Yeah, alsoa, tell the flight attendant who caught the Richard Reid trying to set his shoe on fire that she wasn't doing any "security" work during the flight. Clearly flight attendants today have to be more alert for suspicious behavior than ever before. People distracting them with frivolous requests don't make flying any safer for any of us.

I have a new respect for flight attendants. They deal with looking out for suspicious characters, drunken fools, crying babies, puking passengers and wannabe first-class coach seaters like Frequent.
Frequent- you sound extremely demanding and it sounds as if you don't receive enough attention at home. Leave the FA's alone and please get a clue from your friend.

Alright, so when they aren't looking for people playing with matches (by the way, another passenger alerted the FA to Richard Reid, she didn't notice it while on a reconnaissase mission), what are they doing? I don't call getting someone a drink or a magazine a frivolous request. I call it part of the job.

I notice them all chit chatting in the back for most of the flight, or thumbing through a magazine. They must be excellent spies, because to the untrained eye it appears that they are doing absolutely nothing. Damn but they're good!

Is or is not air travel a service industry?

Renee, honey, air travel hasn't been a service industry in years. Can you say "deregulation"? Its just another form of public transportation.

Ryan, I'll never read the book, so tell me: What are the rather interesting ways for FA's to get even with those who they deem to be difficult?

I EXPECT great service from my flight attendant. I then give them their expected tip. If I were to be as demanding as Frequent Flyer was (which I have no problem with), I would have tipped about a $20 for a 3-5 hour flight.

I love to give a tip almost as much as I like to receive one.

tHe hApPy wAiTeR

I'm not a flight attendant, I don't have to smile at you when you demand something from me in an impolite, obnoxious way.

Funny play on words by the way. Hadn't heard that one since third grade.

Ryan,

Now that you are in the fourth-grade, are you feeling old?

tHe hApPy wAiTeR

Is it just me, I have never seen a non-busy FA. They are always running around greeting people when entering aircraft, getting food, drinks, pillows and blankets, answering every conceivable question about the aircraft or travel in general, helping people with children, explaining safety procedures at beginning of flight. Making sure someone has a good supply of puke bags and making sure we are all buckled in before taking off and all upper carry on compartment are shut tightly. They also try to find space for all the carry on luggage brought aboard, running furiously up and down the aisle placing excess luggage somewhere. You must be kidding, a waitress doesn't not even have to deal with drunk and obnoxious people like an FA. Grow up.

Stephanie, It's just you.

The tasks Stephanie describes take about 30 minutes max and are completed by the time the plane takes off. Hint, they are working, they should be busy doing SOMETHING.

What about the rest of the 2 to 8 hour flight? If you've never observed the FA's chatting, reading or sleeping you obviously don't fly much.

This is one of the nuttiest threads I've ever read.

Until you have actually worked a day as a flight attendant, I would reserve your views that flight attendants are lazy and spend their time doing as little as possible. My friends are and I can assure you they are not sitting on their butts.

Given the events of September 11, these overworked and underpaid folks now have even MORE responsibilites than they did before. Now they have to be able to recognize terrorists and suspicious passengers while taking care of Mr. Attend to My Every Need.

By the way, frequent, do you tip ALL the flight attendants? Because you can bet they all had something to do with keeping you safe, making your coffee, giving you that pillow, pouring that drink, serving your meal, hanging up your coat, etc. I somehow doubt it.

If everyone held your views that all passengers deserve such service, you'd have four flight "waiters" serving over a hundred "tables" on a business flight. I think even the most courageous restaurant waiter/waitress would quit in light of those odds.

If you want personal attention for all your flights, I suggest you get a private jet with your own valet.

underpaid? I am curious what FA salaries are these days. 15 years ago my neighbor was FA and was making lots more money than I was. She took her job seriously, worked hard at staying attractive for her position. She traveled to wonderful places, as well as some boring routine spots. She didn't work full time but would have days away from home. She didn't have kids and was happy to travel. She was making much more than me. At the time I had a masters degree and a good paying professional position at the time. It was a good match for her and I certainly did not feel sorry for her. She had a good financial experience.

Any idea what salaries they are getting now? Of course they're in a risky situation but so are police and firefighters and teachers, it's their choice and probably they don't consider flying frequently risky.

How many hours do they work for their salaries?

I'm not trying to be demeaning. I'm wondering what they are getting paid and for how many hours.

When we travelled with virgin airways the f.a's were like servers ,they were always hovering to serve us some thing and check that everthing was o.k
united airlines couldn't even find a blanket on a night flight for the small child of the lady sitting next to us.
some airlines train better than others.

All the people who complain about FAs and how much work they really do, have an empty life. I am not obsessed with what FAs do during a flight, just observances. If you want someone to cater to you, get a wife not an airline employee.

Being a former flight attendant, we received no training on serving the passenger. I think a bumper sticker said it best: Flight Attendants are there to save your A#$, not kiss it" There is so much time in training dedicated to evacuation and emergency situations - not on how to mix a drink. If your plan is in trouble, I don't think you will be looking to them for pretzels or peanuts.

They must not train the FAs in spelling either, if my plan is in trouble I call my travel agent...if my plane is in trouble, I count on the experience of the pilot.

Acutally I find wait staff to be nice. Most airline personnel to be rude, must be the unions.

What's really amusing are the FA's who think they were hired for security reasons and not to serve food and drink. Who wants to break it to them?