Airline hostess...glamour job or glorified skivvy?
Discussion
Wacky Racer said:
Disastrous said:
She said that on a lot of the flights to Southern India, they had problems with people standing on the toilet seats to s
t. And one occasion where a bloke was so proud of having shat in a toilet, he burst out and charged back into the cabin to get his mates to show them his delightful offering, curled up like a glistening viper in the bowl. Makes you think, doesn't it?
It certainly does.....t. And one occasion where a bloke was so proud of having shat in a toilet, he burst out and charged back into the cabin to get his mates to show them his delightful offering, curled up like a glistening viper in the bowl. Makes you think, doesn't it?
He has tales of them simply squatting in the aisles and letting loose as using a Western seated bog was "too difficult"
Kermit power said:
As for the pilots, I imagine if you've trained up directly as an airline pilot, it's a great job. If, on the other hand, you've moved over from being an RAF fast jet pilot, surely there has to be an element of feeling like a Derby winner suddenly finding itself towing a rag and bone cart?
They're very different jobs and will, potentially, attract very different people. There can be significant downsides to both; some very significant depending on how you view things.If you compare flying vs flying then there's obviously no comparison, but if you compare lifestyle vs lifestyle then the ball swings in the other direction for me personally. I think you have to look at each career as a whole to make a reasoned decision.
I was cabin crew for 5 or so years, and in the airline industry for another 15 years.
Was it Glamour? Not really, those days were in the 50's & 60's. Hard work, well yes, jet lag, early mornings and late nights did not help.
A lot of the good times depended on the crew on the same flight, some were great others not so good. A good Purser or Captain can get the whole crew out. Some Flight crew even offered to buy the first drinks at the bar, of course these were well attended!
Long haul is very different to short haul, long haul meant weeks away, almost always in 3 or 4 star hotels, often in nice resorts (Florida, California, Caribbean, KL, Dubai etc) although now and then there would be a place were staying in the hotel was about the only option (Lagos, Port of Spain, Kingston etc)
Cabin crew were on a different roster to the Flight deck and generally had 2 or 4 more flights a month. It was not often even the same cabin crew were on the next flight!
Very few drunk passengers causing problems but quite a few drunk passengers! we normally limited the flow.
Handful of medical problems in flight, sadly 1 infant death.
Was it Glamour? Not really, those days were in the 50's & 60's. Hard work, well yes, jet lag, early mornings and late nights did not help.
A lot of the good times depended on the crew on the same flight, some were great others not so good. A good Purser or Captain can get the whole crew out. Some Flight crew even offered to buy the first drinks at the bar, of course these were well attended!
Long haul is very different to short haul, long haul meant weeks away, almost always in 3 or 4 star hotels, often in nice resorts (Florida, California, Caribbean, KL, Dubai etc) although now and then there would be a place were staying in the hotel was about the only option (Lagos, Port of Spain, Kingston etc)
Cabin crew were on a different roster to the Flight deck and generally had 2 or 4 more flights a month. It was not often even the same cabin crew were on the next flight!
Very few drunk passengers causing problems but quite a few drunk passengers! we normally limited the flow.
Handful of medical problems in flight, sadly 1 infant death.
pushthebutton said:
They're very different jobs and will, potentially, attract very different people. There can be significant downsides to both; some very significant depending on how you view things.
If you compare flying vs flying then there's obviously no comparison, but if you compare lifestyle vs lifestyle then the ball swings in the other direction for me personally. I think you have to look at each career as a whole to make a reasoned decision.
I'm sure you're completely correct, but I still can't help thinking that if you've come from flying Typhoons or whatever, there's always got to be a little bit of you sat there in the cabin of a 777 thinking "I wonder if I could get a barrel roll out of this before the stewardesses start going down the aisle with the drinks trolley"?If you compare flying vs flying then there's obviously no comparison, but if you compare lifestyle vs lifestyle then the ball swings in the other direction for me personally. I think you have to look at each career as a whole to make a reasoned decision.
