The world of air travel is certainly an interesting one, and as a flight attendant, you quickly learn that each flight comes with its own set of surprises – some amusing, some annoying.
I worked as a flight attendant in Canada for a little over a year and while most of my memories are good, there were definitely some moments that tested my patience.
As someone who's been on both sides of the beverage cart, I've seen how small considerations can make a big difference in everyone's flight.
Here are a few of the most annoying things I experienced as a flight attendant, and some of them are actually pretty common.
In order to make the journey much happier for you, the other passengers and the crew, you'll want to avoid these flying faux pas!
Ask for food or drinks as soon as you board
It can be easy to work up a thirst when travelling — from rushing through airports to eating salty fast food on the go. While it's totally understandable that passengers want some water as soon as they sit down on the plane, this is not actually the best time to ask.
Flight attendants are really busy during boarding and they don't have time to be bringing passengers food or drinks, especially when the aisles are bustling with people.
The beverages and food are stowed away until the aircraft is in the air and aren't readily available. A lot of passengers would ask me for hot water or tea, which pose risks during takeoff due to the potential for spills and burns.
It's best to wait until you're in the air and the seatbelt sign has turned off to ask for a drink. Better yet, wait until the drink cart comes down the aisle if you can.
Flight attendant serving a drink.Svershinsky| Dreamstime
Sit in the wrong seat
Let's say you're stuck in a full middle row and, before take off, you look over and see a completely empty row calling your name. While it might be tempting to move, you shouldn't do so without asking the crew first.
Not only can it be confusing for crew members when passengers start moving around the plane, it also could cause some weight distribution issues, potentially impacting takeoff.
You also might unintentionally occupy someone else's seat who may be running late, or take a spot in the crew row, which is often at the back of the plane.
If you do want to switch seats, just ask a crew member first.
Leave a mess
One thing that always shocked me was how messy some passengers can be. It's one thing if crumbs or bits of food fall on the ground, but I saw some scenes that left me speechless.
From what looked like entire bags of snacks strewn across the floor to dirt and crumbs on every part of the seat, it was as if cleanliness went out the window the moment they boarded the plane.
I found it pretty disrespectful, especially when the passengers didn't acknowledge the mess or offer any sort of apology before leaving the plane.
Ask a flight attendant to stow your luggage
This was one of my biggest pet peeves as a flight attendant. It's really important to make sure that you can lift your own bag into the overhead bins for a number of reasons.
Crew members don't have time to put numerous items away. If your bag is too heavy for you to lift, it will be too heavy for flight attendants too, and asking them to stow it puts them at risk of injury.
Of course, if you have an injury or other reason preventing you from putting your bags away, it's understandable to ask for assistance. However, it's best to travel with luggage that you can manage on your own.
Flight attendant stowing luggage.Svershinsky | Dreamstime
Chat with a flight attendant while they're resting
Flight attendants need breaks too, especially during long haul flights. The job is draining and you're constantly on your feet, working odd hours and suffering from jet lag.
Nothing feels worse than finally settling in during the middle of the night, eagerly anticipating a few moments of rest, only to have a passenger initiate a conversation.Don't get me wrong, I've had some great chats with passengers while I'm seated in my jump seat or hanging out in the galley. But if you see a flight attendant who's clearly exhausted and trying to get a bit of down time, it's best to leave them alone.
Complain about delays
I get it —delays are not fun and can be really frustrating. However, complaining about it to a flight attendant will not solve anything. There is absolutely nothing flight attendants can do about delays and in actuality, they are probably just as frustrated as you.
Depending on the airline, some flight attendants don't start getting paid until the door is closed or the plane is in the air. This means that they may not be compensated for their time during delays.
Complaining to a crew member won't get you to your destination any faster and will just create unnecessary tension.
Stand up while the seatbelt sign is on
I know people are eager to get off the plane and start their vacay, but standing up before the seatbelt sign is turned off just isn't worth it.
You won't get off the plane much faster than anyone else, if at all, and you're putting everyone at risk by getting up before the aircraft is parked.
If the plane makes a sudden turn or stop, you could fall onto neighbouring passengers, potentially causing injury to yourself and others. Some passengers would try to get up and open the overhead bins to get their bags, and I have seen items fall onto passengers below because the plane was still in motion.
The seatbelt sign is on for a reason, and flight attendants don't appreciate having to tell you to sit down multiple times.
Seatbelt sign on an airplane.Aldorado10 | Dreamstime
Expect flight attendants to babysit
A surprising number of passengers seemed to think I was an onboard babysitter and it was annoying to say the least. Flying with young kids can certainly be stressful but it's not the flight attendant's job to keep them entertained.
If you are flying with children, be sure to plan in advance and pack lots of activities and snacks to occupy them with. It's also important to make sure they're behaving and not treating the plane like their personal playground.
Air travel is full of ups and downs (quite literally) and these are just a few things you can avoid to make the journey a pleasant experience for everyone involved.
At the end of the day, flight attendants are there to offer assistance, so as long as you're polite, they're happy to help. Safe travels!
