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About FAs job and life ...
AFL-SVO-ÑÁÏ: ... read, watch and listen to practice your English ( Additional sources are here and here ) http://work.chron.com/basic-responsibilities-flight-attendant-2080.html [quote]Basic Responsibilities as a Flight Attendant by Jeffrey Joyner, Demand Media he most visible aspects of a flight attendant's job may be safety demonstrations and serving refreshments to passengers, but the position actually carries a considerable amount of responsibility. A flight attendant acts as an ambassador between the airline and its customers by making passengers feel comfortable during the flight. Flight attendants are also effectively the administrative staff on board the aircraft, responsible for the reporting and inventory work that keeps a flight running smoothly. Their most important duty, however, is seeing to the safety of everyone on board. Passenger Comfort To better impart a pleasant flying experience, flight attendants spend much of their in-flight time seeing to the comfort and needs of passengers. Pre-flight, flight attendants ease frustration and wait time by helping passengers to their seats and assisting with the stowing of carry-on luggage. They see to passengers' comfort by distributing sleep masks or blankets, and some airlines provide headsets or magazines if requested. Depending on the flight length, flight attendants may serve beverages and food as many as three times to passengers and to cockpit crews. Throughout the flight, flight attendants respond to passenger requests and fulfill them as much as possible. At the end of the flight, the attendants help passengers with their carry-on luggage and exiting the plane. These duties keep an attendant busy, but they also help build a relationship between passengers and the airline. Administrative Duties The less visible responsibilities of a flight attendant are nonetheless vital to the daily functions of airline flights. They must attend flight briefings to be apprised of any special passenger considerations and what to expect in-flight; no flight is exactly the same. Once on board, the attendant takes inventory of refreshments and first aid equipment and alerts appropriate personnel in case of shortages. During flight, it is the flight attendant's responsibility to keep track of money earned from purchased beverages or headset use and record the sales. At the end of the flight, attendants submit reports to the airline with flight details, including any medical issues encountered and the cabin's condition. Passenger Safety The first priority for flight attendants is seeing to the safety of every passenger on board. They are the ones providing safety demonstrations or setting up a video with safety directions to inform passengers of how to use the lifesaving devices aboard the plane. Attendants are responsible for securing the aircraft's doors and making sure emergency equipment and exits are functioning properly. Attendants secure any loose items around the cabin and check passengers for correct observance of safety procedures to prevent hazards mid-flight. Should any passenger engage in unsafe behavior during the flight, attendants respond by informing the passenger of the infraction and enforcing safety procedures if necessary. Emergencies In emergencies, flight attendants take the lead in aiding passengers. This may be as simple as providing reassurance during episodes of turbulence or as serious as administering first aid or evacuating passengers from the plane. Flight attendants must be prepared to provide direction and instruction for emergency landings and to assist passengers out of emergency exits and with emergency equipment. Should a medical emergency occur during flight, an attendant assesses the condition of the passenger, performs first aid if needed and, upon landing, informs the cockpit crew of the situation. The flight attendants also report any malfunctions encountered so they may be tended to after landing.[/quote] http://www.careerinfonet.org/occ_rep.asp?printer=true&id=1&next=occ_rep&level=&optstatus=000100001&stfips=&jobfam=53&nodeid=2&soccode=532031 Occupation Profile [quote] FLIGHT ATTENDANTS Occupation Description Provide personal services to ensure the safety, security, and comfort of airline passengers during flight. Greet passengers, verify tickets, explain use of safety equipment, and serve food or beverages. Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities The most important knowledge, skills, and abilities (KSAs) are listed for Flight Attendants. Knowledge: Customer and Personal Service - Knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal services. This includes customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction. Public Safety and Security - Knowledge of relevant equipment, policies, procedures, and strategies to promote effective local, state, or national security operations for the protection of people, data, property, and institutions. Transportation - Knowledge of principles and methods for moving people or goods by air, rail, sea, or road, including the relative costs and benefits. English Language - Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar. Psychology - Knowledge of human behavior and performance; individual differences in ability, personality, and interests; learning and motivation; psychological research methods; and the assessment and treatment of behavioral and affective disorders. Skills: Speaking - Talking to others to convey information effectively. Service Orientation - Actively looking for ways to help people. Social Perceptiveness - Being aware of others' reactions and understanding why they react as they do. Active Listening - Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times. Coordination - Adjusting actions in relation to others' actions. Monitoring - Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action. Abilities: Oral Comprehension - The ability to listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences. Oral Expression - The ability to communicate information and ideas in speaking so others will understand. Speech Clarity - The ability to speak clearly so others can understand you. Problem Sensitivity - The ability to tell when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong. It does not involve solving the problem, only recognizing there is a problem. Speech Recognition - The ability to identify and understand the speech of another person. Source: Occupational Information Network: Flight Attendants. Tools and Technology Flight Attendants View Detailed Report Tools: Aircraft escape or ejection systems - Emergency exit doors and windows, Evacuation slides, Slideraft packs, Window exit escape ropes Aircraft oxygen equipment - Chemical oxygen generators, Portable oxygen equipment, Protective breathing equipment, Supplemental oxygen systems Cool containers - Refreshment carts, Refrigeration units, Storage compartments Life vests or preservers - Flotation seat cushions, Life preservers Lifeboats or liferafts - Emergency rafts, Sliderafts Technology: Calendar and scheduling software - AD OPT Altitude, Arkitektia Flight Itinerary, Bid Assistant, SBS International Maestro Suite, ValtamTech Flight Crew Log Computer based training software - IBM Lotus LearningSpace Source: Occupational Information Network: Flight Attendants[/quote]
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AFL-SVO-ÑÁÏ: http://www.theflyingpinto.com/2013/04/worst-jobs-of-2013-flight-attendant.html Worst Jobs of 2013…Flight Attendant? By The Flying Pinto Apr 24, 2013 Career Cast has listed flight attendant as the tenth worst job in America. You can read their article “here” to find out what other careers made the list. I would love to know how they compiled their information and if they actually talked to any flight attendants. I also found it interesting that there wasn’t one career on their best list that I would choose for myself. Dental Hygienist, Actuary and Software Engineer are a few. Not that there’s anything wrong with those choices but, we’re all different right? So, how do you compile a list like this? Here is the short paragraph about the flight attendant career you’ll find on their site: “High stress, low pay and a shrinking job market all contribute to flight attendant’s inclusion among the worst jobs of 2013. The BLS projects virtually no change in job prospects, as airlines continue to consolidate and reduce staff.” High stress: I can agree that there is stress involved with being a flight attendant or any other customer service job for that matter. The flight attendant lifestyle is not for everyone. There can be long hours, spent away from home and loved ones missed. I think most find out whether it’s the job for them or not within the first year. This is one of the main reasons I wrote my book, The Flying Pinto’s Flight Attendant Survival Guide. It’s a guide to help new hire flight attendants navigate through their first few years in the sky or those who are interested in knowing more about becoming a flight attendant. Low Pay: This is a touchy subject for me. I am tired of everyone thinking that every flight attendant is at poverty level, which is one of the reasons I wrote, “Seven Surprising Reasons to be a Flight Attendant“. Yes, the first few years are tight, but if you do your research and choose your airline carefully being a flight attendant can be a pretty great gig financially. Am I rich? Yes, in terms of freedom and lifestyle. How many people can build their own schedule and work as little or as much as they want or need to? I still have a full time job, yet I am home for every school activity or family event I need to be home for. How’s my actual pay check? As good as, the higher end of a nurse’s salary. Not impressed? How about if I tell you that I accomplish that in eight to twelve days of flying a month. And, that doesn’t factor in that I usually don’t check in until the evening of my first trip. I have many flight attendant friends that make six figures a year. Yes, they fly a lot, but who doesn’t work a lot to make that kind of money? The median income ($37,000) of a flight attendant is always skewed because most US airlines let their flight attendants drop all their trips and fly next to nothing every month or fly as much as they like. Another great advantage when life happens and you’re caring for aging parents, raising small children or any number of things that most people don’t have the luxury of taking a few months or a year off. The pay generally gets better after your fifth year of flying with yearly raises until your twelfth to fifteenth year depending on what airline you are with. I’m topped out and still have over twenty years of flying left before I retire. Shrinking job market: According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics: “Employment of flight attendants is projected to experience little or no change from 2010 to 2020. Job prospects should be best for applicants with a college degree and experience in customer service.” All major US airlines have been actively hiring the past couple of years, so I am not sure where they got their information from. I didn’t even mention the great layovers in Maui and Paris or the views from my office window! Want to know more about being a flight attendant? Check out my new book available on iBooks, amazon, Nook and Vook! It was a true labor of love as I love being a flight attendant and want to pass on what I know to those interested in pursuing an airline career! I could be wrong, but I imagine it’s more fun than being an actuary, the number one career on Careercast.coms list. Another one is hereIt seems as though the flying public has become a bit fascinated with the role of a flight attendant. In years past it was a glamorous position, which nurses held to attend to the needs of the elite who could afford to fly, and as the years flew by changes to the position developed. On board service was cut by the airlines to save money, flight crews were tasked not only with looking after on-board safety but now also security, and the airlines were deregulated setting off fare wars and the fight for customers. In recent years we've witnessed flight attendants blow emergency slides and quit (ala Steven Slater), flight attendant's have nervous break-downs on board and rant over the public address system and we're about to see an airline dress their cabin crew as maids and butlers as a marketing ploy, so where am I going with all of this? CareerCast just released a "study" of the worst jobs for 2013 and being a flight attendant is number 10. Now the evidence would suggest that a flight attendant losing it and blowing a slide and ranting over the PA is stressed and overworked... and at some airlines they are! Each airline operates differently with their own policy and procedures based on the foundation of what the FAA regulates.
