Not a Good Time with NWA Flight Attendant

Status
Not open for further replies.
The flight attendant may have been rude, but remember, they're often on an extremely tight schedule close to departure time. Moving one person can take a few minutes, which in turn can be the difference between on on-time out time and the crew taking a delay. They're under a lot of pressure, and as someone who wants to get invovled in aviation professionally, it would probably be a good idea to recognize that and try to be as nice and courteous as possible to people in the industry.

I can't even imagine some of the crap flight attendants have to deal with on a regular basis (the airplane I fly has a nice big cargo area in between me and passengers, which is somewhat insulating). I get rudely asked for coffee and drinks all the time when I'm boarding a flight while commuting in uniform. Try to understand why they might be a little grouchy. Although the angel comment sounds wierd.

-Zach
(apprentice Caribbean thunderstorm circumnavigator)
 
I just like window seats, big deal. Some people like aisle seats. Big deal. I DID negotiate with passengers after the flight attendant did not communicate clearly with me, and then was SARCASTIC...or I couldn't even tell?

People are acting like it's right for her as a professional to be sarcastic (or - ???) with me. AGAIN, if she would have taken the time to clearly communicate YES or NO with me, this probably wouldn't have even happened. "No, we cannot accommodate your request because..." "Yes, you may, but wait until..."

All I got was looks and that angel comment.

As a customer I shouldn't be treated like that.

About the pulling out the pilot card...probably shouldn't have done that. I know. Everyone makes mistakes, and I'm not afraid to say I make at least one every day. So that was one. I know I have a long way to go in getting my footing with being a pilot and being in the aviation industry. I'm doing pretty good here, becoming a leader locally...but I realize that doesn't mean I know everything.

I'm grateful for all your input and different perspectives. I realize there is a lot of experience and diversity in this forum.

If I was in the military, too...that wouldn't have happened - because you just take your seat, and sometimes the plane you're in doesn't even have windows. But it is CLEARLY understood that there is no available alternative option. My negotiations got messy because of improper communication on the part of the F/A.

I put myself in people's shoes before I decide to feel a certain way about them. That's why I was being friendly with the F/A but still attempting to negotiate. If I'm doing something that is proving to be disruptive to the productivity of the flight, tell me! I honestly didn't think it would be a huge deal, as I've darted across a plane before to switch seats so I could sit next to my bf. If I thought it would be a big deal, I wouldn't have even spoken as to my personal concerns. Being naive = me. Not communicating clear boundaries or limitations = F/A.
 
gurisudenko said:
I asked the flight attendant if I could possibly trade with someone who may not be bothered by not seeing outside during the flight. She didn't respond very well and seemed irritated. I asked the passengers, "Is anyone here not bothered by this? Raise your hand and maybe we can trade places!" No one raised their hand. A woman boarded the aircraft and took a nearby window seat as I was explaining still that I was bothered and I would like to fix that problem if it were possible. The flight attendant turned around and said, "Why don't you try talking to an angel instead of complaining about where you have to sit?!"

Uh...angel? Huh? That confused me.
.
Click to expand...

The angel comment was a little rude, BUT, don't blame the Flight Attendant for not switching you, you booked a window seat, got the window seat & then complained. Sorry, you have no right to complain, if you have a special need for a seat, then that is up to you to do the research as to seating layout. As a Pilot, I would hold you to a higher standard to know the aircraft that you are on, a little better than the rest of the passengers.

www.seatguru.com or the airline website, will give you information on the seats.

I am very picky for seats, which is why, I show up at the airport, "3" hours prior to departure to get the Emergency Exit seat......

Cris, next time, use your charm to get the passengers to trade with you..... Getting aggressive, does not win you points with anybody.....:)
 
gurisudenko said:
If I was in the military, too...that wouldn't have happened - because you just take your seat, and sometimes the plane you're in doesn't even have windows. But it is CLEARLY understood that there is no available alternative option. My negotiations got messy because of improper communication on the part of the F/A.
Click to expand...

Ummm...

Hmmm.

I'll just digress to Chris Ford's comments.

EDIT: What are you saying about those of us in the military?
 
Chris_Ford said:
No, princess, your negotiations got messy because you were suffering from a heightened sense of entitlement.
Click to expand...

