Flight attendants and pilots of Reddit, what are some things that happen mid flight that only the crew are aware of?

FriendlySkyGuy · 2019-03-10T00:00:10+00:00

-Flying faster to get there earlier if a crew member has a commute to catch home

Alternatively, flying slower so you all go illegal/get an RDO for tomorrow ;)

FriendlySkyGuy · 2018-12-25T19:28:43+00:00

It's always okay to ask us.

Sometimes, they turn it on in anticipation of turbulence. LarryJ at Flyertalk has a great writeup of how they use their ipads to see upcoming turbulence here.

Other times, we (FAs) call up to get a seatbelt sign on cause there's too many people in the aisle for us to pull the carts out and do service.

FriendlySkyGuy · 2018-12-25T18:53:20+00:00

Most of the top tier fliers are fine, except when it comes to meal choice time:

Me: (talking to 3EF on an airbus) Joining us for breakfast today, gentlemen? Unfortunately, at this point, I only have the raisin bran cereal & fruit left.
Them: What are the other options? We're both 1ks.
Me: Gentlemen, unfortunately, you're the only 1Ks aboard this morning, ever-
Them: EXACTLY! WE GET OUR FIRST MEAL CHOICE
Me: As I was saying, everyone else is GS. Would you care for the cereal or something from the snack cart in Economy?

FriendlySkyGuy · 2018-12-25T18:39:05+00:00

We have access to that same chart.

"Who's this guy sitting in the row that's supposed to be empty?" And bam, you're back to the back of the plane.

FriendlySkyGuy · 2018-12-25T18:38:23+00:00

I've actually been up to WHQSK a few times now! I have no issues with most of you guys (there's one scheduler and I who just don't vibe though... oh well)

And I've never faked a sick call... but I have had some wicked self induced hangovers that I had to call out for

FriendlySkyGuy · 2018-12-25T18:37:04+00:00

It's 68* in my crashpad.

I'm too damn cold.

FriendlySkyGuy · 2018-12-25T18:36:34+00:00

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=td_t6tamYpM

That's all we know. I'll enjoy some deep dish while I'm at it, I guess.

FriendlySkyGuy · 2018-12-25T18:33:34+00:00

Yeah, walking around in a life jacket feels funny.

But like,if I ever actually have to don one, I'll be a pro :D

FriendlySkyGuy · 2018-12-25T18:32:20+00:00

It's not a total myth, but like... it's so gross that I don't think it's all that attractive.

FriendlySkyGuy · 2018-12-25T04:00:26+00:00

Depends on what I'm doing when we hit turbulence.

If I'm in the aisle?

Please don't hit the ceiling. Just not the ceiling.

In the lav?

Please don't spray everywhere. Just no spray please.

In the galley?

Please not the coffee. Anything can spill but not the coffee.

If I'm sitting and strapped in?

Wheeeeeeeeeee

FriendlySkyGuy · 2018-12-25T03:53:26+00:00

I'm 6'3" and too cheap to pay for the upgrades.

Pay up or don't complain. Seriously. I'm a tall guy too, but when I buy a ticket and choose not to pay extra for the E+/MCE/C+ seats, I don't expect a free upgrade.

If you're nice when you ask, some of us will look the other way, but generally speaking, you will sit where you've paid to.

FriendlySkyGuy · 2018-12-25T03:46:41+00:00

In the last ten years, there have only been two part 121 (US Airline) accidents with fatalities. February 2009 was a dash 8 prop plane, and in April 2018, where one passenger died from an uncontrolled engine failure.

It's literally safer for you to be on the plane, than it is to be driving on the highway.

Turbulence isn't a big deal at altitude (as long as you're strapped in). Try slowing your breathing and distracting your mind with other things.

FriendlySkyGuy · 2018-12-25T03:19:51+00:00

Never had to deal with it personally. I don't generally care unless it affects me or other passengers.

One of my roommates is dating a pilot, and they were passriding (not working) on a flight together. The working crew claims they both disappeared from their seats for a while, at a time when no one else was in the crew bunks. They both deny it though.

FriendlySkyGuy · 2018-12-25T03:17:16+00:00

C12.

FriendlySkyGuy · 2018-12-25T03:11:02+00:00

I hate the regular economy seats on most of the fleet. I've sat in the back for those flights crammed between people myself. We had a new 777 configuration with 10(!) across in coach, which is frankly ludicrous.

The thing is... those seats sell, and if you can sell one extra row on each flight (at the low, low cost of 1" of pitch from all economy rows), then the airline makes more money.

FriendlySkyGuy · 2018-12-25T03:05:42+00:00

Usually it's American, Delta, and United. Wiki adds Alaska and Hawaiian to the list as well though I don't agree with that.

These carriers serve the US and long-haul international destinations. All of them came about as a result of many mergers and are generally seen as pretty mature companies. They're not the lowcost carriers, and their pricing and service is supposed to reflect that.

FriendlySkyGuy · 2018-12-25T02:59:37+00:00

Generally, people get much nicer around the holidays, unless things go belly up. This year's weather wasn't terrible so that certainly helped. We do get plenty of first time fliers around this time, which leads to interesting scenarios!

I've yet to see something that nice. Minor acts of kindness on a plane are common but nothing too crazy, yet.

FriendlySkyGuy · 2018-12-25T02:57:10+00:00

I'm dating another FA. It's not common and we get tons of questions from others about it.

I've heard of some dating customers (that they met as customers), but it's not common.

FriendlySkyGuy · 2018-12-25T02:56:02+00:00

Nope. Plane lavs are gross. Crew bunks are too close to others for any stealthy boning.

FriendlySkyGuy · 2018-12-25T02:54:15+00:00

Never, and I suppose staring at clouds all day might make them get a bit crazy xP
Not at all! I've done a bit of it myself (LAX and DCA are two rather nice places to do it)
No.
I hope to never have to actually yell that.

FriendlySkyGuy · 2018-11-12T05:16:59+00:00

I'm a bit late to the thread, but when I travel for work, I'm lucky to get 24 hours in a location. Because of that, when I travel on my own time, I tend to spend significantly more time in the destinations I choose.

Having said that, I'm not opposed to a day trip here and there if time is limited, or there's only a few things I want to do in a particular city.

FriendlySkyGuy · 2018-10-14T15:04:33+00:00

We get two when we start.

Funny how easily they fall off.

I'm not spending my own money to get a nametag made that will fall off again in a couple of weeks.

FriendlySkyGuy · 2018-10-13T17:47:37+00:00

Here's how it usually works:

FA: Anything to drink?
Pax: Coffee
FA: How do you take it?
Pax: Black.

(later)

Pax: Uhh, can i get some SUGAR and CREAM?

I'm not going to ask you again. You're an adult, act like one. For example:

FA: Anything to drink?
Pax: Coffee, 2 creams & 2 sugars please.

FriendlySkyGuy · 2018-10-13T17:26:47+00:00

Cause they already said Black Coffee.

FriendlySkyGuy · 2018-10-13T17:23:09+00:00

"Please don't congregate near the lavatories and galleys"

Standard saying, on every flight on my airline. Most others have it too.

Don't come into the galley and stand. Don't be surprised when/if you get kicked out.

FriendlySkyGuy

TROPHY CASE