AFL-SVO-ÑÁÏ: http://www.facebook.com/afterflightwebsite Say What? Overheard on the Plane... Submitted by Diane L – Dallas (DFW) to Houston (IAH) Flight Flight Attendant: Sandwiches, candy, and snacks are now available. Buy one, get the second for the same price!. Submitted by Kevin One Liners Courtesy of OHNY – LaGuardia (LGA) and JFK Flight Attendant (LGA): Well, everybody, sorry for that delay, the plane was late coming in from California. On the other hand, I have some good news: I just saved a bunch of money on my car insurance. Flight Attendant (JFK): Thank you for listening to the safety announcement for this service to Buenos Aires… Go to sleep. Go to sleep. You don’t want any beverages. Close your eyes and sleep… Flight Attendant (LGA): Excuse me, ladies and gentlemen, if I could have your attention I would very much appreciate it. My parents paid thousands of dollars to put me through college for a theater arts and communications degree, and since this is the only time the airline ever puts a microphone in my hand, I’m sure they would really appreciate it, too. Pilot (LGA on the crowded runway): Welcome to the parking lot known as LaGuardia Airport. TSA Official (LGA): Okay, people, have your boarding passes out! If you don’t have your boarding passes out, I’m sending you to Amtrak! Passport Agent (JFK): Everyone with a US passport, up against that wall, line-up! Arriving Passenger – Wow, have things changed that much? http://www.facebook.com/afterflightwebsite Say What? Overheard on the Plane... Submitted by Hank W – United Flight San Francisco (SFO) to Denver (DEN) Child sees uniformed man walking down aisle to bathroom. Child Passenger: Who is that? Mother: That’s the pilot. Child Passenger: Oh. (Silence.). OH MY GOD! WHO’S FLYING THE PLANE?? Submitted by Eric D – United Flight to Boston (BOS) several years ago Flight Attendant (upon landing): Thank you for choosing United. We know you have a choice in various bankrupt airlines, so we appreciate your choice in flying with us today. Have a nice day. Submitted by Kevin One Liners Courtesy of OHNY – LaGuardia (LGA) and JFK Pilot (LGA): In just a few minutes our flight attendants will be starting beverage and snack service, including Coca Cola products and five snack options. Please listen carefully, as FAA regulations strictly prohibit our flight attendants from repeating these options. United Gate Agent (LGA): Okay, ladies and gentlemen, we’re going to use the last-one-on-is-a-rotten-egg method of boarding here. Flight Attendant (JFK): Please turn off your cell phones, iPhones, iPods, laptops… Basically, anything that is bringing you joy right now, just turn it off. Pilot (LGA) as the seatbelt sign goes off: All rise.
AFL-SVO-ÑÁÏ: http://www.stewedbeef.com/2008/08/once-again-i-am-sorry-flight-attendants.html STEWEDBEEF Once again I am sorry!, A flight attendants most common words. We’re sorry we have no pillows. We’re sorry we’re out of blankets. We’re sorry the airplane is too cold. We’re sorry the airplane is too hot. We’re sorry the overhead bins are full. We’re sorry we have no closet space for your oversized bag. We’re sorry that’s not the seat you wanted. We’re sorry there’s a restless toddler/overweight/offensive smelling passenger seated next to you. We’re sorry the plane is full and there’s no other seats available. We’re sorry you didn’t get your upgrade. We’re sorry that guy makes you uncomfortable because he “looks like a terrorist”. We’re sorry there’s a thunderstorm and we can’t take off. We’re sorry we don’t know when it will stop. We’re sorry you’re crammed into a space so small that if you were an animal PETA would protest. We’re sorry that this plane 80 has no music or video entertainment for your 3 hour flight. We’re sorry we ran out of your favorite soda. We’re sorry there’s no more sandwiches. We’re sorry that Budweiser costs $5.00. We’re sorry we don’t have diapers for your baby. We’re sorry we don’t have milk for same baby. We’re sorry you can’t hang out by the cockpit door waiting to use the bathroom. We’re sorry you can’t hang out at the back of the airplane. We’re sorry you have to sit down and fasten your seatbelt. We’re sorry you have to put your seat up for landing. We’re sorry we don’t know when we’re going to land. We’re sorry we don’t know whether your plane to (substitute any city in the world) will be waiting for you when we land. We’re sorry we’ve been diverted because we ran out of gas waiting to land. We’re sorry for these 20 and so many other things that we have absolutely no control over but which we are held accountable for EVERY SINGLE DAY. Please understand. Flight attendants are not the enemy. We share your space. More than anyone – we want to have a nice, pleasant travel experience.. There is a reason behind everything we ask you to do. It may be a FAA Directive. It may be security related. It may be a company procedure. We don’t frickin just make this stuff up. We don’t spend 8 weeks at the flight academy learning how to pour a Pepsi. There are many things that flight attendants are watching for constantly on every flight FOR YOUR SAFETY. It’s not because we’re bored or so controlling that we just enjoy telling people what to do. I for one would like to have one flight where I didn’t have to repeatedly tell people to put their seats up for landing. Seriously. Can’t you just do what we ask sometimes? Without the glares, eye rolling and disdain? For the record – putting your seat up for landing may not seem that important to your personal safety. However, it is very important for the person sitting BEHIND YOU. If you have ever tried to get out of a row where someone has their seat back you know it can be a challenge. Try grabbing your ankles (emergency brace position) or getting out that row quickly with smoke in the cabin. Understand a little better now? Many of the things we ask passengers to comply with are FAA directives. Like carry-on bag stowage and exit row requirements. When we can serve drinks (in the air) and when we can’t (after the aircraft door is closed or on an active taxi-way). We are only allowed to move about the cabin during taxi out for safety related duties. We can’t get you blankets then, or hang coats, or get you drinks. It’s not because we don’t want to. It’s because we are held personally responsible if we fail to comply with FAA directives. Meaning that the FAA can fine us personally up to $10,000 if we fail to comply or enforce an FAA Directive. Like no bags at the bulkhead. No children in the exit row. No one moving around the cabin during taxi. Perhaps now you know why flight attendants get a little testy when people move about the cabin when they’re not supposed to. It’s not the company that gets in trouble for that. It’s us. Personally I wish the airlines would show worst case scenario safety videos. Like what happens if you walk through the cabin during turbulence. There could be a guy who has just fallen and smacked his face on the metal armrest and now has a bloody, gushing broken nose. Or an elderly lady who now has a broken arm because someone walking to the bathroom fell on her. Maybe a passenger with a broken neck because somebody opened an overhead bin during turbulence and a suitcase fell out and onto the person sitting beneath it. These things can easily happen in a fast moving, unstable air environment. Please just trust that we are looking out for your best interest and stop fighting with us about everything we ask you to do. It is exhausting. Finally, please, please direct your hostility and frustrations in the direction where they will be most effective: The customer service department. They are the ones equipped to handle your complaint and implement procedures for CHANGE. Think about it. Complaining to the flight crew about all your negative travel experiences is about the same as complaining to the office janitor because your computer isn’t working. It may make you feel better to vent about it – but it really won’t fix anything. More than anybody we are already aware of the lack of amenities, food, service and comfort on the aircraft. Please share your concerns with the people in the cubi cles at corporate who need that information to make better decisions for the flying public. . It’s frustrating that so many people are in denial about what the travel industry is about now. The glory days of pillows, blankets, magazines and a hot meal for everyone are long gone. Our job is to get you from point A to point B safely and at the cheapest possible cost to you and the company. So be prepared. If you are hungry – get a sandwich before you get on the plane. If it’s a 3 hour flight, anticipate that you may get hungry and bring some snacks. If you are cold natured – bring a wrap. Think for yourself and think ahead. Otherwise, don’t complain when you have to pay $3.00 for a can of Pringles and are left with a crusty blanket to keep you warm. We hear often that the service just isn’t what is used to be. Well the SERVICE we provide now isn’t what it used to be. When I was hired, my job was to serve drinks , meals, ensure that safety requirements were met and tend to in-flight medical issues. Since 9/11 my primary job is to ensure that my airplane will not be compromised by a terrorist. 9/11 may be a distant memory now to many, but be assured that EVER DAY a flight attendant reports to work he or she is constantly thinking about 9/11. We feel a personal responsibility to ensure that something like that never happens again. We can never relax. We can never not be suspicious about someone’s intentions. It is difficult to be vigilant and gregarious at the same time. Especially when most of us are working 12 hour days after layovers that only allow 5-6 hours of sleep. Not because we were out partying and having a grand time on the layover – but because the delays that you experience as a passe nger also affect us as a crew, so that what was a 10 hour layover is now 8 hours which doesn’t leave a lot of time to recover from what has become an increasingly stressful occupation. Despite everything I still enjoy being a flight attendant. I am writing this letter because I do still care about my profession and about the public perception of flight attendants. In the increasingly challenging travel wor ld it is becoming more imperative than ever for people to just be decent to each other. I can go through an entire day without one person saying anything remotely civil. I will stand at the aircraft door and say hello to everyone who enters and maybe 50% will even look at me and even less will say hello back. I will try to serve someone a meal who can’t be bothered to take their headsets off long enough for me to ask them what they want. Most of the time the only conversation a passenger has with me is when they are complaining. Is it any wonder why flight attendants have shut down a bit? After suffering the disdain of hundreds of passengers a day it’s difficult sometimes to even smile, much less interact. We are human and many working at 40% pay cut thanks to bankrupcy. We appreciate the same respect and courtesy that passengers do. The next time you fly, try treating the flight attendants the way you would like to be treated. You may be surprised how friendly your flight crew is when they are treated like people. Ok thanks I feel better now.
