4 Tips That Make Your Flight Attendant’s Life Easier

The position of a flight attendant is one of the most thankless jobs in the world. They don’t get paid what they should, they endure a long probation period, and they often deal with difficult people. Luckily, you can help them with one of these three issues when you try to be the best passenger possible.

Tip #1. Do Not Waste Time Getting Settled

Boarding the plane can be a hassle. Everyone wants to get on the plane at once, they have trouble locating their seats, and that is before the arduous process of trying to stuff their carry-ons into the overhead bins. The reason why the flight attendants try to make this process as seamless as possible is because flight attendants don’t start getting paid until the airplane door closes. So keep that in mind next time you board, and try to do it as easily, safely and quickly as possible.

Tip #2. Go Easy On Them

When flight attendants are first hired, they undergo a long probation period, during which they can be fired for any number of harmless violations. Even though it is not the traveler’s job to keep the flight attendants employed, it is just common courtesy to not give them a hard time. That means sitting down and fastening your seatbelt when the light goes on, not wasting hours in the lavatory, and patiently listening during the safety demonstration before the flight.

Tip #3. The ‘Fasten Seatbelt’ Sign Is Not A Suggestion

The airline staff knows that being on a plane for a long period of time can be a pain, and once in a while you may feel the need to stand up and stretch your legs. That being said, there is a time to stand and a time to sit, and sitting is exactly what you should do while the fasten seat belt sign is illuminated.

When the sign lights up, don’t get up and stretch, go to the bathroom or mess with your luggage in the overhead compartment, because these activities are dangerous when that light is on. Planes are very safe. Almost 2 million people fly every day and only three people have died from turbulence-related injuries, don’t be one of them.

Tip #4. Turn Off Your Cell Phone When Instructed

Again, the announcements and rules are not there just to annoy, and that goes for turning off your cell phone. As your plane is preparing for takeoff, the pilot will inform you to turn off your cell phone or put it on ‘airplane mode’. Most people scoff at this request, insisting that having your cell phone on won’t crash the plane, but the reality is that your cell phone’s signal interference can distract the pilot while he is trying to land the plane.