They Keep Their Hands Behind Their Backs For A Reason
Hiding their hands makes it easier to conduct a headcount as people enter the plane – they’re keeping count on their fingers! If you saw them counting on their fingers in front of you, you probably wouldn’t think too highly of them.
The trust between the attendant and passenger must never be broken.
There’s A Secret Compartment For Their Naps
The flight attendants get to take their breaks too. Big planes like Boeing 777 or 787 jets have secret sleeping cabins built-in for staff.
These windowless sleeping quarters are built above or below the galley, so that’s probably where your favorite flight attendant is if you’ve noticed you haven’t seen them for a while.
Do Not Go Barefoot
It may seem like they’re just making themselves comfortable, but it’s actually pretty disgusting. Flight attendants know just how filthy the floor of the plane really is.
Plenty of accidents occur in flight. While those accidents do get cleaned up, it’s still not as sanitary as you’d hope, especially in between flights. Plus, cleaning supplies are limited on airplanes.
They Communicate With A Secret Code
Those bells and chimes you often hear during a flight aren’t for no reason. For example, those “dings” you hear at the beginning and end of a flight?
That’s to signal to the crew that the most dangerous stages of the flight are over since takeoff and landing are the most precarious parts of flying.
They’re Sizing You Up As You Board
As the passengers enter the plane, the flight attendants quickly make important assessments. They look over each and every passenger and make mental notes of who might be problematic or intoxicated, who is traveling alone, or those passengers who might be in need of extra assistance, such as when they’re handicapped or traveling with children.
They are also seeing who’s strong and who might be useful in an emergency.
How You Can Possibly Score An Upgrade
If you are pretty nice to your flight attendant, you may even be able to score an upgraded seat if there were any available.
It will also help if you have a legitimate reason to be upgraded, such as being too tall, pregnant, or are a frequent flyer.
It Doesn’t Actually Pay Very Well
Flight attendants only get paid for the hours that the engine starts, and the plane pulls away from the gate. Anytime before that, they aren’t getting paid — or they’re at least not getting paid their full rate.
Hours spent away from home but not in the air are compensated with a rate as low as $1.50 an hour.
They’ll Cut You Off If They Need To
Should you end up becoming heavily intoxicated on a flight, you can get up to a two-year sentence for this odd criminal offense.
But think of it this way: you don’t need to overdo it on a flight because the changing cabin pressure causes alcohol to have a stronger effect on your body than it does on the ground.
Order Diet Coke If You Want To Be Annoying
Diet Coke is noticeably fizzier than other carbonated drinks. And those bubbles take forever to settle at over 30,000 feet in the air. Flight attendants have to pay extra attention not to let it overflow, but that just means that it takes about three times longer to pour than the other available beverages.
Flights are so dehydrating anyway, so it’s probably best if you just ask for water.
There’s A Reason They Turn Off The Lights
There’s actually a good reason for this. Takeoff and landing are the most problematic stages of a flight. The lights get turned off so that everyone’s eyes can adjust to the light in the event of an emergency.
This can help people orient themselves with the space easily if they needed to take action.