Why do flight attendants take their job so seriously? My ipod will not cause the plane to crash...?

Question

I know what most of you are thinking... this is more of a rant (maybe a stupid one?) than a question that can get a real answer... however, I travel a lot... I see this all the time... Why does the flight attendant feel the need to be so "power crazy" over these rules that he/she must follow them to the letter of the law... my backpack is not FULLY under the seat (by an inch or two)... the seat is not in its full upright position by just a hair... my ipod is on... why do they care? The plane is not going to crash because of these things... and if something does go wrong, my seat not being 100% fully upright is not going to be a life or death deal breaker. Sometimes it feels like these people are on a power trip and think they have this great authority over us.... what gives?!?

Answer 1

Here is an article if your interested in the regulations.

Answer 2

Well, even if it's a minor hassle, they've got rules for a reason. If she was rude to you, that's one thing, but it won't kill you to just do what they ask you.

Taking their job seriously? lol. I'm sorry, but I wouldn't risk my job just so you can listen to your ipod either.

Answer 3

Bert from Oz is totally right.

I'm a former Flight Attendant and I just wanted to add that in the U.S. at least, the FAA (the U.S. aviation authority) does random checks, unannounced. If they see us not following the rules, we could be fined up to U.S. $1000 of our own personal money. The airline will not back us up and we could be in additional trouble with the company.

$1000 is a lot on a F/A salary! Sure we want to be everyone's friend but it's not worth risking our own money and jobs... Plus, you have no idea how many other rules we have to follow (when to get up, what we have to do when we board, how far away from our door we can be during boarding, etc.)

Also, another small point is that any electronic item which takes in signals from outside the aircraft could pose a problem for the navigation equipment. F/A's are not electronical engineers (or at least, it's not required ;) and we simply didn't have the time to analyze each item as to it's properties so yes, they simply ban all of them for take-off and landing.

The bottom line is that your life could be in the hands of the F/A's on your flight if anything goes wrong so yeah, you WANT them to take their job seriously. You're paying them and your safety is the whole reason they're on board with you!

Answer 4

because if an accident occured ibet you would be the first in line for a hand out,prevention is better than cure,and if they allowed one person to do it they would have to let everyone,and thats when accidents really do happen,when you grow up you will realize

Answer 5

The Cabin Crew onboard any flight are here to do their job and make your experience safe and comfortable, for the whole flight. Also do you think the cabin crew make up these rules for a joke? No they don't! Sometimes if you have an I- pod on for takeoff and landing, this can interfere with the aircraft system and could cause the I-pod to pick up the signal and for the plane to crash. You can always listen to your ipod once airborne.

If the aircraft did crash, you would be held the person who caused the aircraft to crash.

Answer 6

I think you need a better understanding, sir.

I'm a pilot by trade - and trust me, the rules in flying, whether we agree or not, are STRICT - and it's not just the F/A being "power crazy" - its because LEGALLY, they HAVE to follow it - to the letter of the law.

Aviation law is very, very black and white. You can do it - or you can't. If you can't - you can't - and there's no exceptions.

Todays society is highly likely to sue in the event of a crash. Couple that with airline management who want to pass the blame if someone does go wrong - and unfortunately, a lot comes back on flight attendants and pilots and crew.

Even without a crash - if things go wrong, people kick up a fuss and the crew cop it.

Mate...I really don't think you understand the point of these laws, do you?

You are right, your iPod won't cause the plane to crash - but during takeoff and landing, a LOT can happen in moments and it's important you are listening! If the pilots realise they have to abandon the takeoff and will want everyone to evacuate as soon as the plane stops (say, for a sudden fire), they'll announce it on the PA system and if you're sitting there oblivious and listening to your iPod, you're not going to hear!

When there's several hundred passengers to get out in 90 seconds (that's the law too) - the flight attendants don't want to be mucking around grabbing the people who are too thick to pay attention and didn't hear what's going on.

THAT is why you have to have your iPod off! So you can listen to and take in instructions.

It's a proven fact that people who don't pay attention to F/A instructions and the safety brief have much, much higher death rates in a crash than those who do. The people who sit there and listen to their music...and if the plane is burning, I don't see why my co-workers (the attendants) should risk their lives rescuing you because you don't want to obey some simple rules. Fair?

And guess what? Your seat needing to be up isn't just for you! Its for the poor guy or girl behind you!

Because again, if there is a crash (and it's most likely on takeoff or landing - when the seats are requested up), it is again possible the plane's body will be damaged - and seats shift. If your seat is back and it moves, there's a mighty good chance that it'll pin the person behind you in their seat. I know my blood would be boiling personally if I was sitting there, trapped in a crashed plane because the person in front of me again was too ignorant to pay attention to the rules.

SAFETY - thats why. OK?

I don't want to sound like I'm attacking you, I'm not.

But I want you to understand, from a professional pilot, that the rules are all there for a reason. Flight attendants don't WANT to make life hard for you - but they have a job to do, and their job is much more than just serving drinks - in a crash, they're responsible for getting everyone out.

So there are rules in place to make sure that at the dangerous times of your flight, you are as ready as you can be - that is, listening and your seat upright to allow other people to escape (and yourself.)

Like I said...in a crash, I don't see why the flight attendants should risk their neck for the person who doesn't know what to do because s/he didn't pay attention to the rules.

Oh - and guess what. They do have an authority over you. Again - aviation law. And I have a nasty revelation to make - if you don't obey them, they'll send for the Captain - and the Captain has the power to kick you off his flight at whatever stage he likes - including before you've even left - or at worst, actually arrest you and hand you to the police.

Yes, I'm sure you want to keep listening to music, etc.

But really, it's for only a small section of the flight - so for your own safety and that of those around you - pay attention to the F/As, obey the rules, unplug the iPod and put your seat up - and do it willingly.

If you've flown as much as you say, then you should know by now without having to be told, anyhow.

The law is the law. It's there for your protection - and the flight attendants are paid to enforce it - to the letter.

If you don't like it, don't fly.