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A survey of more than 700 international cabin crew members in 85 countries by global travel search site Skyscanner has revealed their perfect airline passenger.
The perfect passenger according to the cabin crew survey is male, he travels alone for pleasure rather than business, is in his 30’s and travels in economy class.
Seen by many as a desirable job, cabin crew are in the unique position to meet and greet people from all walks of life. However, with nearly 3 million people sitting in the sky every day, some regular habits and requests can understandably get under their skin more than others.
According to the survey, the biggest gripe for a quarter of cabin crew (26%) is passengers who click their fingers at them to get their attention.
Other annoying habits at 30,000 feet include the scramble to leave the plane before the seat belt signs are switched off (13%), passengers trying to cram too much hand baggage in the overhead lockers (11%) and one in 10 find their pet peeve is passengers who talk through the safety demonstration, suggesting that many frequent flyers do not pay attention in spite of increasing requests by cabin staff to do to.
Stuffing rubbish in the seat compartments (9%) also completed the list.
Skyscanner’s Sam Poullain said, “This is the first time that we’ve surveyed international cabin crew and the findings give us a real into what they really think of passengers. And the results were certainly not what we expected. Contrary to stereotypes, it’s interesting to see that it’s the men who get the vote for the perfect passenger, while cabin crew prefer to work in economy rather than premium class.”
The most annoying habits of air passengers:
-- Clicking fingers to get your attention - 26% -- Leaving seat at the end before the light goes off - 13% -- Stuffing too many bags into overhead locker - 11% -- Complaining there’s no space for their bag in the locker - 10% -- Talking through the safety demo - 9% -- Asking for more blankets/pillows - 8% -- Stuffing rubbish in the seat pocket - 9% -- Asking for a different meal - 6% -- Ringing the attendant bell to complain about temperature - 6% -- Asking for a specific brand of drink - 4%
© Asia Travel Tips
17 Comments
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theResident
haha, yes Serrano, but we know you expect something for nothing!
Serrano
Me, of course!
Serrano
"annoying habits of passengers... Asking for a specific brand of drink"
This must be United, Delta or American Airlines. When I ask my ANA flight attendant for Asahi Super Dry, she smiles sweetly, brings it to me, opens the can and gives me a cup to pour it in. Same thing when I ask for my second and even third one.
"Stuffing too many bags into overhead locker ( compartment )"
Ha ha, one time on a United flight, the male flight attendant couldn't get one of the overhead compartments closed due to all the bags stuffed in there, got pissed and started berating all the passengers within earshot: "If you people would have listened to my instructions..." Ha ha, lol. I had one small bag on the floor under the seat in front of me, as usual.
nath
Fly singapore airlines peeps! They're the best! I've seen some mean passengers put them through the wringer, yet they never lose their cool.
FightingViking
For one of my previous jobs, I had to travel pretty well all over the world (no complaints from me !) except for that one time I took a JAL flight... I was in Business Class (the society I was working for paid...) and I had the cheek to ask for a glass of water (in Japanese) the answer being : "Later on ! I'm busy now !" Needless to say, I have never taken a JAL flight since...
Maria
The first 5 complaints ( Clicking fingers to get your attention;Leaving seat at the end before the light goes off; Stuffing too many bags into overhead locker; Complaining there's no space for their bag in the locker; Talking through the safety demo) - well, fair enough. They are about bad manners, irresponsibility and inconsideration towards those around you.
The next 5 (Asking for more blankets/pillows; Stuffing rubbish in the seat pocket ; Asking for a different meal; Ringing the attendant bell to complain about temperature; Asking for a specific brand of drink ) - well, these are part of the cabin crew's job - to make sure the paying passengers are comfortable. I would like to know why these behaviours are somehow outside cabin crew's duties? Why shouldn't we ask for pillows and blankets? They are available after all. Where should we put the trash? Should we call CC each time? etc.
I certainly don't intend to sit in discomfort for 11+ hours.
Cos
In intermediate phase only.
It's more "you shouldn't fly Asia to Europe". I've done all the companies, all classes as I got accidental upgrades sometimes. Roughly Asia-Asia, you're the most beautiful creature of the universe, everybody loves you, smiles, greets, helps , serves you food that tastes good, you can even chose your drinks, have refills as you can even use the bathroom, dozo... But on the long trips, how dare you impose your presence ugly creature ? When you have a stop, that's Scottish shower, warm then cold, and back cold then warm.
Laguna
Flight attendants never paid much attention to me until I married and had two (VERY well-behaved!) children - then, they were all over.
I wondered in those days: Why did you wait?
jforce
I can only imagine what waitressing in a tube is like. However, I never give these people a hardtime. It's a tough job and dealing with people is just god-awful. I'll bet the snapping fingers complaint is a bunch of BS. From what I've seen on planes it's parents that don't control their bratty kids. I've seen attendants scowl and request parents to do their job - especially Japanese and Chinese parents. They let their kids do whatever they want. Also, what about the drunks on the planes? Not a problem?
Reinaert Albrecht
You shouldn't fly Alitalia if you want service.
Ranger_Miffy2
I always ask for an extra pillow and blanket as soon as I find my seat. Usually it is supplied with no problem. Don't see why this is a big problem for the staff to comply with.
And, I have never seen anyone snap fingers for service. That is demeaning, and there is the button to push for assistance.
oikawa
I'd be really interested to see a survey of what flight attendants' ideas of their own job description were.
Ari94
A survey of more than 700 international cabin crew members in 85 countries good and we got these results. The most annoying habits of air passengers: —Clicking fingers to get your attention - 26% —Leaving seat at the end before the light goes off - 13% —Stuffing too many bags into overhead locker - 11% —Complaining there’s no space for their bag in the locker - 10% —Talking through the safety demo - 9% —Asking for more blankets/pillows - 8% —Stuffing rubbish in the seat pocket - 9% —Asking for a different meal - 6% —Ringing the attendant bell to complain about temperature - 6% —Asking for a specific brand of drink - 4%
Clicking fingers, some times we got to do this even if we do not want there isn't any alternative. Complaining about space in locker, why did they let others to put their luggage in the first place. If I find no space then what should I do? (I got only one briefcase). If Asking for more blankets/pillows is bad then why not mention some where in advance we will carry from home. Stuffing rubbish in the seat pocket, at least not throwing here and there. Ringing the attendant bell to complain about temperature, oh, I have noticed often "cooling problem" then what we are supposed to do?
Would it be better if they print out Do and Don't list when we book flight so in advance we can read?
I think there should also be a same survey but this time from Passenger point of view lets see what we will get?
Pannga
I can see both sides as I travel all the time; I can say that I don't like international Delta, the flight attendents are some of the worst, age and attitude and extremely rude.
SimondB
I'd like to see a similar survey of what makes the perfect air steward. Bottom of the list would be the snotty woman on Air Italia who when I dared, 5 hours into a flight from Narita to Rome, asked could she bring me a beer, snapped back "No, it's not drinking time". It was 5.00 PM Japan time.
sfjp330
It's a service industry. They are paying for it and they are entitled to crappy service that they provide. If you don't ask for anyting and stay silent, and go to sleep, your a perfect passenger for them.
m6bob
Clicking fingers to get their attention: Unable to get stewardesses' attention, passengers have been known to complain, 'I've been fingering them for the last 20mins and she never come'.