AFL-SVO-ÑÁÏ: http://www.thefrisky.com/2013-02-25/10-types-of-people-who-will-always-be-on-your-flight/10 Types Of People Who Will Always Be On Your Flight Winona Dimeo-EdigerFebruary 25, 2013 A few weeks ago, I was flying home from a blissful vacation, trying to ignore a screaming baby a few rows ahead of me and cringing at the cacophony of phlegm-y coughs coming from the seat behind me, when I realized that every flight is exactly the same. Looking around me, it was as though I’d been dropped smack dab in the middle of a roster of characters that work together to make air travel the uniquely strange, gross, frustrating experience it is. Who are these people that seem to be present on every flight, ever? Let’s break it down in list form… 1. Patient Zero. This person is always sitting a couple rows behind you. They usually remain silent until you’ve reached cruising altitude, when they take a deep, rattling breath and release an onslaught of mucus-flinging, seat-shaking, dangerously contagious-sounding coughs. You will attempt to hold your breath to avoid ingesting all the germs they’re hacking into the stale airplane air, but your efforts will prove worthless, and two days later, you’ll wake up with the same damn cough. 2. The Gassy Gus. This is pretty self-explanatory, right? This person got a little too excited about the in-flight beef stroganoff and now their digestive system is rebelling–and the rest of the passengers are suffering dearly. 3. The Fearful Flyer. I know this person well, because I was this person for many years. You’ll find them either having a full-blown freakout, crying, digging their fingernails into the person sitting next to them, and whispering “We’re all going to die” at any sign of light turbulence, or so bombed on anti-anxiety meds that they’re slumped over in their seat mumbling gibberish (once I tried to convince everyone on the plane to join the circus with me). 4. The Spoiled Toddler. They’re running up and down the aisles throwing crackers and having random screaming fits and generally ruining everyone’s life. Their parents seem to think this behavior is adorable. This toddler will grow up and get a job on Wall Street and cause the next massive collapse of our financial system. 5. The Traumatized Parents. Their toddler is also having a fit, but they definitely don’t think it’s adorable. In fact, they’re mortified, and spend the entire flight desperately mouthing “Sorry!” to everyone who makes eye contact with them. 6. The Guy Who Still Thinks It’s 1963. Back in the day, airlines hired young, leggy, single ladies as stewardesses and encouraged them to flirt with their passengers, who were mostly men flying on business. Even in 2013, there’s always at least one boorish oaf who’s trying to turn a noon flight to Denver into the swingin’ sex club he remembers from his misogynist glory days. He’s slapping the flight attendants’ asses and wolf-whistling during the safety demonstration. He’s the worst. 7. The World’s Most Obvious Tourist. Fanny pack. Hard Rock Cafe t-shirt. Severe sunburn. Socks with sandals. You know the drill. 8. The Chatty Seatmate. You’ve been traveling for 11 hours. You’re exhausted. You can’t wait to pop in your headphones and try to nap for the last leg of your long journey home. You’re so close. But then…. “Hi! Where are you from? Ready to go back to reality? Did you see this week’s ‘Celebrity Apprentice’? I just love that show!” Alas, you’re sitting next to a chatty seatmate. Sometimes this can lead to a really fascinating conversation, but usually it involves spending hours nodding your head and wishing you’d learned how to sleep with your eyes open. 9. The Feuding Couple. Travel can be hard on a relationship. Want proof? Listen to the couple duking it out a few rows in front of you. “Seinfeld” captured this couple perfectly in Elaine and Puddy, who broke up and got back together multiple times during the course of an international flight. Just pray you don’t meet the same fate as Vegetable Lasagna and somehow get seated between two angry lovers. 10. The Heavy Drinker. You’re on a 6AM flight. The flight attendant comes around and takes drink orders. The woman next to you orders a double vodka and coke, then continues flipping through her People magazine. An hour later she orders another one. Is she a functioning alcoholic, or is it 5 PM in whatever time zone she’s coming from? You’ll probably never know. Cheers!
AFL-SVO-ÑÁÏ: http://savvystews.com/2013/04/23/airline-to-dress-flight-attendants-as-maids-butlers/ April 23rd, 2013 Airline to dress Flight Attendants as Maids & Butlers A Chinese budget carrier is planning to dress its female flight attendants as maids and their male cabin crew as butlers. It’s true! This is not a joke! Spring Airlines said it would be the first domestic Chinese airline to have crew members dressed in such a fashion. Passengers on some flights from Shanghai’s Hongqiao International Airport this week will be the first to experience the new look. The airline says they plan to offer several flights with a permeant ”theme,” such as your crew dressed in costume, in an effort to drive traffic. One blogger wrote: “The airline should respect their crew members because flight attendants are still quite different from maids and butlers.” So what we the pilots going to wear? The Spring Airlines spokesman said the male crew members who would be dressed as butlers would include the pilots, with their outfit featuring a long black apron as well as a tie. What do you think? Is this a slap in the face to the job the flight attendants do? Or is this an amazing marketing plan to sell tickets? (Source: http://shanghaiist.com/2013/04/23/spring_airlines_to_dress_stewardesses_as_maids.php )
AFL-SVO-ÑÁÏ: http://www.gadling.com/2012/12/03/flight-attendant-confesses-ups-and-downs-of-job/ Flight Attendant Confesses Ups And Downs Of Job by Libby Zay (RSS feed) on Dec 3rd 2012 An anonymous woman who said she is a 22-year-old flight attendant for a major airline urged Reddit users to ask her anything in an open forum over the weekend. The candid Q&A session turned into a behind-the-scenes look at the life of a flight attendant, including a tell all on the weird things passengers ask for, a discussion on how many people really try to join the mile high club and a confession about the kind of shenanigans that really happen between lonely crew members at outposts. Keep reading to learn more about the ups and downs of the job, including why you should be nice while on board a plane. Just be warned this post is most definitely NSFW (not safe for work). Q: What is the most crazy request you have been asked by a passenger? A: Crazy? Goodness. A bag to spit in. I had to confirm several times the word spit A lady with a neck brace "I need soft food I will have rice" (The menu items did not include rice even after explaining she kept ordering things that just didn't exist) Hot fried chips Nappies Ice cream My number On a Lagos flight a passenger told me he wanted to masturbate. I directed him to the on board toilet. If it exists a passenger has asked me for it. They ask for EVERYTHING. Q: What is the best thing about being a flight attendant? A: Best thing? I feel obvious but new destinations, I get a small taste of EVERYTHING I love it so much, I get to see smell and taste so much. I meet friends all over the world and party like a rockstar everywhere I go because I know I wont be there for long. Q: What is the pay like? Besides being able to travel all over the world, are there any other benefits, either monetary or otherwise? A: About 38k US a year, free rent transport and bills, all I pay is internet and taxi. 90% off tickets. Q: Are there as many people joining the mile high club in the bathroom as television portrays it? A: Yes people try to join the mile high club. Let me tell you something, those toilets are FILTHY. Absolute FILTH. People shit in the sinks. Moving on, I caught a lesbian couple in the toilets we had to get three crew to bang open the door and make them come out. She responded with[,] "We were trying to piss[.]" A crew was fired for getting drunk while she was a passenger flying somewhere and joining a gentleman in the lavatory. A women had TWO men going at it on a flight from Manchester. Crew opened the door on them and the female tried to assault the crew. When the men went to their connecting flight they were arrested. Not sure what happened to them! Q: Do people really get bumped to first class if there is a conflict with another passenger? A: With the question of bumping people yes we move people but generally not for conflict. A month ago on one of my flights economy was full and this gentleman had changed seats several times to accommodate couples, families etc who needed to change seats. He didnt care where he sat and was so gracious. So we moved him to business class. Lesson, be nice! If you are ill (severely) you will usually be moved to business or first if there aren't many people in those cabins to recuperate and lie down at the discretion of the seniors. Q: What's something a passenger has done that you've really appreciated, or was just really nice? A: I've had passengers write comment cards about me, they get given to me via emails from my manager, which is so nice ... i love them[.] Q: When do you plan on settling down? This job doesn't seem like the type where you can keep a stable relationship. A: I know :( I hope it's around 25 ... I am 22 now and I love the job so I think two or so more years before I move back home and find love ... I will never find a stable relationship in the industry, it is unstable. I want a stable relationship but I wont find it here[.] Q: Since you fly so much, do you happen to have any sexual urges while in a different country? Do you get off to hooking up with passengers or do you go somewhere to get some? A: Yep! I um see friends in outstations. I have had some encounters in Hong Kong and I have a few 'friends' in Dubai. It's really hard and you get really lonely so you look for any guy to meet you after flights. All the crew sleep with each other in outstation. It's a big problem, the cabin crew are desperate to sleep with pilots and senior crew. You have crew call you in the middle of the night in your room, especially pilots! Q: How long do you stay in each city? A: Usually 24-72 hours[.] Q: What's your favourite city in the world? A: I cannot name one but I will try to do it region wise 1) Hong Kong (The most fun) 2) Vienna (Amazing food, people, scenery) 3) Moscow (Fascinating, so closed for so long) 4) Melbourne, Australia (Diverse, charming filled with character) I find some redeeming quality in every city I visit. Q: What are your thoughts on flight etiquette (e.g. when it's okay to put your seat all the way back). Is there a classic faux pas we should know about? A: Seat back if your legs are too long and when not eating. During the meal seats up and if you're short, it's not really necessarily. But otherwise seats up for everyone when eating, you can do whatever you want after service. Q: I'd like to be a flight attendant to see what it's like to travel and interact. Would I have to go through an exorbitant amount of training before I can work? A: I did 7 weeks! So worth it... I felt so ready. The training is hard but it paid for me[.] Q: How do you adjust being in the air so often, and with different time zones and all that? When I fly from the US to Singapore, by the time of the end of the trip I want to actually throw up. Air gets so thin, and the airline food is pretty bad even on Singapore Airlines. I literally need to have a can of sprite when flying on long flights next to me once every hour, slowly sipping until the soda is done to keep sane. A: You never really adjust. I just did three middle of the night flights and I can't stay awake in the day, so I have been nocturnal for a week. Some things that I do to keep myself sane is as soon as I get on board I get a bottle of 1.5L water and make myself drink it all. Then I brew a big pot of mint tea after the service and make myself drink that throughout the flight too. Keeping hydrated is valuable to my sanity and mood. We have one trip that is four days long and you have 24 hours in each port but the whole flights are nighttime only. It is TORTURE. Key points 1) Stay hydrated 2) Stay rested (sleep whenever you are tired) 3) Eat smart (this means no business class cheese boards or first class caviar, stick to fresh food only) For me eating right is the hardest, you're so tired you just want to SHOVE chocolate in your mouth. If I follow the above I am totally fine on board. On flights over 10 hours or so we get rest (sleep) in the crew bunks[.] Q: What airline/flight benefits or perks do you get as a result of your job? A: 90% [Off] Flights Hotel discounts Event discounts Free tickets to events For more adventures in the sky, be sure to follow our resident flight attendant, Heather Poole, in her "Galley Gossip" column.
