Comments on: The Perfect Storm

By: cedarglen

cedarglen — Sun, 04 Sep 2011 11:46:00 +0000

Hmm. I know that this is a very old post and that the comment may never be read. That said… No, of course the FAs should not have to put up with the disgusting behaviors mentioned. Weather delays happen, tempers flair and there are always the ‘behind the scenes’ issues that you described. Decent folks take it in stride and wait for the ride. What DOES surprise me is that the FA and gate staff allowed the Alpha Hotel in 2A to remain on the aircraft. Had be been a back-of-the-plane PAX and not a First Class PAX, I think he would have been booted. As I’ve noted before, the purchase of a premium class ticket does NOT entitle one to behave so poorly. Ever! After his first on-board outburst, someone, perhaps the lead FA should quietly and politely told the A.H. that if he repeated his performance, he would be removed. No negotiations, no discussion, just a simple statement of the facts. Flying in premium class seats does include some perks. Alpha Hotel like behavior is NOT one of them. Did I say ‘ever?’ On the bright side, these events are **relatively** rare and most crews are able to resolve (defuse?) them quickly. If they are not resolved to the crew’s satisfaction, get the A. H. off the aircraft a quickly as possible. Although the genuine risk to flight safety is measurably small, behaviors like those mentioned are disturbing and unpleasant for the other PAX. As one who has far too many miles with a seat strapped to my butt, I have a strong preferance for airlines with a Zero Tolerance policy. And I know which ones enforce it. -Cg

By: Blondie

Blondie — Wed, 14 Apr 2010 07:36:56 +0000

Livin’ the dream, Bobby, livin’ the dream….

By: Traytable

Traytable — Thu, 25 Mar 2010 09:08:35 +0000

I agree with Megan, on flights with only one or two FAs,you need to offload for that kind of behaviour, it only ever gets worse in my experiences, and those pilots will NOT be coming out of the flight deck to help!

One of my previous airlines was great, they had a zero tolerance policy for people getting verbally abusive… I had a guy call me a c— beause I asked him to switch off his phone (for the 3rd time) during boarding/refuelling. He was off with no chance of us letting him back on. If we let them get away with it once, they only did it again. That airline had the policy becuse in previous years they learnt the hard way.

By: Noah

Noah — Wed, 24 Mar 2010 00:21:22 +0000

I want to say I too would offload them immediately, but I don’t think I really would.

Most of the time if you stand up a bit, tell them what you now know, and apologize for whatever has happened, the passenger will calm down. Offloading anyone has the potential to turn a small problem into a bigger one, and if they calm down after a short conversation I’m ok with them staying onboard.

Now if they are ranting and storming through the aisle, then yes, get them off.

By: Grace

Grace — Fri, 19 Mar 2010 19:09:10 +0000

I love your announcement

I thought my storm weekend was a nightmare….yours takes the prize.

By: lookin4acity

lookin4acity — Thu, 18 Mar 2010 23:20:07 +0000

There should be an award for flight attendants for NOT ripping off deserving passenger’s heads. I am amazed that you didn’t have them ejected. Grace under pressure is all I can say.

By: Bobby

Bobby — Tue, 16 Mar 2010 18:09:20 +0000

I don’t know why I get the crazies! I really don’t. I honestly think its the people my airlines fares attract. We’re very much a leisure airline with a small focus on the business traveler. The leisure travelers think that spending $99 for a transcon is super expensive and expect the world for their money. Then, the business people, who pay extra for our enhanced economy and first class expect you to treat them like gold and they are untouchable in situations like this.

I was 30 seconds away from booting both of them off. But then, it would have been my flight in the news this morning.. not the other one I was SUPPOSED to be on!

By: Thomas

Thomas — Tue, 16 Mar 2010 17:08:33 +0000

Duuuuudde, that so totally sucked. I would not have been able to function I’d have been so angry. Good for you for standing your ground. People forget that we’re human, too, and not some machine that’s there for a Coke and smile. I’ve never booted anyone off my plane before, but lately I’ve been really itching to do it. I don’t care how long you’re stuck somewhere, there is no excuse for treating anyone that way. Next time, take their boarding pass and shove it up their ass as you throw them off.

By: Megan

Megan — Tue, 16 Mar 2010 15:49:23 +0000

I almost had a mini heart attack at the way people were talking to you. OMG! Seriously though, that is the difference between smaller and larger aircraft. Since I’m the only FA on my planes and I could never deal with people cursing me like that. I have no one else to back me up in case of a riot.

I don’t know why you had such horrible passengers, I have had many many delays in JFK but never anyone like that. Here’s to hoping that you have understanding pax from here on out!!!

But hey, at least it makes for good blogging right!?!?!

By: Allen

Allen — Tue, 16 Mar 2010 15:12:14 +0000

Wow Bobby now I see why the last podcast was cancelled LOL on this story OMG those 2 people 2a and the white tshirt lady would have been kicked off my plane even if they were in the airport for over 24 hours my company will not allow us to be talked to that way by anyone! They would have also been added to our no fly list and stuck where ever we were to find their own way on another carrier.

Btw these views are mine and not the company I work for or the union in which I am a member.