I think its a girl-pilot thing. I went home the other day and as my parents and I were driving to go eat, we were behind a brand new H2. I noticed the AOPA sticker and then my eyes drifted down to the plate:

"CPT - MOM"
 
gurisudenko said:
My reasoning was that, given I was a student pilot, it was very awkward for me to be in that seat during the flight.
Click to expand...

one time i got on a bus and had to sit sideways and curtains were blocking my view of the road. It was so akward since im a driver, im used to seeing the yellow stripe. no one would open the curtain for me :(
 
I blame the F/A for nothing but not communicating clearly to me.

Errors in communication cause a lot of crap. And, when we assume, it makes an ass out of you and me.

I'm not a princess. I've learned too much from how I grew up to know that I'm not entitled to ANYTHING. I work for it.

Entitled/Princess Cristl: "Get out of your seat, it's mine."
Normal Cristl :"This bothers me. Could I possibly get another seat?"

Note the clear communication and simple request. Read into, can seem naive. Maybe it is. But when clear communication of X bothers customer/passenger is not met with clear communication from the F/A or associated professional representatives of the airline, that's not good.
 
gurisudenko, I hope you have a thick skin...

That being said, nobody gives a sh*t that you're a pilot and want to look out the SIDE of an airplane...

Did the pilots do a run-up before they departed? They always seem to skip that when I fly and I'm thinking about reporting them next time.
 
gurisudenko said:
Entitled/Princess Cristl: "Get out of your seat, it's mine."
Normal Cristl :"This bothers me. Could I possibly get another seat?"
Click to expand...

How about your thought process where you think you're better than everyone else sitting in a window seat that you deserve it more than them?

Sorry, sweetheart, but life isn't all flowers, puppies and love. Flowers die, puppies get served as Chinese food, and love will ultimately end up killing you.

Have a nice day!
 
gurisudenko said:
I blame the F/A for nothing but not communicating clearly to me.

Errors in communication cause a lot of crap. And, when we assume, it makes an ass out of you and me.

I'm not a princess. I've learned too much from how I grew up to know that I'm not entitled to ANYTHING. I work for it.

Entitled/Princess Cristl: "Get out of your seat, it's mine."
Normal Cristl :"This bothers me. Could I possibly get another seat?"

Note the clear communication and simple request. Read into, can seem naive. Maybe it is. But when clear communication of X bothers customer/passenger is not met with clear communication from the F/A or associated professional representatives of the airline, that's not good.
Click to expand...

I hope you can see you walked right into this - people are going to ridicule a post like yours - it's a no-brainer.

Have a thick skin and suck this one up. Chalk it up as a learning experience.
 
gurisudenko said:
Customers negotiate.
Click to expand...

Negotiate? What were offering her? ;)

Customers do negotiate, and, from my years of experience, they also tend to demand a lot too.

Honestly, it's really hard to tell here just exactly what happened. We get to hear your side of how nice and diplomatic and kind you were, but we don't get to hear from the F/A how you approached things. Again, expecting a F/A to hunt & scour the cabin for someone to switch seats with you so you can have a better window seat is being demanding. If you're that unhappy with your seat, take it upon yourself to ask folks to move for you or just grab an unoccupied seat once everyone is on board.
 
Chris_Ford said:
How about your thought process where you think you're better than everyone else sitting in a window seat that you deserve it more than them?

Sorry, sweetheart, but life isn't all flowers, puppies and love. Flowers die, puppies get served as Chinese food, and love will ultimately end up killing you.

Have a nice day!
Click to expand...

Aww... poor puppies. They're not cute ones, I hope.
 
Remember - the Flight Attendants really don't care about your comfort . . . once you accept that, you're gravy!!:rawk:
 
MQAAord said:
Negotiate? What were offering her? ;)

Customers do negotiate, and, from my years of experience, they also tend to demand a lot too.

Honestly, it's really hard to tell here just exactly what happened. We get to hear your side of how nice and diplomatic and kind you were, but we don't get to hear from the F/A how you approached things. Again, expecting a F/A to hunt & scour the cabin for someone to switch seats with you so you can have a better window seat is being demanding. If you're that unhappy with your seat, take it upon yourself to ask folks to move for you or just grab an unoccupied seat once everyone is on board.
Click to expand...

The customer is always wrong! :D
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top