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35 Of The Darkest Airline Industry Secrets, Shared By Flight Attendants Not a secret - but if you’re nice you can get quite a bunch of stuff for free.

Example - I was on a flight home (American Airlines) and there was a baby behind us that was just nooooottt having it. Pretty much cried all the way from Phoenix to Chicago. I felt awful.

I was in the aisle, and saw that both the parents were taking turns walking around with the baby. So I asked them if they wanted something drink or a snack…I figured even the human interaction would be nice.

I ordered them something and just went back to my movie. A few minutes later - I got a tap on the shoulder and got a little 'goodie bag' with some treats, and drinks and a little voucher for 24 hour** access to the AA lounge.

Be nice people - it pays off!

Onederbat67 , Lukas Souza Report

Final score:

525points

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June’s Very Own 2 years ago

That’s lovely. Kindness for kindness

151points

We won't hesitate to tape you to the seat if the situation demands it.

De_La_Roche Report

Final score:

388points

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shodokai 2 years ago

Thank you! Don't put up with any of that crazy s**t.

159points

35 Of The Darkest Airline Industry Secrets, Shared By Flight Attendants Back pre-911 I was traveling globally for the military (not American. Canadian and Brit).

Whenever I stopped in at a major Canadian airport I would grab a mess of Air Canada luggage tags.

Alot of my American contemporaries would ask for them when flying commercial to put on their luggage, especially when flying through the Middle East and Africa.

The American luggage was targeted for abuser, theft, etc

They never touched Canadian bags.

MyNameIsAjax , Edgar Okioga Report

Final score:

386points

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Kimi Tomminello 2 years ago

🎵 Oh Canada 🎵🇨🇦

127points

35 Of The Darkest Airline Industry Secrets, Shared By Flight Attendants A friend of mine who works for Emirates told me this little gem. Whenever they fly into Saudi Arabia, Emirates makes the flight attendants lock the entire galley including all the food, water and drinks, all the napkins and cutlery too. This is beacuse in the past, Saudi Arabian authorities would come on board and literally take anything they want and walk out. And there was nothing the airline or staff could do.

REAIMY , Sourav Mishra Report

Final score:

362points

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June’s Very Own 2 years ago

What the hell

194points

35 Of The Darkest Airline Industry Secrets, Shared By Flight Attendants If you bring a box of chocolates for the flight crew, you will get all the free snacks (and sometimes beers) they can throw at you.

My old coworker had been a flight attendant for like 20 years and knew all the secrets. This was his best recommendation for a good flight.

Hoosier_816 , Monique Carrati Report

Final score:

362points

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June’s Very Own 2 years ago

You could also give them chocolates just for the sake of being nice too, you know

261points

35 Of The Darkest Airline Industry Secrets, Shared By Flight Attendants The flight attendants already know what you are going to say. Every joke, come on, request, complaint. They KNOW you are going to say that thing. If this is their 3rd flight of the day, they’ve heard it 6 times already.

No one is clever on an airplane.

-Blixx- , Kenny Eliason Report

Final score:

349points

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Miss-Un-Derstood 2 years ago

Oh really? You haven't heard my hilarious jokes though...

107points

TheDjTanner , Tanathip Rattanatum Report

35 Of The Darkest Airline Industry Secrets, Shared By Flight Attendants I once overheard a phone call at the gate check-in. A flight attendant was hungover, slept-in and was going to be pretty late.

A minute later, the person at the kiosk made an announcement about how some pre-flight maintenance was going to delay the flight.

I was thinking like, 'you lying sonofab*tch'. Lol

Final score:

328points

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June’s Very Own 2 years ago

Lmao that last part

73points

Flight attendants dont get paid on the ground. Only flying hours are paid. We are slave labor on the ground and duties are continually added to our unpaid work time because the company knows they dont have to pay us. We show up 2 to 3 hours before we even start getting paid and some days we will work up to 14 hrs and only get paid for 5 or 6 of those hours. It should be illegal.

Please be kind when you are boardng the plane and getting all pissy about your bags etc, the flight attendant is a volunteer while she is helping you on the ground, she is essentially doing you a favor.

abicus4343 Report

Final score:

316points

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shodokai 2 years ago

This should be criminal.

227points

#10

They ought to change the name "Flight Attendant" to reflect the PRIMARY responsibility instead of the incidental tasks performed when everything is going ok. I've been suggesting "Cabin Safety Officer" for years. I bet with that name, they'd have to take a lot less s**t.

theservman Report

Final score:

309points

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Bella10 2 years ago

I honestly don’t mind being considered a glorified waitress in the sky, because I genuinely love hospitality. But if you have a heart attack, if you are hypoxic, if you need reassurance due to severe turbulence, if we need to evacuate, if there is a depressurisation, if there is a non normal situation and you need someone in control, then I can promise you, we’re highly trained. Call me a trolley dolly, and that is fine…. Hopefully it’s a good day at the office, and that’s all you think of us crew… but we have your back in an emergency 😉

36points

#11

35 Of The Darkest Airline Industry Secrets, Shared By Flight Attendants We have a list with every passenger’s full name and seat number. Sometimes when we’re bored we’ll Google you.

TheVintageStew , Solen Feyissa Report

Final score:

301points

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June’s Very Own 2 years ago

Not creepy at all s/

165points

#12

35 Of The Darkest Airline Industry Secrets, Shared By Flight Attendants Flight attendants get equally if not more annoyed when flights are delayed. A lot are paid only for the 'flight time' - meaning they aren't paid to sit at the airport to wait....or even to greet customers during onboarding...