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AFL-SVO-ÑÁÏ: http://hpoole.wordpress.com/2013/04/10/a-little-bit-about-being-groped-on-the-plane/ A little bit about groping, poking and smacking flight attendants on the plane… Passenger accused of groping Spirit Airlines flight attendant originally appeared on NBCNews.com. (NOTE: They left out a story I shared about a pilot who was smacked on the behind by a female passenger sitting in the exit row. “Woo get some!” she yelled out for an entire airplane full of passengers to hear. So ya see it’s not just flight attendants who are getting groped, poked, and smacked.) Heather Poole, a veteran flight attendant for a majorU.S. airline, has seen her share of passengers acting out on flights, though she says the misbehavior has changed over the years. “Today, passengers are more likely to get aggressive with us than touchy feely in a sexual way. Not to say it doesn’t happen,” said Poole, author of “Cruising Attitude: Tales of Crashpads, Crew Drama, and Crazy Passengers at 35,000 Feet.” “Recently, a female passenger hit me on the butt hard as I was passing by. She (was) angry because I stepped on her toe.” A male passenger once asked Poole if he could lick her, she said. “The answer was no. No written warning was issued.” When confronted with a flier who seems to have amorous intentions, Poole says she stops serving alcohol and removes herself from the situation by sending in another flight attendant to deal with the passenger. Most of the time that’s all it takes, she said. “Trust me, there are some passengers who might live a lot longer if they keep their hands off certain flight attendants,” Poole added. http://www.nbcnews.com/travel/passenger-accused-groping-spirit-airlines-flight-attendant-1C9282626 Passenger accused of groping Spirit Airlines flight attendant A. Pawlowski NBC News contributor April 9, 2013 at 3:39 PM ET A passenger who allegedly groped a flight attendant on a plane and boasted that he could show her “a better time than work” is grounded for the near future and facing serious charges. The incident happened on Friday on board a Spirit Airlines flight en route from Las Vegas to Denver. The passenger, Evan Nathaniel Castle of Thornton, Colo., has denied causing any trouble but witnesses said he began screaming obscenities after having a few drinks, according to the criminal complaint filed Monday in U.S District Court. A flight attendant then asked him to stop and quiet down, but he refused and told her, “You should give me your number” and “I should date you,” court documents say. The passenger then allegedly told another flight attendant, “You’re (expletive) beautiful”, “I can show you a better time than work,” and “Blow off work and come with me.” The crew member ignored the comments, but as she passed Castle’s seat while making a final check of the cabin before landing he “grabbed the right cheek of her buttocks and said, ‘Oh sexy,’” according to the criminal complaint. The flight attendant later told the FBI agent who showed up to meet the plane that she felt violated and disgusted. For his part, Castle, 24, denied making a pass at either of the flight attendants, according to the criminal complaint. This was his first time flying, he told authorities, adding that he is married and has children. Castle said he was served four shooters of Tanqueray gin on the plane, but didn’t get drunk. He never touched the flight attendant who complained, he said, according to court documents. Castle was arrested when the plane landed at Denver International Airport and held in custody over the weekend. He was released on a personal recognizance bond Monday, but is not allowed to drink alcohol or fly while his case is pending, said Jeff Dorschner, a spokesman for the U.S. Attorney's Office in Denver. Castle is accused of abusive sexual contact on an aircraft. If convicted, he faces up to two years in federal prison and a fine of up to $250,000. He is next due in court on May 6 for a preliminary hearing. Heather Poole, a veteran flight attendant for a major U.S. airline, has seen her share of passengers acting out on flights, though she says the misbehavior has changed over the years. “Today, passengers are more likely to get aggressive with us than touchy feely in a sexual way. Not to say it doesn't happen,” said Poole, author of “Cruising Attitude: Tales of Crashpads, Crew Drama, and Crazy Passengers at 35,000 Feet.” “Recently, a female passenger hit me on the butt hard as I was passing by. She (was) angry because I stepped on her toe.” A male passenger once asked Poole if he could lick her, she said. “The answer was no. No written warning was issued.” When confronted with a flier who seems to have amorous intentions, Poole says she stops serving alcohol and removes herself from the situation by sending in another flight attendant to deal with the passenger. Most of the time that's all it takes, she said. “Trust me, there are some passengers who might live a lot longer if they keep their hands off certain flight attendants,” Poole added.
Playa: Ñïàñèáî!Âñÿ ïîäáîðêà î÷åíü èíòåðåñíà!
AFL-SVO-ÑÁÏ: Playa Äîïîëíÿé http://rantsofasassystew.com/2013/05/13-things-you-need-to-know-before-ordering-a-drink-on-an-airplane/ 13 Things You Need To Know Before Ordering A Drink On An Airplane OK, I am going to break it down for you. Don’t be an asshole when you fly. Entering an aircraft is no excuse to lose all common sense yet many of you do so. Ordering a drink is a fairly simple process, please don’t make it so fucking difficult. 1. Be Prepared. Listen to the announcements we make regarding what is available, and/or look at the inflight menu in the magazine located directly in front of your face. It’s 2 inches away, grab it. 2. DO NOT ask “What do you have?” unless you want daggers shooting deep into your soul from my beautiful blue eyes. Also, I can not be held responsible for what will more than likely be a less-than-friendly response such as “Not a lot of time, pick something”. 3. Ask for exactly what you want. 4. If you would like something in your coffee please ask for it WHEN YOU PLACE YOUR ORDER. *Side note: A “black coffee” does not include cream and sugar, asshole.* 5. If you would like cream and/or sugar that is great, however if you wait until after I serve you the coffee, and walk back a few rows as I am already on to the next few passengers I will punch you in the throat. 6. DO NOT ask me for 2 ice cubes. If you do, I will pick them up with my fingers and plop them into your cup. Really, two?? Jesus Christ. 7. Don’t touch the cart, and do not even think about helping yourself to whatever you want off of it. Just ask. Would it be OK for me to come to your office and start grabbing shit off of your desk? Yeah, I didn’t think so. 8. If you need to get my attention, kindly ask for it like a normal human being. Maybe an old fashioned “excuse me”. I do not take well to someone pulling at my blouse, trousers, apron, tapping my shoulder, flailing their arms in front of me, snapping their fingers, shaking their cup, etc. NOT. FUCKING. COOL. Keep your hands to yourself and be polite. I mean seriously, who raised you? 9. Don’t even try to pull a fast one on us, we’re not idiots — and most of us even have at least a 4-year degree (!). If we come to your row and serve everyone else in it (while you’re too busy listening to your iPod, fake sleeping, and totally ignoring us) and you do not reply, that’s it. You’ve had your chance. I am not playing that back-and-forth from row to row bullshit during a 1-hour flight. Sorry about your luck. 10. We cannot take trash from you during our beverage service. Do you want someone’s half-eaten sandwich, napkins they wiped their nasty-ass mouth with and rotten banana peels touching your cups? I promise we’ll come back after everyone else is served, that is if you can wait the FIVE MINUTES. 11. When I am making eye contact and asking your seatmate what THEY would like, please let THEM answer. If it is a female and you talk over them, you are a douche. I always ask ladies first, and if I am asking them and you cut them off with your dumb-ass yelling of the word “COKE” I will fill your cup up with as much ice as possible and add just a teeny-weenie (size of your dick) splash of COKE to it. Jerk-off. 12. If you tip me (and yes, I WILL take tips – I made less than $18K last year), you will most definitely be treated like a king or queen. (NOTE: Flight attendants do not expect tips and many will not/can not accept them. I am only speaking for myself, so calm down.) 13. It’s not rocket science. http://rantsofasassystew.com/2011/10/excuse-me-sir-did-you-order-the-asshole-special/ Excuse Me Sir, Did You Order the Asshole Special? When you’re an asshole and order a drink, this is what you get. I like to call it the “Asshole Special”. Poured drink given to passenger: Said drink broken down: You’re welcome, and have a nice day! Buh-bye
AFL-SVO-ÑÁÏ: http://rantsofasassystew.com/2013/03/crewmember-safety-tips-from-an-ex-cop-me-2/ Crewmember Safety Tips From an Ex-Cop (ME!) If for some reason you have never read the subtitle to my blog, I was a police officer back in the day. So yes, I am very anal about this shit (yes, I said anal). So yeah – here are my security tips for flight crew. Use them so you don’t get raped and/or murdered. I don’t want any of you bastards to wake up dead on an overnight. Social Media: For the love of God, whilst on an overnight please do NOT check into your hotel on Foursquare, Facebook or Twitter. Not only are you advertizing exactly where you are to potential “strangers”, but also that you will be there all alone for the evening. If you’re a lucky whore and not alone, fuck–go for it. If you MUST check-in please consider using the privacy features that give you the ability to edit people into different “groups”, and only publish your location to those on your trusted list. Checking into airports is safe, in my opinion. I do it to meet up with fellow crewmembers if I am on a long sit. There are thousands of people there at any given time, so I’m cool with that. Hotel: If you are checking-in to your room and the clerk loudly announces your room number in a crowded lobby, kindly ask for another room. They will pick up what you’re putting down, as they are aware that they are not supposed to do such. Use only initials and last name when signing in to your hotel. Make certain the hotel personnel stows away the sign-in information before you leave the area. Also, write down the room numbers of your crew and notify them if you change your room. I once worked on a teeny Barbie jet where I was the only stew, so it was just me and two pilots. They were very protective of me! If you aren’t lucky enough to have a Captain or FO that will make sure you get to your room safely, please do the following: When you arrive to your room prop the door fully open with your rollerboard rollaboard. Walk in, turn on the lights and check every room, behind doors, closets, bathroom, shower, behind curtains and drapes, under the bed, etc. to make sure that no one is there. Yes, I actually do this. Every single time. Unfortunately many a stew has been raped or worse because they were unaware that someone was hiding in their room. Taking the 60 seconds to do a quick check could potentially save your life. Once you are safely locked in your room and kicking it, do not answer the door unless it is a (yummy) crewmember. If a hotel employee/repairman/etc. knocks on your door, call the front desk and verify what they are there for. If it is a housekeeper I typically just speak to them through the door (“GTFO”). Also, if you must open the door, you can always use the safety lock that prevents the door from fully opening. During Flight: JFC! DO NOT EVER TELL A PASSENGER WHERE WE STAY! I have been on many a flight where FAs actually tell random people the name and location of our hotel. WHAT. THE. FUCK. Of course people ask me all the time, but I NEVER tell them. I mean if you want to get raped that’s all good – but I’m not down for that shit, yo. My standby answer (as to not be rude) is usually something like: “Ohhhh, I am not sure, the Captain hasn’t mentioned it yet.” In most cases they’re none the wiser, and in the meantime I don’t look like an asshole insinuating that they will rape and/or murder me if I tell them. Do not discuss your hotel, overnight plans, etc. in front of passengers. Note: *Please disregard all previous advice if it is a super-hot guy* Stay safe, guys! ….and BUH-BYE! http://rantsofasassystew.com/2013/03/if-you-have-the-nerve-to-use-these-noxious-items-during-a-flight-youre-an-asshole/ If You Have the Nerve to Use These Noxious Items During a Flight, You’re an Asshole. OK, but seriously…who would think that it is remotely acceptable to use such items inside of an enclosed metal tube with recirculated air?! Nail Polish. For the love of God, do NOT paint your nails during a flight. Everyone will hate you and a stew may punch you in the throat. By the by, you’re not the ONLY person on the plane. Kthx. Markers. One is fine, 48 Sharpies = Not Fucking Cool. Bad Gas. Kindly refrain from eating for 24 hours prior to flight. Hairspray. Take it easy, Tammy Faye. Nail Polish Remover. Please see # 1, asshole. Cheap-Ass Perfume. Ladies here’s a little tip for you, take a bath and thoroughly wash your ‘Bermuda Triangle’. There ain’t no covering up that nastiness if your biznatch isn’t clean. Strong Cheap Cologne. Example: Axe Body Spray. Just no. Women do NOT like that shit. It will more than likely repel any female over the age of 16 (free dating tip, you’re welcome). Compound W. Yes, this actually happened on one of my flights. Some asshole was TREATING HIS WARTS ON THE PLANE! Thank you for flying with us today, and BUH-BYE!
