Flight attendant baffled by passenger's 'impossible' request
After spending almost 15 years working as cabin crew, Helen Godfrey has seen a fair few things while flying.
The Melbourne-based cabin manager for Jetstar is never phased - however silly the questions are she gets asked.
"A passenger once asked a crew member to please wake them when they passed over the international dateline as she had always wanted to see it," was one impossible request she recalls to 9Travel.
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Jetstar crew member Helen Godfrey has seen a fair few things in the sky. Getty
Meanwhile another passenger got caught out in the worst way the 65-year-old says.
They asked to move "down the back," because they had "taken a sickie" - and their boss was on the plane.
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"The flight was full and there wasn't anywhere to move him to and yes the boss spotted him," she says.
However while she might not be able to stop your boss finding our you're lying, Helen does have plenty of flying tips.
Helen has heard some bizarre passenger requests over the last 15 years. Supplied
When she heads overseas, for example, such as to Bali or Japan, she stays on Melbourne time to combat jet lag.
'Some people cope with it better than others; rest if and when you need to; and it should only take a few days to get over it," she tells us.
And in a controversial take, she tells parents not to give into the temptation of trying to keep kids happy with technology.
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Helen tells parents not to give into the temptation of trying to keep kids happy with technology. Getty
"If travelling with children, try and keep them off iPads as this can keep them awake longer, and take colouring books and their favourite soft toy to cuddle," she says.
As for the answer to a tough flying question, who gets the arm rests, Helen is clear. "I'm a firm believer that the poor person stuck in the middle gets both arm rests," she says.
Flight attendant's 'brutal' packing tip
When it comes to luggage, hard suitcases might be popular, but Helen actually shuns the trend.
"I prefer a soft case as there is less chance of it getting damaged and it's easier to open up to retrieve something or shove something back inside," she says.
Of course, the seasoned flier has packing her case down to a fine art, and says she's brutal.
"Lay everything out on your bed that you think you will need... then discard a third of it," she says. "You really only need three changes of clothes.
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"No one will really care what you are wearing and most people aren't going to see you more than once anyway."
If you're in need of some travel inspiration, Helen reveals her favourite destination is Japan.
She recommends visiting the upmarket Ginza shopping area, and browsing her favourite department store, Mitsukoshi
"The most beautiful fresh fruit vegetables, desserts, cakes, chocolates, coffees and teas that will just blow your mind and everything is wrapped so beautifully," she says.