Can only agree and support those who question the motivation of the OP. Who questions the rationale for working in the banking industry or joining the police, becoming a social worker or submariner? I spent 45 years as flight crew, the last 30 on long haul. The working conditions might not have been every one's cup of tea but in those 45 years however, I cannot recall a day when I did not go to the airport optimistic for the day ahead.I accept that some of my colleagues did not share my enthusiasm but most of those fell by the wayside as time went by. It was not for everybody but for those (and their families) it suited it is hard to imagine anything better. It not only offered immense job satisfaction but allowed one to participate in so many other activities which for so many would remain a pipe dream. As for the life of female cabin crew, well my wife of more than 26 years was long haul cabin crew and still misses it. Horses for courses comes to mind.
Can only agree and support those who question the motivation of the OP. Who questions the rationale for working in the banking industry or joining the police, becoming a social worker or submariner? I spent 45 years as flight crew, the last 30 on long haul. The working conditions might not have been every one's cup of tea but in those 45 years however, I cannot recall a day when I did not go to the airport optimistic for the day ahead.I accept that some of my colleagues did not share my enthusiasm but most of those fell by the wayside as time went by. It was not for everybody but for those (and their families) it suited it is hard to imagine anything better. It not only offered immense job satisfaction but allowed one to participate in so many other activities which for so many would remain a pipe dream. As for the life of female cabin crew, well my wife of more than 26 years was long haul cabin crew and still misses it. Horses for courses comes to mind.
Kermit power said:
pushthebutton said:
They're very different jobs and will, potentially, attract very different people. There can be significant downsides to both; some very significant depending on how you view things.
If you compare flying vs flying then there's obviously no comparison, but if you compare lifestyle vs lifestyle then the ball swings in the other direction for me personally. I think you have to look at each career as a whole to make a reasoned decision.
I'm sure you're completely correct, but I still can't help thinking that if you've come from flying Typhoons or whatever, there's always got to be a little bit of you sat there in the cabin of a 777 thinking "I wonder if I could get a barrel roll out of this before the stewardesses start going down the aisle with the drinks trolley"?If you compare flying vs flying then there's obviously no comparison, but if you compare lifestyle vs lifestyle then the ball swings in the other direction for me personally. I think you have to look at each career as a whole to make a reasoned decision.
JP4 said:
Can only agree and support those who question the motivation of the OP. Who questions the rationale for working in the banking industry or joining the police, becoming a social worker or submariner?
Guess you haven't spent much time on here. Let me pick the more difficult one...mybrainhurts said:
This got me thinking. What happens if the crew all fart at the same moment..?
I think crankedup's written about 13k posts questioning the rationale for working in the banking industry.CrutyRammers said:
I knew a guy, about 20 years ago now, who was a Tornado pilot who had retired from the RAF and flew for BA. He certainly never mentioned being bored, I imagine not getting posted somewhere else every 2 years is quite a consolation prize.
I believe, if you're the best of the best, and you screw up just *this* much, the worst punishment is considered to be flying a cargo plane carrying rubber dog st out of Hong Kong.JP4 said:
Can only agree and support those who question the motivation of the OP. Who questions the rationale for working in the banking industry or joining the police, becoming a social worker or submariner...
el stovey said:
I agree with you entirely. It's up to everyone whether they think it's a good job or not for whatever reasons.
I was just saying, it seems a bit odd and unpleasant to start a thread about someone else's job saying it's not as good as some people might think it is. Nobody's asking him to do it. It might be a dream job for someone else. Why start a thread putting down other people's choice of career?
If someone randomly and with no experience of the job pompously started a thread saying "working in IT must be st, no offence to IT workers but it looks really rubbish, what do others think?" people would all be kicking off.
