Since I’ve started flying I’ve been fascinated with the traveling publics reaction to the word “delay.”

For me, “delay” means running behind schedule, fixing a problem, and/or taking a little extra time to ensure everything is working and looking the way it should. To a passenger, “delay” means something to complain about.

Weather delays are the most baffling for me. When you’re on your way to the airport, do you not check the weather in your destination city, in addition to taking notice to the weather outside your own window? It always seems to come as a surprise to passengers waiting in the terminal when the agents announce that the inbound aircraft is delayed because of the monsoon currently hitting the city. Most are quick the blame the airline saying “they’re never on time!” or run right over to the gate podium and proclaim “but I have an important business meeting!” Do you not realize what has happened? The weather has caused a delay here, not the airline or the flight crew. Frankly, we don’t care that you have a business meeting and there’s no way we could have kept the operation on time with hurricane force winds and enough water to turn the aircraft into a cruiseship. Chances are your flight crew and the agents working your flight are just as annoyed with the delay. The agents are stuck working overtime and the delay has cut into the flight crew’s already short layover. Though some pilots seems to think so, we are not god. We cannot change the weather.

Mechanical delays for me, are like a double edged sword. Yes, it is an airline caused delay and yes the airline shouldtake responsibility for it. However, would you rather the airline NOT take the delay and knowingly allow you to fly on an aircraft that has a mechanical issue? These types of delays usually invoke the worst response from passengers, which amazes me. The overwhelming sigh is heard throughout the terminal. As the passengers board, you can easily pick out the ones who understand why they were delayed and roll with the punches, but those that board grumpy and upset have to realize that an aircraft is a machine and machines break. Life goes on… (probably thanks to the delay!) Your flight attendants and pilots have family too, and we’d like to go home to see them just as much as you want the flight to land safely.

Also remember, the delay on your flight could be caused by a late arriving aircraft; but that aircraft could be late because it had a mechanical issue. The passengers on that inbound aircraft deserve just as safe of a flight as you do.

The delay  which affects me most is a Crew Rest delay. A crew rest delay is usually caused by one of the other delays I mentioned above. When we arrive into a city late because of weather or a mechanical a flight attendants layover is reduced. The Federal Aviation Administration has strict laws governing how many hours of “rest” a flight crew must receive and when.

Remember: “rest” is defined as the aircraft door opening upon arrival, and closing again the next day for departure. It doesn’t mean the actual amount of hours sleeping through the night.

The FAA says the minimum amount of rest we can receive is 8 hours, no less. Therefore, if we arrive into a city late, and it cuts down our layover past 8 hours; our flight out the next morning will be delayed to compensate for the 8 hours. This type of delay infuriates most passengers, which drives me absolutely insane. Usually, the agents announce to the passengers what is going on, and why the flight is delayed — and then, during boarding, we’re faced with the on going “so did you get enough sleep?” – “are you well rested now?” – and “its about time you woke up” sarcastic comments. Folks, do you REALLY want a pilot to take your life in his hands on less than 5-6 hours sleep? Do you really want to trust a flight attendant to evacuate an airplane in the event of an emergency without enough sleep? The delay wasn’t caused because we overslept or didn’t feel rested “enough” it was caused by us not being able to get even 5 hours of actual rest.

The traveling public needs to remember that we are human beings. We are not onboard simply to serve you a coke and pick up your trash, we are there primarily for your safety in the event of an emergency. Sadly, the public doesn’t realize this until an event happens such as US Airways 1549 and the Air France crash in Toronto a few years back where the flight attendants save everyones life.

The next time you’re delayed try to look at the bigger picture of what exactly is going on. Ask yourself the question: “if the delay wasn’t taken would my flight take off and land safely?” Aside from those rare instances where an unplanned or unexpected emergency occurs, wouldn’t you rather the answer be “yes?”