Think twice before being “helpful” on a plane.
While intentions might be pure, flight attendants have exposed 9 ‘polite’ passenger behaviors that secretly irk them. These revelations appeared on diverse platforms including Reddit threads where they answered the question: “What passenger questions or requests annoy flight attendants most?”
Flight attendants did not hold back when sharing their grievances.
The Trash Problem
It turns out that trying to give flight attendants trash whenever it’s convenient for passengers is a no-no. Although people are trying to be tidy, it can be problematic and even a health concern. “We’re not just here to collect garbage,” explained an attendant on Quora. They emphasized, “During service, we can’t mix trash with passengers’ drinks due to cross-contamination risks.”
Diaper Disposal Dilemma
Flight attendants also critique parents for handling diapers poorly, including trying to place them in trash bags or attempting to flush them. A frustrated Reddit user shared a story where a nappy found its way into their service cart, which halted service immediately.
Poking for Attention
Flagging down a flight attendant by touching them is highly frowned upon. “It’s never okay to poke or touch staff,” a Reddit user insisted. “A simple ‘excuse me’ does the trick.”
Inappropriate Nicknames
Terms of endearment like “sweetie” or “doll” are deemed incongruous by flight attendants. These terms could land the speaker a secret nickname like “Philip” — code for a difficult passenger — as reported by Explore.com.
Unwelcome Flirting
Flirting is not only uncomfortable for attendants, but it’s also ineffective in scoring an upgrade, clarifies flight attendant Destanie Armstrong in a TikTok post noting, “The gate agent is the one who handles cabin switches and upgrades, not us.”
Mealtime Missteps
Flight attendants disapprove of passengers requesting food or drinks outside designated service times. As a steward shared on Reddit, juggling multiple drink requests during trash collection is highly impractical.
Overhead Bin Blues
Though well-meaning, passengers shouldn’t reorganize overhead bins, as this could possibly complicate things for flight attendants, shared Erica L., an attendant, with Reader’s Digest.
Don’t Play Hero
Dealing with disruptive passengers is a job for the crew, not other passengers, suggest flight attendants.
The Magic Words
A simple ‘please’ and ‘thank you’ are highly valued gestures as they acknowledge the crew’s hard work. Interestingly, attendants note that courtesy during boarding and deplaning is often forgotten.
FAQs about Flight Etiquette
Why shouldn’t passengers give trash to flight attendants outside of designated pickup times?
Doing so can interfere with their other duties and may pose health risks due to cross-contamination or lack of gloves.
Is it okay to touch a flight attendant to get their attention?
No, it’s considered rude and inappropriate. Passengers should simply say “excuse me”.
Can a passenger handle another’s suitcase in the overhead bin?
Passengers shouldn’t move others’ luggage unless absolutely necessary, as it might cause issues or violate airline policies.
Should passengers confront unruly fellow travelers?
No, it’s best to alert flight attendants to any problems instead of intervening directly.
How important is it to say ‘please’ and ‘thank you’ to flight attendants?
Very important. These polite expressions show respect and appreciation for the attendants’ efforts.