For that reason alone, the longer the flight the better. Imagine working on a short route where your actual work is 3-4h but you're paid for 55 minutes as that was the duration of the flight.

psotnica , Pixabay Report

Final score:

287points

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shodokai 2 years ago

Should be illegal to not pay them for all time required to be in uniform and performing a function. If it's required, then it needs to be paid!

478points

#13

35 Of The Darkest Airline Industry Secrets, Shared By Flight Attendants Used to work for a UK airline (non crew).

It was normal for passengers that died onboard to be kept in their seats until landing. They would be wrapped in blankets and propped up to look like they were sleeping to not freak out other passengers.

gjs78 , Matt Hardy Report

Final score:

279points

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River Webb 2 years ago (edited)

what about the people next to them? but then again ig the body could be used as a headrest

102points

Rosemary Probert 2 years ago

The person next to them is bribed to keep quiet with extra food and drinks making it look as if they are for the corpse.

30points

BigMamaDave X 2 years ago

That turned dark suddenly... 😏

12points

David Dunn 2 years ago

But who gets the armrest?

8points

Tim 2 years ago

The corpse won't complain if I take the whole armrest.

5points

phil blanque 2 years ago

If there is someone next to them, they get all the free drinks they want.

2points

Belle_Pandamonium🇧🇻l 2 years ago

LOL

1point

Christof Irran 2 years ago

Yup, headrest; or else stress-balls, as long as you aren't too obvious about it.

0points

tamara jackson 2 years ago

Ewwwweww

0points

tmw 2 years ago

sooooo..... are you saying their shared arm rest is now up for grabs?

30points

Sara Frazer 2 years ago

Uhh... So I just gotta say, this sounds like people pass on planes rather frequently..?? °~°

25points

Busy Panda 2 years ago

Unfortunately... yeah. Being so high above the ground changes your environment significantly (like air temperature, air pressure, etc.) which although have been managed by the aircraft, still could affect the most vulnerable among us, namely pregnant women, babies, children, elderly people, and people with certain heart conditions.

35points

VikingAbroad 2 years ago

With an average of 4.5B people flying a year (this number is from the last normal year 2019), and an average global death rate of 7.7 deaths per 1000 persons in a year (Western statistics) - yes, people also die on planes.

15points

Catie Marie 2 years ago

Srsly! Like...how often does this happen? Asking for a friend...

3points

kathryn stretton 2 years ago

Well, they have nowhere to put them. Can't chuck 'em out the window!

18points

Cathy 2 years ago

I thought I read somewhere that on every airplane there is a special place to put dead people 🤔 And a bag to put them in?

1point

Kona Pake 2 years ago

Could I get an upgrade when a person dies next to me?

16points

Kona Pake 2 years ago

and it wasn’t my fault he died.

21points

Stephanie Wittenberg 2 years ago

On a plane in the air...what else could be done? Kudos to all the cabin crew who handle such traumas quietly and calmly. You're amazing!

13points

Rustella 2 years ago

So if you're on a 10 hour flight and someone dies an hour after take off, you have to just sit next to their dead body for 9 hours??? I would be begging other passengers for sedatives...

8points

Elwood Schwartz 2 years ago (edited)

Why? A dead person is far less dangerous than a live one...

22points

Nancy Marine 2 years ago

If an empty seat is available elsewhere on the plane, even if it's 1st class, the person sitting next to the body will be moved. Had it happen on a flight I was.on, once.

15points

the fallen soufflé 2 years ago

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Piglet 2 years ago

Weekend at Bernie's.

7points

Sinkvenice 2 years ago

Dammit, I got the quote wrong. It's "Excuse me, don't disturb my friend... he's dead tired."

3points

Lukas-not-Luca (he/him) 2 years ago

For those wondering how many, Google says this: "A total of 577 in-flight deaths were recorded, for a reported average of 72 deaths per year."

5points

Ece Cenker 2 years ago

HA! I just read this yesterday in Ozzy Osbourne's book (I Am Ozzy). He says this exact thing happened in the seat next to him on a Concord flight once!

4points

Nolgoth 2 years ago

How long after death does the body void its bowels and stuff? Cuz that could get rancid pretty quick

3points

Bob Standen 2 years ago (edited)

Hang on, when someone dies they lose bowl and bladder control, so you let them marinate in their body fluids seeping into the seat fabric? I'm pretty sure anyone front, back, sides would know something was very wrong in short notice.

2points

Al Upinya 2 years ago

I had a Grayhound 1 way from AZ to L.A. with an H addict in the opposite aisle who lost his s**t in his seat, in his shorts from PHX to Kingman with it running in a river down his seat, onto the floor for 4 rows in front of him. Bus got to Kingman and had to be hosed out and the addict 86d off the bus.

1point

Mika N 2 years ago

What about cases where some quick action, like if there were any medical personnel on board, might help, but you don't know till you try? Do the flight attendants decide for themselves if the person is truly dead and just tuck them in and leave them without seeking professional assistance? It seems if you had a doctor come check them though then more people around them might be aware something happened. Just trying to figure out how that would work without flight staff being accused of neglect or something.

2points

Scarlett Barbee 2 years ago

We have all read / heard of people on planes getting sick and passengers being asked if there is a doctor present. So no, if they know someone is sick/having a medical emergency, they try to help. This is abouy when the passenger just quietly passes away.

0points

David Woollands 2 years ago

Is that a common occurrence then

2points

GA Chic 2 years ago

As a recently retired flight attendant with 51yrs with a large USA based airline that statement is absolutely true. I had 5 passengers pass on my flights. I flew with someone that lost over 20. Of course that doesn't include the ones we were able to save with a defibrillator or those that expired on the plane while still at the gate or in the jet bridge. People need to allow extra time when flying. Between traffic, wrecks, searching for a parking space, long lines for Security, rushing to the gate - all can lead to heart irregularities and other potentially life-changing/life-threatening issues.

