The Flight Mistake That Gets On Every Attendant's Nerves

A smooth flight is something that every passenger wishes for. One important factor that can heavily impact the smoothness of your journey is the crew on the plane. Flight attendants are a huge part of flying who do a lot more than just give out snacks or share the safety instructions that barely anyone listens to. In fact, flight attendants are safety professionals who are determined to keep passengers comfortable and safe throughout their entire journey. This is one reason it's so concerning why flight attendant morale is at an all-time low.

While the crew do their best to make the flight as smooth as possible for everyone, there are some airplane travel mistakes or habits that passengers tend to do that can really drive them crazy. One of the biggest mistakes a passenger can do that will drive every flight attendant up the wall is using the bathroom during takeoff or landing. This disrupts the crew from being able to do their job and can impact the safety of the passengers on board. Instead, it is best to wait until the seatbelt sign is off after takeoff, or use the restroom way before landing.

One thing passengers don't seem to understand is the importance of timing and how consideration for others can help make the entire process smoother. Picture this: You've just entered the aircraft, placed your hand luggage in the overhead compartment, and decided you want to use the bathroom. Instead of waiting until after takeoff, you block the aisle, trying to fight your way to the toilet, pushing passengers and flight attendants out of the way. Doesn't that sound frustrating? Now think one step ahead: It is time for takeoff, and flight attendants require free passageway to be able to do their job and walk up and down the aisle freely ensuring seatbelts are buckled, seats are upright, and to see if any passengers need help. Does that sound like a suitable time to block the aisle and walk to the bathroom? And what happens if there's turbulence during takeoff? Going to the bathroom can put you and your fellow passengers' safety at risk if you're not in your seat and buckled up.

Outside of takeoff and landing, there's another crucial moment when you want to avoid a bathroom break: when flight attendants are pushing their cart down the aisle, giving out water and snacks. What are flight attendants supposed to do? Move the cart all the way back, every time a passengers only thinks of themselves? Consider timing and how it can disrupt a flight attendant's ability to do their job safely the next time you're on a plane. 

Going to the bathroom during inopportune moments isn't the only thing that gets on flight attendants' nerves. There's a call button on every seat for a reason — to make it easy to get the attention of a flight attendant if you need any help. That being said, any form of physical touch (including a light tap) is inappropriate and disrespectful. Needless to stay, passengers should not grab, touch, poke, or tap a flight attendant to get their attention. Instead, a polite "excuse me" or a press of the button will alert flight attendants that you're in need of assistance. By respecting these boundaries, it is most likely you'll receive better service while showing mutual respect for smoother interactions. 

Just remember to be considerate, patient, and understanding that the crew are in charge of catering for everyone on the plane — and that could take time. So unless it is urgent, give flight attendants the space to deal with the more important issues at hand, and show as much respect and appreciation as possible. Little gestures can also go a long way — sometimes it can be as simple as responding to greetings at the boarding door when entering the plane. Don't you think it's a little rude to completely ignore the staff who will be attending to your needs throughout the entire flight? You should at least show a sign of appreciation with a smile and a greeting!