Bet he wishes he hadn't spoken to me!

[AirHostess]

My pet peeve (well one of many) is people talking to me as I commute to work on public transport. Just because I am wearing my uniform on my way to the airport does not mean that I want to answer airline questions or talk to people. This was 5am and I do not feel like chatting to anyone at that time.

This man was flying on my airline and insisted on telling me all about how he missed his flight, had to pay £100 for a hotel etc then began to tell me that my job was a bit pointless as all I did was travel back and forth and didn't get to see anywhere.

I corrected him buy saying that yes, most of my flights were actually nightstops or trips and I got to see lots of cultural sights downroute and go shopping and that was the best part of the job. He was then put out when he asked if the airline paid for the hotels, well duh. Then he wanted to know how much I got paid

I almost slapped him when he said "well no offence but most of your job is just serving meals and drinks isn't it?"

Oh My. That opened up the floodgates as I went off on a polite rant about how I had 6 weeks safety and security training, how CAA dictates one flight attendant per 50 seats, how we are onboard primarily for safety and security, how I know all about: advanced first aid, fire fighting, emergency drills, ditchings, decompressions, hijackings, bomb threats etc

His face was a picture and he didn't talk to me after that!

[Akasa]

All I can say is:



PWNED!

[Hobbs]

Is CAA like FAA...?

[AirHostess]

Is CAA like FAA...?

Yes, the Civil Aviation Authority is the UK's specialist aviation regulator.

[Yfandes]

Does ANYBODY like being told that their job is "a bit pointless" (even if they secretly think it is). Why would you say that to someone else?

I like the pwnage!

[HorrorFrogPrincess]

Secret Agent Airlines. I"m totally viewing all Flight Attendants as secret ninjas from now on.

[Alpha Strike]

Oh My. That opened up the floodgates as I went off on a polite rant about how I had 6 weeks safety and security training, how CAA dictates one flight attendant per 50 seats, how we are onboard primarily for safety and security, how I know all about: advanced first aid, fire fighting, emergency drills, ditchings, decompressions, hijackings, bomb threats etc

Yeah, but all you really do is serve drinks and pass out peanuts right? *runs for cover*

[AirHostess]

Yeah, but all you really do is serve drinks and pass out peanuts right? *runs for cover*

Even when I am serving food I am aware of potential threats and safety issues.

We have to patrol the cabin every 10 minutes to make sure no-one is trying to blow a bomb in their shoes up Lavatories have to be checked every 20 minutes for messages or hidden devices...a bomb can be assembled in a few visit to the restroom.

As this is my chosen profession and career I will defend it to anyone willing to have a go! Training was pretty tough and I passed everything, practical and written, 100%

[Alpha Strike]

Even when I am serving food I am aware of potential threats and safety issues.

We have to patrol the cabin every 10 minutes to make sure no-one is trying to blow a bomb in their shoes up Lavatories have to be checked every 20 minutes for messages or hidden devices...a bomb can be assembled in a few visit to the restroom.

So in all seriousness, what are you supposed to do in Joe Terrorist actually is making a bomb? Or worse yet, has put the pieces together and is threatening to go "booooom" on you.

I can sort of understand being trained to look for signs that a bomb is being assembled or what a bomb might look like, but what can you do that someone else can't?

[corporateslave]

Super pwned. That's awesome.

[crazylegs]

I beleive that there are restraints available to the crew should the need arise, you do need to be trained to use them.

[bainsidhe]

Now see, I might've asked what else a flight attendant does, but not in a you-don't-do-anything sort of way. I'd be asking because I was honestly curious how you'd respond and I'd find your information about training enlightening. But hey, I usually don't assume I know how to do a job I've never done before. Just sayin'

[AirHostess]

Just a guess here, but: communicate the threat risk to the rest of the crew and the captain without inciting mass panic amongst the passengers, invariably causing some idiot to run and try to open the doors, making everyone freak right the hell out and adding even more danger to the situation?

I mean, I've been sat next to people who couldn't (or wouldn't) peel back the foil on their in-flight meals themselves.. not exactly the kind of people who would do any better than trained flight attendants during any type of potentially dangerous situation.

I'm interested to hear the real answer to the question though. *waits patiently*

Yeah

Remember Richard Reid the shoe bomber? The crew of American Airlines stopped him detonating his bomb. You can read all about it here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/America...ines_Flight_63

And some links on Least Risk Bomb Location we are trained in:


http://www.schneier.com/blog/archives/2007/04/least_risk_bomb.html

http://en.allexperts.com/q/Aerospace...b-airplane.htm

http://www.iata.org/training/courses/tscs17 (This is what security training entails)

http://www.ariane-info.com/aia014e.htm

I think that is a lot more than the average passenger knows. Then again, as someone else said, it's a job that many people don't know much about. And a job that I could spend hours informing people about

[AirHostess]

I beleive that there are restraints available to the crew should the need arise, you do need to be trained to use them.

Yes, we had a full day of training on this and self defence.

[Anakah]

I never assume any job is easy. You're just so damn good at it that it does look easy. I hate when ppl assume my job is easy too: oh, you just get to play with money all day. I want to slap them. I know how you feel.

And just because you are in uniform does not give him a bitch and moan free card. That jerk!