Do you think Flight Attendants are unimportant?

Question

Do you think that all they do is just "serve drinks" and "fasten seatbelts" or do you give them respect? Question be honest.

Answer 1

Flight attendants are required by law to be on airliners that carry over 19 passengers. Their legal function is to do the preflight passenger briefing on emergency equipment and procedures. Also, their legal job description is to assist passengers in exiting the aircraft in the event of an accident.

All of the drink serving, meal serving, etc. is simply customer service and make-work...which of course most airlines are curtailing.

A flight attendant can legally remain buckled in his seat for the entire flight if he wishes...or until an inflight emergency arises.

So, no, I suppose that they're not unimportant if your plane goes off the end of the runway into the lake. They're the ones who are going to know how to open the doors and get the pax into the boats before the plane sinks...or whatever.

Answer 2

Flight attendants used to be nurses when they first started. The job has evolved a bit but the flight attendant's job is very important. They go over the safety procedures and must know how to evacuate an aircraft should it crash. I have answered a question like this before and a flight attendant wrote something adding that they are trained to deal with different circumstances such as if a passenger has a heart attack, they must use the defibrillator. Flight attendants also help passengers lift their luggage into the overhead compartment if the passenger cannot do it and play an integral part in getting passengers boarded so the aircraft can leave on-time. I actually asked a pilot friend of mine because there was a possibility that the flight attendants were going to go on strike. I asked if they can still fly. He told me that the aircraft cannot depart without a flight attendant because they are trained to go over the safety information on the aircraft. Therefore if the flight attendants went on strike, the pilots wouldn't have a job either.

Answer 3

I definitely give them respect. They do work hard....they are on their feet a whole lot. Not to mention the risks they take by all the flights they take. I am afraid to fly (but I still do it), so I give them kudos for taking that on as an occupation. Especially after all the 9/11 ****. I certainly would have massive anxiety if I took a job like that. Although they say flying is actually safer than driving. But if you get in a car accident, there is usually a pretty decent chance you will survive with injuries. If a plane goes down, that's pretty much it.....you're dead.

No, they are not unimportant. They do serve drinks and snacks (on the very few airlines that still do that), but they are also there to make sure the passengers are safe and comfortable. They close the overhead storage bins, they check that you have your seat up-right, they make sure you have your seat belt on, they let the pilot know everyone is good to go, they deal with "seat disputes" when there is over-booking, etc.

You try flying a commercial flight with no flight attendants and tell me what your experience is like, I'd be curious to know.

Answer 4

Since their number one job is the safety of the passengers, yes they are equally as important as the pilot. Can you imagine that without them, people would be trying to talk about their personal needs to the pilot, while he/she is trying to fly the aircraft! I suppose the attendants are like us in that some days their job really sucks, especially on long hauls, and one of the passengers will be the unfortunate recipient of the attendants frustration. On the other hand, one flight attendant has to deal with the problems a whole section of passengers. Some airlines have friendlier flight attendants than others. The other factors are the comfort of the plane, the length in hours of the flight, the smoothness of the flight, the food(ha, ha), entertainment, and the people you have to sit next to. Coach almost always sucks! So if you're on a plane with a good, comfortable coach section, then you are doing good.
For future purposes, I would like to see a gym on an aircraft, so that passengers can go and stretch, and maybe even do a little workout!!

Answer 5

Flight Attendants are VERY important in my eyes. Sure their job looks easy, but pleasing everyone on the plane isnt. Behind the scenes, they make sure everything is okay. And in case of an emergency, they are the ones that are trained to assist if it ever happens. Most of the flight attendants training is on safety procedures.

Consider yourself lucky if you have never gotten into a emergency situation on a plane.

Answer 6

No, all the guy in the right seat does is move a lever during t/o and landing; hence, the FO (flap operator) designation and most people think his job is important. In fact, all the airlines do is get people where they need to go so they can do the important work. People will get where they need to go regardless of us. You fly because you love flying and fill an extremely important part of the flight at the same time. Who the hell would want 300 unattended people in a cigar tube for up to 16 hrs at a time--just wouldn't work without ya.

Answer 7

I don't think they are unimportant, but they are a lot meaner than they used to be. I know they have to put up with a lot of crap, but they also had to 30 years ago and were a lot nicer then. If the customer service improves more people will fly. They already have to put up with a mess at the airport. Although I can afford to fly first class I prefer to drive whenever possible.

Answer 8

I respect flight attendants. They are well trained to act in an emergency and ensure the safe evacuation of the plane. Their job is very important for the safety and comfort of the passengers.

Answer 9

I respect flight attendants, i don't really know what all they do seeing as i've never flown before, but a job is a job, i respect all working people, instead of the pathetic losers that stay on welfare their entire life.

Answer 10

I think theri job is important yet undervalued. They are trained on what to do during an emergencey, and how to deal with the drunks, and the nuts. I just wish some of them would be a little more polite.