Traveling and flying can be especially stressful and exciting for the passengers, but have you ever wondered what it’s like for the flight attendants? If you are ever curious about the behind-the-scenes of a flight attendant’s job and what really goes on inside the plane, read on for a complete list of all the best-kept industry secrets so you can fly with ease and finally know what the cabin crew really thinks about all those pesky passengers.
Helping With Baggage Is Not in Their Job Description
A few flight attendants disclosed that they were told not to lift any luggage during their training for their specific airline. When passengers board the plane and need to stow their suitcases in the overhead compartments, they are supposed to do it alone. If a flight attendant does it for them and gets hurt in the process, the company will not cover any compensation because it’s intentionally not in their job description.
However, if a passenger is elderly or can clearly not lift their bag, most flight attendants will help them anyway. Though it is highly discouraged, so they try to keep it to a minimum.
Sometimes Flight Attendants Have to Disguise a Deceased Passenger
A former flight attendant who worked for a UK airline made a shocking confession. It would probably send shivers down your spine if most people knew this. Well, here goes. It is pretty common for passengers to die on board. But to not freak out the other passengers, they are kept in their seats and propped up like they are sleeping. And the finishing touch? They drape a blanket over them so no one will suspect a thing.
Now, this is terrifying and maybe something that should have remained behind the scenes. Though it is creepy, what else are they supposed to do in mid-air?
They Know How Truly Unsanitary the Plane Is
The number one piece of advice from the aircraft crew is always wipe down everything. Between flights, it can be difficult to sanitize and clean every seat and tray. Allegedly cleaners only vacuum down the walkway quickly and wipe the bathroom just as fast. So always bring disinfectant wipes and wipe down the tray table, seatbelt, and seat. And never let your babies crawl on the floor; who knows what’s lurking there.
It’s a safe bet to pack extra cleaning products in your carry-on bag like hand sanitizer, disinfectant, and tissues; to stay prepared, clean, and healthy.
Sometimes They Purposefully Board Delayed Flights
Have you ever sat in a plane for hours before taking off? The captain usually plays over the speaker and says there are delays, so there’s no choice but to sit and wait. Well, a surprising secret was revealed by a stewardess that may explain why. Sometimes when the crew is aware of a delay beforehand, they will purposefully board the flight. This is because the crew doesn’t get paid for the delayed time when everyone is waiting at the gate but only when the doors are closed, and everyone is boarded.
Although federal regulations require the plane to return to the gate if it hasn’t been cleared for takeoff after a certain amount of time, it’s still worth it for them to taxi the plane so the flight attendants can get paid.
When Boarding the Plane, the Crew Looks Out for These Particular Passengers
Flight attendants may favor certain passengers, and they happen to be those who are fellow airline employees themselves. There’s an important reason for this as well. They become valuable assets to the working crew in case of an emergency. This is because they have been trained in various aircraft situations and can essentially become an unofficial team member. Therefore, if you are a passenger and fellow flight attendant, make yourself known!
Of course, this doesn’t mean you will be asked to help with mundane things among the aircraft, but it is excellent to know who will be helpful in times of crisis.
The Secret Compartment Passengers Aren’t Aware of
While most airplanes seem claustrophobic, most Boeing 777 and 787 aircrafts have a secret compartment dedicated to small bedrooms for the crew. On long-haul flights, the crew splits the duration of the flight in half. This way, while one half gets time to sleep, the other half works. The sleeping area is usually small but comfortable and is commonly bunk beds stacked on top of each other or a flat open space of cushions.
While this may not seem luxurious, it’s a life savior. After all, flight attendants are humans too, and just like everyone else, they need to sleep on long-haul flights.