1point

Nick Lasley 2 years ago

Yeah, nothing freaky about that.

1point

Panda 2 years ago

How common is it to have someone die during the flight?

1point

Helena ortiz 2 years ago

what the fudge

1point

Faith Nicole 2 years ago

Isn't there an undercarriage for dead bodies? I mean that's kinda creepy, it's gonna be obvious to those around the body to know it's dead

0points

Billy Maguire 2 years ago

When you're just DYING for some company...

0points

GramDB 2 years ago

OMG!

0points

FreeBird * 2 years ago

Is quiet falling asleep in your seat deaths super common or something? Otherwise, it makes perfect sense to do that, honestly.

0points

Alicia GriffonLady 2 years ago

What do they do about the smell? When a person dies the... erm... excreitment and urine just flow out with no muscles able to keep them in.

0points

Alicia GriffonLady 2 years ago

Weekend at Bernie's airline?

0points

Georgina Blackwell 2 years ago

Wowww

0points

Kevin Martin 2 years ago

If you're flying to Sydney from San Francisco, the smell might be a tipoff.

0points

Ganyu 2 years ago

How often did this happen?!?

0points

Mickie Shea 2 years ago

So that's why my friend stopped talking.

0points

backatya 2 years ago

Of course they were kept in their seats. Where do you expect them to go if they are DEAD!

0points

Keisha 2 years ago

It wouldn't bother me any. At least they wouldn't be annoying.

0points

Amy Stone-Chandler 2 years ago

Easier then trying maneuver a dead body to the luggage hold. I don't think this is accurate anymore though. Dead bodies urinate, pass games and 💩. Also depending on length of flight, smell

0points

Dorothy Nedderneyer 2 years ago

Duh!! Makes sense. Landing at an airport over the ocean isn't easy or in mid-U.S. Not to mention the family would need to make arrangements and pay the cost of transporting the body. At least being at their destination, there would be people who knew the passenger...be it family, clients, or co-workers.

0points

Shelley Dawson 2 years ago

As cabin crew, this is a very rare occurrence. That is the procedure depending on certain circumstances but it is not 'normal' as it is so rare.

0points

Alex Doiron 2 years ago

I'm going to call b******t on this one. How do you know they are dead? Are you a doctor. If not then you found a passenger in medical distress and refused to provide the basics of first aid. That is a criminal offence in most countries/jurisdictions.

0points

MRoyal 2 years ago

My father died on a flight. He was having trouble breathing so they laid him down in the aisle from what I am told. Don't know what they did with him after he died. I assume they have to put him in a seat and strap him in so he doesn't become a danger.

0points

RJ 2 years ago

And what if their bowels/bladder released?

0points

Beth Swiers 2 years ago

As a RN I can tell you a corpse begins to smell in about a hour. I would hope a long haul flight knows how to deal with that

0points

Amber Dobson 2 years ago

So if they die is flight instead of CPR they get a blanket? Not exactly legal. Sounds fake

0points

Cory Tollman 2 years ago

Like the dude in "Commando". He "slept" all the way to Valverde.

0points

Rylee Evergreen 2 years ago

How often does someone die onboard?!?!??

0points

Nazda Pokmov 2 years ago

No wonder some of the fellow passengers over the yeas didn't look like they were sleeping

0points

Marco Conti 2 years ago

What other option is there? A memorial service at 30K ft?

0points

Braineating Spleen 2 years ago

How many people die on planes quietly without people noticing.

0points

third molar 2 years ago

So the arm rests are up for grabs ?? Welp!!

0points

June’s Very Own 2 years ago

This comment is hidden. Click here to view.

Queen fhk 2 years ago

When someone dies instantaneously there is no smell it can only take about 48hrs for a dead body to start smelling due to decay

21points

Jette Wang Wahnon 2 years ago

You were downvoted,but it is a pertinent observation....when some-body dies the bowel will empty involuntarily...and yes that can smell....however,most airlines will clear the seats next to the deceased...

11points

Snowfoxrox 2 years ago

There really wouldn't be much of a smell.. Until the body is moved at least..

5points

juni 2 years ago

How much contact to dead bodies have you had when you think they start smelling the moment they die?

4points

#14

35 Of The Darkest Airline Industry Secrets, Shared By Flight Attendants Former flight attendant here. First of all I’d like to say that everything varies from airline to airline and country to country. I worked for a Latin American airline. The environment was quite toxic, there was A LOT of harassment from the pilots and copilots.. some of them would abuse the position of power they had to make some indecent proposals to the air hostesses. Maybe this is not a secret but for me it was a shock when a pilot (aged 40+) would text me during my days off to hang out (I was 19), I don’t even know from where he got my number and I felt very uncomfortable around him. This was nothing in comparison to other things that many of us experienced.

Original-Spring-6195 , Jae Park Report

Final score:

268points

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Miss-Un-Derstood 2 years ago

Sounds just like every other industry with creepy old men

150points

#15

Source: my mom is a flight attendant.

When flight attendants greet you as you step on the plane, they're doing two things: 1) checking to see if you're drunk/stoned, and 2) checking to see if you're strong/buff, so in the event of an emergency they can tap you in if need be (i.e. need to pull open the emergency door or lift something, etc.)

nbel1996 Report

Final score:

258points

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Fried Mermaid 2 years ago

I've read this one long ago in a different thread. Last time I flew to visit my home country, when I was leaving, was crying my ass off, and remembered the scanning the attendants had to do. Many of them asked me I was ok, and many others looked at my eyes and just lowered their heads. Felt like a nice gesture, them trying to give me some privacy surrounded by a lot of people and being extra nice the rest of the flight

126points

#16

35 Of The Darkest Airline Industry Secrets, Shared By Flight Attendants My friend is a flight attendant, she told me they change their emergency code words every few months. Once an emergency code word (could be something like “marvellous”) is used by a crew member when speaking over PA to pilot, pilot will automatically lock cockpit and not open the door again no matter what.

