When I fly, I expect flight attendants to be somewhat like waiters/waitresses, except (obviously) much more skilled. I order and pay for drinks, they bring them. They bring food to my "table." I also ask them to bring me magazines (if they have them), a blanket/pillow, and perhaps playing cards. If I've had to stow my bag away from my seat, I also ask attendants to bring me my carry-on if I need it (I don't abuse this request). I usually ask whichever attendant is walking by, or sometimes I light up the button above my seat to get their attention. I am always polite, but since the goal of every airline is to keep passengers in their seats as much as possible, I comply by having the attendants bring me whatever I may need during my flight.

I recently flew with a friend who was appalled by my behavior. She thought I was taking advantage of the attendants. I maintain that when the fasten seatbelt light is on, it means STAY SEATED, and the attendants are there to "attend" to the passengers' needs. I also maintain that most attendants would rather wait on passengers than have them wandering around the plane all the time, clogging the aisles.

Who's right here?

Can't say that I'd disagree. You might be taking it a little further than I would be comfortable with, but I don think that they're basically glamourized waitresses.

I prefer to treat stewardesses like sex slaves.

You sound like you go a little over board. If you view them like servers I sure hope you also tip them!

I think you go a little too far. Bring your own cards and magazines. I for one would not want anyone but myself touching my carry on. to easy to reach in those pockets a little too quickly.

Are you a frequent flyer? Your friend was right to be appalled with you. Your behavior is VERY provincial!

If you flew frequently, you would be aware that flight attendants are there mostly for security reasons, not some sort of glamourized waiters.

A question of my own: Why is it that non-frequent flyers are the ones that gripe and bitch the most about air travel?

Sorry ISTHIS-FA's are NOT there for SECURITY reasons but for SAFETY reasons and they do a poor job at that. Most of today's FA's are no more than glorified waitresses....

I agree with IsThis.

I agree with frequentflyer. But I also have some rules for passengers that makes the relationship between passenger and FA more comfy wumfy:

* If you can't lift it over your own head, CHECK IT, you geezer.
* If you don't like the food, don't complain.
* If you are pouring over the arm rests, book two seats.

wow:

Security, safety... so sue me!

They are there to give instructions for people who don't pay attention when they give the SAFETY briefing before take-off. They are trained on what to do in the event of an emergency. Are you trained to do that? Can you do a better job?

I hope you at least say please and thank you before monopolizing all of their time.

Most flight attendants would have moved up a rung in my estimation if they could be viewed as waiters. (not ALL, of course)

When I recently asked for a magazine the FA said, and I quote, "We don't DO that anymore". My seatmate and I burst out laughing simultaneously and so I did acquire someone to talk to, although no mag!

I suggest you read "The Air Traveler's Survival Guide : The Plane Truth from 35,000 Feet" before pushing that call button to frequently.

As the author indicates, there are some rather interesting ways for FA's to get even with those who they deem to be difficult.

I bet it has happened to frequent ([email protected]) more times then he/she wants to count!

ff@q, if you are going to treat them like your personal waiter/waitress, then you should TIP them 15% - 20% of the cost of your flight at the end of the flight!

My mother was a Pan Am flight attendant during the days when traveling by airplane was considered glamourous...of course the airplanes were smaller and the number of people aboard a flight was less...nowadays it compares with riding a city bus or train...they are there primarily for safety reasons, and to help the trip proceed smoothly and comfortably in the cabin...I can't believe how rude and demanding many people are toward them...although it's a little off the subject, ask any flight attendant one of the "things" they dislike most and they will tell you it's passengers being allowed to bring a carry-on bag on board to place in the overhead bins...many people abuse the privilege and have no consideration for the other passengers who would also like to store a bag on board...imagine what it must be like to have about 200 people demanding your attention at their command with little or no respect.

I'm with frequent, and Danna. I'd like to view them as waitresses, but with that attitude of "let me see how little work I can actually do on this flight", you'd be lucky to get the waitress, I mean stewardess to do anything for you.

So they know safety and security measures. Just what are they expected to do the 99.9% of the time when that knowledge is not being put to use? Would it kill them to go find you a magazine or a pillow? Most flights stopped serving food, a lot don't even stock magazines so what are the Flight attendants purpose, other than to be ready to use their knowledge?

Give me a good waiter or waitress any day. At least most of them do their job with a smile and some effort, instead of acting like they're doing you a colossel favor just to answer a question.

What is a security guard expected to do with his time? Shine shoes?

I ask them to rub my feet, massage my back and brink me my blankie to tuck me in when I'm really tired.

Isa, Are you a moron? Don't you see the difference? The security guard doesn't have free time. The FA isn't doing any security work for the duration of the flight.

The original purpose of the FA was to make the flight more comfortable for the passengers by attending to their needs(hence the name Flight Attendant).

Their job was to serve food, drink, bring pillows and blankies, answer questions and yes, have knowledge of emergency prodedures in the event one should occur. They were not hired to stand around and do nothing, just being ready in case some type of emergency should pop up.

Do you honestly believe that we should expect them to do nothing more then point to the emergency exits and demonstrate the life vests and oxygen mask for 5 minutes before take-off? In fact they don't even do this anymore as now most filghts just show a video of the FA going through emergency procedures.

Again I ask you, what should they be doing for the duration of the flight if you think waitressing duties are beneath them? I'm fascinated.