AFL-SVO-ÑÁÏ: http://jobs.aol.com/articles/2010/04/21/flight-attendant-confessions/ Confessions of a Flight Attendant By Bobby Laurie Posted Apr 21st 2010 @ 4:32AM It's been said that becoming a flight attendant isn't just a job, but a lifestyle. How true! Every day brings a new airplane, a new set of passengers and a new destination. I've been a flight attendant for five years, working for a regional, a legacy, and now, a low-cost airline. Though each airline flew different airplanes to different destinations, the life of a flight attendant is generally the same industry-wide. See average salaries for a flight attendant, pilot and baggage handler. In the United States, seniority is everything. Your seniority position within your airline dictates everything from the routes you fly to how much you get paid. New-hire flight attendants are at the bottom of the seniority list; they fly on "reserve" status, meaning they are always "on call" in case a more senior crew member calls in sick or, due to weather, the airline needs to re-staff a particular flight. As your seniority grows, you eventually reach the level of "line holder," where you can hold a monthly schedule of flying assignments, rather than on-call status. "Becoming a line holder is what every flight attendant dreams of," said Sara Keagle, a flight attendant at a legacy U.S. airline. "It finally gives you the flexibility to plan your life outside of work." Being a flight attendant is adventurous: No two days are ever the same, and you never know whom you might meet. "When he boarded the plane I wasn't sure if it was him or not, so I had to walk past him a few times," Anne Galvez, a flight attendant at a domestic low-cost carrier, recalled about meeting her celebrity crush Val Kilmer on a flight. "Of all the days this could have happened, I had minimum makeup on; so I ran into the restroom, pulled myself together and got to take a photo with him." Aside from celebrities, everyday people can also make your day all the more interesting. I recall a flight from Los Angeles to Washington D.C. when an elderly lady boarded the aircraft with a note that read: "I'm traveling to Washington D.C. to visit my son and I am blind and deaf. For my comfort I would like to request an aisle seat, a pillow and a blanket, and milk to drink." I quickly walked her over to her seat, sat her down and buckled her in. I treated her like I would my own grandmother in this situation, taking into account the fact that she couldn't hear or see me. A few hours into the flight, the fasten-seat-belt sign came on just as she stood up to make her way to the restroom. I quickly ran to guide her back to her seat. As I took her by the hand, she turned to me and said, "where are you taking me?" I jumped back, shocked that she spoke to me. I asked if she could hear me and she replied, "Yes, why wouldn't I be able to?" I laughed and told her that the note she handed me stated that she was deaf. She then said with a chuckle: "My son wrote that note and told me to show it to anyone I met while traveling. I didn't even read it, but he said that it would take care of me getting on and off the plane first, and something to eat." And there are dozens more stories like this one! Thus, a flight attendant needs to possess poise, patience, flexibility, and a big sense of humor and adventure.
AFL-SVO-ÑÁÏ: http://www.gadling.com/2011/09/30/galley-gossip-flight-attendant-interview-the-pros-and-cons-of/ Galley Gossip: Flight attendant interview - The pros and cons of speaking a second language and how it affects reserve by Heather Poole (RSS feed) on Sep 30th 2011 at 9:30AM Dear Heather, I am hoping to become a flight attendant soon (have a face to face interview next week!) and have a question about reserve status. I speak Japanese fluently and was wondering how different things are for flight attendants who speak a different language. Are they on reserve for the same amount of time? Is anything different? - Natasha For the first time in history being a flight attendant is considered a profession, not just a job. Fewer flight attendants are quitting, turnover is not as high as it once was, and competition to become a flight attendant has gotten fierce. Ninety-six percent of people who apply to become a flight attendant do not get a call back. In December of 2010 Delta Airlines received more than 100,000 applications after announcing they had an opening for 1,000 flight attendants. Even though it is not a requirement to have a college degree, only the most qualified applicants are hired. Being able to speak a second language will greatly improve your chance! The only thing that affects reserve status is company seniority (class hire date). Seniority is assigned by date of birth within each training class. This means the oldest classmate will become the most senior flight attendant in your class. Seniority is everything at an airline, and I mean everything! It determines whether you'll work holidays, weekends and when, if ever, you'll be off reserve. So it's important to accept the earliest training date offered. While speaking another language doesn't affect how long you'll serve reserve, it will have an impact on your flying career. PROS 1. MORE MONEY. "Speakers" earn more per hour than non-speakers. Unfortunately it's only a few dollars on top of what a regular flight attendant is paid. Remember most flight attendants make between fourteen to eighteen thousand a year the first year on the job, so every dollar counts. 2. GOOD TRIPS. Speakers on reserve are assigned trips to foreign countries where people speak their language. No offense to cities like Phoenix, Pittsburgh or Portland, but a layover in Paris is just a tad bit more desirable. Not just because it's a foreign city with exciting things to do and see, but because international routes pay more per hour (on top of speaker pay). 3. DAYS OFF. An international flight usually ranges between eight to fourteen hours, while domestic flights rarely go over six hours. Because flight attendants are paid for flight hours only - all that time we spend on the ground is not considered flying time, which means the flight attendant greeting you at the boarding door is not being paid - it takes domestic flight attendants a lot longer to get in their hours each month. Flight attendants who work international routes work what is considered "high-time" trips and high-time trips equate to more days off. CONS 4. BAD TRIPS. Speakers get what is called "bid denied". What this means is they get stuck working the same trip until they have enough seniority to hold something else. I know a number of speakers who became so tired of working the same route week after week, month after month, year after year, they chose to drop their language qualification altogether. In the beginning of ones flying career, a thirty-six hour layover in Paris might sound great, but even Paris gets old after awhile. 5. LESS FLEXIBILITY: The best thing about being a flight attendant is the flexible lifestyle. Because we're paid only for the hours we work, we're free to manipulate our schedules however we like. We can work high-time one month and not at all the next month. We can also "back up" our trips. Most flight attendants are scheduled a few days off between each trip. By trading trips we're able to adjust our schedules so that we can fly several trips in a row in order to get a big chunk of days off to go on vacation or just hang out at home. Speakers have a harder time doing this because they can only trade, drop, and swap with another speaker that has the same qualifications. 6. PROBLEM FLIGHTS: On domestic routes problem passengers have no trouble letting us know what's wrong. At my airline international routes are only required to be staffed with one speaker per cabin. If we don't speak the language, we have no idea there's a problem or if we do know there's a problem, we have no idea what the problem is, and the flight goes on as peacefully as it had been. Unfortunately those who do speak the language get stuck handling all the problems.
AFL-SVO-ÑÁÏ: From archives: http://www.deseretnews.com/article/515037987/Delta-flight-attendants-at-odds-over-new-rules.html Delta, flight attendants at odds over new rules By Harry R. Weber Associated Press Published: Saturday, Oct. 11 2003 ATLANTA — Some Delta Air Lines flight attendants are worried that new work rules that blend their base and overtime pay will mean less money and lower pension benefits. But the nation's third-largest airline says the changes will allow workers to earn more and save the company $40 million a year through increased productivity. Delta, which operates a hub at Salt Lake City International Airport, has roughly 14,000 flight attendants who receive a base salary for the first 50 hours of work a month and an overtime rate for hours worked above that, with a maximum of 90 hours total. New rules that go into effect next summer mean flight attendants will receive one pay rate for all hours worked, but the cap on the total hours they can work will be eliminated. The changes mean an employee working 70 hours a month under the current system could work one hour less under the new system and make the same amount, Delta said. However, an employee working 80 hours now would have to work one hour more to make the same amount, the company said. Pension benefits are based on the amount of yearly earnings for three consecutive years during the last 10 years of a flight attendant's service. Flight attendants could earn higher benefits by working longer hours, but if they kept their schedule the same in their later years their benefits might be less. "That's the law of averages. The trade-off is they have the choice," said Joan Vincenz, the airline's director of in-flight service operations and planning. Depending on seniority and hours worked, Delta flight attendants currently earn $30,000 to $60,000 a year. Vincenz said the cap on hours worked prevents ambitious flight attendants from increasing their pay. Others prefer to work fewer hours, she said, so there will be plenty of overtime available. Andrea Taylor, a Delta flight attendant from New York, said the new rules outlined to employees this week were done so without much say from workers. Flight attendants were surveyed by the company in June, but Taylor said most were against any plan that could cut their pay. In her case, she said she receives $43.02 an hour for the first 50 hours a month and $60.23 above that. Under the new rules, she said she will receive $48.76 for all hours worked. "If I work more for less money, what else is this other than a pay cut?" Taylor said. Taylor said the new rules could spark interest in forming a flight attendants union, though a union drive last year only received 30 percent support. Delta's pilots, at odds with the company for months over a request for wage concessions, are part of a union. The work rule changes include plans for increased automation and eliminating things that cost Delta money, like its reserve program. Under the reserve program, the company guarantees 20 percent of flight attendants compensation for being on call 18 to 20 days a month, whether they work or not. Under the new system, those workers will be on call only three to nine days a month. The rest of the time they will be on pre-plotted trips, Vincenz said. Delta, which lost $1.2 billion last year, has laid off 16,000 employees since the 2001 terrorist attacks.