Lamonthie , Kenny Eliason Report

Final score:

237points

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Agfox 2 years ago

I thought it was normal for cockpit doors to be kept locked anyway...

175points

#17

A significant number of them are homeless. Living out of their suitcase and the crew break room.

I was a pilot for a low paying regional airline in the US. The pay for new flight attendants is pathetically low. Since they spend 90% of their lives on the road anyway some don’t have a permanent place to live.

usmcmech Report

Final score:

233points

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June’s Very Own 2 years ago

That’s so sad

137points

#18

35 Of The Darkest Airline Industry Secrets, Shared By Flight Attendants Not a flight attendant, but used to be a supervisor for a major US carrier. We had an employee whose child had a science project about germs. She brought her kid in on an overnighted aircraft and they took samples from all over. The galley, lavoratories, seats, tray tables, just about everywhere. The area with the most amount of fecal matter was the tray tables. Yep. I also never drink anything that is never sealed because I have witnessed cleaners who clean the lavoratories then jump to the galley without changing gloves.

cardsfan4life17 , Kai Pilger Report

Final score:

229points

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June’s Very Own 2 years ago

That’s a health code violation, surely.

137points

#19

Flight attendant here.

If someone acts like a major jerk mid flight, we will have security meet you on the ground at the destination.

We have limited resources available, so if you get b****y about wanting steak but we only have chicken left, there are literally zero things we can do about it. There is only so much space we have to stock all the goodies.

There may be major drama going on between crew members, but we do our best to hide it and give good customer service. I have literally cried behind a wall before because a crew member was being condescending and rude, and walked out into the cabin smiling afterward.

We make fun of people for being rude, being inconsiderate of others, playing videos out loud, clipping toenails, eating salt dried fish and leaving the bones on the floor.....

People will literally ask us about mileage points and why they didn’t get upgrades and why their bag got delayed and how they’re going to miss their connection. If there is a major delay flying into a city, we literally hide in galleys to avoid people asking us questions.

If a passenger is rude to our face, we will crunch up the snack mix or cookie before handing it to them, essentially giving them a bag of crumbs.

Spag_n_balls Report

Final score:

203points

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Potty pagan panda 2 years ago

Fair enough

64points

Onlyhereforthelaughs , wikimedia.commons Report

#20

35 Of The Darkest Airline Industry Secrets, Shared By Flight Attendants I worked for the ground crew at a private airport. Flights from other countries have to throw away all uneaten food right off the plane, as it is International Waste, and needs to be incinerated.

Additionally, if flights for private planes are delayed, their food that was standing by has to go somewhere... So they gave it to us. So tasty.

Final score:

200points

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Kathryn Baylis 2 years ago (edited)

My first job was with a rental car company at the local airport. Got to know all the airline folks, and the people from the catering company that supplied flights with meals. Got a LOAD of free meals when a flight landed and the plane would be staying at the airport overnight. They can’t (or couldn’t back then, not sure about now) use the meals the next day, and were just going to throw them out, so gave away as many as anyone wanted. Remember, these were complete hot meals with side dishes and desserts, so way more filling than just snacks. I was 19, in my first apartment, and making $3.45/hour (1979, when minimum wage was $2.90/hour) when I started working there, so those free meals kept me going when money was tight. This was back in the late seventies to early eighties at a midsized airport. Probably not like that anymore—-though I’d be so happy to find out differently!

121points

#21

Nobody is ever pronounced dead on a commercial flight. The crew will perform CPR until the body is removed from the plane. Otherwise, the coroner’s office can impound the aircraft for days, until their investigation is complete. If a physician on board declares the patient dead, well, bummer for the airline. More than once I came in to work to find a deceased passenger in the locker room, waiting for the coroner to pick up the body.

Also, dead people are transported as cargo on commercial flights. We refer to them as human remains. If you see a long rectangular cardboard box the size of a coffin being carefully loaded into a cargo bin by several rampers, it’s human remains.

N2TheBlu Report

Final score:

188points

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Jette Wang Wahnon 2 years ago

It is not all gloom and doom though...I had a flight Lisbon-copenhagen with a stop-over in Madrid.My dog was travelling with me in his carrier.Due to his size he was in the cargo area.Whenever I travel with my dogs I make certain they are onboard before I enter and when we were boarding the plane in Madrid again I noticed a large box being carried onboard.We took off and after a while the flight attendant came back to coach were I was sitting and asked me to accompany her to first class...yuppie,I thought,I have been up-graded !!....arrive at the 1st class and see my dog lounging in a seat with a silly grin while adoring crew are feeding him goodies..??? a coffin had come on board in Madrid and laws forbid animals to travel in the same compartment as deceased...The pooch didn´t even acknowledge my presence...he was living the life of Brian !

157points

#22

35 Of The Darkest Airline Industry Secrets, Shared By Flight Attendants You have a set limit of how many hours you can fly, and you need 12 hours of rest between duties, i've once seen a pilot Wait 2 unnecessary minutes to turn off the engine to make the flight attendant out of hours for the next day.

Pellem01 , Luis Cont Report

Final score:

173points

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Sleazy Weaver 2 years ago (edited)

this isn't phrased very well, i can see others are getting confused. let me try to explain: flight attendents have to work x amount of hours before they're required to take 12 hours of rest. otherwise, tired or not, they'll be scheduled to work more. on one flight, the pilot kept the plane on for extra long to use up the last of the flight attendants' hours so they could have a mandatory day off to rest without the airline taking advantage of them having time left (even just two minutes) & scheduling them to work another flight. the pilot was doing the flight attendants a favor; the airline industry has such thin margins for turning a profit that they take advantage of employees whenever possible. the pilot was helping combat this by ensuring his coworkers would have time to rest whether the company likes it or not.

