10 things passengers do that really annoy flight attendants
You should (hopefully) know by now not to get wildly drunk on flights, start a fight with other passengers or hurl abuse at staff, but what else could you be doing that really gets flight attendants riled up?
Happily, the internet is a glorious beast filled with forums, groups and threads from flight staff keen to share the things passengers do that really annoy them.
Want to make sure your next flight (and every other afterwards) goes smoothly? You'll want to avoid doing the following…
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Some simple flying etiquette will make your flight attendant's life much easier. Getty
Not using your manners
I've heard passengers actually say things like, "You're not getting paid to give me your opinions" and "I don't take instructions from women".
They're obviously extreme cases, but even if you're in the habit of thanking the pilot but forgetting to thank the flight attendants at the end of the flight, or not saying please when you ask for something, you're doing yourself (and humanity in general) a huge disservice.
Making the storage compartment your own
So you've somehow managed to smuggle three carry-on bags onboard and are now trying to fit all of them in the storage compartment above your head.
They're not fitting quite how you'd like, so you start moving other people's bags around without asking staff, or the other passengers.
A heads up: flight attendants want you to ask them first, but really also only bring on the one (light) bag you can easily store yourself.
Not listening to safety demonstrations
Flight attendants get it, you've flown a million times before and know the ins and outs of the brace position.
Sparing a few minutes for the safety demonstration is well worth it. Getty
However, the truth is there might be something different about this particular aircraft - where the exits are located, for example - that are different, so they would like you to pay attention.
Also, having people put on headphones, fall asleep or pretend you're not speaking to them is just plain rude. Just give them your attention for a couple of minutes and there's no doubt you'll be well looked after.
Hanging out in the galley
Walking to the galley to get a snack, ask a question or stretch your legs is OK, but staff don't love it when passengers come to hang out and strike up conversations about their latest break up/holiday tales/dog.
It's not that they're not into people, but when you're in charge of waiting on hundreds of tired and cranky passengers on long-hauls, you just need a quiet space where you can just be silent as you prepare the next meal service.
Nine/Graphic: Polly Hanning
Touching
Trying to get a flight attendant's attention? You already know clicking your fingers and shouting 'oi' is out, but so too is touching them in any way. This can mean anything from tapping them on the shoulder to tugging on their sleeve (it happens).
All you have to do is hit the call button or start with a simple, '"Excuse me..." Sure, they might be a little too flat chat to help you at that very moment but they'll get back to you.
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Flirting
Which brings us to being inappropriate with your words. You might think you're being incredibly charming by repeatedly calling a flight attendant 'beautiful' or making remarks like "They just don't make them like you in our country" (shudder), but not only is it creepy, flight attendants get hit on all the time and they're sick of it.
Tell your mates about your angelic attendant when you're back on the ground and leave it at that.
Serving yourself
I know it's tempting to just grab a bread roll or a can of drink from the cart to save your attendant from having to do it, but they're not fans of random, unsanitised hands going anywhere near their cart (particularly the bread).
You won't explode if you have to wait an extra 20 seconds for your cookie. Just let them do their job.
Make sure to keep your hands to yourself when the food and drink trolley rolls by. Getty Images/iStockphoto
Getting involved with other passengers
Australians are a friendly bunch so many of us wouldn't think anything of waking up our seatmates for a meal or throwing out their rubbish as well as their own.
However, flight attendants point out that the more we interact with our fellow passengers, the more likely it is that issues will arise. The rubbish you've thrown out, for example, could have been something important, or maybe they were exhausted and didn't want to be woken up for a lacklustre omelette.
Passengers are less likely to snap at flight attendants so they'd prefer if we stayed out of others' affairs and just worried about ourselves.
Keeping headphones on
There's nothing that infuriates me more than when my teenager keeps her headphones on while I'm talking to her - a move which often sees me having to repeat myself a couple of times before shouting.
Do this on a plane at your own peril. Flight attendants shouldn't have to work harder than they already do because you can't be bothered to pull your headphones off for a second or two.
Be polite and take off your headphones when talking to a flight attendant. Getty
Hitting the call button endlessly
Sure, the call button is there for a reason, but before you hit it for something small - maybe you'd like something from your bag in the overhead compartment, or have a question about the weather in your destination - just stop and think if it's worth interrupting other more important services such as tending to a passenger who has become ill?
You're better than this. In fact, you're better than all of this.