AFL-SVO-ÑÁÏ: http://www.incrediblediary.com/5-heroic-flight-attendants.html 5 Heroic Flight Attendants Although commercial airline pilots are usually regarded as glamorous, professional and sublimely skillful and regularly lauded for their bravery, the role and efforts of flight attendants are unfortunately regularly under rated and underexposed. At first glance, a flight attendant might seem to the uninitiated eye to be adopting the role of professional host or air hostess; dispensing drinks, food and charming repartee, but this aspect of the job belies a much more serious and essential function. Flight attendants are responsible for the safety as well as the comfort of their passengers and over the years, many attendants have provided professional examples of selfless courage, fortitude and dedication that are more commonly associated with military combat situations than commercial air travel. Here follow five outstanding examples of heroism that will lie to rest the stereotypical image of flight attendants being known as ‘trolley dollies’. BOAC Flight 712, 8thApril, 1968 This Boeing 707-465 had just left Heathrow bound for Sydney, Australia via Zurich and Singapore when an engine failure during take-off led to a terrible fire and the engine in question fell from the aircraft in mid-air, landing in a gravel pit where some children were playing in nearby Thorpe, miraculously causing no injuries. However, despite a successful emergency landing being made, 5 people on board perished. Amongst the dead was 22-year-old flight attendant Barbara Jane Harrison, who remained at her post at the rear starboard door encouraging passengers to jump to safety; ultimately sacrificing her life because she refused to abandon her post until everyone had been evacuated. Her body was found next to that of a disabled passenger who she had been attempting to rescue. She was awarded a posthumous George Cross for her actions and this remains the only such medal awarded to a female during peacetime British Airtours Flight 28M, 22nd August 1985 As this international passenger flight rested on Manchester International Airport’s Runway 24 in preparation to ferry passengers to Corfu, Captain Peter Terrington and First Officer Brian Love heard a loud thumping noise and thought a tire had burst. They abandoned take off and engaged the thrust reverses, gradually braking until the plane was positioned in a taxiway to the right of the runway. However, the crew soon discovered that the source of the problem was actually an intense fire in engine No.1. Tragically, the blaze soon spread into the deaths of 53 passengers and 2 cabin crew, most of whom died of smoke inhalation. The two rear cabin crew who met their deaths bravely in the line of duty whilst opening the rear doors were Jacqui Ubanski and Sharon Ford and both were posthumously awarded the Queen’s Gallantry Medal. Meanwhile, the two forward flight attendants, Arthur Brad bury and Joanna Toff, returned time and time again to the blazing cabin to drag passengers to safety and both were awarded the same honor as their sadly deceased colleagues. Pan Am Flight 73, September 5th 1986 This Boeing 747-121 was hijacked by four armed members of the Abu Nidal Organisation whilst on the ground at Karachi, Pakistan. Of the360 on board the craft, twenty passengers were killed by the hijackers; 7 from the United States and 13 from India. During the stand-off, flight attendants were ordered to collect the passports of passengers. Senior Purser Neerja Bhanot, fearing that US citizens on board would be singled out for execution, hid some of the US passports under a seat, whilst the rest were disposed of in a waste chute. At the climax of the incident as the hijackers threw a grenade and began randomly opening fire upon passengers, Neerja Bhanot deployed an escape chute from an emergency door which passengers had managed to open and assisted several to escape. She was killed whilst heroically protecting three children from the gunfire. Just 22 at the time of her death, the Government of India posthumously awarded her the Ashoka Chakra; the highest civilian award for bravery, whilst the United States Department of Justice posthumously awarded her the Special Courage Award. Aloha Airlines Flight 243, April 28th, 1988 This Boeing 732-297 was traveling between Hilo and Honolulu in Hawaii when it suffered a major explosive decompression during flight. It was able to land safely at Kahului Airport on Maui with no fatalities except flight attendant C. B. I.Lansing, who was blown out of the aircraft to meet her tragic demise. Flight Attendant Michelle Honda suffered serious injuries when she was thrown to the floor during the decompression; with the result that she was unable to walk. Nevertheless, she bravely crawled up and down the aisles reassuring and assisting passengers British Airways Flight 5390, 10thJune, 1990 This flight from Birmingham to Malaga had only been in the air for around 15 minutes when the left cockpit windscreen suffered a nightmarish failure and caused Captain Lancaster to be violently sucked out of the window with only his legs, which has caught on flight controls, providing any purchase. Flight attendant Nigel Ogden managed to hold on to the pilot throughout the emergency descent and eventual landing at Southampton, suffering bruising and frostbite for his efforts. Captain Lancaster has been presumed dead by the crew but they held onto him desperately in order to avoid his body flying into the aircraft engine. In fact, despite suffering severe injuries and shock, he was very much alive, and returned to work five months later. Nigel Ogden suffered a dislocated shoulder and severe frostbite to his face and eye. His actions, and those of the two flight attendant colleagues who relieved him shortly before landing, saved the life of the pilot and ensured that there were no fatalities whatsoever.
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AFL-SVO-ÑÁÏ: http://www.startribune.com/opinion/commentaries/209735721.html Counterpoint: Delta takes flight attendant fatigue seriously Updated: June 1, 2013 The May 26 article “Many flight attendants dangerously exhausted” examined an issue that Delta Air Lines takes very seriously. We work closely with our flight attendants to help ensure they have adequate rest opportunities. We believe the vast majority of our flight attendant professionals, who take great pride in their training, customer service and good judgment, would take offense at the assertion that they would choose to fly routes where they would not have the opportunity for adequate rest. A few key points the article overlooked: • Delta’s rules for flight attendant rest, which exceed Federal Aviation Administration requirements, offer great flexibility for attendants to choose the length and duration of trips they work, and they have the ability to manage their schedules to ensure adequate rest. • Of all the trips our flight attendants can choose, the long-haul, international flights described in the article are among the most sought-after. • Delta provides a broad slate of tools to combat fatigue, including rest facilities and opportunities on aircraft and at airports, and hotels that are well-suited for a restful sleep. • Our flight attendants also are provided a wealth of information on fatigue management and strategies for ensuring adequate rest. It’s unfortunate that the article highlighted a tiny number of flight attendants who have had unusual issues in this area, or who may have a hidden agenda. The vast majority of our flight attendants, who are the best in the world, work hard every day to ensure a safe work environment at all times for themselves, their coworkers and their customers. Joanne Smith
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AFL-SVO-ÑÁÏ: The First Flight Attendant in History The First Flight Attendant in History by Dan on July 9, 2010 The World’s First Flight Attendant Name: Heinrich Kubis Year: 1912 Airline: DELAG Aircraft: Passenger Zeppelin LZ-10 “Schwaben” Heinrich Kubis became the world’s first flight attendant in March, 1912, when he began caring for passengers and serving food aboard the DELAG zeppelin LZ-10 Schwaben. Kubis served as chief steward on all the German passenger zeppelins that followed, including LZ-120 Bodensee (which made regularly scheduled flights between Berlin and Southern Germany in 1919), LZ-127 Graf Zeppelin, and LZ-129 Hindenburg. Kubis worked alone on the early zeppelins, but there was an assistant steward and cook aboard the 20-passenger Graf Zeppelin, and a team of 10-15 cooks and stewards aboard the 72-passenger Hindenburg. Kubis was in Hindenburg’s dining room when the ship burst into flame at Lakehurst, New Jersey on May 6, 1937. When the Hindenburg sank close enough to the ground, Kubis encouraged passengers and crew to jump from the windows and jumped to safety himself. Kubis landed without injury and was not hurt in the disaster. Kubis testified at the inquiry into the Hindenburg disaster and then returned to Germany, where he lived until his death in the 1970s. Years before heavier-than-air commercial airliners were large enough to accommodate stewards, and 18 years before Ellen Church of United Airlines became the world’s first stewardess, Heinrich Kubis was earning his living in the air as the world’s first flight attendant.
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AFL-SVO-ÑÁÏ: From "The Fabolous Life Of A Flight Attendant's" Facebook page: What to pack in your suitcase! Sometimes the airline will provide you with a crew bag and suitcase or sometimes you may have to provide your own and these will also have to fit into ‘uniform standards’ so you may have to buy a certain colour and brand. Please bear in mind that your luggage will be thrown around a lot during transit and take a lot of wear, so try and buy good quality, hard-wearing suitcases. You may just have a small ‘wheelie bag’ and crew bag or if you are flying long haul, as well as your crew bag and wheelie, you will also have a large suitcase that will go into the hold during your flight. What you pack in your cabin crew suitcase is very much down to you - and remember you will have to pull it around or lift it! Of course, the clothing you take will be dependent on where you are going and for how long - a 3 day trip to Moscow is going to be pretty different to a night stop in Nice or a week in the Caribbean (we can only dream…) So, pack wisely and as you get used to knowing what to pack - you will probably have your ‘night stop clothes’ ready packed in your suitcase each trip. EXTRA CLOTHES YOU MAY NEED Remember, you are still representing the airline, even if you are off duty - so don’t wear anything too outrageous that will draw too much attention to you. You may also want to take your swimwear and gym clothes and you must pack spare uniform items - or that will be the day a passenger spills red wine over your white shirt! You will need your toiletries bag of course, full of miniature bottles of products such as shampoo, shower gel, toothpaste etc. You can decant the products you normally use at home into smaller travel bottles too - really you don’t want to be taking full size items around with you! USEFUL EXTRAS You may want to carry a small first aid kit for all those little emergencies and any prescription tablets you may need to take. Sunscreen and mosquito repellant may be a good idea for some destinations. You may want to take your laptop/iPad with you, for watching movies in your room and keeping in contact with family and friends, so it is also a good idea to pack a multi-plug adapter for use in different countries and if you will use your mobile phone you should pack the charger too. As you travel more, you will learn what to pack and what works for you. Not everyone needs loads of clothes or make up or the latest iPad or iPod. Some crew don’t want to go out or maybe they want to do their own thing and will pack accordingly. Many crew like to shop for bargains, so it’s always wise to leave a little space for those unexpected purchases. HOME COMFORTS Being cabin crew is definitely a ‘lifestyle’ and you have to make it work for you. Sometimes crew can be away for a long time and need a few home comforts, it can get lonely sometimes - photos of loved ones, scented candles etc. can make a hotel room a bit more homely. A laptop can almost be an essential item to keep in touch with friends and family on Skype, you can play your own music and watch movies or play games - whatever you like to do. Once you get home, just take out your clothes and do the laundry – replace items in your suitcase and voilá – you are ready for your next trip with minimum fuss!
AFL-SVO-ÑÁÏ: http://www.ainonline.com/aviation-news/aviation-international-news/2013-07-04/day-life-charter-flight-attendant Day In The Life of a Charter Flight Attendant Aviation International News » July 2013 by Anonymous and Susan Friedenberg July 4, 2013, 2:25 AM A good few years ago I was a flight attendant on a charter trip out of Boca Raton,and we had a body to transport north of the border. The deceased man and his familywere Jewish, and under Jewish religious law you have to be buried within 24 hours. Still in shock, the family was making these arrangements swiftly to get their loved one’s body back to Canada for burial. The family would betraveling on the Gulfstream with the body, we were told. The morticians from the funeral home showed uptwo hours before departure with the bodyin the coffin. No matter how hard they tried, they could not get the coffin to fit in the baggage compartment. So they decided to take the body out of the coffin and put it in the baggage compartment,inthe body bag, laid flat on the floor in front of the mesh restraints. There were manysuitcases, and theywere stowed behind the meshrestraints.The baggage compartmentalso had storage space and compartments for stockand galley items,so before we took off I brought forward what I would needso as not to have to go back there in flight. They loaded the body, and I must say this freaked me out a tad. It was done in a kind, respectfuland gentle manner, but it was nevertheless strange to have a dead man lying in a body bag beneath where my garment bag was hanging. The morticians asked me not to let anyone in the family go back there in flight because they were not telling them that their dad/husband/grandfather/brother was laid out in the back, out of the coffin. Thenthe family showed up–the grown kids, the grandchildren and the elderly wife. The kids immediately started drinking heavily and were telling stories of the deceased. He sounded like a cool guy! Then his widow asked, “Susan, where are the bags? I have to get my knitting needles out of a suitcase.” I said they are in the back, pointing to the aft of the aircraft, and she started out of her seat. “ Oh no, Mrs. – ,” I said. “The luggagecompartment is packed solid, and it is highly unlikely you will be able to find the bag. It might be under other bags.” She gentlypushed past me and headed aft. Freaking out, I blocked her–all 110 pounds of me–and would not let her pass. “Please, Mrs. – , describe the bag and I’ll find it for you.” So she did, and I went aft and locked the lav door behind me. There I am, alone with the deceased lying in the body bag there at my feet. I was quiet and respectful and even said a prayer in Hebrew for the mourning whilelooking at the bag. I was thinking, this is so weird. Then I reached over him to open the mesh between me and the bags, and the body sat almost upright from rigor mortis. I lost it. I screamed, jumped up and hit my head hardon the garment-bag pole. Then I started asking him questions: “How could you scare me like that? Why did you die over the holidays? How could you leave these lovely people?” I was laughing and crying at the same time. It was like a Saturday Night Live skit. I composed myself, put him back flat, found the knitting needles and returned to the cabin. The family was wasted by this time and, trust me, I really needed a cocktail. We landed. The family went into the FBO. The morticians showed up and discreetly put the deceased back into a coffin and offloaded him. What a day!