420points

#23

35 Of The Darkest Airline Industry Secrets, Shared By Flight Attendants The only dirty thing about my job was the airplanes. they never wash the floors, the seats. it’s gross.

Peanut-Expert , Natã Romualdo Report

Final score:

156points

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June’s Very Own 2 years ago

Gosh. Honestly how hard is it to hire some cleaners?

37points

#24

35 Of The Darkest Airline Industry Secrets, Shared By Flight Attendants The Galley!

Not a Flight Attendant but exEngineer and trust me, if the aircraft galley were inspected like any other food business it would be condemned within the first trolley!

That’s excluding the dirty water tanks and cleaning crew using one rag from ceiling lights to floor trim.

If you ask anyone who maintains aircraft, you bet they’re buying their meal at the airport.

WoodEngineering , Jue Huang Report

Final score:

150points

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Phill Healey 2 years ago

That's why aircraft meals are typically made at a special facility and are delivered sealed. They are then just steam heated onboard the aircraft

3points

#25

There's a 600 page book in the cockpit with every. Single. Thing. that can possibly go wrong, from a bulb going out to an engine falling off, a biohazard or a bomb threat.

Exos9 Report

Final score:

147points

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Kathryn Baylis 2 years ago (edited)

Makes sense. 99.9% of pilot, and I sure hope flight attendant, training consists of “what-if” scenarios. Everything from an unruly drunk passenger to a hijacker to a bird strike to a bomb. Only a tiny portion has to do with the perfect flight. Why do you think the crew is so calm when there’s an emergency? They don’t panic because they know exactly what to do. When you’re in a situation like that, it’s the not knowing that can make you panic. Training eliminates that, by having you concentrate on the next step instead.

76points

#26

35 Of The Darkest Airline Industry Secrets, Shared By Flight Attendants I used to work as a flight attendant and I've seen a lot of stupid and crazy [stuff]. The alcoholism, drug abuse and depression is common in the domain. It's hard for a lot of people to live a superficial life. It's fun at first to see new places and new destinations. But at some point rome or new delhi is just another place at work. Sound downing but I've seen a lot people complain about this and me as well.

ChemicalSet2716 , Caleb Miller Report

Final score:

145points

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Shelley Dawson 2 years ago

I don't know about the depression but you're right about cities of dreams being just another place to visit. When I stopped flying and returned to the UK, I'd mention placed where funny things had happened and people were so jealous. They didn't realise what it is like to wake up in the morning (or evening) not knowing where you are and what day it is.

3points

#27

35 Of The Darkest Airline Industry Secrets, Shared By Flight Attendants This little secret has been in the news lately, pilots and flight attendants are usually only paid when the aircraft door is closed. I am a flight attendant for a regional carrier get paid per diem, about two dollars an hour from the moment we sign in until the moment our trip is finished. However, our hourly rate is only paid when the doors closed.

While the hourly rate might sound good ($20-50+ depending on carrier and seniority) we are typically only paid 75 to 85 hours a month.

That-World , Jacky Watt Report

Final score:

142points

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shodokai 2 years ago

That is purely criminal corporate behavior!

130points

#28

35 Of The Darkest Airline Industry Secrets, Shared By Flight Attendants I buddy of mine has been a pilot for the better part of 30 years and says that back 15-20 years ago the Russian/Soviet pilots and crew had to been watched like hawks (sometimes even being locked in a room) because there was a high chance of them getting absolutely s**t faced before when they were supposed to fly.

richard-777 , Emerson Vieira Report

Final score:

137points

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Mama Penguin 2 years ago

That's not terrifying at all.

54points

#29

35 Of The Darkest Airline Industry Secrets, Shared By Flight Attendants There is an alarming amount of things that can be broken/inop on a MEL (minimum equipment list) and the airplane can still fly.

GrievouzZ , Sebastian Grochowicz Report

Final score:

127points

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Sleazy Weaver 2 years ago (edited)

actually, this is pretty cool. the parts that make or break a plane are so interesting. most commercial jets can survive with a busted engine or two depending how many it has, but a problem with the jackscrew can take a plane out of the sky with no hope of survival. even a hole in the plane isn't certain death because they're designed with so many failsafes & emergency protocols. it's actually in a plane's best interest to be able to function on minimal equipment, but have enough onboard anyway to make flight safer & easier. problems most often arise when airlines skimp on maintenance because of razor thin margins to turn a profit. the airline industry is garbage but planes themselves are cool as hell.

102points

#30

I was a flight attendant: we had a boiler in the back galley that provided warm water that we used to serve hot drinks (coffee/tea/chocolate).

Well, the tanks in which water is stored are rarely cleaned thoroughly.

I had that water myself every now and then (since it was the only free thing we were allowed to take from the bar -we had to pay for water bottles!!!-), but if I fly as a passenger I try to avoid it as much as I can!

I can’t even imagine the amount of germs and mold that can be forming in those tanks!!

Ah, also, the water intake for the refill of that tank is centimeters away from the waste disposal valve…

xvagabondx Report

Final score:

113points

POST

June’s Very Own 2 years ago

I’m genuinely surprised. Is there no inspectors who come in and test the cleanliness of airplanes at all? It sounds like they have free reign to be lazy.

71points

FlyFeetFiddlesticks , wikimedia.commons Report

#31

35 Of The Darkest Airline Industry Secrets, Shared By Flight Attendants The toilets are near where we sit, and no matter how hard you try to cover the fact that you’re taking a dump. It makes a different noise than if you just go number 1.

