Delayed?

So, it's supposed to snow in San Francisco tomorrow. Now not only is this a once every few decades occurrence, the SFO airport always slows everyone down when there is fog, or wind, or rain. I'm a little scared to imagine what will happen if snow actually does fall in the area...

Delays aren't any more fun for the crew then they are for the passengers. Trust me, we want nothing more than to get you to your destination so we can either keep flying or go to our hotel and rest. We don't get any extra pay for a delay. We actually only get paid when we are flying. So as we sit there on the ground, getting the stink eye because the plane is running late, we're not making any money. When you get on the airplane and make your sassy comments about how nice it is for us to FINALLY get going, we're still not making any money.

I promise I didn't delay the plane. I didn't know they lost your bags. I had nothing to do with that one flight you were on last year where TSA strip searched you and then your flight was canceled and you were stuck for days and the gate agent was rude to you. I know flying is stressful. I do it on my days off as well. I've been on both sides of the beverage cart. Just take a moment to count to 10 before you blow up at me when I ask you to please take your seat so we can get going.

Which relates nicely with my next point. There is a reason we ask you to put away your bags and buckle in quickly. The faster you get secured, the faster we can close the door & start getting paid. This is why we make the announcements over and over again asking you to step out of the aisle. This is why we ask if we can help you put your bag away. This is why we walk through 5 or 6 times checking that you have fastened your seatbelt. We aren't trying to annoy you, we're just waiting to start getting paid.

So please, the next time you get on an aircraft, stow your bag, sit down and buckle up. It means alot to your flight attendant...

Yuck.

Being a flight attendant for 8+ years means you see a lot. For those of you who think the plane is a clean and sanitary place? Think again. I just read an article in USA Today that talks about the dirtiest parts of the plane. It is ridiculously true. The plane is a dirty dirty place and your average passenger isn't exactly conscious of where they sneeze or touch or even who sees the things they do when they think no one notices.

Using your runny nose as chapstick comes to mind. Utilizing the seatback pocket as your personal trashcan for snotty tissues. Or my personal favorite, sneezing into the magazines and then replacing them for the next passenger.

And please, wear your shoes into the lav! Do you know how many people go in there barefoot or even worse, in socks? *shudders* Let's be honest, your average male doesn't have the best aim to begin with and then add the fact that the plane is moving. Plus when you wear your socks, they act as lovely sponges and you put those back into your shoes and carry all that nastiness with you. Eww.

So, yeah. People are gross. It's just an unfortunate truth.

Flying Sick

For those of you who think it is a good idea to fly while you are sick, I am asking - no begging you. PLEASE STAY HOME. If you do decide to fly in spite of my advice, please keep a little common courtesy in mind.


1. Cover your mouth when you cough or sneeze. I'd rather not be sprayed with your bacteria, thanks. And especially if the beverage cart is next to you.

2. Ask for some handi-wipes and/or kleenex. If you sneeze into your bare hands and then touch the seatbelt & the tray table it kind of defeats the purpose of covering your mouth in the first place.

3. Do NOT shove your nasty used kleenex into the seat back pocket for me to find later when I clean the plane. I would be happy to pick them up when I walk through the cabin at least 20 times per flight.

4. Masks aren't just for MJ's kids anymore. The air is recirculated and keeping your bacteria to yourself is great. I want to highfive everyone who wears a mask on the plane. And then immediately drench my hands in anti-bac.

5. If you feel nauseous, SAY SOMETHING. We have 'air sickness' bags as well as great, leak proof larger garbage bags for those of you with a large stomach capacity. Nothing ruins my day faster than cleaning up your vomit while trying to keep everyone else from joining in.

6. If you have a fever, STAY HOME. You ARE contagious and should NOT be around people.


This has been a public service announcement, now back to your regular programming... 

Nonrev

Just returned from 11 days in Vietnam. It was a long trip but seemed more like a whirlwind. Our flight over was typical of nonrev travel, it changed by the minute depending on the flights...

Original flight plans:
LAX-DTW-ICN-SGN
Ultimately our route was:
LAX-NRT-BKK-SGN

Thank goodness for Delta benefits, without them we would have NEVER made it. This new eticketing definitely made our trip possible :)