AFL-SVO-ÑÁÏ: http://www.guardian.co.uk/business/2013/jul/04/indian-airline-goair-female-only-crew-fuel Indian airline GoAir to hire female-only cabin crew in bid to cut fuel bill Low-cost airline says move could save £330,000 a year because women are 20kg lighter on average than men Angela Monaghan guardian.co.uk, Thursday 4 July 2013 Budget airlines are constantly on the lookout for ways to cut their fuel bills and India's GoAir is no different. Its latest idea is to hire female-only cabin crew, refusing applications from their heavier male counterparts in a bid to limit fuel burn. The low-cost airline has calculated that the move will save up to 30m rupees (£330,000) a year, because women 20kg lighter on average. Around 130, or 40%, of GoAir's existing crew members are male, and they will keep their jobs. But men will miss out in the future, as the airline presses ahead with ambitious expansion plans for 80 new aircraft by 2020 and around 2,000 cabin crew and pilots. It currently has a fleet of 15 aircraft. The chief executive, Giorgio De Roni, said the decision was driven by the rupee's sharp fall against the dollar over the past year. "The rupee's fall has hurt the industry badly. All major expenses – aircraft leasing, spare parts and fuel costs – are linked to the dollar," he told the Times of India. "We are looking at every possible way of cost-cutting to remain profitable." As operating costs rise, GoAir has taken other measures to reduce the weight on board its aircraft and limit fuel burn. Its in-flight magazines have been shrunk, and water tanks are not being filled to capacity. Aircraft are also using a single engine to taxi in order to save fuel. "Our new aircraft will have sharklets [wingtip devices] that will help in reducing fuel burn by 5%. From next year onwards, we will have sharklets installed in five of our existing planes, while the remaining 10 will be phased out to have a young fleet," De Roni said.
AFL-SVO-ÑÁÏ: http://www.gadling.com/2013/07/02/branson-airline-complaint-letter/ Sir Richard Branson Applauds Airline Complaint Letter by Libby Zay (RSS feed) on Jul 2nd 2013 at 3:00PM Sir Richard Branson, the self-made billionaire of Virgin fame, must have some spare time these days. The business mogul has taken it upon himself to applaud a humorous airline complaint letter that went viral. Written by tennis pro Arthur Hicks, the sarcastic letter thanks Caribbean carrier LIAT for taking him on a tour of the islands. Dear LIAT, May I say how considerate it is of you to enable your passengers such an in-depth and thorough tour of the Caribbean. Most other airlines I have travelled on would simply wish to take me from point A to B in rather a hurry. I was intrigued that we were allowed to stop at not a lowly one or two but a magnificent six airports yesterday. And who wants to fly on the same airplane the entire time? We got to change and refuel every step of the way! I particularly enjoyed sampling the security scanners at each and every airport. I find it preposterous that people imagine them all to be the same. And as for being patted down by a variety of islanders, well, I feel as if I've been hugged by most of the Caribbean already. I also found it unique that this was all done on "island time," because I do like to have time to absorb the atmosphere of the various departure lounges. As for our arrival, well, who wants to have to take a ferry at the end of all that flying anyway? I'm glad the boat was long gone by the time we arrived into Tortola last night - and that all those noisy bars and restaurants were closed. So thank you, LIAT. I now truly understand why you are "The Caribbean Airline." P.S. Keep the bag. I never liked it anyway. Branson himself is no stranger to airline grievances. He once received what many regard as the world's most epic complaint letter, a detailed account of a passenger's "culinary journey of hell" when faced with a spongy biscuit during an in-flight meal. But as the saying goes, there is no such thing as bad publicity -- even in the case of funny airline complaints.
AFL-SVO-ÑÁÏ: Flight Attendant Called Hero Lee yoon-Hye, Asiana Airlines Flight 214 flight attendant and cabin manager (AP) 10:45 AM, Jul 8, 2013 Ben Mutzabaugh, USA TODAY Asiana Airlines attendants are being lauded as heroes for their role in helping passengers to safety after the crash-landing of Flight 214 at San Francisco on Saturday. Lee Yoon-hye, described by The Associated Pressas the "cabin manger" who was "apparently the last person to leave the burning plane," was among those being called out for her efforts to lead fliers to safety. Speaking to AP, Lee described evacuation in the moments after the crash-landing, in which 305 of 307 people onboard the flight survived. She tells the news agency that one of her colleagues carried a frightened elementary school-aged boy on her back off the plane and down the emergency exit slide. MORE: Evacuating a plane quickly comes from training FULL COVERAGE: The crash of Asiana Flight 214 AP: Asiana attendant describes dramatic evacuation AP adds "Lee herself worked to put out fires and usher passengers to safety despite a broken tailbone that kept her standing throughout a news briefing with mostly South Korean reporters at a San Francisco hotel. She said she didn't know how badly she was hurt until a doctor at a San Francisco hospital later treated her." San Francisco fire chief Joanne Hayes-White praised Lee, whom she talked to just after the evacuation, according to AP. "She was so composed I thought she had come from the terminal," Hayes-White is quoted as saying to reporters in a clip posted to YouTube. "She wanted to make sure that everyone was off. ... She was a hero." Passenger Eugene Anthony Rah, who was sitting in business class on Asiana Flight 214, echoed a similar theme in an interview with The Wall Street Journal. He describes a chaotic post-landing scene, telling the newspaper he saw an attendant helping passengers to the exit slides. "She was a hero," Rah says to the Journal. "This tiny, little girl was carrying people piggyback, running everywhere, with tears running down her face. She was crying, but she was still so calm and helping people." The speed of the evacuation of Asiana Flight 214 ... suggested to observers a textbook example of how to get more than 300 people off a plane after a crash and before it burns. "It's incredible to see what these flight attendants were able to accomplish - with half the doors," Leslie Mayo, a flight attendant for American Airlines on 777s and national communications coordinator for the Association of Professional Flight Attendants, says to USA TODAY. The Journal also picks up on that theme in its story, writing "such quick-thinking heroics in the minutes after the plane's spectacular crash at San Francisco International Airport, combined with technological enhancements in recent years that have made jetliner accidents more survivable, likely prevented Saturday's disaster from being far more deadly, experts said." As for flight attendant Lee, the 40-year-old who has been with Asiana for nearly 20 years says she sensed something was wrong with Flight 214 as it neared the runway. "Right before touchdown, I felt like the plane was trying to take off. I was thinking, 'What's happening?' and then I felt a bang," Lee is quoted as saying by AP. "That bang felt harder than a normal landing. It was a very big shock. Afterward, there was another shock and the plane swayed to the right and to the left." Then the captain ordered the evacuation of the aircraft, and Lee says she instinctively jumped to action. "I wasn't really thinking, but my body started carrying out the steps needed for an evacuation," Lee says, according to AP. "I was only thinking about rescuing the next passenger." And when she noticed flames, she adds: "I was only thinking that I should put it out quickly. I didn't have time to feel that this fire was going to hurt me."
AFL-SVO-ÑÁÏ: Flight Attendants An open Letter to All Airline Passangers... before you treat a flight attendant badly.take a moment and know that she may save your life before saving her own! Hope Asiana Crash teaches all those fuss makers a lesson! An Open Letter to Airline Passengers: Many of you ignore us. And by us, I mean your flight crew – you know, those pesky, perky folks in polyester that pour Cokes. Flight Attendants, contrary to popular belief, are highly skilled and it’s not in the art of delivering beverages and snacks. Instead, we’re safety professionals initially taught for weeks, some of us a couple months, on delivering babies, putting out fires, administering first aid and, of course, evacuating an aircraft… which means getting you off and to safety along with perhaps hundreds more in ninety seconds or less. We are required by the FAA to maintain these skills through annual recurrent training. In an incredible show of just how capable Flight Attendants are at their job, our colleagues at Asiana Airlines evacuated a full Boeing 777 before it was engulfed in flames after crash-landing in San Francisco. Kudos to them for sure… Among our industry, we hold them in awe, partly because we are thankful it wasn’t us on that plane. We can do it and perhaps must one day, but no one wants to be faced with the danger, with death. But, you, Passenger, have to make a phone call. Send that text. Play with your iProduct. Ignore the safety demonstration. Do you recall where your exit was? The plane is on fire; the door near you is blocked. The overhead bin is now in your lap. Smoke has filled the cabin and you cannot see. Wires and oxygen masks hang in your face. Who are you gonna look for now? Oh, it’s the Flight Attendant! The one who said hello to you during boarding but to whom you could not utter a word because you were too busy to notice. We appreciate your flying; we genuinely do. We enjoy hearing about your world, where you’re heading for business or vacation. Without your business, we wouldn’t feed ourselves much less our families. We couldn’t pay our car payments or afford to educate ourselves higher than the degrees many already possess. We also wouldn’t jet off to exotic locales courtesy of the company we work for and enjoy a lifestyle unlike any other. We really do enjoy serving you. What we don’t enjoy is being taken for granted. We are trained to react for both anticipated and unanticipated emergencies. The Asiana crew had no clue what was about to befall them. This would be an unanticipated emergency. After an almost eleven hour flight, the crew likely had discussed what they’d enjoy on their layover in San Francisco, one of my favorites. Without a doubt, though, the crew – like all of us – silently/mentally prepare for just what happened. Who would have thought that the landing gear would be sheared off by the sea wall and the tail of the aircraft ripped apart? Thank God the plane didn’t catapult down the runway… When we sit on that jump seat for takeoff and landing, we are recalling our training. Where is my emergency equipment? What are my evacuation commands? If we land in the water, which exits are usable? What should I take with me to use until first responders arrive? The Asiana crew was en pointe. And that is where we need you to be, Mister and Mrs. Important Passenger. We need you to turn off your damned electronics and listen to us. Debate the specifics of whether it interferes with aircraft navigation guides with someone else. We need you to hear us and not just for your sake. While you’re being caught up to speed on the very important details other passengers are comprehending, you’re cutting into the ninety seconds we’re trained to get you off the aircraft, namely because that’s approximately the time it takes for it to become engulfed in flames. It’s not just you we’re tasked with saving… it’s everyone on board, and then ourselves. You can thank us later… after you say hello. And, leave your damned belongings behind like we told you. No one needs luggage during an evacuation. And, if you puncture the slide on one of our only usable exits, we’re not going to be as happy as we were when we were pouring you that Diet Coke. Think it cannot happen to you: You can’t ask those two teens that died but ask the hundreds who walked away.