No matter what stupid thing you see or read about getting a 'free upgrade' 99% of the time it’s all bollocks.

Final score:

112points

POST

Nadine 2 years ago

So how do you get an upgrade?

27points

#32

My primary job, is 'Credit Card Salesman'.

My secondary job, is preventing people from writing letters to corporate or appearing on the 6-O'clock news.

My tertiary job is to keep us from getting sued when you run to the bathroom during turbulance.

tommygunz007 Report

Final score:

108points

POST

TomCat 2 years ago

Welcome aboard Spirit Airlines!

41points

#33

35 Of The Darkest Airline Industry Secrets, Shared By Flight Attendants FA here... crop dusting. Basically farting whilst we walk down the aisle due to the bloating. If you fly frequently theres a high chance an fa has farted right by your head as they walked down the aisle.

MilkySteps , Hanson Lu Report

Final score:

107points

POST

Davo gifman 2 years ago

Crop dusting...😆 that's pretty funny.

2points

walloh , Евгений Шухман Report

#34

35 Of The Darkest Airline Industry Secrets, Shared By Flight Attendants Flying isnt glamourous, one of my friend got spit on and cornered by a passenger and the company and the police did absolutely nothing about it. Also have heard of a few pilots trying to get sexual favors in flight, to no avail (from my knowledge).

Final score:

101points

POST

Unnamed Hooman 2 years ago

That’s just disgusting

35points

#35

35 Of The Darkest Airline Industry Secrets, Shared By Flight Attendants Pilots are on their phones or reading the newspaper all the time.

AirspeedIsLife , Rayyu Maldives Report

Final score:

77points

POST

Also Anonymous 2 years ago

I am not a pilot, but this example is worthless. Sure, they are On their phones. But when the auto pilot fails, you bet your ass I want a real pilot landing the pane.

126points

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#36

Ex airline employee here. Often we'd have someone on board with terrible body odor. You can set the temperature in one end of the cabin hotter and it localized the smell to one part of the plane. If you see coffee filter bags hanging anywhere its because someone smells like open ass somewhere on the plane.

FAs often talk about the "hot guy in 23B" or whatever seat he's in.

Pilots f**k around a lot up front. They'll take pictures, post on FB, watch movies, automation has taken over a lot of the work on long flights.

Subrookie Report

Final score:

26points

POST

LandAhoy 2 years ago

Is the temperature set higher or lower around the area of the smelly person? If the smelly person is put in hot surroundings surely it will make them smell worse?

2points

Dutch Swimmer Goes Viral For Super Revealing Trunks During 2024 Olympics: “Is This Legal?”

See Also on Bored Panda

Thrill-Seeking Diver Jumps Down Extreme Waterslide, Ignoring The Strict Ban For Women

#37

Former flight attendant here.

Landing gear got stuck on decent, we flew in circles for ages just waiting to see find out if we needed to crash land or not. Luckily the gear eventually came down, passengers never knew something was wrong.

One time I accidentally spilled coffee creamer on a bald dude's head while he was sleeping during service. Myself and everyone around him silently agreed to say nothing. He looked as if a bird pooped on his head....I still feel guilty about it.

Never drink the coffee, I have never seen those machines cleaned.

nosayingbagpipe Report

Final score:

25points

POST

tirebiter 2 years ago

I was on a flight where the landing was aborted when the plane was very close to the ground. I looked out the window and saw debris on the runway. The plane circled a few times before landing. There wasn't an announcement discussing the delay.

5points

Woman Put A Water Fountain With A Camera In Her Yard, Here Are 24 Photos Of Regular Visitors (New Pics)

#38

A few months ago I was on a flight and the FA who came on the intercom was having trouble speaking. I was super concerned and mentioned it to the person next to me thinking she might be having a stroke. He thought the same. Another FA walked by and I mentioned it to her and she said she would check in with the pilot. Next announcement was the pilot informing us there was a delay and they are waiting for another FA to show up. Long story short, the FA with slurred speech was totally wasted. I saw her walking off the plane and she could barely walk straight. Couldn’t believe it.

jdperk Report

Final score:

22points

POST

See Also on Bored Panda

“Ma’am I Live Here”: Woman Refuses To Back Out Of Driveway, Learns A Lesson The Hard Way

#39

Don't fly with an ear infection or fluid in your ears. There is a chance you can rupture your eardrum. Flight crews are especially susceptible to this since we are constantly going through pressurization and depressurization when we work.

AcromionProcess Report

Final score:

22points

POST

Mary Rotman 2 years ago

Not to mention it hurts like hell

11points

#40

We quote the movie airplane a lot.

FabulousJewfro Report

Final score:

22points

POST

Seán Baron 2 years ago

Stewardess, I speak Jive,

8points

#41

Stayed in a hotel that provided lodging to lots of airline staff. I used the hotel’s business office computers and this flight attendant forgot to log off her FB. Her DM’s had BF’s all over the world.

[deleted] Report

Final score:

21points

POST

shodokai 2 years ago

Good for her! They are the modern day Sailors. She's got a BF in every port and I bet they all smile when they think of her... and she them.

34points

#42

FA here, depending on airline policy, the crew gets to sleep on full flat bed on long flights. We prefer you return your trays the way we gave it to you. Sometimes the passengers think stacking them will be helpful but its not. Also, female FAs are used to getting hit on by passengers. And some of my colleagues end up being married to a passenger so it is possible to find love in flight.

raknaitu69 Report

Final score:

20points

POST

M Rob 2 years ago

Do NOT hit on FAs during a flight

7points

50 Of The Most Incredible Shots That Were Submitted To The Comedy Wildlife Photography Awards

See Also on Bored Panda

French Diver’s “Jewels” In Tight Swimming Trunks Become Talk Of The Town At Olympics

#43

Not a flight attendant, but on and around airliners when they’re deplaning. The amount of those tiny alcohol bottles that leave the plane in flight attendants’ bags is astounding.

waffle_fries_evryday Report

Final score:

18points

POST

Tx jac 2 years ago

Good for them ...from reading the above posts, sounds like there is a lot of work without pay

14points

#44

My aunt was a flight attendant for a major airline for nearly 40 years. She flew exclusively South American routes from the US.

