Date: 8th May
Flight: Shanghai
Many incidents that happen on board make people wonder, or say c’mon is this for real? Some of the stories I have penned down in my diary even amaze me at times. It is normal for a person to read it and react in denial. But truth to be told, as strange as it may appear, this is the reality above 30,000ft. People say and do the weirdest things, and funnily these moments do add a little spice in to the big curry of our airhostess life!
Most people would like to get back what they paid for through the service onboard. Some of them purposely gives airhostess’s a hard time, as they see the uniform as a representation of the airline ticket they just bought. So what could be worse than seeing an airline employee sitting next to you in uniform, and watching a movie? Most people don’t like the idea of an airhostess securing herself on a jump seat during turbulence; they keep on pressing the call bell for that can of coke, when clearly things in the cabin are tossed around.
Today we had a group of crew who were deadheading with us. This is when the airline has an operational need, extra crew members need to be flown in. However they are reporting for duty, thus the uniforms. This is an awkward situation to be in; as many passengers around you can’t help noticing an airhostess is sitting down and not working. They forget to rationalize in their heads; maybe there is a good reason for that?
As a deadheading crew member was dozing off on this long flight, one passenger who was seated at the opposite row started poking. “Excuse me, can I have a coke please?” and out of courtesy as she was in uniform, she walked up to the galley and got him his drink. In another few minutes he again disturbed her asking for a spare pillow, in which she handed her own pillow as she knew for sure we didn’t have any extras as it was a full flight. After a few more annoying requests she retorted to him kindly “Sir would you mind using the call bell please? Because I am a deadheading crew member and I am supposed to be taking rest on this flight, and soon after I will be starting work!”
“I don’t care what type of crew you are; I have paid for the ticket and you should bring me whatever I ask for. Be thankful for your job lady!” Seeing that it was going to be a pointless discussion she informed the purser who failed to convince the passenger who has managed to rally up a few good musketeers to support his arguments. “Then why are they in uniform?”, “I could have lied down flat if they weren’t sitting on those seats!”, “They are anyway going to work so what difference does it make if she brings me tea or coffee on this flight?”
Soon after wards the captain had to make a P.A especially to the ones who couldn’t stand the idea of an airhostess sitting down; “Ladies & Gentleman, if you see any of crew members seated, please do not disturb them, they are crew who are going to be reporting for work as soon as they land, and if you do have a problem with that please be kind enough to deplane immediately. We are currently over the Southern China Sea and I am sure the “DEADHEADING” crew will be glad to open the doors for you! As ridiculous as this sounds, it worked like a charm!
Comments (1)
Monique
Jun 11, 2013 12:00 amHaahhaha... This one's funny... I honestly didn't know what deadheading was until I read this.... And I have never come across a resting hostess before... And NO!!! people should not treat them like that... Even if they are paying thousands of dollars for a ticket... Right or wrong, it's courtesy to let another human being rest even at the expense of you feeling ignored....
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