There are plenty of jobs I wouldn't like to do but I'm not going to start a thread telling people that do the job, that I think ithey have a crap job,
I feel you're both a little sensitive. First, it's the internet, people post all sorts of crap. Second, if you think it's bad people questioning air travel then think of the poor IT workers. Anytime anything negative comes up with someone they're often described as an IT worker who stays at home with mum, is fat and a virgin. Bankers are criticised. Train drivers also pop up every so often in discussions on if they are paid far too much for what they do. Fair enough saying from your experience it's not for everyone but for those that enjoy it then it's the best thing, but it is a little strange to question someone questioning it on the internet and get defensive about it.I was just saying, it seems a bit odd and unpleasant to start a thread about someone else's job saying it's not as good as some people might think it is. Nobody's asking him to do it. It might be a dream job for someone else. Why start a thread putting down other people's choice of career?
If someone randomly and with no experience of the job pompously started a thread saying "working in IT must be s
t, no offence to IT workers but it looks really rubbish, what do others think?" people would all be kicking off. There are plenty of jobs I wouldn't like to do but I'm not going to start a thread telling people that do the job, that I think ithey have a crap job,
Edited by el stovey on Friday 27th May 12:09
(Since I've commented then I'm a geologist if anyone wants to take a pop at them, only fair everyone gets the chance,
).Disastrous said:
CrutyRammers said:
I knew a guy, about 20 years ago now, who was a Tornado pilot who had retired from the RAF and flew for BA. He certainly never mentioned being bored, I imagine not getting posted somewhere else every 2 years is quite a consolation prize.
I believe, if you're the best of the best, and you screw up just *this* much, the worst punishment is considered to be flying a cargo plane carrying rubber dog st out of Hong Kong.NeMiSiS said:
I thought a pilot of an airliner whether passenger or cargo was akin to a machine minder, but I am quite stupid and know nothing about the subject.
I once heard a pilot talking as we disembarked a flight at lanzorote saying that he took over the landing at the last minute due to high cross winds, so I assumed the plane would normally land it self.
So if it takes off on its own, lands itself and flys on its own what does the pilot do?
Like I said I'm stupid.
He's there for when the computer makes funny noises and doesn't know what to do.I once heard a pilot talking as we disembarked a flight at lanzorote saying that he took over the landing at the last minute due to high cross winds, so I assumed the plane would normally land it self.
So if it takes off on its own, lands itself and flys on its own what does the pilot do?
Like I said I'm stupid.
POORCARDEALER said:
Friends very fit daughter works for Etihad, who are alledgedly one of the better airlines to work for...
http://insidetraveller.co.uk/what-are-etihad-frigh...
pushthebutton said:
POORCARDEALER said:
Friends very fit daughter works for Etihad, who are alledgedly one of the better airlines to work for...
http://insidetraveller.co.uk/what-are-etihad-frigh...
JP4 said:
Can only agree and support those who question the motivation of the OP. Who questions the rationale for working in the banking industry or joining the police, becoming a social worker or submariner? I spent 45 years as flight crew, the last 30 on long haul. The working conditions might not have been every one's cup of tea but in those 45 years however, I cannot recall a day when I did not go to the airport optimistic for the day ahead.I accept that some of my colleagues did not share my enthusiasm but most of those fell by the wayside as time went by. It was not for everybody but for those (and their families) it suited it is hard to imagine anything better. It not only offered immense job satisfaction but allowed one to participate in so many other activities which for so many would remain a pipe dream. As for the life of female cabin crew, well my wife of more than 26 years was long haul cabin crew and still misses it. Horses for courses comes to mind.
Well that's great and I'm genuinely glad you enjoyed it.... really...
I wasn't knocking the job at all, but stating facts, the hours are unsocial, and you are working under pressure in cramped conditions, sometimes having to put up with rather demanding passengers. I also said you do a great job. I simply asked if others thought it was a "glamour" job or not.
My cousin's brother has worked for BA over thirty years and her daughter for Virgin Atlantic for several years.
I fly to Malta a lot, as I have a house over there, and am on first name terms with most of cabin crew at Air Malta, they work extremely hard and are always very pleasant.
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