Stinkbug : that's exactly it. we have cabins fill with smoke that without the FA the cockpit wouldn't know until MUCH later. or on a more humorous note, when flying into LGA and we "pass" the airport and people start freaking out because "the pilots don't know where we're going!!!!" or "They're going to BOSTON!!!!"... We play a huge part in customer service and a large part of safety in the cabin. I had a passenger last week telling me about a flight he took recently. They depressurized at altitude and the 02 masks deployed and the passengers just sat there. no reaction. The FA's had to take charge and get everyone to actually put them on. Etc. I've briefed a cabin while feeling the phone tremble in my hand and I've had medical emergencies where, with the exception of the immediate rows around them, no one else on the plane even knew anything was wrong until I asked them to stay seated and to allow us to let the paramedics board quickly.
DrinkSweetTea: Well, you know full well that we do more in a day than fly and prepare to fly. Try an idle conversation over lunch. Etc. Actually, I was talking about not waiving my 30/7 for transition because i would gain nothing.
also, i would never complain about not getting help except in two specific situations. If you're standing in my way not doing *censored* while I'm TRYING to get the thing cleaned and then you have the balls to ASK me if I'm ready.... I'll get cranky. The second being if you walk off and leave me while I'm cleaning... shut down the plane and leave (go to the crewroom, hotel van or, yes it has happened, the hotel). Either say to me that you'll meet me inside or heaven forbid, busy yourself long enough to leave me some lights to clean up the plane.
100LL... Again!: in this case I don't think it was that... he's super new and just happy to be flying a jet. It's just a view that some people (usually passengers, but sadly also some pilots) have of FA's... just sky waitresses that aren't good for anything but soda.
dixieflyer: sure thing... lemme find my visine first!
LearLove: what's sad is that they actually put it in our manual that we are responsible for the trash bag in the galley. *shakes head* Little boys flying big toys!
Caveman: very true. there are some FA's out there that I have no respect for. But, it doesn't change the role that the job should represent. On the other hand, if the FAA would acknowledge our importance just a little and give us some min. duty type regs to show that... maybe the companies/passengers/etc. would also take us a little more seriously. You're gonna have those types around for as long as this job pays less than McD's and has about as much respect. At least pilots get the prestige! (even though we all know it's all image and not reality)! I apologise for those that do those things. I'm guilty of a few. Esp. Trying to get water on the planes. Dammit, if they'd just cater what I'd ordered, i wouldn't have to interrupt you to get it to the plane before we push. However, since guys have been known to call me to say they "get" to fly with me... apparently the good aspects outweigh the bad.
350DRIVER: Actually, i've seen several posts where individuals post about the attitudes of those they work with. You haven't seen this because this is primarily a pilots board. As a FA I thought maybe a few of you would take to heart that some FA's take their job seriously and respect you and would like a little respect in return. I had a bad day and felt like finally standing up for myself. Maybe this isn't the right place, but I'm sure you'll forget about it by the time you read the 50billionth post that's anti-mesa.
Clownpilot: Yeah, inferior would be the correct choce of words. However, when being "emotional" and whatnot and trying to decide how to word things. *censored* happens. I am glad that one word makes you feel that much more superior... that I'm dumb for just that. Whatever makes you feel good when you go to bed at night. (and if you can't figure out what i meant simply by the use of the word "insuperior" then maybe I'm not the one with real educational limits.)
