight crew, get their full name or badge ID number. <BR>2. Insist on speaking to the supervisor; on a plane, it's the senior flight attendant. <BR>3. Politely but firmly (don't shout, get sarcastic or belligerent) repeat your complaint and what you expect to have the situation/problem solved. <BR>4. If they are not forthcoming, get THEIR name, and seek out the customer relation's office upon landing. <BR>5. Follow up with a letter detailing your complaint(s), name names, and what they did NOT do to rectify the situation as it occurred. <BR>6. Tell them exactly what you expect them to do; a written apology, a reprimand in those employee's personnel folders, pay for dry cleaning, etc. <BR>7. Be sure to learn the NAME of the appropriate person to address and send your letter to. Send copies to other(s) departments as necessary. <BR>--------------------------- <BR>Until more people take the time and make the effort to follow 'all the way' through with their complaints, the situation won't change. <BR>Conversely, when enough people complain (and complain properly) we WILL see changes in how we are treated....we are their customers.....their livlihoods depend upon us. <BR> <BR>

lets put

hehe - oh see "martha" in the tedious one about closing blinds, by the way. xx.

xyz

I nominate "Martha" as Queen Bitch Flight Attendant of the Year. You've earned that title proudly, Martha. You've finally accomplished something in your sad, pathetic life. Congratulations!

Jackson

Sorry, I don't think Martha is Queen, since I've met worse than her -- although she's definitely in the Court. It's a terrible trend. Remember when flight attendants were supposed to be licensed nurses? At this point, I'd settle for a dog license, since most dogs I've met are much nicer "people" than certain flight attendants out there who love to throw their weight around.

martha

To everyone: <BR> <BR> You guys are very entertaining. I comment on perhaps a handful of experiences out of the thousands and thousands that I've had with passengers, and now I'm "Queen Bitch". For your information, believe it or not, I've recieved 30 letters of praise from passengers who have enjoyed my service. It's just that some people expect to get away with whatever they want, and they cry when they unable to so. In my years of service, I've recieved 6 commendations for good customer service, along with their corresponding rewards. <BR> <BR> I could easily give you anecdotes of times I went WAY beyond the call of duty of accomodate passengers. If you're interested in those stories let me know. But I'll just as easily stand my ground and 'do what's right'. <BR> <BR>Oh and to xyz, "You've finally accomplished something in your sad, pathetic life." <BR> <BR> The obvious question is, how do you know about my life? MORON?! Just because I'm perceived as a Bitch here? I laugh because I'm sure my life is better than yours. <BR> <BR>

lets put

we're listening...tell us 'bout how you've gone WAY beyond the call of duty blah blah blah. please, prove us wrong! xx

Pops

Marths-What airline do you work for so I can AVOID it! Perhaps you should be in another line of work honey!

martha

let's put, <BR> <BR> I assume you don't want to be bored with too many instances of my good service. <BR> <BR> Not to take advantage of other persons misfortunes, but I've very frequently had disabled persons and a companion upgraded to first class, although I've occasionaly taken hits for it. I have the authority as I'm an Inflght Supervisor but sometimes upper management doesn't concur. I appreciate that coach seats are very compact and the space in first class in helpful. <BR> <BR> A couple times, I changed diapers because a lone father (most times) doesn't have clue. <BR> <BR> I'm one to always bring children complimentary wings. <BR> <BR>(Yawn) I don't mean to take up your valuable time. There's more stories if you want them. <BR> <BR> Pops, <BR> <BR> I'd divulge that information, but I'm afraid that the lack of your revenue from all your travels would bankrupt us. <BR> <BR>

Bluehair

Perhaps we've jumped a little too hard on Martha, because I'm sure she is not as unpleasant 100% of the time as she seemed in her other posts. If she's received commendations for good service, good for her and her airline. <BR> <BR>But Martha, can you not see that when you start praising yourself for your use of authority, it's the other side of the same coin -- that you still see yourself as the supervisor not only of the crew but all the passengers as well. <BR> <BR>It's the strangest thing, but it reminds me of going to my son's school when he was in 3rd grade and having his teacher make us all sit in the little chairs, fold our hands, and listen quietly while she lectured to us about education. She even said, "I want you to remain in your seats when the bell rings because I am not finished." <BR> <BR>

martha

Northwest

lets put

oooopppss. sorry martha, that was me just guessing. was i right? <BR>

ilisa

You've changed diapers? Hmmm. It was my understanding that flight attendants were prohibited from handling diapers because they also handled food. Also, I hardly call bringing complimentary wings to children "beyond the call of duty." I have yet to meet a flight attendant who didn't do that for my child or any of the other children I know.

boo-hoo

Of course, I've run into my fair share of surly flight attendants. However, really...with airplanes really just Greyhounds with wings these days, who the HELL would want that job anymore? I sure wouldn't. Passengers increasingly assert their so-called "rights" more and more belligerently. Flight attendants have to take self-defense classes to protect themselves from drunken, unruly passengers who more often than not, take the opportunity to push someone else around while they can. And that person is the most visible person--the flight attendant. <BR> <BR>Surly? You bet. You would be, too, if you had to put up with assholes in your face all day.