AFL-SVO-ÑÁÏ: What Flight Attendants Don't Tell You In The Safety Demo by Libby Zay (RSS feed) on Jul 8th 2013 For regular flyers, it's all too easy to zone out during the requisite flight attendant safety speech. But have you ever sat back in your cramped airline seat to wonder why it's so important to put on your own oxygen mask before helping others, or why airlines dim the lights upon landing? George Hobica of Airfarewatchdog.com helps us read between the lines -- advice that is all the more relevant as we're all thinking about Asiana Airlines Flight 214 crash at San Francisco Airport over the weekend. Own Mask First Safety demos never go into why it's so important to put on your own mask before helping those around you. According to Hobica, here's the details: You might only have 15 or 20 seconds in the event of a cabin decompression, during which all oxygen would be sucked out of the plane (and your lungs), before you'd experience confusion and a euphoric "stoned" state... In 30 to 45 seconds you'd probably pass out. So it's important to act quickly. Dimmed Lights Upon Landing If you're wondering why airlines dim the cabin lights before takeoffs and landings, here's the scoop from Hobica: You guessed it: to help adjust your eyes to the dark (either inside a smoke filled cabin or on a darkened runway). Shoes On Upon Landing Some airlines ask that passengers keep shoes on when landing -- except for high heels, which can tear the emergency slide. Hobica explains why: Because the runway might be burning hot after you jump down the slide. The Proper Brace Position Those safety cards in the seat back pocket that all flight attendants ask you to read detail the proper position to brace yourself in if a crash should occur. Look closely and notice each drawing shows one hand over the other. Here's why: Should something fall on you during a crash landing, you want to protect at least one hand (preferably the one you write with) because you'll need it to unbuckle your seat belt when it's safe to do so. Your other hand is in that position to provide some protection to your "strong" hand, which will be doing the unbuckling. Hobica came up with the tips with some help from a Flight Safety Awareness Course by British Airways. While it's not likely these details will be added to safety speeches (we'll thank the flight attendants for keeping things succinct), it's clear that a lot of thought has actually gone behind making each of the safety tips short but sweet.
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AFL-SVO-ÑÁÏ: http://edition.cnn.com/2013/07/09/world/asia/asiana-flight-attendant/index.html Asiana flight attendants hailed as heroes By Madison Park, CNN July 10, 2013 Hong Kong (CNN) -- Veteran flight attendant Lee Yoon Hye sensed something was awry as Flight 214 neared the San Francisco International Airport runway. As the plane was supposed to land, it rose briefly as if it was trying to lift off again. Lee had worked 18 years with Asiana Airlines and on Saturday, her skills were tested. The plane slammed down with "great impact," said Lee, who sat in the front. Then boom -- the plane hit again. "It was even more than a hard landing," Lee, 40, said. The plane teetered left and right. After striking the edge of the runway at San Francisco International Airport, the Boeing 777 tumbled into the ground, igniting flames and a trail of smoke. Its tail splintered off and parts of the plane peeled off as it skidded into the earth. When the aircraft finally stopped, she noticed that the emergency inflatable slide located at the right side of the front door had deployed inside the plane. Witnesses say the overhead bins dropped open. Hailed as a hero who ushered passengers out of the Asiana plane, Lee was one of the 12 flight attendants on Flight 214. Two other flight attendants were not in their seats at the rear of the aircraft when the plane finally ground to a halt, because they were ejected as the aircraft broke up. They were later found near the runway, according to the National Transportation Safety Board. Lee calmly described the chaotic minutes of the Asiana plane crash. Dressed in her airline uniform, her name tag pinned to her jacket and her hair in the airline's trademark bun, she addressed Korean journalists gathered in San Francisco earlier this week. According to the airline, flight attendants helped passengers get off the plane safely. They opened doors, deployed slides and helped passengers escape, according to JoongAng Daily, a South Korean newspaper. As soon as the plane stopped, Lee knocked on the cockpit door to make sure the pilots were OK. The captain opened the door. "Are you OK, Captain?" she asked. "Yes, I am OK," he replied. "Should I perform the evacuation?" she asked. He told her to wait, she recalled. Lee made an announcement to assure increasingly agitated passengers, telling them that the plane had come to a complete stop. Once evacuation began, Lee said she had a plan. "I was not thinking, but acting," she said. "As soon as I heard 'emergency escape,' I conducted the evacuation." "When there was a fire, I was just thinking to extinguish it, not thinking that it's too dangerous or 'What am I going to do?'" Asiana flight attendants undergo three months of training including emergencies and terrorist training before their first flight. Did passengers ignore safety messages? Lee said she saw her colleagues jump into action to help passengers and injured crew even as a fire burned in the back of the airplane. They popped the first emergency slide that had deployed inside with an ax to free a crew member who was struggling to breathe underneath its weight. Another emergency slide in the back trapped another crew member and was deflated with a kitchen knife, Lee said according to South Korean news station YTN. One shaken elementary school-aged boy was afraid to go down the emergency slide, but one of the flight attendants lifted him on her back and escaped with him, Lee said. Earlier this week, Eugene Rah, who was flying his 173rd flight on Asiana Air, told CNN that he saw a 100-pound flight attendant carrying the injured on her back. Joanne Hayes-White, the San Francisco Fire Chief also praised the flight attendant for being "so composed." "She was not concerned for her safety, but everyone else's," she said. Lee said she was the last to leave the plane. And she glanced back. "The ceiling was coming down and I felt like something was dragging the plane. Behind me I couldn't see, because it looked like there was a wall." She had no idea the tail had snapped off or how the plane would be nearly engulfed in flames moments after they had escaped. Two teenagers, both 16, died in the crash. The rest who were on board escaped: 305 of them.
AFL-SVO-ÑÁÏ: American Airlines Flight Attendant Service celebrates its 80 Years Anniversary
AFL-SVO-ÑÁÏ: Chinese Airline to Hire ‘Flight Aunties’ July 16, 2013, 8:00 AM To meet strong growth in demand, China’s Spring Airlines is on a drive to hire new flight attendants, a profession that’s highly sought-after in the nation for the glamour and travel opportunities. But there’s a catch: Spring Air, China’s biggest budget carrier, will give preference to married women with kids. These unusual requirements to hire what the airline calls ‘flight aunties’ come as the Shanghai-based airline seeks to diversify the profile of its 600-strong flight attendant workforce. It’s also a huge departure from what’s done at China’s big state-owned carriers, which place heavy emphasis on beauty and youth. Chinese airlines are known to host pageant-style competitions to choose new flight attendants, attracting thousands of applications from young women. Airlines also employ male flight attendants, though females remain the vast majority. In its latest recruitment campaign, Spring Air says it’s seeking college-educated females aged between 25 and 45, adding that those who are married with children are given top consideration. The airline says it’s beneficial to have a wider age profile among flight attendants, because they could provide different service advantages and skills. It notes that younger flight attendants are more enthusiastic, while older ones are more mature and reliable. Spring Air says its decision to raise the age limit for flight attendants to 45 follows the results of a recent survey on Weibo indicating that 72% of internet users polled prefer to be served by experienced flight attendants. The previous age cap for new hires was 35. “We believe many women have a dream to work in the aviation industry, no matter how old they are,” the airline said. – Joanne Chiu
AFL-SVO-ÑÁÏ: British Airways cabin crew tips on hand luggage Are you one of those travelers that struggle with what to put in their hand luggage because you have limited space, think you might forget something important and are afraid you might pack a ‘wrong item’ which security will throw out as you check-in? Worry no more. The British Airways Cabin Crew has put together their top tips for hand luggage to help make your travel experience more comfortable and stress free. Their tips are: - Always roll your clothes, it really helps save space in your bag and prevents clothes creasing. - Use all available space by stuffing things like shoes with socks or underwear – it will also help maintain their shape. - Re-use plastic bags by using them to separate different items. In particular ensure any liquids and dirty items like shoes are wrapped in bags to prevent staining other contents. - Pop a few sheets of ‘Bounce’ tumble dryer sheets in between your clothes to keep them smelling fresh. - Don’t wear lots of loose items when traveling, you will be asked to remove belts, jewellery, jackets and shoes through security so to save time, keep these items to a minimum. - Remember not to carry any sharps in your hand luggage. Lots of people make this mistake with nail scissors and then have them removed. - Put your money and your address details in a separate compartment or near the top of your bag so that you can reach it easily without unpacking items. - Have your boarding pass to hand (or know the flight number) if you plan to head to the shops before your flight as you will be asked for it. Having a bag with a zip pocket to store this is really useful. - Decant liquids in to 100ml bottles and seal them in a clear bag to save time at security. Cabin crew also often carry a small shoe horn in their hand baggage to enable them to get shoes on and off through security as quickly as possible. - Ensure you check the hand baggage guidelines for the airline you are traveling with before you depart. Some airlines (like British Airways) have a more generous luggage allowance. Be aware of the charges if you go over the allowance. You can buy cheap hand-held scales to weigh bags which are a good way to check before you leave. - If you know you might have to pay for excess luggage at the airport, ensure you have cash with you. Some airlines insist you pay additional charges in cash at the airport and if you’re in a rush, this can cause you real problems. - If you’re packing all your luggage in a carry-on bag, go for something with wheels. You can buy very small bags with wheels now and even with a small amount of luggage you will appreciate having something you can pull if you’ve got a long walk to the gate! The British Airways Cabin Crew take up to 450 flights a year so they are always looking for ways to make travel easier for their passengers. Most of these tips are really simple but they can make a big difference to your journey!
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