1. They Aren’t Just There To Serve You Snacks and Drinks
We found that the most misunderstood bit about being a flight attendant is exactly what a flight attendant is. Annie says that the biggest misconception that people make about flight attendants is considering them as “just waitresses in the sky.” Sure, that’s part of the gig, but next time you are constantly dinging your overhead bell, keep in mind that the real reason a flight attendant is on board isn’t to be your person waiter, but to keep you safe. Yes, imagine how stressful it must be to know you are responsible for a plane full of jet-lagged, hungry, cranky, and sometimes drunk passengers’ lives. But that doesn’t mean they aren’t happy to help. “While I really don’t mind giving you a double vodka or finding you an extra meal,” Annie says, “what I really want is for nothing seriously terrifying to happen to any of us while we are on board.” We’ll drink to that!
2. They Have to Abide by Strict Rules on Their Appearance
For anyone who has lamented having to wear business attire to work instead of those comfy jeans and T-shirt combinations, consider that flight attendants not only have standard uniforms, but, as Annie notes, many — especially in the Middle East and Asia, where appearance is everything — are also given “strict rules on how you can keep, color, and style your hair and makeup. Nails must be painted a certain way, and jewelry kept to a standard minimum.”
3. And Weight
Taking it even further, Annie tells us that the rules and regulations on appearance don’t stop at clothes and accessories. Some airlines have weight and body-fat ratios that their flight attendants must adhere to, which we think sounds a bit offensive — let alone hard to follow when you are constantly on the go. We know we tend to eat worse when we travel. Regardless, Annie admits “the reality is that you’re weighed once a year and must have a healthy BMI.”
4. They Are Responsible for Your Life
Tying things back to number one, Annie tells us that “one thing you really don’t understand about being a flight attendant, until you’ve become one, is that you’re about to join a team of people responsible for taking care of 300-plus lives at 35,000 feet.” So, it sounds like it’s not just the passengers who have a slightly warped reality of what the flight attendant’s main purpose is. The fact that these men and women are responsible for your safety — and could possibly save your life — well, that’s one big reason to be sweet to your airline staff.
5. They Are Trained to Deliver Babies on Board
Yes, you read that correctly. Your flight attendant can deliver your baby. Along with other medical instruction, part of your flight attendant’s training apparently includes helping to bring life into the world.
Answers & Comments
Answer:
1. They Aren’t Just There To Serve You Snacks and Drinks
We found that the most misunderstood bit about being a flight attendant is exactly what a flight attendant is. Annie says that the biggest misconception that people make about flight attendants is considering them as “just waitresses in the sky.” Sure, that’s part of the gig, but next time you are constantly dinging your overhead bell, keep in mind that the real reason a flight attendant is on board isn’t to be your person waiter, but to keep you safe. Yes, imagine how stressful it must be to know you are responsible for a plane full of jet-lagged, hungry, cranky, and sometimes drunk passengers’ lives. But that doesn’t mean they aren’t happy to help. “While I really don’t mind giving you a double vodka or finding you an extra meal,” Annie says, “what I really want is for nothing seriously terrifying to happen to any of us while we are on board.” We’ll drink to that!
2. They Have to Abide by Strict Rules on Their Appearance
For anyone who has lamented having to wear business attire to work instead of those comfy jeans and T-shirt combinations, consider that flight attendants not only have standard uniforms, but, as Annie notes, many — especially in the Middle East and Asia, where appearance is everything — are also given “strict rules on how you can keep, color, and style your hair and makeup. Nails must be painted a certain way, and jewelry kept to a standard minimum.”
3. And Weight
Taking it even further, Annie tells us that the rules and regulations on appearance don’t stop at clothes and accessories. Some airlines have weight and body-fat ratios that their flight attendants must adhere to, which we think sounds a bit offensive — let alone hard to follow when you are constantly on the go. We know we tend to eat worse when we travel. Regardless, Annie admits “the reality is that you’re weighed once a year and must have a healthy BMI.”
4. They Are Responsible for Your Life
Tying things back to number one, Annie tells us that “one thing you really don’t understand about being a flight attendant, until you’ve become one, is that you’re about to join a team of people responsible for taking care of 300-plus lives at 35,000 feet.” So, it sounds like it’s not just the passengers who have a slightly warped reality of what the flight attendant’s main purpose is. The fact that these men and women are responsible for your safety — and could possibly save your life — well, that’s one big reason to be sweet to your airline staff.
5. They Are Trained to Deliver Babies on Board
Yes, you read that correctly. Your flight attendant can deliver your baby. Along with other medical instruction, part of your flight attendant’s training apparently includes helping to bring life into the world.
Answer:
They Only Get Paid For The Hours They Spend In The Air. ...