The most annoying flight attendant habits ever

FROM those who refuse to crack a smile, to the plane noisy and the uncaring. A crew member dishes the dirt on the most irritating things her colleagues do.

Flight attendants, remember to smile! Picture: Thinkstock

PASSENGERS rejoice, for once, this article isn't about how annoying YOU are!

Sarah Steegar, a flight attendant with a major US carrier for the past 15 years, has turned the heat on her colleagues by revealing the most irritating things they do. From the rude to the plane noisy, here are her five pet peeves.

It's the elephant in the room: there are a lot of stories about annoying passenger behaviour, but few turn the lens on the crew.

I'm certainly not here to dis those I work with, they are wonderful most of the time. However there are things that nettle in every workplace, and jobs with altitude provide no exception.

You say: What do you find are the most annoying things flight attendants do? Tell us below.

1. Rudeness

Make no mistake, if passengers find a flight attendant unpleasant, the rest of the crew probably does, too. It's embarrassing when a colleague is ugly to perfectly nice people.

2. Aggressive apathy

Often related to the above, some flight attendants preach unsolicited reasons to be unempathetic, and thus, are unmotivated to help passengers. It's an unflattering trait in anyone, but especially incongruous to this job.

Such gems include:

"I wouldn't help him. No, really. If you're that tall, then buy a business class seat ... Even if I were poor I would just wait, and keep saving up until I could afford it."

"Haven't these people heard of travel insurance?! Who doesn't know to get that?"

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3. Forgetting we were once new, too

Some people take the wrong things too seriously. They forget what it's like to work with unfamiliar faces and show impatience for new hires.

Even if someone is experienced - and good at - premium galley positions, I've seen pursers try to force them out because they admit to not doing it regularly. I say, relax! It's not about safety. Everyone's been there. It'll be fine.

4. The dinner-money pit

This one is more a warning for (literally "poor") new hires. Nothing blows a layover budget like dining out with the crew. Particularly on international's long, expensive layovers, prepare to pay up. Sure as day, appetisers and bottles of wine will be ordered. Some will be sturdy drinkers. You might have just ordered "the little salad," but the bill will always be split evenly. Unless, perhaps, you're assertive enough to speak up firmly. Good luck with that, new kid!

Before I go, there's one passenger annoyance that I have to acknowledge. As someone with an overnight commute I've been there many times myself:

5. Galley noise

I try to pay attention to the noise factor but have to admit, I can be guilty, too. Talking is the best way to stay awake all night when the cabin is dark and asleep. That's important! Yet, it's so easy to underestimate just how well noise carries into the cabin. And as you must know, it's hard to ask strangers to be quiet without making them defensive. Let me know if you have the trick, m'kay?

Beyond that I'm, uh, perfect. I'm *ahem* just sure of it …

Sarah Steegar's regular column, Crewed Talk, can be found every Tuesday on Flytertalk.com. She is happy to answer your airline and travel questions at @FATravelWriter.

News_Image_File: Sarah Steegar.