She told us how drug use and alcoholism was rampant in her industry; flight attendants, maintenance and ground crews, and especially pilots. There was one pilot she’d work with frequently that would pass out during flights. The flight attendants would set timers to remind themselves to go check on them.

She was not excluded from the drug and alcohol issues. The airline made a habit of surprising people with drug tests as they came off international flights. She and other flight attendants figured out system for them to be able to escape without getting drug tested.

Smuggling was also common among flight staff. The amount of stuff she smuggled back into the US from Brazil, Argentina, Peru, and Chile would’ve put her in federal prison for a few years.

She’s gone now. I miss her insane stories.

caitycc Report

Final score:

18points

POST

Miss-Un-Derstood 2 years ago

What did she smuggle? Drugs? Money? Designer dresses stolen from passengers suitcase?

5points

Woman Moves Out Of Parents' Home After They Asked Her To Give Her Space To Brother, They Freak Out

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Mom Leaves $250k Inheritance To Son, Throws A Fit When Daughter Stops Looking After Her

#45

Friends with one.

Food shortage is a thing. And to meet demands, they have to manage with what they can do.

The example told to me was when there is demand for more vegetarian food, they simply remove the non-veg from dishes and serve it.

greg_says_relax Report

Final score:

18points

POST

Irish Lad 2 years ago

If you allergic to something, tell them. Don't say I'm a vegetarian. There is a big difference.

11points

#46

That the captain had a heart attack and passed away mid flight and he's the reason we have to have an unscheduled stop, not to refuel.

I was a cabin crew back for a five-star international airline.

0ntheverg3 Report

Final score:

16points

POST

WhyAmIHere 2 years ago

That's fun.

-1point

#47

My cousin is a flight attendant, its not mid-flight, but airplane lines will fly attendants all over the country just in case there needed elsewhere. My cousin had to fly out from Portland to Seattle and some other places all in one trip, never having to work. Also, if you are sick you have to show up anyway and let the people in charge decide if you can fly or not. If you don't, you get 3 warnings then your fired.

Crescent_WW Report

Final score:

16points

POST

Kathryn Baylis 2 years ago

Crew shuttle, or flying jump seat. I’ve seen entire planes filled with crew shuttling to another airport.

6points

Woman Refuses To Chip In For Babysitting Because She Doesn’t Even Have Kids, Asks If She’s A Jerk

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“This Breaks My Heart”: People Stunned—And Angry—After Woman Buys Lost Luggage From Airport

#48

35 Of The Darkest Airline Industry Secrets, Shared By Flight Attendants My roommate’s a flight attendant and she says the flight crew (including pilots) often stays at the same hotel and parties together, and that the pilots often sleep with flight attendants regardless of marital status. Idk if that counts as a secret of the industry, but she says it is.

asitype1 , Tony Yakovlenko Report

Final score:

15points

POST

Mama Penguin 2 years ago

I think it's a well known secret at this point.

14points

#49

35 Of The Darkest Airline Industry Secrets, Shared By Flight Attendants Sex isn't really that common in flight (ldmcr is too small to do naughty stuff)... but in hotels it happens... and its usually the copilot doing naughty stuff

keli_kelly , Kevin Woblick Report

Final score:

15points

POST

Sara Frazer 2 years ago

ldmcr ???

9points

"I Didn't Start The Dryer": Karen Gets Taught A Lesson After Throwing Out Neighbor's Wet Clothes

#50

One of my all time favorites is the Captain accidentally broadcasting his passenger briefing (welcome aboard, weather in chicago and so on) on frequency instead of the aircraft PA system, blocking up ground, ramp, tower, etc. for a solid 15 seconds. You automatically become the laughing stock of the airport.

Sir_Giraffe161 Report

Final score:

15points

POST

Chris 2 years ago

That actually sort of regular, every few months or so.

1point

See Also on Bored Panda

Guy Divorced 3 Years Ago Drops Off 3 Y.O. With His Ex-Wife Completely Out Of The Blue

#51

35 Of The Darkest Airline Industry Secrets, Shared By Flight Attendants Pilot is sleeping and co-pilot is flying and there are [passed away] bodies in the cargo.

Source: my mom who is a former flight attendant.

Echo_FoxTrot_123 , Andrew Palmer Report

Final score:

15points

POST

June’s Very Own 2 years ago

When you think about it. There’s nothing much they can really do about a dead body on the plane right?

14points

Iveneverbeenbanned Report

#52

We eat delicious food while you eat that disgusting airplane food.

Final score:

15points

POST

shodokai 2 years ago

Good.

14points

#53

35 Of The Darkest Airline Industry Secrets, Shared By Flight Attendants There's a special frequency called Guard that all aircraft are supposed to monitor. It's for emergencies, or for when an aircraft ends up on a wrong frequency and the controllers need to get contact with them to change them to the right frequency.

It's full of pilots meowing at each other, and people accidentally asking for gate assignments and making other radio calls.

dog_in_the_vent , Honglin Shaw Report

Final score:

14points

POST

Mama Penguin 2 years ago

Lol at pilots meowing at each other.

