Is American Airlines sending their flight attendants to confrontation classes?

On a flight back in March, a man walked on the plane with his suitcase near the end of the boarding process. He placed his suitcase near the front of the coach cabin and began walking to his seat. The flight attendant said, "sir in the green jacket, you can leave your junk here."

On a AA flight from Dallas to Orange County, the flight attendant said, "are you guys stupid or what, I told you to put your suitcase in wheels first."

And on a flight just this past Monday, I was trying to get back to my seat from the toilet and the flight attendants were picking up the trash using the cart. I stood in the galley area of the MD80 waiting for her to let me by. When she got to me she said, you're going to need to move. I replied, "I was hoping you would let me get back to my seat."

Now I know that these kinds of remarks don't happen up in First Class, however, coach on American is very different. After flying Qantas two weeks ago, well, there is a world of difference.

Wally-I've always maintained that American Airlines has some of the rudest, most abrupt people working for them in the entire aviation business-it makes me think that they've skipped all customer service training for their employees, as they consider it irrelevant to the business. (and their corporate HQ folks are none easy to deal with either).

That's why the other thread about ACR's awful encounter with an obviously disturbed American Air F/A has such a ring of truth to it-I've heard and encountered less than friendly F/A's on my flights, as all of us have, but there is a real difference in having a bad day and just pure nastiness-and there's far too much of the latter, and in a more endemic way, at American.

Well my experience with AA (a lot of BIS miles) is that I've found the FAs <i>on average</i> to be as professional and pleasant - if not moreso - than the industry average. I suppose we all can tell stories about bad FA attitude, but I think painting thousands of airline employees with one brush, even if it's mainly for dramatic journalistic effect, is a bit unfair.

I've ridden quite some thousands of miles on Qantas and I've seen both first rate and sub-acceptable behavior from QF FAs too. Or British. Equal opportunity business.

Threads with titles like &quot;which airline has the rudest flight attendents?&quot; is like &quot;which country has the worst food?&quot; I doubt if you're really interested in the answers; perhaps you're only looking for a chance to bash AA.

I have to ask, if you're so unhappy with AA's service or lack of free alcohol or seatbelt signs that stay on or rude FAs, why the devil to you fly with them? Exercise your rights as a consumer.

I noticed on the last flight that most of the announcements on the PA were from the pilots and not the flight attendants. The pilots always seem happy and not stressed so I think this is a good idea.

I've never had a problem with FAs on any airline, especially American.

But then again, I appreciate that they're not waitresses/waiters but primarily there for safety and comfort reasons, and treat them like humans.

drinking early today <b>wally</b>

and off the meds again <b>spygirl</b>???

btw, IMHO, it's <b>British Airways FAs</b>. Stern, nazi like and no smiles, oh wait, I forgot, British Airways does not provide dental insurance, the cheap bastar*s!

I agree with rjw. FA work on an airplane. You work in an office. You have bad days at work. They have bad days at work.

Actually, I'm back at work and have had to eat lunch the past four days with no wine. Life is cruel.

But it is too bad that the flight attendants like to make verbal comments that everyone can hear like &quot;stupid&quot; and &quot;junk.&quot;

Perhaps when they turn off the &quot;fasten seat belt sign&quot; they could wait about ten minutes before starting the beverage service so people in the front rows of the coach cabin could use the toilet since the only toilet for these people on the MD80 and 737 aircraft is in the back of the plane. And not using the cart to pick up the empty cans/glasses would help, too.

My vote is for United.

I don't fly American but I can say the NWA is probably giving them a run for their money. Of course, every other week, the NWA employees are expected to take a pay cut; some mechanics are still picketing - someone needs to tell them they've been replaced. I think the only &quot;control&quot; the airline employees have is taking it out on the consumer. NWA employees are the most unhappy people -- you can see it all over their faces and in their attitudes. If only MPLS. wasn't their hub (or I lived somewhere else).

United hands down.

From what I've observed of my fellow passengers on AA flights, some of them could elicit a rude response from a saint. Tension is high on flights these days, and it's not surprising that sometimes FAs are abrupt with passengers. I couldn't do their jobs for an hour.

Oh underhill, I sure agree with your comment. I couldn't either.

The glory days of being a FA is over.

And it is not just us passengers that are unhappy with the way airlines are treating their customers, the employees are not being treated any better.

It is surprising how a &quot;hello&quot;, a smile, a thank you will give one a more pleasant FA. And as in any occupation there will be a few grumps..but who knows what personal problems or tragedies they are dealing with.

Not always, LI. I tried being especially nice with the FAs on the United flight I was last on because no one cracked a smile or appeared happy. When a stack of napkins fell off the beverage cart I picked them up and as I was in the process of handing them back to a FA they were immediately snatched out of my hands without a thank you. I just smiled--clearly, these folks were not having a good day and this smiling, kind passenger made no difference. I feel bad for FAs and pilots--they work harder than ever and their reward is cut in pay and benefits.

I'm sorry AnnMarie, that would have upset me also.

I have never had a problem with a FA, but than I don't fly as much as a lot of Fodorites do.

And, I would say when I had my business (an insurance agency plus a rental property management company) I too had bad days. Health issues, personal problems etc. But I couldn't afford to take it out on our clients and customers. I just, as the kids say, sucked it up, and handled my business day in the way I was expected to. I wouldn't have had a successful business if I hadn't.

I think we need to remember that with airline bankcuptcies and the like, companies are pushing their employees to work harder and harder for, in some cases, less money. That's not good for morale, and that can be reflected in employees' attitudes.

In the days when what we paid for tickets was higher, service was better. I think what we see now is a good case of you get what you pay for. Think of the FAs who now have to sell food on top of everything else--that can't be fun.

Exactly, LI. That day, I had to wonder aloud to DH, once we left the plane, about what had gone wrong in the world of United because I truly believe what we experienced were disgruntled employees, not bad people. There had been other incidents on United but that one really stands out. Shortly after that experience I read that United was considering hiring a consultant to deal with growing complaints about employee moral. I actually felt bad that I couldn't lend a hand or smile that could make a difference...which is probably why I find myself reading &quot;The Disease To Please&quot;, lol!

&quot;btw, IMHO, it's British Airways FAs. Stern, nazi like and no smiles, oh wait, I forgot, British Airways does not provide dental insurance, the cheap bastar*s! &quot;

AAFF,

This is the single most disgraceful post I've ever read on any internet forum.

How dare you belittle the expereinces of wartime Jews by making flippant remarks about Nazis. Your arrogance is beyond belief.

I believe you should apologise forthwith. Regardless, I think a banning would not be inappropriate.

I've always had great service from AA FA's and counter agents.

My pick would have to be United on domestic, and on International it would be Alitalia for pure laziness and cheek.