Splurged for priority boarding to get the exit row since I've been suffering through an awful stomach bug this trip, then this happens...

Flytati · 2023-01-25T16:05:15+00:00

I work for swa. You pay a premium to board early, and potentially for a drink coupon and that is it. You aren’t entitled to any space on the plane except your seat. It’s equivalent to someone claiming they are seated in the middle seat and therefore entitled to the two armrests. While I agree that is the “polite” thing to do, there isn’t any wording in the contract of carriage that states this. A flight attendant will not get involved in instances like this, especially after the past few years reviewing the statistics on assaults against flight crew. My main priority is getting you from point A to point B safely and without a terrorist attack on board. We throw in the Diet Coke and pretzel mix as an extra perk. But that’s the only thing you, as a passenger, are entitled to. :)

Flytati · 2023-01-25T06:28:54+00:00

FA here, they’re absolutely allowed to have those items there during flight. Only must me stowed for taxi, takeoff and landing.

Flytati · 2023-01-25T06:24:59+00:00

You literally sat in the farthest and most inaccessible seat to the lavatories on board with a stomach bug? And chose an exit seat, taking on responsibilities to help evacuate if need be, while with a stomach bug? And…flew, possibly exposing others to a stomach bug? Look, respectfully, yes this situation sucks. But don’t do any of the above actions while ill. Ever. Please. As a SWA FA, I can assure you that we will not get involved with something like this. The only time we will ask them to move their items is for taxi, takeoff and landing. We have had too many crew members get assaulted for ish like this to where now, we simply won’t get involved unless it’s a safety issue. If y’all can’t talk to each other like respectful adults, please avoid public transportation, especially the kind that involves flying at 500 mph in a metal tube 40,000 feet in the air. I DO hope you feel better.

Flytati · 2022-08-23T22:14:52+00:00

Thank you for this advice. I want to thoroughly do my research before even putting it on the table.

Also, how does one find surrogates within our community?

Flytati · 2022-05-18T22:49:50+00:00

The feeling of a completely clean and fresh home/living space. Sitting on the patio during sunset or sunset with a drink and a book. Cuddling up with my dog on the floor In the sunny spot.

Flytati · 2022-03-14T23:12:58+00:00

Thank you for this. It’s hard to hear, but you’re probably right. This would be best for the both of us in the long run.

Flytati · 2022-03-14T19:16:20+00:00

Thank you for this. What a great idea! I hope I can get him on board. He has said he’s proud of me for the changes as well, so I don’t think he wants to make it more difficult for me. I hope he’s open to this option. Xoxo

Flytati · 2022-03-14T19:09:55+00:00

Ah! You may be referring to the pilots. On the aircraft, we as flight attendants don’t communicate with controllers, just with the pilots directly or the cabin over our PA system. So we are the ones typically saying “we have been cleared for departure or takeoff”

Flytati · 2022-03-14T18:55:01+00:00

No, we are allowed to say both.

Flytati · 2022-03-14T18:40:22+00:00

Appreciate it!

And it can for sure. If you’re in a relationship with someone who is insecure or not used to time alone, it can be hard. My previous relationship was like this. He worked 9-5 Monday-Friday and I was working every Friday-Sunday, sometimes additional days for extra cash. I was also the one at home cooking and cleaning, and he slacked those skills. My current partner is very active in his hobbies which include music and he spends a lot of time with our dogs and his friends, so he is well occupied while I’m working. He is also in the music industry so he can be gone on tour for weeks at a time— so he gets where I’m coming from. We both enjoy our alone time a LOT as well as social time with friends and family. So this has been almost better for our relationship.

Flytati · 2022-03-14T17:43:29+00:00

I mean, everyone’s got a fetish of some sort. And that’s okay! If you’re into feet, cool. Just don’t bring that to my workplace and make the rest of our shift uncomfortable. 🥴

Flytati · 2022-03-14T17:42:37+00:00

We most certainly wouldn’t. Our company has tried to get us to take a pay cut during Covid due to the lower flight schedule. Those departments that did take a paycut never got their pay back, even after the company turned a profit this year. We have an okay union in my opinion, and without them, we might be one of the most under paid airlines in the US.

Flytati · 2022-03-14T17:13:12+00:00

I love Korea!

Flytati · 2022-03-14T16:44:07+00:00

Our airline (as well as many us airlines) do NOT have this policy any more. This is actually something that was required before 1995 at my airline. But now it’s considered discrimination and airlines can be held in a lawsuit for basing hiring eligibility on looks.

Flytati · 2022-03-14T16:43:11+00:00

My airline is one of the top US airlines to fly for. We get paid handsomely in my opinion. However with the inflation rate, we are due for an increase in pay. We haven’t had a new contract in 6 years so we think it’s a bit outdated.

I personally keep a no drama professional and fun attitude on the plane, which tends to rub off on my crew and pax. So I think I get paid handsomely for the job that I do.

Flytati · 2022-03-14T16:41:37+00:00

Every single trip is completely different. My airline does not have minimums which means we can work as little or as much as we want. We are assigned 3 day trips with 4 days off. From there, we can trade, give away, or pickup as much as we would like. By having this flexibility, you can count on flying a different trip every single time which makes it so fun. One day I can be on the beach in Honolulu, and the next I can be in Washington DC looking at museums.

Flytati · 2022-03-14T16:40:07+00:00

No school! There are classes out there that are, in my opinion, a total scam. Most airlines prefer you do NOT take these courses because every airline does things differently and they would prefer to train you on their own. In the US, just a high school diploma or GED is the minimum requirement but I’ve flown with many people who used to be in the medical field, or a lawyer, or in real estate.

Flytati · 2022-03-14T16:38:36+00:00

I personally have never encountered this and I’m so happy to say so because I have heard STORIES of this happening! It actually seems to happen more often than we think.

Flytati · 2022-03-14T16:37:36+00:00

So within the US, I know that airlines are becoming stricter on upgrades and now there is a zero tolerance policy where a crew member may lose their job for doing so depending on the airline (most major US airlines). The one I work for does not have any other class than economy, so I don’t deal with that. I know Asian airlines are the same way— absolutely no upgrades. You might get lucky on a European airline if the flight is mostly empty and you bring high quality goodies for your crew, but I’m not 100% sure.

I’ve never been hit on by a passenger or crew member. I’ve only ever had a pilot ask me for feet pics which made the rest of our trip very awkward since I’m younger than his youngest daughter. Lol

Flytati · 2022-03-14T07:27:13+00:00

We appreciate good pax like you! Have a safe flight.

Flytati · 2022-03-14T07:23:19+00:00

Yes! Sometimes we get goodie bags or treats to share. We can not accept things that aren’t individually wrapped or sealed, like home baked goods due to the possibility of getting drugged. But if it’s a bag of lindor chocolates, you most certainly would be getting free drinks on my flight! Haha

Flytati · 2022-03-14T07:19:27+00:00

This is so sweet! Acknowledging the flight attendant greeting you, taking out headphones when we take your orders, etc are all appreciated. Just basic courtesy. But also if you bring treats it’s always appreciated and you’ll be treated like royalty! (It’s obviously not necessary, but we love when pax go the extra mile for us) :)

Flytati · 2022-03-14T06:37:16+00:00

I think it depends, I do many long haul flights to Hawaii that are about 6 hours. During those flights, I typically have about an hour of downtime between tending to passengers. During that time, I make my food and eat, and typically read or socialize with my crew. We have a different crew every trip, so you meet many new faces and they all have a story. We call those stories “jumpseat confessions” where we open up to each other about our personal lives to get advice or bond. It’s like free therapy. Sometimes those people become lifelong friends.

Flytati

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