17points

“All Three Shot Out Pink”: Triplets' Baby Shower Turns Sour, Pregnant Wife Wants A Divorce

#54

35 Of The Darkest Airline Industry Secrets, Shared By Flight Attendants With South African Airways, it was the fact that flight attendants were stealing from people’s bags.

TerminalHopes , nappy Report

Final score:

13points

POST

Miss-Un-Derstood 2 years ago

Disgusting.

0points

See Also on Bored Panda

College Student Does Exactly As Told After Roommates Demand They Keep Their Stuff In Their Room

#55

Former FA - as a new hire fa I would obey the FAA rules like we were taught, but then after a couple years I learned the easiest way to have a good flight was to learn which rules to ignore. Especially carry on items in first class. Put a few passenger items in empty galley carts to get us out on time.

Bougainville70 Report

Final score:

12points

POST

#56

My mother was a 20 year flight attendant, if your grounded plane suddenly goes full flaps down prepare for SWAT.

InsertScreenNameHere Report

Final score:

12points

POST

My O My 2 years ago

We need more detail here

7points

#57

I read once that you should never use the coffee pot in your hotel rooms because if stewardesses stay in those rooms they use those pots with hot water to wash leggings and pantry hose and socks.

tdmmnnl Report

Final score:

11points

POST

shodokai 2 years ago

disbelieve

6points

#58

What's in the pilot's carry-on?

Many bring window shades! Along with pillows and books to help them sleep.

bobbypkp Report

Final score:

11points

POST

Andie Day 2 years ago

I don't doubt North/South pilots have a side shade to reduce sun glare on instruments. And why wouldn't they bring a pillow and a book? There's two people in the cockpit, both of them don't have to monitor at the same time.

1point

#59

NSFL warning: My Sister worked for an unnamed airline based out of the UAE; apparently the treatment of staff was so horrible, one of the flight attendants jumped out of one of those massive jets (while loading passengers) to try and kill herself in protest. Instead she succeeded in only completely f**king her self up; screaming writhing in pain.

Rather than delay the flight, the incident was cordoned off and all staff were summarily ordered to pretend it wasn’t even happening and ‘the show must go on’ (or there would be ‘consequences’). No one was offered counselling etc and it’s just not a good look to ask about it going forward.

the_colonelclink Report

Final score:

10points

POST

June’s Very Own 2 years ago

Disgusting behaviour

9points

#60

Oxygen masks only supply around 15-20 minutes of oxygen. I'm not a flight attendant but I just know that.

Own_Speaker2572 Report

Final score:

9points

POST

Sleazy Weaver 2 years ago (edited)

they also don't deploy if the plane is full of smoke. oxygen + fire = bad, & even if some people pass away from smoke inhalation, it's absolutely vital the fire is kept as small as possible because there are no firetrucks in the air. the oxygen masks are actually there in case of an explosive decompression. that's when a hole opens up & the pressurized air is sucked out of the plane. the air at high altitudes isn't breathable, so you use an oxygen mask until the plane descends, which is done within the 15-20 minute time limit.

18points

#61

A little birdie once told me that it’s not uncommon for crew to get involved in drug smuggling…

idontgiveafrunk Report

Final score:

8points

POST

Lulxby 2 years ago

Wow. Wish I knew that sooner lol

4points

IDoNotUseALotOfWords Report

#62

Pilot and copilot are exchanging files and playing video games together via wifi.

Final score:

8points

POST

shodokai 2 years ago

Lots of down time, why not?

13points

#63

Not an FA but I once rode up an elevator in Johannesburg with a crew from a middle eastern airline. Don’t remember which one but the male pilots talking to each other were clearly Australian. The women FAs were in head to toe Muslim garb and quiet. The FAs got off on my floor and ended up in rooms near mine. Later when I saw them they were all blonde Aussie shelias, wearing skimpy clothes and partying hard while off duty. Quite a contrast from their public image.

No I did not hit on them or flirt with them, etc. I’m married and not a creep.

Xyzzydude Report

Final score:

7points

POST

Miss-Un-Derstood 2 years ago

So what? I'm glad they were out partying. I'm sure they needed to let off steam after having to walk around in burka's!

8points

#64

I saw a website that was filled with flight attendants selling their panty hose and their dirty socks and shoes … lol

Mully_bee Report

Final score:

2points

POST

oktopus 2 years ago

Wait, I thought per preceding post they used coffee makers to wash them in?

3points

#65

I used to work for THAT airline (yes you know wich one), I've seen some s**t, I can say for sure that flight attendant steal from the trolley, we are polite just because we get 10% of sales onbord that we make individually (this causes lots of fights behind the "curtains"), we are doomed to live in a foreign country because that means having to buy a ticket just to visit family, there is a lot of drama since everyone is young and horny, 90% of cabin manager abuse their power to get more sales and benefits from the company.

Pellem01 Report

Final score:

-7points

POST

shodokai 2 years ago

That was one helluva run on sentence mate.

17points

#66

My buddy is a pilot for American airlines and has hooked up with well over 100 flight attendants while on the road.

trumisadump Report

Final score:

-10points

POST

Mama Penguin 2 years ago

Capt. Glenn Quagmire?

26points

#67

The radiation experienced while flying is so great it sets of Geiger counters if not turned off. The airlines have numbers out there to talk about the minor amount of radiation you become exposed to, but it's a lot higher than they say. (Did someone say conspiracy? Haha)

My mom is a lifetime flight attendant and the crazy thing is we found this out from a family friend who works in environmental reclamation who deals with radioactive reclamation sites worldwide. He said that their meters while flying were double the concerned level of radiation on his site in the Ukraine.

I_Use_Games Report

Final score:

-16points

POST

Mary Rotman 2 years ago

This defies all medical research into this aspect of flying. When you go to the beach and get a sunburn, did you know you have a radiation burn? Sunlight is radiation.

18points